Link and Resource Directory for Seniors living in Virginia

Including Families and Caregivers

"What would you like your family to know?"

Family and informal caregivers play an important role in the lives of their loved ones. They also play an increasingly important role in how the health care system functions. By communicating effectively with all the individuals involved in your patient's care, you can help him or her while making efficient use of time and resources. Informal caregivers may be important "informants." They can also help to reinforce the importance of information you give or the treatment you prescribe. When a companion is present, be aware of communication issues that arise in three-party interactions. Too often, the conversation may be directed at the companion and not at the patient; in some cases, the encounter can become a "two against one" match, which no one really wins. Whenever possible, try to sit so that you form a triangle and can address both the patient and companion face-to-face.

To protect and honor patient privacy, be sure to check with the patient on how he or she sees the companion's role. In many cases, the caregiver or companion can be a facilitator, helping the patient express concerns and reinforcing what you say. But it is best not to assume that a companion should be included in the medical encounter. First, check with the patient. Conducting the physical exam alone protects the patient's privacy and allows you to raise sensitive issues. The best time to conduct a "mini-mental" exam is during a private exam, so that a family member cannot answer questions or cover for the patient's cognitive lapses.

Families may want to make decisions for a loved one. Adult children especially may want to step in for a parent who has cognitive impairments. If a family member has been named the health care agent or proxy, under some circumstances, he or she has the legal authority to make care decisions. However, without this authority, the patient must make his or her own choices. Try to set clear boundaries with family members, and encourage others to respect them.
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Deconstructing the Digital Era

Senator Ted Stevens thinks the internet is a "series of tubes." George W. Bush believes there are internets galore out there. And John McCain...well, the Senator has admitted that he doesn't even know how to use a computer. Politics in the digital era is tricky, not so much because of the wealth of information on the web, but because of the millions of ordinary Americans using that information on a daily basis. Armed with new media tools, muckrackers today number in the millions. No longer is a candidate able to present a poll-tested package to the press and have that persona spoon-fed to the American people. No, today's voters have available to them a universe of information consisting of detailed voting records, primary sources, debunking sites, blogs, and more.
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Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC)

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) are also referred to as life care communities. Entering one is usually a once-in-a-lifetime choice and that's the appeal. Many have large campuses that include separate housing for those who live very independently, assisted living facilities that offer more support, and nursing homes for those needing skilled nursing care. With all on the same grounds, people who are relatively active, as well as those who have serious physical and mental disabilities, all live nearby. Residents then move from one housing choice to another as their needs change.
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Find out how to apply for Medicaid

Medicaid is a medical assistance program that is partially funded by the Federal Government but run by each State. Medicaid pays for basic medical care for people and families with low incomes and resources. People who are blind or disabled, age 65 or older, children, or members of families with dependent children may be eligible. Using broad Federal guidelines, each State runs its own Medicaid program. The State decides who is eligible and the amount of medical care and services it will cover.
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Federal Whistleblower Protection in Jeopardy

Special Counsel Scott Bloch, appointed by President Bush in 2004, is overseeing the virtual elimination of federal whistleblower rights in the U.S. government.The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC), the agency that is supposed to protect federal employees who blow the whistle on waste, fraud, and abuse is dismissing hundreds of cases while advancing almost none. According to the Annual Report for 2004 (which was not released until the end of first quarter fiscal year 2006) less than 1.5 percent of whistleblower claims were referred for investigation while more than 1000 reports were closed before they were even opened. Only eight claims were found to be substantiated, and one of those included the theft of a desk, while another included attendance violations. Favorable outcomes have declined 24 percent overall, and this is all in the first year that the new special counsel, Scott Bloch, has been in office.
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www.seniorsofvirginia.com

Directory for Seniors in Virginia
Giving Virginia Seniors More Options: Please see our Directory of Independent Life Resources for the support of senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
seniorsinvirginia.com

Virginia Medicaid and Elder Law Attorney
Seek the advice of an Elder Law Attorney near you and keep your loved ones safe. There are signs to watch out for and actions to take to ensure that seniors are safe.
lawyersofvirginia.com

Link and Resource Directory for Seniors living in Virginia
Our website contains a Directory of Retirement Communities in the State of Virginia. Please feel free to leave us feedback on new communities in your area.
seniorsofvirginia.com

Directory for Seniors in Virginia
Giving Virginia Seniors More Options: Please see our Directory of Independent Life Resources for the support of senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
www.seniorsinvirginia.com

Link and Resource Directory for Seniors living in Virginia
Our website contains a Directory of Retirement Communities in the State of Virginia. Please feel free to leave us feedback on new communities in your area.
www.seniorsofvirginia.com

Promoting Independence for the Elderly in Massachusetts
What is an iPod, a blog, or a blackberry? What the heck kind of a verb is "google"? Confused? You are not the only one! Questions will be answered in plain English. And if we don't know, we'll "google" for the answer.
massachusettssenior.com

Palm Springs Lawyers
Find Palm Springs, California Lawyers, Legal Aid and Legal Services in our Lawyer Directory.
www.palmspringslawyers.info

Cheaper Tobacco
At BlackHawkForum.com, you will find genuine customer questions, concerns, comments and reviews that will help you in selecting the right Native American cigarette brand to replace your current commercial brand. Save money and Smoke All Natural.
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North Hempstead, New York DWI/DUI Attorneys
Are you facing a possible DWI and DUI conviction? Our directory of North Hempstead DWI Lawyers can help you find the attorneys available. NorthHempsteadDWILawyer is packed with free legal forms, law resources, book reviews, an Attorney Directory, and more
www.northhempsteaddwilawyer.com