free market
New poll shows most want health reform
A new poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation finds that 44 percent of Americans have an unfavorable view of the Affordable Care Act; 37 percent have a favorable view. But the people who want to see the law expanded or kept in its current form (50 percent) is still larger than the percentage of people [...]
Ryan’s folly
Rep. Paul Ryan, (R.-Wis.) chairman of the House Budget Committee, proposes letting seniors pay up to two-thirds of their own medical costs under a new model of Medicare that he unveiled the other day. He calls it asking people to help defray the rising costs of care. But under his plan, people who are under age [...]
10 K and a new sweatshirt
Eblen had its 10K Heroes for Hope walk today. It’s dedicated to Dana Jarrett, my colleague, Keith’s, late wife. He always raises money for it and gets John Boyle to solicit donations from the newsroom. But John was out of town this week, so I took over, and Keith and I collected about $1,650. Eblen was [...]
Getting closer
We got the official approval to use Daffin Park in Savannah in the mail yesterday. I’m excited and I’m scared, and I miss Mike so much. I know he would have loved all this attention, although none of this would be happening if he had lived. The US Secretary of Health and Human Services, Mike [...]
Patient Pals & Family Friends
Life o' Mike has a peer support program for people with one or more serious or chronic medical issues or disabilities.
We aim to reduce isolation and fear among people who have conditions, including psychiatric illness, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, mild dementia or other cognitive disorder or disability, thereby reducing depression and complications as people learn to improve self-management of their medical conditions.
Patient Pals help alleviate feelings of isolation and frustration. They can help people develop a list of questions to ask the doctor and then accompany the person to the doctor to make sure all the questions are answered, taking notes to be sure the person understands the doctor’s answers.
Our trained volunteers also accompany their “Pals” to art exhibits, movies and walks outdoors, meet for coffee, call to check in and more.
Our Pals have experienced weight loss, improvement in diabetes, HIV, psoriasis, depression and more, just because they have someone who cares about them. Some relationships develop into longer-term friendships; other Pals move on to more independent lives.
Family Friends are there to help caregivers and other family members grow into their new role.
We need volunteers, who are asked to donate a minimum of one hour a week. Training is free and includes information on active listening, ways to help and when to know more help is needed.
And of course, we need funding.
To learn more, call Leslie Boyd at 828-243-6712 or e-mail lifeomike@gmail.com.