No other death has so profoundly changed the way we perceive the dying process as that of Brittany Maynard, the young California woman who insisted on the right to die on her own terms by moving to Oregon, where she could legally end her suffering from terminal brain cancer.
The mind-boggling frustration of a simple visit to the doctor’s office is legendary. Clinicians interrupt patients offering medical histories within an average of 15 seconds. The typical length of a visit to a primary care physician is just 15 minutes. And after leaving, patients retain only a fraction of what a doctor has told them.
It’s been called “The terrible choice” for the seriously ill. Choose hospice and imminent death… or treatment in hopes of a cure. But not both.
In this story we go to Oakland where we spoke with seniors experiencing the benefits of regular Tai Chi practice. Originally developed for self-defense, Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese tradition that many now turn to for exercise. Research shows that Tai Chi reduces stress and benefits people with many age-related diseases.
Among states with the largest numbers of seniors, California leads the nation in having the most high quality nursing homes, according to a new report.
When does old age begin? At 46. Or 87. Depending on whom you ask. That’s the latest from UnitedHealthcare’s annual survey of centenarians – those who have reached 100 — which offers some fascinating insights into the aging process with the help of this year’s additional survey group: 10 year-olds.
An overwhelming percentage of older adults insist on remaining in their homes as they age. Called “aging in place,” it’s considered the Holy Grail for families and governments alike. Older adults want the comfort and autonomy of home. Governments hope to keep seniors at home as long as possible, mortified of the financial burden low-income seniors become when they move into nursing homes.
Will social networking and technology save the day for one of America’s most intractable social problems — caring for the country’s aging population?
California continues to be an expensive place to age when living in long-term care facilities. In its annual survey “The Cost of Care,” Genworth Financial – a life insurance company that also sells long-term care policies – reports that costs for skilled nursing facilities in California climbed 4% in the past year.
While statistics for hungry children typically grab the biggest headlines, the numbers for elder hunger are also surprisingly dire — Feeding America estimates that 9% of seniors live in food insecure households. Of California’s nearly 5 million older adults that translates to anywhere between 326,000 to half a million hungry older adults.