Dec., 2007 Vol
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page 2 ...................... Opinion page 12.............SRDA Menu page page 4 & 20..................Weird News Coming Up page 14..............Senior Safety page 5..................Health merry CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!! page 15...............Travel page 8............Light for the Journey page 22.....Fremont/Custer Menu page 11...............Finances BE SAFE - BE Healthy!!! page 24...............Social Security & You SeniorIF YOU ARE 50 OR OLDER YOUBeacon SHOULD READ IT!! SB Dec., 2007 Vol. 26: No. 5 Established Aug., 1982 305 Consecutive Months! Steps To Make Holidays Fun For Those In Care by Lisa M. Petsche Set realistic expectations and be Reminisce about past holidays to as his care needs for the time period you How do you include, in seasonal prepared to modify traditions. help your relative get into the spirit of the have in mind. Run ideas by staff to see if celebrations, a relative who has entered a Include your relative in prepara- season. Share special memories, bring they have concerns or suggestions. Even retirement home or nursing home during tions to the best of his ability. Contribut- in photo albums or favorite music, read overnight visits may be feasible with as- the past year? The following suggestions ing in even small ways --- such as sign- aloud a favorite holiday story, or watch sistance from family, friends or a private- can make the holidays meaningful while ing cards or helping to select gifts from a home movies or a classic holiday film. ly contracted personal support worker. keeping stress manageable for the whole catalog --- will make him feel valued and Plan ahead and space out activi- If feasible, take your relative family. create a feeling of partnership. ties as much as possible, scheduling quiet home for an afternoon so he can partici- days in between eventful ones. pate in (or simply observe, depending on At nursing and retirement homes: his abilities) holiday preparations such as Medicare Announces Give staff at least a day’s notice baking, decorating or gift wrapping. when you’d like to ensure your relative If your home isn’t accessible, is up and ready for a special visit or other take your relative out to the mall for Changes For 2008 event. gift shopping and lunch. Book accessi- Denver, Co. Medicare beneficiaries are again facing decisions about select- Visit when you are not rushed ble transportation if necessary. If he can ing a prescription drug benefit. Prices have increased, formularies have changed, and for time. get in and out of a car, take him out one low income seniors who were insured with Humana and/or AARP are facing a month- Bring children or grandchildren evening for a holiday light tour. ly premium or termination. with you. (Ensure adult supervision at all Ensure any destination is acces- Medicare beneficiaries will also see significant increases the Part A deduct- times for youngsters.) sible, including its washroom facilities. ible which will increase to $1024 per benefit period for hospitalizations and the Part B Decorate your relative’s room If family members’ homes aren’t acces- deductible will increase to $135. Nursing home co-pays for days 21-100 will be $128 using window clings, children’s artwork, sible, choose a restaurant or banquet hall per day. In addition, the Part B premium will increase to $96.40 for individuals whose garland or a miniature Christmas tree. that meets everyone’s needs. net income is less than $82,000 in 2007. Bring in greeting cards received Book accessible transportation In 2008, the standard Part D benefit includes a $275 deductible which is paid to share with your relative, and leave well in advance, since use peaks during by the individual. Individuals have to pay 75% of the next $2510 in prescription drug some with him. the holidays. Consider celebrating with charges to the pharmacy. Bring homemade treats and your relative on a day other than Decem- After the benficiary pays approximately $875 in a deductible and the co-pays take-out coffee or a thermal carafe of tea, ber 25th to increase the likelihood that and the prescription drug plan pays approximately $2510, the individual reaches the and enjoy a holiday snack together. Con- the service will be able to accommodate coverage gap (or the doughnut hole). In the coverage gap, thebeneficiary is respon- sider supplying enough sweets for your him. sible for 100% of the cost of the prescriptions for the next $4050. Individuals whose relative to share with roommates or staff Give staff plenty of notice of prescription drug costs are more than $5726.25 will pay 5% of the cost, while the plan if he wishes. Do check with nursing staff the date and pickup and estimated return will pay 95%. regarding dietary restrictions before you times for your relative. This allows them More than 18,000 low income seniors in Colorado who receive “Extra Help” bring in anything. sufficient time to make adjustments with who were automatically enrolled in a Humana or AARP prescription drug plan in Review the activities calendar to food services and preparations with the 200t or 2007 are being re-assigned to a new plan, regardless of the drugs that will be learn about scheduled holiday events --- pharmacy, as well as obtain a temporary covered under the new plan in 2008. such as bazaars and visiting choirs --- and leave of absence (TLA) order from the Low income seniors receiving “Extra Help” who are automatically re-as- attend some of them with your relative. doctor. signed to a new plan for 2008 have the right to sign up for the plan of their choice if Offer to accompany family Prepare relatives and friends another plan is determined to better meet their needs. To find the best plan, the current members planning a first-time visit, to who haven’t seen your relative in a while medications should be reviewed using the plan finder at www.medicare.gov. Co-pay- ease their anxiety. for any changes in his appearance, abili- ments for full benefit individuals receiving Medicare/Medicaid range from $1.05 to Join your relative for dinner. ties or behavior. $5.60. Most facilities offer a midday meal with Ensure your relative has appro- For the most part, the Medicare Part D stand-alone plans have increased their all the traditional holiday trimmings, and priate clothing on hand, as well as warm premiums and changed their formularies. Monthly premiums range from $15.60 cov- sell tickets to relatives and friends who outerwear. Let staff know what you would ering only about 78% of the prescription drugs most frequently used by seniors to would like to join residents. Another op- like him to wear for an event if he’s un- $95.30 for a plan that covers 99% of the drugs. tion is to hold a celebration in the family able to communicate this. Some Part D companies offer the standard benefit, while others offer some dining room or other private space that’s Take along any necessary medi- coverage for generics through the gap, charge variable co-payments and deductibles available for booking; inquire about ca- cal equipment, supplies and medications. depending on the plan. tering service. Videotape or photograph events For those individuals who are looking to change from a Medicare Supple- On outings: your relative is unable to attend. ment or another Medicare Advantage, there are three primary types of plans that are Before deciding to bring your being marketed in Colorado. These are traditional HMO plans, Private-Fee-For-Serv- relative home for a visit, determine his Lisa M. Petsche is a clinical social worker ice, and Special Needs Plans. environmental needs --- addressing ac- and freelance writer specializing in For the most part, the traditional HMO plans have maintained a stable pric- cessibility and safety issues --- as well health and elder care issues. ing structure for premiums and co-pays for 2008. Seniors who purchase a traditional HMO should ask about the deductibles for hospital stays, the co-payments for nursing home stays, diagnostic radiology services, ambulance services, emergency rooms, and outpatient procedures such as chemotherapy. Traditional HMOs, which have networks of providers, are strong on preventive services and offer reasonable prices for co-pays for office visits and lab expenses. Another type of Medicare Advantage Plan is the Private-Fee-For-Service plan. Known as PFFS, these plans traditionally have low co-payments for office vis- its and prescription drugs. Plans often have limited coverage in addition to the basic Medicare coverage for such things as deductibles, excess charges and other out-of- pocket expenses. PFFS do not have a network. Any hospital or doctor who is willing to work with the plan can accept the insurance coverage. Special Needs Plans, the third type of Medicare Advantage Plan, are usually targeted to help individuals enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid who are low income to manage chronic conditions, institutional placements in nursing homes, or mental health diagnoses. These plans have a network of physicians, hospitals, nursing homes, and home care agencies. Individuals receive special services to manage their situa- tions. Often co-payments and deductibles are waived, although the individual may be charged a monthly premium. Individuals who need assistance with enrollment in a Part D or Medicare Advantage Plan or have questions about Medicare can call 303-333-3482 or visit www.medicare.gov Eileen Doherty, MS is the Executive Director of Senior Answers Pueblo City Council Vice-President Barbara Vidmar presented a proclama- and Services and the Colorado Gerontological Society, 3006 East Colfax, Denver CO tion to brothers Tom and Ivan Reyes, respectively, designating November 13 as “Wear 80206. She has more than 30 years of experience in education and training, clinical Something Purple Day,” in honor of individuals who have Alzheimer’s, and their fami- practice, research, and public policy in gerontology.