The Importance of Planning: Legally and Financially

The term “estate planning”, generally means making decisions now for times in the future when you may not be able to make decisions for yourself. Proper estate planning addresses both health care and financial decisions, during your lifetime and after your death. Having an estate plan in place can make a significant difference in how decisions are made for you in the future.

We all enjoy the right to make our own health care choices. However, it is important to have an Advance Directive for Health Care in place that would allow your designee to make decisions for you if you aren’t able to make them for yourself. You can also decide now whether you choose to have life support and tube feeding later on. It is up to you to decide what decisions will be made.

A Durable Power of Attorney is a document used to appoint someone to make financial decisions for you if you are unable to manage your affairs in the future. You may give your Agent broad powers or limited powers as you choose. You can modify the Power of Attorney at any time in the future, as long as you understand the changes you are making.

After you pass away, your Will specifies who will be your Personal Representative, and what will be done with your assets. After you pass away, the Probate Court empowers the Personal Representative to act, and oversees the administration of your estate. The Court ensures that your choices are carried out and that the beneficiaries of your estate are treated fairly.

A Revocable Living Trust is an alternative to a Will. A Trust creates a legal entity. Your assets are transferred into the trust, and are managed according to your instructions. In your trust, you can designate who will manage your assets, how they are managed, and who will receive them after you pass away. There is generally no court involvement with a trust.

There are many different combinations of estate planning tools that your attorney may recommend for your situation. Making these plans ahead of time may also help your loved ones with issues such as paying for long term care, later on. Proper estate planning ensures that your wishes will be carried out later on, when you may not be able to speak on your own behalf.

Article provided by:
Douglas, Conroyd, and Gibb
503-364-7000

Can You Protect Yourself Against Memory Loss

Besides age, there are eight factors that affect memory ability in older adulthood

1. Genetics (50%)
2. Cognitive stimulation
3. Other health conditions
4. Stress
5. Good sleep
6. Social support and engagement
7. Nutrition
8. Physical exercise

No one has control over genetics, but there is hope because we do have control over the other 7 factors listed above.

Brain exercise is essential in preserving memory. Research by Lachman H.M. (2010) found that older adults with more education are less likely to have memory problems. “Among individuals with low education, those who engaged in reading, writing, attending lectures, doing word games or puzzles once a week or more had memory scores similar to people with more education,” said Lachman.
Most people know about the physical benefits of staying healthy. Good health also affects memory ability. Depression, urinary tract infection, upper respiratory infections and even constipation are just a few things that can affect memory.

Stress inhibits the brain’s ability to learn new things and remember old ones, which is why when we stop thinking and relax, we suddenly remember a name or piece of trivia we were searching for.
Your mind is surprisingly busy while you snooze. During sleep you can strengthen memories or “practice” skills learned while you were awake (it’s a process called consolidation).
As people age, social connections often diminish, loss of social contact through work, death of friends, ill health or loss of transportation can all contribute to this. It is therefore doubly important to make the extra effort to seek out social stimulation.

Research has found a positive correlation between Omega-3 fatty acids levels (e.g., DHA) and cognitive functioning in older adults. Also, over time, our brain cells experience wear and tear from various oxidants known as free radicals (as well as cell division). Our bodies use antioxidants to combat the effects of free radicals. It is therefore important to eat foods high in antioxidants.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign scanned the brains of 55 subjects, ages 55- 79, and measured their maximal oxygen uptake (a gauge of aerobic fitness) during walking and treadmill tests. Participants ranged from sedentary to those in peak-performance fitness. The results published in the February 2003 Journal of Gerontology showed that physically fit subjects had less age-related brain-tissue shrinkage than less active subjects.

Research is being conducted constantly and is often shared online.

Article Provided By:
Cathy Parkinson, CQSW
United Methodist Retirement Center 
503-585-6511

Faith Community Nurses Are Here To Help

Chances are that you have never heard of a Faith Community Nurse, but there are growing numbers of them in your community.

A Faith Community Nurse (FCN) is a registered nurse who works out of a faith community, such as a church, synagogue or mosque. There are more than 15,000 Faith Community Nurses (also called “Parish Nurses”) across the country, and in more than 2 dozen countries around the world. Each of these nurses brings years of experience working in healthcare before completing additional study to work in this specialty practice.

If you are involved with a congregation that already has a Faith Community Nurse, you may not know the variety of roles that a FNC has provide, such as health education, health counseling, resource referral, and healthcare navigation, just to name a few. Many of the health services offered through faith communities are open to all, such as health screenings, health fairs, and wellness classes, such as “Living Well with Chronic Illness.” Some congregations also offer free health clinics (such as the Salem Alliance Church).

Many people have found Faith Community Nurses extremely helpful with their own health and wellness concerns, while others have benefitted from their help with senior parents. One woman, who lived 1500 miles away from her father, wrote of the FCN in his congregation, “Ellen perceptively listened to Dad’s complaints, queried his doctors, and shared her observations about him with me on the phone and by e-mail. She was invaluable in sharing resources as I built a list of caregivers and services, and advised me well on navigating the insurance system….”

If you are part of a faith community, and would like to know more about getting a Faith Community Nurse program in your congregation, contact Northwest Parish Nurses Ministries at 503-413-4137, visit theirwebsite, or call a faith community near you to inquire about congregations with faith community nurses and programs in your area. We partner with many of the organizations listed in the Retirement Connection guide, and they would also be able to help you locate a congregation with a faith community nursing or health ministry program.

Article provided by:
Deborah L. Patterson
Northwest Parish Nurse Ministries 
503-413-4137

Comparison & Definitions Care At Home

There are so many choices for caregiving services at home. Which one is right for me, my loved one or my client? Let’s define each avenue, looking at the differences to help you determine the best fit.

Full Service In-Home Care:

• Licensed Agency; Services not limited with memory loss or dementia;
• Provides non-medical, skilled caregiving, case management & nursing services; Registered Nurse on staff;
• Required to screen, employ & supervise caregiver;
• Cost based on services provided; comparable at non-medical level;
• The most comprehensive package of services;

Non-Medical In-Home Care:

• Licensed Agency; Limited to non-medical services;
• Restricted: medication reminders or assistance to oriented client only;
• No skilled services provided; No Nurse on staff;
• Required to screen, employ & supervise caregiver;
• Cost comparable at non-medical level.

Caregiver Registry:

• Licensed Caregiver Registry Agency;
• Screens & verifies competency of caregivers;
• Does not employ or supervise caregiver, client takes on employer responsibilities & risks;
• No skilled care, case management or nursing services;
• Cost Registry Fee + Caregiver Cost; comparable-higher at non-medical level;

Case Management Company:

• Not Licensed to provide caregiving or nursing services;
• Does not employ caregivers, client takes on employer responsibilities & risks;
• Professional Case Manager’s & RN’s supervise, usually $70-110.00/hour;
• Cost Professional fee + Caregiver Cost; comparable-higher at non-medical level;

CEP (Client Employed Provider) Program:

• Not Licensed; Caregiver Registry; State of Oregon; Medicaid;
• Program does not screen, employ or supervise, client takes on employer responsibilities & risks;
• Screens with Criminal Background Check only;
• Operates much like an on-line listing service;

Knowledge is power. Find the best fit for the care of yourself, your loved one or your client.  Further assistance, visit our helpful guide “How to select the right In Home Care for your loved one”

Article Provided by:
Sharon Moore RN
Personal Home Care
503-371-1495 

Is There a Correlation Between Sleep Apnea and Glaucoma?

People who work in sleep medicine have always been troubled by the public’s lack of awareness about sleep apnea. If you ask your average person about sleep apnea, you’re likely to get a response like “Oh, I think my uncle used to sleep with some kind of machine but he hated it!’

While the public is still largely unaware of the dangers that sleep apnea (a disorder characterized by persistent pauses in breathing during sleep) poses, awareness about the disorder has been slowly building within the community of healthcare professionals. But while sleep apnea is normally associated with disorders such as obesity and hypertension, there is also a growing awareness of the association between sleep apnea and glaucoma.

“Glaucoma is not just one eye disease, but a group of eye conditions resulting in optic nerve damage, which causes loss of vision. Abnormally high pressure inside your eye (intraocular pressure) usually, but not always, causes this damage” (MayoClinic.com, 1998-2012, pp.01). Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness and can be very difficult to detect before the damage is irreversible.
New studies have found that there may be a correlation between Glaucoma and sleep apnea. One such study found that out of 83 randomly selected OSA patients, 33% suffered from some kind of glaucoma (Harby, 2003). 33% is an extremely significant number, especially when compared to glaucoma’s prevalence in the general population of just 1.5% to 2.5%.

“Our study rationale looked at OSA because it causes profound changes in oxygenation, circulatory hemodynamics, and inflammatory factors,” says Dr. Rick Bendel of the Mayo Clinic of Jacksonville, Florida. “All of these may influence optic nerve integrity and possibly intraocular pressure, as well.”

Dr. Bendel recommends that all sleep apnea patients be screened for glaucoma. “OSA may be a modifiable risk factor that is easily treatable,” he told an audience at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Since some forms of glaucoma can be so insidious, screening sleep apnea patients for glaucoma could serve to increase early diagnosis in patients before major damage has been caused. It is clear that Opthamologists and Sleep Centers need to start working together, in an effort to help identify possible patients who could be suffering from either of these devastating disorders.

Article provided by:
A Turning Leaf Home Medical 
503-689-1597, 541-570-1868 

Dentures To You Connects With Communities

Dr. Michael Harris and Patti Moniz have worked with Medical Teams International on their dental van for the past 7 years.  Dentures to You has succeeded enough that we have been able to not only help to staff the Dental Van, we now can Sponsor the van to provide much needed dental services to the community at no cost to those seeking urgent and necessary dental care.  Dentures to You has provided care at the Veterans Stand Down in Salem, the Homeless connect Project in Newport, Vineyard Church in Lincoln City, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints in Willamina.  Dental care is expensive and in these tough economic times many people can not afford necessary dental care. There is a great need in every community for dental care.  Dentures to You has provided over 20,000 dollars worth of care to our communities through our voluntary efforts in the last year.

As dental professionals we understand the need for patients to have access to dental care. Good oral health can effect general overall health, dignity, and appearance which can lead to gainful employment and a healthy life.  According to the American Association of Periodontist We know that poor oral health can effect a host of other issues including heart disease, diabetes, and low birth weight.

Our Dentures to You business works to replace missing teeth with dentures or dental prosthesis.  We understand the importance of maintaining natural dentition and eliminating dental disease. Dr. Harris and Patti are grateful for the opportunity to serve and provide care and education to communities in the western Oregon area.

Article provided by
Mike Harris, Dentures to You LLC
www.denturestoyou.com

The Patient Centered Primary Care Home

The Patient Centered Primary Care Home (PCPCH) is a new model of primary care that has received attention in Oregon and across the country for its potential to advance the “triple aim” goals of health reform: a healthy population, extraordinary patient care and reasonable costs. Patient Centered Primary Care Homes achieve these goals through a focus on wellness and prevention, coordination of care, active management and support of individuals with chronic diseases and a patient centered approach to all aspects of care.

Patient Centered Primary Care Homes focuses on these 6 premises:

1. ACCESS TO CARE:  “Be there when I need you”.  This allows for the patient to receive care and advice when they need and want it. It provides flexible, responsive options to get care in a timely way.
2. ACCOUNTABILTIY:  “Take responsibility for making sure I receive the best possible health care”.
3. COMPREHENSIVE WHOLE PERSON CARE: “Provide or help me get the health care and services I need”.  This includes prevention services, acute care, care for ongoing problems, and help for mental health conditions or problems with substance or alcohol use. It also provides education to help the patient understand health risks and/or conditions and tools and support to manage their own care.
4. CONTINUITY: “Be my partner over time in caring for my health”. The patient can choose their own personal clinician who will have access to information about their health history, needs and values.
5. COORDINATION AND INTEGRATION: “Help me navigate the health care system to get the care I need in a safe and timely way”. The PCPCH will help make sure the patient understands what care or services they need to stay healthy and manage medical and mental health problems and where to get them. This will help to avoid unnecessary tests, procedures or interventions.
6. PERSON AND FAMILY CENTERED CARE: “Recognize that I am the most important member of my care team – and that I am ultimately responsible for my overall health and wellness”. This premise is centered on listening to the patient and their family members or caregivers and promotes experiences that enhance independence and control over their health.

Santiam Hospital is committed to the PCMH approach to providing comprehensive primary care for children, youth and adults. Our hospital is dedicated to facilitating partnerships between individual patients, and their personal physicians, and when appropriate, the patient’s family.

Flu Safety

Now that our summer has ended, and we see all of the signs that fall is here, we know that the holiday season is around the corner.  This is also the season known as flu season, and it is the time of year when viruses and bacterias seem to be most active.  Colder weather can weaken immune systems, and lower our defenses to attack.  In addition, the return of school for children and college students creates the perfect environment for the sharing and spreading of contagious diseases.  The goal of this article is to raise your awareness to the influenza virus, and preventive strategies you can take to protect yourself.

Flu Season Facts

• Peak season is November to March.
• 5-20% percent of Americans will get the flu.
• More than 200,000 people are hospitalized annually in the US.
• Can be contagious up to one day before symptoms appear, then up to 5-7 days after symptoms.
• Responsible for between 3,000 to 49,000 deaths annually since the 1970’s.

Influenza– also know as “the flu” is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus.  It can cause mild to severe illness, and can sometimes lead to death.  Transmission is person to person by droplets from coughing, or sneezing.  Symptoms include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, headache, and runny or stuffy nose.  Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with compromised immune systems, are at high risk for serious flu complications.  Complications include dehydration, electrolyte imbalances and pneumonia.  Pneumonia is responsible for over 1 million admissions to hospitals annually, and

Prevention Strategies

1. Get immunized!
   Flu vaccine- See your doctor to see if you can take the flu vaccine.  Vaccines are prepared every year to provide the maximum protection for that year.  Usually lasts 6 months to a year.
   Pneumovax- Individuals over age 65 should also be immunized with pneumovax.  It consists of a mixture that protects against the 23 most prevalent or invasive pneumococcal types of Streptococcus pneumonias, including the six serotypes that most frequently cause invasive drug-resistant pneumococcal infections streptococcus pneumonia.
2. Antivirals– If you get the flu, talk to your doctor about new anti-viral medications such as Tamiflu which can shorten the length of the illness, and lessen your symptoms.
3. Hand Hygiene-  wash your hands frequently.  Assume that viruses and bacteria are on every door handle, counter top, and hand rail in public places…because they are! Wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, or use alcohol based hand sanitizers frequently. Carry one with you.  Cough into sleeve or tissue, and not your hands.
4. Stay away!  If you become sick, stay home to protect others.  If you know someone is sick, stay away.  You can visit later when they are healthy.

Sweet Bye N Bye Inc. is a local Adult Foster Care and Residential Care provider in the Salem area.  We are owned and operated by Registered Nurses that provides compassionate, quality, assisted living services.  We wish you and yours a safe, and happy holiday season.

Article Provided by:
Robert Estrada, RN
Sweet Bye N Bye Inc.

Top Ten Consumer Tips to Protect You and Your Family

Every year, thieves and con artists cheat thousands of Oregonians out of their hard-earned money and valuable personal information.  These tips should help you make wise consumer decisions and protect yourself, your family, your money, and your personal information.

Tip #1. Become educated. Visit oregonconsumer.gov to learn more about consumer protection in general. Informed consumers are smart consumers.

Tip #2. Join the Scam Alert Network. Sign up online at oregonconsumer.gov to be notified of new scams, fraud and other consumer threats.

Tip #3. Reduce junk mail. Call 1-888-567-8688 or register online at optoutprescreen.com to reduce or eliminate offers of credit and insurance. You can also opt out of receiving unsolicited mail from other companies by registering online at dmachoice.org and paying $1.

Tip #4. Check out the business before you buy. Call the Oregon Department of Justice at 1-877-877-9392 or search Be Informed, an online database at oregonconsumer.gov to research complaints and resolutions.

Tip #5. Reduce telemarketing calls. The National Do Not Call Registry allows you to block most telemarketing calls. Register online at donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 from the number you want to register.

Tip #6. Understand that wiring money is like sending cash. Con artists often insist that people wire money, especially overseas, because it’s nearly impossible to reverse the transaction or trace the money. Do not wire money to:

• Someone who claims he or she wants to hire you.
• Sellers who insist on wire transfers for payment.
• Someone who claims to be a relative or friend in trouble and wants to keep it a secret from the family.

Tip #7. Order your free annual credit report. Visit annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228 to order a free credit report and review it for errors.

Tip #8. Read the fine print. Read contracts in full before you sign, ask questions and be suspicious of promises made by salespersons that differ from the written terms, and make sure you get a copy of the signed contract for your files.

Tip #9. Sleep on it. Sales pitches that offer discounts if you “sign now” are often scams. Legitimate businesses will usually give you the same deal later.

Tip #10. Report fraud. If you think you have been a victim of fraud, call the Oregon Department of Justice at 1-877-877-9392 or visit us online oregonconsumer.gov.

Article provided by: Oregon Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General

Are you at Risk of OSA?

Sleep Apnea Quiz

1. Do You Snore? Yes or No
2. Are you excessively tired during the day? Yes or No
3. Have you been told you stop breathing at night? Yes or No
4. Do you have a history of high blood pressure? Yes or No
5. Is your neck size greater than 17 inches (male) or 16 inches (female) Yes or No

If you answered YES to two or more of these questions, you may be at risk for OSA.

 

OSA has been proven to be linked to the following health conditions:

• High Blood Pressure
• Insomnia
• Diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease

 

Understanding Sleep Apnea (OSA)

People who have OSA stop breathing repeatedly during sleep because their airway collapses. As a result, air is prevented from getting into the lungs.

Key signs and symptoms include: excessive daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, or gasping or choking during sleep. Other common symptoms include: Grogginess and morning headaches, frequent urination at night and depression and irritability. (Phillips Respironics Education)

 

What happens if I have OSA and I don’t treat in properly?

People who do not seek diagnosis and treatment for OSA may increase their risk for the following:

1.  High Blood Pressure
2. Irregular heart rhythms or hear disease.
3. Heart Attack
4. Stoke
5. Driving or work-related accidents.
6. Decreased quality of life.
7. Increased death rate

 

How is OSA Diagnosed?

1. Discuss sleep complaints and symptoms with your doctor.
2. If a sleep disorder is suspected, your doctor will refer you to a sleep specialist for evaluation.
3. An overnight diagnostic sleep study, known as a polysomnogram, or PSG, can be done in the lab or at home and is used to determine the type and severity of the sleep disorder, as well as appropriate treatment.
4. Titration Study on CPAP

 

What is the treatment for OSA?

1. Positive airway pressure PAP therapy is the treatment of choice for OSA.
2. PAP therapy provides a flow of air pressure through your nose using a mask.
3. The air pressure prevents airway collapse, allowing you to breathe freely while you sleep.
4. PAP therapy is noninvasive and can alleviate the symptoms of OSA when used as prescribed.
5.  Other treatments include positional therapy, dental devices and surgery.

 

Article Provided by:
A Turning Leaf Home Medical