Speaking before the Senate: exclusive video!

 

As many of you know, I have a keen interest in the process of healthy aging and have been deeply involved with the Martha Stewart Center for Living at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City.  That said, I was quite honored to receive an invitation from Senator Herb Kohl of Wisconsin, who heads the Senate Special Committee on Aging.  I was asked to testify before this committee, which is examining the impending shortages of health professionals, including direct care workers, who are trained to care for older adults.  Last Thursday, a small group of us, including Dr. Brent Ridge – our VP of Healthy Living at MSLO, Susan Magrino – my publicist, and Liesl Menning – my assistant, flew to Washington, DC to take part in this gathering.  I am happy to tell you that the room was filled to capacity with Senators, panelists, and others in attendance wanting to learn more about this very serious health issue.  Please read or listen to my speech and let me know your thoughts on this topic.

Martha Stewart U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging April 16, 2008

Chairman Kohl, Ranking Member Smith and members of the Committee: I appreciate the invitation to testify before you today and am honored to be here.

You have chosen a subject that is increasingly critical to our quality of life—not only for older Americans but for family members who care for them. I look forward to learning from the work of the Committee as it continues to examine this issue. The experience of the distinguished professionals on your panel today will be important as well.

I respond to your invitation today as a member of a family whose eyes were opened by personal experience—and to share what we have been learning at the Martha Stewart Center for Living at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City.

My professional life has been centered on the home, the well being of the family and everything that these subjects encompass. When I began working in this area more than 25 years ago, the subject of homemaking as it relates to families was largely overlooked, though the interest was clearly broad and the desire for information strong. My colleagues and I soon discovered we were satisfying a deeply felt unmet need.

Today I see a similarly unmet need. Our aging relatives and the families who care for them yearn for basic information and resources. We all know this is a significant sector of our society: more than 75 percent of Americans receiving long-term care rely solely on family and friends to provide assistance. The majority of these caregivers are women, many of whom are also raising children. Often, these women are working outside the home as well.

I understand the challenges family caregivers face. My mother, Martha Kostyra, passed away last year at the age of 93. My siblings and I were fortunate that she was in good health almost until she died. Still, we came to know first hand the number of issues that needed to be managed.

First, it’s difficult, especially in smaller cities and rural locations, to find doctors experienced in the specific needs that arise with age. Think of all that this includes: the effect of medications on elderly patients; how various medicines interact with each other; warning signs for depression and onsets of other conditions increasingly common in the elderly.  How do we ensure that they take their medications? How do we help structure our parents’ lives so they can live independently for as long as possible? And how do we support the generation of caregivers who devote so much of themselves to their parents’ aging process?

This only touches on the myriad of issues, of course. Worry is the backdrop for everything these families do: What if the parent falls? What if she leaves the burners on? What if he takes his medications twice—or forgets to take them at all?

Now I am learning even more about the physical, emotional and financial toll that the experience can exact. Caring for an aging parent or loved one can be another full-time job. In fact, 43 percent of baby boomers have taken time off from work and 17 percent have reduced hours to help care for an aging parent. They do this at a time when their expenses are rising. One recent study found that half of those caring for a family member or friend 50 years or older are spending, on average, more than 10 percent of their annual income on care-giving expenses. Many dip into savings and cut back on their own health care spending to cover the bill. Is it any wonder that family caregivers are at increased risk of developing depression, anxiety, insomnia and chronic illnesses?

In the Kostyra family, we were grateful to be there for my mother, who had given so much to us and was a well-loved presence in our lives and in the lives of her 15 grandchildren. Our experience in her final years and my resulting awareness of the issues Americans face is one of the reasons for the creation of the Center for Living. The goal of the Center, which is dedicated to my mother, is to help people to live longer, healthier, productive lives even as they age.

We have set a goal at the Center to use research and the practice of geriatric medicine to try to elevate the level of eldercare and its importance in our society. Did you know that there is currently one geriatrician to every 8,500 baby boomers? That’s clearly not adequate. We are also working to develop new tools and resources for caregivers. We are collaborating with a large number of organizations and motivated, experienced individuals, many of whom have been studying these issues for years. There are numerous devoted and knowledgeable people in this arena, and we hope we can all learn from each other.

This is a field that eventually impacts most families in emotional and encompassing ways. Yet sometimes it’s the simple solution that holds an answer.  Not so long ago at the Center, a woman brought in her father, who had suffered a stroke two years earlier. After the stroke, he had been told he could never eat again and was placed on a feeding tube.  He was devastated and depressed. He had spent his life as someone with a passion for good food, and his future looked bleak to him. At the Center, a doctor experienced in geriatric care asked the man to drink a glass of water. He did, without a problem. “If he can do this,” the doctor said, “he can eat.” This simple exchange improved the man’s quality of life immeasurably. And I’m sure it improved the quality of his daughter’s life, too, knowing that her father was happier.

I want to share with you three things I’ve learned from our work at the Center and that others may find useful:

We must make an effort to coordinate care. Most older Americans have several doctors. It’s important for these doctors to cooperate with one another and work closely with caregivers. ·

It is important that we, as a society, recognize the stresses and challenges that caregivers face and support them as best we can. We want to ensure that their health isn’t undermined by the demands of eldercare.

We must encourage families to open up a dialogue now. Even if your older relatives are in good health, it’s important to plan for a day when they might not be.

I have always been a firm believer in the role of preparation and organization in progressing toward a goal. My concern today is whether our country and our over-stretched medical system can possibly meet the demands of 76 million baby boomers who will start turning 65 in the next two years. We are on the cusp of a health and care-giving crisis that must be addressed now. I know you recognize this and that is why we are here today. I thank you for your dedication to this important matter and for the opportunity to express my thoughts.

Comments

[delia]

I'm so glad you (and Herb Kohl--I'm a fan of his as well) are bringing attention to this topic. I deeply fear that quality care may not be available for many elders in coming years--or may not be affordable for their families.

A question: does your view of healthy aging include discussion or endorsement of any sort of death with dignity plan?

[ercy]

Martha, thank you so much for expressing your thoughts on this very important issue. As the daughter of parents who have recently retired and are in the baby boomer age bracket, I have started to become more concerned about how their needs can be met.

[Nan Ashby]

Thank You! It is a problem in our society that is a threat to the well being of the family and our way of life. Only you Martha have really given so much to the home structure and well being of our oldest unit of society. My mother was critically ill with acute bronchitis for 25 years and was hospitalized at least 4 to 5 times with respiratory failure. The stress placed on my family is unexplainable. Luckily my brother is an internist which greatly lightened the pressure for me and my father. I don't look at the illness as a burden but actually it was. However, I would greatly carry it all over again to still have her with us. I then had to face a depressed and mentally inapt aged father. He has passed away and now I'm single and at the age of 58. I was never married and realize I had been the caregiver of the emotional stress of these illnesses. I'm a retired teacher of 32 years and now it is therapy to me to listen to your daily program and realize how important to me the care and love of making a home is truly the essence of life. Thank you , Nan

[ercy]

Martha, thank you so much for expressing your thoughts and addressing this issue with our government. As the daughter of parents that have recently retired, I often wonder how their needs can be met.

[liisamarja]

caring for the elderly isn't an issue just in america, we face the same here in europe. some communities and cultures will not have to make big chances in order to care for their elderly as it is their custom that the elderly live within the family already.

the issue hits hardest the countries that could earlier boast with the highest standart of welfare by the state. in the future there just isn't going to be enough of us to pay taxes in order for the government to do their part at the level we are now used to.

we all, each and everyone of us, need to start thinking what we can do for our elderly. like martha says, preparation and organization are key elements of making anything work, this applies also to taking care of our elderly when the time comes.

let's give our elderly the love and nurturing they once gave us, which they certainly deserve getting back!

[Patia]

Wonderful. I read the transcript. I agree, this issue is very important. I have seen so many elderly people and their families struggle to maintain a high quality of life in their later years, and to die with grace and dignity -- particularly when finances are tight. (Thank goodness for Hospice.)

I'm curious to see what actions the Senate committee will take. Good for you for taking a leadership role on this important issue.

[Rita]

Hi Martha,

Congratulations on the work of your center. Does it offer alternative medicine as well as Western medicine?

After learning about Melody Petersen new book, "Our Daily Meds," I did a series of posts on my blog The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide at http://boomersurvive-thriveguide.typepad.com.

The increased use of prescription drugs, due to their advertising on TV, is a concern. Have you addressed this in your work?

Rita

[Pru]

Martha,

It is wonderful that you have such a platform to voice issues that go on not just in America, but all over the world. The speech read brilliantly. Well done.

[Pam from California]

I watched the entire video web cast over on the senate web site and caught your full session with the senate hearings. I think you presented yourself well and touched on many important points that the other panelists didn't address in their statements. Having the experience of your own Martha Stewart Center for the Aging helped give them the senators a guideline of future findings once your center has reported back on their statistics down the line with seniors who seek help at your center. I wish more centers were available around the country so that more seniors could get the medical help and support needed. It will be a dire situation in our near future when our medical sources are overflowing with to many patients and not enough trained care takers and faculties to take care of so many needy people.
It is welcoming that you are working on a hand book I am sure there are other hand books out there for other states and health centers but it can be overwhelming when a family is faced with so many questions and no answers when it is time for their loved one to seek help and support and have no place to go.
Long term care is getting more and more expensive and dealing with what to do with a family member when the time comes can be very emotional under the best circumstances let alone not knowing what to do and where to turn and no guidance from our Govt on aworking system for millions of people to take advantage of.
In watching the hearing(80 minutes) I felt we are sorely lacking in being prepared for this on sought and we better get a plan a good working plan set in motion soon for our nation or we are going to be in big trouble trying to place all these patients with all the things they will need for quality care long term or short term we aren't ready and we need to be.

Martha I think you bought up some very important examples for these folks to learn from I just hope they listened and took notes and will go forward with some of the ideas and suggestions and get going on making improvements in our system and getting things moving for the wheels are slow in turning and where will the needed funds come from?
There is so much to be done but at least this is a beginning. Great to see you there you did well. I hope you will continue to pursue these important issues and keep people on their toes at MSCFTA.(Martha Stewart Center)

Pam from CA

[Georganne Lynch]

Thank you Martha for your work and continued support for this very important issue. I am a caregiver for both my father who has Parkinsons and Alzheimer and is bedridden and also care for my mother who is able to care for herself, but is showing the "signs of aging", forgetfulness, starting to "shuffle" along and just slowing down. I have had to give up a good part of my life to care for them. I know many people are in my same shoes. Life can be very difficult even if the family has managed to save for the future, but most of us haven't planned for the future of having to care for their parents. I am fortunate to have a very good doctor to provide medical care for both of my parents, but providing caregiving is a subject that is very difficult. Most of us don't have a lot of information on this subject. Again, thank you for making more people aware.

[Ann]

Oh Martha, your mom would have been so proud of you for speaking at the Senate hearing. God bless you.

[Kathy]

Hi, Martha,
Thanks for your words to Senator Kohl's Senate Special Committee in support of healthy aging, so important to all of us. I learned of this shortage of health care professionals trained to care for older adults when my mother became ill. As you say, coordination of care is critical as is help for caregivers themselves. Your mother would be so so proud of your words to the committee and the continued work of the Center for Living. Thanks again.
Happy Earth Day!
Kathy

[Sue]

Martha,
No one could represent the Senate comittee better than you in my eyes. We applaud your insite and your ability to enact change. Thank You and I pray your mission will succeed in change.

[Ruth]

Martha,
I am a nurse who loves the field of Geriatrics. Thank you for bringing attention to this subject. I would love to come visit your facility.

[cookiejar]

Hi Martha,

I think the work you have done in this area is so very needed and I am glad you have brought this to attention. I particularly hope that we can see centers in my country as well, as I feel that the quality of life so often is lessened in a person's later years simply due to the nature of the health and personal care that is available to them.

When my grandmother became ill and passed away a few years ago, it was heartbreaking to see her as someone who had reared a large family, kept a beautiful home (which her husband had built himself), loved her garden and took pleasure in making her family happy, it was hard to accept that she needed to live in a 'hostel' for the elderly because of the medical care she needed to have access to, until she eventually needed to go to hospital. Most places like this do not have the same heart, warmth and loving personal touches of the home that a person is used to and I think it is sad that people often need to accept much less than what they have had their whole lives when they become elderly because that is the only option available to them with the medical care that they need. I think it would also be wonderful to have options for the children/other family members to stay with their elderly relatives in the centers when they want to, like taking a holiday, and if the elderly person is still in good health, to allow them a kitchen and other facilities they want so that they can still entertain their families on visits.

Please keep up your excellent work and I wish you lots of success with this project.

Kind regards,

[Margie]

The presentation of these facts is right on target. My mother was one of those individuals living in a small rural community with limited medical options. Yes she did receive medications that reacted with each other. Yes her life was never the same because of those medical over looks.
Yes, Martha and associates, you said what needed to said. As always thank you for understanding and presenting the truth.

[Trish]

I think your center is going to be the perfect blueprint for more centers around the country so I am really glad that Senator Kohl invited you to speak to his committee.

The fact that your center is developing new tools and resources for caregivers is very interesting to me and I commend that you are also collaborating with other organizations and individuals. I am a caregiver for my sister who has emphysema, chronic bronchitis and failing kidneys so you can imagine the various doctors and medication she is on. I watch for reactions anytime she is on something new but I'm no doctor. Like who knew the Theodur she has taken for years for breathing would cause a reaction with a certain antibiotic and almost kill her? And why? She had lost weight and her Theodur dosage needed to be lowered. One time she said she had a backache so she put heating pads on and almost burned herself when she fell asleep. What she really had was double pneumonia.

Some think they are capable of taking care of themselves when they aren't and not everyone has a caregiver living with them. It is frightening to think of 76 million baby boomers needing help maybe all at the same time! Trish

[Linda Coran]

Thank you so much for testifying, Martha. And for the center you built. The lack of adequate healthcare for the aging is a crisis looming for every American, and most people are completely unaware of it. I hope that you and Dr. Ridge are successful in reshaping the landscape. We will all benefit from it - no matter our current age.

Thank you again.

[Sherey]

Martha...so wonderful that you were able to speak to the Senate on this most important issue. We must all do our part to stay healthy and fit as we age. However, it's comforting to know that policies will be in place for those who need assistance and can live out their 'golden' years in as much comfort as possible.

[Andrew Ritchie]

Hi Martha,

I think what you're doing with the Centre for Living is wonderful. I am 31 and help to care for my grandmother, taking her to her appointments, doing her groceries and running errands when she needs me to. It can be taxing at times, but I find it very rewarding and I know how appreciative she is.

I think there are so many people who will benefit from your insights.

-Andrew

[Susy]

Martha, you are my hero.. my parents are over 70 and I worry about their well being all the time..

[ShopLittleGifts]

Great idea Martha. I love your segments on fitness and health. I think they focus on more of the 40s, 50s, 60s demographic and I use that information for my loved ones. I hope you will open a center for living in California as well.

[Jan Erickson]

Dear Martha, There are many concerns facing Americans today and one of the top concerns is eldercare. I applaud you for addressing this issue with such passion, intelligence, and compassion. I also applaud this committee for choosing you to address this need in our society. Having been a care giver myself, I understand your interest in improving the quality of eldercare and ways to aid caregivers. Thank you once again for helping all of us to live our lives the best we can. Jan

[Becky]

Thank you so much for all your work in the field of aging, and specifically for your testimony and for your Center for Aging. I also would like to thank you for the work of Dr. Brent Ridge--I have appreciated his columns in the magazine--two come to mind in particular, because they addressed issues that I dealt with, with my mother, who passed away in February of this year, of complications from chemo treatment for her colon cancer. The first article was one of his first in the magazine, addressing the issue of patients not informing their doctors of health issues, out of some misguided idea that they shouldn't "bother" them with minor issues, or some sense of privacy or reluctance to talk about their bodily functions. The other article addressed colon cancer in particular, which unfortunately was very personal for both Dr. Ridge, and my mother and me. I would hope that these articles help all of us keep informed, and share our concerns with those that can help us in our goal of a healthy, fulfilled life.

[Jason]

You look a little nervous. Were they nice to you?

OK people get ready. Martha for president is next. Just kidding. :)