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Elder CareTips:
Mastering The Eldercare Maze™
June 15, 2006
The folks at QuietCare asked for an
opportunity to respond to my comments in the June 1 issue
about
electronic monitoring systems. I offered them some
space to say a few words right here. Without more ado...
We thank Ms. Shomer for
giving us this opportunity to respond to her recent article,
"Electronic Security-False Security" posted on her website
and focusing on Living Independently Group's QuietCareR
system. In her piece she writes: 'the
upshot of all my thinking is that some of these
systems can give caring families a real false sense of
security. That can be dangerous.' Our research and our
clients suggest quite the opposite.
In interviews with hundreds of QuietCare users we have found
not one example of individuals gaining a 'false sense of
security.' To the contrary, we see that the timely,
accurate, and actionable information that QuietCare provides
enables family and professional caregivers to gain a better
and more realistic understanding of the needs and
vulnerabilities of the elderly for whom they are caring.
We have documented numerous cases and testimonials where
caregivers have prevented falls, saved lives, and prevented
health problems from becoming health emergencies. Through
the use of telehealth technologies, such as QuietCare, older
people are able to live more safely and independently in
their homes, caregivers have a sense of security based in
reality, and long term care providers provide more efficient
and responsive services. You can visit
www.quietcare.com for more information.
The Sweepstakes Nightmare
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Folks of any age can get
swept off their feet by telemarketers, sweepstakes
offers and the TV shopping networks. Our seniors are
especially susceptible when they are bored, lonely or
confused. Getting caught up in the never-ending round
robin of offers can seriously compromise a senior's
finances...not to mention storage space. I have been in
homes where you had to step over unopened mail-order
boxes to get in.
Since the law says we can't tamper with the U.S. Mail,
what's a concerned family to do? It won't be easy, and
it won't be overnight, but there are ways to reduce
(you'll never eliminate) the volume of unwanted and
unsolicited mail and phone calls. Since I don't believe
in re-inventing the wheel I recommend that you visit the
Privacy Rights people for the best and most detailed
information and set of instructions I've ever seen.
This ‘telephone’ has too many shortcomings to
be seriously considered as a means of
communication. The device is inherently of no
value to us.
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~ Western
Union internal memo 1876 |
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Elder CareTips:
Laundry Trip-Ups
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Who would imagine that getting the
laundry to the machine could be so dangerous, but it
is. That
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drooping sheet corner is just a stumble
waiting to happen. And who can see the darned
cat when peering around an armload of laundry?
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Your parent doesn't need to be
risking a broken leg, or worse, just because
he or she would like some clean underwear. |
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Rolling laundry baskets are the
next best thing to having an old-fashioned
laundress come in to take care of the wash.
Most don't take up any more space than the
traditional basket on the floor of the closet.
Take the basket out, roll the cart in, and
your elder is good to go.
If your parent is short, be
careful of getting a too-deep rolling laundry
basket or she won't be able to reach the stuff
at the bottom. And be sure to choose hamper
materials that allow ventilation so mold won't
form on damp or wet items after several days.
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My second favorite household chore is
ironing. My first being hitting my head on the top
bunk bed until I faint.
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Medicare: The Times (and the Rules)
They Are A'Changin'
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If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'.
Bob Dylan |
If you've been thinking about making a change to or from a
Medicare Advantage plan, you only have until June 30 to do
it, or you'll have to wait until the next annual open
enrollment period in November.
Used to be that you could move from an Advantage plan to
traditional Medicare at any time (until the infamous
Medicare Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and
Modernization Act...the one that also gifted us with Part D
for medications.) Under the old rules, Traditional Medicare
coverage would pick up on the first of the month after you
made a change request.
Now, starting on July first, you will be locked in. If your
doctor leaves the plan, if your hospital doesn't offer the
specialty care you need, or if you need specialists who are
hard to find, after the end of this month you won't have the
option to drop an Advantage plan and move to traditional
Medicare except one time annually, in November.
Although they seem to be a good deal, and often seem to be
less expensive, the Advantage programs are risky for anyone
who isn't in the best of health. If there's a chance you'll
need treatment by a top notch specialist, rehab in the best
possible facility, or access to the best hospice and home
health agencies, you will have many more choices using
traditional Medicare. By their very nature the Advantage
HMO/PPO plans restrict your access to only those doctors or
facilities who have contracts with them.
So - if you've been thinking about it, you have two weeks to
make the change, or you'll have to wait until November.
If you want to change, contact your current plan or call
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Remember, unless you are a
designated
Representative Payee you can't call on behalf of your
elder. You can place the call for your elder, but he or she
must be in the same room and able to speak on the telephone
to verify that the customer service representative may speak
with you.
We've had several interesting and provocative questions come
to
Ask Molly! since we last spoke. You may find that one or
more fit your circumstances, as well. The red button will
always take you there.
Here's wishing you all a fine
Father's Day! Don't let him pick up the check this time,
even though he'll probably make the gesture. I remember well
how strange it felt the first time our own son took us out
and picked up the check. Wow!!!
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