Category: Quality of life
Elections 101 for Seniors
September 15, 2024
It can be difficult to get to the polls no matter your age, but that doesn’t mean anyone should forego their right to vote. In America, voting is a right possessed by every citizen and is one that should not be taken for granted. In many ways, voting is easier than ever, and senior citizens’ votes count more than most. So if you’re an older adult or family member of a senior citizen, it’s important to learn about all of the ways to vote in your state.
Seniors Actually Have the Voting Advantage
According to the American Association of Retired Persons (or AARP), a recent poll showed that voters aged 50 and over will decide the 2024 elections. People over the age of 65 make up the most reliable voting group, and the group with the largest voter turnout has the power to sway the election. The Pew Foundation found that voter turnout during the 2020 presidential election was at a decades-high level, with more than 158.4 million people, or 62% of U.S. citizens aged 18 and older, coming out to vote.
Since U.S. voter turnout actually increases with age, particularly during presidential elections, political campaigns often target older voters. While younger voters can be motivated by certain candidates, older generations have paid consistent attention to long-term policy issues. Senior citizens are especially concerned about changes to Social Security and Medicare, which serve as strong motivators for them to vote.
Seniors Have a Lot to be Motivated About
Senior citizens are the recipients of Social Security and Medicare, which both directly affect their finances and hence make them particularly attuned to policy changes. If they think one candidate winning the election may result in cuts to these programs, that’s a huge motivator to vote. In addition to Social Security and Medicare, the AARP poll found that seniors are also concerned about threats to democracy, the rising cost of caregiving, and the high costs of prescription drugs.
Because of these concerns, older voters view the government as playing a significant role in their lives. Senior citizens tend to be more well-informed about political issues than their younger counterparts. “Interest groups like the (AARP) and others serve to organize for the interest of senior citizens,” says Cleveland, Ohio law professor Atiba Ellis. “Other age demographics don’t have interest groups that seek to motivate participation from across an entire age demographic.”
Often, senior citizens have been members of their community for a long time. The longer someone has been a resident has a direct correlation to feelings of being tied to and invested in their communities. These strong social ties contribute to higher voting rates. Older voters are often more interested in the future of their neighborhoods, so they become politically engaged. “Many older Americans serve as poll workers or volunteer in campaigns,” says director of pre-law at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh Kristen Coopie. “These types of engagement naturally lead to their participation in elections.”
There’s Always Absentee Voting, Mail-In Ballots, and Early Voting
Absentee voting is made available for people who can’t make it to the polls on election day due to a disability or reasonable inability to make it. In order to absentee vote, you must register to do so and request an absentee ballot. When you request an absentee ballot, you must choose from a list of accepted “excuses” to not vote in person. In some states, simply being 65 or older is a valid reason for requesting an absentee ballot. In states that don’t allow age itself to be a reason, seniors may still qualify under another reason, such as illness or disability, so it’s definitely worth looking into. Many states even offer no-excuse absentee ballots, where you may request an absentee ballot without providing a reason at all.
Voting by mail makes it possible to vote when it might be impossible or difficult to make it to the polls. As long as you’re registered to vote and your state offers mail-in ballots, then you may be able to conveniently vote by mail. Your local voter registration office will know if your state offers mail-in ballots. Even before the pandemic, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Colorado, and Hawaii voted by mail, so if you live in one of these states, your ballot is automatically mailed to you. If you can vote by mail and choose to vote, make sure you request your ballot early and mail it in on time.
If you’re not sure about your state’s rules around absentee voting and mail-in ballots, Senior Living has compiled a list of states and what each offers their voters.
If it’s still possible for you to go to the polls or you’d prefer voting in person, then early voting allows you to exercise your right to vote and avoid the crowds. Early voting can provide a sense of relief that you’ve taken care of voting ahead of time and don’t need to worry about missing out on election day. Early voting locations and times will differ from those on election day, so just check local calendars beforehand to find the poll that will work best for you.
Help Getting to the Polls
Your state’s voter registration office wants everyone to vote and will likely be a wealth of resources for you in getting your vote cast. For instance, if getting transportation to the polls or getting into the polls is a concern for you, they will likely know which voting locations will offer curbside voting, as well as be willing to help you find transportation to cast your vote. For instance, the National Council for Aging partnered with Lyft during the 2022 midterm elections to provide free rideshare coupons for seniors needing rides to the poll. Seniors may also ask their family members or caregivers for help getting to the polls on election day or during early voting periods.
Insureyouknow.org The right to vote for every American, including seniors, is vital to protecting our democracy. While it can be an added to errand to get your vote in, it’s one that can be immensely fulfilling and should be thought of as a privilege rather than a tedious to-do. If you’re a senior concerned about getting to the polls or getting your vote cast, contact your state’s voter registration office with your concerns. With Insureyouknow.org, family members and caregivers can keep track of their voter’s registration, scheduling, and transportation needs. This year, make voting a family priority by planning to vote together during the upcoming 2024 elections.
College Pathway for Students with Intellectual Disabilities
August 30, 2024
When raising a child with special needs, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to preparing for college. Everyone’s situation varies significantly depending on the intellectual or developmental disability. Many parents utilize high school-to-college transition programs, while others choose vocational or life-skills training routes.
Students with IDD (intellectual or developmental disabilities) such as autism, visual impairment, and deaf or hard of hearing, can complete a traditional college degree with accommodations provided through a college’s Disabled Students’ Programs and Services (DSPS) department. Students with intellectual disabilities that wouldn’t be able to participate in a regular college program still have options. There’s an increasing number of non-degree programs designed specifically for students with intellectual disabilities on college campuses. These programs allow students to take college courses part of the time while also learning how to live independently and gain work experience in businesses that fit their career goals.
No matter what goals you have for your child, it’s important to research the options available to you early on.
Make Post-Graduate Plans Well in Advance
Ninth grade is the perfect time to begin planning for after high school graduation. Parents and students should work closely with their school’s guidance counselors, transition specialists and any other outside resources, such as your state’s rehabilitation services department, to put a plan in place.
Chances are if you have a teen with special needs, then you have experience working closely with school personnel each year to coordinate all the necessary accommodations with their Individualized Education Plan (IEP). If you’re unclear about the transitional process or post-secondary options, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Many parents can find the planning process overwhelming, so working with the resources you already have is a great place to begin.
Work With the College You Choose for Support
When you begin to narrow down possible programs and colleges that might fit the needs of your child, get in touch with those potential schools and talk to them about what they offer. “For students choosing to attend college after graduation, contact the Special Services Office at the campus as you plan your college visits,” says Sandye Cox, a transition consultant at Region 10 Education Service Center in Richardson. “Students who have received special education accommodations at the high-school level may be eligible for services at the college level,” she says.
Project CASE (Connections for Academic Success and Employment) is a high school-to-college transition program, for example, that helps students ages 18 to 25 with developmental disabilities to earn an academic degree or technical certification, as well as seek employment. They help students keep a log of academic and social progress and work with them to set up expectations and back-up plans. Services such as these provide encouragement and help students remain motivated. Other centers like The Burkhart Center for Autism Education and Research at Texas Tech University assign a learning specialist to students accepted into the program to help them navigate college life.
If you’re unsure about what a college has to offer your child, give them a call. You’ll likely discover there are many opportunities as campuses are striving to be accessible and suit every student’s unique needs.
Highly-Rated Colleges for Students With IDD
There are programs at colleges across the country designed to help neurodiverse students succeed, whether they have a physical disability, a developmental one, or one related to learning. When researching schools, get familiar with what accommodations and support services they offer students with disabilities. Other factors to check for are campus accessibility, a culture of diversity and inclusiveness among students, and whether or not the programs offered fit the career goals and interests of your child. Once you have a list of potential schools, contact the college’s office for disability services for more information and try visiting the campus in person before applying for admission.
Here are six of the best colleges for students with disabilities.
1. InclusiveU at Syracuse University. Developed out of the Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education, this program offers students with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to experience fully inclusive college life at Syracuse University. They offer individualized coursework, mentors and Peer2Peer support, and weekly seminars on topics like health and wellbeing, budgeting, dating and relationships, and conflict resolution. They also help with pursuing semester-long internships and on-campus jobs, in addition to a variety of social and extracurricular activities.
2. Next Steps at Vanderbilt University. Next Steps is a four-year program that helps students with intellectual disabilities to develop academically, socially, and professionally. Next Steps students are part of the Best Buddies program that fosters friendships with general education students. Peer mentors serve as lunch or workout partners, academic tutors, and daily planners to help students dive deeper into the typical college experience.
3. Destination Dawgs at the University of Georgia. Destination Dawgs is a five-semester certificate program for students with intellectual disabilities. The program allows students to prepare for their transition into adulthood with on-campus housing, peer support, and career training. They offer courses alongside directed studies tailored to each students’ interests and career goals.
4. IDEAL at Georgia State University. The IDEAL (Inclusive Digital Expression and Literacy) program is for students with mild intellectual disabilities between the ages of 18 and 25. They focus on the development of media literacy, storytelling, and media production skills so that each student can find their “voice.” Support is received through peer-mentors, and students can participate in internships with local businesses and arts organizations.
5. The Mason LIFE Program at George Mason University. The Mason LIFE Program is a four-year program for young adults with IDDbb who seek the benefits of a supportive academic environment within a university setting. Students attend classes 20 hours a week in traditional courses alongside program courses like banking, mindfulness, and human sexuality and relationships.
6. Aggie ACHIEVE at Texas A&M University. Aggie ACHIEVE (Academic Courses in Higher Inclusive Education and Vocational Experiences) is a four-year inclusive program designed to equip students with IDD for future employment. ACHIEVE students live on-campus and have access to all campus-related activities and events. Each student’s program is tailored to their unique goals, and they have internship opportunities within their field of interest.
Many parents want their children to remain close by and in-state. ThinkCollege.net is a user-friendly directory of college programs for every state. Insureyouknow.org can provide one easy-to-access place where you can compile your research, store educational records, and track your child’s achievements. “Do not assume that they won’t be able to achieve. Every student — disabled or not — needs a good education,” says Martha Siegel, a mother of a son who has Asperger’s. “Love your children and guide them, but give them independence,” she says.
Understanding What Hospice Care Means
July 1, 2024
When treatment for serious illnesses is causing more side effects than benefits, or when health problems become compounded, then a patient and their family members may begin to wonder about hospice. “We recognized as people consider hospice, it’s highly emotional times,” says medical director for Austin Palliative Care Dr. Kate Tindall. “It might include worries and fears.” But one of the things she hears most often from patients and their families is that they wish they had started sooner. Understanding who qualifies for hospice and what it entails is the first part of deciding what might be best for those with terminal conditions.
What is Hospice Care?
Hospice is meant to care for people who have an anticipated life expectancy of 6 months or less, when there is no cure for their ailment, and the focus of their care shifts to the management of their symptoms and their quality of life. With hospice, the patient’s comfort and dignity become the priority, so treatment of the condition ends and treatment of the symptoms, such as pain management, begins. There are no age restrictions placed around hospice care, meaning any child, adolescent, or adult who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness qualifies for hospice care.
An individual does not need to be bedridden or already in their final days of life in order to receive hospice care. Other common misconceptions about hospice care are that it is designed to cure any illness or prolong life. It is also not meant to hasten death or replace any existing care, such as those already provided by a physician.
Determining When it’s Time for Hospice
Establishing care is most beneficial for the patient and their caregivers when it is taken advantage of earlier rather than later. Hospice can be used for months as long as eligibility has been met. Once there is a significant decline in physical or cognitive function, the goal for treatment should become to help that individual live comfortably and forgo anymore physically debilitating treatments that have been unsuccessful in curing or halting the illness.
Both individuals and their loved ones who would benefit from initiating hospice care are often unaware of the services or are uncomfortable asking about them. “It’s a hard conversation to have,” says professor of medicine and palliative care at the Duke University School of Medicine David Casarett. “Many people really want to continue aggressive treatment up until the very end.” While many wait for their providers to suggest it, it should be understood that if eligibility for hospice has been met, an individual and their caregivers can initiate hospice care on their own.
Establishing Hospice Care
In order to qualify for hospice care, a physician must certify that the patient is medically eligible, which means that the individual’s life expectancy is 6 months or less. Typically, the referral to hospice starts with the attending physician’s knowledge of that person’s medical history, while eligibility is then confirmed by the hospice physician. A hospice care team consists of professionals who are trained to treat physical, psychological, and the spiritual needs of the individual, while also providing support to family members and caregivers. Care is person-centered, with the importance being placed on the coordination of care, setting clear treatment goals, and communicating with all involved parties.
Receiving Care at Home
Hospice care is generally provided in the person’s home, whether it’s a personal residence or a care facility, such as a nursing home. “When people are close to the end of their lives, going to the hospital does not make them feel better anymore,” explains professor of medicine at the University of California Dr. Carly Zapata. “Because there’s not necessarily something that we can do to address their underlying illness.” Staying at home allows the individual to be around their personal things and close to their loved ones and pets, which can provide them with comfort during the end of their life.
What Does Hospice Care Include?
Hospice includes periodic visits to the patient and their family or caregivers but is available 24-7 if needed. Medication for symptom relief is administered, any medical equipment needed is provided, and toileting and other supplies such as diapers, wipes, wheelchairs, hospital beds are provided. What may surprise some people is that hospice patients may even receive physical and occupational therapy, speech-language pathology services, and dietary counseling.
If needed, short-term inpatient care may be established for those who cannot achieve adequate pain and symptom relief in their home setting. Short-term respite care may also become available to help family caregivers who are experiencing or are at risk for caregiver burnout. Bereavement care, or grief and loss counseling, is also offered to loved ones who may experience anticipatory grief. Grief counseling is available to family members for up to 13 months after the person’s death.
Paying for Hospice
The first step in finding a hospice agency is to search for ones that serve your county. If there are several options available, then it’s recommended to talk to more than one and see which agency will best fit the patient’s needs. Adequate research should be conducted since not all hospice agencies provide physical and occupational therapy.
Hospice is a medicare benefit that all Medicare enrollees qualify for, but it may also be covered through private insurance and by Medicaid in almost every state. Military families may receive hospice through Tricare, while veterans with the Veterans Health Administration Standard Medical Benefits Package are also eligible for hospice. Hospice agencies will also accept individual self-pay, while there are also non-profit organizations that provide hospice services free of charge.
Discontinuing Hospice Care
Though it is uncommon, if a patient does improve or their condition stabilizes, they may no longer meet medical eligibility for hospice. If this happens, the patient is discharged from the program. Another situation that sometimes arises is when a person elects to try a curative therapy, such as a clinical study for a new medication or procedure. In order to do that, the patient must withdraw from hospice through what is called revocation. Both children and veterans are exempt from being disqualified from hospice care if they choose to also pursue curative treatments. Any person may always re-enroll in hospice care at any time as long as they meet the medical eligibility.
Opting for Palliative Care
Individuals with chronic conditions or life-threatening illnesses may opt for palliative care, which doesn’t require people to stop their treatments. Palliative care is a combination of treatment and comfort care and can be an important bridge to hospice care if patients become eligible. Because transitioning to hospice care can be an emotional choice, palliative care providers often help patients prepare for that. Many people avoid palliative care because they think it is equal to giving up and that death is imminent, but studies show that for many, palliative care allows them to live longer, happier lives. This is due to the benefits of symptom management and spiritual support.
While hospice care can be difficult to accept, it can provide people with the best quality of life possible in their final days, as well as provide their loved ones with valued support. With Insureyouknow.org, you may keep track of all medical and financial records in one easy-to-review place so that you may focus on caring for your loved one, your family, and yourself during this period of their care.
Life After a Stroke: What You Should Know
May 21, 2024
A stroke affects the brain’s arteries and occurs when a blood vessel that brings blood to the brain gets blocked or ruptures. The area of the brain that is supplied with blood by the blocked or ruptured blood vessel doesn’t get the oxygen and nutrients it needs, and without oxygen, nerve cells are unable to function. Since the brain controls one’s ability to move, feel, and think, a stroke can cause injury to the brain that could affect any or all of these functions.
Everyone should know the signs of a stroke and seek immediate medical attention if you think you or someone around you is having a stroke. If you or someone you love has recently had a stroke, then it’s important to understand what happens next.
Know the Symptoms of a Stroke and act FAST
The longer the brain is left untreated during a stroke, the more likely it is that someone will have irreversible brain damage. The acronym FAST can help everyone recognize the four main signs that someone may be having a stroke and remember to act fast in seeking medical treatment. That means calling 9-1-1 immediately, as emergency response workers can treat someone on arrival if they think that person is having a stroke.
FAST stands for Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, and most importantly, Time. If one side of a person’s face is drooping, if the person cannot lift both arms or one arm is drifting downward, and if the person’s speech is slurred or they cannot repeat a simple sentence, then they may be having a stroke. Not all of these signs need to be present to signal a stroke. Just one or two of these symptoms is enough to call 9-1-1, because time is of the essence in the event of a stroke.
Stroke Treatment Begins With Emergency Response Workers
Calling for an ambulance means that the emergency response workers can start life-saving treatment on the way to the hospital. Stroke patients who are taken to the hospital in an ambulance may get diagnosed and treated more quickly than people who wait to drive themselves. The emergency workers may also know best where to take someone, such as to a specialized stroke center to ensure that they receive the quickest possible treatment. The emergency workers can also collect valuable information for the hospital medical staff before the patient even gets to the emergency room, alerting staff of your arrival and allowing time to prepare. All of what the ambulance team can provide saves time in the treatment of stroke, and in the event of a stroke, time is of the essence.
Ischemic Stroke or Hemorrhagic Stroke?
There are two different kinds of stroke, ischemic or hemorrhagic. A medical team will need to determine which kind of stroke the patient is having in order to direct treatment. An ischemic stroke accounts for 87% of all strokes and happens when a blood clot blocks a vessel supplying blood to the brain. Hemorrhagic stroke happens when a blood vessel ruptures and bleeds within or around the brain.
“Fifty percent of strokes present with a clot in a large vessel in the brain, and these don’t respond very well to the old treatment, the IV clot busting medicine,” says M.D. and director of the Sparrow Comprehensive Stroke Center Anmar Razak. “And so nowadays, we do surgery, and what we do is we rush them into the hospital, into the cath lab. We quickly get access through the blood vessels and get up to where the clot is and pull it out.”
With ischemic stroke, the treatment goal is to dissolve or remove the clot. A medication called alteplase or tPA is often administered and works to dissolve the clot and enable blood flow. Alteplase saves lives and reduces the long-term effects of a stroke but must be given to the patient within three hours of the start of a stroke. Then, a procedure called mechanical thrombectomy removes the clot and must happen within six to 24 hours of stroke symptom onset.
For hemorrhagic stroke, the treatment goal is to stop the bleeding. There is a less-invasive endovascular procedure involving a catheter being threaded through a major artery in an arm or leg toward the area of the bleeding in the brain where a mechanism is inserted to prevent further rupture. In some cases, surgery is required to secure the blood vessel that has ruptured at the base of the bleeding.
Rehabilitation After a Stroke
Perhaps the most important part of stroke treatment is determining why it happened or the underlying causes of the stroke. Stroke risk factors include high blood pressure, which weakens arteries over time, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, physical inactivity, being overweight, heart disease including atrial fibrillation or aFib, excessive alcohol intake or illegal drug use, and sleep apnea. By making the right lifestyle choices and having a good medical management plan moving forward, the risk of another stroke can be greatly reduced.
That’s because if you have had a stroke, you are at high risk for having another one. One in four stroke survivors have another within five years, while the risk of stroke within 90 days of transient ischemic attack or TIA is as high as 17% with the greatest risk during the first week. This is why it becomes so important to determine the underlying causes of the initial stroke. Your doctor may give you medications to manage a condition, such as high blood pressure, and then recommend lifestyle changes, including a different diet and regular exercise.
Rehabilitation after a stroke begins in the hospital, often within only a day or 2 after the stroke. “There are so many things that patients need to fall into place to be functional and independent again after a stroke,” said Razak. “And they always come down to speed and time.” Rehabilitation can help with the transition from the hospital to home and can help prevent another stroke. Recovery time after a stroke is different for everyone and can take weeks, months, or even years. Some people may recover fully, while others may have long-term or lifelong disabilities. Stroke rehabilitation should be thought of as a balance between full recovery and learning how to live most effectively with some deficits that may not be recovered.
Difficulties from a stroke range from paralysis or weakness on one or both sides of the body, fatigue, trouble with cognitive functioning such as thinking and memory, seizures, and mental health issues like depression or anxiety from the fear of having another stroke. Everyone’s rehabilitation will look different based on their difficulties after a stroke but may include speech, physical, and occupational therapy. Speech therapy helps when someone is having problems producing or understanding speech, physical therapy uses exercises that help someone relearn movement and coordination skills, and occupational therapy focuses on improving daily activities, such as eating, dressing, and bathing. Joining a patient support group may help people adjust to life after a stroke, while support from family and friends can also help relieve the depression and anxiety following a stroke. It’s important for stroke patients to let their medical team and loved ones know how they’re feeling throughout their recovery and what they may need help with.
Stroke rehabilitation can be hard work, but just as in the initial treatment of a stroke, time matters in the possibility of a full recovery. Many survivors will tell you that rehabilitation is worth it and recommend using motivators to achieve recovery goals, such as wanting to see a child’s graduation or returning to working in the garden. With Insureyouknow.org, caretakers may keep track of medical treatments and rehabilitation plans in one easy-to-review place so that they may focus on caring for their loved one during the period of recovery from stroke.
May is American Stroke Month which aims to raise awareness of the second leading cause of death.