Whether it be through reductions to defense or governmental staffing, tomorrow marks the day that the sequester cuts go into effect. It is yet again an issue that has Americans – and especially retirees – quite anxious. Sources say that Medicare won’t be directly affected, however, the trickle-down affect may cause rumbles to the system. According to an article published by U.S. News, there are three key areas that are cause for health care concern: 1. Hospitals: Decreases in Medicare reimbursement for hospitals and skilled nursing facilities are set to total nearly $4.5 billion, or about $1.3 million for the
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Monthly Archives February 2013
Shirley Bassey – History Repeating
Earlier this week, the folks here at Freedom Home Care – along with the rest of the millions who watched the Academy Awards – were incredibly awe-struck with Shirley Bassey’s James Bond tribute performance. At 76, the world discovered that she is still able to belt it out. learning korean To get a feel for timeless talent, check out the video that we posted below. In it, she gives some serious soul to the Propellerheads’ History Repeating. Enjoy! http://youtu.be/yzLT6_TQmq8 zp8497586rq
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Caregiving on the silver screen, from the oldest-ever Oscar nominee
Yesterday, the folks here at Freedom Home Care gave a much-deserved shout-out to 76-year-old Shirley Bassey, the voice behind multiple James Bond theme songs. Bassey serves as an inspiration not just for seniors, but for all individuals and especially those who are striving to make their way in the competitive field of entertainment. Like Bassey, Emmanuelle Riva, the 86 year old nominated for best actress for her role in the French film, “Amour,” is an inspiration for many, as well. In addition to those in the film industry, those in the field of caregiving consider her a role model. Her
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Getting in tune with Shirley Bassey
Last night’s Academy Awards ceremony highlighted Hollywood’s best and brightest. It gave viewers a chance to celebrate the world’s most famous actors and actresses – as well as some of the greatest voices ever to grace the silver screen. Shirley Bassey, the famous voice behind the James Bond title hit, Goldfinger, may have stolen the show, however. At the age of 76, Bassey belted out the tune as if she were at the peak of her career. Her Oscar performance garnered a standing ovation and had viewers almost forgetting the fact that none of the James Bond actors were featured
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Keep the gas bill low with cost-saving tips
Staying on a budget is important for anyone with limited income. And for seniors living on a pension or on social security, keeping costs down is a major concern. It’s especially apparent during the winter months when gas bills can shoot through the roof. Luckily, there are plenty of methods to keep heating bills to a reasonable level. Thanks to Today.com, keeping costs to a minimum doesn’t require a lot of work if the following tips are incorporated into daily living: 1. Learn to love socks. If your feet are cold, your whole body will feel cold, so make a point of
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Looking at transitional care through the eyes of family caregivers
In a recent study titled, “Family Caregiving and Transitional Care: A Critical Review,” published by the Family Caregiver Alliance, authors Mary Jo Gibson, Kathleen A. Kelly and Alan K. Kaplan looked at the risks held by the elderly when transitioning to new settings, such as those between the hospital and home. In the study, they focused on the role of family caregivers. The major findings include: Family Caregivers Receive Inadequate Support – Relatively little research has been conducted on how family caregivers perceive their own roles and needs during transitions across settings. However, the evidence that is available indicates they
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Testing for macular degeneration at home
We here at Freedom Home Care have focused much of our blogging efforts over the past week on macular degeneration, hoping to educate our readers on who the condition can affect, how they can be affected, and methods to slow or prevent its side effects. debt settlement company In the YouTube video below, viewers can test for the presence and degree of macular degeneration with the Amsler Grid, which is a simple and effective test that helps to monitor the function of the macula or central area of vision. The graph-paper-like test features a black dot in the center, where
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Learning about methods to prevent or slow macular degeneration
Last week, we here at Freedom Home Care dedicated a blog to explain age-related macular degeneration, a condition that affects more than 15 million Americans. In that blog, we promised to deliver methods that could help those who suffer from AMD. And thanks to the editors at AllAboutVision.com, we learned that there are multiple ways to do so. Here are a 11 guidelines, courtesy of AllAboutVision.com, to help prevent or slow the progression of AMD: 1. Don’t smoke. Period. 2. Eat plenty of dark, leafy green vegetables, such as raw spinach. Just a half cup of raw spinach three times
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Understanding age-related vision decline
The signs of aging – if only they didn’t exist. Unfortunately, however, there are many ways in which the body will change as the years progress. Failing vision is just one of many areas where older individuals will experience the signs of aging, and therefore, it is by no means rare. In fact, it’s one of the most common aspects to growing old. Macular degeneration, a progressive eye condition, affects nearly 15 million Americans, and its numbers are growing as Baby Boomers reach their 60s and 70s. According to AMD.org, the website for the Macular Degeneration Partnership, “the disease attacks the
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Getting a clearer picture on the future of Medicare
Last night’s State of the Union address was full of proposals and promises for everything from job creation to gun control. The problem with an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink speech, however, is making heads or tails of it. As viewers know, President Obama devoted a fair amount of his more-than-an-hour-long address to Medicare. But many are still trying to figure out what it will all boil down to. To get a clear picture of what the future of Medicare could look like, Sarah Cliff of the Washington Post took Obama’s words and broke them down into easy-to-digest pieces. She said that there were
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