Seniors moving into assisted living facilities often face a difficult choice if they are also pet owners – what to do with their pet. The decision is never easy as most assisted living facilities do not allow pets. Some however, do. Pet ownership for seniors as they move into an assisted living facility has apparent benefits and risks. Depending on the case and situation, as well as the existing conditions, the pros and cons may vary. But, it is worth noting first that there are facilities that allow pets upon…
Category: Long-Term Care
Costa Rica Eldercare and Assisted Living for Expats
Are you an expat or aspiring expat in your senior years thinking about moving to Costa Rica? When planning for your golden years outside the U.S., Costa Rica is a good choice. Those over the age of 65 are given the moniker “ciudadanos de oro” (golden citizens) and are a well-respected segment of Costa Rican society. The cost of living in many areas in Costa Rica is a fraction of the United States, while the quality of life is high. Budget-conscious ex-pats can live comfortably in Costa Rica for less…
What Happens After Senior Respite Care?
Being the primary caregiver for a loved one is a weighty responsibility. Not only are you responsible for their physical needs, but you often find yourself providing emotional support for your loved one. Although you may feel that you are capable of doing it all, you don’t have to. There are several respite care options available to help you manage all of your caregiving responsibilities. How much help you accept, or how little varies according to your situation. What is Respite Care? Before we talk about what happens after respite…
Comparing Long-Term Care in Canada and the United States
When elder care in the United States is compared to other countries, it ranks near the bottom in certain aspects including affordability, care coordination, access, and timeliness of care. Canada comes out looking better, however, there are loads of out-of-pocket expenses that make elder care management quite difficult at times. Overview of Canadian Long-Term Care Canadian long-term care assistance varies from state to state, both with the cost and what the government will provide. The majority of the elderly remain in their own home or with family members and receive…
Nursing Home Coronavirus Safety
Senior care communities were in the news early on. For a short period in February 2020, the epicenter of the novel (new) corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) nationally, could be found at the Life Care Center, a nursing home in Kirkland, Washington. Nursing home coronavirus safety was an immediate concern. Since the first resident tested positive for the virus on February 19, it saw a disproportionate number of its residents affected by corona virus. Since that time, and as of this writing, 37 deaths have been linked to the COVID-19…
Panama Eldercare and Senior Care for Expats
Panama eldercare and senior care is a topic that might cross the mind of retirees looking to become expats in popular places like Boquete, Panama or other spots in this retirement-friendly country. According to one source, between 20,000 and 30,000 Americans and Canadians live in Panama. If you’re hoping to be one of them, you might be wondering about eldercare should you need it, whether for yourself or any loved ones going with you. Related article: Eldercare and Assisted Living in Mexico for Expats It’s one thing to retiree abroad, and…
Medicare.gov’s Nursing Home Compare Search Tool
One question caregivers and family are often faced with when their loved one can no longer live independently due to illness or frailty is: How do we choose a nursing home? There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question as every individual case is different. Do you select the nursing home just down the road that isn’t as nice as the one two towns over but would allow for more family visits, for example? What about a facility that has the friendliest, most capable staff but fewer resident activities? One…
Do You Need An Elder Care Mediator?
Families don’t always agree on care giving issues for older adults. A trained, impartial, and compassionate adviser may be just what a family needs – before arguments start. Enter elder care mediators, professionals experienced in conflict resolution. Often they’re attorneys, social workers, psychologists, or counselors. Mediators talk family members through difficult situations and misunderstandings, and help brainstorm solutions. As a neutral third party, mediators can advocate for both elderly adults and caregivers when the tough decisions come around. The mediator does not provide advice or “take sides” but facilitates dialogue,…
New Alzheimer’s Data: 2016 Alzheimer’s Facts And Figures Released
The Alzheimer’s Association recently released updated Facts and Figures, with emphasis on the disease’s effect on families and caregivers. The 2016 edition includes a special report of the financial impact of Alzheimer’s on families. Other highlights from the report include: Prevalence More and more Americans – 5.4 million in 2016 – are living with Alzheimer’s disease. By 2050, that number may rise to 13.8 million. Mortality Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. 700,000 deaths from Alzheimer’s are projected in 2016. Fatalities from the disease…
Oral Health And Stroke Prevention Go Together
Need a reminder to brush your teeth? Oral bacteria are linked to the risk of stroke, according to a study done by researchers at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center in Osaka, Japan. The single hospital study observed hemorrhagic stroke patients. In a hemorrhagic stroke, blood vessels rupture in the brain and cause bleeding. The researchers found that 26 percent of patients who suffered hemorrhagic strokes also had the cnm-positive Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) oral bacteria in their saliva. Patients with the S. mutans bacteria also had more cerebral microbleeds,…
Medicare and Social Security: Resources To Know
Medicare offers a new interactive map showing geographic disparities in chronic disease among Medicare recipients. This map examines racial and ethnic disparities, as well as geographic, across the United States. Take a closer look for data on many specific topics, including: The prevalence of 18 chronic conditions Medicare spending Hospital utilization, preventable hospitalizations and readmissions Mortality rates Offered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health, the map is designed to help target populations for interventions. Users can sort by state or county of residence, age,…
Aging Well In The 21st Century
How can we make the future better for aging adults? The National Institute on Aging (NIA) recently released a report (which you can read in full here) on how to improve life for older Americans long-term. Their recommendations intend to “reduce the burden of illness, enhance quality of life, and maintain health among older adults.” With a population of 72 million Americans over 65 expected by 2030, the NIA’s strategies are both timely and promising. The NIA plans to: Better Understand the Aging Process Investigate the biology of aging as…