Half of all Americans now die in hospice care. Easy money and a lack of regulation transformed a crusade to provide death with dignity into an industry rife with fraud and exploitation.
Celebrated every November, National Family Caregivers Month is a time to recognize and honor family caregivers across the country. It also offers an opportunity to raise awareness of care-giving issues, educate communities and increase support for caregivers. Elder Options is a nonprofit organization that provides local resources to seniors and caregivers. It is located at 100 SW 75th St. in Suite 301 and is open from Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The life of a non-professional caregiver is frequently not easy. People who take on the role usually do it for family, due to medical or housing emergencies and without benefit of training or outside help. Senior Home Share sponsored an event to honor local caregivers in just such positions, nominated by friends or family and recognized at a Community Caregiver Luncheon at Cornerstone’s Acts 2:42 Center.
Cornerstone VNA, a local nonprofit home health provider, announced the 6th Annual Caregivers Connect, a special event that focuses on providing support to family caregivers. This free virtual event will take place on Wednesday, May 4, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., and is generously underwritten by First Seacoast Bank.
Cornerstone VNA announced that their monthly Caregiver Cafés have returned to meeting in-person once again. The Caregiver Cafés are a collaborative effort between Cornerstone VNA and four local libraries in Farmington, Newington, Dover, and Strafford. Family caregivers and their loved ones are invited to attend for an hour of support, conversation, and education.
The importance of having high-quality, well-trained health care agencies, nursing homes, home health aides, and independent caregivers is at the forefront of the news thanks to a renewed policy reform push. The fall-out of the renewed focus on home health care agencies and independent seniors' care facilities is that patients and their families are being left with fewer affordable care options, while top home health care providers are having to push harder for ways to connect with families and demonstrate their experience, expertise, and track record of care.