BrightStar Memphis homecare providers, Dr. Daron and Tyna Merryman, have taken a team approach to serving those in need in their community. As a physician, Daron realized there was a huge need to fill in providing care to people of all ages and, specifically, in providing senior home care to help the elderly in the Memphis area maintain their independence whenever possible.
"When I was in my geriatric fellowship, that was the crux of everything," Merryman said. "What seniors told us overwhelmingly, what they wanted more than anything, was to protect their independence. What they feared the most was the loss of that independence."
A recent feature on the Memphis "care-giving" duo profiled their journey together and how they came to join the BrightStar family.
"What I felt was lacking in care was an outstanding provider," Merryman said. "When I saw the commitment that BrightStar was doing as a national brand to try to make sure that they were going to be the Mercedes of home care, that's what I wanted to be a part of."
Read the full article.
Did you know that stroke is the third leading cause of death in America and a leading cause of adult disability? In fact, the Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide indicates that approximately 500,000 Americans have strokes each year. There are generally two categories of stroke, each of which has a different cause. Ischemic strokes occur when there is an interruption in the flow of blood to the brain, almost always due to a clot blocking a blood vessel. "About 80% of strokes fall into this category. The remaining 20% are brain hemorrhages, which occur when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures."
The effects of a stroke can vary. For example, according to the National Stroke Assocation, someone who has a small stroke may experience only minor problems such as weakness of an arm or leg. People who have larger strokes may be paralyzed on one side or lose their ability to speak. Some people recover completely from strokes, but more than 2/3 of survivors will have some type of disability.
Symptoms vary widely depending on the portion of the brain affected, but there are some common signs of a stroke that should throw up a red flag for you to see your doctor immediately about, including but not limited to:
- Slurred speech
- Weakness, numbness, or paralysis of the face, arm, or leg (i.e. crooked smile)
- Dizziness, loss of balance, or loss of coordination
- Numbness on one side of body
- Sudden blurring or loss of vision in one or both eyes
- Loss of one half of the visual field in one or both eyes
Have you or has a loved one of yours had a stroke? Share your story! For more information about strokes, preventative measures and life after a stroke, visit the National Stroke Association Web site.
By John Mills
A few weeks ago President Obama signed into law a new healthcare reform bill which will expand health insurance coverage for 32 million people who are currently uninsured. This law will be phased in over the next decade but it offers a lot to help family caregivers both in the short term and the long term.
The benefits of the law fall into two categories – provisions which help the care recipient through Medicare and other public programs and those that help the caregiver through expanded health insurance coverage and better consumer protections. The biggest advantages to care recipients come through better coverage under the Medicare prescription drug program and through expanded health insurance options for pre-Medicare retirees.
Family caregivers will see their biggest benefits come from the fact that health insurance will begin to be de-coupled from employment starting in 2014. Many family caregivers face the difficult choice of whether to stay employed and hire professional caregivers to look after their loved ones or to leave their jobs and care for them full time. This decision is made more difficult by the fact that people who leave their jobs risk losing the health insurance benefits that go with them. By providing new health coverage options and subsidies to help pay for them, family caregivers will have one less thing to worry about when making these difficult choices.
Below is an outline of the key provisions of the healthcare reform law and how they are likely to impact family caregivers.
What Goes Into Effect during 2010 and 2011
The expansion of coverage provided by the new healthcare reform law will not be available until 2014 but there are many portions of the law which will go into effect during 2010 and 2011.
Improvements to Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage - The bill provides a $250 “bonus” to all people in a Medicare Prescription drug program in 2010 that hit the “doughnut hole,” the coverage gap that currently begins at $2,830. It also begins closing the “doughnut hole” in 2011 and completely eliminates it by 2020.
Helping Sandwich Generation Caregivers – The bill helps sandwich generation caregivers, those caring for sick parents or relatives and their own children, by:
Eliminating pre-existing conditions for children thereby ensuring sick children can get insurance coverage.
Permitting children up to age 26 to stay on their parents insurance policies regardless of whether or not they are full-time students. Most insurers currently cover dependents not in school only up to age 19 and those in school up to age 23.
Prohibiting lifetime benefits caps on health insurance.
Temporary Early Retiree Program – The law creates a temporary voluntary reinsurance program for employers to help cover early retirees within 90 days of enactment. This should help pre-Medicare retirees find affordable coverage. The program ends in 2014 when the expanded coverage provisions come online.
Medicare Advantage Changes – The law changes the way that Medicare Advantage plans are paid by bringing payments into line with the costs of the regular Medicare program. These payment changes may impact the benefits provided under these plans so review plans carefully at renewal time.
2011 and Beyond
The bulk of the new benefits and subsidies for health insurance will begin in 2014. The lead time is necessary to accumulate funds to pay for the cost of the new coverage.
Expanded Health Insurance Coverage – Starting in 2014, expanded health insurance options will be available for individuals and small business through Health Insurance Exchanges. These are state-based marketplaces that are modeled on the Massachusetts Health Connector system where individuals and small businesses are able to purchase health insurance. The goal is to provide individuals and small businesses with transparency in benefits and pricing so they can compare health insurance and purchase the coverage that best fits their needs.
Health Insurance Subsidies. In order to help families afford the mandatory insurance premiums, starting in 2014 subsidies will be available on a sliding scale, up to a level of $88,000 per year for a family of four. The amount of the subsidies will also be on a sliding scale, meaning that people with lower incomes will receive larger benefits.
Individual Mandate - Almost all Americans will be required to get insurance coverage or face fines—a system similar to the one that’s already in place in Massachusetts. The fines start small at $95 in 2014, but rise rapidly to $695 in 2016. Low-income individuals are exempted from the mandate but most of them will be eligible for coverage through Medicaid or other subsidies.
Consumer Protections – The law has a number of consumer protections including:
Elimination of pre-existing conditions.
Prohibition on recissions, a procedure where insurance companies retroactively cancel coverage.
Expanded appeals for denial of medical services including the ability to appeal decisions to an external review board.
Long Term Care. The bill includes the CLASS Act, which provides a public, voluntary long term care program that working people can purchase. The program would cover home care, respite care, home modifications, transportation, and assistive technologies.
What’s Next
The lesson of social insurance programs is that they always remain works-in-progress. Social Security and Medicare have been modified and expanded a great deal since they were first enacted.
It is likely that there will be expansion and changes to the new healthcare reform law in the coming years. With the aging of the population and people living longer, some of those changes may include additional assistance for the cost of long term care and family caregivers.
John Mills is founder of www.eCareDiary.com, a website for family caregivers. He was a member of the Clinton Task Force on National Health Reform, and legislative director to U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y.
Meet Henry. Henry is the newest addition to one
Minnesota BrightStar office. Rick Gass,
Maple Grove homecare provider, has added Henry to their medical staffing team. A certified pet therapy dog, Henry is a Golden-Doodle (or as they like to call him, "The Dood") that can provide a wide range of care, from childcare to elder care, for clients ranging in needs and abilities.
Recently, the Maple Grove homecare provider showcased Henry at the "Meeting of the Minds Conference" in St. Paul. He was a huge hit with all of the attendees. Specifically, many people struggling with Alzheimer's or dementia who have had to downsize their lives and give up beloved pets said it was wonderful to have a dog around, even if for just a short time. He is currently spending time with a young boy who has Autism and neuromuscular disease. Henry is a great companion to the boy, and can sense when anxiety is on the rise. He is able to help the child in re-directing his emotions and de-escalate situations.
Henry also visits Memory Care facilities. He enjoys all of the ear rubs and "handshakes" that the residents have to offer. What makes Henry so wonderful is his soft coat and friendly eyes. The residents enjoy his antics and those with disabilities appreciate that he is wheelchair height and accessible to them. Henry is looking forward to expanding his career and finding new clients to amuse, as he enjoys wearing his BrightStar Cape, and greeting everyone with a swish of the tail. Be sure to keep an eye on BrightStar Maple Grove's Website, as they plan to continue sharing more of Henry's adventures. Stay tuned!
In case you missed them, or maybe you're not even on Twitter yet, we wanted to re-cap all of @brightstarcare's Tweets for the month of March. We strive to share helpful articles, tools and Websites and hope the following will be of value to you. Enjoy!
Autism: Does Parent Age Play a Role? Cause(s) Still Speculative http://ow.ly/1t8Zn 7:12 AM Mar 31st
What's the relation of family dynamics and providing care to aging loved ones? http://ow.ly/1sCSk 6:12 AM Mar 30th
RT @nytimeshealth Recipes for Health: Getting More Fish in Your Diet http://ow.ly/1sjse 1:05 PM Mar 29th
Ageism also has many forms thx 4 sharing! http://ow.ly/1sjbw RT @VibrantNation Ageism isn't only an issue for older women http://ow.ly/1sjay 11:54 AM Mar 29th
Home Sweet Home: Aging In Place http://ow.ly/1rh1A 10:00 AM Mar 26th
Insightful! RT @InsideElderCare What Health Care Reform Will Mean to You: A quick guide for people age 50 and older http://ow.ly/1rgZB 7:47 AM Mar 26th
Patient Homecare Benefits and How to Stay Home http://ow.ly/1pZme 11:33 AM Mar 23rd
Want to make doors easier to open for people with disabilities, arthritis, etc.? Replace doorknobs with lever handles or a rubber lever. 1:00 PM Mar 22nd
RT @HealthSociety Gene-Targeted Cancer Fix Could Be a Breakthrough (HealthDay) http://ow.ly/1pqyN 11:50 AM Mar 22nd
Caregiver burnout alleviated - one couple's story: http://ow.ly/1pqwt 10:35 AM Mar 22nd
Need for Boomer resources will continue to increase in the coming years. How else can we help the "sandwich generation?" http://ow.ly/1pquy 8:39 AM Mar 22nd
New family structures are changing caregiving. How to adapt: http://ow.ly/1o1PU 12:20 PM Mar 19th
Patient Advocacy and How to Take Control http://ow.ly/1o1OW 8:00 AM Mar 19th
Women, what are you doing to reduce the risk of heart attack? Share your ideas: http://ow.ly/1o1NN 6:20 AM Mar 19th
Should doctors get public report cards? Weigh in now: http://ow.ly/1o1MJ 2:07 PM Mar 18th
Find local Alzheimer's programs, education, support groups and more http://ow.ly/1nZ6h 12:20 PM Mar 18th
Thanks for the RT @RRSchreiber! 8:06 AM Mar 18th
@InsideElderCare yoga is great for people of all ages, especially for the core and spine! 8:05 AM Mar 18th
Yoga's great 4 balance too! RT @InsideElderCare 6 Tips to Help Aging Parents Keep Their Balance & Avoid Falls: http://ow.ly/1nwMe #eldercare 12:06 PM Mar 17th
Elder Care Spreads Sandwich Generation Thin http://ow.ly/1np1A 11:30 AM Mar 17th
24/7 care is exhausting for family members. Watch this couple's story: http://ow.ly/1n7bd 6:00 AM Mar 17th
Find local Alzheimer's programs, education, support groups and more http://ow.ly/1nkB1 5:37 AM Mar 17th
Are you on Facebook? http://ow.ly/1n76o Join us! 2:48 PM Mar 16th
Family Caregivers: Do you have questions? We have answers! http://ow.ly/1mRxy Ask now! 8:00 AM Mar 16th
Have you quit? RT @aarpbulletin Those who quit see big improvement in artery health within year of last cigarette http://ow.ly/1mRGu 6:03 AM Mar 16th
Alzheimer's: Know what to look for http://ow.ly/1mRsU #10signs 5:56 AM Mar 16th
Make the Internet Easier for Seniors http://ow.ly/1llnH 2:48 PM Mar 15th
Thanks for the RT @Navywife67! 1:21 PM Mar 15th
Partnering with the Alzheimer's Association in promoting Alzheimer's awareness http://ow.ly/1ljtR Join us! 1:09 PM Mar 15th
Alzheimer's Disease: Continuing the Fight http://ow.ly/1ljix 1:02 PM Mar 15th
The Irish aren't the only lucky ones this St. Patty's Day. See what we mean: http://ow.ly/1lbbt 8:48 AM Mar 15th
RT @shellyasun: From Childcare to Elder Care, Be Prepared http://ow.ly/1l7Ql 7:12 AM Mar 15th
Have you joined us on Facebook yet? http://ow.ly/1ipbe 2:25 PM Mar 12th
Thx for sharing! Sleep is key for recharging! RT @mike_gamble RT @myOH_AgingWell: The physical toll of sleep deprivation http://ow.ly/1id3S 9:00 AM Mar 12th
RT @VibrantNation Save the life of the men you love - http://ow.ly/1hbCT 8:44 AM Mar 12th
So many great Tweeple making a difference! #FF @ElderCareRN @VibrantNation @InsideElderCare @shellyasun @caregiving 8:40 AM Mar 12th
Is it age-related memory loss or something more? http://ow.ly/1i634 6:43 AM Mar 12th
RT @VibrantNation Save the life of the men you love - http://ow.ly/1hbCT 11:35 AM Mar 11th
Best Web Browsers for Seniors http://ow.ly/1hain Do you have any to add? 10:24 AM Mar 11th
Do you have a question for our experts? http://ow.ly/1h6TQ 9:00 AM Mar 11th
RT @WebMD_Blogs Dr Peeke: Reinventing Your Body: 10 Best Body Rules for Women Over 40 http://bit.ly/cQmk8J 2:00 PM Mar 10th
The benefits of being grateful http://ow.ly/1gEGn 12:00 PM Mar 10th
Ask An Expert: Tips for Caregivers Dealing With Busy Hands http://ow.ly/1gEB8 10:09 AM Mar 10th
@InsideElderCare aerobic activity is so important! Check out these published findings about the dangers of sitting: http://ow.ly/1gaVD 12:00 PM Mar 9th
Elder Care Benefits of "Paying It Forward" http://ow.ly/1gcJe 11:11 AM Mar 9th
Thanks for the RT @allseniorhomes! 10:08 AM Mar 9th
Could you distinguish Alzheimer's from "forgetfulness?" http://ow.ly/1g7uN 8:28 AM Mar 9th
Thank you for the RT @Navywife67! Did you do something you are passionate about today? 4:19 PM Mar 8th
Families and Caregivers: Answering the Question, "Is It Alzheimer's?" http://ow.ly/1fPVe 4:18 PM Mar 8th
Challenge: Do one thing today that you are passionate about http://ow.ly/1bhlb 7:44 AM Mar 8th
Looking back so we can move forward http://ow.ly/1eHaH 7:43 AM Mar 8th
@brightstarcare "Twitcap": Re-capping the month of February in Tweets http://ow.ly/1eHaH 10:20 AM Mar 5th
RT @aarpbulletin: Stand Tall: How to Prevent Falls - Treadmills, balloons and other tricks to help you keep your balance - http://ow.ly/ ... 7:19 AM Mar 5th
Happy Friday, Tweeple! 7:19 AM Mar 5th
Tips to getting a good night's sleep for the 57% of older adults who experience sleep disruption http://ow.ly/1dpJH 2:00 PM Mar 2nd
More than 60% of the Middle Boomers are working full-time. When do they find time to care for aging parents? http://ow.ly/1dpuY 1:28 PM Mar 2nd
Thank you (belated) for the RT @DinaDwyerOwens 1:25 PM Mar 2nd