We thought it might be interesting to post articles from time to time that we find enlightening or even controversial. None of these articles comes with any special “endorsement” from us. They just seemed worth reading! We welcome your suggestions as well. There are items below that will alert you to recent scams you will want to avoid!
- This is a wonderful article on aging by Anne Lamott in the Washington Post. It requires that you set up a free account to read it, but well worth the time!
- A recent article in the Ventura Star by Senior Advocate Martha Shapiro was very helpful to describe the differences between in-home caregivers and home health agencies. Some good tips about how to find a caregiver and be sure they are trustworthy.
- Next Avenue provides some very practical tips for shopping for elders beyond just medical equipment. What about special shoes or clothes that are easier to fasten after a stroke? This article gives lots of practical advice.
- This article provides 25 different ways to foster lifelong learning. Check it out! https://www.opencolleges.edu.au/informed/features/lifelong-learning/
- BEWARE OF NEW SOCIAL SECURITY SCAM CALLS or EMAILS ! I just received two in past two days. They come from different states and will say your account has been compromised so please call them. The real Social Security will NOT call you. Best if you don’t answer, but if you do, hang up, block the call or delete it immediately.
- This is a resource for understanding and taking action about nursing home abuse. Disclaimer: the authors of the resource are a law firm that benefits from litigation. Nevertheless, the information can still be useful for people looking for information. https://www.levinperconti.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-nursing-home-abuse.html
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- If you don’t think this is a problem, read this: https://calmatters.org/health/2021/12/california-nursing-homes-fines-lawsuits/ – Maggots in nursings homes? And nursing homes want to sue over fines they get for bad treatment?
- This is a timely article about society’s denial of aging — https://www.nextavenue.org/denial-about-aging/
- With all the anger and violence circulating these days, this sweet article about empathy may cheer you up! shorturl.at/bxIX2
- California has a Death with Dignity Law but it is complicated to access. Here is a good article on the topic, and this website has a lot of good resources about how to plan for death in a positive and constructive way. https://www.thegooddeathsocietyblog.net/category/death-with-dignity-act/
- This scam has been around for several years, but AARP published a new warning about its prevalence. “Hi, this is Becky from Medicare”….it is NOT Becky! https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2021/new-medicare-robocall.html
- If you have a subscription to the New York Times, this article about the prevalence of drugging in American nursing homes is frightening but necessary to know if you have a friend or relative who reside in one. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/11/health/nursing-homes-schizophrenia-antipsychotics.html
- This is an excellent article from Foreign Policy journal about the impact of the pandemic on ageism. https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/02/11/how-the-pandemic-made-the-last-acceptable-prejudice-worse/
- Our blog writers Linda Bergthold and Nancy Healey have an article to share about best practices in congregate care facilities in the time of Covid-19. https://ir.library.louisville.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1165&context=jri
- Here’s an interesting article on Ageism. How do you encounter it? https://blog.ioaging.org/aging/the-age-of-ageism-in-america/
- The Centers for Disease Control website focuses on preventing the spread of the virus in communities and specific actions to take in the home
- The World Health Organization provides specific information for the public that includes:When and How to Use Masks, etc.
- Good article on how to meet care needs of older adults in a pandemic https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2764748
- “Asynchrony and the Art of Caregiving
- A terrific article on memory and what is “normal” about what we can remember and what we cannot.
- A good article about ageism and how to deal with it
- If you have received a call from the “Social Security Administration” asking for your SS number, Please read this and share with friends. Social Security will NEVER call you and ask you for information!
- This story explains why people hate shopping for health insurance.
- This is a copy of the California Master Plan for Aging plan. We are posting about this in a week, but you may be interested in looking at it now. Here is a copy of the Master Plan for Aging if you want to read more: https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/6.10.19-Master-Plan-for-Aging-EO.pdf
- If you have the privilege of being seventy, don’t waste it! https://changingaging.org/blog/if-you-have-the-privilege-of-being-seventy-dont-waste-it
- ARTICLE from Kaiser Reports — on issues of falling in hospitals and nursing homes if patients are kept in bed too long. Long term weakness can come from just a few days in bed.
- Nancy posted a good piece on the power of optimism awhile ago, and here is some data to back that up. “Positive Emotions and Your Health.”
- The Older Americans Act is up for re-authorization and the Dignity in Aging legislation is an important part of it. Read more here.
- We posted this before but it is worth repeating it. The important questions we need to ask our doctors before surgery… and also an article about what doctors wish WE knew, especially about end of life.
- Many of us worry about our memory, especially when we forget names or places. Read “A Well-Aged Mind” to find out what to worry about and what to forget about!
- If you were ever interested in where your family came from, you might want to check out the book by Gary Bergthold (Linda’s husband) on his search for his family roots. We are Wanderers We are Seekers is available on a variety of websites including Amazon and FriesenPress.
If you have articles to share, please send them to us!