Hands to Help Seniors
Monterey, CA Nursing Home Oversight Lacking, Says New Report
by Richard Kuehn on 11/17/14
It was not surprising to read the story in the Monterey Herald entitled "Oversight of nursing home chains lacking." This is a sad situation, and one of the reasons that we try to enable seniors to remain in their own homes and independent. The report, which was an analysis done by the Sacramento Bee, said that the California Department of Public Health does not try and determine how nursing homes compare on key quality measure even though this information could be potentially life-saving for some seniors. The Bee looked at 1,260 nursing homes and found that one Pennsylvania company operator has 15 nursing homes and rehabilitation centers in California which had abuse rates 7x the national average. Others use restraints when not necessary and the study found that it's very difficult for consumers to find out the quality of care. Many nursing homes appear to be independently owned but are actually part of a major chain with a bad record.
Monterey , CA Acetaminophen Contained In Many Over-The-Counter Drugs : Don't Take Too Much Of It
by Richard Kuehn on 11/16/14
Many seniors don't think twice about taking over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. However, there can be drug interactions with prescription drugs, so you should always speak to your physician about what types of nutritional supplements and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking. The Acetaminophen Awareness Coalition (AAC) recently issued a warning that some people may not realize that they are taking way too much of the drug contained in such common medicines as Tylenol. That's because many drugs used to treat coughs, stuffy noses and the sniffles also contain the drug. About 7 in 10 people will buy an OTC medication for these symptoms this year, so make sure you check the label before you do.
Monterey, CA Elder Abuse Alert : FTC shuts down company offering so-called "free" Medical Alert System
by Richard Kuehn on 11/15/14
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced on Thursday that it shut
down a robocalling operation that conned seniors out of roughly $23
million by offering them "free" medical alert systems. The defendants
will surrender their cash, cars and a boat in a settlement with the FTC
and be barred from telemarketing. The scam involved computer-automated
callers telling seniors falsely that a free medical alert system had
been paid for by a friend or a family member. Many of them lived alone,
and were happy to give a credit card number to get the service after
being told falsely that the device was recommended by the American Heart
Association, the American Diabetes Association and
the National Institute on Aging. They were then charged $34.95/month
for the service. The FTC offers tips and videos
to help consumers avoid getting ripped off from these types of calls,
which unfortunately are all too common. Never, ever give someone your
credit card on the phone who is an unsolicited caller, you have no idea
what they are going to do with it once they get the number.
http://www.dailyfinance.com/on/ftc-shuts-down-huge-medical-alert-scam-targeting-seniors/
Monterey, CA Veteran's Concert For Valor Has A Great Turn Out In Washington D.C.
by Richard Kuehn on 11/12/14
It was heartwarming to read that more than 100,000 people showed up for the free concert yesterday saluting our nations veterans on the National Mall in Washington D.C. Amongst the performers were Dave Grohl, Jessie J, Jennifer Hudson, Bruce Springsteen, Carrie Underwood and the Zac Brown Band, as well as the Singing Sergeants (the official chorus of the United States Air Force). Thanks to Chase, HBO and Starbucks for sponsoring this great concert, the "Concert for Valor." Although much of the nation was covered with a cold front, the weather was in the 70's in D.C. which helped make the celebration even more meaningful.
http://www.multichannel.com/news/technology/canoe-10-billion-vod-ads-served/385448Monterey, CA Happy Veterans Day!
by Richard Kuehn on 11/11/14
It was great to see such an outpouring of support and respect for our nation's veteran's on a great holiday today. Across the nation, there were parades, discounts for veterans and just a lot of individual thank you's said to people that we know have served our country. The nation's oldest Veteran's Day parade was in New York, which was one of the (if not the) biggest celebrations in the nation. At
11 a.m. — the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month — a solemn
hush fell over Manhattan's Madison Square Park as veterans laid wreaths
under the Eternal Light Monument to honor the fallen. Thanks to everyone who has served this great country.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/11/veterans-day_n_6139724.html
