By April Fan RD, CD

If you’re like a lot of people these days, your parents are hitting that stage in life where their mental or physical health may be in serious decline. What’s going to happen if it’s suddenly no longer safe for your Mom or Dad to live on their own?

And, what’s going to happen if you’re tied up with the demands of work, or you are not financially or physically able to provide care? Or you live too far away? What are you planning to do? Chances are your parent is going to need some type of long term care.

It’s hard to think about long term care especially when you are young, healthy, and want to be positive about your own future. Unfortunately, it becomes more costly and stressful when you put off making these important long term care decisions. So it’s important to start learning about long term care, and your parents’ options, early – when you’re not in panic mode.

What exactly is long term care? Long term care is not the care your aging parent receives in the hospital or at the doctor’s office for a sickness. Nor is it rehabilitation from a surgery.

Long term care is the regular care your parent needs if they can no longer perform the activities of daily living (i.e. everyday tasks, such as bathing, cooking, or dressing) typically due to a chronic illness, injury, or any disabilities from the aging process.

As soon as I bring up “long term care”, images of depressing nursing homes pop into most people’s heads. Thankfully, it’s different these days. There are so many more options such as skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, senior daycare centers, or receiving in-home care right in your parents’ home.

The big negative is that long term care is expensive. The national average cost at a skilled nursing facility is about $70,000 per year. So, if you’re thinking that your parents’ savings and investment portfolio will pay for everything. Think again. Long term care expenses can deplete anyone’s nest egg quickly as well as affecting the lifestyles of the rest of the family…including you. Check out www.genworth.com/costofcare to help you better understand the huge expenses that a long term care event can actually create.

Many people mistakenly believe that some type of government program will take care of our senior parents. They aren’t aware that Medicare was developed to pay for medical expenses only (it provides a maximum of 100 days of rehab following a hospital stay in hopes of recovery).  And, Medicaid is a welfare program to help only those with limited resources (typically having less than $2,000 in liquid assets).

Learn more about how Medicare can help your senior parents, head over to www.medicare.gov and grab an E-book, Medicare & You 2012. And, if your parents happen to have long term care insurance, review their policy now, not later  to learn how it may help offset the cost of care. It’s going to help protect your parents’ savings, allow more choices when it comes down to their care options, and relieve the burden from you.

April Fan is a Registered Dietitian working with seniors while caring for her own parents and kids and founder of www.SeniorResourceCentral.com.

Andelcare provides companionship, homemaking, personal care, nursing services, hospice care, nurse advocacy, and care management. Andelcare makes it possible for the elderly, the disabled, and adults recovering from surgery and disease to maintain as much independence as possible while continuing to live with dignity in the comfort of their own homes.

From amongst her peers, the SBA has chosen Beck as an exemplary representative of the small business community.  “Beck is a business owner who has exhibited staying power.  She continues to increase sales and create new jobs,” said Calvin Goings, Assistant Associate Administrator.  “As an innovator of products and services, Beck is continually expanding her marketplace.  She has demonstrated an outstanding ability to respond to adversity and the struggling economy while, at the same time, continues to contribute to her local community.”

“The SBA knows small business is America’s most powerful engine of opportunity and economic growth and, through our annual awards program, we recognize outstanding small business leaders.  Marla Beck is outstanding example of a smart and innovative business leader,” states Nancy Porzio, Seattle SBA District Director.

“The Small Business Person of the Year award validates all the long hours put into building my company,” states Beck.  “I’m being honored for creating a successful business that helps people care for the ones they love.  It’s wonderful to be recognized as a business leader but especially in the home care industry where we have become successful by following our core values of professionalism, consistency, integrity, compassion and quality.”

Beck and Andelcare are multiple award winners.  For excellence in the marketplace, the Better Business Bureau recognized Andelcare as the 2011 Western Washington Business of the Year.  Marla Beck was honored by the Puget Sound Business Journal as one of the 2011 Women of Influence.  Marla Beck and Andelcare are winners of the 2009, 2010, and 2011 Better Workplace Award from the Association of Washington Business; the Better Workplace Award recognizes Andelcare for setting the bar high for workplace safety, job training and advancement, and innovative benefit and compensation programs.  www.andelcare.com

Small Business Person of the Year winners from 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam will converge on Washington, D.C. in May, when one of them will be selected as National Small Business Person of the Year during the U.S. Small Business Administration’s celebration of National Small Business Week, May 20-22.

Knowing your antioxidant level is as important as knowing your cholesterol levels, or your blood pressure.  Current medical literature suggests that antioxidants can decrease your risk of cancer, heart disease, and complications related to diabetes.  Antioxidants can boost your immune system and speed recovery times while decreasing pain and inflammation. 

Since most Americans do not eat 8-12 servings of fruits and vegetables daily, 60% of American adults take nutritional supplements. The Biophotonic Scanner enables us to provide a non-invasive, painless, accurate, and low cost assessment of your nutritional status.  Some have called the Scanner the nutritional lie detector. The scan gives you an antioxidant score, a baseline, and knowledge of how your diet, supplements, and life style choices are affecting your overall health.

As improvements are made, periodic rescans are the way to ensure one’s efforts to are increasing antioxidant levels. Focusing on three areas of improvement – diet, supplements, and lifestyle choices – can dramatically raise your scan score.

Diet: Eating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, as many organically grown items as you can afford, and limit amount of animal and trans fat products.

Supplements: Not all supplements are created equal. Look for natural, pharmaceutical grade, and supplements with a money back guarantee. Safety and scientifically backed recommendations are of utmost importance. Many supplements contain contaminants and inconsistent levels of ingredients.

Lifestyle choices: Smoking, drinking alcohol, and being overweight significantly impact one’s overall  antioxidant levels. Consistent exercise, reduce stress, and getting adequate amounts of sleep have a positive effect on health.

The Biophotonic Scanner is available at Crossroads Wellness Center, (425)746-7841   drskaplan@earthlink.net

“’The Smarter Science of Slim’ is a proven and practical guide to fighting the big problem of obesity,” said Dr. Theodoros Kelesidis, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Harvard Medical School, and Department of Medicine, UCLA School of Medicine. “Simplifying a bunch of biology while making decades of academic obesity research accessible to everyone, Bailor gives a complete and captivating explanation of the science of losing weight permanently.”

According to studies, said Bailor, the “eat less, exercise more—harder” theory of weight loss has been proven ineffective in about 95 percent of cases. Bailor’s solution focuses on “SANE” foods vs. “inSANE” foods, which are based on the quality of calories eaten (Satiety, Aggression, Nutrition and Efficiency), and 20 minutes per week of “smarter” exercise, which focuses on triggering fat-burning hormones. Bailor’s research shows that when SANE eating is combined with smarter exercise, the level of fat the body is genetically predisposed to store drops and long term fat loss and health are achieved. “The Smarter Science of Slim” is the only resource of its kind endorsed by the world-wide scientific community including leading doctors at Harvard Medical School, John Hopkins, UCLA and more.

“The scientific community now knows a great deal about how the human body works,” said Dr. JoAnn E. Manson, Chief, Division of Preventive Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School. “In culling the literature and gathering the results of so many clinical studies, Bailor presents a program that is based on rigorous science.”

As the holder of more than 20 patents, Bailor has a proven track record for providing innovative solutions to tough problems. He is not only an author, but he is also a program manager at Microsoft Corporation. His expertise is in translating complex technical information for consumers, a skill that made it possible for him to bring the diet and exercise research to the public in the new book.

“The Smarter Science of Slim” retails for $34.95 (paperback; $9.99 for the Kindle and iPad), and is available wherever books are sold (with extra discounting at www.Amazon.com). To complement “The Smarter Science of Slim”, a workbook ($29.95) and journal ($24.95) are also available to further assist readers on their way to good health. For more information about “The Smarter Science of Slim”, visit www.TheSmarterScienceofSlim.com. For more information about Bailor, visit www.JonathanBailor.com.

About “The Smarter Science of Slim”

“The Smarter Science of Slim”, which launched in January 2012, is the single largest lifestyle guide to fat loss and health based solely on comprehensive scientific research and is centered on evidence found in more than 1,100 international research studies. Author Jonathan Bailor reveals a scientifically proven lifestyle for sustainable fat loss and health by eating more and exercising less – but smarter. The new book is the only resource of its kind endorsed by the world-wide scientific community including leading doctors at Harvard Medical School, John Hopkins, UCLA and more.

According to Jan Mathew Stahl of Vitela Health in Bellevue, “the only body composition test more accurate than the BodPod is an autopsy.”  I am happy to say from personal -experience that I had a body composition analysis with the BodPod that was very quick, painless and noninvasive.  It is totally accurate enough for me and I prefer to put off that autopsy for a good number of years.

Jan, along with her husband Brent, own BodPodBellevue.com, and with Vitela Health provide nutrition counseling and weight management solutions.  Many people would say that they were in the diet business, but Jan says that one of her clients denies she’s on any type of diet at all – “she says she is on a Live-It”.  I like that A LOT.

My experience in the BodPod was actually pretty enjoyable.  When I arrived at their office I spent a few minutes getting to know a little about Jan and Brent and had them tell me about the BodPod and what they do.

After that, it literally took less than 5 minutes for the testing to be completed.  If you are interested in seeing how it works, here is the video which is about 5 minutes 46 seconds long which includes all the testing, as well as the height and weight measurement and BodPod calibration).

Air pressure is very important during the test, so it is necessary to wear certain clothes – or under clothes I should say.   For women they recommend a spandex swim suit or compression shorts and sports bra.  For men, it is the previously mentioned compression shorts.  After that I was fitted with a hair net and swim-type cap – I’m pretty sure they make everyone do it, long hair or not.

While I stripped and netted, the BodPod was being calibrated and then it was time to test.  I jumped in and the capsule door closed around me.  It felt quite roomy and not anything like the MRI tests I have been through.  The BodPod unit itself was made to fit a person as large as 7 feet and 500 pounds – so there was a reason it felt roomy.

The testing consisted of three separate readings from the BodPod, each taking about a minute to record.  Within a minute from the time I stepped out of the BodPod, I had a report in my hands that told me my current and accurate body fat in pounds and by percentage, my pounds and percentage of lean muscle, my total weight, my body fat rating, as well as my estimated resting metabolism rate and my estimated total energy expenditure.  A lot of GREAT information that helps me plan the direction of my personal Live-It and will give me a great reference point in which to compare future tests.  (I hope to get on “The Bod Squad” and have my body composition tested quarterly so that I know that I am making the progress I think I am.

Vitela Health can be found online at www.BodPodBellevue.com , you can call them at (855) 848-3520 and you can ‘Like’ Vitela Health Bellevue on Facebook and on Twitter @BodPodBellevue.

Vitela Health, with a super convenient location at 40 Lake Bellevue, provides a solution to their clients that allow them to get rid of their blood pressure and diabetes medication within a number of weeks – and FOREVER!  Can you imagine no longer having to give yourself daily insulin injections?  Or no more blood pressure meds?  Would it save you time, hassle and money?  How awesome would that be?

The solution provided by Vitela Health include GUARANTEED and CLINICALLY PROVEN WEIGHT LOSS.  They use a multi-faceted approach that is guaranteed to work – so you have nothing to lose.  Their clients achieve an average weight loss of 2-5 pounds per week, while enjoying nutrition, pre-portioned, quick-prep meals delivered to their door.  Many of their clients are happy with the convenience and ease of the meal program, but many more make use of the great support system offered by Vitela, including answers and inspiration from coaches and a huge community of people just like YOU!

I recently became aware of Vitela Health, through a friend on Facebook while looking for a place to get my body composition tested.  I’ve been “eating clean” for about 5 and a half months and I wanted to get a good idea of what my percentage of body fat is.  She highly recommended Brent and Jan Mathew Stahl and their BodPod in Bellevue.  I immediately got in touch with the Stahls and set up an appointment with them and the BodPod.

The BodPod looks kind of like a large egg on top of a pedestal and is a super high tech tool that Vitela Health uses to 1) give its clients a clear picture of their real fitness situation and 2) keep its clients updated on their progress with their program.  I was a little apprehensive about sitting in the BodPod and having the door closed around me, but it was actually quite roomy, even for my 6’3” frame.  The BodPod was designed to be able to hold a person as large as 7 feet tall and 500 pounds, so it was no problem at all.

The test itself was very quick and non-invasive.  I had to strip down to compression shorts and put a swim-type cap on to cover my hair, but once I was in the BodPod, the testing was over in less than 5 minutes.  I was provided with a simple and easy to read report that included my percentage and lbs of fat, my percentage and lbs of lean, total weight, my body fat rating, an estimated RMR (resting metabolic rate) and estimated TEE (total energy expenditure).  The testing was easy and I got the answers to the questions I had about my body composition.

Trainers and fitness coaches will sometimes use the caliper method for determining percentage of body fat, but that method really only gives a wide range and is just not very accurate – certainly not the type of information that professionals want to rely on.  The BodPod body composition testing method is supposed to be the most accurate method available – as Jan Mathew Stahl says “the only more accurate testing is an autopsy, and that’s not a great alternative.”

I was really happy to have been introduced to the BodPod, but was especially glad to have met Brent and Jan Mathew Stahl.  They are very kind and warm people, who have a great deal of knowledge about nutrition and a huge desire to help their clients.  It is very obvious that they love sharing their knowledge and are especially happy to be able to help many of their clients take medications out of their lives.

If you or anyone you know suffers from the effects of unwanted weight, fatigue, low energy, poor eating habits, menopause, high cholesterol, heart problems, high blood pressure or diabetes II, I would encourage you to contact Vitela Health today.

Vitela Health can be found online at www.BodPodBellevue.com , you can call them at (855) 848-3520 and you can ‘Like’ Vitela Health Bellevue on Facebook and on Twitter @BodPodBellevue.

Ingrid “Rajith” Skysong has been a transformational healing facilitator and hands-on body worker since 1986 and can help you experience your own journey back to love and inspired wellness.

Here is the information for their listing in the Eastside Business Directory:

With this update, parents of children 12 and under can check their child’s immunization record, make appointments, and email with their child’s doctor all on the go.  Group Health Members can also refill their prescription and have it sent to their home or pick it up in one of Group Health’s 25 medical centers.

Launched in August as a way to help our members have more convenient access to care, the app has been downloaded 22,168 times by Group Health members. In addition, the app was recently named Mobile App of the Year by the TechFlash Flashies Awards.

The free Group Health mobile app includes five key health features in addition to the new child medical record access and prescription updates:

• Mobile access to medical records (including the ability to email your doctor, check test results, view visit summaries, check immunization histories and more),
• Direct access to call or secure message a consulting nurse 24/7,
• Wait times at all Group Health Medical Center Pharmacies and Labs
• Maps to the nearest Group Health Medical Centers,
• Comprehensive symptom checker.

Currently, the Group Health mobile app is available for iPhones in the app store and to Android users in the Android Market.

Group Health should definitely be a sponsor and supporter of BellevueBusinessJournal.com and Eastside Entrepreneurs.  Even if Group Health was only on the Eastside Business Directory, they could be known as the best medical center in Bellevue Washington.

“We are committed to helping meet the growing community needs in this region,” said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. “Ford Motor Company has been investing in our communities for decades, and we plan to expand our community engagement efforts in the Northwest.”

The Ford Women’s Health Initiative Mobile Breast Imaging Tour will launch in Seattle in October (National Breast Cancer Awareness Month), and travel throughout the Northwest. The tour will provide women with breast screening using a 40-foot, state-of-the-art mobile coach equipped with the latest technology in 3D breast cancer imaging from HealthFair.

The safe, comfortable ultrasound procedure provides consistent, accurate 3D images, regardless of breast density or implants. More than 40 percent of women have dense breasts, which increases their risk for breast cancer. Working with local health and community organizations, this service will be offered to participating women in need on a free or low-cost basis.

“We’re very pleased to provide this service to our Pacific Northwest community,” said Michael Doherty, chairman of the Northwest Ford Stores group. “Some of our local Ford members have been personally affected by breast cancer, so this effort is important to us.”

According to the Oregon Health Sciences University Knight Cancer Institute, breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, and – although researchers do not yet know why – the Pacific Northwest has the highest rate of breast cancer in the United States.

While mammograms are instrumental in detecting breast cancer, studies suggest 15.5 million breast cancer cases go undetected or under-diagnosed every year.

Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services works with community partners to advance driving safety, education and American heritage and community life. The Ford Motor Company Fund has operated for more than 60 years with ongoing funding from Ford Motor Company. The award-winning Ford Driving Skills for Life program teaches new drivers through a variety of hands-on and interactive methods. Innovation in education is encouraged through national programs that enhance high school learning and provide college scholarships and university grants. Through the Ford Volunteer Corps, more than 27,000 Ford employees and retirees each year work on projects that better their communities in dozens of countries. For more information, visit http://community.ford.com.

Reason #1: I will wait until mom gets worse to make a move.

Many families hope their parents will never get worse, or wait from a directive from their primary care physician or the hospital (if a crisis happened before). Here is a reason why waiting is not always the best scenario:

Yes, a move may affect mom’s memory but it will allow her to enjoy the benefits of assisted living (companionship, activities, brain stimulation, good nutrition, nursing supervision) while she still can. It will also make her transition better if in the future she needs to move to the community’s memory care because:

-          Mom may now know the staff and be less reluctant to receive care

-          Mom will have a structured routine that will minimize her fears. She will also have more of a feeling of companionship rather than abandonment.

-          Mom will have by then some familiar faces and friends who will be transitioning with her

-          Most secured memory cares have a wait list and allow the community’s own residents placement before a new resident

Reason #2: Mom wants to stay home.

If financially, your family is able to provide in home care, this may be an option. However, 6 out of 10 people suffering from dementia will wander out of their homes. What will happen if mom leaves the home in the middle of the night?

Providing yourself with  peace of mind is as important as providing mom with the best care.

Home care can become expensive (in average  if you are paying for 7 hours or more of in home care, you could have mom in an assisted living with all the care provided and supervision 24/7), and it doesn’t provide the interaction and stimulation a retirement community could provide.

Short term stays are a great way for seniors to “try” a community and realize that in today’s era, a senior community is more like a cruise ship rather than the old style nursing homes.

Reason #3: Mom can’t afford it.

There are several ways to pay for assisted living and memory care communities: was your parent in the military and may she/he qualify for a VA Aid and Attendance Benefit of up to $1,600 per month? Does she/he have a Long Term Care Insurance? A few communities may also offer to convert to Medicaid but be careful when this promise is made.

Recently I heard a family had been promised to convert to Medicaid if their mom did a private pay stay at their community for a minimum of 2 years. The senior has been there over a year and now the community was sold to a different ownership group who has no intention to convert to Medicaid. Not only this type of promise must be in writing but you must also investigate the stability of the group you are choosing to provide care for your loved one.

Reason 4: Mom will hate me if I do this to her.

Although a move is not an easy transition, it is better to do it when you have a choice rather than being forced to do it (like if mom goes to the E.R. and they will only discharge her to a community).

A senior will take any time between 4-8 weeks to fully transition and feel comfortable in a new environment. Transitions are definitely harder when a senior is more progressed in dementia, and a sudden change at this stage may start behaviors that some senior living communities may not accept, therefore your options may be more limited.

A senior housing provider who has training in memory care can help you with the transition, from sending you email updates as needed or letting you know what time of the day your parent is in a better mood for a visit.

Conclusion

Recognizing that your parent needs a change to remain safe or healthy can be traumatic – on both of you.  The best time to talk to your parent is way before it is actually necessary.  It is important not to rush the decision and to recognize that seniors want to hang onto their independence for as long as possible even though that may not be what is best for them.  The good news is that there are options out there to help your parent get the care needed.  And there are people to help you with the process.  Your parent needs you whether they admit it or not.  Continually reassure them that you are there for them and always will be.  Throughout the process, keep your sense of humor and keep the communications lines open.  To help you through this process, you can talk to a support group (Aegis Lodge in Kirkland holds one free of charge on the Third Thursday of each month at 3:00 p.m.) or  attend a Laughter Yoga class (held the Second Wednesday of each month at 1:00 p.m. also at Aegis Lodge).