“Needing Elder Care When Family is Missing.”~ A touching video and news story today via KPBS

KPBS has provided a touching video and a great news segment today on seniors “Needing Elder Care When Family is Missing.”

The sad reality is that there are many seniors who live alone and live below poverty level with no one to care for them. They have no spouse nor children who they can rely on for support in times of need or illness such as going to the doctor or providing for grocery needs.

There is a support group and a facility in San Diego called, “The Wellness Center,” which provides  this sense of community and support for the elder care.  As the baby boomers approach their retirement and senior age, the need for such a facility is becoming more apparent.  Aging alone is becoming a social trend as seniors who have no spouse nor children find the need of this kind of support group.  The creation of the  “Wellness Center” in San Diego is a great example of a senior network that provides this extended family atmosphere for many seniors and elderly living alone…

I hope, like many who are caring for their elderly parents, that such a public policy and more of this charitable organizations will come into fruition for the aging baby boomers in the immediate future…

*****Video courtesy via KPBS, San Diego*****

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What Hearing Aids Cost

For people who suffer from hearing difficulty or loss, the hearing aid is the most adhered solution. It is an electronic device that is worn in or behind the ears, which amplifies the acoustic signals in its user’s environment to enable him or her to listen and communicate in day-to-day activities. However, hearing aids are not completely affordable; the hearing aid cost varies widely, and the price generally depends on its manufacturer and seller.

The price also varies depending on the degree of one’s hearing loss, the type of device preferred, and the type of technology that is incorporated in the hearing device. The most typical model of hearing aid is the analog device, and it costs at around $600 or $700. An analog hearing aid may also cost more than $1,500 depending on the brand and provider, which is why it is advisable that you deliberately choose which company would best suit you or your family member’s needs.

The most technologically advanced type of the device is the digital hearing aid, which costs more than the analog one. More often than not, the digital hearing aid price starts at approximately $1,400 for a simple behind-the-ear model, and its price can ascend up to $5,000 or more. Generally, if an individual’s hearing loss is at a serious level, he or she needs two hearing aids for both ears.

Despite the popular belief that more expensive devices provide better features and services, it is worth considering that when it comes to hearing aids, price does not always define its benefits, predominantly its effectiveness and functionality. Furthermore, aside from the price of the hearing aid, you also have to pay for the cost of the fitting, as well as the batteries needed for the device to work. The price of the battery costs from $5 to $20 depending on the brand; however, note that the brand does not always guarantee a better performance.

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Our Aging Brains: Age Related Memory Loss, Dr. Adam Gazzaley on …

Dr. Adam Gazzaley, neuroscientist and leading expert on age related memory loss, explains how our brains change with age.

More here: Our Aging Brains: Age Related Memory Loss, Dr. Adam Gazzaley on …

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