Avoidable medical errors added $19.5 billion to the nation’s healthcare bill in 2008, according to a claims-based study conducted by Millman, Inc. on behalf of the Society of Actuaries (SOA). The report lists the 10 most expensive errors in healthcare settings. Pressure ulcers – the most frequent type of expensive error– were most often preventable, the authors wrote. Most of [...]
Harry Dolan was Chief of Police in Grand Rapids, MI, before his appointment as Chief of Police in Raleigh in 2007. As people grow older, their chances of being victims of crime decrease dramatically. But a lifetime of experience, coupled with the physical problems associated with aging, often make older Americans fearful. Although they’re on the lookout constantly for physical attack [...]
Dori J. Wiggen, an accredited attorney with Veterans Affairs is a partner with Wiggen Law Group PLLC in Durham, where she practices law with her husband. I’ll never forget my first meeting with Jimmy and his wife, Alice. Jimmy, a veteran of WWII, had a recent illness that caused him to need around-the-clock care. Alice had been caring for Jimmy with help [...]
Rebecca Keller, MSW, LCSW, is an Outpatient Therapist with Welcare Counseling Services. A new client, Barbara, called me recently to share the fact that she had been feeling “down.” “I just don’t know if I’m depressed,” she said in a worried voice. I reassured her that she was taking the right step in calling me, and we made an appointment [...]
By: Heather M. Garrison, PA-C (Pain Solutions of High Point) Fibromyalgia is a multifaceted syndrome that, while more accurately diagnosed and more adequately treated in recent years, is still poorly understood. There is no clear-cut explanation as to its cause; however, there are growing theories stemming from ongoing research into the disease and its treatment. From what we do know, [...]
Laura F. Berra, CFP® and Associate Vice President-Investment Officer of The Anthony-Berra-Griffin Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors in Raleigh. After years of saving, you’ve accumulated significant wealth in your Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA). So, what do you do next? You may want to think about extending the life of your IRA by stretching out its tax deferral over your [...]
Diane A. Wallis practices Law in Raleigh. She has focused on Elder Law, wills, estates and real estate since graduating from law school in 1982. Many difficult issues face Senior Citizens today as they manage their health and finances and seek to preserve their independence. Planning now will let you determine your own future and preserve your independence. Failing to [...]
Have you ever wanted a quick reference for aging-in-place issues? Are you wondering how to incorporate some aesthetically pleasing designs into your projects? If so, the Aging-In-Place Design Checklists might be suited to your needs. The checklists below contain features you may want to consider for your next new construction or renovation project. They also give you a quick reference for [...]
Seven Tips for Choosing a Health Plan Choosing the right health coverage has never been easy, and the health reform law has made things more complicated. Besides sorting through differences in premiums, deductibles, and copayments, new provisions in the law that could impact your coverage need to be considered. The following tips may help clear away the confusion: 1. Check [...]
It wasn’t always this way. The bulk of income growth in America has gone to the top 10 percent of families, but that was not always the case. Throughout most of the 20th century, the bottom 90 percent claimed a much larger share of income growth than in recent years. The chart, from the Economic Policy Institute’s new interactive State [...]
