I absolutely love my wife. She looks out for me in so many different ways and cares for me in a way I certainly do not deserve. For the last few weeks she has switched my diet to an all natural, fruits and vegetables no meat, no artificial sugar, no dairy diet. At first, as you can imagine I was absolutely shocked and thought no way babe, but three and half weeks in and I am loving it. I feel great, my work outs and runs have been a lot stronger and now I'm thinking my wife maybe on to something here...especially after I read this article today. I read the article below and all I can say now is "babe, I love you." The article is worth the read especially the part regarding needing assistance going to the bathroom...AWKWARD!!!
Long Term Care NOT Just for the Elderly!By Debi Davis
A report produced by the Health Insurance Association of America provided information about people receiving long-term care. The statistics were shocking. As a society, we are not properly caring for ourselves and, at a very young age, are becoming incapacitated as a result.
Nursing home care is becoming common place, yet it is estimated that a couple with $500,000 in liquid assets will be broke in about 7 years if either one goes into a nursing home. Currently, Medicare and insurance programs provide only about 25% of nursing home expenditures, leaving the balance to be paid by the individual or their family. The average daily nursing home rate in the US is $137.00 a day. Eight hours of home health care runs about the same, $135.00.
Did you know that:
40% of the people in long term care are under 65!
32% of stroke victims are under age 65
The average Alzheimer's patient lives 8 years with an average expense of $214,000 of which Medicare pays about $14,000!
54% of caregivers are between the ages of 35 and 64 and more than half are also responsible for the dressing, transferring or toileting of the person in their care.
It is estimated that, in the next decade, 1 out of every 3 working people will be caring for a parent! Even though more than 50% of the population will ultimately need long term care services, only 25% prepare for it. The saddest part of this tragic situation is that 61% of the family caregivers who are responsible for 20 hours or more of care for someone else each week suffer themselves from depression. Men now make up 44% of the caregiver population...it is no longer just a women's function either. Longevity has progressed more rapidly in our population than the quality of life, too.
What does that mean?
It means that modern medicine is keeping us alive longer, even though we may not be in an active or productive state. The saddest part of all of this... most disease and ill health can be prevented with proper diet. We are killing ourselves with processed foods, too much sugar, excess alcohol, infrequent exercise and over-eating. 81% of Americans report that they would like to 'lose a few pounds' and more than 62% of the population is overweight or obese. This controllable condition that knowingly leads to a myriad of diseases is clearly out of control, yet many people act as if it's not really that big a deal. With a few exceptions, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, stomach conditions, ADD and high cholesterol can all be controlled or even reversed with proper diet. Most medications only address the symptoms of illness, and do not get to the source of the problem. Simply taking Lipitor to lower cholesterol while continuing to eat high cholesterol-provoking foods is incredibly stupid yet people do it more than you may realize. Pills have become today's 'magic fix' to aches, pains and ills. People are taking little or no responsibility for their own health care. In many instances, they expect the pills to keep them healthy.
What should you do?
Asses your life, your health and the preparation you have made for your future care. Long term health insurance is a lot less expensive if you buy it at a young age rather than wait until you are over 65 and potentially in need. Assess your eating habits and commit to the changes necessary to lower your weight and improve your health. Simply ignoring the obvious is not an option. It puts you and your family at great financial risk, not to mention the heartache that goes with treating debilitating illnesses. As a whole, we are not a 'preventative society'. We have grown up in an immediate gratification world that has not properly prepared us to think ahead. Today's actions and choices affect tomorrow. Think about how you live and eat now... only you can be responsible for your own bright future.
Have a great weekend!
Long Term Care NOT Just for the Elderly!By Debi Davis
A report produced by the Health Insurance Association of America provided information about people receiving long-term care. The statistics were shocking. As a society, we are not properly caring for ourselves and, at a very young age, are becoming incapacitated as a result.
Nursing home care is becoming common place, yet it is estimated that a couple with $500,000 in liquid assets will be broke in about 7 years if either one goes into a nursing home. Currently, Medicare and insurance programs provide only about 25% of nursing home expenditures, leaving the balance to be paid by the individual or their family. The average daily nursing home rate in the US is $137.00 a day. Eight hours of home health care runs about the same, $135.00.
Did you know that:
40% of the people in long term care are under 65!
32% of stroke victims are under age 65
The average Alzheimer's patient lives 8 years with an average expense of $214,000 of which Medicare pays about $14,000!
54% of caregivers are between the ages of 35 and 64 and more than half are also responsible for the dressing, transferring or toileting of the person in their care.
It is estimated that, in the next decade, 1 out of every 3 working people will be caring for a parent! Even though more than 50% of the population will ultimately need long term care services, only 25% prepare for it. The saddest part of this tragic situation is that 61% of the family caregivers who are responsible for 20 hours or more of care for someone else each week suffer themselves from depression. Men now make up 44% of the caregiver population...it is no longer just a women's function either. Longevity has progressed more rapidly in our population than the quality of life, too.
What does that mean?
It means that modern medicine is keeping us alive longer, even though we may not be in an active or productive state. The saddest part of all of this... most disease and ill health can be prevented with proper diet. We are killing ourselves with processed foods, too much sugar, excess alcohol, infrequent exercise and over-eating. 81% of Americans report that they would like to 'lose a few pounds' and more than 62% of the population is overweight or obese. This controllable condition that knowingly leads to a myriad of diseases is clearly out of control, yet many people act as if it's not really that big a deal. With a few exceptions, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, stomach conditions, ADD and high cholesterol can all be controlled or even reversed with proper diet. Most medications only address the symptoms of illness, and do not get to the source of the problem. Simply taking Lipitor to lower cholesterol while continuing to eat high cholesterol-provoking foods is incredibly stupid yet people do it more than you may realize. Pills have become today's 'magic fix' to aches, pains and ills. People are taking little or no responsibility for their own health care. In many instances, they expect the pills to keep them healthy.
What should you do?
Asses your life, your health and the preparation you have made for your future care. Long term health insurance is a lot less expensive if you buy it at a young age rather than wait until you are over 65 and potentially in need. Assess your eating habits and commit to the changes necessary to lower your weight and improve your health. Simply ignoring the obvious is not an option. It puts you and your family at great financial risk, not to mention the heartache that goes with treating debilitating illnesses. As a whole, we are not a 'preventative society'. We have grown up in an immediate gratification world that has not properly prepared us to think ahead. Today's actions and choices affect tomorrow. Think about how you live and eat now... only you can be responsible for your own bright future.
Have a great weekend!
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