March: “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope”

March is Women’s History Month, and 2022 theme celebrates “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope” which according to the National Women’s History Alliance, is “both a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic and also a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history.” : International Women’s Day is March 8^th.

Women’s History Month was officially created by Congress in 1987, but the movement began with March 8, 1911 International Women’s Day as a global celebration of the achievements of women. In 1975 the United Nations sponsored International Women’s Day; and  in 1975 the school district of Sonoma, California organized a weeklong celebration of women’s contributions to culture, and history. President Jimmy Carter issued the first presidential proclamation declaring the week of March 8, 1980 as National Women’s History Week.

“March” is named for the Roman god of war, Mars, because it was the time of year military campaigns would resume fighting after being interrupted by winter. Sadly that seems true in today as well, as the people of Ukraine as fight for democracy.

Other highlights in March include: Daylight Saving Time (13^th), St. Patricks Day (17th), a very bright Full Worm Moon (18^th) and Spring  Equinox (20^th). If you are a gardener or an optimist, start planting seeds, even if they are only seeds of hope!

CareAvailability site expands into California to help families navigate more than 14,000 care and senior housing options

CareAvailability is proud to announce its expansion into California. Setting a NEW industry standard, CareAvailability is the first and only website that delivers real-time reporting of availability for senior care up to the minute. The site first launched in Oregon during the COVID pandemic as an effort to help hospitals find care for patients needing to transition out of beds. Washington was added soon after the site went live, followed now by California. Unlike other sites, this online resource lists every provider at no cost, and each can update their current availability at no cost; this significantly increases Family and Patient Freedom of Choice like never before. Until now, there has not been a site that delivers a comprehensive list for families to search without having to give any personal details.

Senior advocates and health professionals rely on Care Availability to put together comprehensive lists of care options, as well as allowing people to self-navigate searching for care providers. Instead of care providers needing to update multiple paid sites, Care Availability is an easy one-stop resource, as they do not charge hospitals, physicians, health clinics, social workers or any health team for their services. Also included are Medicare Ratings to support Patient Freedom of Choice.

When a family starts looking for care or senior housing, the options can be daunting in an already trying time. In California, there are more than 7,000 Care Homes, 2,000 Assisted Living Communities, 1,800 Home Care Agencies, 1,200 Nursing Homes, and 2,900 hospice Agencies. To further complicate matters, many states use different terms to describe the same kind of care, such as: assisted living, residential care for the elderly, board and care, family care home, custodial care, long term care, and other terms that can be confusing for families to understand and differentiate. The team at CareAvailability has taken extra steps to provide educational articles to help families better navigate the maze of Long Term Care and aging, by providing links to state agencies, as well as explaining local terminology and regulations.

“With real-time senior care options and availability, Care Availability is a one-stop-shop for finding and contacting care providers from a source users can trust. There is no login required, no information shared, and it is free for anyone to use, including hospitals, senior case managers, and advisors,” CareAvailability’s CEO, Amy Schmidt, says. Ms. Schmidt further explains, “We wanted to list every housing and care company to have the most comprehensive directory available. We want families to access resources from any smart phone, tablet or computer without sharing their contact details.”

Care Availability’s expansion to California means an additional 16,750 providers are now listed in Care Availability’s database of resources, which includes more than 8,000 assisted living communities, 2,800 home health agencies, 1,800 home care agencies, 1,200 skilled nursing facilities, and 2,900 hospice agencies.

Fun Facts about California

California is one of the most popular destinations in all of North America, and famous for the Golden Gate Bridge, Disneyland, and Hollywood. Other things unique to California are Coachella, the Wine Country, Silicon Valley, and Surf Culture, in addition to less obvious sights.

In 1850, California became the 31st state. Prior to its statehood, California was an independent country for one month in 1846.

African American History Month: Celebrating Black Health & Wellness

February is African-American History Month and celebrates the rich cultural heritage, triumphs and adversities that are an indelible part of our country’s history. February was chosen primarily because the second week of the month coincides with the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Lincoln was influential in the emancipation of slaves, and Douglass, a former slave, was a prominent leader in the abolitionist movement, which fought to end slavery.

I only recently learned that every year has a theme, and this year’s theme, “Black Health and Wellness,” focuses on: the legacy of Black scholars, medical practitioners, and other ways in which the Black community have contributed to healthcare. This month is the perfect time to reflect on America from a public health perspective. The CDC has recognized that institutionalized racism serves as a threat to social determinants of health.  Social determinants of health include the conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks. Poverty, income inequality, wealth inequality, food insecurity, and the lack of safe, affordable housing are just a few. Another important social factor leading to poor health outcomes and economic disadvantage among African Americans is racism, because not only is it a stressor, but it impacts who gets what in America, particularly health care.

You may want to visit the Association for the Study of African American Life and History to learn more about this year’s theme and past.

CareAvailability Launches New Comprehensive Real-Time Senior Directory & Senior Resource Website!

CareAvailability, the website dedicated to helping seniors, their families and healthcare professionals find care in real time, is proud to announce the launch of their new and improved website.

Senior advocates and healthcare professionals who have relied on CareAvailability to put together comprehensive lists of care options are delighted to see the website’s new and improved design and functionality while staying true to their mission.

Real-time senior care options and availability. A one-stop-shop for finding and contacting care providers from a source you can trust. No login required, no information shared, free for anyone to use (including hospitals and senior case managers/advisors).

CareAvailability’s new website has also been designed to better serve seniors themselves by making searching easy and straight forward to use.

“There are tons of website that offer senior care and housing listings, but CareAvailability.com is the only one that lists every agency at no cost to the providers to be included, and does not require families to share their personal information to view the search results,” CareAvailability’s CEO, Amy Schmidt, says. Ms. Schmidt further explains, “It is truly the first comprehensive resource site.”

To learn more about the team that makes up CareAvailability, visit our about us page.