June:
The Month of Weddings, Love and Commitment
Weddings are
some of our fondest and joyful memories. Whether we use traditional
vows or create ones just for each other, the intent is to promise enduring
love and commitment.
Current marriage
trends show that people marry several times before establishing a long-term
partnership. Wedding vows of "to have and to hold in sickness and
in health" seem to pale in the face of marital adversity.
However, these same
vows become the seal of commitment for many caregivers. Only their own
illness or injury forces them to relinquish this duty. The most common
illnesses these caregivers face are chronic, such as: dementia, stroke,
diabetes or congestive heart failure.
A chronic illness is one that spans many months or years outlasting
some marriages of short duration. It means giving assistance to someone
for basic activities of living, such as help with eating, bathing, dressing,
toileting or walking.
Couples do not usually
anticipate the role of caregiver on their wedding day. They certainly
do not anticipate the change of lifestyle that limits and isolates them
from the mainstream of events.
Recently, the federal government is recognizing this promise of commitment
by funding respite programs and resources aimed at furthering the endurance
of caregivers.
The Council on Aging
for Southeastern VT Inc. has two respite programs that provide grants
to assist primary caregivers in reducing burnout. We also have informational
resources on a variety of caregiving issues. Let us help you keep your
promise of commitment. Call our Senior HelpLine at: 1-800-642-5119
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Alert:
Medicare seeking reduced rehab covered services in the hospital setting
The Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) are considering changing a 20 year
practice of allowing many health conditions common to seniors, such
as hip or knee replacements to receive rehab treatment in the hospital
setting. Often considered by physicians and patients to be the safest
and best place for recovery.
This
change in the proposed rule, known as the 75% rule for rehab hospitals
if enacted will mean 9 out of 10 rehab hospitals will be out of compliance
forcing seniors and the disabled to go to nursing homes or other alternative
locations.
Outside the hospital setting puts people in need of comprehensive rehabilitation
at much greater risk for full recovery. It also carries the potential
loss of jobs for health care providers. CMS should not try to save taxpayer
dollars by putting seniors or the disabled at risk.
Please
write or call your state senator or congressman and voice your disapproval
of this proposal. Tell them you support keeping all 21 categories that
define all conditions that benefit from in-hospital rehabilitation.
Your
Vermont Senators are: Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) 1-800-642-3193, Senator
James Jeffords (I-VT) 1-800-835-5500, or Congressman Bernard Sanders
(At Large) 1-800-339-9834.
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Common
Chronic Diseases
- Arthritis:
24% of Vermonters treated.
- Cardiovascular
Disease: An average of 1543 Vermonters died each year from the
following:
- Coronary
Artery Disease
- Stroke
or Cerebral Vascular Disease
- Hypertension
or High Blood Pressure.
In 2001
over 1030 Vermont women died from Cardiovascular Disease. (states
VT Dept. of Health website)
- Cancer
- Vermont's 2nd leading cause of death.
- Dementia
- Diabetes:
Approx. 30,000 Vermonters diagnosed.
- Respiratory
Diseases: COPD or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease kills
est. 258 Vermonters per year.
- Osteoporosis
Statistical facts taken from Sept. 2000 report by Jan K. Carney,
Commisioner on Health unless otherwise stated.
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Local Information
for Chronic Diseases
Alzheimer's Association
of Vermont and New Hampshire 1-800-536-8864.
American Diabetes
Assoc.- VT Affiliate 1-800- 639-2105
American Heart
Assoc. VT Office 432 Hurricane Lane Williston, VT 05495 1-800-639-6024
American Lung
Assoc. 30 Farrell St. South Burlington, VT 05403-6196. 1-802-863-6817
Arthritis Foundation
in VT: Northern New England Chapter 257 South Union St. Burlington,
VT 05401 1-802-864-4988
Diabetes Control
Program, VT Dept. of Health 1-800-464-4343
Vermont Cancer
Center at the University of VT 1-802-656-4414
Vermont Information
about Osteoporosis: Contact Jill Nye-McKeown Chair of VT's interagency
Osteoporosis Task Force 1-802-862-9622
Area Support
Groups for Chronic Diseases
Alzheimer's: Springfield
Adult Day Services. Contact Linda Stowell 1-802-885-9881
Arthritis: Brattleboro
Memorial Hospital. Contact Susan Garrison 1-802-464-0095
Caregivers: Brattleboro
Adult Day (Gathering Place) 1-802-254-6559
Diabetes: Springfield
Hospital. Contact Marcia Manner 1-802-885-7508
Diabetes: Brattleboro
Memorial Hospital. Contact Linda Barndollar 1-603-399-7191
Pulmonary: Brattleboro
Memorial Hospital
1-802-257-8897.
Ladies First has
expanded their free coverage for eligible women to include cardiovascular
disease screening and prevention programs. For more information call:
1-800-508-2222 or TDD 1-800-319-3141.