Stress Drives More Families to Senior Care Services

Omaha, NE (Vocus) July 6, 2010

Caregiver stress is a condition that ranks among the most serious of aging-related illnesses. But it doesn?t strike seniors ? not directly, anyway. The stress of caring for another can produce a variety of physical and emotional issues ranging from mild headaches to illnesses that can lead to the death of care providers who are charged with the full-time care of an elderly loved one. So, without a doubt, seniors can suffer as well.

If you?re a family caregiver under stress, you might not realize that the disturbed sleep; back, neck and muscle pain; fatigue; headaches; high blood pressure; chest pains; skin disorders ? even loss of hair ? are stress symptoms, likely the direct result of caregiver stress. Stress often affects caregivers in their ?day jobs? as well.

?We see family caregivers every day who are stretched to the breaking point ? their caregiving situations impacting their personal and professional lives as well as their health,? said Paul Hogan, co-founder and chairman of the Home Instead Senior Care? network. ?That?s why industries that serve seniors will become so important to the health and well-being of older adults and their families as more Baby Boomers, who are now caring for elderly loved ones, become seniors themselves. Family caregivers oftentimes cannot escape the fact that they need help.?

Consider these facts from the Alzheimer?s Association publication, 2010 Alzheimer?s Disease Facts and Figures:

-- One study found that spouses of caregivers to seniors who were hospitalized for dementia were more likely than caregivers of people who were hospitalized for other diseases to die in the following year.

-- More than 40 percent of family and other unpaid caregivers of people with Alzheimer?s and other dementias ? estimated to be 10 million caregivers ? rate the emotional stress of caregiving as high or very high, compared with 28 percent of caregivers of other older people.

-- About one-third of family caregivers of people with Alzheimer?s and other dementias have symptoms of depression.

The 2009 National Alliance for Caregiving/AARP survey on caregiving in the United States found that 60 percent of family caregivers of people with Alzheimer?s and other dementias were employed full time or part time. Of those who were employed, two-thirds said they had to go in late, leave early or take time off because of caregiving; 14 percent had to take a leave of absence; 10 percent had to reduce their hours or take a less demanding job and 10 percent had to quit work entirely or take early retirement due to caregiving. The executive summary of that study of family caregivers who are dealing with Alzheimer?s and other dementia conditions is available for download.

?These dramatic statistics drive home the need for various resources from home health to non-medical assistance that families will need to help provide elderly the support they require as they age,? Hogan noted. ?Among the most important is respite ? family caregivers need time away.?

That need for caregiver stress management is one reason the Home Instead Senior Care network is sponsoring a free, five-day cruise for one lucky caregiving hero. As an additional bonus, friends or family who nominate a caregiver for the contest are entered into a separate drawing for a laptop computer and camcorder. August 15, 2010, is the deadline to enter or nominate someone else for the drawing, which will take place August 16, 2010. Caregivers, as well as their friends and families, can learn more and enter at the cruise contest Web site ? cruise.caregiverstress.com.

For information about senior care business opportunities with Home Instead Senior Care, register for the next Home Instead Senior Care Franchise Opportunities one-hour Webinar, scheduled for July 21 at 1 p.m. Eastern Time.

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Horizon Business Solutions Announces Savings of Over $34,000 for Clients Taking Advantage of Health Care Tax Credit in 2011

Reynoldsburg, OH (PRWEB) January 12, 2012

Tracy Russ, an accountant with Horizon Business Solutions (Horizon), says that in 2011 the small business health care tax credit saved their clients a total of $ 34,776. Out of 100 clients Russ says 16 received the credit. And while preparation for the credit does require a little extra work for both the client and the accountant, Russ says ?On average, it takes 1 to 1.5 hours,? a small time investment for such savings.

Few businesses are taking advantage of the credit and Horizon is encouraging small businesses and tax-exempt organizations to do so. ?Most other CPA firms do not have the internal knowledge to easily calculate the credit,? says Russ. Still, businesses that were eligible but neglected to claim the credit in 2010 can still claim it by filing an amended 2011 return.

According to the IRS, the credit can translate into as much as $ 30,000 in savings over a three year period. The credit is for small businesses and tax-exempt organizations. Small businesses are defined as businesses that employ 25 or fewer workers with average incomes of $ 50,000 or less.

Here?s how it works: small employers who pay at least 50 percent of health insurance premiums for employees qualify for a credit of up to 35 percent of the premiums paid for tax years 2010 to 2013. Tax-exempt organizations are eligible for a credit of up to 25 percent of premiums paid. Beginning in 2014, the credit will go up to 50 percent of premiums paid for small businesses and 35 percent of premiums paid for tax-exempt organizations.

?I think it?s a great credit,? says Horizon?s Russ, adding that while it is not a dollar for dollar credit, ?the client is still ahead.?

Concerns over the potential impact of health care reform on small businesses have prompted the formation of several nonprofit small business advocacy groups, including the Small Business Majority. The New York Times quoted a study conducted by the group which concluded that half of companies with nine or fewer workers do not currently provide employee health coverage. The group concluded that many of the new changes benefit small businesses by helping them afford health benefits for their workers. The small business health care tax credit is one of the benefits to small business owners and tax-exempt organizations.

According to the New York Times, the group?s chief executive, John Arensmeyer says, ?Small businesses want to be part of the system, adding, ?They don?t want to shirk their responsibilities,? But, ?the system needs to be fixed.?

While the tax credit provides a great benefit for many small businesses it is not without problems. Horizon?s Russ warns, ?One problem lies with family stipulations. You can?t include members of a family working for a business?.With small businesses it is common for family members to work there, so they typically don?t qualify for this reason.?

Still, the tax credit can provide relief for many small businesses and tax-exempt organizations and it is scheduled to provide even greater relief over the next 3 to 5 years. Horizon encourages both small business owners and other tax preparers to take advantage of any opportunities to keep help keep small business viable and to increase profits.

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Winter Skin Care Tips from the Experts at The Peer Group

(PRWEB) November 30, 2011

During the winter, health becomes a huge concern with the increase of germs among flu and cold season. While many people like to focus on taking the proper steps to keep a healthy immune system, the skin, which is the largest organ of our body is often forgotten,and left unprotected. With the cold months quickly approaching it becomes even more difficult to keep your skin comfortable and smooth for that youthful look everyone strives for.

Luckily, nature already provides a surface lipid barrier to keep moisture in, but when the air turns cold, the environment pulls moisture from skin leaving you flaky, dry, and uncomfortable. The Skin care experts at The Peer Group have the right tips to prevent this from happening!

1. Drink plenty of water. It?s the age old advice for many issues, but it really does work! Make it a habit to have a glass of water when you wake, at each meal, and before bed. You can?t keep your skin hydrated if there isn?t any water to begin with. Also, practice moderation with dehydrating beverages like coffee and alcohol.

2. Get rid of dead skin and cellular debris with a gentle exfoliation. You can find a good product for this at local drug and grocery stores, but be sure to avoid rough, granular scrubs for the face and body. For those with thicker, more oily or acne prone skin, a product containing glycolic and salicylic acids is more appropriate.

3. Moisturize! Consistently moisturize and re-hydrate your skin with proper products. Routine application can help keep your skin soft and supple.

????????? Follow a morning cleansing and moisturizing routine that includes products with humectants, which are oil free and absorb moisture from the air.

????????? If skin feels tight, spritz with aerosol spring water followed by a moisturizer.

4. Avoid hot showers. The high temperature can strip moisture from the skin however; a warm soak with oatmeal can allow the skin to soften.

We?d love to be considered for a story about winter skin care tips. Dr. Isaac Starker, a board certified plastic surgeon at The Peer Group and recently honored as a ?Top Doctor? by New Jersey Monthly for the seventh year in a row, can provide his expert knowledge on winter skin care tips. If you have any questions or would like to coordinate an interview with Dr. Starker, please contact Lauren Verini at Lauren(at)thehipevent(dot)com or (973) 707-7125.

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