A publication of Philadelphia Corporation for Aging 2013 October 2015 Free Inside Resonating sounds of gongs, bells help heal Health Care Pioneer: Seniors’ top Medicare Put foot care first ..................4 questions answered By Alicia M. Colombo Medicare’s annual open enrollment period for 2016 runs from October 15 through December 7. This is the only time people can make changes to their Medicare coverage. Insurance companies are required to send beneficiaries an “ Annual Notice of Change” for their current plans by Oc- tober 1. This notice indicates any changes in cov- erage, costs or service area that will be effectiv e January 1. Even if there are no major changes to Apples: your plan, it’s worthwhile to explore your op- Delicious deserts, tions. savory dishes ................. 16 Jan Butchofsky by Photo Help is available Katryn Lavanture, 59, says her use of the sounds from ancient singing bowls and large gongs If you’re confused by all the parts of Medicare enable her to help people open up and experience healing. or overwhelmed by all the plans, don’t despair. There is a free health insurance counseling pro- By Barbara Sherf solving the boundaries between mind, body gram for older Pennsylvanians, called APPRISE. and spirit, allowing you to slip into states of There are no age or income requirements. Coun- When Katryn Lavanture, a practitioner of bliss and well-being,” she said. holistic psychotherapy and energetic healing selors are specially trained to answer your ques- She has a dozen ancient singing bo wls tions about health insurance . They pro vide first experienced a sound healing session, that were handmade, created to be used in she almost quit graduate school. objective, easy-to-understand information about ceremony and meditation. Medicare, Medicaid and supplemental insur- “All I could think was ‘this feels like home’ “These bowls have been with me for some and all I wanted to do was learn sound heal- ance. Feature Topic: years now, and have been working together, “In Philadelphia, a higher percentage of peo- ing,” she said. “Luckily I came to my senses, resonating with one another in my healing Health Care and didn’t quit graduate school, but I did ple are enrolled in Medicare A dvantage plans sessions and sound meditations . When than elsewhere in country ,” said Christine eventually learn sound healing and I ha ve they are laid on or around y ou, you are been in love with it ever since.” McBennett, APPRISE program director at Health Tips. 2 bathed in the sacred vibrations of divine Mayor’s Commission on Aging. “Because of that, Lavanture explained that sound healing is consciousness,” she said. Calendar . 12-13 many beneficiaries need to compare more than designed to create altered states of con- Five gongs ranging in size from 24” to 36” sciousness that open your being to your true just their prescription drug costs during the an- Don’s Column. 23 are placed around the massage table so the nual enrollment period. nature, expanding the channels for your es- recipient is bathed in their sound along with The Milestones sential self to slip in and stay. She conducts “There isn’t a person at Medicare that con- Crossword . 23 the singing bowls. sumers can talk to, face-to-face,” McBennett said. sound healing sessions using Himala yan “The gong voice is powerful and envelop- singing bowls, gongs and tuning forks. “When beneficiaries call Medicare, they are read Next Month: Heat and ing, even when they are pla yed gently. “The instruments po werfully quiet the Energy; Housing Options • continued on page 8 mind, harmonizing brain wave patterns, dis- • continued on page 17 October 2015 Milestones 2 PCA Helpline: 215-765-9040 Health Briefs Call 24/7 to report suspected elder abuse. Outside Philadelphia toll-free: 888-215-765-9041 (TDD) Published by Philadelphia Corporation for Aging PA senior health: 25th in the nation vania has the sixth lo west short- Holly Lange, President and CEO Editor: Linda L. Riley fall, with 46.4% of the minimum 215 765-9000, ext. 5080 number needed. Board Officers and Directors Advertising: Glenn D. Bryan, Chair Other positive highlights for Joan Zaremba, 215-765-9000, ext. 5051 Arthur E. Helfand, D.P.M., Vice Chair the state from the past y ear in- Distribution & Subscriptions: clude a 16% decrease in food in- Sheri C. Gifford, Treasurer LaTasha Johnson, Barbara Waynant Murphy, Secretary 215-765-9000, ext. 5050 security for adults age 60-plus; an Judee M. Bavaria increase of 12% in home health Home delivery: $12/year Jack Dembow We welcome your letters, comments and sugges- care for people age 75-plus; and a Katherine E. Galluzzi, D.O., F.A.C.O.F.P. tions. All submissions of letters for publication 15% decrease in hip fracture hos- must be signed and dated and include writer’ s Dick Goldberg home address and phone number. Submission pitalizations for Medicare benefi- constitutes permission to edit for clarity, length or Frederick Lewis space and to publish in an y form or medium. ciaries. Frances Miller PCA reserves the right to not publish any submis- sion; receipt ma y not be ackno wledged and Victor M. Negron, Jr. submissions will not be returned. Pennsylvania’s Satya B. Verma, O.D., F.A.A.O. weaknesses Lenore Wasserman Scola Mail to: PCA Milestones Editor 642 N. Broad St. Among the strengths: resources helping seniors Nearly one-third of Pennsylva- John Whitman Philadelphia, PA 19130-3409 remain independent. Email: [email protected] nia adults aged 65 and older are The United Health Foundation’s “Amer- obese. Obesity predisposes older Milestones is published monthly and distributed at more than 800 locations throughout Philadelphia in- cluding stores, libraries, community and senior centers, and organizations and agencies serving older adults. ica’s Health Rankings Senior Report: A Call adults to chronic diseases , such as heart Milestones will not knowingly accept or publish advertising that is fraudulent or misleading. Milestones reserves to Action for Individuals and Their Com- disease, diabetes, stroke, certain cancers the right to edit, revise or reject advertising. Milestones assumes no responsibility for errors in advertisements, munities” ranks Pennsylvania 25th among and joint pain. misprints, omissions and misinformation, for failure to publish an ad, or for an y damages of any kind. In this publication neither the publisher nor any other party is rendering expert advice. No part of this news- all states for senior health, a drop of three Almost 37% of older Pennsylvanians re- paper may be reproduced without the express written permission of Philadelphia Corporation for Aging. spots from 2014. The report shows positive port doing no physical activity or exercise ©2015 Philadelphia Corporation for Aging. All rights reserved. trends nationwide for senior health, espe- in the last 30 days. Physical inactivity in- cially in measures that allow older adults creases the risk of cardio vascular disease, to get the right care in their chosen setting. diabetes, obesity, falls, depression and pre- Seniors are experiencing lower hospital re- mature death. admission rates and preventable hospital- Only 35.3% of nursing home beds are ization rates compared to last y ear, while rated at 4- or 5-star levels. Quality nursing hospice care use and the number of home home practices can largely prevent hospi- health care workers have increased. talizations related to falls, pressure ulcers, urinary incontinence, malnutrition and Pennsylvania’s strengths dehydration. ! Many of Pennsylvania’s senior health To read the full report, go to www . strengths are in its support for programs americashealthrankings.org/Senior/PA. enabling elders to remain in independent settings, instead of long-term care facili- Solutions to the Milestones ties. Many nursing home residents do not Crossword puzzle +*)(*''*&%$*#"!*'%" &%#"!*' need the full suite of services offered b y (see page 23) -%*"('%!& nursing homes, and are capable of living (#"!% %" &% %'(%$% *(!"!% in their o wn homes with the help of home- and community-based programs &'*"'* and services, such as Meals on Wheels and %((* !% %" &*)(*''" '%(% " %% personal care. In Pennsylvania, only six " *%((* %#*&" percent of those living in nursing homes are low-care, the fifth lowest rate in the na- tion; this indicates that older adults who % % %)!*"'*% "% ##"%"*!!%"%*%* *(%$(% are able to remain independent have the *(#&!" % %+*)(*'' %" &%(*''%"%--%(% supports they need to do so. %*#"!%"% With an aging bab y boomer popula- tion, the number of geriatricians needed is growing dramatically. While all states have a shortfall of geriatricians , Pennsyl- It’s not just Medicare. It’s better care. Health Partners Plans is hospital-owned. So unlike companies that are just watching out for their bottom line, we’re watching out for you. From our broad physician network to 24/7 member support, when it comes to Medicare, we’re doing it right. Premium for Basic and Prime plans Copays for primary care doctor visits* Generic drugs (up to 90-day supply)* $0 Fitness center memberships 1-866-901-8000 (24/7) HPPMedicare.com TTY 1-877-454-8477 Health Partners Plans is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Health Partners Medicare depends on contract renewal. Limitations, copayments and restrictions may apply. The benefit information provided is a brief summary, not a complete description of benefits. For more information contact the plan. Benefits, formulary, pharmacy network, premium and/or copayments/coinsurance may change on January 1 of each year. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. Health Partners Medicare is available in Philadelphia County. *Cost sharing may vary in Special Needs Plan. H9207_HPM-419-13 Approved 09/2013 October 2015 Milestones 4 Health Care Dr. Arthur E. Helfand: Geriatric podiatry pioneer, followed in family footsteps Temple University’s School of Podiatric By Marcia Z. Siegal Medicine, Helfand continues to write and lecture in his field.