And regrettably neither Medicare nor Medicaid is among them By Mike Takieddine The major anxieties that plague our aging folks, besides those of outliving their resources, are about where they’re going to spend their golden years, and how they’re going to pay for those choices. Unfortunately, Medicare does not pay for long term care, whether at home or in facilities. As for Medicaid, it is a state-by-state safety net for the ultra-poor -you have to have a net worth of no more

A comparative analysis of the two types of living facilities By Mike Takieddine As our parents age, we find ourselves facing tougher tasks at a time when we often also have to look after school or college-age children. Helping parents manage their health issues and making living and caregiving choices can thus be among the most demanding responsibilities that we have to assume. Frequently though, our parents are in that stage in their health where living independently is prec

A case study of a dementia patient cared for in her daughter’s home By Mike Takieddine Angel Hello, I’m Angel, the caregiver. I look after Marie. The agency first chose me for this assignment more than three years ago because I had taken care of another Alzheimer’s patient, though briefly. At that time, Marie was still continent and would do most things for herself. You would just encourage her gently, like for example lay out the clothes you want her to wear on the bed and h

The therapeutic effects of medicinal marijuana under the microscope By Mike Takieddine According to Alzheimer’s Disease International, The worldwide number of persons with dementia is currently estimated at 45 million, this prevalence to increase to 76 million by 2030 and to 135 million by 2050. No wonder thus that the midnight oil is constantly burning in related research facilities across several continents. People’s views with regard to the therapeutic effects of medicinal

When Dad’s stroke left Mom on her own and vulnerable By Mike Takieddine Families in distress were commonplace for those of us at the agency, and yet I for one could never avoid feeling shaken. With the passage of time and a succession of crises I got more adroit at resolving some of the typical issues, and yet every heart-wrenching experience still left me deeply affected. Dad’s stroke –someone’s Dad- left his wife on her own and vulnerable –someone’s loved Mom. He had been