Supreme Court Stabs Seniors, Women & Our Economy in the Back
July 13, 2007
It’s hard to believe that 9 people, some of whom are getting up in years themselves, would make a judgment that could so harshly affect the sick, elderly and disabled, as well as their caregivers. Yet that’s exactly what happened on June 11th when the Supreme Court ruled that Home Health Care (HHC) aides, who provide “companionship services”, should be lumped in with baby-sitters as “casual workers”. No matter how many long, hard hours a day they work, this ruling exempts HHC workers from the Fair Labor Standards Act and leaves 2.1 million workers ineligible for
minimum wage or overtime pay or benefits.
You might be wondering how this Supreme Court decision adversely affects senior citizens, women and our economy. Here are the cold, hard facts.
* Long-distance Caregiving: The Challenges
February 18, 2007
Caregiving is a challenge in every case, but long-distance caregiving can become a nightmare without advance planning.
[Read more]
Caregiving Comfort: A Family Caregiver’s Portable Support Group
February 4, 2007
A caregiver needs all the support that can be had, but all-too-often a caregiver cannot find time and energy to attend scheduled support groups. Imagine the usefulness of a portable support group you can carry with you anywhere and access whenever you want. That’s what we can have in Carol Bursack’s touching little book, “Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories”.
Caregiver Contracts Make Things Clear..
October 22, 2006
Caregiver contracts are a new option for caring for aging elders. Use these formal agreements set up by an attorney.
Caregiving’s Costly Burden..
October 1, 2006
Hey - If I had known that official government policy toward caring for elderly parents was that their children would have to do it all, well I would have had 10 kids.
Caregiver Shortages Will Worsen as Aging Baby Boomers Increase Demand..
October 1, 2006
Demand for home-based caregiving is expected to double by 2050 as the baby boomer generation ages. This expected shortage will limit access to caregivers.
A report released by the International Longevity Center USA and the Schmieding Center for Senior Health and Education found that 20% of elderly patients currently lack access to family and professional caregiving and that the shortage will explode in the future. In addition, this report, titled “Caregiving in America,” reveals that caregiver wages are among the lowest wages in America, an indication that U.S. residents most likely will not be willing to take these low-wage jobs in the future. Nursing aides received an average hourly wage of $10 in 2004, plus unskilled, home-based caregivers received an even lower average hourly wage, according to the report. Another report released by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging shows that nearly half of U.S. cities have no plans whatsoever to meet the health care and other needs of aging baby boomers.
Researchers surveyed more than 1,790 U.S. cities, and they found that one-third do not provide any access to counseling on prescription drugs, health screenings, or health education for elderly residents. The number of U.S. residents ages 65 and older are projected to reach almost 72 million by 2030.
Caregiver Health
More than 2.5 million home-based, family caregivers experience stress, depression and health declines, according to a study released by the National Alliance for Caregiving. This study included an online survey of 528 family caregivers between July 21 and July 28, 2006 as well as in-depth discussion groups and phone interviews with caregivers. About 91% of the respondents said they had experienced depression, and 72% said they had not visited their physicians as much as they needed since they began to provide care for their elderly relatives. Family caregivers “are out there without anybody helping them”, and “They could get to the point where they can’t be a long term care giver anymore.” John Crews, a senior scientist at CDC, said, “People need help and respite. They need a break, and they need knowledge”.
In any case, care will get much more expensive, and long term care insurance is the best way to assure funds for your future care. You can get free comparative rate quotes online from the Buyer’s Advocate website.
Technorati Tags: baby boomer, caregivers, caregiver, baby boomers, counseling, prescription drugs, elderly, stress, depression, long term care, respite, long term care insurance
“There are four kinds of people in the world:
August 5, 2006
“There are four kinds of people in the world:
Those who have been caregivers,
Those who are currently caregivers,
Those who will be caregivers.
And those who will need caregivers.”
- Former First Lady, Rosalynn Carter
on caregiving
Long Term Care insurance helps you get the care you deserve without being a burden on your family. Get your free, comparative rate quotes through your Buyer’s Advocate.
Technorati Tags: caregivers, caregiving, Long Term Care insurance
Oops - I Almost Forgot..
June 26, 2006
Last night I watched “The Boy Who’s Skin Fell Off” on PBS. It was about a fellow’s last four months on Earth, before succumbing to skin cancer - a by-product of 36 years of suffering with a condition known as EB.
The Caregiver’s Handbook..
June 26, 2006
On the Road Again..
June 26, 2006
Chronic Multiple Sclerosis is a long term, paralyzing disability. Dealing with incontinence is a huge part of our lives.
My husband can barely walk 20 ft. with a walker. I need to hold onto his gait belt so he doesn’t fall. Since he also needs help with toileting, we find ourselves in daily (sometimes hourly) discussions about incontinence. These discussions can range from jokes to total frustration - even arguments depending upon how frazzled we feel.
After a bout of very loose bowel incontinence, we had to seriously consider what we might do about traveling on an airplane. It was hard enough a few years back, but now that there are such stringent and bothersome security measures it has become much harder.
