Quick Blood Pressure Facts

Quick Blood Pressure Facts

Who Has High Blood Pressure

• Women are about as likely as men to develop high blood pressure during their lifetimes. However, for people younger than 45 years, the condition affects more men than women. For people aged 65 years and older, it affects more women than men.
• About 28% of American adults aged 18 years or older have prehypertension.
• In the United States, high blood pressure is more common among blacks than whites. About 44% of black women have high blood pressure.
• Mexican-Americans have the lowest level of hypertension compared to non-Hispanic whites and blacks.

Health Impact of High Blood Pressure

• High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, and kidney disease.
• High blood pressure was a primary or contributing cause of death for 336,353 Americans in 2007.
• There were more than 46 million visits to doctor’s offices for hypertension in 2007.

High Blood Pressure and Salt

• A diet high in sodium (salt) increases the risk for higher blood pressure.
• Most people eat more than double the amount of salt than they should.
• Current dietary guidelines for Americans recommend that adults in general should consume no more than 2,300 mg of sodium per day. At the same time, consume potassium-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables. However, if you are in the following population groups, you should consume no more than 1,500 mg of sodium per day, and meet the potassium recommendation (4,700 mg/day) with food.

You are 51 years of age or older.

You are African American.

You have high blood pressure.

You have diabetes.

You have chronic kidney disease.

• About 77% of the sodium Americans consume comes from processed and restaurant foods.
• Watch this engaging video: Salt Matters: Preserving Choice, Protecting Health, available at http://www.cdc.gov/CDCTV/Salt_Matters to learn more about how salt affects your health

The above information was provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC website is a great resource for senior health related topics.

Offered by ParentYourParents.com 

Safeguarding Elderly Against the Outdoor Heat

Safeguard Elderly Against the Outdoor Heat

As we get closer to the end of the dog days of summer we must remember that we are not out of danger when it comes to the heat of the late-summer sun. As we all know, the sun continues to provide us with its extensive warmth all the way through September.

The dangers involved with going out into the heat of the sun are often overshadowed by the dangers of sunburn. Prolonged exposure to the sun results in sunburn, heat exhaustion, dehydration, and heat stroke. There are a number of things we can do to avoid these conditions but ultimately, the best way to avoid these dangers for our seniors, is to pay close attention to them.

1. Visit them twice a day and help them stay in contact with their neighbors. This is very helpful since seniors who remain isolated are at risk of heat related conditions.

2. Avoid going outside during the mid-day heat. Plan any errands for the morning or late evening.

3. Stay hydrated. Do not wait until you are thirsty since it takes time for your brain to signal thirst. It is important to note that for seniors, the thirst sensation is even less sensitive than that of younger adults.

4. Wear appropriate clothing. For seniors, the body’s ability to cool itself is not as good as it once was. Compensate for this by donning clothes that are cool, breathable and loose-fitting.

5. Wear lots of sunscreen ensuring that the ears, nose and lips are protected with a minimum of an SPF 15 sunscreen. Consider wearing a hat and sunglasses as well. The hat will help protect your head and provide shade to your neck and face. Sunglasses with UV protection will protect your eyes and reduce the risk of developing cataracts.

For more information on heat related illnesses, go to the Centers for Disease Control here:http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/extremeheat/seniors.html

Promote Senior Mobility with Durable Medical Equipment

Promote Senior Mobility with Durable Medical Equipment

The hours and days just after being discharged from a health facility can be filled with uncertainty. Home should be a place for recuperation, where you or your aging loved one can focus on rest. It is important to make sure your home promotes recovery, which can be aided with the help of Durable Medical Equipment (DME). This is a broad category which addresses a range of different health issues, but all are designed to promote healing for seniors and other homecare patients. The most basic types of DME offer simple, practical ways to support walking and avoid injuries from falling.

Each patient’s DME-needs are unique, so you should always ask a trusted healthcare professional for their assessment. But below is a list of basic DME to get you started thinking about medical equipment in your home.

Bathroom grab bars

Falling in homes is a common and serious problem among the elderly, especially in bathrooms where wet floors can present an unexpected hazard. One simple solution is installing grab bars to help seniors keep their balance.

This type of home care equipment is available for $25-45 per bar at most hardware stores. When deciding on which type to buy, you should consider:

• Weight: How much weight can the bar support? Most can hold up to 250 pounds, but the actual limit should be listed on the packaging.
• Number: How many do you need to install? Research recommends installing 2 bars inside your bathtub or shower, 1 bar near the outside and 1 next to the toilet.
• Length: You will need to measure your bathroom’s dimensions beforehand.

Walking aids

Canes, crutches and walkers help seniors maintain their mobility. It helps them move around the home and out the door to visit friends and family, or walk to the park.

Canes are the easiest to use and are meant for aging patients suffering from balance issues or minor lower-body problems. For a quick test, walk across a room with someone else providing support. If one assisting hand is enough to help you walk, a cane might be a suitable option. But if you need both hands then a walker is probably the best be.

Make sure you choose a cane with the proper type and length. Standard canes are meant to steady balance while offset canes are designed to support more bodyweight. Likewise, the recommended cane length is the distance from your wrist crease down to the ground, when you are standing straight with both arms hanging at your side.

Walkers are ideal for patients who need more stability.While they are quite cumbersome, walkers also offer a substantial degree of support for seniors lacking upper-body strength or balance. These mobility aids come in a variety of forms. No-wheel walkers provide the most stability, while 2- and 4-wheel walkers allow for easier mobility. If you or your elderly loved one has arthritis in the fingers, a larger grip will make grasping the walker much more comfortable.

Crutches are helpful when you need to remove all weight from your lower-body, and might be a good option for fit seniors recovering from acute leg injuries. Many elderly people are unable to use crutches, but for those with enough stability and upper-body strength, it can provide more mobility than other walking aids.

Where to buy DME

Medicare should cover costs for most walking aids with a doctor’s prescription, but there are times when insurance won’t cover DME. Fortunately, patients have alternatives to paying out-of-pocket for new equipment. Buying used is one option. Many independent living centers can provide listings for used medical equipment, while websites like Disabled Dealer, Planet Mobility and UsedHME host classifieds geared towards DME.

Caring Senior Service also offers used medical equipment in special cases. Our DME donation drive offers a great way to re-use older home medical equipment, and offer a tangible improvement to the lives of our clients and other aging patients. Our drive will run through August and September, so stay tuned for more information on ways to donate.

For more information, please visit our website at www.caringseniorservices.com 

Aurora Behavioral Health Grand Opening of ECT Treatment Program

Aurora Behavioral Health System is pleased to announce the grand opening of our
ECT Treatment Program at Aurora West in Glendale.

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Advantages to using Aurora for your patients' ECT needs include:

* Initial consultation available within 72 hours.

* Outpatient appointments can be scheduled in 24-72 hours!

* One of the few locations in the state to be using the very latest in ECT technology, which helps reduce short-term memory loss.

* Family member/friend can meet with the psychiatrist and anesthesiologist before each ECT treatment.

* Family member/friend can be with the patient up until the the time of anesthesia.

* ECT psychiatrist will be available to answer a patient's questions and address any concerns after the treatment.

For more information, or to schedule a consult for a patient, please contact our 24/7 Patient Services Helpline at 480.345.5420.

When To Start Planning for ALTCS?

Our latest Arizona Republic article in the weekly Aging and the Law column can be found below. Our column runs every Friday in select Arizona cities.

Q: A couple of weeks ago, my father suffered a fairly severe stroke.  After a brief hospitalization, he was transferred to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation.  He is making strides in his therapy, but we don’t know if he will fully recover.  Without this knowledge, how can I determine when to prepare for the ALTCS program?

I am assuming that your father’s care is currently covered by Medicare.  By design, however, Medicare covers only acute care, or that care which is rehabilitative in nature.  For as long as your father is showing marked improvements, then, his Medicare coverage could remain in effect for up to 100 days.  More specifically, Medicare could cover the first 20 days without co-payment, and days 21-100 for a co-payment of just over $150 per day.  Importantly, once it is determined that your father’s health has plateaued, and that he has transitioned from acute care into long-term care, Medicare coverage will end.

Once Medicare coverage ends, your father will have a few options.  If he is well enough, he can return home and resume his previous way of life.  If his health has not returned by this point in time, however, he will have to pay privately or seek an alternative payer source.  If your father has substantial long-term care insurance, then this could provide a solution, but without such coverage, ALTCS might be his only viable option.

Given the huge expenses associated with long-term care, it makes most sense to hope for the best, but plan for the worst.  By this, I am suggesting that the time to begin considering the ALTCS program for your father is now.  Each application process is fact-dependent, but it can sometimes take several months or more to gain access to the benefit, so planning while Medicare is still in effect can be very advantageous.

Aging and the Law is authored by the attorneys at JacksonWhite and addresses legal issues that arise for the elderly and their families.  Questions can be sent to firm@jacksonwhitelaw.com.

Click to view all of our Aging and the Law columns.

For additional information visit our website at www.arizonaseniorlaw.com 

5 Life Care Centers in Arizona Help Restock Local Salvation Army Water Supply

FIVE ARIZONA LIFE CARE FACILITIES HELP RESTOCK LOCAL SALVATION ARMY WATER SUPPLY

From June 16 – 21, five Life Care Centers of America facilities in the East Phoenix area joined efforts to restock the local Salvation Army’s supply of bottled water.

Each year, the Salvation Army and Channel 3 News in Phoenix hold a Bottled Water Drive to stock hydration stations throughout the valley, focusing especially on helping the homeless, homebound individuals and emergency responders.

“The Salvation Army told us that they had depleted their supply in early April, when Arizona had a fire up north and the organization delivered 25,000 bottles of water to first responders,” explained Misti Valentino, senior executive director at Mi Casa Nursing Center in Mesa.


Mi Casa and Citadel Care Center, also in Mesa, kicked off a friendly competition among Life Care facilities to support the effort. Life Care Center of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Heritage Center and Desert Cove Nursing Center in Chandler all joined the efforts.
Associates and families contributed 8-oz. or 20-oz. water bottles to the facilities and loaded up the facility buses. Together, they donated 33,180 water bottles.

“The staff immediately supported the idea,” said Mark Muir, executive director at Citadel Care Center. “Our associates decided not only would they donate cases of water, but they wanted to do a food sale to raise money to buy additional cases of water. We had a food drive the following Wednesday and raised approximately $150, which was then used to buy more water. The momentum and fun grew by the day. It was extremely rewarding for our associates to see our facility bus filled with water on Friday as we prepared to deliver it Saturday morning.”

Three of the Life Care buses – Mi Casa’s, Citadel’s and Life Care Center of Scottsdale’s – were so full of water that associates had to rent a U-Haul truck, which they also filled. They dropped the water off at the Westgate shopping center in Glendale, Arizona, on June 21.
Citadel and Mi Casa together came in first place in the competition among the facilities.
“It was truly a blessing and humbling to see and to be able to serve others in need,” Muir said.

For more new or information visit our website at  www.lcca.com 

Preventing Traumatic Brain Injury in Older Adults

Preventing Traumatic Brain Injury in Older Adults

March was Brain Injury Awareness Month and BAYADA Home Health Care shared these facts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help raise awareness and prevent traumatic brain injury (TBI) in older adults.

The Brain Injury Association says, “a brain injury does not discriminate, in fact, 2.4 million Americans sustain a brain injury each year.” A traumatic brain injury is a blow, jolt, or bump to the head or penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal functions of the brain.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 1.7 million people, including 475,000 children sustain a TBI each year and 3.1 million individuals live with a lifelong disability as a result.

TBI is a special health concern for older adults who begin to struggle with activities of daily living as they age. People ages 75 and older have the highest rates of TBI-related hospitalizations and death. They also recover more slowly and die more often from these injuries than do younger people. Falls are the leading cause of TBI. Assistive or personal care aides can help keep older adults safe at home, supporting families who are unable to provide constant care to their loved ones. 

If you are one of the millions of people in this country caring for an older adult, you should learn about traumatic brain injury and be able to recognize the symptoms of TBI. 

The facts and tips contained in this article are from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Recongizing the symptoms of traumatic brain injury

Symptoms of a mild TBI:

• Low grade headache that won’t go away 
• Getting lost or easily confused
• Feeling tired all the time, lack of energy, or motivation
• Loss of balance, feeling light-headed, or dizzy
• Increased sensitivity to sounds, lights, or distractions
• Blurred vision or eyes that tire easily
• Loss of sense of taste or smell
• Ringing in the ears
• Mood changes like feeling sad, anxious, listless, or becoming easily irritated or angry for no reason
• Having more trouble than usual remembering things, paying attention, organizing tasks, making decisions, or solving problems

Symptoms of a moderate or severe TBI:

• A headache that gets worse or does not go away
• Repeated vomiting or nausea
• Convulsions or seizures
• Inability to wake from sleep

• Dilation of one or both pupils

• Slurred speech

• Weakness or numbness in the arms or legs

• Loss of coordination

• Increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends that older adults taking blood thinners should be seen immediately by a health care provider if they have a bump or blow to the head, even if they do not have the symptoms listed above.

If you think an older adult in your care has a TBI, take the individual to the doctor right away. Tell the doctor about any prescription drugs, including over-the-counter medicines, blood thinners, or aspirin that the older adult takes.

Some things you can do to help prevent falls in older adults  

• Encourage exercise. Exercises that improve balance and coordination, like Tai Chi, are most helpful for reducing the chances of falling. Always check with a doctor first to ensure certain exercises are safe to do.

• Make home surroundings safer by removing clutter in hallways or walkways, adding brighter lighting, and installing grab bars near the toilet and in the tub or shower.

• Ask a health care provider to review all prescription and non-prescription medications to ensure you and your loved one understand their side effects - particularly if they could increase the chances of falling. As people age, the way medication works in the body may change, causing drowsiness which can lead to a fall.

• Take your loved one in for a vision check. Make sure eye glasses are correct and that there are no conditions that limit vision, like glaucoma or cataracts. Poor vision can increase the chance of falling.

Home health care can help older adults maintain their independence, safely, in the comfort of home. Learn more today.

Visit our website at http://blog.bayada.com/cares

Top 5 Causes for Falls

Top 5 Causes of Falls

Did you know that 20 to 30 percent of people who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries? These injuries can make it hard to get around or live independently. Also, one in three adults age 65 and older fall each year, yet less than half talk to their healthcare providers. Last but not least, every 15 seconds across America, a senior citizen is sent to the E.R. for a fall-related injury.

“The chances of falling and being seriously injured during that fall significantly increase with age,” said Sharon Roth Maguire, MS, RN, GNP-BC, Chief Clinical Quality Officer of BrightStar Care. “Identifying risk factors with your aging loved ones and taking precautionary measures will increase their longevity and provide peace of mind to families.”

Here are five causes of falls, according to BrightStar Care.

1. Impaired vision

Cataracts and glaucoma alter depth perception, visual acuity, peripheral vision and susceptibility to glare.

What’s the solution? Add color and contrast to identify objects, such as grab bars and handrails.

2. Home hazards

Most homes are full of falling hazards.

What’s the solution? Add grab bars in the bathroom, install proper railings on both sides of stairways, improve the lighting, remove loose rugs and fix uneven or cracked sidewalks.

3. Medication

Many drugs (i.e. sedatives, anti-depressants) reduce mental alertness, affect balance and gait and cause drops in systolic blood pressure while standing. Mixing certain medications increases these effects, causing falls.

What’s the solution? Have a home care professional carefully monitor medications and interactions.

4. Weakness, low balance

Weakness and lack of mobility leads to many falls.

What’s the solution? Exercise regularly to boost strength and muscle tone.

5. Chronic conditions

Parkinson’s, heart disease and other conditions increase the risk of falling.

What’s the solution? Enlist specially-trained caregivers to ensure that patients follow their treatment plans, assist them to doctor appointments and recognize red flags.

BrightStar Care takes a unique and comprehensive approach to helping you stay safe in your home. For additional information, including tips, videos, and a home safety checklist, please visit our Fall Prevention and Home Safety Resource Center.

Visit our website at http://www.brightstarcare.com/blog/uncategorized/top-5-causes-of-falls/

Intergenerational Activities to Help Reduce Summertime Stress for Seniors

Intergenerational Activities to Help Reduce Summertime Stress

 

Is there such thing as a stress-free summer? If you are a family caregiver who is also a parent of school-age children, you probably answered that question with a definitive “NO.” You know better than anyone that the summer school break can feel less like a vacation and more like a matter of survival.

What if combining your roles as caregiver and parent actually helped reduce your summer stress? Planning activities your aging parents and your children can do together will provide an enriching experience for everyone—educationally, emotionally, physically and mentally. In fact, a recent study conducted by the Women’s Healthy Aging Project in Australia indicates that time spent with grandkids is not just enjoyable to grandparents, but also may benefit them mentally as well, and, in some cases, may even lower their risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

To help reduce your summer stress as a caregiver and parent, consult the following Summer List of Intergenerational Fun! Adapted from Grandparents.com. These eight summertime activities are fun for the whole family, from grandkids to grandparents (and maybe even you, too!).

Fun Idea #1: Set up a lemonade stand.
Nothing says summer like fresh lemonade. A lemonade stand requires just a little bit of prep for a whole lot of payoff, including fun in the kitchen, fun in the sun, and the chance to say “hi” to the neighbors! You may even make a little money while you’re at it.

Fun Idea #2: Do watercolor paintings.
For rainy days, watercolor painting is a great way for grandkids and grandparents to enjoy time together and witness each other’s creative juices in action. Have them paint portraits of one another for some added silliness.

Fun Idea #3: Hobby school is in session!
Ask Grandpa or Grandma to teach your kids his or her favorite hobby. Whether it’s knitting, woodworking, playing guitar or working crossword puzzles, children will enjoy learning a new skill while learning something new about their loved one too.

Fun Idea #4: Play a board game.
Time to break out Monopoly, Candy Land, Yahtzee, or Chutes & Ladders! Playing board games is a lost art in this digital age of video games and on-demand movies. Take entertainment old school with some classic, unplugged fun. If you’re feeling especially adventurous, make up a new game together!

Fun Idea #5: Tell stories by flashlight.
Get those imaginations flowing with a nighttime storytelling session for the whole family. Take it up a notch by grabbing an armful of blankets and enlisting some helpers to build a storytelling fort.

Fun Idea #6: Have a family yard sale.
Schedule a yard sale and encourage the whole family to participate. From putting out signs to pricing the goods, make sure everyone has a job to do. Use some of the earnings to take your workers out for ice cream.

Fun Idea #7: Take a field trip.
Need a change of scenery? Load the family up for a trip to the zoo or the neighborhood fire station (be sure to call ahead!). Getting out of the house is a tried and true antidote for summer boredom.

Fun Idea #8: Make believe.
It’s raining outside, all the craft supplies are gone, and every favorite movie has been watched. Now what? Take the vacation of a lifetime… in your imagination! Imaginative play is an excellent way to entertain younger children, and it can also provide a low-pressure backdrop for some meaningful interactions between generations. Try it and see!

With a little planning and creativity, summer can go from being a matter of survival to a season the whole family can enjoy together!

Come fall, when the kids head back to school, consider hiring a helping hand to assist your aging parents and continue facilitating meaningful activities that promote social interaction and mental stimulation. Companionship home care services for just a few hours a week could make a world of difference for your loved ones.

Visit our website at  http://www.homeinstead.com/195/Pages/HomeInsteadSeniorCare.aspx

Understanding Home Health Care

Understanding Home Health Care

Often misunderstood, Home Health Care is a generic term to describe care received in your home – wherever that home may be, your house, apartment, a rehab facility after surgery or long illness, or an assisted living, memory care community, or even a skilled nursing facility.

Medical home health care must have a doctor’s order and is typically covered by your health insurance for a specific period of time and includes such services as nurse visits, medication management, wound care, tele-health monitoring, and physical, occupational or speech therapy.  This would occur most often after a hospital stay, or prolonged illness.

Non-medical home care provides the services that cover pretty much everything else you deal with on a day to day basis.  Services include: companionship, transportation, whether it be to the doctor, shopping or to run errands, light housekeeping services,  (so not scrubbing the oven, or dusting the plant shelves, but keeping your living area, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom(s) clean), meal preparation, medication reminders, personal care, (assistance with feeding, walking, toileting, bathing, dressing) or respite care.

Non-medical care is designed to assist you with the more strenuous daily tasks so you can stay as independent as possible for as long as possible by doing the things you can more easily and safely do.  The idea is to assist with the duties that may put you at risk, prevent you from healing appropriately or present a burden to you. It also provides respite care options for caregivers who may be overwhelmed with caregiving while trying to do take care of all their other responsibilities or take care of their own health. 

Non-medical care can be as flexible as just a few hours up to 24 hours/day, just once, for a short period of time or for as long as needed.  These services are funded privately or through, long-term care insurance or Veteran’s Aid and Attendance benefits.  Our Arizona Long-term Care program, ALTCS (Medicaid) will also pay for care if the appropriate criteria are met.

Authored by:  Elaine Poker-Yount is Community Liaison for Visiting Angels East Valley (480-833-8247 or elaine@visitingangelsaz.com

Bob Dailey, the owner of Visiting Angels East Valley, is the Arizona In-Home Care Association (AZNHA) Treasurer. This article is being submitted on behalf of AZNHA.

Visit us at:  www.aznha.org  

LifeStream Complete Senior Living at Youngtown Helping to Make A Difference - Water Bottles for Valley View Food Bank

Contact: Lisa Sisco

LifeStream Complete Senior Living

623-933-3333

www.LifeStreamLiving.com

LifeStream at Youngtown Associates and Residents collect and donate 223 cases of bottled water -- 5460 bottles of water!

In the month of June, 2014, the Associates and Residents of LifeStream at Youngtown joined together to help those less fortunate by collecting and donating bottled water to the Valley View Food Bank.

They understand that the extreme heat during the summer in Arizona can lead to very high body temperatures, brain and organ damage, and even death.  Heat related deaths usually peak in July.  People suffer heat-related illness when their bodies are unable to compensate and cool themselves properly. Extreme heat affects everyone, but the elderly, children, the poor or homeless, and those with chronic medical conditions are most at risk.  

LifeStream at Cook Health Care Administrator, Nina Louis states, “the lives we will be able to impact is countless. It is a blessing to have the response we had and it truly is a gift to be surrounded by people who wants to make a difference by any means.”

LifeStream Complete Senior Living, formerly Arizona Baptist Retirement Centers, Inc., was founded over 35 years ago as a faith-based retirement community. LifeStream offers a spectrum of senior living services in our four communities throughout the Valley, including independent residential, homes, assisted living, in-home supportive services, skilled nursing and specialized memory care. Our loving communities contribute to a fulfilling quality of life for our Residents – helping them maintain their independent lifestyle as long as possible and providing compassionate care when a little more support is needed. www.LifeStreamLiving.com

Making Home Safer For Seniors

Simple Modifications for Senior Home Safety Video

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Erin Albers from Home Instead Senior Care explains a few simple and​ ​inexpensive ways that seniors can remain at home, where most want to safely age.

Arizona Guardianship: Elderly Parent Won't Stop Driving

By Deloughery Law Office, PLC. of Deloughery Law, PLC posted in Guardianships on Thursday, January 2, 2014.

You may need a guardianship if your elderly parent or loved one won't stop driving. It's a little crazy that Arizona has such lenient requirements for drivers licenses. There initially given out for 30 years at the time. Then renewing for an older person is as easy as taking an eye exam and paying the renewal fee. There's no requirement that a senior citizen knows the traffic laws or can find her way back home. Sometimes the only way to prevent your elderly loved one from endangering themselves (and others) by driving is to have a guardianship put in place.

From most individuals' standpoints, driving is as cherished a right as having a checking account with access to money. A lot of times, older people seem more upset about having their driving privileges taken away then they are about having been moved to a care facility.

If you have a loved one is insisting on driving even though you know it would be dangerous, here's what you need to know:

First, if you're older loved one causes an accident, you are probably not going to be personally responsible. However, a judgment against your loved one and a being paid out of his or her personal assets, including assets held in a revocable living trust. (A revocable trust do not offer as a protection in a situation like this, contrary to many people's beliefs.)

Second, if your loved one has a drivers license and insists on getting his or her car back, you can't stop him or her, even with a general power of attorney. But, you can take away your loved ones driving privileges by means of having a guardian appointed. 

This is an uncomfortable situation that many adult children with senior parents are having to face. It is especially gut-wrenching when the elder parent has dementia because he or she can be extremely verbal and can get other friends and relatives to take his/her side (against you). 

You are not alone. We have helped dozens of people in this very situation. And we can help you. We are familiar not only with the law ... but also with the psychology and family dynamics at play.

Take the first step and contact us for a free consultation. Our office is in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Visit our website @ http://www.delougherylaw.com/ 

Expansion of Medicaid

Seniors and the Law is authored by the attorneys at JacksonWhite Attorneys at Law and addresses legal issues that arise for the elderly and their families.  Questions can be sent to firm@jacksonwhitelaw.com.

Q:        I have read about Governor Brewer’s decision to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.  I understand that state legislators are trying to bring a lawsuit in an effort to undo Arizona’s expansion of Medicaid.  Can you explain what would happen if Arizona did not expand Medicaid?

The Affordable Care Act was not drafted to give states an option as to whether they would expand Medicaid.  Rather, after a challenge to the law, the Supreme Court upheld most of its provisions, but determined that states could decide whether or not to participate in the Medicaid expansion.  An unintended consequence of this process is that States which reject the expansion create a disjointed healthcare coverage system.

Under the Affordable Care Act, individuals who earn between 139% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Limit can get subsidized insurance on the health insurance exchange.  Further, for states that opt to expand Medicaid under the ACA, everybody who earns 138% of the Federal Poverty Limit or less are eligible for Medicaid coverage.  The effect of this in states that expand Medicaid is that the government provides health insurance for those who earn up to 138% of the FPL, and then subsidizes insurance for those who earn between 139%-400% of the FPL.

The subsidies are applicable nationwide, but the problem for states that do not expand Medicaid is that there are many people who earn less than 138% of the FPL, but more than the state’s Medicaid limit.  The average Medicaid income requirement in states that do not expand Medicaid is about 46% of the FPL, meaning that people in the “average” state who earn between 46%-138% of the FPL would not get any assistance, while higher earners earning between 139%-400% of the FPL could purchase subsidized insurance on the exchange.  If Arizona were to rescind its expansion, we would be subject to this inequity.

             Richard White is an elder law attorney at JacksonWhite Attorneys at Law.  For more information on Elder Law at JacksonWhite, please visit www.ArizonaSeniorLaw.com.

This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace individual legal advice.

Visit our website at:  http://www.arizonaseniorlaw.com/news/

Protecting the Battery Life of Your Handicap Conversion Van

One important thing to remember when you purchase a wheelchair van, aside from the accommodations and accessibility features, is that it is very important to keep in mind the amount of extra battery use your accessories take up. Handicap vehicles often deploy ramps through the battery of your vehicle, so it is crucial to make sure you have a strong, functional battery that is full of juice and power at all times.

You never know what could happen when you’re on the road heading off to visit family and friends. The last thing you want is to end up stranded from a dead battery, with no one nearby to jump your vehicle. If you have a disability, this can be a particularly difficult and potentially dangerous situation.

Not only should you make sure to have your handicap van’s battery inspected on the regular, but if something does happen and you are able to fix it, you should still have it inspected by a professional at Ability Center in Arizona, California, or Nevada as soon as you have the chance. If you notice your wheelchair ramp or other accessories operating at a slower, weaker pace, it may be time to have your battery looked at or even invest in a new one.

The average vehicle with no mobility modifications will last about five years on one battery. However, if your vehicle is modified with a ramp, swivel chair, or other accessory that relies on your vehicle’s power to work, it is more likely that an inspection or replacement will be in need every 2 to 3 years. To prolong the life of your battery, always make sure every light is off before getting out of youraccessible vehicle, and keep track of how often you use the lift. If you use it daily, this will significantly cut down on battery life.

Just a few simple and regular precautions will help you avoid what could turn into a dangerous situation if your battery runs out of life. Always keep track of your vehicle use and how old your battery is to keep you and your family safe for many miles to come.

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