Ahh… sweet vanity.

If you ever had a doubt whether we are a society consumed with our appearance and obsessed with looking young, The NY Times article, "More Doctors Turning to the Business of Beauty" should dispel you of that doubt.

If you ever go in for botox treatment or other "simple" facial procedures, don't be surprised if your Ob-Gyn from years ago is now administering your botox. According to the article, doctors of every field are entering to cosmetic surgery which is a $12 billion a year industry. The national chain of medical spas, Dermacare Laser and Skin Care Clinics, has franchises across the country that are "run by 32 doctors, including 6 internists, 7 family physicians, 3 emergency room doctors, 2 urologists, 3 naturopaths, a chiropractor, an ophthalmologist and a psychiatrist." A psychiatrist?

Yes… you read right.

Of course, those who have trained for years in facial skin and its anatomy don't approve of the "noncore" physicians suggesting they are not safe. Considering these "noncore" physicians don't have to undergo extensive training (they just need to take about a week's worth of training on how to Botox, facial fillers, lasers and chemical peels), they may have a point. Granted, this may not be as complicated as delivering a baby or handling the emergency room, but complications may arise that a week's worth of training may not have covered. We don't object to doctors switching fields--- but perhaps there should be more extensive training--- perhaps 6 months or even a year.

After all, we've all heard many stories of botched Botox procedures.

Show me what you’ve got

Don’t be surprised if, at the next Nets game, you see your grandma (or friend’s grandma) “shakin’ her thang” to hip-hop music during halftime.

According to the New York magazine article, “Big Pimpin’ Grandmas”, tryouts were held last week by the Nets’ director of entertainment for a senior dance team —a concept born of the fact that the crowd at the games would go “nuts” whenever “a senior citizen starts doing hip-hop moves.”

The four young ladies portrayed are sensational (we can only hope to be as fit, nimble and healthy looking as they are when we reach that age). Their ages: 82, 71, 61, and 80. If you read the description for each--- they are all active, they love to dance, they’re savvy, and it seems, hip-hop is not their favorite music (we can’t blame them).

Who says hip-hop is just for the young’uns? Who says only young people can “strut their stuff”?

These ladies surely prove it's for everyone!

Is your living will adequate?

Many people ( in fact 20% of adults) have living wills. However, with the advances in medical technology are the typically vague living wills enough?

The NY Times article, “Medical Due Diligence: A Living Will Should Spell Out the Specifics”, is great at explaining how living wills that are not specific enough can lead to misinterpretation. One case described is the following:

…A very active 64-year-old woman who nearly died because a nurse read her living will as a D.N.R. statement. The woman had slipped on ice and broken a leg, which was reset surgically. On the second postoperative day she began bleeding in her abdomen, and excreted and vomited blood. But the nurse saw her living will and told the physician on call that she was D.N.R. and thus did not warrant admission to the intensive care unit. Fortunately, another physician overrode the nurse’s interpretation and resuscitated the woman, who successfully underwent emergency surgery to stop the bleeding.

After the Terry Schiavo case, many people got living wills; however, a living will can sometimes do more harm than good--- if not written correctly. Therefore, the article gives suggestions on how to improve your living will so as to make it more specific—ie. an advanced directive including a “code status” that “tells medical personnel exactly how someone wants to be treated in a life-threatening medical emergency.”

A living will is our medical wishes put into legal form so that others don’t have to be burdened with trying to guess what we would have wanted. You’d be surprised if you speak to your loved ones what their wishes would be--- or that they don’t know what your wishes are.

Retirement: Is it all you dreamed of?

We all know we are entering into an era where the baby boomers are beginning to retire. After decades of working (and being a changing force in politics, music, Hollywood, etc), boomers will finally be able to sit back and rest. But studies have shown there are higher suicides rates among those 65 and older due to depression.

The NY Times article, “Off Your Rocker: For a Happy Retirement,
Don't Swap Work for the Front Porch,” provides useful, practical advice on retirement--- namely, don’t retire.

Yes, you read right--- don’t retire.

Think of age 65 as the time when you change courses in your life. You can retire from your current job--- but don’t retire from the workforce. To most people, work provides people with more than just a paycheck (though that’s always a great motivator). Work also provides a place to socialize, make friends. It even provides exercise (think about how many times you’ve had to run to catch that train or bus in order to get to work on time). But most importantly, work provides a reason to get up in the morning--- a place where you can use your mind and make a difference.

Perhaps, when boomers retire they can take a type of sabbatical--- a year or two—and then go back and pursue something they are truly passionate about. Perhaps be a culinary chef? Perhaps be a teacher?

Whatever you decide, don’t think of retirement as a permanent vacation. Think of it as a time to pursue your passions and be a force in society.

Superficial obsession

For some reason, today we’ve come across several stories of women unsatisfied with their looks. Have we become so brainwashed by Hollywood and the media that “perfection” is what we see on the runways--- where the more your bones protrude, the better? We understand that there are some models, such as Tyra Banks, that are speaking out about anorexia and extreme skinniness which seems to be rampant now. Yes, everyone (except, that is, the insurance companies who don’t want to pay for treatment) accepts that anorexia is a psychological disease.

Whatever happened to the natural beauty? To a woman’s natural curves? There is some debate about Marilyn Monroe’s dress size (she's rumored to have been a size 12) but the point is… she was not a size 0 which is what the models (and consequently teenage girls) aspire to be.

In another cases of superficial obsession, women (and men too!) undergo plastic surgery numerous times to correct their perceived “flaws,” such as in the case of Jenny Lee who, approximately 30 years old, has had over 32 surgical procedures. She has been featured on Oprah, The Insider, and other shows describing why she elected to undergo surgical procedures for a nose job, body lift, breast implants, breast lifts, cheek implants, and more. She has been diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder—a psychological disease in which the person becomes obsessed with “flaws” in their body.

It is all about achieving perfection (or at least what we think is perfection) --- trying to be exactly like the models on the runway, or models in the magazines, in the movies ----everywhere but real life. The first thing that needs to occur is a base level of self-confidence. Once these women and men have this foundation of self confidence, they will see themselves for what they are--- beautiful. We're not saying this is a simple process-- but this is the first step that should be taken.

Following the boomers

If you haven’t already noticed, most companies are shifting their business models to accommodate the boomers. After all, they are the largest age group--- and thus the largest single demographic market.

Allstate, a top insurance company mostly for autos and homes, is starting to push away from insuring homes in coastal areas (due to the losses that have occurred in the past few years due to the horrific hurricanes we’ve experienced) and is putting more emphasis on its Allstate Life Insurance Co. which contains its financial-planning products such as life insurance, annuities, etc. According to the Wall Street Journal, “Hurricane Losses Prompt Allstate To Pursue New Path,” the CEO of Allstate stated he wants Allstate to become a “one-shop stop for middle-income baby boomers' financial planning.” The main reason for this shift is due to the growth limitation in the home and auto insurance markets--- yet there is plenty of room for growth in the financial planning sector. According to the article, currently there is no single company that dominates this market.

If you think about it, Allstate already has the boomers as customers--- they are the largest group of home owners and car owners. Now, they just need to promote their financial planning products to their existing customers.

I’m stuffed!

This is what millions of people said after their Thanksgiving dinner. Why do we always do this to ourselves? We try not to each all day in anticipation for a large dinner, eat until we’re stuffed, and then complain about the extra pounds. And then… we do it all over again for Christmas and New Year’s!

Are we insane? No, not really. It’s tradition. Eat, drink, and be merry--- with family and friends.

But what can you do to not gain so much extra weight? The NY Times article “Keeping a Winter’s Worth of Temptation at Bay” is great—it gives you great tips on what to eat, what not to eat, etc. Above all, don’t neglect your exercise! Go out for a brisk walk, run errands, be active.

And… watch those calories.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The CareTALK Gals wish all of our readers a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Eat, Drink, Be Merry!

Generation Boom

Flipping channels on TV, we came across a new original series show on TVLand that we thought was fun--- especially for all the boomers out there. (What does this have to do about health--- nothing. But CareTALK is not just about Aging, Caregiving, Health & Wellness--- it is also about lifestyle. And it is you, the boomer, whom we are reaching out to.)

For those of who do not know about TVLand, it is a channel dedicated to showing old tv shows such as I Love Lucy, The Jeffersons, All in the Family, Three’s Company. It’s really great—even if you’re not a boomer!

Well, the original series is called “Generation Boom” and it may resonate with many things that may be nostalgic for baby boomers. The basic message of the series is “Boomers changed the world” --- and it’s true. It is because of the boomers--- their sheer size and attitude—that we are what we are now. As one commercial stated “

“The baby boom generation was cool. They ‘stick it to the man.’ They wore tie-dyes, invented computers, and played with Slinkies. When they had babies, they put one of these [a yellow diamond shaped sign that read ‘Baby on board’] in their cars. They changed the world!”

This commercial couldn’t be truer. Now all the boomers need to band together again, help end this war (because it was really the boomers who ended the Vietnam War with their protests), and help change the healthcare system. If anybody can make changes, it’s the boomers!

“Doc, have you washed your hands?”

Did you ever think you would have to ask this--- to a doctor?

Yes, you read right--- a doctor.

According to a Washington Post article, "Studies: Hospitals Could Do More to Avoid Infections," independent studies have found that hospital-acquired infections "arise mainly from poor hygiene in hospital procedures, not from how sick patients were when they were admitted." Can you imagine this? Hospitals are supposed to be the most sanitary place around, yet it seems this is not the case (for some hospitals--- not all). And it seems the number of hospital-acquired infections is rising. According to the data revealed by the state of Pennsylvania, there were over 19,000 patients who acquired infections during their hospital stay (up from over 11,500 two years ago).

And the thing is, "previous studies have shown that patients with hospital-acquired infections spend many more days in the hospital, undergo more extensive procedures and are more likely to die than patients who do not contract them."

This is a travesty. You go to the hospital to get better--- not worse. People should not be dying because of an infection they get in the hospital.

Best NYC Hospitals

If you have not already done so, we suggest you go out and find yourself a copy of the Nov. 20th issue of New York Magazine (you can also order it from their website www.nymag.com).

Why?

Because they have surveyed more than 1,000 doctors and asked them which New York hospital where they would go for certain procedures (Sorry, but New York magazine focuses solely on NYC—hence the name of the magazine). Who better to ask than the actual doctors, right?

As a result, this issue contains a list of the best hospitals for a variety of specialties such as:

• pediatrics,
• emergency care,
• cancer
• ear, nose, throat,
• cardiac care,
• orthopedics,
• ob-gyn
• psychiatry
• and much more.

Though one omission we think was left out, especially in light of the aging demographic, is: best geriatrics department. We’re not doctors but we will say this: the geriatrics department at Mount Sinai Medical Center is top notch.

The marvels of modern medicine

Would you ever have imagined you’d be able to grow your own replacement heart parts? This can, literally, be the difference between life and death. According to an article in the NY Times, Stem Cell Experiment Yields Heart Valves, scientists have been able to grow “human heart valves using stem cells from the fluid that cushions babies in the womb.” Considering the successful experiments already conducted to grow bladders and blood vessels and with further extensive experiments, scientists believe people will one day be able to grow their own replacement heart parts to repair defective hearts.

No, this is not a sci-fi movie. This is real life.

Tissue engineering is a very important--- why use artificial hearts, limbs, organs, when you can grow them yourself? Again, growing replacements organs or limbs will probably take years or decades, but just the idea that it is highly probable is fantastic.

In another story, technology is also keeping pace with medical breakthroughs. According to the article, New robot can sense damage, compensate, now even robots are “thinking” and can adapt themselves to injury. Incredible!

George Jetson’s world is not too far off (and to think the first episodes of The Jetsons appeared in 1962).

The miracle drug?

Alright, we’ve already read about studies claiming red wine can help with obesity and living longer (at least in mice… we don’t yet know definitely the effects on humans). According to the NY Times article, Red Wine Ingredient Increases Endurance, Study Shows, now experts are saying that red wine can also increase endurance.

Of course, the mice in the study aren’t given red wine--- they are given a high quantity of resveratrol, “a minor component of red wine and other foods.” If the findings in the studies are correct, humans would not be able to drink sufficient red wine to obtain the doses used in the experiments--- hence the need for resversatrol.

Now, the question is… is this the new miracle drug?

If the findings in the studies are accurate, this drug can help reduce obesity, help us live longer, help with our endurance, and possibly even prevent diabetes (resveratrol is being studied to see if it can offset metabolic syndrome, an effect of a high-fat diet which is a precursors to diabetes).

Conclusive findings in humans are still years away… and a miracle drug may be even further away. However, science and medicine are always changing. All we can do at the moment is not rely on a miracle pill--- we need to rely on ourselves and keep ourselves healthy.

As our resident doctor, Dr. Ridge, always says: exercise, exercise, exercise (and keep well hydrated with plenty of water).

It's that time again!

As many of you have heard (or read), Wednesday, November 15th, was the first day of the Medicare drug benefit enrollment period which ends December 31. Even if you signed up for the benefit last year, you may want to verify the plan you chose is still the best one for you. Many (if not all) of the plans have changed --- including (but not limited to) higher monthly premiums and drugs covered under each plan. As a result, the plan you thought was perfect for you… may not be.

To help with this, the Medicare website has received a new redesign and has improved their utilities including:

• Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder which allows you to look up plans by state or area and compare the benefits/costs of each plan
• Medicare Options Compare (formerly the Medicare Personal Plan Finder) which focuses on the Medicare Advantage Plans and the Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans is completely redesigned to provide better navigation and flow enhancements from the Medicare Prescription Drug Finder. Out-of-pocket costs have also been added in.
• The ability to enroll online in a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan
• Plans in Your Area, a dynamic version of last year's Landscape of Local Plans and a subset of the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder, allows you to get a snapshot of the plans in your area --- down to the county level.

All in all, many people have worked hard to make enrolling online easier for you. Go check it out--- it’ll save you money on your prescription drug costs.

Enroll now!

Looking after the disabled

Watching the local news last night, we heard a disturbing story (when is the news not disturbing, right? Especially in NYC!) about a disabled person being scammed out of $18K by a con artist. If you read the story (A plea for justice in con artist scam), you will also be heartbroken that a person who is trying to live a “normal” life despite his disability was taken advantage because of that same disability.

The concern for the mother of this 50 year old man is--- what will happen to her son when she is not there any more to take care of him? This is the growing concern many aging caregivers have regarding their disabled charges. As a result of the advances in technology and the phenom of longevity, those disabled are also living longer--- sometimes surviving their caregivers (usually their parents). What can the caregiver do to make sure their loved ones are well taken care of?

According to the news article, there is a non-profit organization, Disabled and Alone, that helps families create a plan to protect the disabled adults --- from a life plan to financial and legal planning. The disabled adult can still live independently yet have someone still checking in to make sure everything is all right.

We wish this organization success and applaud them for making a difference in the lives of caregivers --- especially by bringing peace of mind to the caregivers who are afraid of dying or becoming ill because no one would be available to care for their disabled loved ones.
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PS. We want to give a hearty congratulations to our partner, CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services), for kicking off this year's enrollment for Medicare Part D. Nov 15th was the first day of enrollment!

My poor aching feet!

How many times have you said this because you chose to wear those absolutely gorgeous high heeled, tight shoes despite the fact that they’re not the most comfortable pair in the world (and that's putting it mildly)?

Yes --- we are all guilty of choosing fashion over comfort (and this also includes the men out there!). What's a little pain for the sake of looking great? Besides, we always promise ourselves we'll pamper our feet afterwards by resting and soaking them.

But be warned--- as with everything else, our feet age too. Unfortunately, our feet tend to get the least attention (unless you get regular pedicures with your manicures) yet are the most used.

Granted, not EVERYONE chooses fashion over comfort--- but even those who don’t have to attend to their feet. The NY Times article, Active Feet to Aging Feet to Aching Feet, showcases a list of the most common problems with aging or mistreated feet.

Why is this so important? Because we are all aging right now even as we speak (or read), and we should start taking care of everything about ourselves---- including our feet. We are all living longer. Do you really want to live an extra 10, 20 years with pain in your feet? Isn’t it better to prevent any problems, or correct existing problems, before they begin or worsen?

We believe so.

Remember, it is never too late to take care of your feet.

The sandwich generation

We all know most of the caregiving responsibilities fall on women. Usually, they are called upon to care for an aging relative--- while taking care of their children, and while working full time. (In fact, according to the USA Today article, Middle-aged women are less likely to be happy, about 2/3 of female caregivers are employed.) This is the sandwich generation--- women between their mid-30s and mid-50s.

According to a social demographer quoted in the article, this sandwich will not go away even by the time these women reach their 60s. Due to “later marriages, later child-bearing and longer life spans, … more women [are forced] into taking responsibility for their kids and their parents.”

Imagine being in your 60s, then instead of thinking of retirement, you need to focus on and worry about the caregiving of your aging relative and children. What do you do about your inevitable caregiving stress?

CareTALK will help in relieving this stress--- help you manage, and control your daily caregiving responsibilities. We, along with our partners, will give you the tools to help you manage more efficiently.

And while taking care of your children or aging loved one--- remember to take a moment just for yourself.

Newer or older doctors?

Imagine following all your doctor’s orders …but your illnesses get worse and worse. And no doctor can correctly diagnose what the root of the problem is. That is the story told in The NY Times article, The Healing Problem. The point of the article, as we see it, is not so much the tragedy the man who had to live for months without knowing what was causing him to get sicker and sicker --- but the fact that no doctor could explain why. Until, that is, one doctor—a 2nd year resident—kept researching for a possible cause.

As the article states:

It is a truism in medicine that the difficult diagnoses are most likely to be made by the oldest or the newest physicians. The oldest because they have seen so much, know what it’s not and also know, like Sherlock Holmes, that when everything else has been ruled out, what is left, no matter how unlikely, is probably the answer. The newest because they are fresh from the books and can follow the clues without a sense of just how unlikely the destination may be.

Is this really the case? Possibly.

Yes, the newer doctors probably wouldn’t automatically discard certain causes as unlikely because they’re not experienced enough--- and they would keep researching for a possible cause anywhere they can (perhaps even do a search on one of the search engines and mentioned in yesterday’s entry). However, we’re not too sure if the truism holds for the oldest doctors. Yes, they are the most experienced and they might rule that "what is left, no matter how unlikely, is probably the answer."But their experience may also be a liability. ( If anybody disagrees, please feel free to comment.)

One other point that was very important---the article stated, "For this family, like so many caught up in the care of a chronically ill member, going to the hospital had become just another family routine." We believe this will be more commonplace now with the baby boomers aging and their children and friends taking care of them. Currently, there are more and more families with multiple generations living under one roof. Whatever the reason---financial, efficiency for caregiving, etc---the fact remains that doctors should be treating not only the patient, but also the entire family. Each member of the family is a caregiver and they want to fight the illness together.

Search engines--- a new tool for doctors.

It’s no small wonder more doctors are using Google search to help with the diagnosis of an illness. All students, even medical students, use Google all the time. According to an article in Daily Mail, Doctors using Google to diagnose illnesses, a research done by a team of doctors found that doing a search on Google correctly diagnosed an illness 58% of the time.

This is not to say that patients can self-diagnose without seeking medical attention. “The efficiency of the search and the usefulness of the retrieved information depend on the searchers' knowledge base.” However, this is a wakeup call for more doctors to use Google search as a tool to help them diagnose an illness--- or at least to verify that their original diagnosis is correct. According to the article, “doctors seriously misdiagnose fatal illnesses about 20 per cent of the time… a rate [that] has not really changed since the 1930s.”

Incredible.

This is a new age where new findings are released constantly. It is not possible, even for the best doctor, to be up-to-date on every study, every finding. Therefore, it is very wise to use a search engine as a tool to verify the diagnosis made was the correct one.

It’s amazing!

According to a new research ( see the NY Times article, HIV Life Expectancy
Is Extended to 24 Years), the life expectancy for those diagnosed with HIV can be extended to 24 years with the proper medications. This is a sharp increase from estimates in the early 90s during which the life expectancy for someone newly diagnosed with HIV was less than seven years. Unfortunately, the annual cost of the medications/treatment has also increased from $18,300 (estimates from 1998) to $25,200.

It’s truly amazing and wonderful that having HIV is not an automatic death sentence (remember Philadelphia?). However, these estimates assume the patient is taking all the medication for HIV treatment. What about those who can’t afford the medication? We are truly amazed at how healthy and vital Magic Johnson looks. He seems healthier and much more full of life than many 30 year olds! However, from the beginning of his diagnosis, he has been fortunate enough to have had the ability to get the best treatments and medications. What about those who can’t afford an average of $18,300 per month for medications? What about those who don’t have health insurance to cover the medications? Then what?

We need to be able to provide EVERYONE with HIV the chance to live an extra 24 years.

Fighting for full coverage of anorexia treatment

On Oct 22nd, we had written about a NJ mom who was fighting with her health insurance company to provide coverage for long term treatment for anorexia nervosa. Currently, health insurance companies are not required to pay for extended care for those with anorexia because they consider it a mental illness that does not “have a proven physiological basis.”

We really don’t know what they are waiting for---perhaps more lawsuits against them? According to the article in the NY Times, Insurer Sued for Refusing to Pay Costs of Anorexia, in 2001, Blue Cross and Blue Shield had to pay the state of Minnesota $8.2M to settle a lawsuit because they refused to pay for the treatment of a young anorexic victim who committed suicide. Now, this new lawsuit will probably spearhead a class action suit either against that particular insurance company or against all health insurance companies.

Isn’t it just cheaper for these insurance companies to pay for the treatment?

Oh wait… it doesn’t really matter--- they can just raise the premiums again. This is a vicious circle--- higher premiums for less coverage resulting in more lawsuits (because they should be covering certain situations) which they settle but then turn around and charge higher premiums.

We hope this does turn into a class action case. Anorexia is a very serious matter and complete treatment should be fully covered by the insurance companies. That’s what we are paying the premiums for!

Yes, we are a vain nation

Reading Dr. Ridge’s latest entry in the "Aging & Caregiving" blog on Yahoo! Health, many might take offense at being called vain. However, the article in the NYTimes, Wrinkle Rivals Go to War, validates this claim. According to the statistics in the article, there are an estimated 1 million Americans using injection to hide their wrinkles. In two years, from 2003 to 2005, sales of cosmetic fillers were estimated to have gone from $100M to about $250M --- and these numbers exclude sales of Botox (which is not considered a filler, but a muscle relaxer) which were $360M.

Now the two major brand name fillers, Restylane and Juvederm, are basically duking it out in the marketing field. They are considered the new marketing rivals – the new "Coke vs. Pepsi", or "Mac vs. PC." The interesting point is--- there is an opportunity for this rivalry because there is a huge public demand for cosmetic fillers & injections. The article was very accurate is its assessment of the American culture:

In a youth-dominated, celebrity-obsessed culture, aggressive marketing for medical products that can temporarily or even permanently augment the skin is hardly a surprise.

Mid-Term Elections

As the hour draws near to when the doors will be open so we can do our civic duty and vote, there is one thing we ask--- Vote!

Many people may not want to vote because it’s “only” a mid-term election. But consider this--- you, with your vote, have the power to make the House and Senate change hands (or remain in the same hands---depending on your preference).

Now, you may ask… what does this have to do with caregiving, or healthy aging, or long term care? Well, a lot actually.

If there is a shift in power in the House and/or Senate, there might be new bills that are introduced. Back on October 20th, in our entry "It's about time!" we commented on a NY Times article regarding some major changes the Democrats are planning if they win control of Congress. Is this ambitious? Perhaps. But hey, it’s better than what we currently have going on (or not going on) now in our government.

Therefore, exercise your right to vote! You have the power to decide if this current administration will continue to go unchecked the next two years.

Ratings for Food

We have rating for everything else--- why not food? A grocery store chain, Hannaford Brothers, located in five states has created a system that rates food products based on their health value --- from three stars for healthy (such as fruits) to zero stars for non-healthy (cookies, etc). They have their own nutritionists rate each product--- and according to the NY Times article, The Package May Say Healthy, but This Grocer Begs to Differ, even their own brand name products do not escape their system unfazed.

Of course, there would be many food manufacturers upset by this system --- for example, Healthy Choice, which received no stars under Hannaford’s “Guiding Stars” system, argues they uphold the “F.D.A.’s very stringent requirements for what is healthy.” Not to contradict this, but the F.D.A also approved prescription drugs that were later found to be unsafe and which were consequently pulled off the market.

What is so wrong about having an independent party rate certain food products? Consumer Reports does this for everything else.

The answer is: there is nothing wrong.

However, by using the Guiding Stars system, food manufacturers may be afraid consumers might actually have full knowledge about their products and others may start utilizing this strict (apparently stricter than the F.D.A) system.

(Gasp) The horror!

Digital technology

With the NYC marathon tomorrow, one would think that all the runners had to do was eat a large plate of pasta the night before (lots of carbs for energy), keep well hydrated, and run. However, that's so last century. Now our fellow marathoners have gadgets – such as GPS units and heart rate monitors-- that help them see if they are keeping to their targeted pace. According to the article in the NY Times, Running the Digital Marathon, "every competitor will wear a shoe with a chip that will record their progress, and can send e-mail updates every five kilometers to spectators who subscribe to the service." Whatever happened to just watching them on tv or cheering them on live as they run by?

Again, that's so last century.

However, just like everything else, technology has infiltrated into this time honored tradition of endurance and stamina. Some runners can become dependent on new technology (some have MP3 players, though other marathoners have expressed opposition because it takes away from the thrill of the marathon), while others have chosen to stay away from it due to technical difficulties. "After all, MP3s freeze. G.P.S. units have glitches."

All in all, each person knows themselves best. If GPS units and/or MP3 players help them through the 26+ miles, we say "Go for it!"

Good luck to all those running tomorrow!

The great-grandparent boom

Considering the baby boomers are living longer and healthier, it was only a matter of time that they would be responsible for yet another boom--- the great-grandparent boom.

Yes, you read right.

According to the NY Times article, Here Come the Great-Grandparents, by 2030, “more than 70 percent of 8-year-olds will likely have a living great-grandparent.” This is truly incredible considering there are many who have never even met their own grandparents--- and much less their great-grandparents. However, as we’ve said previously--- we are all living longer and healthier. Take note of this statistic: “In 2000, there were more than 50,000 centenarians, a 35 percent increase from 1990, and the [census] bureau estimates the total will surpass 580,000 by 2040.”

580,000 centenarians by 2040! Now that’s what we call a phenom!

There are so many factors to this longevity phenom but there does see to be a correlation, backed by a Census Bureau report, between those who have higher educations and better careers (ie. they have more money) and their longevity. In our own experiences, we have seen/heard this. We have come across many people who have told us that their loved one is still alive because they had the means to pay for the best treatments.

However, what about those who are less fortunate? What about them? Yes, money helps. But those with low incomes can utilize programs that are available to them to get the excellent treatment. CareTALK will help you find these programs and help you plan.

For shame!

We know the government is trying to control illegal immigration in this country--- but now they are denying American citizens from receiving the healthcare they need?

For shame!

Yes, you’ve read correctly. According to the NY Times article, Infant-Care Rule Cites Immigrants in U.S. Illegally, babies “born in the United States to illegal immigrants with low incomes will no longer be automatically entitled to health insurance through Medicaid.” Now the parents must fill out an application and prove the child’s citizenship. According to one advocate of the new policy, “all you have to do is provide a birth certificate or hospital records verifying birth.” The problem is it can take weeks for the child’s documents to be in order – ie. birth certificate, social security number, etc. “Hospital records verifying birth”? (We guess a roomful of doctors and nurses isn’t proof enough. ) What if the child needs special medical attention due to a birth complication? What about the vaccines that should be given to babies during their first year? Will the child be denied treatment – even though, according to the Constitution, they are an American Citizen?

Apparently so.

A spokeswoman for the Tennessee Medicaid Program said “we will not be able to cover any services for the newborn until a Medicaid application is filed. That could be days, weeks or months after the child is born.” Some of you may say that it is easy enough to file an application and prove the child’s citizenship--- however, according to some of the opponents of this new policy, “illegal immigrants may be afraid to apply because of ‘the threat of deportation’” --- which is understandable.

The main point here is that innocent, American citizens --- babies--- are being hurt in this attempt to control illegal immigration. This new policy denies American citizens from receiving the healthcare they are entitled to.

Bird Flu

For all those who are skeptical that the bird flu will reach our shores (or who are skeptical that it might become a massive outbreak), you should read the article in the BBC News, Egyptian woman 'dies of bird flu'. The H5N1 virus had been mostly concentrated in Eastern Asia; however, now, it has spread west to Egypt. This week, a woman was the first victim in Egypt to die of the H5N1 virus. There had been a report a few months ago that it had already hit New Jersey (but we don’t know if it was ever confirmed.)

What we do know is that according to the Wall Street Journal article, Bird-Flu Efforts Are Criticized, there is another strain of the bird flu--- the H5N1 Fujian-like— “being found in almost all poultry outbreaks and some human cases in China and now becoming prevalent in Hong Kong, Laos, Malaysia and Thailand.” Not to alarm anyone but this sounds to be what the experts had cautioned--- a mutated version of the original H5N1.

Luckily for now, the virus isn’t airborne. However, it might only be a matter of time until it is--- and for that we need to be prepared. Preparation is key --- for your immediate family and yourself. Once our site relaunches in a few weeks, there will be great information/tools on CareTALK.com regarding the pandemic flu--- what does it mean to you as the caregiver, working from home, traveling, etc. Currently, pandemicflu.gov is a great site to read up-to-the-minute news regarding the bird flu.