Joseph Mascolo Alzheimer's

Joseph Mascolo, the actor who appeared on the Bold and the Beautify and portrayed iconic "Days of Our Lives" villain Stefano DiMera, died on Wednesday following a battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was 87.  http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/joseph-mascolo-who-played-iconic-days-our-lives-villain-stefano-n694211

 

 

Empty Cup

Kittens Thrive with Elder Care

 

An elder care facility in Arizona and a local animal shelter recently collaborated with wonderful results.  The shelter had more kittens than it could care for so facility residents were asked to feed and nuture the animals. While the kittens flourished, their humans reported feeling happier!

See the article and more delightful photos here:

http://countercurrentnews.com/2016/11/happens-animal-shelter-partners-elderly-care-facility/

 

Prince Charles and Elder Care

 

Prince Charles recently celebrated the 60th anniversary of Abbeyfield, a UK organization that provides housing and elder care in 850 facilities worldwide.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-3942580/Charles-admits-age-given-greater-understanding-elderly-care.html

7-Year-Old Girl Celebrates the End of WWI

            Mom was 7 years old when World War I, or as she called it, the Great War, ended. An armistice was scheduled for the 11th hour, on the 11th day, of the 11th month in 1918.

            The boys in her Chicago public school made paper hats so they could represent soldiers. The girls took white strips of cloth from an old bed sheet and used tincture of iodine to draw a red cross on each one. When they tied the cloth across their foreheads they looked like nurses.     

            All the children paraded around the flagpole in the playground that morning of November 11, 1918. 

            That's how that first armistice was celebrated by ordinary people. Armistice Day was celebrated from 1919 to 1954, when the name changed to Veterans Day.

 

8 Ways to Keep the Cost of Senior Care Down

 

 

A recent article on Investopedia reports that a 65-year-old couple needs about $240,000 to cover health care costs. Tips for reducing costs include moving to an area where health care costs less and practicing preventive medicine.  Read more: 8 Ways to Keep the Cost of Senior Care Down | Investopedia http://www.investopedia.com/articles/retirement/103116/8-ways-keep-cost-senior-care-down.asp#ixzz4Oz1Aq8hW

Caring for Caregivers

 

A recent article from Fifty Plus Advocate stresses the importance of caregivers taking care of themselves first. Good communication between the person being cared for and the caregiver helps. To read suggestions on how to take care of yourself, go to http://www.fiftyplusadvocate.com/archives/11167

Leaving the Workforce to be a Caregiver

 

 

John Schall wrote in Forbes this month that 2 out of every 5 adults is a caregiver. Unfortunately women over 50 often have to quit working to care for a loved one.

See the article here http://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2016/10/10/caregiving-is-forcing-women-50-to-leave-the-workforce/#24d17611364d

Caregivers Face Financial Hardship

Ann Brenoff has written an insightful article "6 Very Good Reasons Why Family Caregivers Need A Union--They are an unprotected (free) workforce and the nation could show a little more gratitude."

As a former caregiver I whole-heartedly agree with Ms. Brenoff. As she points out, caregivers often are not paid. Some caregivers incur expenses in their caregiving. They may have to give up their employment or work fewer hours due to "Family Responsibilities Discrimination." As a result, caregivers have reduced Social Security and other pension benefits and possibly lose health care benefits.

Read the full article here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/6-reasons-why-family-caregivers-need-a-union_us_580138b0e4b06e047594d864

 

 

Wellthy -- Virtual Caregiving Coordinators

 

According to Forbes, Wellthy, established by Lindsay Jurist-Rosner and Kevin Roche, is a platform linking caregivers with virtual assistants who provide expertise and advocacy, as well as performing some caregiving duties.

For information about the company click: Wellthy

Read the Forbes article here: www.forbes.com/sites/susanprice/2016/10/21/wellthy-has-raised-2-million-for-its-startup-helping-americas-66-million-unpaid-caregivers/#28288c2a31b1