Chaplains have been a mainstay at hospitals, rehabilitation facilities and assisted living communities. Their goal is to meet the spiritual needs of patients, families, caregivers, and staff. But rehab and assisted living facilities often do not employ chaplains and they rely on community clergy or clergy organizations to meet the needs of residents Chaplains who serve these … [Read more...]
“Would you and Aunt Doris like to come for Thanksgiving?” There is no easy answer this year.
How will you handle the 2020 holidays? For years we have spent holidays with my mom’s side of the family. On Thanksgiving, the pasta course comes before the turkey. Christmas Eve is the feast of the seven fishes and Easter is a family egg hunt, even if the youngest cousins are now in college. This is my Italian side, so the conversations are fast paced, loud and filled with … [Read more...]
Should I Change Mom’s Medicare Part D Plan?
Tomorrow is October 15th and radio and television ads have been bombarding the airwaves reminding people that this is the yearly opportunity to change your loved ones Part D benefits. It is anxiety producing as a caregiver to think about changing something that is working, but Part D plans and Medicare Advantage plans get to re-file their benefits with Medicare each year. … [Read more...]
“Family caregiving may not harm health of caregivers after all.” WAIT, WHAT?
My experience as a caregiver, those of my clients and a large body of work proves that sustained and long-term caregiving can and does harm our health. Imagine my surprise when this showed up in my news feed “Family caregiving may not harm health of caregivers after all.” The study was co-authored by a doctor affiliated with Johns Hopkins, published first in the American … [Read more...]
Mainline Telehealth is Here to Stay – At least in some shape or form.
Here are some suggestions of ways to make it successful for you and your doctor. Telehealth has actually been around in some form since the early 1960’s. Use of the technology grew in rural areas, but COVID-19 brought it into the mainstream when The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare (CMS) broadened access to allow for a wider range of covered services. This rabbit is not get … [Read more...]