“Now More Of Us Can Count On More Time Dodging The Dementia Bullet,” by Judith Graham, Washington Post “You’ve turned 65 and exited middle age. What are the chances you’ll develop cognitive impairment or dementia in the years ahead? New research about ‘cognitive life expectancy’ — how long older adults live with good versus declining brain health — shows that after age 65 men and women spend more than a dozen years in good cognitive health, on average. And, over the past decade, that time span has been expanding. By contrast, cognitive challenges arise in a more compressed time frame
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“The cost of long-term-care insurance keeps rising,” by Walecia Konrad, CBS News Quote: “Long-term-care insurance seemed like such a great idea. Buy a policy when you’re in your 50s or 60s, while you’re still relatively healthy, pay your monthly premiums and in return you’ll have help managing the astronomical costs of a nursing home, assisted-living facility or personal aide when the time comes. … But long-term-care insurance hasn’t exactly worked out that way.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, Administrative Coordinator, Center for Long-Term Care Reform): This article, relatively more accurate than most of its ilk, has gotten wide play
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“Aging Baby Boomers are Continuing to Impact the Composition of the American Labor Force,” by EBRI, Advisor Magazine Quote: “New research from the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) shows that the baby-boom generation has created a wave of sorts moving through the American labor force for the last four decades. As boomers have entered each age demographic, that group has become the largest component of the population and of the labor force. Now, as the last of the Baby Boomers enter their mid 50s, and as they are living longer than prior generations, their impact on the age of the American
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“Analysis: New Mexico Nursing Homes Worst in Nation,” U.S. News & World Report Quote: “A recent analysis says New Mexico nursing homes are the worst in the nation. The Albuquerque Journal reports an analysis by the investigative journalism organization ProPublica showed that of 74 Medicare- and Medicaid-certified homes located in New Mexico, inspectors reported serious deficiencies in 36 of them between 2015 and April 2018. … A spokesman for the New Mexico Department of Health’s Division of Health Improvement said in a statement that the department “take(s) seriously our role to protect New Mexico’s elderly population.” LTC Comment (from Stephen
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“How to Age Well and Stay in Your Home,” by Jane E. Brody, New York Times Quote: “I recommend a very helpful, comprehensive yet not overwhelming book, ‘Age in Place: A Guide to Modifying, Organizing, and Decluttering Mom and Dad’s Home,’ by Lynda G. Shrager, an occupational therapist for the last 37 years who has worked with seniors in their homes for more than 13 years. Ms. Shrager has good reasons to believe that addressing the challenges of independent living can help keep seniors safe and their kids sane.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, Administrative Coordinator, Center for Long-Term
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“Why the pharmaceutical industry is giving up the search for an Alzheimer’s cure,” by Katherine Ellen Foley, Quartz Quote: “In the meantime, scientists say the best use of research funds is to keep digging into the promising field of lifestyle-intervention. Last year, the National Academies of Sciences published what it calls an ‘inconclusive but encouraging’ report on the merits of diet, exercise, and social interaction when it comes to Alzheimer’s prevention. For example, small studies in humans and mice have shown that exercise can reduce the risk for developing Alzheimer’s. Other longitudinal studies have suggested that social interaction can stave
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“Survival for the Sandwich Generation: Navigating the hidden costs for working caregivers,” by Jody Gastfriend, Salon Quote: “Well-heeled caregivers are fortunate enough to have financial resources to pay for care. Others will rely on state and federal funds to supplement their efforts. But almost all of us — rich or poor — are simply unprepared for the emotional and financial challenges of being a family caregiver.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, Administrative Coordinator, Center for Long-Term Care Reform): Another sad story of people who failed to plan for long-term care despite decades of warnings in the media, not to mention LTCI producers’
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“Improving Long-Term Care Insurance Rate Increase Communications,” by Claude Thau, ThinkAdvisor Quote: “Rate increases are traumatic for everyone involved and consumers may make unwise decisions, particularly if explanations inadvertently present options in an unbalanced fashion. Therefore, I believe that the LTCI industry would do well to improve premium rate increase communications and to make better educational resources available to financial advisors and clients when rate increases occur. Hopefully, this article will inspire improvements so that consumers are less likely to misunderstand. If readers have seen particularly good or weak wording and/or educational services, I’d be interested in those examples.” LTC
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“The Hidden Costs Of Caregiving,” Securian Financial Quote: “Securian Financial recently conducted a survey of more than 800 people currently providing, or who have provided, unpaid care to a parent, in-law or spouse who is aging, or has a disability or chronic disease. The survey found the majority of caregivers (60 percent) spend more than 10 hours per week caring for a family member, and about one in four (29 percent) spend more than 20 hours per week. Women (32 percent) are more likely than men (26 percent) to spend more than 20 hours each week on caregiver duties.” LTC Comment
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