As California ages, demands soars for geriatricians.
California Health Report TV
People with dementia, if isolated, can withdraw into their own world. But when engaged with others, their condition, or at least their wellbeing, can improve. A Fairfield music therapist who works with people with dementia has seen physical, emotions and cognitive improvements in her clients.
Marv Tuttle, Volunteer with Canine Companions for Independence, “I’ve been injured for 17 years. And I found out about service dogs when I was in the hospital. But being a fairly low level injury, paraplegic, I didn’t think I needed one. You know, because I knew the demand for them was so great that I actually waited for about ten years. And during that period of time I made a lot of friends who were wheel chair users who had service dogs, at similar levels of disability to mine. Who, over a period of time, said ‘Marv you’re wrong, these dogs can do some amazing things for you.’”
Kathy Kelly, Executive Director, Family Caregiver Alliance: “There’s two trends that are intersecting at this point. One is that we have a rise in the aging of the population. And we also have a decline in the number of family caregivers. This is really devastating.”
Silvia Jones, Daughter/Caregiver, “My parents do need care. They are getting older. They are past 70-years-old. They are both retired. Mom specially needs care she has osteoarthritis, she is also a breast cancer survivor. Dad has Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and he also has other ailments give or take. So both of them definitely need help in their daily activities.
Right now they live alone, which is great, they are aging in place.”
California Health Report TV – Episode 8 from California Health Report on Vimeo. In this episode we bring you stories from throughout San Joaquin Valley about people improving their lives and the conditions of their communities. First we go to the Central Valley where public health workers tackle high asthma rates. Then we take to you Sacramento where bike advocates try to make the city
Dorissa McCalister-Carnell, Family Caregiver, “Here’s a picture of my mom and myself. This was on a Sunday morning, now I’m thinking it was an Easter morning. I see the shadow, I think my Dad was taking the picture. And this is us on our way to Greater Faith. And I want to say circa—19—I want to say around ’67 maybe, ’66 or ’67. I was a big kid so it’s hard to tell. I was always tall, so two or three, that’s about right.”
In this story we go to the Asian-Pacific Self-Development and Residential Association (APSARA) in Stockton where Cambodian elders come together to help each other navigate their new community.
In this story we go to Sacramento where bike advocates are promoting a healthy lifestyle and bike-friendly public policy.
The Central Valley sees some of the highest asthma rates in California. Air pollution, agriculture, and heavy dependence on driving has created a situation has caused many to breathe uneasily. In this story we got to Stockton, California and the San Joaquin County Asthma Coalition.