All Posts in "Everything Else"

Aegis Lodge in Kirkland, WA.

People often put off moving their family members suffering from dementia (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Lewy Body, Frontal Lobe or other) into a residential facility for a variety of reasons that often don’t hold up under closer inspection. Here are some of the most common reasons that people wait.

Reason #1: Waiting until mom gets worse to make a move.

Many families hope their loved one will never get worse, or wait from a directive from their primary care physician or the hospital (if a crisis happened before). Yes, a move may affect mom’s memory but it will allow her to enjoy the benefits of assisted living (companionship, activities, brain stimulation, good nutrition, nursing supervision) while she still can. It will also make her transition better if in the future she needs to move to the community’s memory care because:

  • Mom may now know the staff and be less reluctant to receive care
  • Mom will have a structured routine that will minimize her fears. She will also have more of a feeling of companionship rather than abandonment.
  • Mom will have by then some familiar faces and friends who will be transitioning with her
  • Most secured memory cares have a wait list and place the community’s own residents before placing a new resident

Reason #2: Mom wants to stay home.

If  your family is able to provide in home care, this may be an option. However, six out of 10 people suffering from dementia will wander out of their homes. What will happen if your loved one leaves the home in the middle of the night?

Providing yourself with peace of mind is as important as providing for their best care.

Home care can become expensive (on average, if you are paying for seven or more hours of in-home care, you could have your loved one in an assisted living environment with all the care provided and supervision 24/7), and it doesn’t provide the interaction and stimulation a retirement community could provide.

Short-term stays are a great way for seniors to “try” a community.  In today’s era, a senior community is more like a cruise ship rather than the old-style nursing homes.

Reason #3: Mom can’t afford it.

There are several ways to pay for assisted living and memory care communities.  For instance:

  • Aid and Attendance is part of an “Improved Pension” Benefit for veterans and surviving spouses that is largely unknown.  Aid and Attendance can help pay for care in the home, Nursing Home or Assisted Living facility.
  • Long-term care insurance can pay for a nursing facility or home care, and many policies also cover assisted living.
  • Some communities may convert to Medicaid but be careful when this promise is made.

Recently I heard of a family that had been promised to convert to Medicaid if their mom did a private pay stay at their community for a minimum of 2 years. The senior has been there over a year and then the community was sold to a different ownership group who has no intention to convert to Medicaid. Not only must this type of promise be in writing but you must also investigate the stability of the group you are choosing for providing care for your loved one.

Reason 4: Mom will hate me if I do this to her.

Although a move is not an easy transition, it is better to do it when you have a choice rather than being forced to do it (like if mom goes to the E.R. and they will only discharge her to a community).

It takes between 4-8 weeks to fully transition and feel comfortable in a new environment. Transitions are definitely harder when a senior is more progressed in dementia.  A sudden change at this stage may start behaviors that some senior living communities may not accept, thereby limiting your options.  A senior housing provider who has training in memory care can help you with the transition, from sending you email updates as needed or letting you know what time of the day your parent is in a better mood for a visit.

Recognizing that your parent needs a change to remain safe or healthy can be traumatic to both of you.  The best time to talk to your parent is long before it is actually necessary.  It is important not to rush the decision and to recognize that seniors want to hang onto their independence for as long as possible even though that may not be what is best for them.  The good news is that there are options out there to help your parent get the care needed and there are people to help you with the process.  Your parent needs you whether they admit it or not.  Continually reassure them that you are there for them and always will be.  Throughout the process, keep your sense of humor and keep the communication lines open.

Sandra Cook is the Marketing Director for Aegis Lodge in Kirkland, WA.  She can be reached at (425) 814-2841.

Contributing Author by — October 15, 2011 in Everything Else
Pierce County Library System is significantly reducing bookmobile service

Beginning January 2012, Pierce County Library System will significantly reduce its traditional bookmobile service to rural and remote areas. It will reduce the number of places the bookmobiles stopped by 11, from an average of 15 locations.

“Bookmobile service has served our communities well for 64 years,” said Neel Parikh, executive director of Pierce County Library. “We now have 17, soon to be 18 library buildings, and online access 24/7—which were not part of the Library when it started serving the county in 1946.”

The Library is stopping the bookmobile in places of low usage and retaining it in four areas that heavily use the bookmobile. The Explorer Kids’ Bookmobile will continue to provide service at schools and associated family community stops. Due to the isolation of Anderson Island and its high usage, the Library will continue to provide service at the Anderson Island Community Clubhouse.

Over time the number of people who used the bookmobile declined, as the Library System provided more libraries and online services. Currently, less than 1% of the Library’s 251,000 card holders use the bookmobiles. The 756 people most directly “Through the years, we continually reviewed how best to serve people in rural and remote areas and added and changed bookmobile stops and services,” said Parikh. “Reducing bookmobile service is a service delivery decision. We know that people have become increasingly mobile and our services are mobile, too—online.”

Significantly reducing the bookmobile is a $140,000 savings, which helps to lessen the Library’s $1.9 million shortfall for 2012. Decreasing the traditional bookmobile will reduce the hours of a driver and cut costs to buy books, materials, fuel and maintenance for the vehicles. Other staff from the traditional bookmobiles will be reassigned, mostly to the Fife Pierce County Library that will open in fall 2011.

In 2009, the Library conducted a survey of people living in outlying areas of the county and learned that two-thirds of the residents got their books and information from the Internet and were visiting Pierce County Libraries, while only 5 percent were using a bookmobile.

Only a few library systems in Washington State still offer a family bookmobile service. Most others stopped offering the service many years ago.

Press Release by — October 11, 2011 in Everything Else

Medicare Part D Enrollment period begins Oct. 15

Starting this year, Medicare’s open enrollment period for prescription drug plans (Part D) and Medicare Advantage plans takes place Oct. 15 through Dec. 7.

The Affordable Care Act moved and expanded the annual enrollment period a week, giving people additional time to consider their choices.  “The new enrollment time allows Medicare consumers to avoid conducting business during the holiday season and increases their time to compare Part D plans and Medicare Advantage plans,” said Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. “Don’t miss this opportunity to review your options. Our Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) program can help you understand your choices.”

SHIBA helps people answer questions and evaluate plans. “Our trained volunteers in your community can help answer your questions and search for plans online,” said Marijean Holland, SHIBA Program Manager.  “We also offer assistance with Original Medicare and other health plans, and provide free, unbiased information to help you decide.”

Before you make your decision, consider the following tips:

  • Plan costs and coverage can change every year, so carefully review all letters and notices from your current plan.
  • Make a list of all current prescription drugs you take, the doses, and how often.  Then, use the Plan Finder at www.medicare.gov to compare Part D plans.
  • Review the 2012 Medicare & You handbook. You should have received it in September.
  • If you have questions, call 1-800- MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) before you sign up.
  • If you have limited income and need help paying for prescription drugs, check out Medicare’s “Extra Help” program.  To see if you qualify, contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or go to www.socialsecurity.gov and click on Medicare.

“Whatever you do, don’t wait until the end of the enrollment period to get help,” added Kreidler. “Call our Insurance Consumer Hotline today at 1-800-562-6900 and ask to schedule an appointment with a SHIBA volunteer in your area.”

To attend a free Medicare workshop in your local area, go to:  http://www.insurance.wa.gov/shiba/shiba_contacting.shtml

For help in other languages, call:

  • Spanish, Medicare, 1-800-633-4227
  • Spanish, National Alliance for Hispanic Health, 1-866-783-2645
  • Korean, National Asian Pacific Center on Aging, 1-800-582-4259
  • Chinese, National Asian Pacific Center on Aging, 1-800-582-4218
  • Vietnamese, National Asian Pacific Center on Aging, 1-800-582-4336

Individuals in Pierce County can contact Aging Disability Resource Center for help:

  • English: (253) 798-4600
  • Khmer: (253) 798-4550
  • Russian: (253) 798-4552
  • Spanish: (253) 798-4553
  • Vietnamese: (253) 798-4554

 

Press Release by — October 11, 2011 in Everything Else

National Fire Prevention Week 2011 will be observed from October 9-15.  This year’s theme is: Protect Your Family from Fire, and according to FEMA Regional Administrator Ken Murphy, the 2011 campaign is all about keeping ourselves, our families, and our communities safer from fire.

 “Annual observances like National Fire Prevention Week are excellent opportunities to focus on fire hazards-but we should all practice fire safety every day-at work, at play, and particularly at home,” said Murphy. “The most common causes of home fires include cooking, heating, electrical malfunction, smoking materials and candles.”

 Safety tips to reduce home fires include:

  • Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking.  Many cooking fires start from “unattended” cooking.
  • Have heating equipment and chimneys inspected and cleaned annually.
  • If you smoke, smoke outside.
  • Keep flammable materials away from light bulbs, light fixtures and lamps.
  • Use flashlights during power outages, not candles.  If you do burn candles indoors, blow them out before leaving the room, and keep them away from things that can burn.

Murphy also cautions against complacency. “It’s officially Fall, and as temperatures become cooler, the rate of fire and fire-related deaths increase. FEMA, and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) offer a wealth of safety information, fire prevention tips and resources online: www.fema.gov and www.usfa.dhs.gov” said Murphy. “I encourage everyone to contact their local fire department to learn more about making their homes safer from fire, or how to best participate in fire prevention activities.”

For more information on protecting your family and your home from fire, statistical tips and more, go to: www.firepreventionweek.org.

Press Release by — October 9, 2011 in Everything Else