23 MAY 2024 · About 40% of caregivers are men. Of those men, 30% are black and face special challenges not addressed by existing supports for caregivers. A professor who studies this issue is a caregiver himself. Audio provided by NPR.

21 MAY 2024 · SAN FRANCISCO, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, at Uber’s annual product event, GO-GET, Uber Health announced Uber Caregiver, a new solution designed specifically for caregivers and their loved ones. For the first time, beginning this summer, care-receivers will have the ability to add a caregiver to their Uber profile, empowering them to request and monitor rides and deliveries, as well as apply the care-receiver's eligible health benefits to pay. The solution is designed to help patients maximize their ancillary healthcare benefits and to improve the care experience for caregivers and care-receivers alike. More than one in five Americans—53 million people—are caregivers. A growing subset of these caregivers are adults who care for their aging parents while raising their own children, holding a job, and balancing other household and family duties. Caregiving is demanding work, with responsibilities ranging from medication management, to assistance with daily activities, to administrative tasks like scheduling appointments, grocery shopping, and meal planning. About half of caregivers say the role has increased their emotional stress, and 39% say that they’re rarely or never relaxed. The logistical responsibilities of calling a health plan to determine benefit eligibility, deciding how to pay for an appointment or delivery, and submitting expenses for reimbursement add another layer of stress and complexity to the role. This can also contribute to financial strain; the average caregiver spends about $7,000 annually out of pocket. Uber Caregiver is designed to relieve this logistical burden and provide peace of mind. It aims to transform the historically fragmented, complicated, and time-consuming process of navigating ancillary benefits with a one-stop shop for caregivers to understand and act on benefit information on behalf of their loved one. Soon, care-receivers can invite caregivers directly in the Uber app. Where eligible, caregivers will be able to view a loved one’s ancillary healthcare benefits, coordinate services like transportation to a medical appointment or grocery delivery, and help the care-receiver pay in-app using their health benefit cards. By leveraging Uber’s mobility and merchant networks, Uber Health can help meet caregivers and patients where they are. Benefits include: Care at the tap of a button: Beginning this summer, caregivers will be able to quickly and easily coordinate benefits like rides and grocery delivery on behalf of family members in an app they already know and love, receiving real-time updates along the way. Enhanced visibility into ancillary healthcare benefits: As plans come on board to Uber Caregiver, caregivers will have information about their loved one’s benefit eligibility—for example, how many more rides will be covered or how much of a monthly grocery benefit remains—available in the Uber and Uber Eats apps. This will empower caregivers to coordinate services and deliveries without worrying about what will or won’t be covered. Reduced financial burden: Almost 80% of caregivers pay for some care-receiver expenses out of pocket. The new offering will allow care-receivers to give caregivers permission to pay for services with their loved one's eligible health benefits to reduce financial strain. “Caregivers are the invisible backbone of our healthcare system. They provide essential care for millions of people, often at great personal cost—but they shouldn’t have to do it alone,” said Caitlin Donovan, Global Head of Uber Health. “Our new solution helps lighten the load. Caregivers will no longer be solely responsible for grocery shopping for loved ones, bringing mom to the doctor, or decoding grandpa’s benefits to see if they’ll cover a bottle of aspirin. We know it takes a team, and we’re proud to play an important role in keeping people healthy.” This is the beginning of Uber Health’s efforts to address caregivers’ pain points. In the coming months, the organization will begin working with Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and commercial plans to provide enhanced support to caregivers in the United States. Caregivers will have the ability to coordinate transportation on behalf of a loved one on the Uber app beginning this summer. Additional capabilities will roll out later this year. To learn more about Uber Caregiver, click here or visit uberhealth.com/caregiver. Uber Health Media Contact press@uber.com

16 APR 2024 · Florida lawmakers have debated for a decade whether to expand Medicaid eligibility under the Affordable Care Act. Advocates are trying to circumvent legislature and take the issue directly to voters.

27 MAR 2024 · PODCAST TAKEOVER EDITION This is a SPECIAL EDITION of the AwareGiver podcast featuring a rebroadcast of the "COLD CALL" podcast from Harvard Business School.  i thought the content was important enough to bring it to you unedited. In 2017, Tommy Hilfiger launched its adaptive fashion line to provide fashion apparel that aims to make dressing easier. By 2020, it was still a relatively unknown line in the U.S. and the Tommy Hilfiger team was continuing to learn more about how to serve these new customers. Should the team make adaptive clothing available beyond the U.S., or is a global expansion premature? Assistant Professor Elizabeth Keenan discusses the opportunities and challenges that accompanied the introduction of a new product line that effectively serves an entirely new customer while simultaneously starting a movement to provide fashion for all in the case, “Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive: Fashion for All.” For most people, the hardest thing about getting dressed in the morning is deciding what to wear. Putting on the clothes is pretty much an afterthought, but anyone who's broken an arm or even a finger can tell you that getting dressed becomes a much bigger challenge when you try to button a shirt or buckle a belt. Just imagine how difficult it would be from the seat of a wheelchair or without fine motor control. Yet, that is a challenge faced by millions of people with physical disabilities each and every day.What we wear affects our psychological state as well as our performance. The journal ScienceDirect introduced the term enclothed cognition to describe this phenomenon. And for those with physical disabilities, it's a problem that until very recently was in search of a solution. Today on Cold Call, we've invited Professor Elizabeth Keenan to discuss her case titled, “Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive: Fashion For All.” I'm your host, Brian Kenny, and you're listening to Cold Call on the HBR Podcast Network.  To subscribe to the COLD CALL podcast on the HBR Podcast network, visit https://hbswk.hbs.edu/Pages/browse.aspx?HBSContentType=Cold+Call

25 MAR 2024 · Drugmaker Biogen is pulling the plug on its controversial Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm, following disappointing sales. It had been expected to be a blockbuster product.Biogen says patients currently taking Aduhelm will have access to it until November 1, but patients taking the drug in clinical trials will lose access May 1.

4 MAR 2024 · Xavier Becerra, Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services talks about increased staffing requirements for nursing home facilities. Roughly 3/4 of long-term care facilities will have to hire additional sfatt to meet the new requirements. In addition, the government will provide over $75m in financial incentives for tuition reimbursement and other benefits to improve nurse retention and attract more people to the industry.

1 MAR 2024 · In 2020, the federal government hanged the rules so that hospitals can be paid the same amount to treat patients at home. Today, over 300 hospitals and 125 health systems in 37 States have signed up to offer acute care at home. Patients must meet certain criteria, which incldues living 30 minutes from the hospital, having functional utilities, and having at least one person living with you. Hospital at home services are on a voluntary basis.

22 FEB 2024 · Audio from NPR which includes a special news report from Tampa, Florida based WUSF on the challenges of being an unpaid caregiver of someone with dementia"A recent report by the Alzheimer's Association lays out the challenges that unpaid caregivers of people with dementia face. WUSF's Stephanie Colombini explains how one family in Tampa is managing and what they need more of.

24 MAY 2023 · Hurricane preparedness is crucial for everyone, especially caregivers who are responsible for the well-being and safety of others. When caring for individuals during a hurricane or any other natural disaster, it's essential to have a plan in place to ensure their safety and comfort. Here are some guidelines for hurricane preparedness for caregivers: - Create an Emergency Plan: - Identify the nearest hurricane shelters and evacuation routes. - Determine how you will transport the person you are caring for in case of an evacuation. - Prepare a list of emergency contacts, including healthcare providers, family members, and local authorities. - Share the emergency plan with other family members, neighbors, or friends who can provide assistance if needed. - Stock Up on Supplies: - Have a sufficient supply of necessary medications for the individual you are caring for, including any medical equipment they may require. - Stock up on non-perishable food items, bottled water, and other essential supplies such as batteries, flashlights, first aid kits, and personal hygiene products. - Consider the specific needs of the person you are caring for, such as dietary restrictions, mobility aids, or communication devices, and ensure you have the necessary supplies. - Maintain Communication: - Ensure you have a reliable means of communication, such as a charged cellphone or a battery-powered radio, to stay updated on the storm's progress and receive emergency alerts. - Have a backup power source, such as a generator or power bank, to keep essential devices charged. - Share your contact information with trusted neighbors, friends, or family members who can check on you and the person you are caring for. - Secure the Environment: - Clear the surroundings of any potential hazards, such as loose objects or debris that may be carried by strong winds. - Reinforce windows and doors with storm shutters or plywood. - Have a plan for safely moving the person you are caring for to a secure area within the home, away from windows and exterior walls. - Monitor Health and Well-being: - Stay vigilant about the health needs of the person you are caring for, especially during stressful situations. - Keep an adequate supply of necessary medical equipment, such as oxygen tanks or mobility aids, and ensure they are in good working condition. - Have a plan for accessing medical care if needed, such as knowing the location of nearby medical facilities that may remain open during the storm. - Stay Informed and Calm: - Stay updated on weather reports and follow the guidance of local authorities. - Remain calm and reassuring to the person you are caring for, as they may be more susceptible to stress and anxiety during the hurricane. - Engage in calming activities such as reading, playing games, or listening to music to help alleviate stress for both you and the person you are caring for. Remember, every caregiving situation is unique, and it's important to adapt these guidelines to the specific needs of the person you are caring for. It is also recommended to consult with healthcare professionals or local emergency management agencies for additional guidance on hurricane preparedness for caregivers. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/awaregiver/message

20 MAY 2023 · This edition of AwareGiver the Caregiver Radio Oasis is sponsored in part by Final Expense Florida. You can reach a licensed Florida agent for Final Expense Florida at (888)434-6471 Extension 2. When someone dies and they don't have money, their family or loved ones may be responsible for paying for their final expenses such as funeral costs, medical bills, and other end-of-life expenses. If there are no funds available, it may become a financial burden for those left behind. Final Expense Insurance is a type of life insurance that is designed to cover the costs associated with a person's final expenses. This type of insurance is also known as burial insurance, funeral insurance, or end-of-life insurance. It is typically a smaller life insurance policy that is purchased to cover the costs of funeral expenses and other final expenses. The policyholder pays monthly premiums, and in the event of their death, the beneficiary receives a lump-sum payment that can be used to pay for funeral and burial costs, medical bills, and other final expenses. The coverage amount for final expense insurance is typically lower than for other types of life insurance policies, and the premiums are generally more affordable. Final Expense Insurance can provide peace of mind for those who want to ensure that their final expenses will be covered without creating a financial burden for their loved ones. It's important to note, however, that like other types of life insurance, there are eligibility requirements and exclusions that may apply. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/awaregiver/message