Hospital Prices Gone Up Long Ago

 Nadene Goldfoot                                                   

                                                          hospital delivery room

I just ran across a paper that needed to be thrown away.  It read, On paper I found from 9/8/2005, Kathleen said her baby book had a bill for her birth totaling $107 for 9 day stay in hospital, including doctor's services and delivery.  That happened in April of 1950 in Eastern Oregon;  That was 76 years ago, believe it or not.  The value of the dollar has altered.  

My children were born in 1953 and 1954, and their father was a pre-med student in college, so we got a break, even then.  

Average Cost of Giving Birth in a Hospital

The cost of hospital childbirth in the U.S. is often startling for new parents, especially those who are uninsured or underinsured. While the exact amount can vary by region, provider, and individual medical circumstances, national averages provide a clear sense of what most families can expect.

• Without insurance: Hospital bills typically range from $18,000 to $32,000 for a vaginal delivery and $32,000 to $51,000 for a Cesarean section (C-section).
• With insurance: Out-of-pocket costs often total between $2,000 and $5,000 for vaginal births and may be higher for C-sections, depending on your plan’s deductibles, copays, and out-of-network rates.
• Average total costs:  When insurance and hospital bills ae combined, the average healthcare spending relate to childbirth can reach $18,865.  

After discovering this, I feel I'm lucky to have one grandson who was born 2 years ago.  Good grief!  Couples really have to think about their family plan and make sure they have insurance for any additional children, too.  

There were exactly 35,991 live births recorded in Oregon in 1950. 

 1953.  39,866. . 1954. 38,550. 

In 2024, there were 38,968 live births in Oregon. 

In 1950, the average hourly wage in the United States across 

major industries (like manufacturing and finance) was about \$1.50\) per hour. In Oregon specifically, the average

manufacturing production wage was slightly lower, coming in around \(\$1.45\) to \(\$1.55\) per hour. Often laborers  would work for $1.00 per hour. 

The average (mean) hourly wage in Oregon for 2024 was 

approximately $31.17 to $38.00 per hour, varying slightly based on the specific survey, sector, and metropolitan area.

 

 

What Do Seniors Really Talk About?

 Nadene Goldfoot                                            

What seniors, and I am thinking of people 80 years and more,  really talk about a great deal  if they are part of a group with similar backgrounds is a complete disruption in their lives.  For some, it may have been an accident, or simply aging, that affected their bodies, causing them to be moved out of a very secure environment.  

The move would have had a strong affect of causing a blur in their minds for several years, as a matter of fact.  They would have felt they were through a shock.  During that shock period they could have gone through the motions of being alive,  and not care what was happening to them.  And then,  they might have come out of it. 

There are several levels of seniors at this point.  Some would have retained their memories, both past and in a blurry way, the present that would then get better.  Some might realize that they are living in an Assisted Living environment away from those who had made up their lives, their family of children and grandchildren, etc.  As talks with others cleared the air, they would have found others in the same position, and they were there for LIFE.  Then they would realize that their life is measured, and could end at any time.  They all wished, of course, for the long life of 100 years, and for some, that was either an award or a punishment.  That was a long time to be living as such.  How did one accept that fact?  Some of us don't.  

Assisted Living facilities are the growing business in the US;  gone are the days when the aged opened their doors for their children to come and live in their very large homes on farms, etc.  Or gone are the days when the children took in their aging parents who became baby sitters and such for the children.  It's all Assisted Living.  The U.S. assisted living industry has rapidly evolved from basic residential care into a multi-billion-dollar market. Driven by the aging Baby Boomer generation, the sector is characterized by high occupancy, rising costs, and ongoing M&A consolidation.  Baby Boomers are defined as individuals born between 1946 and 1964. In 2026, this means Baby Boomers are roughly 62 to 80 years old

Market Size & Valuation: The U.S. assisted living facility market is estimated at \(\$44.38\) billion.

Demographic Push: More than 10,000 Americans turn 65 daily. The senior population (\(65+\)) has grown to represent nearly 20% of the U.S. population.

High Demand: Assisted living occupancy rates continue to climb, regularly hovering around \(87.2\%\) as demand outpaces the limited supply of new development.

Assisted living, to our aged, becomes a prison of sorts; with rules.  The aged is not the head of the house anymore but a prisoner.  Men have the hardest time adjusting to the regime. Assisted Living work hard to have  interesting activities for men and women if they are up to certain physical standards or interests.  I see men plotting and hoping to re-connect with their car and drive to the ends of the earth one day.  They are men who could not drive safely for anyone on our freeways of today for 5 minutes.  I see some women at that point, too.  

What happens to us after all our money is gone into paying for living in Assisted Living?  Are we thrown out into the streets?  This is another area we cover;  our money and how quickly it is disappearing.  Most of us do have someone, often a family member, handling that part of life for us, which takes away out own individual responsibility for ourself, making us feel weaker, but knowing it is too complicated for us to handle.  

That's when an I-SNP steps into our lives.  An Institutional Special Needs Plan (I-SNP) is for people who need the level of services provided in a long-term care facility. You must be a Medicare beneficiary entitled to Medicare Part A and enrolled in Part B, and a long-term resident of a participating nursing home, or, as we understand, Assisted Living,  to enroll in an I-SNP.  In other words, Social Security steps in at this point after tons of papers are filled out about your whole life and where your money went and all this documentation.  This will determine whether you are ACCEPTED or not into the program.  So we talk about this venture a lot.  We have to have special needs, and believe me, if we didn't have them, we wouldn't have stayed at the Assisted Living in the first place.  Though we come to love our table mates, and most likely would try to remain in close contact with them as if they were our siblings, we yearn for those days before:  so we have a {BAL (before assisted living} and {AAL (after assisted living}. 

Now, something new has popped up in the last 2 years, or at least what I hadn't been aware of, and that's An Institutional Equivalent Special Needs Plan (IE-SNP) is for someone who needs the same nursing home level of care, but can live either at home or in an assisted living facility. Oh, there we are. I'm confused already.   This is still considered an I-SNP. You must be a Medicare beneficiary entitled to Medicare Part A and enrolled in Part B and live in a plan service area to enroll in an IE-SNP. I really lucked out, I see, with a lovely bathroom and shower facility allowing help when sitting or standing and grab bars all over the place much nicer than the many pictures I've seen.  Two showers given a week is the standard, and I can keep my usual one a week.  Hallelujah!  This comes with dressing, too.                            

So we may look like we're having a great gab-fest over something, we do find humor in all of this.  That's part of being a senior.  

Resource:

https://www.uhc.com/medicare/shop/institutional-special-needs-plans.html?WT.mc_id=MNR3647063&tfn=1-866-944-9801&mrcid=&leadsourcename=MR_IESNP_PS_GGL_NB_CMB%7CMNR3647063&utm_term=assisted+living+centers&utm_source=GOOGLE&ut

Senior Talk Affected By Acoustics and Health, Hearing

 Nadene Goldfoot                                                  

One of the things Seniors talk about is their problems in hearing, with many factors interfering;  the use of hearing aids, the size and structure of  their homes or Assisted Living Quarters.  What situations hamper quality communication for this age group?  

When dining rooms reopened at senior living communities operated by Laurence Gerber, residents were hesitant to meet in groups again. After all, the seniors had been in social isolation since the COVID-19 outbreak began in early 2020.

Seniors were the hardest hit during the pandemic and health officials advised them to shelter in place to reduce their risk of exposure to the coronavirus disease. As a way to keep residents safe, senior living communities banned family members, friends, and non-essential workers from visiting, leaving residents feeling even more isolated.

We've had a break but have been aware of new viruses hitting the elderly once more.  Sitting in closer groups isn't a good idea because of coughing going on and spreading of these viruses among people with little immunity left in their systems because of age.  If one has been told they have pneumonia, it's not a good idea to sit with others and spread the germs. Pneumonia itself is not contagious, but the viruses, bacteria, and fungi that cause it are. They primarily spread from person to person through respiratory droplets released when an infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes. Inhaling these droplets is the most common way infections transmit  There are other factors interrupting good communication when needed. 

Room acoustics significantly shape human health, mood, and productivity by influencing how sound waves bounce, reflect, or get absorbed. Poor acoustics cause stress, fatigue, and miscommunication, while optimized sound environments promote better focus, well-being, and clearer interactions.

Subconscious Stress: Our brains constantly listen to our environment to detect danger. When a room produces excessive echoes or reverberations, the brain works harder to process sounds, causing unnecessary tension and mental fatigue.  Mood alteration is affected.  Rooms with harsh acoustics, like vast, empty spaces with hardwood floors, can trigger feelings of being overwhelmed, whereas well-damped, quiet spaces promote relaxation and calmness. The effects of this spatial perception are hardest on  living in a constant  environment of rooms causing such acoustics.  What kinds of rooms produce poor acoustics?   High ceilings encourage abstract thoughts, miscommunication and a feeling of freedom, whereas highly muffled or constrained spaces can sometimes induce claustrophobia.  

Vocal Strain: People tend to speak louder (the "Lombard effect") to overcome the background noise in poorly designed or echoing rooms, basically with high ceilings. Over time, this leads to vocal cord fatigue and throat complaints.

Long-Term Complications: Prolonged exposure to chaotic, loud acoustic environments elevates heart rate and blood pressure, and can even contribute to sleep disturbances, tinnitus, or cardiovascular issues.  

Speech Intelligibility: In classrooms or offices, excessive reverberation distorts the pauses between words. Poor sound clarity can cause students to miss up to one in four words, leading to shorter attention spans and lower test scores. Focus  and Productivity: In open-plan offices or study areas, uncontrolled background noise and overlapping conversations disrupt cognitive processing, significantly lowering productivity and performance.

Assessing Your Space: Key Factors to Consider

When evaluating an existing space for its acoustic properties, consider the following factors:

1. Surface Materials: Hard, reflective surfaces like concrete, glass, and drywall can cause sound to bounce around the room, leading to reverberation.
2. Furniture and Layout: The placement of furniture and people within a room can affect sound absorption and reflection.
3. Background Noise: External noise sources, such as HVAC systems or traffic, can interfere with audio clarity.

Optimizing Your Room Acoustics: Practical Solutions

To improve the acoustic quality of your meeting or dining room, consider the following strategies:

1. Sound Absorption:

   • Acoustic Panels: Install sound-absorbing panels on walls and ceilings to reduce reverberation.
   • Carpeting: Use carpeting to absorb sound and reduce noise levels.
   • Curtains and Drapes: Heavy curtains or drapes can help to dampen sound reflections.

2. Audio Equipment and Technology:

   • High-Quality Microphones: Invest in high-quality microphones to capture clear audio signals.
   • Sound Systems: Use a well-designed sound system to amplify sound evenly throughout the room.
   • Acoustic Treatment for Audio Equipment: Place microphones and speakers strategically to minimize feedback and improve sound quality.

By carefully assessing your room’s acoustics and implementing appropriate solutions, you can create a more productive and comfortable meeting environment with less cranky and often fearful  people.

MAY HAPPENS TO BE OLDER AMERICANS MONTH

 Nadene Goldfoot                                             

                     May happens to be OLDER AMERICANS MONTH.

What was part of many older American's lives?  What do we older Americans think of?  Well, today our dining room was served CHEESE DANISH.    I thought of Entenmann's cheese Danish, so popular all over the USA except here, evidently.  It may have been made in our kitchen at Brookdale Assisted Living.  I used to buy it in the Supermarket where Little Debbies were along with other coffee cakes.  As of May 15, 2026, a package of Entenmann’s Cheese Danish generally costs between $6.00 and $9.00, depending on the size and retailer of which Kroger is one of them.  

Entenmann’s Cheese Danish features a signature sweet, creamy cheese filling in buttery, flaky pastry, available as individual 5-oz snacks or as larger 14-oz twists, generally priced between $2 and $9. These, along with alternatives like Berry & Cheese Danish, are commonly sold in major grocery stores and online, offering a classic, soft, and moist pastry experience.  

Some people are finding it difficult to find them in the supermarkets.  One person wrote:  Cheese Danish have been a bakery favorite for centuries. Sweet and savory Entenmann’s Baker's Delights Mini Cheese Danish are baked to perfection and individually wrapped for freshness and convenience. The sweet, cheese filling is enveloped by a buttery, flaky dough that simply melts in your mouth. You can actually see the moist creamy filling peeking through the top of each delicious pastry. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, dessert or as an anytime snack at home or on-the-go.    Significance: It is part of the classic, preservative-free line that helped build the brand's reputation for high-quality, "comfort" baked goods.                     

Since 1898, the Entenmann’s name has stood for moist and delicious baked goods. Founded in 1898 by German immigrant William Entenmann in Brooklyn, NY, on Rogers Avenue, the bakery began as a door-to-door, horse-drawn wagon delivery service. Famous for its quality, the company moved to Bay Shore, NY, in 1900, eventually pioneering the see-through bakery box in 1959 and shifting to supermarkets.  

1951: Following the death of William Jr., his widow Martha and their sons (Charles, Robert, William) take over, pivoting from bread to cakes and pastries.  Frank Sinatra has been a customer of these Cheese Danishes.  

1959: Entenmann’s introduces the iconic see-through packaging, allowing customers to view the products in supermarkets.

1970s: The company becomes a nationwide brand under the family before being sold to Warner-Lambert in 1978.

Modern Day: Currently owned by Bimbo Bakeries USA, it remains a major staple of the American baking industry. 

Resource:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entenmann%27s

https://www.entenmanns.com/our-history

https://www.walmart.com/ip/ENTENMANN-S-CHEESE-DANISH-6-PACK/1520201531

Which hand Do Seniors Use?

 Nadene Goldfoot                                                

Which hand do we Seniors use for writing who live at Brookdale Assisted Living in Oswego Springs, Portland, Oregon?  In other words, which hand belongs to people living the longest?   Studying the menu sheet is serious business with many here.  This is serious, picking and writing down notes to the chef in order to get just the right food.

Today I noted that all 4 women at my table were left-handed upside-down writers just like me!  It was unbelievable!  Yes, being a left-handed "upside-down" (or hooked/inverted) writer is much more rare than simply being left-handed. While roughly 10% of the population is left-handed, inverted writing is a specific posture adopted by only a subset of that group, often to avoid smearing ink or because of how they were taught

Such  a group of women, too!!! Gender: Left-handedness is slightly more common in males (approx. 11% in some studies) than females (approx. 8%). This one day just happened to have 4 of us together;  left-handed upside-down writers writing away!!! I could not believe my eyes.  Also strange was that 3 of us were ladies  at one time or another this year trying to learn to play Mah Jongg (also spelled Mahjong).

Left-handedness is a natural, often genetic, trait in about 10% of the population, defined by a dominant left hand for daily tasks. While often navigating a world designed for right-handers, lefties possess unique brain connectivity that may offer advantages in sports, creativity, and spatial tasks.  Studies show a significantly lower prevalence in older generations, often between 3% and 6%, due to historical cultural pressures that forced children to become right-handed.  They tried to change me, but I was a stubborn lefty. 

   Something we can't do in Portland, as it rained all morning;  we eat in the dining room.     

Today was an exception.  One of our ladies never came down for lunch so her seat had become occupied by another who liked to move around from table to table to get to know more people.  Another rarely came for breakfast as she liked to sleep later, being a midnight TV-watcher.  We have the rule, first come, first seated.  If you're late, you take a different seat.  There's no saving seats for people.  After a little appeasement and adjustment, we all settled down.  

Here we sat for the first time together;  Sandy from San Francisco, California, Teddy from Duma, Texas, Geri from Brooklyn, New York, and myself from Portland, Oregon.  How we all came together at the ripe old ages of 32 said a definite senior, to 78 to 82 and me at almost 92 must hold a lot of exciting adventures.  Brookdale can handle us all!                            

Based on 2026 demographic projections, there are approximately 35 to 55 million left-handed people between the ages of 70 and 79 worldwide.  Total Population Age 70-79: The global population of people aged 60–79 is roughly 918 million, with the 70-79 subgroup representing a significant portion of this.

Based on global demographic trends for 2026 and studies on handedness, it is estimated that there are a few million self-identified left-handed people between the ages of 80 and 89 globally.  Total Population (80-89): As of 2026, there are over 150 million people worldwide aged 80 and older. Left-Handed Prevalence in Elderly: While 10–12% of the general population is left-handed, studies indicate that for individuals aged 80 and over, the reported prevalence is significantly lower, often less than 1% to 5%.

Based on global population estimates for 2026 and studies on handedness, there are estimated to be roughly 1.5 million to 2.5 million left-handed people between the ages of 90 and 99 worldwide.Total Population (90-99): As of 2020, there were roughly 147 million people in the 80–99 age bracket. Projecting this to a narrower, older, and smaller 90-99 bracket in 2026, it is reasonable to estimate a population of roughly 100-150 million, though exact numbers are difficult to pinpoint.

• Left-Handed Percentage (Old Age): While roughly 10% of the general population is left-handed, this percentage drops significantly to under 1% or roughly 1.67% in studies of those older than 80.
• Calculation: Using a conservative \(1.5\%\) of 150 million, the number is approximately \(2.25\) million.

Do left handers die earlier?  Nada's answer: Our genes of handedness comes from our paternal grandfather who died in a horse and buggy accident:   I'm left-handed alive and 91years and 7 1/2 months old;  my brother, David was left-handed and died at 81 years 2 months 6 days;  our 1st cousin by male line  Nate, another lefty died at 86 years 2 months 1 day.  

Data are presented on the prevalence of current left-handedness and prior left-handedness (switched) in 2787 subjects from 21 to 101 years of age. In addition, data on sex differences, familial sinistrality, hand posture when writing, and education were recorded. Two hypotheses were tested. 

The elimination hypothesis states that reduced frequency of left-handers in old age is due to reduced longevity. 

The modification hypothesis states that differences in the number of left-handers between older and younger persons are due to changing patterns of social norms. 

The results showed a decreasing prevalence of left-handedness across the age span, with 15.22% in the youngest group (21-30 years), but only 1.67% in subjects older than 80 years. There was however a corresponding increase in the number of subjects who had switched hand for writing, 2.69% in the youngest group to 6.75% in subjects 80 years and above.  (You go back in history and it was common to force people to switch)

This supports the modification hypothesis and questions the elimination hypothesis. However, the mean percent score was still lower in subjects above compared to below age 40 after correction for hand switching. Thus, although changes in social norms towards left-handers seem to be the most likely explanation, we have not empirically disproved the elimination hypothesis.  WELL!!!!!

People have concluded many things about lefties, but I like this one best:  In his book Right-Hand, Left-Hand, Chris McManus of University College London argues that the proportion of left-handers is increasing, and that an above-average quota of high achievers have been left-handed. He says that left-handers' brains are structured in a way that increases their range of abilities, and that the genes that determine left-handedness also govern development of the brain's language centers.  

Resource;

https://www.google.com/search?q=being+left-handed+&sca_esv=2f14afef1c200fca&sxsrf=ANbL-n5kMgabD0elJcL9TTM8a27RFaLBuQ%3A1778703722958&ei=at0EatyPOrf50PEPqbPNiQ0&biw=1280&bih=613&ved=0ahUKEwjc7MTci7eUAxW3PDQIHa

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8502368/