NorthStar Care & Guidance: Geriatric Care Management in NY and NJ

New Drug Trial Seeks to Stop Alzheimer’s Before It Starts

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 01:30:16 +0000

In a clinical trial that could lead to treatments that prevent Alzheimer’s, people who are genetically guaranteed to develop the disease — but who do not yet have any symptoms — will for the first time be given a drug intended to stop it, federal officials announced Tuesday.

The Vanishing Mind

War on Dementia

Articles in this series are examining the worldwide struggle to find answers about Alzheimer’s disease.

Experts say the study will be one of the few ever conducted to test prevention treatments for any genetically predestined disease. For Alzheimer’s, the trial is unprecedented, “the first to focus on people who are cognitively normal but at very high risk for Alzheimer’s disease,” said Dr. Francis S. Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health.

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Sued Over An $1,800 Hospital Bill

admin — Sat, 05 May 2012 20:05:27 +0000

By Jenny Gold

KHN Staff Writer

APR 27, 2012

This story was produced in collaboration with

COLUMBUS, OHIO – Even before the hospital bills started coming, Lori Duff and her family were living paycheck to paycheck. So when the debt collector called and demanded $1,800 for the prenatal visits she’d had while pregnant with her third son, she panicked.

Lori Duff and her son, Henry (Photo by Jenny Gold/KHN)

The collector said the local Catholic hospital Duff had gone to could garnish 25 percent of each of her paychecks to pay off the bill. She offered to make a $20 payment—all she could afford at the time—but the collector told her the minimum was $400 down. “I was like, ‘I don’t have that. You can have everything in my account right now. It’s $1.25,’” Duff recalls.

Duff was likely eligible for free care under the Mount Carmel Health System’s financial assistance policy, which offers medical care at no charge for patients earning less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level. But the debt collector kept calling and soon informed her that the hospital was planning to sue her for the money.

June 13-19: Help Bring Awareness During Men’s Health Week in New York City

Valerie — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 16:52:32 +0000

June 13-19: Help Bring Awareness During Men’s Health Week

Goal of Men’s Health Week June 13-19

The purpose of Men’s Health Week is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.

This week gives health care providers, public policy makers, the media, and individuals an opportunity to encourage men and boys to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury. The response has been overwhelming with hundreds of awareness activities in the USA and around the globe. For a partial list of activities……

read more
At NorthStar Care & Guidance, we are available to talk with you and your family about all of your live-in home care needs. NorthStar Care & Guidance is an elder care agency providing assistance to seniors with elder care in New York City and New Jersey. Call 888-288-6152 for more information.

June 5th We Celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day!

Valerie — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 17:34:36 +0000

Celebrating National Cancer Survivors Day

Cancer survivors share a common thread of victory over a significant health threat. Most of these people have learned to take it one step at a time and one day at a time. They have learned to celebrate life more and criticize less. They have learned to be more educated about themselves, their healthcare, their diet and their lifestyle. Additionally, survivors have often learned to take better care of their life. The National Cancer Survivors Day is a day that is designed to help a survivor celebrate these milestones in their life. It is a great way to recognize and honor the individual lives of people that have been affected by this disease. This celebration has grown in popularity and purpose and is now celebrated across not only The United States and Canada, but in many countries across the globe.

Surviving through the discovery, removal of and treatment for a cancerous growth can be emotionally, financially and physically taxing on a person and their life. As most survivors will tell you the disease can and often does affect all areas of enjoyment and productivity. The journey towards healing can be very multi faceted and filled with highs and lows. Coping with the diagnosis is the first part of a long process of discovery to recovery. The final stage for patients is to learn how to stay always mindful of their health care and remain positive. This is often key to a patient’s long term prognosis and healing.

The National Cancer Survivors Day is a great way for survivors and their loved ones to celebrate with a community of survivors from their own area. This is a time for renewed commitment, continued education and building bonds and community with others who know exactly what it’s like to survive the disease. For people who are new to the healing process this day is an exciting beginning as they become surrounded by hundreds of survivors and their personal testimonies. For those people who have been in long term remission it is an excellent opportunity to provide inspiration to others. As people who have recovered from the disease will tell you, health care is always a personal journey. For those who have battled and overcome the disease their stories often provide a deep inspiration for others. Local events may focus on bringing in famous celebrities who they themselves have battled with the effects of this disease. These celebrities often provide great hope, laughter and meaning for survivors and their families. Most everyone knows you can’t do it alone. This day is meant to celebrate the greater community of survivors so no one ever feels they are battling the disease alone.

The day’s events focus on celebration, inspiration and education for the survivor and their loved ones. Often these events provide survivors with a whole host of local and national resources to aid them in their long-term health care. Events are generally held from the first Saturday in June to the middle of the month. Survivors are encouraged to check with their local communities to see what is offered in their area in honor of this day. Frequently many states will be hosting multiple events throughout different areas. Each event has a special focus meant to enrich and celebrate the life of being a survivor.

If you have questions or concerns about elder care for your loved one, NorthStar Care & Guidance is here to talk with you and your family. NorthStar Care & Guidance is an elder care agency providing assistance and solutions to seniors and those with disabilities in New York City and New Jersey. Call 888-288-6152 for more information.

May is High Blood Pressure Awareness Month for Seniors in New York City

Valerie — Fri, 27 May 2011 18:24:30 +0000

May is High Blood Pressure Awareness Month for Seniors

High blood pressure (or hypertension) is a chronic medical condition where there is an increase in the amount of pressure blood has on the blood vessels. Blood pressure is measured in terms of two numbers. The top number (systolic) is the amount of pressure during a heartbeat. The bottom number (diastolic) is the amount of pressure between heartbeats. Therefore, blood pressure is read as systolic “over” diastolic. A healthy blood pressure is a systolic less than 120, and diastolic less than 80.

Patients are considered to have prehypertension when their blood pressure is above 120 but less than 140 (systolic) or above 80 but less than 90 (diastolic). Prehypertension significantly increases the patient’s chances of developing high blood pressure. Hypertension is formally diagnosed if the patient’s blood pressure is 140 or greater (systolic) or 90 or greater (diastolic). Almost one-third of the population has prehypertension, and another third meets the diagnosis for hypertension. Unfortunately, many people go undiagnosed, and for those with a diagnosis, half do not have their blood pressure under control. High blood pressure is often known as the “silent killer” because it typically does not produce symptoms until it is extremely high. When hypertension has symptoms, it is usually the swelling of hands and feet, blurred vision, dizziness, headaches, and sometimes nausea. Even without symptoms, hypertension can damage blood vessels, leading to kidney damage, stroke, heart attack, and permanent damage to vision.

Seniors, certain ethnic groups (African-American and Native-American decent), and a family history of heart disease are considered to be risk factors for developing hypertension. Although these are risk factors that cannot be avoided, there are other risk factors that can be modified to decrease your chance of developing hypertension, or keep your blood pressure under control. Regular exercise, stress reduction techniques, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, moderating alcohol consumption, and eating a diet that is low in salt, are all ways to help keep your blood pressure at a healthy level and increase your overall health. Some patients may need prescription medications to help lower their blood pressure. If so, take your medication as prescribed, and keep all appointments for blood pressure checks. These blood pressure checks are important to determine how effective the medication is, and the dose may be increased or decreased, accordingly. If the medication has side effects, discuss them with your health professional. There may be other medications that are equally as effective without the side effects.

Most importantly, medical treatment for hypertension is not a license to perform poorly in other aspects of life. Taking blood pressure medicine does not erase the damage of a high fat, high cholesterol, and high salt diet. Many patients have found that lifestyle changes may eliminate the need for medication, or significantly reduce the amount and doses of medicines they take. Also, living a healthy lifestyle and not being a member of a high risk group is not a substitute for routine medical screening. Everyone should have regular blood pressure screenings and be screened more often if their blood pressure is elevated. Seniors, in particular, may need to monitor their blood pressure more often, because blood pressure tends to increase with age.

May is Older American’s Month: Give Your Aging Loved One the Gift of Home Care Services

Valerie — Fri, 20 May 2011 18:09:47 +0000

May is Older American’s Month: Give Your Aging Loved One the Gift of Home Care Services

The Administration on Aging focuses on a theme each year that promotes May as being older American’s month. This year the focus is on how much the older generation enhances the community by bringing inspiration and continuity. Technology too is a great aid in enhancing the quality of life for the older generations with better health and more relevant activities for the elderly to enjoy.

Older Americans Month was created in 1963 when only seventeen million of the elderly reached age sixty-five. It was originally called Senior Citizens Month but was renamed by President Jimmy Carter in 1980 to its current title. In 2009 that number had grown to over thirty-nine million who were sixty-five and older. It is predicted that this demographic will increase to fifty-five million in 2020. It is clear that more senior Americans will stay in the workforce and more home care services will be needed.

The themes change each year and over the years new programs and activities have been added on a local, national and federal level. As the population of aging Americans as well as life expectancy increases, the long term care must meet the needs of this group of citizens who for the most part, continue to be actively contributing to their community in their advanced years. The community recognizes this and shows their appreciation by way of this year’s Community Connection Video Game Tournament where video will help seniors to connect. An increased community awareness of seniors has also been created by the resources of information pertaining to older Americans’ situations such as assisted living, pension counseling, home modification and elderly nutrition programs to name a few.

Home care is of particular importance since it is designed to help senior Americans remain living at home for as long as they can. The Administration on Aging has published guidelines for families needing help to define the quality of services one should expect for their loved one. For example, the service provider must be approved by Medicare and background checks need to be made of the service providers. Seniors can greatly benefit from the home care provider offering such services as errand running, light housekeeping, laundry and transportation. These are services that the community can offer as gifts to seniors during their special month of May. This gesture would draw more attention to the need of the community of seniors who would still prefer to live at home as long as possible.

More community support is always welcome and will only help future generations of oldsters.

If you or someone you know needs help with elder care in New York City or the surrounding area, contact NorthStar Care & Guidance. We provide assistance for many disabled and elderly loved ones in our community. Call us at 888-288-6152 for more information.

Veteran’s Aid & Attendance Benefit: An Interview with Expert Rita Files

Valerie — Fri, 13 May 2011 18:29:23 +0000

Veteran’s Aid & Attendance Benefit: An Interview with Expert Rita Files

Did you know there is a benefit for low/no-income veterans and their surviving spouses that can help supplement costly non-reimbursed monthly medical expenses?

Rita Files knows the Veteran’s Aid & Attendance benefit (officially titled “The Non-Service Connected Disability Pension Benefit”) inside and out, and she is passionate about helping eligible seniors take advantage of it.

Since 2000, Rita has worked with hundreds of families to secure this benefit. She’s one of only 122 accredited claims agents in the country. In addition, Files is a nurse with a background in eldercare. These qualities have certainly contributed to her success.

“Anyone can provide general information about the Aid & Attendance benefit,” she says, “but a person must be accredited to take things further.”

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or VA, accredits attorneys and claims agents to help eligible service members and their spouses access the benefit. According to Files, the officials at the VA, buried by backlogs in other programs, are not well-versed in the nuts and bolts of the Aid & Attendance Benefit, which is why many turn to claims agents for assistance – that is, if they even find out that the benefit exists.

Says Files, “The benefit is little-known and underutilized.”

Part of the problem lies within the VA itself. Having never received consistent answers or information from VA employees is one of the reasons Files was motivated to secure accreditation. In addition to dealing with backlogs, she says that VA employees typically do not have the proper skills or approach for communicating with elders. Consequently, many claims are never fully or correctly processed.

Continue reading from seniorsforliving.com

If you have questions or concerns about elder care for your loved one, NorthStar Care & Guidance is here to talk with you and your family. NorthStar Care & Guidance is an elder care agency providing assistance and solutions to seniors and veterans in New York City and New Jersey. Call 888-288-6152 for more information.

NorthStar Care & Guidance Celebrates National Nurses Week

Valerie — Fri, 06 May 2011 16:47:45 +0000

National Nurses Week
Source: www.nursingworld.org

National Nurses Week May 6-12 2011 Nurses Trusted to Care

Often described as an art and a science, nursing is a profession that embraces dedicated people with varied interests, strengths and passions because of the many opportunities the profession offers. As nurses, we work in emergency rooms, school based clinics, and homeless shelters, to name a few. We have many roles – from staff nurse to educator to nurse practitioner and nurse researcher – and serve all of them with passion for the profession and with a strong commitment to patient safety.

Suggestions on How to Celebrate National Nurses Week
• Hold a special celebration or reception to recognize a nurse or several nurses in your community. These nurses could be honored for heroic acts, years of service to the community, exemplary courage, or their commitment to the nursing profession over the years.

• Promote a positive, realistic image of registered nurses by sponsoring health fairs, conducting preventive screenings in underserved areas, organizing a walk-a-thon, etc.

• Place an article in your state or local newspaper(s) about National Nurses Week and the value of nurses.

• Invite a politician — local, state or federal — to accompany a nurse or several nurses at their place of employment for a day or part of a day. Health care remains an issue of tremendous importance to voters. Politicians should be visible and accountable for their positions on health care. This is a win-win situation and it offers good media coverage potential.

• Ask every nurse in America to wear an “RN Pin” and/or nurse’s uniform during National Nurses Week. The official “RN Pin” is available by calling 1-800-445-0445 (credit card orders only).

For questions about live in home care for your aging loved one or veteran, please contact NorthStar Care & Guidance. We are an elder care agency helping families find the right solutions for quality care in New Jersey and New York City. Call us at 888-288-6152 for more information.

Generation Alzheimer’s

Valerie — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 18:29:18 +0000

Generation Alzheimer’s
Michelle Seitzer, seniorsforliving.com

A new microsite has been developed by the Alzheimer’s Association, with the apt albeit unsettling title – “Generation Alzheimer’s: The Defining Disease of the Baby Boomers.”

Facts like “An estimated 10 million baby boomers will develop Alzheimer’s” as listed on the site certainly affirm the severity of the impact that Alzheimer’s will have on boomers, many of whom are already afflicted via early-onset, or by way of caring for a spouse, parent, or other aging relative with the debilitating disease.

Stats on other major diseases (HIV, stroke, breast cancer, etc.) have shown an encouraging decline, but as the first of the boomers turn 65 this year, we should expect a sharp rise in the incidence of Alzheimer’s.

Things are not going to get better until we find a cure, or until the causes of this disease and its deleterious effects are fully unraveled. And, for anyone who is or has been affected (as well as the researchers and scientists who are working hard to solve the mystery that is Alzheimer’s), determining the cause and creating a cure are equally important pieces of the puzzle, goals which truly go hand-in-hand.

We can make all the improvements we want to the ways we provide & deliver care, the means by which we try to prevent the threat of this disease in our own households, the methods we utilize to treat the disease and delay its progression to the extent that it is possible. These improvements and
innovations are welcomed and necessary to keep ahead of the Alzheimer’s wave, but they will only serve as a stopgap for this swelling, long-term problem.

At some point, a breakthrough must happen. Alzheimer’s must be eradicated before the dam breaks.

Visit the microsite – http://alz-news.org – to get a copy of the landmark study generated by the Alzheimer’s Association, watch videos from Alzheimer’s champions as they speak passionately about the issues at hand, get links to various means for social media engagement (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, message boards, and a blog), and grab banners so that you too can be an advocate for the cause.

Why American Communities Are Not Prepared for an Aging Population

Valerie — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 16:19:40 +0000

We wanted to share this interesting article about the aging American population. It discusses some of the statistics about how we are aging and what we need to do to prepare for such a large elderly population. We also need to think about the costs of our health care and possible future home care. Are you covered for health care?

Why American Communities Are Not Prepared for an Aging Population

Less than half of cities and counties can meet the needs of aging baby boomers

By Sharon O’Brien, About.com Guide

Aging Population in the U.S.
Baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, are at retirement age.

The oldest baby boomers turned 60 in 2006, and when the trend peaks in 2030, the number of people over age 65 will soar to 71.5 million — one in every five Americans. This is twice the number in 2000, according to “The Maturing of America: Getting Communities on Track for an Aging Population,” published by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) and funded by the MetLife Foundation.

“To respond to the rapid rise in their aging population, communities will need to provide larger street signage, accessible housing, age appropriate fitness programs, as well as lifelong learning and job re-training opportunities. Although targeted to an aging population, these services would improve the quality of life for citizens of all ages,” said Sandy Markwood, n4a CEO, in a news release.

What the Aging Population Study Reveals
Highlights of the aging population study include:

Health Care – In one third of the U.S. communities surveyed, older adults do not have access to a range of needed preventive health care services such as health education, community-based health screenings, and counseling about prescription drug programs.
Nutrition – 80 percent of U.S. communities have programs providing home-delivered meals for older adults, but only 25 percent provide nutrition education for seniors.

…continue reading from senior living.about.com