The battle against Alzheimer’s is one close to the hearts of many at EPOCH. Many communities and team members participate in a variety of Alzheimer’s fundraisers throughout the year and a portion of our residents – those living in our specialized memory care communities – have Alzheimer’s and other memory related problems. That’s why we were excited to see the current administration adopt what’s being called a “landmark national strategy” to battle Alzheimer’s. The clock is now ticking toward a 2025 deadline to find effective ways to treat or at least postpone the disease.
Despite the long deadline, efforts toward this initiative have already started. A one-stop-shop website has been created to help families and caregivers, and a number of new studies are beginning.
It goes without saying that having dedicated, skilled nursing staff at any assisted living or nursing care community is one of the most important, if not the most important, factors in providing quality care. In talking with the nursing staff at EPOCH’s communities, the overwhelming sentiment is that EPOCH treats its team members well, which is why so many of our nursing staff members have been with us for so many years. In an industry in which turnover is common, especially in jobs such as certified nursing assistants, EPOCH has a long-standing history of hiring good people and keeping them for many years.
For the nearly 50 million Americans on Medicare, the recent talk about the struggles and uncertainty the program is facing hit very close to home. And in this election year, Medicare has become a hot-button issue that has both sides of the aisle lobbing accusations to the other. Here are a few tips for voters to sort the wheat from the chafe when it comes to changes in Medicare – click to read the full article: “5 Things Voters Need to Know About Medicare.”
- Medicare is definitely headed toward insolvency. It’s a $550 billion dollar program, making it the third-highest government expense. With the rapid influx of baby boomers into the system, costs are simply skyrocketing. At its current growth rate, Medicare could easily bankrupt the US government, meaning something will need to change in order for that not to happen.
The New York Times’ New Old Age blog is a great resource for not just seniors, but people of all ages. A recent post from them about using art to bring happiness and engagement to seniors, particularly those with Alzheimer’s and dementia, offers some great insight into why art can be so effective and moving for not just all of us, but seniors in particular.
Musuems across the country have begun offering programs specifically tailored to aging individuals, and also to those with memory loss and dementia. One such program in NYC is called “Mindful Connections” and brings groups of seniors through the museum for a 90-minute tour tailored to the needs of those with dementia. Caregivers and family members are welcome to attend with their aging loved one.
Caregiving is a word you hear pretty often nowadays, and that’s not likely to change any time soon. As the baby boomer generation ages, more and more older individuals will be in need of care and support when it comes to everyday tasks and more and more adult children will step up to offer that care to their aging parents. It has become, as one individual from AARP called it, the “new normal.”
It goes without saying that having dedicated, skilled nursing staff at any assisted living or nursing care community is one of the most important, if not the most important, factors in providing quality care. In talking with the nursing staff at EPOCH’s communities, the overwhelming sentiment is that EPOCH treats its team members well, which is why so many of our nursing staff members have been with us for so many years. In an industry in which turnover is common, especially in jobs such as certified nursing assistants, EPOCH has a long-standing history of hiring good people and keeping them for many years.
