Opinion
California’s healthcare system is broken—and the solution is right in front of us.
Patient advocate image by d.ee_angeloOPINION – The Whole Child Model seeks to address the entire body of needs that affect a child’s well-being.
Posts Tagged: caregivers
Patient advocate image by d.ee_angeloOpinion
California must commit to making caregiving a career for the future
Photo by CGN089 via ShutterstockOPINION – Caregiving became my second career the way it does for many women my age; my aging father needed my help. I had recently retired from the corporate world and my family had been relying on my care since we lost my mother at a young age. I chose caregiving out of love. Now,
Opinion
Chronically ill patients facing a lack of insurance coverage — by law
A patient takes medication to deal with a chronic illness. (Photo: fizkes, via Shutterstock)OPINION: Managing autoimmune arthritis that causes painful, swollen joints and daily fatigue is almost like having a full-time job. The medication I need to prevent further joint damage also suppresses my immune system, which means running through PTO (paid time off) for sick days instead of fun days. Regardless, biologic medications allow me to function and keep my hands from swelling like balloons. Living with chronic illness is taxing enough without having to decode insurance hurdles to receive these life-altering medications.
Opinion
Policymakers should plug into the power of tech firms
A view of downtown San Jose, a portion of Silicon Valley, the Tech Museum, and the McEnery Convention Center. (Photo: stellamc, via Shutterstock)OPINION: We have an opportunity for community voices to remind policymakers that our state’s technology sector has been a true bright spot as digital tools, platforms, and services continue to serve as a tide that lifts all boats.
Opinion
Lawmakers must give high priority to Alzheimer’s care
An elderly patient is comforted by a young caregiver. (Photo: Ocskay Mark, via Shutterstock)OPINION: Every year, the Alzheimer’s Association releases a report providing national and state-level statistics on Alzheimer’s prevalence, mortality, cost of care and impact on caregivers. As a son caring for my father who is living with Alzheimer’s, these statistics simply cannot do justice to the huge emotional, physical and financial toll that this disease takes on families and society at large.
Opinion
Reopen our schools, start COVID testing now
A normally bustling playground in Victorville is devoid of students due to COVID-19. (Photo: Felipe Sanchez, via Shutterstock)OPINION: Now is the time to take action. There are less than four months left in the current school year and we should not let the final bell ring before getting kids back into their classrooms. Of course, we cannot and should not sacrifice school, teacher or student safety in doing so. And we don’t have to because we have all the necessary tools to reopen campuses sooner rather than later.
Opinion
A case for high-quality early learning in California
A young girl looks examines the illustrations in a book. (Photo: Tatiana Bobkova, via Shutterstock)OPINION: Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom is exactly right when he states that “early childhood education and affordable high-quality child care pays dividends for that child’s growth, and for our state’s economic growth.” He eloquently made the case during the campaign and we concur: Early learning opportunities for infants, toddlers and preschoolers are crucial for their development.
Opinion
Need to keep a sharp eye on school vision tests
An eye chart seen through a pair of glasses. (Photo: Coprid, via Shutterstock)OPINION: With all that we do to try to help our children succeed at school, we are failing to properly screen students for correctable vision problems that can hinder learning.
Opinion
The battle against cancer
A young cancer patient sits by a hospital window. (Photo: Sasa Prudkov)OPINION: It’s pretty rare nowadays to meet someone whose life hasn’t been affected by some variety of cancer. Whether you’ve been diagnosed yourself or know someone who has, the impacts can be devastating.
Opinion
Nursing homes: Quality staffing means quality care
Nursing home patients receiving medication. (Photo: ChameleonsEye)OPINION: In the past decade, California has invested billions in improving nursing home care, yet for too many nursing home residents that investment hasn’t amounted to any improvement at all in the quality of the care they receive. How is this possible? According to nursing home caregivers of SEIU, the dollars haven’t consistently translated into improved staffing levels.