Anxiety and Elders

Most of the recent posts to this site have been reports of pertinent studies. All the recent postings detail trends in healthcare, not only for seniors, but also the population as a whole. However, this post is more personal. Working in the eldercare industry, I have seen plenty of anxiety among the senior population. However, in the last several weeks, I have witnessed a heightened level of anxiety in my parents and parents-in-law. When it is close to home, it is difficult to handle. However, the same strategies hold true no matter the person.

I hope this posting will begin a dialogue between those of us facing this anxiety issue among our loved ones. My advice when facing a situation of heightened anxiety among your parents is compassion. Inquire of the person what they are feeling and why they feel this way. Of course, ask these questions in a non-threatening or judgemental way.

One thing I know is that it can be frustrating to deal with a person you feel is worrying about nothing. Take each situation with patience and understand that much of this behavior is a result of some other variable. Be truthful. Be patient. Try to expand your vantage point to gain some perspective.

Please share your thoughts by clicking on the comment line on this entry. Lets get a dialogue started to help others.

Fewer Small Businesses Offering Group Health Insurance

More than 65% of businesses with 10 or fewer employees say high cost is the most significant barrier to their offering health insurance, according to a survey released by the National Association for the Self-Employed. Only 19% of businesses with 10 or fewer employees currently offer coverage for full-time employees, down from 46% in 2005. One in 10 respondents spent 25% or more of their gross revenue on health insurance, up from 10.1% in 2005. NASE called access to health care the single biggest barrier to people joining and remaining in the ranks of the self-employed. Read the press release.

New Rating System For Nursing Homes

Acting Administrator of the Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services Kerry Weems announced that CMS will add a nursing home ranking system to its Nursing Home Compare Web site in December. “The new ‘five-star’ rating system will provide a composite view of the quality and safety information currently on Nursing Home Compare to help beneficiaries, their families and caregivers compare nursing homes more easily,” said Weems. The agency said it plans to work with other health care providers and consumers to make similar rating systems available for hospitals. Read more with the CMS announcement.