Sunday, February 24, 2013

Sheriff’s department begins Alzheimer’s training

by Caitlin Huston                                         
Posted:  02/15/2013 5:57 AM
                                        
    In preparation for the passage of a bill currently headed to the Indiana statehouse, the Cass County Sheriff's has begun its Alzheimer's training.

    All of the department's officers are undergoing a six-hour training, administered by Senior Helpers, on how to interact with Alzheimer's patients during police business. The training comes as a bill requiring six hours of training on Alzheimer's disease for law enforcement was approved unanimously by the Indiana House and makes it way to the Senate.

    State Rep. Bill Friend, R-Macy, introduced the bill in January after a Peru police officer Tasered a 64-year-old nursing home resident with Alzheimer's. The patient was reportedly combative.

    Chief Deputy Jill Rife with the Cass County Sheriff's Department said they were contacted by Senior Helpers, an in-home senior care agency, and asked if they would be interested in Alzheimer's training.

    "I thought it was a good idea for the training," Rife said.

    Rife explained that the  officers currently undergo training on autism, mental illness, addictive disorders, mental retardation and developmental disabilities.

Department     But, she said she wanted officers to know how to interact with Alzheimer's patients, especially after the Peru incident.

    "They went through some scenarios and actually showed and taught them how to approach someone with Alzheimer's," Rife said.

    Dave Foreman, owner and director of Senior Helpers, said they began to offer law enforcement agencies training, which they typically give to caregivers, because of what happened in Peru.

    "That's what led me to want to get with these law enforcement officers," Foreman said.

    Foreman added that he has an article about the Tasering on his bulletin board.

    He said the training encompasses the different stages of Alzheimer's and what type of body language and speech pattern would be most effective with that person. For example, Foreman said they teach officers about not invading the space of the person they're talking with and being aware of the person's narrowed vision.

    "It can help tremendously," Foreman said.

    He added that he thinks the legislation is a good step.

    "I think it's a great legislation and that our training fits perfectly into that," Foreman said.
    This training will fulfill the department's requirements for 2013, Rife said.

    Caitlin Huston is a staff reporter of the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at 574-732-5148 or caitlin.huston@pharostribune.com.

http://m.pharostribune.com/PT/db_/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=kiHi47jJ&full=true#display

"Learn About Senior In Home Health Care in Traverse City and Northern Michigan

Senior Helpers Provides Many services in the Traverse City and Northern Michigan area. We provide a full array of Home Care services for seniors and the elderly living in this beautiful area. Our Home Care Services are provided by bonded and insured employees and all employees pass a National Background check.

If you need Home Care services in Alpena, Bellaire, Boyne City, Cadillac, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Empire, Frankfort, Gaylord, Grayling, Harbor Springs, Houghton Lake, Indian River, Northern Michigan, Petoskey, Roscommon, Suttons Bay, Tawas City, Traverse City, West Branch and the surrounding areas we are an excellent choice with impeccable references. Home Health Care for your elderly loved ones is never an easy choice but we can promise we will do our best to make it as painless as possible. From our family to yours we sincerely thank you for considering Senior Helpers of Traverse City and Northern Michigan Home Health Care Company. "

Monday, February 18, 2013

Couple named 'longest married' in U.S. at 80 years

By Associated Press Published: Feb 6, 2013 at 10:34 AM PST Last Updated: Feb 6, 2013 at 12:15 PM

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (AP) - John and Ann Betar weren't supposed to get married. Her father had arranged for her to wed another man, but she and John fled Bridgeport and eloped in New York.

That was more than 80 years ago. The couple is still happily hitched, a fact that has led to their naming as the "longest married couple" in the U.S. for 2013 by Worldwide Marriage Encounter, a Christian marriage group based in San Bernardino, Calif.

The Betars are scheduled to receive a plaque and other gifts from the group at their granddaughter's home in Fairfield on Saturday.

They told the New York Daily News that there are no secrets to a long marriage, only a few simple rules.

"We just live with contentment and we don't live beyond our means," John Betar said. "Just go with the flow."

John's now 101 years old and Ann is 97, and they're still living in their home along the Fairfield shore. They had five children, 14 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Two of their children died in their 60s.

Ron and Judy Pekny of Worldwide Marriage Encounter say the title of "longest married couple" is based on nominations the group received, so there may be some couples who have been married longer.

John and Ann grew up across the street from each other in Bridgeport, and John used to drive Ann to high school in his Ford Roadster. They fell in love. When her father arranged for her to marry someone else, they eloped in Harrison, N.Y., about 25 miles north of New York City.

John went on to open a grocery store in Bridgeport.

Ann Betar told the Hearst Connecticut Media Group around their 80th anniversary in November that family has been a key to their longevity.

"That's what makes life what it is," she said. "We were fortunate enough to live long enough to see this ... and it's really one of the most gratifying things in the world to see your great-grandchildren, to see your grandchildren become adults."

John Betar added, "That's what keeps us alive. We live for them."

http://www.komonews.com/news/offbeat/Couples-80-year-marriage-named-longest-in-US--190051051.html

"Learn About Senior In Home Health Care in Traverse City and Northern Michigan

Senior Helpers Provides Many services in the Traverse City and Northern Michigan area. We provide a full array of Home Care services for seniors and the elderly living in this beautiful area. Our Home Care Services are provided by bonded and insured employees and all employees pass a National Background check.

If you need Home Care services in Alpena, Bellaire, Boyne City, Cadillac, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Empire, Frankfort, Gaylord, Grayling, Harbor Springs, Houghton Lake, Indian River, Northern Michigan, Petoskey, Roscommon, Suttons Bay, Tawas City, Traverse City, West Branch and the surrounding areas we are an excellent choice with impeccable references. Home Health Care for your elderly loved ones is never an easy choice but we can promise we will do our best to make it as painless as possible. From our family to yours we sincerely thank you for considering Senior Helpers of Traverse City and Northern Michigan Home Health Care Company. "

Sunday, February 10, 2013

A Little-Known Benefit for Aging Veterans

By Susan Seliger
September 19, 2012

Here's a riddle: When is a government benefit that pays for caregivers, assisted living and a nursing home not a benefit? When hardly any people know they're entitled to it.

That seems to be the story with a Department of Veterans Affairs benefit called the Aid and Attendance and Housebound Improved Pension benefit, known as A&A, which can cover the costs of caregivers in the home (including sons and daughters who are paid to be caregivers, though not spouses) or be used for assisted living or a nursing home.

The benefit is not insignificant: up to $2,019 monthly for a veteran and spouse, and up to $1,094 for the widow of a veteran.

Surprised that you've never heard of it? You're not alone.

"It's probably one of the lesser-known benefits," said Randal Noller, a Veterans Affairs spokesman in Washington. Of the 1.7 million World War II veterans alive as of 2011, who were in need of caregiving assistance and thus eligible, only 38,076 veterans and 38,685 surviving spouses were granted the A&A benefit that year, according to Mr. Noller.

Mr. Noller is not the first to acknowledge A&A is a well-kept secret. Jim Nicholson, former secretary of Veterans Affairs, said in a December 2006 news release that "not everyone is aware of his or her potential eligibility" for the program, which he called an "underused" benefit.

Not much has changed. A search of the Veterans Affairs Web site for evidence of public information efforts in the six years since came up blank.

"The sad thing is, it's been an entitlement for 61 years, but it's sat idle — the V.A. employees just haven't been educated about it," said Debbie Burak of Midlothian, Va. She said she repeatedly called department offices on behalf of her father, a World War II veteran, and her mother, who became homeless after their house caught fire and their injuries required extensive care. She was told there were no benefits they were entitled to. (Indeed, when I called two Baltimore-area Veterans Affairs offices for my father, a World War II veteran, no one had heard of this benefit or any benefit that paid for caregivers or assisted living or nursing homes.)

"My parents' end of life was so difficult. They lost everything, were living in a terrible hotel, ran up every credit card we had," Ms. Burak said. "My mother begged us not to cremate her, but there was no money for a burial; we had no choice."

It was only after her father died that Ms. Burak discovered her parents would have been entitled to as much as $160,000 over the last decade through the Aid and Attendance benefit. She applied, but no money arrived before her mother died.

Mr. Noller said the program's low visibility might be an effect of the size of the department. "The V.A. is the second-largest agency in the federal government, and you can't expect everybody to know everything," he said, referring to the agency's work force.

To bridge the information gap, Ms. Burak introduced VeteranAid.org, a Web site and a 501(c)(3) charity, in 2005, to provide information about A&A eligibility and how to apply.

To qualify, a veteran need not have suffered a service-related injury. He or she only had to have clocked at least one day of his or her 90-day minimum military service during a time of war and need caregiving for activities of daily living.

Applying can be confusing and arduous. If you know the program's name and search the Veterans Affairs Web site for Aid and Attendance, the first page states, among other things, that you are not eligible for A&A unless you already qualify for a basic Veterans Affairs pension — for which you have to be "totally disabled."

That's more than a little misleading.

"What people don't know is that when wartime veterans turn 65, the V.A. automatically classifies them as 'totally disabled,' " Ms. Burak said. And if they meet income and asset criteria, they are eligible for a basic pension.

The A&A benefit can be more than 50 percent higher than the basic veteran's pension ($24,239 annually for a veteran and spouse with A&A, versus $16,051 for a basic pension). The income and asset cutoffs are also higher than for A&A benefits.

Karen McCarty, of Fort Worth, is one of the lucky ones who applied for A&A — and got it. She heard about it when the assisted living facility where her father-in-law, Robert McCarty, 92, was living, held a seminar on it.

Ms. McCarty, a former certified public accountant, started researching the application process at the Veterans Affairs site, but, she said, "the VeteranAid.org site was much clearer." She found all the forms she needed, and her father-in-law received the first check in record time — six months.

Not all Veterans Affairs officers are in the dark about A&A.

After Annette Cadena's parents were in a car accident and moved to a nursing home in their tiny hometown, Fossil, Ore., it was the local Veterans Affairs officer, Paul Conroy (now retired), who saw her on the street and mentioned that her parents might qualify.

"I was skeptical, to be honest," said Ms. Cadena. "My husband did two tours in Iraq and has worked 30 years for the Washington State Army National Guard coordinating with the V.A. to help veterans, and he had never heard of it."

Still, she applied in August 2009, and nine months later her parents started receiving the maximum $2,019 per month.

The benefit was a lifesaver. That is, until her father, Clinton Ray, died on Aug. 5. The payments to her mother, Bessie Ray, stopped, even though widows of veterans are also entitled to this benefit.

"They cut her off cold," Ms. Cadena said, and told her she would have to apply all over again as a widow, which could take 9 to 18 months. "My mother said, 'Oh, my God, are they going to kick me out of the home?'" Ms. Cadena recalled.

Still, when the benefit comes through, it can make a real difference.

Marcia Hruska's mother, 85, had run through all her savings after seven years of worsening Alzheimer's and round-the-clock care in her apartment in Coconut Creek, Fla. Assisted living was the next step, but Ms. Hruska didn't know how they would pay for it, with Social Security her only income.

"One of the assisted living facilities we visited asked if my dad had been in the service," and mentioned A&A, Ms. Hruska recalled. So she filled out the 26-page Veterans Affairs application — which used to be only four pages — and on Sept. 1, six months after applying, she received the first monthly check for $1,019. "This relieves a lot of tension," Ms. Hruska said.

One warning note: Scams abound. The department forbids anyone to charge to help veterans fill out these challenging forms, yet a growing number of companies — many of which, on a Web search for "Aid and Attendance," pop up with waving flags and red-white-and-blue banners — offer to "help" veterans fill out the forms free, then charge thousands of dollars for financial consultation.

And, Ms. Burak warns: "Financial planners at assisted living facilities are putting on seminars about the A&A benefit — but it isn't out of the goodness of their hearts. They are trolling for residents who have too much money to qualify, to get them to move assets into annuity products that don't count as income or assets and yield big commissions." (This is possible because, unlike Medicaid, with its five-year lookback, Veterans Affairs has no lookback on asset transfers.)

The department does not reveal maximum allowable assets. But $80,000 (the house and a car are exempt from this total) seems to be in the ballpark, though someone with more assets could still qualify if expenses were very high, according to Ms. Burak.

Income limits are not set in stone either. But the maximum is around $20,000 to $23,000 after deducting costs for medical expenses, caregivers, assisted living or nursing home fees.

Some people are taking advantage of A&A to protect assets for their heirs, Ms. McCarty said. Still, she said,"it's a wonderful benefit."

http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/few-know-of-benefit-to-help-aging-veterans/

"Learn About Senior In Home Health Care in Traverse City and Northern Michigan

Senior Helpers Provides Many services in the Traverse City and Northern Michigan area. We provide a full array of Home Care services for seniors and the elderly living in this beautiful area. Our Home Care Services are provided by bonded and insured employees and all employees pass a National Background check.

If you need Home Care services in Alpena, Bellaire, Boyne City, Cadillac, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Empire, Frankfort, Gaylord, Grayling, Harbor Springs, Houghton Lake, Indian River, Northern Michigan, Petoskey, Roscommon, Suttons Bay, Tawas City, Traverse City, West Branch and the surrounding areas we are an excellent choice with impeccable references. Home Health Care for your elderly loved ones is never an easy choice but we can promise we will do our best to make it as painless as possible. From our family to yours we sincerely thank you for considering Senior Helpers of Traverse City and Northern Michigan Home Health Care Company. "

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Investment Proposal Letter

J.P. Morgan Asset Management UK
20 Finsbury Street Islington, Greater
London EC2Y 9, United Kingdom
Tel: +44-703-594-5729
Tel: +44-704-205-2482
Fax: +44-871-263-8336

Good day,

I am Mark Wayne a financial consultant with J.P. Morgan Asset Management UK; a business developer, stock broking and portfolio Management Company based in the United Kingdom. I went through your profile and I will like to develop a business partnership with you, one of the clients in my portfolio will be interested in investing Sixty Million British Pounds under your care.

The reason why we have contacted you is because the investor/my client is specially interested to invest in your country and we were directed to contact you, I will like to keep the detail short for now. If you are interested, kindly get back to me through my email address listed below, Do not forget to include your direct cell phone number and the best time to call you in your reply, I will ring you to discuss the modality and other details once i get a reply from you.

I am looking forward to your response and working with you on this Investment project.

Yours Faithfully
Mark Wayne
Web Site: www.jpmorganassetmanagement.co.uk

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Investment Proposal Letter

J.P. Morgan Asset Management UK
20 Finsbury Street Islington, Greater
London EC2Y 9, United Kingdom
Tel: +44-703-594-5729
Tel: +44-704-205-2482
Fax: +44-871-263-8336

Good day,

I am Mark Wayne a financial consultant with J.P. Morgan Asset Management UK; a business developer, stock broking and portfolio Management Company based in the United Kingdom. I went through your profile and I will like to develop a business partnership with you, one of the clients in my portfolio will be interested in investing Sixty Million British Pounds under your care.

The reason why we have contacted you is because the investor/my client is specially interested to invest in your country and we were directed to contact you, I will like to keep the detail short for now. If you are interested, kindly get back to me through my email address listed below, Do not forget to include your direct cell phone number and the best time to call you in your reply, I will ring you to discuss the modality and other details once i get a reply from you.

I am looking forward to your response and working with you on this Investment project.

Yours Faithfully
Mark Wayne
Web Site: www.jpmorganassetmanagement.co.uk

Monday, February 4, 2013

Investment Proposal Letter

J.P. Morgan Asset Management UK
20 Finsbury Street Islington, Greater
London EC2Y 9, United Kingdom
Tel: +44-703-594-5729
Tel: +44-704-205-2482
Fax: +44-871-263-8336

Good day,

I am Mark Wayne a financial consultant with J.P. Morgan Asset Management UK; a business developer, stock broking and portfolio Management Company based in the United Kingdom. I went through your profile and I will like to develop a business partnership with you, one of the clients in my portfolio will be interested in investing Sixty Million British Pounds under your care.

The reason why we have contacted you is because the investor/my client is specially interested to invest in your country and we were directed to contact you, I will like to keep the detail short for now. If you are interested, kindly get back to me through my email address listed below, Do not forget to include your direct cell phone number and the best time to call you in your reply, I will ring you to discuss the modality and other details once i get a reply from you.

I am looking forward to your response and working with you on this Investment project.

Yours Faithfully
Mark Wayne
Web Site: www.jpmorganassetmanagement.co.uk

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Did You Know? Caregiver Facts Across the US

Posted on Jan 29, 2013  | Comments (0)
                                    
According to Seniors Digest, caregiving is one of the most stressful jobs in America, and for many, it is not their only job. The number of adults taking care of family members or friends increases daily, and the majority of these caregivers are not providing care for compensation.
Let's take a look at some caregiver facts across the US (Information source – www.caregiver.org)
Extent of Family Caregiving
  • 65.7 million Americans (29% of the US adult population) are providing care to someone who is ill, disabled, or aged
  • 52 million caregivers provide care to adults (aged 18+) with a disability or illness
  • 43.5 million Americans care for someone 50 years of age or older
  • 14.9 million care for someone who has Alzheimer's disease or other dementia
  • Caregivers of adults are now older, on average, than were their counterparts in 2004. Their average age now 49.2 years, compared to 46.4 in 2004
  • Unpaid family caregivers will likely continue to be the largest source of long-term care services in the US
With these increasing numbers, caregiver burnout is at a higher risk than ever. Caregiver burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion. It can occur when home care providers don't get the help they need or if they try to do more than they are able to do.
Do you have caregiver burnout? Are you:
  • Withdrawing from friends, family, and other loved ones?
  • Feeling blue?
  • Experiencing changes in sleeping patterns?
  • Feeling like you want to hurt yourself or the person you are caring for?
  • Irritable?
  • Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy?
  • Seeing changes in your appetite, weight, or both?
  • Getting sick more often?
  • Emotionally or physically exhausted?
Senior Helpers is here to help relieve the stress and burdens of being a caregiver. Our services provide the break you need for your mental and physical health. Learn more about our services here!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HFoOm_ZUCw6gGjS-_Z2L-aZCWj4h71IjFYvoX04S4yA/edit

"Learn About Senior In Home Health Care in Traverse City and Northern Michigan

Senior Helpers Provides Many services in the Traverse City and Northern Michigan area. We provide a full array of Home Care services for seniors and the elderly living in this beautiful area. Our Home Care Services are provided by bonded and insured employees and all employees pass a National Background check.

If you need Home Care services in Alpena, Bellaire, Boyne City, Cadillac, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Empire, Frankfort, Gaylord, Grayling, Harbor Springs, Houghton Lake, Indian River, Northern Michigan, Petoskey, Roscommon, Suttons Bay, Tawas City, Traverse City, West Branch and the surrounding areas we are an excellent choice with impeccable references. Home Health Care for your elderly loved ones is never an easy choice but we can promise we will do our best to make it as painless as possible. From our family to yours we sincerely thank you for considering Senior Helpers of Traverse City and Northern Michigan Home Health Care Company. "

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Investment Proposal Letter

J.P. Morgan Asset Management UK
20 Finsbury Street Islington, Greater
London EC2Y 9, United Kingdom
Tel: +44-703-594-5729
Tel: +44-704-205-2482
Fax: +44-871-263-8336

Good day,

I am Mark Wayne a financial consultant with J.P. Morgan Asset Management UK; a business developer, stock broking and portfolio Management Company based in the United Kingdom. I went through your profile and I will like to develop a business partnership with you, one of the clients in my portfolio will be interested in investing Sixty Million British Pounds under your care.

The reason why we have contacted you is because the investor/my client is specially interested to invest in your country and we were directed to contact you, I will like to keep the detail short for now. If you are interested, kindly get back to me through my email address listed below, Do not forget to include your direct cell phone number and the best time to call you in your reply, I will ring you to discuss the modality and other details once i get a reply from you.

I am looking forward to your response and working with you on this Investment project.

Yours Faithfully
Mark Wayne
Web Site: www.jpmorganassetmanagement.co.uk

Friday, February 1, 2013

Investment Proposal Letter

J.P. Morgan Asset Management UK
20 Finsbury Street Islington, Greater
London EC2Y 9, United Kingdom
Tel: +44-703-594-5729
Tel: +44-704-205-2482
Fax: +44-871-263-8336

Good day,

I am Mark Wayne a financial consultant with J.P. Morgan Asset Management UK; a business developer, stock broking and portfolio Management Company based in the United Kingdom. I went through your profile and I will like to develop a business partnership with you, one of the clients in my portfolio will be interested in investing Sixty Million British Pounds under your care.

The reason why we have contacted you is because the investor/my client is specially interested to invest in your country and we were directed to contact you, I will like to keep the detail short for now. If you are interested, kindly get back to me through my email address listed below, Do not forget to include your direct cell phone number and the best time to call you in your reply, I will ring you to discuss the modality and other details once i get a reply from you.

I am looking forward to your response and working with you on this Investment project.

Yours Faithfully
Mark Wayne
Web Site: www.jpmorganassetmanagement.co.uk