Over the past decade mental illness has become less stigmatized and now most of us know at least one person who has struggled with a mental illness. For some time, epidemiologists have known that at any given point roughly 20 to 25 percent of the population suffers from a mental disorder. A recent long-term study […]
The Caregiver Gain
A 2011 study by Dr. Lisa Fredman, a Boston University epidemiologist, found the gains in caregiving. Recent studies have shown that caregivers proved stronger on cognitive and physical tests. Dr. Fredman disputes the assumption that all caregivers experience a burden in their caregiving through her “healthy caregiving hypothesis”. Her studies provide some evidence that caregivers, […]
End-of-Life Care
According to a survey by The Conversation Project, a Boston-based public education campaign to get people talking about end-of-life care, about 9 in 10 Americans want to discuss end-of-life care with their loved ones’, but roughly 3 in 10 Americans have actually done so. Learning how to start a conversation is hard and there is […]
How to Boost Your Resilience Midlife
Building resilience is an important thing to teach early in life, and it is just as important to practice midlife. Scientists who study stress and resilience say it’s important to think of resilience as an emotional muscle that can be strengthened at any time. Dr. Dennis Charney, co-author of the book “Resilience: The Science of […]
Depression at any Age
A Stubborn, Persistent Stigma Surround Depression, Creating Barriers to Care Depression is a devastating mental illness that can affect someone at any stage of life. A recent article by Jo Anne Sirey highlights the continued stigma that surrounds depression as a major barrier to seeking treatment. Sirey states, “Once depression is detected, older adults face […]
New State Scorecard on Long-Term Care Services
A new state scorecard on long-term care services from AARP Foundation, the SCAN Foundation and the Commonwealth Fund an overall concerning picture of uneven, slow progress in providing affordable care for older adults and people with disabilities. Although there has been some advancement by the state, for example, many states have increased proportion of […]
Mental Health and Exercise
The mind and the body are inexplicably linked; a person’s state of mind affects the functionality of their body and issues of the body impacts a person’s mental function. On The Wagon’s Comprehensive Guide to Mental Health and Exercise explain the importance of taking care of the body and mind. Mental Health And Exercise: A […]
The Medicaid Debate
The New York Times article by Ron Lieber raises key concerns about how the current Medicaid debate affects healthcare. Today, the average annual cost of a Home Health Aide in Richmond, Virginia is $39,765, whereas the average annual cost for a Semi-Private Room at a Nursing Home is $84,315. According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey in 20 years those costs rise to $71,820 and $152,282, respectively. Through innovative […]
Care Advocate Awarded Fellowship
Gigi Amateau, award-winning author and former community impact officer at United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg, will receive $17,500 for education and personal development to strengthen her service to Richmond’s aging population and individuals working in long-term care. The Pat Asch Fellowship is awarded annually to a woman age “50 or better” to advance […]
Scams & Financial Security
According to the Better Business Bureau, over the last two years, some 70,000 frauds and scams have been reported across the United States. Anyone can fall victim to a financial scam, but older adults tend to be particularly popular targets. Frequently, fraud perpetrated against older adults is not reported until long after the scam has […]