Useful Resources from eCare Diary

Useful Resources from http://www.ecarediary.com/usefullinks.aspx

Useful Resources from eCare Diary

There are a number of organizations which provide websites with useful information.  eCare Diary has organized them below for your convenience.

Government Resources

Medicare – This program provides health coverage for the elderly and disabled. 

Medicaid -  This program provides health coverage for the poor, people on public assistance and people receiving long term care.

US Administration on the Aging – This agency provides home and community-based services to millions of senior citizens.

US Department of Housing and Urban Development – This agency runs all federal housing assistance programs.

Helpful Associations

AARP – This is the leading association for those over 50 and it has a great deal of information for senior citizens including long term care insurance.

American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging – This association represents community based services, assisted living facilities nursing homes and continuing care communities. 

National Association of Home Care and Hospice – This association represents home care and hospice providers.

National Adult Day Care Services Association – This association represents adult day care providers.

Assisted Living Federation of America – As the largest national association exclusively dedicated to professionally operated assisted living communities for seniors, the Assisted Living Federation of America provides an interactive directory of professionally managed senior living communities. ALFA  works to influence public policy by advocating for informed choice, quality care, and accessibility for all Americans. Visit their Web site for information.

Useful Sources on Chronic Conditions

Alzheimer’s Foundation of America

Alzheimer’s Association

American Cancer Society

American Heart Association

National Parkinson’s Foundation

Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation

Parkinson’s Disease Foundation

Arthritis Foundation

Multiple Sclerosis Society

The Foundation for AIDS Research

Other Helpful Linkswww.AccuPax.com - AccuPax is a specialty pharmacy that sorts, combines and packages a thirty day supply your medications in individual packets for each time of day all in accordance with your doctor’s instructions. The strip of packets is enclosed in a special dispensing box as shown at left.  The packaging service is free and is ideally suited for seniors taking multiple medications.

Caring From A Distance - This is an organization which helps people with long distance caregiving.

Veterans Home Care - Their program provides immediate assistance with securing financial benefits that are available for veterans, or their surviving spouses, for non-service connected disabilities. The Veterans Administration has established a pension program whereby personal care and attendant home services may be paid for. 

Serenity Care Senior Health Advisors - This organization provides guidance, care assistance and advocacy for caregivers and their loved ones.

New Information about Caregivers in the U.S." by Susan Baida

New Information about Caregivers in the U.S.

Susan Baida - December 16, 2009 06:10 PM

from http://www.ecarediary.com/ViewBlog.aspx?BlogID=105

The National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP released a new report about caregivers in the U.S.   It is an update of the last one issued in 2004.  In just 5 years, I am amazed by some of the new information and how significantly some of the numbers changed. 

The report is based on interviews with 1,480 caregivers throughout the U.S.  These caregivers are unpaid, family caregivers.  Of the caregivers interviewed 32% were minorities, including African-Americans, Hispanics and Asian-Americans.

Interesting facts about caregivers

·         There are 65 million caregivers in the U.S. or 30% of the adult population

·         66% of caregivers are female

·         Average age of caregivers is 48

·         86% of caregivers care for a relative; 36% care for a parent

·         65% have been caregiving less than 5 years; 31% 5 years or more

Observations:  The total number of caregivers is a dramatic increase because in 2004, the projection was 44.4 million.  Also the average age of caregivers increased indicating that younger caregivers under the age of 50 declined.  This means the responsibility of caregiving continues to fall on the shoulders of baby boomer women.  In addition, the percentage of those caregiving for 5 years and longer is increasing because of the longer life span of the aging population.

Top 10 reasons why recipients need care (includes percentage of respondents)

1.       Old Age  12%

2.       Alzheimer’s/Dementia   10%

3.       Cancer   7%

4.       Mental/Emotional illness   7%

5.       Heart Disease 5%

6.       Stroke  5%

7.       Diabetes  4%

8.       Mobility  4%

9.       Surgery/Wounds  4%

10.   Arthritis  3%

Observations:  Alzheimer’s/Dementia is the #1 illness mentioned and the most prevalent amongst an increasingly older population.  If we expect to live longer, we can no longer deny that there might be a possibility that we will be afflicted with any one or more of these illnesses.  Still, it amazes me how many seniors are in denial about long term care for themselves in terms of financial planning and preparingadvanced directives.   I cannot advocate it enough.  I have seen too many negative experiences in my own family from lack of legal and financial preparation.

Interesting facts about care recipients

·         Average age of care recipients is 69.3 (an increase from 66.5 in 2004 because of the growing aging population)

·         51% live in their own home; 29% live in the caregiver’s household

·         4% live in nursing homes; 4% live in assisted living facilities

Observations:  It seems more care recipients are being cared for in their own homes.  The concept of aging in place is alive and growing.  The demand for more services to help caregivers and seniors age in their own homes will certainly increase.  I am thrilled by this information because we developed a variety of free  tools on eCare Diary, such as the appointment and medication management tool, precisely for this reason, to make life easier and to enable independent living.

New information

·         The number of caregivers reporting poor health as a result of caregiving increased

·         73% of caregivers are also employed while giving care

·         The demand for more information on caregiving is increasing

·         53% of caregivers have used the internet to find information

·         45% reported having used some sort of technology in the care of the recipient

Observations:  The importance of caregivers caring for themselves and finding ways to manage couldn’t be more relevant when you read these statistics.   We are especially pleased to be in partnership withMargery Pabst, author of “Enrich Your Caregiving Journey,” who is an expert and writes monthly for us on caring for the caregiver.  Also, I am thrilled to report that advances in technology to assist in caregiving will be part of our future.  These advances will help caregivers manage, reduce stress, and save time.  I am writing a new blog on this very soon.  Stay tuned.

We welcome your thoughts and comments below. 

How to Avoid Elder Maltreatment in Your Family

How to Avoid Elder Maltreatment in Your Family: "Elder maltreatment is defined as any type of abuse or neglect by caregivers or persons of trust, which occurs to those ages 60 and older. Elder maltreatment often goes unreported due to fear of reprisal. The abused older person is often dependent on their abuser and may be afraid that no one else will take care of them. Elder maltreatment is more common in domestic settings where there is no oversight or accountability to anyone else."

Alzheimer's Disease: Six Reasons to Be Thankful

Alzheimer's Disease: Six Reasons to Be Thankful: "When we think of Alzheimer's disease, the word 'thankful' doesn't often come to mind. Alzheimer's is emotionally painful for everyone involved, and caregiving sometimes feels like a thankless job. But..."

Caring For Aging Parents - Tips For Clearing Out the House

Caring For Aging Parents - Tips For Clearing Out the House: "Fifty years of stuff. From yellowed report cards to long-dead plants, your parents may have collected an astonishing amount of items over the years."

Walking With the Old to Death's Gate

Walking With the Old to Death's Gate: "It's scary when you first care for an elder who's dying. We don't get so much practice at that right now, and I wasn't so sure about what to do. I didn't understand then that a good death for an old person is a great gift for any of us. It becomes a teaching you never forget."

Who's Paying the Bills Now?

Who's Paying the Bills Now?: "What do you do when a parent or loved one who has handled the family finances for years is suddenly not capable to continue? Here are some tips from a Certified Public Accountant on how to navigate the paperwork and get a handle on the finances quickly."

5 Misconceptions of Nursing Home Negligence and Abuse

5 Misconceptions of Nursing Home Negligence and Abuse: "1. It is illegal for a home to retaliate against a resident for a loved one complaining about the quality of care. 2. It is illegal for the home to remove your loved one from the nursing home other than for limited reasons and only after following very specific procedures."

US Assistant Secretary For Aging Shares 3 Important Focal Areas in Policy

US Assistant Secretary For Aging Shares 3 Important Focal Areas in Policy: "One thing we all know is that aging in America is a complicated issue -- it effects care providers, families, communities, health care, and of course, our aging population themselves. Earlier this year, the Council of Senior Centers and Services (CSCS) of New York City held its 21st annual conference on Aging."

Five Resources to Help When Caring For the Elderly

Five Resources to Help When Caring For the Elderly: "The proportion of people aged over 65 and over has risen over the past 25 years. That is why there is a need for resources to help care for the elderly."

How Do We Ensure the Safety of Aging Relatives Against Criminals?

How Do We Ensure the Safety of Aging Relatives Against Criminals?: "Protecting the elderly against criminal activity should be a priority for their family members. There are many products that are very useful and effective in providing security and self defense for those who don't have the strength to physically deter a possible intruder. Let's help protect our aging parents and grandparents for all the years they protected us."

Alzheimer's Care - Money Driven Family Conflicts

Alzheimer's Care - Money Driven Family Conflicts: "Alzheimer's Care involves many aspects of taking care of the disease victim including protecting their financial assets. Unfortunately, one of the greatest threats to these assets can often come from within the victim's own family and circle of friends."

Being a Caregiver Advocate For Your Parent

Being a Caregiver Advocate For Your Parent: "Not so many years ago, we 'baby boomers' had the luxury of running to our mother for protection. She had her arms open wide to hold us in her embrace and assure us that we were safe. Somewhere in our innate conscious we knew that no one messed with Mom."

Elders Need More Care Than Their Families Realize

Elders Need More Care Than Their Families Realize: "Home hospice care for the elderly is a pressing concern for many families. Who will take care of your family members or you when you need it?"

Language of Love For Parent With Early Dementia

Language of Love For Parent With Early Dementia: "What is it like to engage in conversation with a parent with dementia? For the first several months after my mom's diagnosis I struggled with how to best engage in conversations with her. Our once or twice weekly calls centered on each of our respective activities. Now my mom couldn't remember what she ate or if she ate. I needed to learn a different way to connect."