Latest news with #dementiacare
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Plans for 62-bed care home and assisted living village at former garden centre
PLANS have been lodged to build a 62-bed care home with 48 assisted care properties at an abandoned garden centre. Care South, a not-for-profit care provider, has applied to BCP Council to approve a full planning application seeking the redevelopment of the former Oaks Garden Centre as a care village. Located off Queen Anne Drive in Merley, the plans include older persons accommodation with specialist residential care and dementia care facilities. A design and access statement prepared by Corstorphine & Wright, on behalf of Care South, said: 'The redevelopment would make the best use of a brownfield site within the green belt to help fulfil the urgent need for specialised older persons' accommodation in the local area. 'The site would also meet the definition of a 'grey belt' site as defined in the latest version of the National Planning Policy Framework." Care South acquired the former Oaks Garden centre site in 2023 with the purpose of redeveloping it to provide a range of accommodation for older people with care to serve the local area. The care provider has an existing portfolio of 15 care homes, eight of which are located in the Bournemouth, Poole and the Ringwood area. The site is located on the southern side of Queen Anne Drive adjacent to the urban area of Merley. It connects to Gravel Hill to the west and Ringwood Road to the east. The site covers 1.64ha hectares and is categorised as previously developed land within the green belt The site has two existing vehicular accesses from Queen Anne Drive, which previously served the garden centre. The site has a lengthy planning history, with past permissions for uses including retail, business, scaffolding storage, and various structures now deemed lawful through long-term use. In recent years, unauthorised activities such as car sales, coach repairs and vehicle washing led to complaints and enforcement action. Care South purchased the site in 2023, and it is now vacant. The applicant says the proposed redevelopment offers a chance to meet local need and improve the appearance of the area. Adding: 'The proposal will provide much needed accommodation and will improving the aesthetic approach to Merley.'
ABC News
07-07-2025
- General
- ABC News
Tamworth mum in 'sandwich generation' caring for kids and sick parents
Emelia Rixon didn't know what she was signing up for when she agreed to accept power of attorney and enduring guardianship for her parents over a decade ago. Fast forward 14 years, and the Tamworth woman has found herself in the "sandwich generation" — caring for her two children as well as her parents who live 400 kilometres away in Sydney. "I said I'd do this, but I actually [didn't] know what the job was," Ms Rixon said. For the past eight years, her father Kevin has cared for his wife Margaret, but in recent years the role has fallen more and more on their daughter. "[Mum] has been in dementia care for nearly three years now, and that's been probably a seven to eight-year journey," Ms Rixon said. Last year, her father fell ill and needed a valve replacement in his heart. The operation didn't go as planned, with rare complications causing issues with his kidneys. "He's now on dialysis three times a week for five hours at a time," she said. "We're in a situation where we've just moved [him] into independent living, but … he might need more supported aged care." Ms Rixon said she was juggling caring for her parents, as well as co-parenting her two teenage children. "They can navigate the world pretty much for themselves on the day-to-day, but they still need their mum," she said. With her parents based so far away, Ms Rixon said she has had to give up a lot of time with her own children to care for her parents. "We've been very frank about what's happening to Grandma and Poppy with the children," she said. Ms Rixon said that despite her older sister helping to provide care, she had inadvertently become the "team captain". "It's tricky … I feel like I have to be the boss," she said. "There's a little bit of pressure there, and it's the old adage: it's lonely at the top." Ms Rixon said it was important for people to remember they were not invincible and that caring for loved ones was hard work. "It's a big hard job and it's a really weighty job," she said. "A few years ago [I got some advice] to 'stop watering dead plants'. "If it's an aged care provider, community transport person, or somebody who delivers meals, if they're not getting back to you or you don't like the product, move on, don't waste your energy there." Ms Rixon said she had learned it was important for carers to lean on support systems. "You can't do it all, especially from a distance," she said. "I think we have to lean on the health services and expect a little bit more from them. "They are absolutely stretched to the max, but unless we keep putting pressure on the decision-makers … to make sure that those guys are supported, people are going to continue to slip through." Ms Rixon said while it had been challenging, her love for her family kept her going.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The $781B Time Bomb: How Families Are Losing Fortunes By Delaying Elder & Disability Planning
As care costs rise and legal complexities deepen, families across the U.S. face severe financial and emotional risks by failing to plan for aging or disabled relatives. Attorney Matthew F. Erskine wrote for Forbes that without timely estate planning, families could jeopardize not only assets but also the safety, dignity, and autonomy of vulnerable members. Private nursing home rooms now cost an average of $109,628 per year, according to the nationwide financial annual cost of care survey conducted by HealthView Services. In some states, such as Alaska, that figure can climb as high as $361,223. Don't Miss: Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: Invest early in CancerVax's breakthrough tech aiming to disrupt a $231B market. Assisted living facilities also saw a sharp increase, with median annual costs rising from $64,200 in 2023 to $70,800 in 2024, according to the Genworth and CareScout Cost of Care Survey. In-home care with a home health aide increased from $75,504 to $77,792 during the same period. The total cost of dementia care is projected to hit $781 billion by 2025, according to data from the United States Cost of Dementia Project at the University of Southern California. This includes $232 billion in direct medical and long-term care expenses. As of 2025, 5.6 million Americans are living with dementia, including 5 million aged 65 or older. Erskine argued in Forbes that estate planning should be reframed not just as wealth management, but as a tool to preserve continuity, protect decision-making rights, and prepare families emotionally and financially. Without proper planning, common consequences include: Trending: GoSun's Breakthrough Rooftop EV Charger Already Has 2,000+ Units Reserved — Medical Decision-Making Challenges: Without health care proxies or advance directives, families may be unable to act in medical emergencies. Financial Risk: Without durable powers of attorney, vulnerable individuals are exposed to financial exploitation, while families struggle to manage essential tasks like bill payments or benefits access. Emergency Housing Decisions: Inadequate planning can lead to last-minute, high-cost decisions about home modifications or facility placements. Medicaid Pitfalls: Failing to engage in proactive Medicaid planning can trigger "spend-down" scenarios, where families must exhaust savings to qualify for aid. Erskine wrote in Forbes that many families delay estate planning due to fear, discomfort with legal terminology, or the false belief that it's only for the wealthy. But delays have real costs: Legal capacity can deteriorate, leaving individuals unable to authorize essential to Erskine, effective elder and disability planning should include: Legal Documentation: Ensure durable powers of attorney, health care proxies with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act authorization, and advance directives are in place while individuals retain decision-making capacity. Asset Protection Strategies: Establish irrevocable or special needs trusts and other long-term care funding mechanisms before crisis hits. Medicaid's five-year look-back rule makes early planning essential. Safety and Care Coordination: Prepare home safety modifications, medication systems, and backup care plans in advance. Involving geriatric care managers early can provide tailored support and facility research. Families should also inventory assets and liabilities, understand benefit eligibility, and evaluate family dynamics to prevent future conflicts. Erskine recommends assembling a team that includes an elder law attorney, financial planner, and care manager. Annual reviews and family meetings can ensure that plans evolve as needs change. The risks are not theoretical — families face the possibility of losing homes, savings, and peace of mind. "Estate planning is not just about passing on assets, but about protecting the people you love," Erskine wrote. Read Next: The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement —? Image: Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article The $781B Time Bomb: How Families Are Losing Fortunes By Delaying Elder & Disability Planning originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Forbes
23-06-2025
- Health
- Forbes
The $780 Billion Crisis: Why Your Family Needs an Estate Plan for Elderly and Disabled Members Now.
Stethoscope on blackboard and chalks with Long Term Care words as medical concept As long-term care costs soar beyond $100,000 annually and lifetime dementia care adds approximately $184,500, failing to plan for elderly and disabled family members could jeopardize your family's financial future. The statistics are alarming: The average cost of a private nursing home room has risen to $109,628 per year nationally, with some states, like Alaska, reaching as high as $361,223. Families dealing with dementia face even greater financial challenges, with additional annual costs ranging from $56,000 to $72,400, compared to standard elder care. Despite these staggering figures, most families are unprepared for the demands of caring for aging or disabled loved ones. Understanding the True Cost of Inadequate Planning Long-term care expenses have reached crisis levels across the United States. For instance, in Massachusetts, a private nursing home room averages $169,359 annually. Even assisted living facilities, which cost $67,085 per year, present a significant financial burden for many families. The situation becomes even more complex with cognitive decline. Dementia care is projected to cost $781 billion nationally by 2025, including $232 billion in direct medical and long-term care costs. The remainder includes the often-overlooked value of unpaid family caregiving and lost income, which can silently undermine family financial stability. Memory care facilities, specialized for dementia and Alzheimer's patients, typically cost 20-30% more than standard assisted living. This premium is due to higher staffing ratios and specialized programming, with annual costs ranging from $80,000 to $87,000 or more, depending on location and facility quality. Beyond Financials: The Human Cost of Poor Planning Estate planning for elderly and disabled family members extends far beyond financial considerations. Without proper documentation and preparation, families face difficult decisions during medical emergencies, potential exploitation of vulnerable members, and devastating conflicts that can create lasting family rifts. The consequences of inadequate planning manifest in various ways: The Essential Estate Planning Framework for Vulnerable Family Members Effective planning for elderly and disabled family members requires a comprehensive approach addressing immediate safety needs, long-term care funding, and asset protection. The following framework provides a systematic approach to these complex challenges: Your Estate Planning Review Checklist Evaluate your family's readiness for elder and disability challenges with this checklist: The Cost of Delay: Why Timing Matters Every month of delay in implementing comprehensive elder and disability planning increases both financial risk and family stress. Legal capacity may deteriorate, making it impossible to execute essential documents. The five-year look-back period for Medicaid eligibility means that asset protection strategies implemented today may not benefit until 2030. Families who wait until care needs are imminent often find themselves with no planning options beyond spending down assets to qualify for benefits. Taking Action: Your Next Steps Effective planning requires professional guidance and family coordination. Assemble a planning team that includes an elder law attorney, a financial advisor experienced with disability planning, and potentially a geriatric care manager. Schedule family meetings to discuss care preferences and financial resources before crises arise. Review and update your planning annually or when significant changes occur. The financial and emotional stakes are too high to leave these critical planning needs to chance. With proper preparation, families can navigate the challenges of aging and disability while preserving both family resources and relationships. The question is not whether your family will face these challenges, but whether you'll be prepared when they arise.
Associated Press
23-06-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
CCHR Demands Nursing Home Chemical Restraint Ban and Full Accountability
LOS ANGELES, Calif., June 23, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Federal health authorities are sounding the alarm over the chronic use of antipsychotic and psychotropic drugs in America's nursing homes. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) has prioritized enforcement actions to reduce psychotropic prescribing—especially among seniors with dementia. With over 15,000 facilities nationwide housing more than 1.2 million elderly residents, mental health watchdog Citizens Commission on Human Rights International (CCHR) warns the unchecked drugging of seniors constitutes systemic elder abuse.[1] CCHR is urging lawmakers to adopt the recommendations of a United Nations human rights expert, Claudia Mahler, who called for prohibiting chemical restraints—drugs used to control behavior—in aged-care settings. Mahler's report criticized the drugging of seniors in care facilities, asserting that older persons are 'more likely to be deprived of liberty in care facilities than in prisons.' She further warned that antipsychotic use in dementia can double the risk of death.[2] Although the National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes reported a reduction in antipsychotic use among long-stay residents—from 30.1% in 2011 to 14.5% by the end of 2021—those figures obscure concerning patterns of diagnosis manipulation. For instance, some nursing homes labeled seniors with schizophrenia, a diagnosis virtually unheard of in the elderly, to continue prescribing antipsychotics despite federal restrictions.[3] Federal Warnings Ignored, Harm Continues Warnings about the dangers of these drugs have spanned decades. In 2007, FDA safety official Dr. David Graham estimated at least 15,000 nursing home residents die each year due to antipsychotic use.[4] Dr. Peter Gøtzsche, a Danish physician and internationally recognized expert on pharmaceutical safety, places the toll from psychiatric drugs—including neuroleptics, benzodiazepines, and antidepressants—at approximately 209,000 deaths annually among Americans 65 and older. Sleep medications may contribute to an additional 320,000 to 507,000 deaths per year. Even short-term use has serious consequences. Studies show that for every 100 dementia patients prescribed newer antipsychotics over just ten weeks, one will die. Combining a benzodiazepine with a neuroleptic can increase mortality risk by as much as 65%.[5] Despite federal regulations dating back to 1987 that prohibit psychotropic use for staff convenience or discipline, enforcement has been lax. In 2005, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a black-box warning linking antipsychotics to death in dementia patients prompting some prescribers to sidestep restrictions by re-diagnosing patients.[6] Between 2015 and 2019, schizophrenia diagnoses among nursing home residents rose 194%—an implausible increase, attributed to efforts to preserve prescribing authority.[7] In 2021, a New York Times investigation revealed that 21% of residents were still being given antipsychotics, often based on unsupported or false diagnoses. In 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services launched new measures to identify facilities inflating diagnostic codes to justify drug use—but the problem persists.[8] Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) pharmaceutical advertising has also fueled drug overuse among seniors. A 2021 study found that television ads heavily influenced seniors' prescription decisions, especially in areas with high Medicare enrollment. Between 2006 and 2017, $528 million was spent promoting one antipsychotic.[9] In June 2025, the End Prescription Drug Ads Now Act was introduced to ban DTCA. Psychotropic drug use in long-term care facilities is a human rights crisis. Studies show that roughly 16% of nursing home residents experience abuse, yet only 1 in 24 cases is reported. Disturbingly, up to 40% of staff admit to having psychologically abused residents.[10] Reforms Urgently Needed The ongoing harm inflicted on elderly residents is not an isolated lapse but a failure of oversight, ethics, and accountability, tantamount to elder abuse. CCHR urges U.S. legislators and regulators to implement such reforms as: 'What's happening in nursing homes today is not care—it's chemical control and a national disgrace,' said Jan Eastgate, President of CCHR International. 'Our seniors are not being treated—they're being sedated for convenience, often at the cost of their lives.' About CCHR: CCHR, established in 1969 by the Church of Scientology and professor of psychiatry Dr. Thomas Szasz, urges Congress and state legislatures to outlaw chemical restraints in aged care and demand accountability from prescribers and nursing homes. 'The nation's elderly deserve compassion and safety, not sedation, and dignity not death by prescription,' Eastgate said. To learn more, visit: Sources: [1] Poliakoff & Associates, P.A., 'Nursing Home Oversight and Antipsychotic Drug Use,' 12 June 2025, [2] ''Chemical Restraints' Deprive Older People of Liberty,' Human Rights Watch, 19 Sept. 2022, [3] 'Brown Study Challenges Common Perceptions of Antipsychotic Use in Nursing Homes,' Brown University School of Public Health, 5 Sept. 2024, [4] Testimony by Dr. David Graham, House Hearing, 110th Congress – The Adequacy of FDA to Assure the Safety of the Nation's Drug Supply General, 13 Feb. 2007, p. 66 [5] Peter C. Gøtzsche, 'Prescription Drugs Are the Leading Cause of Death,' Brownstone Institute, 16 Apr. 2024, [6] 'Phony Diagnoses Hide High Rates of Drugging at Nursing Homes,' The New York Times, 16 Sept. 2021, [7] 'Long-Term Trends of Psychotropic Drug Use in Nursing Homes,' Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, 11 Nov. 2022, [8] 'Phony Diagnoses Hide High Rates of Drugging at Nursing Homes,' The New York Times, 16 Sept. 2021, [9] 'Physicians Treating Alzheimer's Disease Patients Should Be Aware that Televised Direct-to-Consumer Advertising Links More Strongly to Drug Utilization in Older Patients,' Jour. Alzheimers Dis. June 2021, [10] 'Elder Abuse Statistics,' 19 May 2025, MULTIMEDIA: Image link for media Image caption: 'Psychotropic drugs are being used to sedate, restrain, and silence, and, as such, are a tool of oppression. CCHR asserts that this practice meets the legal definition of elder abuse and must be treated as a criminal offense.' – Jan Eastgate, President CCHR International. NEWS SOURCE: Citizens Commission on Human Rights Keywords: General Editorial, CCHR, Nursing Homes, Dementia Care, Chemical Restraint, Citizens Commission on Human Rights International, LOS ANGELES, Calif. This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Citizens Commission on Human Rights) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P127084 APNF0325A To view the original version, visit: © 2025 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. RIGHTS GRANTED FOR REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY ANY LEGITIMATE MEDIA OUTLET - SUCH AS NEWSPAPER, BROADCAST OR TRADE PERIODICAL. MAY NOT BE USED ON ANY NON-MEDIA WEBSITE PROMOTING PR OR MARKETING SERVICES OR CONTENT DEVELOPMENT. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.
