Senior Center Entertainment

Jennifer

Barrington Senior Center

Last week, seniors in Barrington assembled for their 17th annual meeting organized by the Friends of the Barrington Senior Center.  At the meeting, they were given more information about the healthcare policy implemented at the center.  This talk was given by Deborah T. Faulkner, principal and owner of Faulkner Consulting Group.  Following that, director Louise House, discussed the different types of programs the Senior Center offers as well as how to navigate My Senior Center, a computerized data-management system comprising information on between three to four hundred users.

Senior Center Finances

The financial report was also discussed at the meeting.  Currently there is close to $20,000 in the center’s account even though it spent almost half of that this year on various office necessities. What’s particularly special about this Senior Center, is that it is probably the only one in the entire state of Rhode Island that offers all its programs without charge.  This is also probably why so many more people are continuing to flock there and more space is needed.  For example, around 25 to 30 seniors use the exercise facilities (which has grown from around 6 to 8 people).  As well, blood pressure can be taken there, and a cheap lunch – costing just $3 – is served every day.

Obama on Military Veterans Mental Health

Jennifer

November: For Military and Caregivers

At the beginning of this month, Barack Obama dedicated November to two important segments in society: Military Family Month and National Family Caregivers Month.  In his declaration speech as recorded in a government news article, the President said, “with every step we take on American soil, we tread on ground made safer for us through the invaluable sacrifices of our service members and their families.”   

Military veterans – as with many of the country’s elderly – are too often forgotten. Of course, in all cases this is sad, but with the military it seems even more outrageous and unacceptable.  These individuals who dedicated the best part of their lives to the country, need to be recognized for their hard work and cared for in their old age.  Thus November will be a special time to remember and recognize their “strength and sacrifice.”  Mr. Obama added, “just as our troops embody the courage and character that make America's military the finest in the world, their family members embody the resilience and generosity that make our communities strong.”

Being in the military is hard on everyone, not just the soldier. The wives have to carry on for many months at a time without their spouses; children have to live their lives without a parent and will often need to take on extra responsibilities that are not in the usual realm for a child that age and a lot of support is needed from grandparents as well.  As the president duly noted, “to these families, and to those whose service members who never come home, we bear a debt that can never be fully repaid.”  Thus November will be recognizing this effort – the effort made by all family caregivers.   

National Family Caregivers Association – History

It all began back in 1994.  During the last week of November – Thanksgiving week – family caregivers were celebrated.  Shortly after that first year, the week extended to the whole month.  It was President Clinton who, in 1997, signed the first presidential proclamation to “appreciate family caregivers.”  This tradition has continued each year with every single President.  And now, Obama has added the Military Family Month to November along with the proclamation recognizing the caregivers.

Why are caregivers so important? Every single day, over 65 million of them throughout America are making huge sacrifices while caring for their loved ones.  They rarely – if ever – get a break.  It is a huge and cumbersome task that they take on.  Thus their efforts are being duly recognized throughout the month of November.

 

US Health Systems Pressurizing Nursing Homes

Jennifer

Medicare and Medicaid Threatening Cincinnati Eldercare

Two nursing homes in the Cincinnati area are under threat of closure as Medicare and Medicaid could be set to force them out if they don’t shape up.  And it seems that the government-based health agencies are right this time.  Care just isn’t up to par.  This comes after the announcement from various federal officials that both the Blue Ash Nursing and Rehab Center and the Harrison Pavilion (Westwood) are providing extremely poor care and thus need a severe shake-up or risk getting booted out.  The studies showed that compared to national and statewide averages, these homes have significantly more deficiencies.

It is not just these homes that are in danger of closing.  The government has an official list which currently has 136 facilities on it that are just not providing good-enough care. So while on the one hand this is not good for the elderly, perhaps it is even worse if they are in facilities that are not looking after them properly and ultimately they do have to move.

Some Improvements

Obviously these care facilities are doing whatever they can to avoid being shut down.  While Harrison Pavilion has been sitting on the list for close to a year, it is now recorded as “improving.”  Should this trend continue it could very well be removed from the list.  The home – run by Savya Health Care – has been in operation for more than four decades.  As well, there was some good news for the Blue Ash Nursing and Rehab Center. It was at one point on the “not improving” part of the list but has now been relocated to the “improving” section.  It is run by Saber Healthcare since its opening back in 1969.

Some of the problems incurred in these homes are: providing too many drugs to not fully listening to residents’ issues with staff, etc.  The report is thus excellent in the fact that it keeps tabs on exactly what goes on toward some of society’s most vulnerable people.

Elderly Criminals: Where to Now?

Jennifer

Elderly Do Well in Zephyrhills

Due to a lack of financial resources, it seems that some elderly criminals currently housed at Zephyrhills Correctional Institution, (on the edge of Tampa), Florida.  It has the capacity for about 700 prisoners, many of whom are seniors.  The problem however with the elderly population in general, is that they are way more expensive to care for than the average younger inmate, since they usually have many more health issues including diabetes and Alzheimers which require significant financial resources to manage effectively.

Plus, it seems like these individuals are more than happy to live out their days in the Zephyrhills Correctional Institution.  Gus Mazorra, a warden there, says the care received is excellent and it seems the inmates themselves would not disagree.  One criminal – put away for first degree murder – said the treatment he gets there is the best he’s ever received.  They have nurses on staff for monitoring and medication dispensation as well as a fair amount of preventative care in many cases.  In a recent CBS news article, a nurse, Mary Farr, LPN, said, “so we can keep an eye on them better before they get so sick that we catch them before they go to the hospital, which costs a lot of money. And most of the stuff hospitals so, we can do for them here, if we catch it early enough.”

Too Expensive

It seems though however, these criminals may be running out of luck.  The Department of Corrections is desperate to find ways to save money and the state of Florida is really struggling with the growing prison population. Thus legislators are currently trying to work out different ways of paying for all of this.  It has now been suggested that some of these costly elderly inmates be released early in an effort to reduce these costs.  This controversial proposal of course, has been met with much disdain amongst various individuals. But there are some who see it as a possible solution.  As Senator Chris Smith rightly pointed out, “right now the only people in Florida who have universal health care are these elderly, infirmed prisoners and we're spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on these people just to keep them locked up.”  Thus Smith’s proposed bill would enable prisoners over 60 who have served more than two-and-a-half decades and are sick, to petition the Parole Commission for early release.

Norwalk Hospital: Great Rating for Geriatric Care

Jennifer

Norwalk Hospital has just been ranked No. 1 in the 2011 Healthcare Consumerism and Hospital Quality in America in the state of Connecticut with which many diseases the elderly more commonly are afflicted.  These include: prostate surgery, strokes, and vascular surgery. 

In the ranking Medicare data was investigated between 2008 to 2010 throughout approximately 5,000 hospitals nationwide.  According to chief executive of professional services at HealthGrades (that released the survey) David Thompson, there is a 54 percent reduced possibility of fatality when being treated at Norwalk compared to the national average which is extremely significant.  Norwalk hospital also received the 2011 "Specialty Excellence Award for Stroke and Prostatectomy Care."

It was the hospital’s CEO and president, Dan DeBarba, who received the award along with VP CMO Dr. Eric M. Mazur and Chief Medical Quality and Information Officer, Dr. Stephen O’Mahony.

AML Treatment and Seniors

Jennifer

There has been research conducted by the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center to figure out if age is a factor when treating patients with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML).  According to the main author of the research, Dr. Heidi D. Klepin, M.S., the study was looking into how to better assess the older generation suffering from this “because, functionally, they encompass a broad age spectrum.”  She added that while we know geriatrics in general don’t benefit from aggressive therapies as do the younger ones, it is not the case for all seniors.  Indeed, there are some elderly who actually could benefit from these treatments so just because they have an old “age,” does not mean they should be automatically lumped into the “old” category when it comes to treatment options.  The question thus being asked, Klepin has said, is, “can we individualize the treatment to each patient and get them through their cancer treatment in better shape?”

The new research thus indicates that there needs to be a greater focus on the specific patient, as a way of “quantify[ing] how functional they are across the board to withstand the aggressive treatment.”  For example, some 85-year-olds are extremely sprightly, whereas other 60-year-olds behave and feel very old.  Therefore, the more functional ones will “pass all these assessments with flying colors [and] should [thus] be treated like a 55-year-old” and given those treatment options.  Part of the study involved analyzing whether a bedside geriatric assessment (GA) can be helpful in evaluating “cognitive function, psychological state, physical function and co-morbid disease to identify those patients most vulnerable to the side effects of AML chemotherapy.”

The study was published in the October edition of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society and marks the first time an evaluation can be made on whether it is feasible to use a GA for those patients with AML as a way of providing more specific and better, personalized treatment.

 

Elderly Can Take Anesthetics

Jennifer

 

There has been concern over the years about the increase of delirious side effects from taking anesthetics amongst seniors.  At the 2011 Annual Meeting for the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), in Chicago, this was one of the findings presented.  The study looked at elderly patients who had to get general anesthesia with isoflurane and compared them with those getting Total Intravenous Anesthesia (TIVA) and found that there was only an impact on delirium if the patient anyway had issues beforehand. 

Dr. Terri G. Monk, of Duke University Health System, said it’s only “preoperative cognitive status,” that can predict “postoperative delirium.”  He added that the study should be a good stop in “reassur[ing] elderly patients that the type of general anesthesia does not affect early cognitive outcomes after surgery and that they should not avoid necessary surgery or general anesthesia if it is required.”

Seniors Save Money with Medicare

Jennifer

Now is the time.  For any senior who is supported by Medicare, now is the time to save money as this is the yearly enrollment period for Medicare prescription drug and Advantage managed care plans.  Given that the new healthcare reform law will be changing certain parts of the Medicare marketplace, it seems like in general, this is going to be beneficial for the elderly population.  There have of course been some criticism of the law since it will be decreasing some of the subsidies to Medicare Advantage, looking at the Advantage and prescription drug markets seniors need not worry.

Review Plan Annually

Everyone – no matter what their particular situation – is advised to review their plan on a yearly basis.  But this is especially important for those on Medicare Part D drug plans since there are often very many changes with the price of drugs; or accessing drugs, throughout the years.  As well, one’s own prescriptions often vary during the year so it’s worth looking into this regularly.

But there is no time like the present vis-à-vis starting the process. Experts in the field are encouraging everyone to make their reviews as soon as possible.  Health reform laws are being put into place earlier than expected and thus one should look to enroll ASAP, with enrollment being available from October 15 to December 7.  Look at your options:  traditional Medicare or Medicare Advantage, and then make your decision.  Just remember to look out for ultimately what is best for YOUR personal needs.

Aging at Home?

Jennifer

Yes, With New Wireless Monitoring Devices

Now there may be a new way for the elderly to remain at home, but still be cared for by their loved ones and professional caregivers through wireless devices that ensure the elderly individual (at home) is connected to caregivers even though they are not physically together.  This ensures the senior patient remains checked up on and safe 24/7.

So what exactly can these devices achieve that in the past only caregivers have been able to?  Pretty much everything.  There will be glucose monitors; alerts (if the senior has fallen or gone astray, or even just missed a meal); blood pressure cuffs; and more.  According to director of business development and sales for Ideal Life, Steve Wheeler, some of the devices can work with Electronic Health Records (EHRs) too and a disease management system can be plugged into the patient’s home to tell caregivers what they need to know to help them.

Ideal Life’s Stats

Clearly the devices being made by this company are working.  Statistics have shown that by using Ideal Life’s remote monitoring devices, there are now less than half of congestive heart failure readmissions than there were without the devices.  And of course, over time there will be more to come, which will only lead to an higher quality level of living for the elderly which will provide them with additional choice as to where and how they choose to live out their days with dignity.

Day Center Seniors on the Move?

Jennifer

Will the Benderson Center Have to Close?

The Benderson Center, located on 205 S. Salina Street, Syracuse, is in danger of being shut down due to financial budgeting issues. Although the place has served the elderly population for almost four decades, enabling them to come and sit, and chat to others, now it looks like it won’t be able to do this anymore.  The city’s mayor, Stephanie Miner, last month made the announcement that the center would close at the beginning of this month.  By doing so, the city will save a staggering $10,000 in rent, per month.

So the question being asked is, where to next for these seniors?  Well, apparently there is another option but it comes with its problems.  The Salvation Army down the road could suit these elderly individuals just as well, but the organization is claiming it doesn’t have the funds needed either. Further, a lot of people have said that it is problematic for elderly people to make even these small changes.  And indeed some of the elderly have been protesting so much that they have even taken to shaving their heads as a mark of distaste for the new move. 

The counter argument however, is that it’s not like the seniors are in-house.  If they were living there for some years and had to up and leave, then it would be different.  But given that it is just a day center, moving from one place to another in the same vicinity, should not really be such a big deal.  Nonetheless, it appears the seniors do not see it this way and are up in arms about what is going on.

Ultimately though, it seems a community discussion is in order.  At least if there is well thought-out planning ahead of time, then it won’t be such a shock for the seniors.  The ultimate hope is that Syracuse should be a good place for the elderly to age.