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Care for You Companion Takes Oath for U. S. Citizenship
Care for You’s CEO and Executive Director were pleased to attend the August 30th ceremony at the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service to witness Kamaldeen Abubaker take the oath to become a U.S. citizen. A companion with the Company for the past three years, Mr. Abubaker came to the United States from Nigeria in 2001. He is married with three small children.
Mr. Abubaker’s first assignment with Care for You was to staff a retired Air Force (former Army Air Corps) General who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. Upon being contacted by the bank that manages the General’s trust, the Care for You executive director scheduled an assessment with the family.
The family initially requested an individual to act in the capacity of an “aide de camp,” as this was a term that resonated with the General. The General’s children, a son and two daughters, stated that the General and his wife wanted to remain in their own home as they grew older, and not move into assisted living or a nursing home.
Mr. Abubaker’s initial assignment was for five hours per day to perform a list of duties including:
- Daily shopping with the General for household needs
- Regular lunches at a local restaurant
- Assistance in sorting papers and files in his office to determine what to save, discard, or set aside for his son to review
- Assistance with using the computer for email
- Taking direction from the General and keeping him busy as he was easily bored in retirement
- Working on “projects” per direction from the family.
Mr. Abubaker quickly gained the General’s and family’s trust, and strong relationships were formed.
Much has happened over the past three years. The General’s wife has died. After two brief stays in assisted living facilities, the family realized the General was extremely unhappy and determined to have him spend his remaining years in his own space. Care for You was requested to increase staffing to 24/7; Mr. Abubaker is lead companion on the team. And we are pleased to have Mr. Abubaker on our team.
Memory loss: 7 tips to improve your memory
Concerned about memory loss? Take heart. There’s plenty you can do to improve your memory — from staying mentally active to including physical activity in your daily routine.
Can’t find your car keys? Forget what’s on your grocery list? Can’t remember the name of the personal trainer you liked at the gym? You’re not alone. Everyone forgets things occasionally. Still, memory loss is nothing to take lightly. You can do simple things every day to improve your memory — starting today!
No. 1: Stay mentally active
Just as physical activity helps keep your body in shape, mentally stimulating activities help keep your brain in shape — and memory loss at bay. Do crossword puzzles. Read a section of the newspaper that you normally skip. Take alternate routes when driving. Learn to play a musical instrument. Volunteer at a local school or community organization.
No. 2: Socialize regularly
Social interaction helps ward off depression and stress, both of which can contribute to memory loss. Look for opportunities to get together with loved ones, friends and others — especially if you live alone. When you’re invited to share a meal or attend an event, go!
No. 3: Get organized
You’re more likely to forget things if your home is cluttered and your notes are in disarray. Jot down tasks, appointments and other events in a special notebook or calendar. You might even repeat each entry out loud as you write it down to help cement it in your memory. Keep to-do lists current, and check off items you’ve completed. Set aside a certain place for your wallet, keys and other essentials.
No. 4: Focus
Limit distractions, and don’t try to do too many things at once. If you focus on the information that you’re trying to remember, you’ll be more likely to recall it later. It might also help to connect what you’re trying to remember to a favorite song or another familiar concept.
No. 5: Eat a healthy diet
A heart-healthy diet is as good for your brain as it is for your heart. Focus on fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Choose low-fat protein sources, such as lean meat, skinless poultry and fish. What you drink counts, too. Not enough water or too much alcohol can lead to confusion and memory loss.
No. 6: Include physical activity in your daily routine
Physical activity increases blood flow to your whole body, including your brain — which may help keep your memory sharp. Aim for at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity a day. If you don’t have time for a full workout, squeeze in a few 10-minute walks throughout the day.
No. 7: Manage chronic conditions
Follow your doctor’s treatment recommendations for any chronic conditions, such as thyroid problems, high blood pressure and depression. The better you take care of yourself, the better your memory is likely to be.
When to seek help for memory loss
If you’re worried about memory loss — especially if memory loss affects your ability to complete your usual daily activities — consult your doctor. He or she will likely do a physical exam, as well as check your memory and problem-solving skills. Sometimes other tests are needed as well. Treatment will depend on what’s contributing to the memory loss.
This article (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/memory-loss/HA00001) was posted on the Mayo Clinic Web site by Mayo Clinic staff. It is reproduced here in its entirety.
Memory loss: 7 tips to improve your memory
Concerned about memory loss? Take heart. There’s plenty you can do to improve your memory — from staying mentally active to including physical activity in your daily routine.
Can’t find your car keys? Forget what’s on your grocery list? Can’t remember the name of the personal trainer you liked at the gym? You’re not alone. Everyone forgets things occasionally. Still, memory loss is nothing to take lightly. You can do simple things every day to improve your memory — starting today!
No. 1: Stay mentally active
Just as physical activity helps keep your body in shape, mentally stimulating activities help keep your brain in shape — and memory loss at bay. Do crossword puzzles. Read a section of the newspaper that you normally skip. Take alternate routes when driving. Learn to play a musical instrument. Volunteer at a local school or community organization.
No. 2: Socialize regularly
Social interaction helps ward off depression and stress, both of which can contribute to memory loss. Look for opportunities to get together with loved ones, friends and others — especially if you live alone. When you’re invited to share a meal or attend an event, go!
No. 3: Get organized
You’re more likely to forget things if your home is cluttered and your notes are in disarray. Jot down tasks, appointments and other events in a special notebook or calendar. You might even repeat each entry out loud as you write it down to help cement it in your memory. Keep to-do lists current, and check off items you’ve completed. Set aside a certain place for your wallet, keys and other essentials.
No. 4: Focus
Limit distractions, and don’t try to do too many things at once. If you focus on the information that you’re trying to remember, you’ll be more likely to recall it later. It might also help to connect what you’re trying to remember to a favorite song or another familiar concept.
No. 5: Eat a healthy diet
A heart-healthy diet is as good for your brain as it is for your heart. Focus on fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Choose low-fat protein sources, such as lean meat, skinless poultry and fish. What you drink counts, too. Not enough water or too much alcohol can lead to confusion and memory loss.
No. 6: Include physical activity in your daily routine
Physical activity increases blood flow to your whole body, including your brain — which may help keep your memory sharp. Aim for at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity a day. If you don’t have time for a full workout, squeeze in a few 10-minute walks throughout the day.
No. 7: Manage chronic conditions
Follow your doctor’s treatment recommendations for any chronic conditions, such as thyroid problems, high blood pressure and depression. The better you take care of yourself, the better your memory is likely to be.
When to seek help for memory loss
If you’re worried about memory loss — especially if memory loss affects your ability to complete your usual daily activities — consult your doctor. He or she will likely do a physical exam, as well as check your memory and problem-solving skills. Sometimes other tests are needed as well. Treatment will depend on what’s contributing to the memory loss.
This article (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/memory-loss/HA00001) was posted on the Mayo Clinic Web site by Mayo Clinic staff. It is reproduced here in its entirety.
Maryland Property Tax Relief Deadline Extended to November 1, 2010
Eligible Montgomery County residents are encouraged to apply for the Maryland Homeowner’s Property Tax Credit program which limits the amount of property taxes a homeowner must pay, based on income. An additional County supplement and a senior tax credit will automatically apply to eligible County residents. For a senior tax credit, residents must be age 70 or older. No additional application is required for either the County supplement or the senior tax credit. The deadline for the state application submission has been extended to November 1, 2010.
In order to be eligible, a homeowner must have:
• A combined household income of less than $64,000;
• Lived in their home for at least six months, or will live in it for the next 12 months; and
• A combined net worth (of everyone in the applicant’s household) of no more than $200,000. This does not include the value of the primary residence or the cash value of any qualified retirement savings or individual retirement accounts.
To apply for the property tax credit program, eligible homeowners must fill out an application form each year.
To get an application form, call the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) at 1-800-944-7403, or download the form and instructions from the SDAT web site at http://www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/htc.html. (This announcement was provided by Michael Lachance of the Maryland Department of Aging.)
Health Care Reform: What’s in It for Seniors?
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act passed by Congress and signed by the President earlier this year, represents the greatest increase in government involvement in health care issues since passage of Medicare and Medicaid in the mid-60s.
Paying for the law
Many seniors have expressed concern that the expanded coverage to many uninsured Americans will come at the expense of reduced Medicare services. However, according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), this is not the case.
CBO has estimated that the new law will save Medicare about $400 billion over the next 10 years. A reasonable person might ask: How can this be accomplished without reducing services?
For starters, the CBO projects that about half the savings will be achieved by reducing the rate of growth in payments to hospitals, nursing homes and home health agencies. (For many of these providers, the slowed growth in payments will be offset by profits from the newly insured.)
And, as mentioned in an earlier article, the CBO anticipates that significant savings will come through the gradual reduction of the Medicaid Advantage “premium”. By reducing the MA “overpayment” over a period of about six years until it reaches parity with traditional Medicare, the CBO estimates the government will achieve about a 30% savings. (This overpayment was initially offered to insurers to entice Medicare enrollees to select the HMO option.)
Note though, that while Medicare Advantage plans must continue to offer the same benefits as traditional fee-for-service Medicare, certain additional benefits could be curtailed, or individual premiums could be increased. Medicare Advantage enrollees should review their premium and coverage prior to open enrollment in November to determine if their insurer has increased premiums or limited benefits in any way.
The CBO anticipates additional savings through reducing fraud and waste, and from program efficiencies (10%).
Certainly, reducing the number of uninsured Americans is a laudable goal. Paying for the new law through reductions in insurer overpayments, fraud and waste – to the extent they can be achieved – is also key. But remember, projections are based on assumptions. Whether the CBO’s assumptions will be born out through actual experience remains to be seen.
Prescription Drug Coverage
Congress passed the Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D) earlier in the decade. The plan now covers the cost of prescription drugs up to $2,830 in a given year. The insured is responsible for paying for all prescription drugs until total costs reach $6,440, at which point the government will pay 100%. This gap in coverage is known as the donut hole. But starting in 2010, people whose drug expenses reach the $2,830 threshold will receive a $250 check from Medicare. Starting in 2011, when a person reaches the threshold, Medicare will pay for half of all brand-name drugs up to the higher limit, at which point the full amount will be covered. This donut hole will be completely eliminated by 2020.
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