Be sure to change your bookmarks to my new website.
Very soon, I will be inserting an automatic re-direct.
http://www.transitionagingparents.com/
Have a good day! Dale...
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Monday, May 4, 2009
My new website is launched - May 4th
Thanks to all my readers of this blog. I have appreciated your comments and feedback over the past 6 months. As always....my goal is to share insight and information with adult children of aging parents so their parents can "thrive and find joy" in every stage of life.
Now I have a treat for you! Today, I launch my new website. It has been a lot of hard work and a big learning experience but it is ready. Yes!!!! http://www.transitionagingparents.com/
Now I have a treat for you! Today, I launch my new website. It has been a lot of hard work and a big learning experience but it is ready. Yes!!!! http://www.transitionagingparents.com/
This new website gives me the flexibility to offer more content in different ways, and interact with my readers in a more effective way. (Note: I'm in the process of moving all my old blog content to this site).
Please link out to my new site, explore, subscribe and share your thoughts (through the "Leave a Comment" area or Contact form).
Check out the new F*REE 5 part E-course. I am excited about sharing it with you! If you submit your email address in the E-course signup box, you'll also get my bi-weekly ezine packed with tips and information on resources, options, and new innovations for your aging parents.
I look forward to seeing you there! My best, Dale...
Sunday, April 26, 2009
"Electronic mosquito" to aid diabetics
I get very excited when I read about new innovations that could help my elderly mother. She has diabetes and needs to regularly test her glucose level. Pricking her finger is not one of her favorite activities, and she often has trouble with the glucose testing kit.
So, it was with interest that I read about a new device, the "electronic mosquito", patented by engineers at the University of Calgary. This innovation offers a "less invasive alternative" to diabetics who have to take regular samples of their blood. As the article points out, diabetes has been described as a global epidemic, affecting 246 million people around the world.
What is the "electronic mosquito"?
* a patch, like an adhesive bandage, about the size of a deck of cards
How does it work?
* "contains four micro-needles that bite sequentially at programmed intervals"
* controlled to penetrate the skin at just the right depth so the patient experiences little or no pain
* a sensor in each cell measures glucose levels
* data can then be sent wirelessly to a computer or some personal monitoring device
* alarm can be sounded if glucose levels go into the danger zone
What are the next design steps?
* Make components smaller to fit more needles on the patch, thus allowing the patient to wear patch for longer time or test more frequently
* The engineers hope to integrate a pump system for insulin injections that could become "autonomous based on data from the e-Mosquito".
Challenges?
* The university's technology transfer and incubation centre needs to find an industry partner to speed up product development and bring this new technology to market
(Source: http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=10259.php)
So, it was with interest that I read about a new device, the "electronic mosquito", patented by engineers at the University of Calgary. This innovation offers a "less invasive alternative" to diabetics who have to take regular samples of their blood. As the article points out, diabetes has been described as a global epidemic, affecting 246 million people around the world.
What is the "electronic mosquito"?
* a patch, like an adhesive bandage, about the size of a deck of cards
How does it work?
* "contains four micro-needles that bite sequentially at programmed intervals"
* controlled to penetrate the skin at just the right depth so the patient experiences little or no pain
* a sensor in each cell measures glucose levels
* data can then be sent wirelessly to a computer or some personal monitoring device
* alarm can be sounded if glucose levels go into the danger zone
What are the next design steps?
* Make components smaller to fit more needles on the patch, thus allowing the patient to wear patch for longer time or test more frequently
* The engineers hope to integrate a pump system for insulin injections that could become "autonomous based on data from the e-Mosquito".
Challenges?
* The university's technology transfer and incubation centre needs to find an industry partner to speed up product development and bring this new technology to market
(Source: http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=10259.php)
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Caregiving.com's Progressive Party 04/17 to 04/24
STARTS TODAY (April 17th)To:
Family caregivers who blog and the companies that support them
Join: Caregiving.com's ProgressiveParty.April17-24
Click here to join the party! 14 blogs to explore!
Monday, March 16, 2009
2-1-1, Information about critical services for the elderly
In a recent survey, I was asked by readers to write about 2-1-1. I had never used this service but the request intrigued me. How widespread is 2-1-1 and what benefits does it provide?
Here's a brief summary of what I found. (If you've used 2-1-1, please leave a comment sharing your experience.)
As of March, 2009, 46 states (including Washington, DC and Puerto Rico) have established 2-1-1 lines to simplify access to information and expand availability of human services to individuals and families. Instead of dialing 911 (for an emergency), individuals dial 211 (for information). Trained operators link callers to social services and local programs. The information to specifically support the elderly includes: home health care, adult day care, congregate meals, Meals on Wheels, respite care, transportation and homemaker services.
In 2008, 2-1-1 services took 14 million calls. "While services that are offered through
This service is even available to children of aging parents who live somewhere else in the country. They can access the 2-1-1 website and enter their parents' zip code. The resulting web page displays complete information about the "supporting agency" in that area. The daughter or son can then quickly make a long distance phone call and get linked to social services and programs local to their parents.
This service is spearheaded by the United Way and the Alliance for Information and Referral System (AIRS). Legislation currently under consideration would provide federal money to states starting or enhancing a
Click here for the 2-1-1 website
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
National Council on Aging campaigns to increase funding for seniors
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is campaigning to increase funding under the Older Americans Act (OAA) - by 12%. This act, dating back to 1965, provides food, jobs and care for America's seniors. One of its most well-known program is Meals on Wheels, a key program in enabling seniors to remain independent in their homes. Unfortunately, 85% of states report a wait list for Meals on Wheels.
Funding under the OAA has remained level for the past 8 years. You can read about all the important programs being targeted for increased funding (at the NCOA link, end of my post).
I'll focus briefly on just one of the programs which would personally and positively impact me and other caregivers to aging parents. The National Family Caregiver Support program (NFCSP), under Title IIIE of the OAA, provides "services to help ease the burdens of caregivers, including respite care, counseling and supplemental services".
Some of the interesting facts about family caregivers include:
* Family caregivers provide 80% of non-institutional long-term care.
* The typical caregiver is a 46 year old woman, providing 18 hours of care for her mother
* The value of family caregiving services is estimated at $257 billion per year
Those of us who are (or have been) caregivers to our elderly parents:
* help keep our parents in an independent living situation, and thus reduce nursing home and Medicaid costs (good)
* cost our employers in lost productivity (not good)
* and most importantly, often sacrifice our physical and mental health in meeting all the demands of caregiving (really not good!!!)
This program would provide much needed support services to the caregivers out there.
To read detail about this funding campaign by the NCOA:
National Council of Aging (NCOA) Overview of Appropriations
To advocate for this and/or contact your congressional representatives:
National Council of Aging (NCOA) Advocacy Center
Funding under the OAA has remained level for the past 8 years. You can read about all the important programs being targeted for increased funding (at the NCOA link, end of my post).
I'll focus briefly on just one of the programs which would personally and positively impact me and other caregivers to aging parents. The National Family Caregiver Support program (NFCSP), under Title IIIE of the OAA, provides "services to help ease the burdens of caregivers, including respite care, counseling and supplemental services".
Some of the interesting facts about family caregivers include:
* Family caregivers provide 80% of non-institutional long-term care.
* The typical caregiver is a 46 year old woman, providing 18 hours of care for her mother
* The value of family caregiving services is estimated at $257 billion per year
Those of us who are (or have been) caregivers to our elderly parents:
* help keep our parents in an independent living situation, and thus reduce nursing home and Medicaid costs (good)
* cost our employers in lost productivity (not good)
* and most importantly, often sacrifice our physical and mental health in meeting all the demands of caregiving (really not good!!!)
This program would provide much needed support services to the caregivers out there.
To read detail about this funding campaign by the NCOA:
National Council of Aging (NCOA) Overview of Appropriations
To advocate for this and/or contact your congressional representatives:
National Council of Aging (NCOA) Advocacy Center
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Use Twickie to post Twitter conversation to your blog
I just found out about Twickie. A way to capture a Twitter thread and post it to your Blog.
I like it for several reasons:
* if a Twitter thread is composed of many replies
* to share a Twitter conversation with your blog audience (some of whom may not be on Twitter)
* I love the idea of the cross-over between Twitter and my blog
Try it. If you like using it, post a comment and tell me why.
http://twickie.pirillo.com/
Here's my example:
I like it for several reasons:
* if a Twitter thread is composed of many replies
* to share a Twitter conversation with your blog audience (some of whom may not be on Twitter)
* I love the idea of the cross-over between Twitter and my blog
Try it. If you like using it, post a comment and tell me why.
http://twickie.pirillo.com/
Here's my example:
JaneHBDesignSF: I've heard about these, have a friend moving into one - Rossmore, in Nor Cal, East Bay.
about 3 days ago
daccarte: New post: Aging in place initiative, Nontraditional Retirement Communities (known as NORCs) http://tinyurl.com/bvs3pw
about 3 days ago
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