MATURE MARKET HEADLINES POSTED 12/01/97
Patient's Bill of Last Rites ?
President Clinton's "patient's bill of rights" is beginning to sound more like the "Patient's Bill of Last Rites". The plan will inadvertently hurt the very people it purports to help by driving medical costs sky-high. If that happens, Americans can add a new cause of death to the elderly's vital statistics.
The new cause? I call it "death due to wallet-failure". Most Older Americans will find adequate health care to be out-of-their-reach because the President's proposal ignores the free-enterprise system that favors the consumer through free-market competition. Let's not re-visit the failed policies of the past.
The Health Security Act of 1994 died of natural causes. Nobody wanted it because it wouldn't work. The administration should allow that ill-fated Act to rest in peace, not try to resurrect it under a "New Nixon" type of spin. Perhaps the most admirable qualities of a leader is the ability to say "I was wrong".
Such realization can be a learning experience that can eventually navigate one toward a better course of action. Clinton's heart seems to be in the right place, but its the where-abouts of his head on this issue that worries me. From where I sit, increased federal involvement in health care is a dead-end on the road to America's wellness.
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
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Gifts That Keep on Lifting
Chances are someone on your gift list has arthritis. That's no stretch because the disease affects one in every seven Americans. For those afflicted, objects can become difficult, if not impossible, to lift. So just in time for the holiday season, Dr. Teresa J. Brady, Arthritis Foundation, offers the following gift suggestions.
Double-handled cook ware allows the use of both hands when lifting, reducing strain on the joints. A "Lazy Susan" installed in the kitchen can eliminate painful reaching. A food processor can eliminate the need for chopping, slicing, and grating which can be both tiring and painful. An electric toothbrush is easier to manipulate than a manual toothbrush, and does a more thorough job of teeth-cleaning.
Finally, mittens are easier to slip on and off, and are warmer than gloves. Just like the man said, "If the glove don't fit, you must buy a mitt". Hmmm. Anyway, there are a lot more ideas and resources to help arthritic hands in need of a lift. And, you'll find them by contacting your local Arthritis Foundation, or call the National Office at: 1-800-283-7800. Or, while you're already on the Internet, why not surf on over to the Arthritis website at www.arthritis.org
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
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A Home You Can Live With
Falls are the leading cause of injury and death for seniors over age 65, and most accidents occur in the home while participating in day-to-day activities. Falls originate from slippery floors, uneven rugs, poor lighting, unsafe stairs, and slick bathtub surfaces.
That's the bad news. The very good news is that many preventive measures can be under-taken to help ensure that falls never take place at all. Here's just a few tips from the Lowe's Home Safety Council in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina.
- IN THE KITCHEN, caregivers can:
(1) Install sliding shelves and a lazy susan in cabinets for easier access.
- IN THE BATHROOM, you can:
(2) Install grab bars inside walk-in showers and near toilet and tub.
(3) Purchase a portable shower seat and a hand-held shower head.
(4) Apply non-skid tape to bath tub and shower floor.
(5) Install a phone extension in the bath area for emergencies.
- IN GENERAL
(6) Install lever door handles to replace hard-to-turn doorknobs.
(7) Place handrails on both sides of staircases.
(8) Increase lighting in high-traffic areas like the hallway bath and on stairways.
Want more ideas? Call the Lowe's Home Safety hot-line at: 1-800-SAFE-HOME. You can also visit Lowes's on the Internet at www.lowes.com
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
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Roam'n Ain't No Holiday for Caregivers
For family caregivers, the holidays can be a time of great stress when an Alzheimer's victim roams away from home. According to the Chicago-based national Alzheimer's Association, fifty percent of those afflicted with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) will roam away from home and get lost.
In response to this problem, project "Safe Return" was initiated to assist in the identification and safe return of AD runaways. Project participants receive a stainless steel identification bracelet or necklace, clothing labels, and a wallet card. These identification products are inscribed with the Safe Return 24-hour crisis number.
When a wanderer is found, the person who finds him or her can call the Safe Return toll-free number located on the wanderer's identification. Since 1993, Safe Return has helped 2,400 individuals return safely to their homes or eldercare facilities.
The cost is $25. For registration information, call: 1-800-272-3900. Registering a loved one in the Safe Return program is a thoughtful gift that also gives the caregiver peace-of-mind, says Safe Return Program Director, Myra Schneider.
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
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AgeVenture News Service, 21946 Pine Trace, Boca Raton, FL 33428 USA
Dr. David Demko, Editor
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