Thursday, February 28, 2013
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Understanding Mandatory Paid Sick Leave
Please see the link below for an opposing view to mandatory paid sick leave.
I fully SUPPORT a law making mandatory sick leave. If you have an elderly parent in Florida you understand the dangers when a home attendant or visiting nurse is assisting them and they have a communicable illness like a cold or the flu or worse. Just recently the attendant assisting my mom and my aunt had a cold and within a week my aunt had a cold and my mother now has one. Granted, you cannot assume the cold came from the helper, but when the sick person is not only in close proximity of a senior, but they are preparing meals, washing dishes, etc, and the elderly party does not go out often or receive visitors, you can probably trace when and how they got sick.
I don't blame the worker. Home attendants make a horribly low salary and according to the ones I spoke to , they have no health benefits. They so only get paid for the days they actually work, meaning if they have a cold or feel the flu come around, because they have rent and bills to pay they are more than likely going to go to work and expose your elderly loved one to something which could potentially kill them. For that reason alone I feel there should be mandatory paid sick leave, especially for health care workers on all levels and employees who have to be around others.
Yeah, this means someone will try to get over and stay home while not being ill. I personally doubt the numbers would be that high, but to combat this misuse of time, employers can simply set up a system where a doctor's note can be provided. Something can be worked out.
In any case if you have elderly loved ones or family members who are vulnerable to illness you should pay close attention to this debate.
Understanding Mandatory Paid Sick Leave
I fully SUPPORT a law making mandatory sick leave. If you have an elderly parent in Florida you understand the dangers when a home attendant or visiting nurse is assisting them and they have a communicable illness like a cold or the flu or worse. Just recently the attendant assisting my mom and my aunt had a cold and within a week my aunt had a cold and my mother now has one. Granted, you cannot assume the cold came from the helper, but when the sick person is not only in close proximity of a senior, but they are preparing meals, washing dishes, etc, and the elderly party does not go out often or receive visitors, you can probably trace when and how they got sick.
I don't blame the worker. Home attendants make a horribly low salary and according to the ones I spoke to , they have no health benefits. They so only get paid for the days they actually work, meaning if they have a cold or feel the flu come around, because they have rent and bills to pay they are more than likely going to go to work and expose your elderly loved one to something which could potentially kill them. For that reason alone I feel there should be mandatory paid sick leave, especially for health care workers on all levels and employees who have to be around others.
Yeah, this means someone will try to get over and stay home while not being ill. I personally doubt the numbers would be that high, but to combat this misuse of time, employers can simply set up a system where a doctor's note can be provided. Something can be worked out.
In any case if you have elderly loved ones or family members who are vulnerable to illness you should pay close attention to this debate.
Understanding Mandatory Paid Sick Leave
Florida Gov. Rick Scott reverses stance on Medicaid. Win for White House? ( video)
If the story is true it is a shame that a person has to be personally touched to see the dangers of a policy.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott reverses stance on Medicaid. Win for White House? ( video)
Florida Gov. Rick Scott reverses stance on Medicaid. Win for White House? ( video)
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
The answer is a simple "f...you"
I took these photos riding the 6 train this past Sunday, going to church in the morning. As with any picture of the homeless I take it is not for anything but to remind people of who we have neglected. The purpose of this photo was similar, however, what is not shown (purposely) is the ethnicity of the individual (I think the gentleman is either Indian, Middle East or Latino). Significant to me because the face of the homeless to me is usually Black, white and sometimes Latino. I am seeing more people of other races today sleeping on trains and in stairwells.
The gentleman made me think about my conservative friend who thinks people like him don't deserve assistance (I firmly believe welfare should exist to assist not only the homeless but the unemployable). My "On the right side" friend basically says "fuck them" (not in those EXACT words).
On this Sunday morning I was rushing to church (I am always rushing...bad habit) and had to stop at Dunkin Donuts on the way. Long story short I ended up giving the guy my breakfast. I didn't feel right eating them while sitting directly across from him. Once the guy woke up I asked if he was hungry and offered my french crullers. He took them, without saying a word and put them in one of the bags in the picture.
Every person sleeping on the subway has their own story whether it me mental illness or a lost job or whatever. It doesn't matter. There should be methods to assist the hungry and there should be methods to assist the general homeless person and the homeless with mental or emotional health issues.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Caregiver info
Courtesy Washington State Department of Social and Health Services
The following topics answer common questions and concerns adult children often have when caring for an aging parent.
The following are some articles that can help.
Physical and occupational therapists, home health aides, and nurses can teach you techniques that will make your job easier and make sure that you and the person you are helping aren’t injured. Talk with your doctor about this.
It is always important to find out how the disease will impact care. Learn more.
The following websites cover the different types of assistive technology and how to find them.
Back to Top
These problems are very common. A support group, long-term care manager, or a family pastor, priest, or rabbi may be able to help you find ways to work things out with your parents. Individual counseling can also be helpful.
The website also has several links that can help. Learn more about:
Contact your local Family Caregiver Support Program to find resources in your community.
The following topics answer common questions and concerns adult children often have when caring for an aging parent.
- Talking with your parents about their future
- Caregiving basics- helping with personal care
- Other websites on caregiving
- The emotional challenges of caring for an aging parent
- When care services are needed
Talking with parents about their future
Talking with your parents about long-term care needs can be difficult. For some, even the idea of discussing the possible disability or dependence of their parent(s) is overwhelming.The following are some articles that can help.
- AARP offers a free on-line seminar Planning for the Care of Aging Parents. One of the topics includes talking with your parents about long term care and preparing for change. You can also read AARP’s booklet Prepare to Care – A Planning Guide for Families. The guide is designed to help you and other family members discuss and create a caregiving plan for an aging parent, other relative, close friend, or neighbor.
- The Do's and Don'ts of Communicating With Aging Parents
- Holding a Family Meeting
Caregiving Basics- Helping with Personal Care
There are a variety of different tasks you may be helping with.Physical and occupational therapists, home health aides, and nurses can teach you techniques that will make your job easier and make sure that you and the person you are helping aren’t injured. Talk with your doctor about this.
It is always important to find out how the disease will impact care. Learn more.
Caregiver Guides
The following are all booklets that include step-by-step instructions on the basics of providing care.- Family Caregiver Handbook (PDF) Washington State Aging and Disability Services Administration or order a free, printed copy.
- Caregiver Guide from Children of Aging Parents
- Caregiver Guide – National Institute on Aging
- How to Care: Your Eldercare Survival Guide
- Caregiver Manual from Strengthforcaring.com
Additional Resources
- Aging Parents: Helping When Health Fails, by V.L.Schmall and I. Isbess
- Growing Up and Growing Old, Caring For Our Parents, a video produced by Oregon Public Broadcasting with Oregon Senior and Disabled Services. To order go to www.opb.org or call 503/977-7792.
- Aging parents: 10 things to know for an emergency from the Mayo Clinic.
- Lotsa Helping Hands – “What can I do to help?” Create a free web site to help organize family and friends who want to help.
Helpful Gadgets or Assistive Devices
You will also want to know if there are any gadgets or assistive devices that can help the person remain as independent as possible.The following websites cover the different types of assistive technology and how to find them.
Back to Top
Other websites on caregiving
- Children of Aging Parents (CAPS)
- Family Caregiver Alliance – National Center on Caregiving
- National Family Caregivers Association
- Caregiving.com
The Emotional Challenges of Caring for an Aging Parent
Many caregivers are adult children caring for their parents. There are many, many different emotions and reactions people having to this experience. It can be or feel:- Awkward when roles are reversed.
- Uncomfortable when you find yourself feeding, bathing, or supervising a parent who once took care of you.
- Frustrating when parents don't listen to advice or accept help.
These problems are very common. A support group, long-term care manager, or a family pastor, priest, or rabbi may be able to help you find ways to work things out with your parents. Individual counseling can also be helpful.
The website also has several links that can help. Learn more about:
Contact your local Family Caregiver Support Program to find resources in your community.
Resources
- Coping with Caregiving, How to Manage Stress when Caring for Elderly Relatives, By Vicki Schmall, Pacific Northwest Extension Publication, Family Caregiver Support Program handout.
- Aging Parents: Helping When Health Fails, by V.L.Schmall and I. Isbess
- The Emotional Aspects of Caregiving (PDF Format)
Siblings and Caregiving
Caring for parents can also affect relationships between your brothers and sisters. For some, the experience of caring for parents can bring together siblings who have lost contact and strengthen family ties. For others, caring for parents can bring out old rivalries, or reinforce old communication problems.Website Resources
Back to TopWhen Care Services are Needed
This website has several links to help. Learn more about:- What you need to know to get started finding care services.
- Care that can be provided in your parent’s home.
- Other residential care housing if they can no longer live at home.
- Legal planning and advance directives.
- Finding other benefits your parents may have.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
caregiver information
courtesy Agingcare.com
http://www.agingcare.com/Articles/10-Government-Programs-Caregivers-Can-Access-for-Their-Elderly-Parents-120513.htm
Access to assistance is as close as your computer, and, in most cases, you can apply online. Start by accessing two sites:
www.Govbenefits.gov - Gather up all the information you can on your elderly parent's health, disability, income, wealth (as in property owned), whether a military veteran, education level and more. Access this site and answer every question that you can. Then, push the button and, within minutes, the site will respond with a list, details and access information for many, even scores, of beneficial government programs, supplements and/or services.
www.Benefitscheckup.org - This non-profit site will ask many of the same questions but may report added programs, details and contacts.
Here is a guide to the top 10 programs everyone who is caring for an aging parent should know about.
1. Medicare
There is more to Medicare than just the Part A hospital and Part B medical insurance coverage. If your aging parent is 65 or older and collecting Social Security, the insurance premiums are deducted from monthly benefits. Part D prescription drug coverage is subsidized by Medicare through payments to private company insurers who then fund an average of 90 percent of the cost of prescription drugs. If your parent is considered low income, receiving only Social Security, Medicare may subsidize all but about $10 of the monthly premiums. Ask and you may find a great cost saving for your parent.Medicare: www.medicare.gov Medicare Part D
2. Social Security
If your parent's Social Security benefits were earned based on lower-paying jobs, and if the benefits are the only source of income, there may be a larger monthly benefit available by applying for its Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. The program may be operated federally or in conjunction with your state government. The welfare-based Medicaid program is also administered through the Social Security Administration, though the operation may be directed by your state government.
3. Administration on Aging (AoA)
The AoA administers many national programs and services for elders, including health insurance counseling, legal assistance, protection from elder abuse and long-term care. The banner on the website has a link to Elders and Families, your starting point. This section also offers a specific link and service For Caregivers (see the left hand column.)
www.aoa.gov
4. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
If your aging parent is a military veteran and has a service-related disability, you may be able to apply for an increase in benefits, particularly if the disability has worsened over time. If he or she needs continuing medical care because of the disability, an application for medical benefits, hospitalization and prescription drugs may be submitted. There are several types and levels of VA compensation and pension programs. The VA has been slow in processing claims the past few years, but there is continuing pressure by Congress and the Administration to speed up its service.
www.va.gov
5. HIPAA
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1966 provides your elderly parent privacy of his or her medical records. It is a regulation and restriction program on health care providers. The protection should be of concern to you and other family members because, unless your parent signs a form designating each of you as approved to discuss your medical concerns with the physician, he or she cannot do such, even if you prove your family connection. Better sooner than later, access the HIPAA website for the information and forms, or secure the forms from a physician, and file copies with every health care professional involved in your parent's care. HIPAA.gov
6. United States Department of Justice
If your parent has a disability, particularly with physical movement, learn about the Americans With Disability Act administered by the U.S. Department of Justice. Its ADA website offers briefings and cost-free publications on the regulations to grant universal access to the disabled.
7. Food and Drug Administration
Your aging parent is probably taking five to as many as 10 different prescription drugs, perhaps prescribed by different doctors. As caregiver, you should be aware of every one of the drugs, know its mission in the body and, particularly the side effects and conflicts with other medications. You want to watch for a danger known as polypharmacy. The federal Food and Drug Administration offers a giant database on every drug approved by the agency, listing active ingredients, purpose or mission of the medication, dosing recommendations and the side effects and conflicts.
www.fda.gov/cder/index.html
8. Your U.S. Senator
Every senator has a staff specialist on elder affairs, programs and services, probably in major cities of your state plus in Washington, D.C. The staff person can both advise and advocate for benefits or services for your parent. Know that bureaucrats listen immediately to an aide for a United States Senator.
www.senate.gov (Click the Senators link)
9. Your Congressional Representative
Most Representatives in the United States Congress also have staff specialists on elder affairs, programs and services and can provide both information and advocacy.
www.house.gov (Click the Representatives by State link)
10. Area Agency on Aging
There is a federally-mandated Area Agency on Aging in your county or city. This agency is staffed by professionals who know every elder program and service, including available funding sources, in your area. Staff is often aided by volunteers who serve as drivers for transport and Meals-on-Wheels, for respite services and other duties. Gather up the same information you collected for the two sites detailing the national, and even state, programs for which your parent may qualify and make an appointment to meet with a counselor at the Area Agency on Aging. The staff person can advise regarding programs and qualifications and even help prepare the necessary applications and documentation. Often, the counselor will even call a recommended agency, program or service to advise that your application is headed their way. Access your Area Agency on Aging through your telephone book and call the office for an appointment, at which time you should also ask if they have a website that you can access in advance of an in-person visit.
In Summary
Using these resources, caregivers can gain a world of vital information as well as increased income and services for their aging parents. And you just may find caregiving less stressful and demanding.
http://www.agingcare.com/Articles/10-Government-Programs-Caregivers-Can-Access-for-Their-Elderly-Parents-120513.htm
10 Government Programs You Can Access for Your Elderly Parents
Caregiving for an aging parent may stretch the budget as well as the caregiver's endurance -- that is, if you aren't aware of scores of federal, state and even local government programs.Access to assistance is as close as your computer, and, in most cases, you can apply online. Start by accessing two sites:
www.Govbenefits.gov - Gather up all the information you can on your elderly parent's health, disability, income, wealth (as in property owned), whether a military veteran, education level and more. Access this site and answer every question that you can. Then, push the button and, within minutes, the site will respond with a list, details and access information for many, even scores, of beneficial government programs, supplements and/or services.
www.Benefitscheckup.org - This non-profit site will ask many of the same questions but may report added programs, details and contacts.
Here is a guide to the top 10 programs everyone who is caring for an aging parent should know about.
1. Medicare
There is more to Medicare than just the Part A hospital and Part B medical insurance coverage. If your aging parent is 65 or older and collecting Social Security, the insurance premiums are deducted from monthly benefits. Part D prescription drug coverage is subsidized by Medicare through payments to private company insurers who then fund an average of 90 percent of the cost of prescription drugs. If your parent is considered low income, receiving only Social Security, Medicare may subsidize all but about $10 of the monthly premiums. Ask and you may find a great cost saving for your parent.Medicare: www.medicare.gov Medicare Part D
2. Social Security
If your parent's Social Security benefits were earned based on lower-paying jobs, and if the benefits are the only source of income, there may be a larger monthly benefit available by applying for its Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. The program may be operated federally or in conjunction with your state government. The welfare-based Medicaid program is also administered through the Social Security Administration, though the operation may be directed by your state government.
3. Administration on Aging (AoA)
The AoA administers many national programs and services for elders, including health insurance counseling, legal assistance, protection from elder abuse and long-term care. The banner on the website has a link to Elders and Families, your starting point. This section also offers a specific link and service For Caregivers (see the left hand column.)
www.aoa.gov
4. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
If your aging parent is a military veteran and has a service-related disability, you may be able to apply for an increase in benefits, particularly if the disability has worsened over time. If he or she needs continuing medical care because of the disability, an application for medical benefits, hospitalization and prescription drugs may be submitted. There are several types and levels of VA compensation and pension programs. The VA has been slow in processing claims the past few years, but there is continuing pressure by Congress and the Administration to speed up its service.
www.va.gov
5. HIPAA
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1966 provides your elderly parent privacy of his or her medical records. It is a regulation and restriction program on health care providers. The protection should be of concern to you and other family members because, unless your parent signs a form designating each of you as approved to discuss your medical concerns with the physician, he or she cannot do such, even if you prove your family connection. Better sooner than later, access the HIPAA website for the information and forms, or secure the forms from a physician, and file copies with every health care professional involved in your parent's care. HIPAA.gov
6. United States Department of Justice
If your parent has a disability, particularly with physical movement, learn about the Americans With Disability Act administered by the U.S. Department of Justice. Its ADA website offers briefings and cost-free publications on the regulations to grant universal access to the disabled.
7. Food and Drug Administration
Your aging parent is probably taking five to as many as 10 different prescription drugs, perhaps prescribed by different doctors. As caregiver, you should be aware of every one of the drugs, know its mission in the body and, particularly the side effects and conflicts with other medications. You want to watch for a danger known as polypharmacy. The federal Food and Drug Administration offers a giant database on every drug approved by the agency, listing active ingredients, purpose or mission of the medication, dosing recommendations and the side effects and conflicts.
www.fda.gov/cder/index.html
8. Your U.S. Senator
Every senator has a staff specialist on elder affairs, programs and services, probably in major cities of your state plus in Washington, D.C. The staff person can both advise and advocate for benefits or services for your parent. Know that bureaucrats listen immediately to an aide for a United States Senator.
www.senate.gov (Click the Senators link)
9. Your Congressional Representative
Most Representatives in the United States Congress also have staff specialists on elder affairs, programs and services and can provide both information and advocacy.
www.house.gov (Click the Representatives by State link)
10. Area Agency on Aging
There is a federally-mandated Area Agency on Aging in your county or city. This agency is staffed by professionals who know every elder program and service, including available funding sources, in your area. Staff is often aided by volunteers who serve as drivers for transport and Meals-on-Wheels, for respite services and other duties. Gather up the same information you collected for the two sites detailing the national, and even state, programs for which your parent may qualify and make an appointment to meet with a counselor at the Area Agency on Aging. The staff person can advise regarding programs and qualifications and even help prepare the necessary applications and documentation. Often, the counselor will even call a recommended agency, program or service to advise that your application is headed their way. Access your Area Agency on Aging through your telephone book and call the office for an appointment, at which time you should also ask if they have a website that you can access in advance of an in-person visit.
In Summary
Using these resources, caregivers can gain a world of vital information as well as increased income and services for their aging parents. And you just may find caregiving less stressful and demanding.
Some level of success
I must commend my buddy for the great work he did on his mother. I mentioned him before. He is fighting cancer and his mother (I call her my godmother) suffers from vascular dementia. With help from one of the centers he is connected to he was able to obtain 32 hours of home attendant assistance for her. She goes to the center three days and has 8 hour care four days.
He is getting back on his feet after undergoing both chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Anyone who has taken care of the elderly knows how difficult it is and how much rougher it is when they have dementia.
I always pray for better days for them and for now it appears they got it.
General ramble
As you attempt to care for your elderly relative at what point do you put your needs ahead of theirs?
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