The Mayo Clinic reports older people who volunteer live longer than peers who don’t.

Why is this true? Volunteers feel more confident and are more physically active. Volunteers have a better social network which is important to mental health. They have a purpose, a reason to get up and a place to go.

Studies show health benefits when you volunteer as little as one to two hours a week. Volunteers say it’s their little secret. When we help someone else, in many ways we are really helping ourselves.

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(left) Michele Lander, CAHSAH Director with (right) Laurie Edwards-Tate, President of At Your Home Familycare enjoying the PAC Event

Laurie Edwards-Tate, President and CEO of At Your Home Familycare is nominated to run for the California Association for Health Services at Home board of directors while attending their annual business meeting during CAHSAH’s annual meeting in Monterey, CA.

The Annual Meeting for the California Association for Health Services at Home (“CAHSAH”) was a splendid and information-packed event held at the beautiful Monterey Convention Center and the Monterey Marriott Hotel.

With a Superheroes of Home Care theme this year, it depicted the spirit and resourcefulness of our dedicated home care community throughout California  who all face state and federal changes and challenges of historical impact.

(left) Jennifer Gabales, CAHSAH Policy Director wearing her Superwoman Cape with (right) Denise Altomare, CAHSAH Chair, Board of Directors (Note: In the background a fabulous Superheroes painting by Mary Adorno, CAHSAH Legislative Assistant.)

According to Edwards-Tate: “Participating in this event was heart-warming and empowering, and our educational sessions were most helpful.  My recent nomination to the CAHSAH Board of Directors is an honor for which I am truly grateful no matter the outcome.”

We wish to acknowledge Superheroes of Homecare who were presented with CAHSAH’s most prestigous awards this year during The Joseph H. Hafkenschiel Awards Ceremony on May 2:

1. Home Care Service Award:  Andria Harris
2. Joan Baier Garland Home Care Nursing Scholarship:  Jessica Parel
3. Lillian O’Brien Home Care Supervisor Award:  Bronwyn Calkins
4. Home Care Physician of the Year Award:  Dr. David Jones
5. Lois C. Lillick Award:  Elissa Hamilton, RN

With 10,000 persons turning 65 every day for approximately the next 20 years, the Silver Tsunami creates an explosive and never before experienced social, political, demographical, and economical phenomenon.

Read the full article on Laurie’s column at LifeCycles in the Communities at The Washington Times »

When we start forgetting things, we worry it could be Alzheimer’s disease. But there are several other common causes for memory loss.

They include:

• Chronic stress
• Depression
• Side effects from medication
• Thyroid problems
• Alcoholism
• Concussion or head-injury
• Even menopause.

Your memory loss could be something treatable. Be sure to see a doctor and rule out these reversible conditions.

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Baby boomer buying power is changing the way cars are made. Boomers want safe, stylish cars with good visibility. Quality and styling come next. Then driver comfort. How easy is it to get in and out? See and use the controls?

Automakers are adding smart brakes, backup cameras, and proximity sensor systems. Younger buyers put priority on payments and price. Most couldn’t live without an iPod input.

One thing all ages agree on: though they are safe and roomy at a good price, no one thinks it’s cool to drive a minivan. Some things never change!

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The sounds, tones, vibrations, and general cadences of music can bring virtual strangers together at all kinds of events and ceremonies ‒ such as baptisms, weddings and more ‒ in shared moments of connectivity.

On March 21, 2013, Laurie Edwards-Tate presented “Healthy Aging” as the featured speaker for Grossmont Gardens’ 50th Anniversary Event, and it is located in La Mesa, California.  Edwards-Tate is among several vetted speakers on behalf of AIS Caregiver Coalition of San Diego, and Healthy Aging is one of her topics. Edwards-Tate was honored to be chosen by the Coalition to speak that day.

According to Edwards-Tate:  “It was fun and rewarding being a guest speaker at Grossmont Gardens. Their residents and staff were delightful, and the garden-like environment quite welcoming.”

Congratulations to Grossmont Gardens for being a safe and restful home base for so many senior citizens for over 50 years!

If you’re caring for an aging relative, there are several ways to save money on your income taxes.

1. Claim them as a dependent if you provide more than half their support.
2. Deduct fees for medical expenses including in-home help as long as the relative is your dependent.
3. Itemize medical expenses.
4. You can also deduct transportation for medical care.
5. Use Flexible Spending Accounts to put aside pre-tax dollars for medical expenses.

To fully understand all of your options, be sure to talk with a tax professional.

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The taxi driver, who was originally from Northern Africa, told me the incredible story of his previous profession helping those with disabilities. I felt a strange sense of synchronicity in this encounter, his story resonated with me and my own purpose for lobbying in Sacramento that day.

Laurie Edwards-Tate, President and CEO At Your Home Familycare, Peter Kellison, Advocacy and Solutions, CAHSAH’s Political Strategist

Laurie Edwards-Tate, President and CEO of At Your Home Familycare participates in CAHSAH Lobby Day in Sacramento.

“Lobby Day in Sacramento, Wednesday, March 13, was an exciting day,” comments Laurie Edwards-Tate, President and CEO of At Your Home Familycare, San Diego. “As hundreds of home care agency representatives, concerned about in-home services for seniors and disabled came together to meet with our State Representatives, the coordination and guidance from the California Association of Health Services at Home was truly welcomed and appreciated.”

Edwards-Tate was honored to be one of the Team Leaders this year.

According to Edwards-Tate:  “I wish to extend appreciation to Assembly Member Brian Jones, Senator Joel Anderson, and Assembly Member Rocky Chavez for enabling our Team to personally present critical and pressing information about key bills immediately impacting home care. Also, our day would not have been successful without the expertise and efforts from CAHSAH’s Policy Director, Jennifer Gabales and Legislative Assistant, Mary Adorno.”

According to Edwards-Tate:  “All members of CAHSAH support AB 322 (Yamada), which is called Home Care Serices Act of 2013.  It is a must-support Bill which permits the home care industry to essentially self-regulate, and mostly at its own expense.  It also ensures safe and appropriate practices from a business and  health care standpoint, enabling us to best-serve the needs of the consumer without unnecessary regulatory and cost-burdens.”

Pressing Bills We Oppose:

1. AB 1217 (Lowenthal) would license home care organizations, home care workers (at their exspense), create a State registry of home care organizations, and a State registry of home care workers–all of which would create great expense to the State,likely violations of privacy rights, and potentially exposes workers to unnecessary abuses.
2. AB 241 (Ammiano) is a spot Bill and essentially a redo of last year’s AB 889, which was vetoed by the Governor due to his expressed concerns for negative economic impacts, negative human impact on the consumer, potential for increasing institutionalization, and threat of decreasing available jobs for home care workers.

For further information, you may contact Laurie Edwards-Tate at: 1-888-326-2273

You may contact the California Association for Health Services at Home at: 1-916-541-5795