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Greetings!
Welcome to the tail end of winter and the promise of new growth to come! In our monthly newsletter, we enjoy bringing you the current news and information of interest in the world of eldercare. Oftentimes, this news tends to lean towards planning for the future, which is only natural with healthcare reform on the horizon and the head of the boomer generation turning 65 this year. But in the constant press for tomorrow, we wanted to simply remind you not to forget enjoying the little everyday things and people that make today special.
In a spirit of sharing and community, we hope you will find the following articles in this month's newsletter informative and beneficial.
Thank you,
Vicki Paul
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 Aunt Ann's Home Care is pleased to introduce our friends at Heartwood Health.
Heartwood Health is a bay area company that offers professional private health advocate services, patient navigation and care coordination. Their health advocates are health care professionals, including RNs, MDs and social workers who assist consumers in managing their healthcare challenges. They work with clients in multiple settings including home, hospitals, and assisted living and skilled facilities. Their role is to enhance communication between care providers and ensure clients receive the best and most cost-effective care possible. They work to make these transitions as easy as possible for all involved. Their health advocates provide geriatric care management, overseeing care and providing peace of mind for long distance family members. They will attend medical appointments, arrange in-home care and provide medication management. In addition, they provide assistance with new diagnoses, providing research and treatment options. If insurance or medical bills are overwhelming to a client, their advocates will ease the burden. Call them; if they can't help, they will connect you to those who can. Heartwood Health, Inc., A Nursing Corporation
www.heartwoodhealth.com
1.866.606.8495 |
 The Elder Entrepreneur
Offering online tutoring, getting paid for writing... these are just two ideas that entrepreneurial seniors have come up with to earn extra income and have more control over their lives. Technology has made it possible for many, regardless of age or situation, to make money by offering talents for hire. Read some thoughtful ideas and speculations about aging entrepreneurs here. |
 Two Reports on Long-Term Care and Costs
The latest recession has affected many, but not much has been hit harder than community care services provided by states as an alternative to institutionalization. A recently released report shows that 31 states cut aging and disability services programs (non-Medicaid) in FY 2010 and 28 states were expecting to cut those programs in FY 2011.
Read the full AARP Public Policy Institute Report here On the heels of cost cutting, the American Health Care Association reports that Medicaid beds in for-profit nursing homes are now costing $17 more per day than it costs to provide that bed.
Download the PDF here. |
 Transportation Planning for Boomer Generation
Having the personal control to get from point A to point B unassisted and on one's own accord is an independence taken for granted by many. Since it is estimated that by 2030 there will be 70 million Americans over the age of 65, and the fastest-growing section of that population is those over 85, it stands to reason that the number of older Americans who are driving will increase in proportion to the overall population statistics. Senior transportation services will become a necessity as the population ages. The urgency to create a plan to accommodate those who can no longer drive, but who will need transportation as a component of daily living, is upon us.
Take a look at some resources and some ideas that are available to help meet this impending transportation need.
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 Feed a Cold, Starve a Fever This old wives' tale apparently started in the 1500s when a dictionary master wrote, "Fasting is a great remedie of feuer." Rachel Vreeman, MD, a fellow in Children's Health Services Research at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, is quoted as stating the truth to that myth as: "Colds and fevers are generally caused by viruses that tend to last 7 to 10 days, no matter what you do." Read 9 health myths that are debunked here. |
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 Kids Invent a Behind-the-Wheel Safety Tool The SMARTwheel is a steering wheel attachment that uses sensors to alert drivers when they remove a hand from the wheel for too long. Whether from aging, dementia, or texting, the result is the same. Read about how this incredible invention came about and its many uses: AgeLab at MIT NY Times Article |
Recipe of the Month: Banana Bread
Ingredients: - 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- 1 ¼ cups toasted walnuts, chopped coarse (about 1 cup) (optional)
- 3 very ripe bananas, soft, darkly speckled, mashed well (about 1 1/2 cups)
- ¼ cup plain yogurt
- 2 large eggs, beaten lightly
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Adjust oven rack to lower middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease and flour bottom and sides of nonstick 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan; set aside.
- Combine first five ingredients together in large bowl; set aside.
- Mix mashed bananas, yogurt, eggs, butter, and vanilla with wooden spoon in medium bowl. Lightly fold banana mixture into dry ingredients with rubber spatula until just combined and batter looks thick and chunky.
- Scrape batter into prepared loaf pan; bake until loaf is golden brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 55 minutes.
- Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
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