Living Well High Tech part of the High Tech – High Touch equation of care could be a reality for older adults. Paula Span wrote on The New York Times “…Older adults hit a digital milestone last year: For the first time since the Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project began conducting surveys, a majority (53 percent) of people over age 65 used the Internet. The proportion has since inched upward, to 54 percent.

Which certainly represents progress. When Pew first began tracking Internet use in 2000, only 13 percent of seniors were online. But it remains a fairly anemic number compared to the rest of the adult population, more than 80 percent of whom use the Internet…”

Perhaps the resistance is diminishing…slowly but surely, the road to gero-tecnology helping older adults to age in place can be a reality soon.

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He addresses specially the home care agencies and say: “…Home Care Agencies- pay attention to this article on Long-Term Care Insurance- it’s a new spin on an old idea that many people wish in hindsight they had taken advantage of at a younger age. It IS important for Home Care Agencies to have EVERY EDGE when they are marketing themselves. There is no reason why your agency can’t become an expert in filing Long-Term Care Insurance claims….read on!

In 2008, Steve Newport had been suffering from Alzheimer’s for 5 years. Several days in a row, he would be in a fog. Sometimes, he could not find a spoon or remember how to get water out of the refrigerator. He could no longer prepare simple meals for himself, had discontinued driving, and required supervision to dig a hole, replace a light bulb, vacuum, or complete a load of laundry. He was no longer able to use a computer, calculator or perform basic arithmetic. He often wore just one sock or shoe. He also had a hand tremor that interfered with eating and a jaw tremor while speaking. An MRI showed his brain had shrunk in several areas, a condition consistent with Alzheimer’s.

Steve was put on several FDA-approved medicines to help slow the progression of the disease, but he continued to decline. Fortunately, Steve’s wife was a doctor who became intent on finding a cure for her husband of 39 years. Her research led her to coconut oil!

She discovered that In Alzheimer’s disease, some brain cells have difficulty utilizing glucose—blood sugar, the body’s usual source of energy—and begin to die. However, they can utilize ketones—the chemical released when the body begins to burn fat. When you are fasting, the body produces ketones naturally. When digested, the liver converts coconut oil directly into ketones.

After starting Steve on the coconut regimen, Steve can now read, the tremors are gone as long as he gets his coconut oil on time, is no longer depressed, can finish a yard task without getting distracted and now wears both shoes and socks. Read more here

http://www.coconutketones.com/

More information and tickets.

There are some activities that can provide a rush of self-reliant satisfaction, empowerment and fulfillment when you complete them on your own. Others, however, can be downright dangerous or create problems that have far-reaching implications when attempted solo. These are 10 of the things that you should never attempt to do alone if at all possible, seeking the assistance of a professional or the support of a friend instead.

1. Heavy-Duty Home Repairs – Some simple home repairs can save you a significant amount of money if you do them yourself. Others, like complex plumbing or electrical work, can be dangerous and can compound problems that are very expensive to fix if you aren’t professionally experienced in such areas. Before you tackle a big repair or home improvement project, it’s wise to honestly consider your skill level and experience to determine whether or not you have the expertise required to do it properly.
2. Explore Strange Areas at Night – Women are often cautioned against exploring unfamiliar territory at night, but it’s actually smart for both men and women to avoid such adventures. If you don’t know the area you’ll be walking into, you should always opt for mass transit or a taxi to reach your destination safely.
3. Hiking – Solitary walks can be soothing chances to collect your thoughts or simply commune with nature, but it isn’t wise to embark on a long journey or hike into a secluded area without accompaniment. Even relatively minor injuries can be disastrous if you’re unable to reach out for help and cell phones don’t always work in areas that are off the beaten path.
4. Handling Complex Legal Matters – There are a plethora of websites and online services offering legal documents and advice for handling legal affairs without the aid of an attorney, but not all of your legal matters can be easily handled by yourself. Estate planning, litigation or any criminal issues are immediate grounds for calling in a professional. Remember that you aren’t actually saving money by doing it alone if you end up forking over huge legal fees to right a messy wrong.
5. Grieve – Mourning a loss isn’t something you should do alone. Managing intense grief can make you want to withdraw or crave seclusion, but it can actually impede the recovery process. Seek the help of a counselor or even the shoulder of a trusted friend, rather than carrying the burden alone.
6. Move – Unless your belongings can fit in suitcases and a few boxes, you won’t want to take on the task of moving without some help. Because even dependable friends can be mysteriously hard to find as a moving day approaches, you may want to price professional movers, rather than doing the heavy lifting alone.
7. Financial Planning – Simple financial planning is fine to handle without help. If you’re starting to invest in the stock market or are creating a more complicated financial plan, however, you will want to consult with a professional or at least a knowledgeable acquaintance. Your nest egg is not something you’ll want to gamble with alone.
8. Parent – Single parent homes are more common than ever these days and can create an environment in which thriving children become successful adults. The most ideal single-parenting situations, however, do include help from others. They say that it takes a village to raise a child; even if the biological second parent of your children is unavailable, making sure that your kids have the support of extended family or close friends can make all the difference.
9. Buying and Selling a Home – Opting to sell your home yourself and purchase one that’s for sale by owner can be a tempting prospect, especially when you consider the money lost to commissions. Those with some experience in the area may be able to navigate the complex world of real estate law without the help of a professional, but a first-time buyer or seller probably shouldn’t try to manage the process alone.
10. Get a Divorce – Just as there are legal documents for sale online at a low price and there are plenty of low-rent legal advice services across the web, there are ways of managing a no-contest divorce yourself. Unless both parties are amicable and in complete agreement about every aspect of the divorce, however, you should enlist the help of an attorney. 

As with anything, these guidelines don’t necessarily apply to those who are professionals in some areas or have extensive experience. A real estate agent, for instance, probably won’t need the help of another agent to successfully buy or sell a home. As a general rule, however, these things are among those that you should always seek assistance with before attempting to handle them on your own.

This is the first time in U.S. history that a law has been passed to require insurance agents to explain the fact that Life insurance policies may be converted into a vehicle to cover Long Term Care.

Now we have an alternative to:

1. Lapsing life insurance policies and getting nothing

2. Selling the family home to cover Long Term Care costs

3. Children paying the care costs for parents

4. Spending life savings to fund Long Term Care

To give a bit of background, this law passed in 2011 after Congressman Robert Damron, Democrat, KY, worked to move this forward for 6 years.

Congressman Damron, President of NCOIL, held a panel discussion to get the word out about this wonderful new consumer benefit at the Senior Market Advisor EXPO last August 25th in Las Vegas. A local Long Term Care Consultant of 30 years, David Kitaen CLTC, of Marin County, was asked to be on the panel as he was the first LTC Broker in the US to actually facilitate the Life Insurance Policy Conversion for one of his clients, a senior, living in Napa, CA.

Chris Orestis, a prominent figure in National Long Term Care Legislation, and Jayne Sallerson, of Emeritus Senior Living, one of the largest Long Term Care providers in the US, were also on the panel which discussed how this type of insurance conversion can help the growing group facing increasing costs for Senior Care and Housing.

The important conditions to make the Conversion are:

1. Must be 65 years or older

2. Must be receiving care at home or in a facility

3. Must have an “in force” Life Insurance Policy, not lapsed

4. Anywhere in US

When converted, the money is paid directly to the Health Care Provider.

To get started, contact a professional in the insurance industry to determine if you meet the requirements to qualify. The afore-mentioned expert, David Kitaen CLTC, may be contacted at 415.382.1300 with questions or to arrange a free consultation. His website also offers lots of valuable information about Long Term Care: www.davidkitaen.com.

About David Kitaen CLTC
David Kitaen CLTC is an Independent Long Term Care Insurance Broker/Advocate who has helped over 1800 Clients get Long Term Care Insurance over the last 25 years. He is a frequent Speaker on the subject of Long Term Care, and was a recent Guest Speaker with Congressman Robert Damron, Democrat KY, to announce this New LTC Legislation to the public.  He was the first LTC Broker in the U.S. to complete a Conversion of Life Insurance to a Long Term Care Benefit in 2011, and has been influential in the development of the LTC Market from the very beginning of the Industry.

The fountain of youth remains fictional. Ageing is a natural body process and no one can be spared from it. The stage can be complex as it may involve numerous changes that can be observed physically, emotionally, and mentally.

However, ageing can be slowed. According to researchers, there are ways to slow down the process so you can look and feel younger than your age for a prolonged time. Here are some secrets shared by the experts on how to age well.

Eat healthy

You are what you eat. The food you consume should provide important vitamins, nutrients, and minerals to ensure ideal functioning of the body’s systems. Better health is a key to ageing well and it can be obtained through having the proper nutrition. Fruits and vegetables are the most recommended as those can help obtain and maintain the ideal glow of the skin so it will remain soft, vibrant, and youthful.

Be physically active

Ageing people should have at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day. This will be necessary to gain protection against chronic diseases and to support overall ideal health. Studies have shown that performing physical activity or exercise for more than 30 minutes each day can even bring about greater health benefits. Regular exercise can help manage your body weight, control blood pressure, and decrease possible risk of heart attack. Regular sweating is also good for the skin.

Stop smoking

Living a healthy lifestyle is one of the best known secrets for ageing well. Smoking can affect your health in many ways. It can increase the risks of developing unlikely health conditions. It can even affect the quality of your skin. Some research efforts have found that smokers are prone to have crow’s feet and facial skin lines earlier compared to non-smokers.

Take care of your skin

Don’t ignore the advice to wear sun screen protection before going outdoors. Exposure to sunlight can cause great damage to the skin. It can even speed up the skin’s ageing process. Sun screen protection products are formulated to help block the harmful effects of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation to the skin. Maintain your skin’s overall health can also be achieved through hygienic practices, getting enough rest, and taking skincare vitamins and supplements.

Undergo regular checkups

Having regular medical checkups pays off. Early detection of any health problem can lead to more effective and successful treatment and management. Get regular screening for different possible diseases especially those that are common in ageing people. You may reduce or avoid possible stress from any worry about potential health conditions.

Stay positive

Lastly, stay well not just physically but also mentally and emotionally. Take care of your spiritual, mental, and emotional needs and you would certainly live a better quality of life. Being positive or optimistic can help achieve the ideal state of mind and emotion. Be happy through socializing, doing recreational activities, or having fun. Your happy disposition in life will be exhibited through your vibrant and energetic physical aura.

Andy is a regular blogger about health and senior issues. Over the years, he has written numerous articles and blog posts on the topic.

Aside from blogging, Andy C. works in the aged care industry, where he distributes pressure cushions and other accessories for the elderly.

This brand new 8-week program is specifically designed for professional and family caregivers of persons with dementia. It is also appropriate for health care professionals serving dementia patients. Learn how the practice of mindfulness can help you cope with the challenges and stresses of dementia care, and also greatly improve the experience of the person in your care. This intensive course requires that you practice in between classes. You will be rewarded with a transformative experience that will sustain you over the long course of the dementia caregiver journey.

The course will be taught by Marguerite Manteau-Rao, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker and clinical supervisor with expertise in dementia caregiver training. She is the CEO and co-founder of the Presence Care Project, and a contributor to the Huffington Post.

Free Information Session:
Thursday, January 24, 2013: 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Anyone interested in this program is strongly encouraged to attend the free information session.

Class Dates:
Thursdays, February 7 – March 28, 2013
7:00 – 9:30 pm*

*Note: Class on February 7 & March 28 will be from 7:00-10:00 pm

Daylong retreat: Sunday, March 17, 2013
9:30 am – 4:30 pm

Location:
UCSF Osher Center For Integrative Medicine
1545 Divisadero Street, San Francisco

Cost:
$295 plus $25 materials fee
Institutional group discount available

Online Registration:
http://www.osher.ucsf.edu/classes-and-lectures/meditation-and-mindfulness/mindfulness-based-dementia-care/

For questions, call 415.353.7718
or email classes@ocim.ucsf.edu.