Blog Archive
Palliative care is the medical specialty focused on improving the quality of life of people facing serious illness. Emphasis is placed on pain and symptom management, communication and coordinated care. This type of care is appropriate from the time of diagnosis and can be provided along with curative treatment.
The point of palliative care is to relieve suffering through pain and symptom management, communication and coordination of your care. But it is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Palliative care treats people suffering from serious and chronic illnesses including cancer, cardiac disease like Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), kidney failure, Alzheimer’s, HIV/AIDS and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
Palliative care relieves symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite and difficulty sleeping. It helps you gain the strength to carry on with daily life. It improves your ability to tolerate medical treatments. And it helps you to better understand your choices for care.
Palliative care is not end-of-life care and is not the same as hospice. Hospice is focused on providing quality care to people in the last months of life who have decided to stop treatments meant to cure them. Palliative care on the other hand can be provided from the time of diagnosis. You can have palliative care at the same time as curative treatment.
Usually a team of experts, including palliative care doctors, nurses and social workers, provides this care. Chaplains, massage therapists, pharmacists, nutritionists and others may also be part of the palliative care team. Working together with your own doctor, the palliative care team provides:
- Close communication
- Expert management of pain and other symptoms
- Help navigating the healthcare system
- Guidance with difficult and complex treatment choices
- Emotional and spiritual support for you and your family
To learn more about hospice and palliative care visit The National and Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s website http://www.nhpco.org/templates/1/homepage.cfm.
An estimated 12 million Americans need long term care to assist them with daily activities. For some of those people, the idea of relocating to a skilled nursing facility or nursing home can be intimidating and uncomfortable. Consider the following factors to consider when visiting a facility:
- Are the residents/patients clean and dressed appropriately?
- Does the building have a neutral or pleasant smell?
- Is the temperature comfortable? The lighting?
- Does the staff interact with residents/patiently in a friendly manner?
- Does all staff go through background checks prior to employment?
- Are the residents/patients rooms clean? Have storage? Have a window?
- Are there handrails in the hallways? Smoke detectors and sprinklers?
- Are there several food choices available at each meal? Snacks available?
- Does the activities staff provide a variety of activities? Indoor and outdoor?
- Has the facility had deficiencies at state and federal inspections and were corrective actions taken?
On the Medicare website there is a section where you can compare Nursing Homes based on a star rating system that looks at the facility’s health inspections, staffing and quality measures (i.e. – the prevalence of pressure sores). While this tool is helpful, it is essential that you visit and ASK QUESTIONS before making a decision on where to receive long term care.
Medical Savings Program
There are resources in each state that can help people with a limited income to pay some or all of their Medicare’s premiums, Medicare deductibles and coinsurance. You must be receiving Medicare in order to qualify. State by State: http://www.medicare.gov/contacts/staticpages/msps.aspx
State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs
Many major drug manufacturers offer assistance for people enrolled in Medicare Part D. You can find out if the manufacturers of the prescriptions you take offer a Patient Assistance Program by going to:
State by State: http://www.medicare.gov/pharmaceutical-assistance-program/state-programs.aspx
Social Security
If you have limited income, resources and have Medicare, you may qualify for extra help paying for your prescription drugs. You could pay between $1-$5 for each drug. To see if you qualify you can call 1-800-772-1213 TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778
or visit their website http://www.socialsecurity.gov/.
National and Local Charitable Programs
Benefits Check Up was created by the National Council on Aging (NCOA). It is free, easy to use and will help older Americans identify their eligibility for a wide range of benefit programs such as Social Security, Medicaid, Food Stamps, Weatherization, in-home services, pharmacy programs and other state run programs. http://www.benefitscheckup.org/
Medicare.gov https://www.medicare.gov/Library/ExternalSiteRedirector.asp?Language=English&URLPath=http://www.govbenefits.gov/govbenefits_en.portal
Medicaid
Medicaid is a state administered program available to certain low-income individuals and families. Each state sets its own guidelines regarding Medicaid eligibility and services, but in general, people who match one of these descriptions may be eligible:
- Aged (65 years old or older), blind, or disabled and have limited income and resources
- Terminally ill and want to get hospice services
- Aged, blind, or disabled; live in a nursing home; and have limited income and resources
- Aged, blind, or disabled and need nursing home care, but can stay at home with special community care services
- Eligible for Medicare and have limited income and resources
- The parent or guardian of a child who is 18 years old or younger and your family’s income is limited, or if your child is sick enough to need nursing home care, but could stay home with good quality care at home
- Facing very high medical bills, which you cannot pay (and you are pregnant, under age 18 or over age 65, blind, or disabled)
Even if you are not sure whether you qualify, if you or someone in your family needs health care, you should apply for Medicaid and have a qualified caseworker in your state evaluate your financial situation.
Contact Information for State Medicaid Offices
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/contacts/
https://www.medicare.gov/caregivers/get_financial_help.asp
Social Security is in the news on a daily basis and can be a concern for anyone reaching retirement age. It can be a complicated system and knowing how it works before you apply for yourself or help a loved one can make the process easier. Make a copy of everything that you send and keep it in one file folder for easy access. You will be glad you did if you get request via mail or phone.
How do I file for Social Security?
It is important to begin the process at least 3 months before you start collecting. You can call 1-800-772-1213 or sign up online https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/iClaim/rib.
Documents you may need:
- Social security card
- Birth certificate
- Proof of citizenship or lawful alien status
- Military discharge papers if you served before 1968
- Last year’s W-2 tax form or tax return if you are self-employed
Can I collect social security benefits if I never paid into the system?
In some cases, nonworking family members, such as a spouse, may be eligible for benefits based on worker’s record but as a rule Social Security is an earned benefit. In order to collect a retirement benefit you must have paid into the system for at least 10 years.
Are social security benefits protected if I file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy?
Social security benefits are protected and excluded from being calculated as a portion of disposable income.
Can I collect unemployment compensation and Social Security benefits at the same time?
Yes but the amount of unemployment benefits could be reduced if you receive a pension or other retirement income. Unemployment benefits aren’t counted as wages under Social Security’s annual earnings test.
Should I collect Social Security benefits at 62?
That depends. If you’re healthy and can afford it, you should consider waiting until you reach your full retirement age of 66, or even 70.
By law, the age when workers can qualify for full benefits is gradually increasing, from 65 to 67. (It will be 67 for anyone born after 1960.) If you claim benefits before reaching full retirement age, they’ll be reduced. That’s because the goal set by Congress is to pay the same lifetime benefits to an individual regardless of when they’re initially claimed.
If you claim benefits at age 62 you will get $1,000 a month. If you can wait until you’re 66, you’ll get at least 33 percent more ($1,333). And if you can wait until you’re 70, you’ll get at least 75 percent more ($1,750).
Social Security determines the amount of your benefits based, in part, on your highest 35 years of earnings. So you may get a larger monthly benefit if your extra years of work are your top earning years.
For answers to more questions that you may have about Social Security you can go to: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/iClaim/rib or you may call us Monday through Friday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM at: 1-800-772-1213
If you are deaf or hard-of-hearing, call our toll-free TTY number 1-800-325-0778
We hear all the time how important it is to keep our bodies healthy but what about our brains? Our brains are composed of different areas and functions, and we can strengthen them through mental exercise– or they get atrophied for lack of practice. The benefits are both short-term (improved concentration and memory, sustained mental clarity under stressful situations and long-term (creation of a “brain reserve” that help protect us against potential problems such as Alzheimer’s).
Two greatest brain drains:
- High levels of stress and anxiety
- Routine and repetition
For stress management: a 5-minute visualization, combining deep and regular breathings with seeing in our mind’s eye beautiful landscapes and/ or remembering times in our past when we have been successful at a tough task
For short-term memory: try a series subtracting 7 from 200 (200 193 186 179…), or a series involving multiplication (2,3 4,6 6,9 8,12…) or exponential series (2 4 8 16 32 64…) the goal is not to be a math genius, simply to train and improve our short-term memory. Another way is to try and remember our friends telephone numbers.
In general it is important to try something different every day. Take a different route to work. Ask an unexpected question. Approach every day as a living experiment and a learning opportunity.
Use it or lose it” may be misleading if we think that “It” is just one thing. The brain is composed of many different areas that focus on different things. Doing a crossword puzzle only activates a small part of the brain. The 3 key principles for good brain exercises are: novelty, variety and constant challenge. Not that different from cross-training our bodies.
The first time we do a crossword, or sudoku or knitting, that is great, because it forces us to learn. But when doing it is completely routine, the marginal benefit is very limited. Nowadays neuropsychologists do not recommend paper-based activities but computer-based brain exercise software programs that provide different levels of challenges.
The main principle is that foods that are good for our body are also good for our brain. omega-3 fatty acids, found in cold-water fish such as mackerel, herring, salmon, and tuna, also have shown some benefits. There is contradictory data on Ginkgo biloba. The best “brain food” is, literally, mental stimulation
In summary, physical exercise is important because it influences the rate of creation of new neurons in our brains. Mental exercise is important because it helps determine how those new neurons are used-and how long they survive. Stress can reduce both the creation of new neurons and their lifetime, so stress management is important too.
Free Rice For each answer you get right, they donate 10 grains of rice through the World Food Programme to help end hunger.
AARP’s Brain games http://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/brain_games/?CMP=KNC-360I-YAHOOBING-HEA-BRH&HBX_PK=brain_games&360cid=SI_213468113_631269430_1
Asperger syndrome or Asperger’s syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder that is characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction, along with restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. It differs from other autism spectrum disorders by its relative preservation of linguistic andcognitive development. Although not required for diagnosis, physical clumsiness and atypical use of language are frequently reported. It is still unknown as to what causes autism. Asperger’s also often runs in families and older adults may recognize symptoms after a younger family member is diagnosed.
There has been a lot reported and written about Asperger’s in children and young adults but little has been written about Asperger’s in older adults. Older adults most likely suffered in silence and were thought to be odd or dull witted. Of course, nothing is further from the truth. Social skills seem to be the challenge but intellect is not. People with Asperger’s love repetition, computers and often grasp technical information quite easily.
Many older people with Asperger’s syndrome most likely learned to cope with their challenges, finished high school, attended college, found employment, got married and had children. Diagnosis in older adults can be difficult because there is no single tool for Asperger’s syndrome that is universally recognized.
Asperger’s syndrome symptoms include:
- Engaging in one-sided, long-winded conversations, without noticing if the listener is listening or trying to change the subject
- Displaying unusual nonverbal communication, such as lack of eye contact, few facial expressions, or awkward body postures and gestures
- Showing an intense obsession with one or two specific, narrow subjects, such as baseball statistics, train schedules, weather or snakes
- Appearing not to understand, empathize with or be sensitive to others’ feelings
- Having a hard time “reading” other people or understanding humor
- Speaking in a voice that is monotonous, rigid or unusually fast
- Moving clumsily, with poor coordination
Many people may find a diagnosis helpful but often it can often be met with resistance. Even if the person doesn’t want to change their behavior it can be comforting for the family to understand the reasons for behaviors and attitudes.
Talk with the primary health care providers, care givers, other family members and the person themselve to find out if you should pursue the issue further. There are many resources available to help you and the person with Asperger’s cope with issues that arise.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html
http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer
State resources: http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=stateresources
Each fall key decisions need to be made concerning how much to contribute to next year’s account flexible spending account. The new health-reform law may affect your flexible spending account during this year’s open-enrollment period. If you are a family caregiver that is being relied on to remain healthy and able to work, then you may want to be aware to the changes in the new regulations.
What is a flexible spending account?
FSAs are tax-free funds that can help pay out of pocket expenses during the year. Money is contributed to a a payroll-based savings account and escape federal taxes and Social Security taxes. There are cut off dates to pay attention to in making the decision of what to do with 2010 funds and how much to put in for 2011. Most employers use the cut off date of March 15, 2011 but some still use December 31st so check with your employer to verify the deadline. Funds not used can not be rolled over; use it or lose it.
Changes in 2011
New rules for adult children’s expenses
Includes any child who is younger than 27 at the end of the year, even if they do not live at home and are not claimed as a dependent. FSAs have allowed using the money for any dependent child’s medical expenses (but not to pay health care premiums) very liberally over the years. This new rule expands the definition of a dependent.
No more non-prescription drugs
In 2011, you will no longer be able to use FSA funds for non-prescription drugs (expect insulin). If you regularly use non-prescription drugs, ask your doctor for a prescription. Medications could include, pain relievers, allergy medications, cough and cold medicines and anti-fungals. You will need to submit a prescription along with the receipt listing the Rx number in order to be reimbursed. If you attempt to bend the rules and buy non-qualifying medical supplies, the amount will be included in your gross income and subject to an additional 20%.
Lower FSA limits in the future
Limits are not changing in 2011, contributions up to $3,000 or $4,000 may be allowed by many employers. The maximum limit with change to $2,500 in 2013. If your employer allows a grace period until March 15 of the following year to use up the previous year, there may be an opportunity to double up available funds by using money left over from the previous year combined with the current FSA allocation.
Ask your employer for information concerning the new changes and for instructions about how to use your flexible spending account. Make sure you take note of the deadline in order to take advantage of this opportunity. It’s a lot easier to have the money there already rather than trying to find it later.
Caregivers come in all shapes and sizes and in both genders. The average caregiver is a woman, married and working outside the home. But what happens when a wife, daughter or mother is diagnosed with a grave illness and the man becomes the primary caregiver? Many middle age and older men in the United States have become the primary caregivers for one or more of their disabled elderly parents, a spouse or other loved one. .
“Whether an ill relative has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Lou Gehrig’s disease, or a stroke, male caregivers often find their new role to be daunting and all-consuming,” reports the non-profit Menstuff® in a 14-page report on its website.
Females are still perceived as the primary family nurturer or caregiver but with many women working outside the home now more men find themselves having to pitch in when necessary to help with day-to-day tasks that an ill loved one need assistance with such as bathing, eating, managing medications, transportation and toileting.
All caregivers need to focus on the positive aspects of caregiving so that they can find the task and commitment less challenging. Many men described the companionship a most positive benefit aspect of their caregiving.
Male caregivers need to focus on maintaining their own health. Men should see their own physicians on a regular basis, maintain a healthy diet and establish a regular exercise routine. When male caregivers do focus on maintaining their health, they are better able to equip themselves with the skills necessary to handle the care situations and needs. It is true that men seek medical help less often than women and sometimes wait until it is absolutely necessary so symptoms may go unnoticed for a long period of time. They may be unfamiliar with dealing with social service agencies, and are often uncomfortable asking for help.
All caregivers can learn about the many social, health and human services available in the community for themselves as well as the patient, according to the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging. An AdvantAge survey reported that 35 percent of men age 65-plus was unaware of most services available locally.
Senior maltreatment- what it is and what you can do to prevent it
It is difficult for most of us to believe that anyone would abuse someone who is vulnerable but for many reasons it does happen. The stresses of everyday life make otherwise normal acting people act irrationally. It is not easy to be a caregiver and those without the proper support and guidance can become an abuser of one of the most vulnerable populations.
For more information: http://www.actikare.com/890/26/
Alzheimer’s and the Safe Return Program
MedicAlert and the Alzheimer’s Association developed the Safe Return program that is a nationwide. Persons in different stages of dementia wander. They may be looking for something or have a place that they want to visit then often get lost.
For more information: http://www.actikare.com/1018/23/
Carbon monoxide, the silent killer
As winter approaches and we button up our houses, we need to be aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. Heating fuels are still high and for those who find themselves in a situation where they need to rely on portable generators when the power goes out or attempt to heat themselves with their oven here is a word of caution.
For more information: http://www.actikare.com/1477/17/
Winter warmth and safety
For those who live in the colder climates and are on a limited income, winter can be a tough time of the year. Heating prices have risen and for those living in older homes it can be difficult. Not only is being without heat uncomfortable but it can lead to sickness and even death. There is help out there. Find out about financial energy assistance programs by finding the Area Agency on Aging that serves your community by calling 800-677-1116 or going to http://www.eldercare.gov Eldercare Locator.
For more information: http://www.actikare.com/1787/10/
Could 2-1-1 Information and Referral help you?
2-1-1 provides free and confidential information and referral. When you call 2-1-1, a live person who is trained will answer and help you find the resources that you need. Many emergency planning systems count 2-1-1 as a partner in their Incident Command System structure and share the most current information during a crisis or disaster could 2-1-1 Information & Referral help you?
For more information: http://www.actikare.com/1316/26/
Scam Alert! Medicare Bait and Hook
In the latest Medicare scam fraudsters attempt to bait unsuspecting diabetes patients with (bait) free diabetes equipment. What they are attempting to do is get your (hook) Medicare number which is the same as your Social Security number.
For more information: http://www.actikare.com/1279/12/
1. Overuse of prescription drugs in persons over 50
Overuse and unintentional death from prescription drugs is a growing problem not just among aging child stars and celebrities but also people over 50. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 50 people die of unintentional overdoes in the United States each day. This is now the second cause of death to motor vehicle crashes. It has increases 70% since 1999.
Full blog article: http://www.actikare.com/875/26
2. The cost of obesity
Obesity is on the rise in the United States and is one of the major health concerns that face us today. It’s not only on the rise in all age groups but is particularly on the rise in groups aged 60-69. Between the years of 1997-2003 this group has seen a 13 % increase in weight gain according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Full blog article: http://www.actikare.com/882/26/
3. Senior maltreatment-what it is and what you can do to prevent it
It is difficult for most of us to believe that anyone would abuse someone who is vulnerable but for many reasons it does happen. The stresses of everyday life make otherwise normal acting people act irrationally. It is not easy to be a caregiver and those without the proper support and guidance can become an abuser of one of the most vulnerable populations.
Full blog article: http://www.actikare.com/890/26/
4. 5 Tips for responding to the behaviors of individuals with Alzheimer’s
A person with Alzheimer’s disease may act in unpredictable ways. They often become anxious, agitated, confused and suspicious. They may suffer from sleeplessness, hallucinations and want to wander. Understanding why the person is acting that way can reduce frustration and tension for the caregiver.
Full blog article: http://www.actikare.com/1011/19/
5. 10 ways pets are important to your health
One of the many benefits of owning a pet is that they both affect our physical well-being and bring us companionship. Not only do we have something to take care of and a reason to get up in the morning but it affects both our psychological and physical health.
Full blog article: http://www.actikare.com/903/31/
6. Safety and home accessibility for elders
Every home should be a safe place to live but extra thought and care should be given to those with challenges, whether it be an elder person or someone who is disabled. Falls can be detrimental to elders in a number of ways. It can make them fearful, less independent if they need care while recuperating and limit their confidence and ability to live independently. The following are tips to help prevent falls, not just for elders but for the whole family.
Full blog article: http://www.actikare.com/1151/11/
7. Disposing of unused or outdated prescription
Today is a good day to look in your medicine cabinet and dispose of any medication that may be out of date or that you are not using anymore. One of the reasons that people don’t throw away prescriptions is because they don’t know what to do with them. I’ve included some guidelines from the Federal Government.
Full blog article: http://www.actikare.com/1409/23/
8. Laughter yoga is serious business
Just when you think you’ve seen everything, along comes Laughter Yoga. Although it is a revolutionary idea, it is also simple and profound at the same time. Dr. Madan Kataria, a Physician from Mumbai, India started the first Laughter Club in a park on March 13, 1995. Only a handful of people showed up. Today, it happens throughout the world with more than 6000 Laughter Clubs in 60 countries.
Full blog article: http://www.actikare.com/1531/05/
9. Dementia and safety concerns
The onset of dementia can come on very slowly and the signs are not always apparent. Once dementia is recognized however, safety will become an issue. Some of the signs that dementia is worsening are when the family member or patient begins to wander and become disoriented. They will walk off and not always remember how to get back. They become confused and don’t always remember how to do things such as making a phone call or they forget to turn off the stove or stop running the water. They can be unpredictable, become agitated, depressed or withdrawn.
Full blog article: http://www.actikare.com/1661/02
10. Tips for effective drug use
We all have been tempted to stop taking a prescribed drug because the symptoms went away. It is important to understand why you need to finish a prescription if the instructions say to do so to maximize its effectiveness.
Full blog article: http://www.actikare.com/1363/23/
Palliative care is the medical specialty focused on improving the quality of life of people facing serious illness. Emphasis is placed on pain and symptom management, communication and coordinated care. This type of care is appropriate from the time of diagnosis and can be provided along with curative treatment.
