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It doesn’t often receive the attention that breast cancer or prostate cancer receives, but what many people don’t know is that pancreatic cancer is the 4th leading cause of cancer related deaths. But health professionals and researchers are trying to change that by increasing the public’s awareness of this disease.

The attorneys and staff at O’Connor Law wore purple on Fri., Nov. 16, in honor of Pancreatic Awareness Day. Pancreatic cancer affects thousands of people in the United States each year. It is difficult to detect early and even more difficult to treat.

For more information on pancreatic cancer, visit the Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center at Johns Hopkins (http://www.path.jhu.edu/pancreas/) or the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research (www.lustgarten.org).

This year, the attorneys and staff of O’Connor Law pulled out all the stops to celebrate Halloween in spooktacular style. From vampires and cats to swammies and sports figures, nearly everyone donned a costume to participate in a scavenger hunt and costume contest. Atty. David Miller won Best Costume for his appearance as a pirate.

A good time was had by all!

Today applications will begin to be accepted for LIHEAP, the federally funded Low-Income Energy Assistance Program of the state Department of Welfare. The program offers grants to low-income families to help pay for heating bills. The grants do not have to be repaid.

According to an article on the RepublicanHerald.com, Georgene Fedoriska, executive director at the Schuylkill County Office of Senior Services, is quoted in the article as saying, “We encourage anyone eligible for the program to look into it, especially with the price of heating oil and the economy right now. Every little bit helps.”

Residents who either rent or own their home may qualify. They do not have to be on public assistance or have unpaid heating bills. The grants are sent directly to the utility company or fuel provider and are credited on the resident’s bill.

Now that Hurricane Sandy has passed through our area, we hope that all of our staff, clients, and neighbors made it through with minimal damage. But as we recover from the storm, we’d like to remind everyone about the “Turn Around, Don’t Drive” law that was put in place in July.

Under this new law, it is a summary offense to drive past, around, or through a sign or traffic-control devise used to close a road because of an existing or potential hazardous situation. Violators can face a fine up to $250. If a violator must be rescued by first responders, emergency workers, or a tow truck, the fine can be between $250 and $500.

With roads in our area still closed due to the storm, we strongly urge motorists to heed the “Turn Around, Don’t Drive” law. Don’t put yourself in danger, or possibly any emergency personnel who may be required to rescue you.

As Hurricane Sandy approaches land, we urge our families, staff, clients, and neighbors to prepare and plan for the worst.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett has declared a statewide disaster emergency so that state, county, and municipal governments can respond. Here are some additional recommendations to ride out the storm:

Remain inside your home during harsh conditions. If you need to leave your home, follow posted road warnings to keep yourself and others safe.

The attorneys and staff of O’Connor Law are proud to be a sponsor of the 9th annual Latin Festival being held this Sat., Sept. 29 at the First Energy Stadium in Reading, PA. Admission is free for the event that will be held from noon to 8 PM. Parking for the event is also free. The family-oriented festival is coordinated by the Daniel Torres Hispanic Center and brings together thousands of Latinos from different countries, all in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month that runs from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. The event includes food and live music, as well as a chance to enjoy exhibits, and the culture and folklore of the Latino community. You can enter for a chance to win a flat screen TV and a book bag filled with school supplies. We hope you can join us this Saturday!

The attorneys and staff of O’Connor Law ask you to join with us as we remember all those who lost their lives 11 years ago today at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Flight 93 that crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and with our country, as we remember and we continue to stand together.

Elder care advocates rallied in Washington Nov. 17, uniting to help ensure services are not cut for older

Americans.

Led by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, a long-time senior advocate, congressional advocates and others

According to an article on SeniorHousingNews.com, there is a misconception that home health care for seniors is more expensive than nursing home care.

The article reports that a recent Home Instead Senior Care poll showed that 49% overestimated the cost of home care by more than $6 an hour. Those who did not receive home care estimated the cost to be more than $24 an hour.

Approximately 73% of seniors who were surveyed along with their families thought home care was a good value and were satisfied with their care. The actual average per hour cost they pay is $17.10 an hour. But the yearly cost of nursing home care is $70,000, which is nearly 75% more than home health care.

It’s a family’s worst nightmare: finding out that an elderly loved one is being abused and mistreated in a skilled nursing facility. This nightmare became a reality for the family of an elderly dementia patient being cared for at the Quadrangle Sunrise Senior Living in Haverford, Pennsylvania.

Three care workers have been arrested and charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, criminal conspiracy, harassment, neglect of a care-dependent person and other related crimes.

When the elderly woman questioned her family as to why workers at the Quadrangle seemed to be taunting her, the family installed a hiddle camera. The care workers are accused of allegedly taunting ahd physically abusing the dementia patient. Officials from the state’s Department of Wlefare, which oversees licensing and inspections of personal care homes, is also conducting an investigation in the facility.

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