Comments for http://caring-for-mom-and-dad.info Latest News, Resources and Information for Caregivers Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:28:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Comment on Is it Time for A Geriatric Screening? by Samantha Cooper http://caring-for-mom-and-dad.info/caregiving/is-it-time-for-a-geriatric-screening/comment-page-1/#comment-1815 Samantha Cooper Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:28:23 +0000 http://caring-for-mom-and-dad.info/other/is-it-time-for-a-geriatric-screening/#comment-1815 Excellent and informative article about geriatric screening. <a href="http://seniorsafety.com" rel="nofollow">Medical alert systems</a> offer many advantages to seniors who are still living independently. Excellent and informative article about geriatric screening. Medical alert systems offer many advantages to seniors who are still living independently.

]]> Comment on The advantage of a “FINGERTIP PULSE OXIMETER” for at-home patients. by pulse oximeter http://caring-for-mom-and-dad.info/healthcare/activities/the-advantage-of-a-fingertip-pulse-oximeter-for-at-home-patients/comment-page-1/#comment-1561 pulse oximeter Sun, 02 Oct 2011 02:41:28 +0000 http://caring-for-mom-and-dad.info/?p=2670#comment-1561 The finger pulse oximeter is a great device to have in a home health care diagnostic toolbox. The finger pulse oximeter is a great device to have in a home health care diagnostic toolbox.

]]> Comment on Nurse Donna Wilson shares free videos on lung exercises by Rose Broyles http://caring-for-mom-and-dad.info/caregiving/nurse-donna-wilson-shares-free-videos-on-lung-exercises/comment-page-1/#comment-1559 Rose Broyles Tue, 27 Sep 2011 23:18:15 +0000 http://caring-for-mom-and-dad.info/?p=2178#comment-1559 Hello Audrey, you can reach Donna at http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/44.cfm. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. I believe she teaches courses there. 212-639-2000. The address is: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center 1275 York Avenue New York, NY 10065. Thank you for coming to our site. We hope that we could be of assistance to our readers. Hello Audrey, you can reach Donna at http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/44.cfm. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. I believe she teaches courses there. 212-639-2000. The address is: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
1275 York Avenue New York, NY 10065. Thank you for coming to our site. We hope that we could be of assistance to our readers.

]]> Comment on Nurse Donna Wilson shares free videos on lung exercises by Audrey Whiteside http://caring-for-mom-and-dad.info/caregiving/nurse-donna-wilson-shares-free-videos-on-lung-exercises/comment-page-1/#comment-1558 Audrey Whiteside Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:43:27 +0000 http://caring-for-mom-and-dad.info/?p=2178#comment-1558 Donna I have followed your inst. on chest exercises . I dont have DSL anymore Ive had chest surgery for aortic aneursym and aortic valve replacement. I cant download your exercises any more. Im very upset about this not being able to buy dsl anymore. what can I do? is there a disc on your exercises? can you help me?? Audrey Donna I have followed your inst. on chest exercises . I dont have DSL anymore Ive had chest surgery for aortic aneursym and aortic valve replacement. I cant download your exercises any more. Im very upset about this not being able to buy dsl anymore. what can I do? is there a disc on your exercises? can you help me?? Audrey

]]> Comment on The Real Cost of Care- In-Home versus Nursing Home Care by Rose Broyles http://caring-for-mom-and-dad.info/other/the-real-cost-of-care-in-home-versus-nursing-home-care/comment-page-1/#comment-1555 Rose Broyles Mon, 11 Jul 2011 19:14:34 +0000 http://caring-for-mom-and-dad.info/?p=2477#comment-1555 I have to disagree with the 24 hour care by nursing staff. There may be staff working 24 hours straight but 24 hour care is not available. Our mother was in a 5 star nursing facility in an affluent neighborhood and they were constantly short staffed and kept her strapped to a wheelchair when she was at earlier phase of her dementia. She kept getting out of her room and they had to keep her at the nurse's station to prevent further falls. They were so short staffed that there were only 2 nurses per floor of 20-30 patients. While I agree that you have to consider other factors when keeping your parent at home, if it all possible we encourage people to do all they can to keep their parent at home. You can cut costs down and depending on your state, free programs, churches and non-profit groups are available to help out. Understandably, there will be times when this is not possible. But even the top-rated facility does not provide the best care for the money you are paying. Even assisted living, board and care homes and others cost approximately $3K a month--here in California at least, I know this because we have had our mother (and also father) in all three. Skilled Nursing can cost up to $7K a month or more. A few years ago groups protested Gov. Schwarznegger's cuts to the state's IHSS program which was geared towards home care "The Legislative Analyst has estimated in past years that the annual average IHSS cost per person is $9,924, whereas the annual average cost of nursing home care is about $60,000." Some patients need one on one care (which skilled nursing doesn't provide) and even if you add up utilities, food, caregiving, and other costs..it still comes out cheaper than a nursing home. Not every one needs a certified caregiver that is an LVN or RN. With resourceful patients and their advocates, constant communication with the doctor and good research can help you provide good care to your loved one without having to get a degree in nursing. Those patients who need skilled nursing are sometimes eligible for hospice or palliative care and as long as they are eligible every 6 months--that's a cost cutter right there for equipment, medication, custodial and home health care. Here are some resources for our readers to get more information about the costs of care in this state. http://www.calregistry.com/housing/snf.htm http://www.skillednursingfacilities.org/blog/nursing-home-resident-care/nursing-home-fees-nursing-home-costs/ I have to disagree with the 24 hour care by nursing staff. There may be staff working 24 hours straight but 24 hour care is not available. Our mother was in a 5 star nursing facility in an affluent neighborhood and they were constantly short staffed and kept her strapped to a wheelchair when she was at earlier phase of her dementia. She kept getting out of her room and they had to keep her at the nurse’s station to prevent further falls. They were so short staffed that there were only 2 nurses per floor of 20-30 patients. While I agree that you have to consider other factors when keeping your parent at home, if it all possible we encourage people to do all they can to keep their parent at home.

You can cut costs down and depending on your state, free programs, churches and non-profit groups are available to help out.

Understandably, there will be times when this is not possible. But even the top-rated facility does not provide the best care for the money you are paying.

Even assisted living, board and care homes and others cost approximately $3K a month–here in California at least, I know this because we have had our mother (and also father) in all three.

Skilled Nursing can cost up to $7K a month or more.

A few years ago groups protested Gov. Schwarznegger’s cuts to the state’s IHSS program which was geared towards home care “The Legislative Analyst has estimated in past years that the annual average IHSS cost per person is $9,924, whereas the annual average cost of nursing home care is about $60,000.”

Some patients need one on one care (which skilled nursing doesn’t provide) and even if you add up utilities, food, caregiving, and other costs..it still comes out cheaper than a nursing home. Not every one needs a certified caregiver that is an LVN or RN. With resourceful patients and their advocates, constant communication with the doctor and good research can help you provide good care to your loved one without having to get a degree in nursing. Those patients who need skilled nursing are sometimes eligible for hospice or palliative care and as long as they are eligible every 6 months–that’s a cost cutter right there for equipment, medication, custodial and home health care.

Here are some resources for our readers to get more information about the costs of care in this state.
http://www.calregistry.com/housing/snf.htm
http://www.skillednursingfacilities.org/blog/nursing-home-resident-care/nursing-home-fees-nursing-home-costs/

]]> Comment on The Real Cost of Care- In-Home versus Nursing Home Care by ZDStone http://caring-for-mom-and-dad.info/other/the-real-cost-of-care-in-home-versus-nursing-home-care/comment-page-1/#comment-1554 ZDStone Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:19:37 +0000 http://caring-for-mom-and-dad.info/?p=2477#comment-1554 I am interested to see where nursing homes are charging $600.00 per hour. In our facility, we charge less than $150 per day and that includes all care and room and board. People hear daily rates for nursing homes and cringe - $25.00 per hour for home care sounds a lot better, but what statistics don't often show are the average total costs of keeping a relative at home vs. nursing facility costs. In addition to what you are paying your home health aide, you are paying for increased utilities, food, activities, etc... all the things that come with most facility daily rates. In addition, nursing homes provide 24 hour care with nurses and certified staff where most home health providers only provide part time care and if you want an LVN or RN to be your caregiver, you will probably be looking at hourly rates higher than $25.00. Not to mention any handicap upgrades to the building, other supplies like lifts, and the emotional cost of being a caregiver. It is completely understandable that people want to stay in their own homes or with family and if it is feasible, I encourage it and think it is wonderful. But if we are looking at a purely economic comparison, statistics and articles like this do not paint the full picture and families need to consider the total cost of in home care vs. nursing facility care. I am interested to see where nursing homes are charging $600.00 per hour. In our facility, we charge less than $150 per day and that includes all care and room and board. People hear daily rates for nursing homes and cringe – $25.00 per hour for home care sounds a lot better, but what statistics don’t often show are the average total costs of keeping a relative at home vs. nursing facility costs. In addition to what you are paying your home health aide, you are paying for increased utilities, food, activities, etc… all the things that come with most facility daily rates. In addition, nursing homes provide 24 hour care with nurses and certified staff where most home health providers only provide part time care and if you want an LVN or RN to be your caregiver, you will probably be looking at hourly rates higher than $25.00. Not to mention any handicap upgrades to the building, other supplies like lifts, and the emotional cost of being a caregiver. It is completely understandable that people want to stay in their own homes or with family and if it is feasible, I encourage it and think it is wonderful. But if we are looking at a purely economic comparison, statistics and articles like this do not paint the full picture and families need to consider the total cost of in home care vs. nursing facility care.

]]> Comment on The long road to recovery: complications from kidney transplants by Kidney Transplant Surgery http://caring-for-mom-and-dad.info/other/the-long-road-to-recovery-complications-from-kidney-transplants/comment-page-1/#comment-1552 Kidney Transplant Surgery Tue, 07 Jun 2011 15:04:06 +0000 http://caring-for-mom-and-dad.info/?p=2469#comment-1552 Nice information you shared with us. A disease, disorder, or a congenital condition may damage the kidneys. Chronic Glomerulonephritis, Diabetes, Hypertension, and Cystic renal disease are the most common causes of ESRD. Nice information you shared with us. A disease, disorder, or a congenital condition may damage the kidneys. Chronic Glomerulonephritis, Diabetes, Hypertension, and Cystic renal disease are the most common causes of ESRD.

]]> Comment on Senior Fitness by howardski http://caring-for-mom-and-dad.info/lifestyle/health-tips/senior-fitness/comment-page-1/#comment-1551 howardski Thu, 02 Jun 2011 07:01:51 +0000 http://caring-for-mom-and-dad.info/?p=2281#comment-1551 a big problem you have in life is what will you do with your life? where will you live? what kind of job will you have? after you retire you are faced with these decisions all over again. where will you live out your last days? but just as important what will you do? no one wants to sit in a old folks home and be fed etc, do they? my own strategy is to remain healthy for a long as i can. that is number one. then i face getting old as it comes but if i am still mobile and my head still works that’s half the game right there. a big problem you have in life is what will you do with your life? where will you live? what kind of job will you have? after you retire you are faced with these decisions all over again. where will you live out your last days? but just as important what will you do? no one wants to sit in a old folks home and be fed etc, do they? my own strategy is to remain healthy for a long as i can. that is number one. then i face getting old as it comes but if i am still mobile and my head still works that’s half the game right there.

]]> Comment on Nightmares and Depakote by Marsha P. http://caring-for-mom-and-dad.info/news-affecting-us/blog/nightmares-and-depakote/comment-page-1/#comment-1550 Marsha P. Fri, 20 May 2011 16:51:13 +0000 http://caring-for-mom-and-dad.info/?p=1452#comment-1550 In certain circumstances, Depakote use seems ok, but for women of childbearing age it is not. Depakote has been known to cause very severe birth defects such as spina bifida. Look <a href="//www.weitzlux.com/Depakote-pregnancy_1962901.html”" rel="nofollow">here</a> for more info. In certain circumstances, Depakote use seems ok, but for women of childbearing age it is not. Depakote has been known to cause very severe birth defects such as spina bifida. Look here for more info.

]]> Comment on Google Health keeps your medical information up-to-date by Chase http://caring-for-mom-and-dad.info/caregiving/google-health-keeps-your-medical-information-up-to-date/comment-page-1/#comment-1549 Chase Tue, 17 May 2011 11:54:54 +0000 http://caring-for-mom-and-dad.info/?p=2344#comment-1549 Tools like Google Health are great. Newer sites like CareCoach.com might offer more in terms of patient benefits, though, with deeper insight into how not only to track one's health progress but also how to improve their communication with their healthcare provider through real-life conversation analysis and data-backed suggestions. Regardless of what tools one uses to improve their health literacy, it's good to see patient-focused tools are growing in prevalence! Tools like Google Health are great. Newer sites like CareCoach.com might offer more in terms of patient benefits, though, with deeper insight into how not only to track one’s health progress but also how to improve their communication with their healthcare provider through real-life conversation analysis and data-backed suggestions. Regardless of what tools one uses to improve their health literacy, it’s good to see patient-focused tools are growing in prevalence!

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