The newsletter for all elder caregivers. Sent to you twice a month,
and only by request. Please feel free to pass on Elder CareTips:
Mastering The Eldercare Maze(TM) to anyone you think might
be interested.
-----------------------<<< >>>------------------------

Read this issue in full color online:
http://www.eldercareteam.com/resources/newsletter.htm

You are receiving this email newsletter because you
asked to receive it. If you've changed your mind, or
if you want to leave us for any reason at all, you can
remove your name below.

-----------------------<<< >>>------------------------

>> Is Staying At Home The Right Choice? <<

I call it "care creep." In the beginning it's almost unnoticeable
as we make a quick trip to the store or run by our elder's home
to drop something off. It expands to a regular weekend visit,
then mid-week trips to the doctor. Then you're making daily
calls to be sure medications are being taken and your elder is
able to answer the phone. You stop by every night on the way
home.

They say everyone wants to stay at home. If we discount the
woman who for twenty years has detested the retirement
location her husband insisted on, or the couple who are bone
tired of taking care of the empty four-bedroom house they
raised their children in, this is the way most people feel.

But for most of us, even "successful" aging eventually brings
with it some loss of flexibility, some aches and pains, perhaps
vision and hearing changes. It gets harder to do what needs to
be done to stay at home without help. If memory problems
surface it's eventually downright dangerous to live alone at
home. If one spouse needs a great deal of care, the other
spouse can become exhausted and depressed, and often dies
before the more "disabled" spouse.

So, staying at home requires a great deal of thought and
preparation if it is to go well.

Parent at home can be the most expensive choice of all the
residential alternatives available. In a group living situation
(assisted living, personal care home, or nursing home) an
aide will take care of several people. His or her salary is
spread across all of them. At home, an aide or companion is
giving undivided attention to just one or two people and
there is no one with whom to share the cost. This can get
expensive fairly quickly.

I have found that, once the amount of care needed at home
grows to more than 5 or 6 hours a day, it begins to be less
expensive financially to look for alternate living arrangements.
Of course, this is "only money." There are a lot of other benefits
to staying at home that have nothing to do with money. But if
money is tight, it can make staying at home difficult if not
impossible as time goes by.

The decision to stay at home should be a joint decision. Ideally
both the caregivers and the care recipient will talk about what is
and what isn't possible to do at home before urgent needs arise.
Unfortunately, we don't always have the opportunity before
an emergency crops up and decisions have to be made in a
hurry. Whether you have the chance to talk it over ahead of
time, or you're working against the clock, the "thinking &
talking" points below should help to clarify whether staying
at home is the best decision.

Many families say they are willing to do "whatever it takes"
to keep an elder at home. Most often they make this decision
while caregiving is not overwhelmingly difficult. But as time
goes by and demands on their strength and time increase,
they find themselves stretched to the breaking point - often
before they see it coming. This is care creep, and it's almost
universal for those who are trying to take care of aging loved
ones at home.

Few of us are in a position to leave our jobs and families to
take on complete responsibility for an elder's at-home care.
Eventually almost everyone has to turn to some kind of
outside help. If your elder is capable of understanding this,
and is willing to accept that staying at home will eventually
involve financial costs, then staying at home may be an
excellent choice.

If your elder isn't willing to consider at some point having help
from someone other than family, then remaining at home will
probably be immensely difficult for the long term.

The following checklist gives you some important things to
consider and talk over. Note that most of the items on this list
suggest that the older person must not only have the funds,
but must be willing to use them. He or she must also be
willing to accept the help. This is often the big barrier that
many older folks aren't willing to cross.

__I understand that if my needs increase I will probably have
to pay for additional help to stay at home. I understand the
approximate cost of this kind of help, I have the funds to pay
for it, and I am willing to use my money for the help I will
need to stay in my own home.

__I have a close neighborhood support system (other than a
family member) who I can call on in an emergency. These
people are at home during the day and are willing to help.

__ My home is in good repair, and I have working smoke
detectors. If not, I'm willing and able to get started on making
it so, or I'll hire someone who can do the work.

__I am not confused. I would know what to do in an emergency.
I would be physically able to do it. If not, I would be willing and
able to pay the costs of having someone stay with me, and I
would be willing to accept someone other than a family member.

__I have not fallen more than once in the past 3 months, or
I was able to get up by myself if it happened. If I have fallen
more frequently I understand that I probably need someone
with me when I walk. This may not always be a family member,
and I am willing to accept help from others.

__I can remember necessary daily activities such as taking my
medications and bathing, or I am willing to accept assistance
from someone who comes in regularly to help me if I
cannot do these things.

__My bedroom and bathroom are on the ground floor.

__I would be able to get around indoors using a walker or a
wheelchair, or I can afford the necessary renovations. There
are no sunken rooms. Thresholds are not raised. Doors are
wide enough to pass through.

__Indoor clutter is minimal, or I am willing to clear out/
rearrange my rooms.

__I have an alternate source for transportation if I should be
unable to drive, and I am willing to use it.

__I can prepare nourishing meals and clean up afterward, or
I am willing to accept (and pay for if necessary) help with
my meals.

__I can do light housework and laundry, or I am willing to
accept and pay for help if necessary.

__I have an extra bedroom where a companion or aide
could spend the night.

If you and your elder have not been able to honestly say "Yes"
to most of these items, then staying at home for the duration will
be extremely difficult, especially for the elected caregiver. An
elder who is too "independent" to acknowledge that he or she
may one day need help will probably refuse the help when it is
really needed. This can put your care "creep" into caregiver
overload and burnout, as well as create an unsafe living
situation.

If your elder does not have the funds to pay for necessary
renovations to his home or extended care through the day,
this checklist will give you a better idea of when it will be a
good idea to start seriously considering your alternatives.

Of course, if you're properly covering all your bases, you'll
be looking seriusly at all your alternatives before you make
any decisions.

-----------------------<<< >>>------------------------

Why is it that holidays intended to bring people together are
so stressful and often unhealthy? Make a pact with yourself to
enjoy what's coming, tolerate the inevitable comments that
rub you the wrong way, and assume that every mode of
transportation currently in use will be running late.

--Alan Weiss

-----------------------<<< >>>------------------------

If you know anyone with kidney disease, especially anyone
who is on dialysis, you should know that their medical
regimen is nothing to mess around with. Getting those
medications may be more complicated now that Part D is
here. But there's help especially for renal patients. First, the
social workers in dialysis facilities have had special training
to help their patients find the right plan to cover their
particular medications. Make it a point to get together with
that social worker as soon as possible, because the line of
people waiting to see them is only going to get longer.

Second, there is a website especially for those with kidney
disease who are faced with Part D. You'll find current
information about how to choose a kidney-friendly plan
and get the most help paying for your prescription drugs:
http://www.kidneydrugcoverage.org

-----------------------<<< >>>------------------------

Going home for the holidays? If your elders live "away," while
you're there get a copy of their Yellow Pages. Bring it home
and keep it handy. The next time you need a resource for them,
if you don't have an advisor to call, you'll be able to "let your
fingers do the walking."

* * *

If you've got a Reader Tip you'd like to share, please send it
to molly@eldercareteam.com with the subject line "Care Tip."

Let me know if I can use your name. Or if you'd rather have me
leave your name off, that's OK, too.

-----------------------<<< >>>------------------------

Middle age is when you've met so many people that every
new person you meet reminds you of someone else.

--Ogden Nash

-----------------------<<< >>>------------------------

I am collecting testimonials about this e-zine from those of
you who have been subscribers for a while. If you'd like to
provide a testimonial, send it by e-mail and include a link to
your website so I can link back to you:
molly@eldercareteam.com

-----------------------<<< >>>------------------------

I hope everyone had a peaceful Thanksgiving holiday. Those
of you who are caregivers may not have had the most
relaxing of times - the holidays can be stressful for our
elders and sometimes caregivers bear the brunt. If that was
so for you, can you take some time for yourself now that
the big dinner is done? There's another one around the
corner, and we need to store up some quiet and a little
relaxation when we can get it this time of year.

It actually makes the idea of being snowed-in sound kind
of nice. For about 20 minutes.

Molly

-----------------------<<< >>>------------------------

Don't keep us a secret. If you know other people
who should be reading this too, then do them and us a favor by
telling them about Elder CareTips(TM). Just send them this link:
http://eldercareteam.com/resources/newsletter.htm

© 2005 Molly Shomer, All rights reserved. You are free to
use material from Elder CareTips: Mastering The Eldercare
MazeT as long as you include complete attribution, including
live web site link and email link. I would appreciate it if you
would let me know where the material will appear.

Box 700291
Dallas, TX 75370

Molly Shomer does an excellent job with her Newsletter in bringing items of interest , not only to caregivers as well as those having the care given to them.

Hope that you enjoy the articles.

October 15, 2005

The newsletter for all elder caregivers. Sent twice a month, and only by request. You are welcome to pass on Elder CareTips™ to anyone you think might be interested. You'll find information about how to get your personal subscription below.

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Veterans Benefits

I recently was privileged to accompany a new client as he made "pre-arrangements" with a local funeral home. His wife passed away this year and he is in the process of putting his own affairs in order. Prior to her passing neither of them had made any provisions for disability or death, and he has seen first hand the benefit of planning ahead.

And, don't forget the women in your family. A whole lot of women served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam (not to mention the Gulf). They are entitled to benefits, too.
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A 6-year old was asked where his grandma lived. ''Oh,'' he said, ''She lives at the airport and when we want her we just go get her. Then when we're done having her visit we take her back to the airport."
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It's Medicare Part D (Again)

Yes, I promised that I would try to stay away from the new Medicare programs in this newsletter, but there is a new development, and it's imperative that we get the word out.

A booklet called "Medicare and You 2006" was recently sent to everyone on Medicare. It supposedly covers what you need to know to make a decision about selecting a prescription drug plan under the new Medicare Part D plan.

The problem is, the booklets were sent out with a major error.

Eligible low-income Medicare beneficiaries are being offered assistance with paying the Medicare Part D premium. For those who are eligible, the government will pay a basic premium to cover the cost of a Part D prescription drug plan.

The problem with the booklet, which the government attributes to a misprint, begins on page 97-a. That's where highlights of the various plans are listed: what they cost per month, the co-pay and the yearly deductible

The error is in the last column of the comparison chart. Many of the "yes" answers should actually say "no," meaning the government does *not* pay for the extra prescription coverage above the basic plan.

If you select a plan that costs more than the basic plan, and you are receiving what is being termed "extra help" with paying the Part D premium, you will have to pay the balance of the premium yourself.

If your elder is in the low-income program and she chooses a plan because of the information in the Medicare & You 2006 Handbook there is a strong possibility that she could find herself with an unexpected bill. And she won't be protected because it was "in the book." There's a disclaimer on the second page that reads: "Medicare and You 2006 explains the Medicare program. It isn't a legal document. The official Medicare Program provisions are contained in the relevant laws, regulations and rulings."

In other words, just because the government printed the information, you can't rely on it to be correct.

This program is so unbelievably complicated. You will probably have to get involved to help any elder who isn't extremely competent and computer-savvy. You will have to talk to the carriers individually to be sure you understand the coverage and what it will really cost.

There's a telephone number to speak with a Medicare representative: 1-800-633-4227. However, I have very little faith that the information you get from this telephone number will be any more reliable than what you get when you call the IRS hotline.
--------------------------------------

Elder CareTip

The television remote controls that come with new televisions are so complicated I'm terrified of hitting the wrong button. All kinds of strange things happen when I do and there's a devil of a time getting back to the regular screen. Imagine how your elder feels.

Why should changing the channel be terrifying?

If you don't have a simple control box...on, off, louder & softer (order a big universal control as a gift - they're great if you can find one that works on your machine)...paint or nail polish to the rescue.

You can get all kinds of strange nail polish colors where teens shop - Target, WalMart and such. Put a dab of red on the power button. Use other colors for louder/softer/channel up & down. Keep the bottles as the polish will eventually wear off.

For elders who can see the little buttons this does help a lot.

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It's flu shot time again. If you want to know where to go to get yours, check the flu clinic locator.
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The really frightening thing about middle age is that you know you'll grow out of it.
Doris Day

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Have a great weekend everyone. See you on the first.
Turkey month approaches!!

Take care,

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Don't keep us a secret. If you know other people who should be reading this too, then do them and us a favor by telling them about Elder CareTips™. Just send them this link: http://eldercareteam.com/resources/newsletter.htm

© 2005 Molly Shomer, All rights reserved. You are free to use material from Elder CareTips: Mastering The Eldercare Maze™ as long as you include complete attribution, including live web site link and email link. I would appreciate it if you would let me know where the material will appear.

The Eldercare Team
SeniorLink, LLC
P.O. Box 700291
Dallas, Texas 75370
Phone (972) 395-7823 Fax (972) 395-7164
email: info@eldercareteam.com
©1999-2005
Advanced Professional Member
National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers

October 1, 2005

The newsletter for all elder caregivers. Sent twice a month, and only by request. You are welcome to pass on Elder CareTips™ to anyone you think might be interested. You'll find information about how to get your personal subscription below.

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The Three Ps of Eldercare

Once upon a time there were 3 little pigs, and they each had a set of two little parents who were "getting up there."

The first little pig went merrily about his life, raising his kids, dreaming his dreams and visiting his little parents now and then. They looked hunky-dory and life was good. Until the phone rang at 3 am. and the first little pig's life came crashing about his ears. This little pig's house of straw came tumbling down that morning and he's never had the time to rebuild it as he scrambles from crisis to crisis.

The second little pig lived in a fine, sturdy wooden house of plans. He knew just what he would do when the phone rang. And when it did he went right to work with his fine, sturdy plans setting his little parents up with everything they needed. Then he went back to raising his kids and dreaming his dreams, never hearing the termites of change chewing away at his fine, sturdy wooden house of plans. Until one day his fine, sturdy wooden house of plans disintegrated in a cloud of termite-ridden dust as his little parents' needs grew too heavy to be supported. He's been too depressed to rebuild.

The third little pig built his house with his own little hands out of the best little kiln-fired bricks. He insulated it with contingency plans and carpeted it with determination, all with his own two little hands. He cared for his little parents and his children, and he dreamed his little dreams, all with his own two little hands in his sturdy brick house. Until one day his little back broke from the strain and he died.

And Thus Endeth the Parable.

There are 3 Ps to Elder Care: Preparation, Progression, and Partnerships.

Ignore any of these Ps and your eldercare house just might come tumbling down.

Preparation: If you're not prepared when the call comes, and one day it will for a parent or a spouse, you'll be slow out of the starting gate and scrambling to catch up. You may never be able to. If you don't have the most basic medical and financial information, and if you don't have some basic legal arrangements in order you won't be able to do what must be done. The time to start is now, even if the elders in question are hale and hearty. Use the "Things You Need To Know" workbook to get a head start, and make it a point to start having the conversations you've been putting off.

That's Preparation.

Progression: Life is a progression from birth to death. We may be able to prevent the first, but not the second. And Murphy lives. Whatever plans you have in place are certain to need change. The sitter will quit, the hip will break, the dementia will progress. Prepare for Progression by trying to anticipate and making contingency plans.. Learn what can and what can't be fixed...and how. And expect the unexpected.

Plan for Progression.

Partnerships: Trying to do it alone is the one certain guarantee of failure. Caregivers who go it alone because, "I made a vow" or, "No one can do it as well as I can" or, "He won't let anyone else help him" often get ill or die before the person they are caring for. Caregivers who go it alone risk sentencing both their care recipients and themselves to physical and financial hardship and a poorer quality of life. When you partner with family, friends, professionals and community resources your caregiving will be supported in a way it can never be when you stand alone.

Plan for Progression with your Partners.

So those are the three Ps of eldercare. Planning, Progression and Partnerships.

Make them part of your vocabulary.

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Knowing is not enough; we must apply.
Willing is not enough; we must do.
Goethe

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Do you or anyone you know/care for have arthritis or fibromyalgia? The Arthritis Foundation has a plethora (I love that word!) of information including the latest information on surgical options, online brochures, and tips for living with arthritis. If you haven't been by in a while it's worth a visit.

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Elder CareTip

Here is a tip which I like for using soap while in the shower. Take an old
nylon knee hi stocking, put the soap in it and tie a knot. No more slippery
soap when washing. The soap comes right through the nylon and it makes a
good gentle scrubber.

- Sandy Milne

* * *
If you've got a Reader Tip you'd like to share, please send it to me with the subject line "Care Tip." I'll give you credit unless you ask me not to.
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Use supplemental oxygen and want to travel? Visit the Society for
Accessible Travel Hospitality or call the Department of Transportation disability hotline at 800.778.4838 for resources for oxygen delivery to a U.S. vacation destination. Note: A recent decision to permit portable oxygen delivery systems on some planes is now in effect. However, be sure to contact your carrier before booking your flight to make sure that the policy is valid for that airline.

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What we anticipate seldom occurs; what we least expect generally happens.
-Benjamin Disraeli

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Woo-hoo! as they say. It's October 1 and we haven't broken 90 degrees here in two whole days. On the other hand, today is supposed to be hot again. But I feel hope in the air and the weeds in the garden may just get some real attention. The squirrels have been burying acorns from our over-enthusiastic oak trees like there's no tomorrow and I have a bumper crop of teeny, tiny little oaks everywhere. Do oak trees sprout in September in Maine?

Have a great weekend everyone. See you on the 15th.

Take care,

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Molly Shomer
Head Coach
The Eldercare Team
http://www.eldercareteam.com
mshomer@eldercareteam.com
(972) 395-7823

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Don't keep us a secret. If you know other people who should be reading this too, then do them and us a favor by telling them about Elder CareTips™. Just send them this link: http://eldercareteam.com/resources/newsletter.htm

© 2005 Molly Shomer, All rights reserved. You are free to use material from Elder CareTips: Mastering The Eldercare Maze™ as long as you include complete attribution, including live web site link and email link. I would appreciate it if you
would let me know where the material will appear.

The Eldercare Team

September 15, 2005

The newsletter for all elder caregivers. Sent twice a month, and only by request. You are welcome to pass on Elder CareTips™ to anyone you think might be interested. You'll find information about how to get your personal subscription below.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

It's a little different kind of newsletter this time around. The subject is important enough that there's only one item this time. Please read through to the end and take action - it's easy and you'll feel ever-so-much more prepared and secure.

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Two weeks ago thousands and thousands of Americans were forced into shelters with the clothes on their backs and little else. Many of them were elderly. Many of them had health problems requiring medication or treatment. Most of them had no medication or the medical supplies they needed. Most had no way to contact their doctors or clinics, because they were evacuated, too.

Many, in the stress of the moment or because of failing memories, couldn't give strange doctors and nurses vital information about their medical needs. They couldn't remember the names or doses of their medications. They sometimes couldn't remember what, exactly, they were being treated for. Emergency medical personnel in the shelters have done heroic work in untangling most of these puzzles and getting people emergency supplies of what they need.

Evacuees who went to the homes of relatives haven't always had the same access to emergency medical help, and some families have had to jump through incredible hoops to get the right medication and supplies for relatives and friends staying with them.

Before the storm some of these evacuees were organized. They had great records. Some even kept their records on their desktops, ready to print out at a moments notice. Problem is, their paper records are dissolving underwater or blown to who-knows-where by the wind, and so are their computers and the refrigerators where they had the information posted.

We can't depend on anyone but ourselves to have this kind of critical information available in a crisis. There are several web-based operators who say they will store your medical documents so they can be accessed by authorized individuals. Monthly charges start at about $10 a month. This can add up, and I'm not really all that comfortable handing my personal information over to strangers at the other end of a website that may or may not still be in business when I need it. But some people think this is a great way to go. If you think so, just do it and keep it current. And of course let someone know all the passwords and stuff so they can get at the information.

Another way to go is to make your vital information directly available to trusted family members or friends - especially someone who lives in another part of the country and isn't likely to be hit by the same natural disaster that hits you.

When you signed up for Elder CareTips™ you had the option to download a pdf booklet, "What You Absolutely, Positively Need To Know." This booklet was designed to be a paper document you could fill out and give to whomever. This is well & good, but sometimes we just don't get around to updating and re-mailing as things change.

So yesterday I revised it to allow you to fill it out on your screen, save the information to your desktop or print it out, and email copies to as many people as you want with one keystroke. Just type in the information you want someone to know, and leave out the information that you would rather not have them know. Remember, though - if you get hit by a truck someone, somewhere, has to know most, if not all, of this information.

If you're not already a subscriber just sign up to receive Elder CareTips™ on the first and 15th of every month and you'll receive your download instructions immediately.

I suggest that before you send your information off to someone as a pdf attachment you check with them to be sure they are willing to electronically store your information. If they agree, send it off. And try to remember to update it as your information changes.

Do this for yourself, your family - and for me. I know I'll personally feel like a million if I know this has helped someone.

'Till next time,
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Don't keep us a secret. If you know other people who should be reading this too, then do them and us a favor by telling them about Elder CareTips (TM). Just send them this link: http://eldercareteam.com/resources/newsletter.htm

© 2005 Molly Shomer, All rights reserved. You are free to use material from Elder CareTips: Mastering The Eldercare Maze™ as long as you include complete attribution, including live web site link and email link. I would appreciate it if you
would let me know where the material will appear.

To subscribe, send a blank email to eldermatters@aweber.com

The Eldercare Team
SeniorLink, LLC
P.O. Box 700291
Dallas, Texas 75370
Phone (972) 395-7823 Fax (972) 395-7164
email: info@eldercareteam.com
©1999-2005
Advanced Professional Member
National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers

August 15,2005

The newsletter for all elder caregivers. Sent twice a month, and only by request. You are welcome to pass on Elder CareTips™ to anyone you think might be interested. You'll find information about how to get your personal subscription below.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aging in Place - It's A Whole Lot More Than A Buzzword

We do it for our children without even giving it much thought. When a new baby arrives (even long before a baby arrives) we spend months getting our home ready. We buy a special bed, we "safety proof" the cabinets and the outlets, we buy monitors. We try to keep the environment safe for the developmental stage of the child, making changes as he grows. First we worry about how clean the floor is, then we put the plants and the breakable items up high. Before we know it, the whole house has been modified in one way or another.

Then when the children are older we stop thinking about it and the house slowly reverts to "grown-up."

But our physical abilities don't stop changing as we mature. Sure, they'll stay more or less the same for several decades if we're lucky. But then, inevitably, we'll begin to notice a little twinge here or there. Our balance won't be quite as good as it once was. We may need a bit more light to see what we're reading (if our arms are long enough to see it at all).

And bit by bit, the house we call home isn't quite as user-friendly as it once was.

Just about every older person I've ever talked with wants to stay at home. And for most, staying at home can be the most economical choice, too. Assisted living can cost $3,000 to upwards of $6,000 a month, depending on the part of the country you live in. Nursing homes are a whole lot more expensive. If you invest less than the cost of one month of assisted living you can possibly buy extra months or years of living at home.

Every now and then over the next several months I plan to address some of the simple changes you can make to a home to keep it senior-friendly and safe. Bathroom safety and getting the throw rugs up have been talked to death, so I will leave those alone for the time being. There are so many other things you can do that don't cost a fortune and will add an amazing amount of comfort and safety to a home.

Today's topic is Electricity...

Isn't running the vacuum fun? You just get up a good head of steam and you run out of cord. So you give the cord a good yank to pull it out of the wall outlet (you know you do...even though you know you're not supposed to) and you stoop down to plug it in to another outlet. And you do this three or four times to get around the area you're trying to clean.

Whoever decided that wall outlets should be four inches off the floor must have been a kid, since they're the only ones who can reach them without a struggle. And we know about kids and outlets - we spent a lot of time and aggravation child-proofing them, didn't we?

If you're having some pain in your hips or back, or your balance isn't what it was, stooping down to those outlets is painful or even dangerous. Imagine how much easier it would be to plug and unplug if the outlets were at waist level or higher. Just think, you could move a lamp over to that bookcase without having to take out all the books to get at the plug. The possibilities are endless.

A good electrician can add waist-level outlets to a home at a very reasonable cost. You don't have to remove the outlets that are already there - just tap into them and add new ones at 30 to 40 inches from the floor, depending on how tall you are. Put them in all the rooms, and put in a couple more than you think you need. They'll get used.

And while the electrician is at it, have him put rocker switches on the walls instead of those little on/off flippers. It's a lot easier to hit a rocker switch than that little flipper thing. And if he's already in the wall installing a rocker switch, have him put in a plug outlet below it at the same time. You can never have too many places to plug things in.

Do this before you need to. Once someone has fallen or had a back go out reaching down to the floor home will never feel as safe again.

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By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.

Benjamin Franklin

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Elder CareTip

Often people with ailments like Parkinson's Disease or one of the many dementias get to the point where they have trouble using utensils to eat. Rather than trying to remind them or help them use a spoon or a fork, try finger foods. It's much less frustrating for everyone.

Try chicken fingers, cubed beef or ham, sandwiches cut in quarters or bite size, cheese cubes, oven baked french fries or hush puppies, cooled steamed vegetables, etc. One or two pieces of dried fruit can give a real taste explosion and perk up appetites, too. Just never more than one or two pieces or you may be sorry.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * *

If you've got a Reader Tip you'd like to share, please send it to molly@eldercareteam.com with the subject line "Care Tip."

Let me know if I can use your name. Or if you'd rather have me leave your name off, that's OK, too.

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Kids' Letters to God:

Dear God,
I am doing the best I can.
Really !!!!
Frank

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Watch those school zones. In my part of the world school started today for most kids (some started last week, poor things). Whatever happened to summer vacation, anyway?

I heard on the news this morning that in one of our more upscale suburbs the school zone police were giving out speeding tickets left and right . . . to teachers who were late for school.

'Till next time,

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Don't keep us a secret. If you know other people who should be reading this too, then do them and us a favor by telling them about Elder CareTips (TM). Just send them this link: http://eldercareteam.com/resources/newsletter.htm

© 2005 Molly Shomer, All rights reserved. You are free to use material from Elder CareTips: Mastering The Eldercare Maze (TM) as long as you include complete attribution, including live web site link and email link. I would appreciate it if you would let me know where the material will appear.

To subscribe, send a blank email to eldermatters@aweber.com

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When Your Medical Power of Attorney May Not Be Enough

You've done everything "they" say you should to get your documents in order.
You have copies of the Powers of Attorney your elder signed. You want to get
some information from his doctor, and you still hit a stone wall. What's up?

Find your Medical POA and read through it (you do know where it is, right?). If it says something like, "This medical power of attorney takes effect if I become unable to make my own health care decisions...," then it gives you no authority or legal access to medical information while the person you represent is able to make decisions.

As long as your elder is able he is entitled to keep medical information private, even from the person who may one day be making decisions for him.

If this is the position you find yourself in, what you need is an "Authorization to Release Information."

Whenever you go to the doctor you are asked to sign a form authorizing the release of your medical information to insurance companies, etc. This is the same kind of form your elder can sign to authorize release of information to you or anyone else she designates.

If your elder is agreeable to you having access to her medical information she should ask to put your name and contact information on a release form that will be included in her medical chart. She will have to do this at each individual doctor's office.

Some medical offices are reluctant, or will downright refuse, to send a release form in the mail to be completed and returned. They want to be sure that no undue influence is being put on their patient to sign. So they will insist that the form be filled out and signed in their office. If your elder tends to forget to ask about filling out a release form and you can't go with him, you can call the office and ask them to put a form in the chart so the doctor or nurse can offer it at the next office visit. Of course, they may or may not remember to do this.

Doctors don't have time to answer the same questions from several people. If there are multiple family members who will want information from the doctor the patient should designate one to be spokesperson for the group. This person's name should be the one on the release form, and should ideally be the one who holds Medical Power of Attorney. The family spokesperson can then pass the information on to anyone else the elder wants informed.

Note that I said, "... to anyone else the elder wants informed." Just because you have access to his confidential medical information doesn't mean you can pass it along to whomever you choose without your elder's consent. If your elder has given you this kind of extremely personal privilege, please don't abuse it by gossiping or revealing more than you should to people he wouldn't want to have the information. When in doubt, ask first.

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Important Mail From Social Security

There's been some important mail from Social Security recently, and many seniors have discarded it or just put it away somewhere because they think it's junk mail or they don't understand it. If your elder has a limited income it's important mail and you would be smart to double-check.

Medicare Part D is coming. This is the new part of Medicare that covers drugs. There will be a monthly premium and co-pays. If your elder has an income below $14,355 per year (that's $1,197 a month) he may be eligible for help paying these premiums and drug co-pays. For a couple the income limit is $19,425 or $1,604 per month.

Resource limits apply: $10,000 for an individual and $20,000 for a married couple living together.

Social Security is in charge of signing people up. They have sent a white envelope containing information and an enrollment form to everyone they think might be eligible for extra financial help paying for this benefit. Unless your elder has an extremely low income and is already receiving Medicaid (MediCal) enrollment isn't automatic. She must apply.

If your elder isn't sure whether he received an envelope, or isn't sure whether she sent it back, you can request another by calling Social Security at 1(800) 772-1213. You can also get more information and apply online.

If you aren't sure whether your elder will qualify, go ahead and apply.

People who apply late will still be approved if they are eligible, but benefits won't be retroactive.

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Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is a daring adventure or nothing at all.
-- Helen Keller

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In Case Of Emergency Apply Ice

I'm told that someone in London came up with this idea and that it's spreading around the world. It's a terrific idea - wish I'd thought of it.

Paramedics are looking at a victim's cell phone for clues to that person's identity and a contact person. You can make their job much easier with a simple entry in your phone contact list: ICE.

ICE stands for In Case of Emergency. If you add an entry in the contacts list in your cell phone under ICE, with the phone number of the person the emergency services should call on your behalf, you can save them a lot of time. I'm told that paramedics know what ICE means and they look for it.

This could one day be important for you. It could be doubly important if you're a caregiver and someone at home is depending on you. We can't know if our local emergency response teams are up to date on this one yet, but there's nothing to lose and much to gain in an emergency. I've put it in my phone, and I suggest you do the same.

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Accept good advice gracefully--as long as it doesn't interfere with what you intended to do in the first place.

-- Gene Brown

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Elder CareTip

From a Reader:

Here is a tip which I like for using soap while in the shower. Take an old nylon knee hi stocking and put the soap in it and knot. No more slippery soap when washing. Soap comes right through the nylon and makes a good gentle scrubber.
* * *

This reader didn't give me permission to use her name, but I thank her for a great idea. If you've got a Reader Tip you'd like to share, please send it to molly@eldercareteam.com with the subject line "Care Tip."

Let me know if I can use your name. Or if you'd rather have me leave your name off, that's OK, too.

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I spent the past weekend putting the almost-finishing touches on the new and improved website. There are still glitches to be found - it never ends with electronic media that eats things without explanation. If you find something that doesn't work I'd appreciate it if you would let me know. A box of cyber chocolates and your name in lights to the one who finds the most...

...And time moves on . . . Our first Christmas catalog arrived in the mail on Saturday. I think I'm indignant, but it's too hot to get worked up.

'Till next time,

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Don't keep us a secret. If you know other people who should be reading this too, then do them and us a favor by telling them about Elder CareTips (TM). Just send them this link: http://eldercareteam.com/resources/newsletter.htm

© 2005 Molly Shomer, All rights reserved. You are free to use material from Elder CareTips: Mastering The Eldercare Maze (TM) as long as you include complete attribution, including live web site link and email link. I would appreciate it if you would let me know where the material will appear.

To subscribe, send a blank email to eldermatters@aweber.com

The Eldercare Team
SeniorLink, LLC
P.O. Box 700291
Dallas, Texas 75370
Phone (972) 395-7823 Fax (972) 395-7164
email: info@eldercareteam.com
©1999-2005
Advanced Professional Member
National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers

The Eldercare Team
SeniorLink, LLC
P.O. Box 700291
Dallas, Texas 75370
Phone (972) 395-7823 Fax (972) 395-7164
email: info@eldercareteam.com
©2005
Advanced Professional Member
National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers

Edith, Sandy's mother, spent a several days in the hospital after her stroke. The therapists then recommended that Edith move to a skilled nursing facility for more therapy. Edith was improving, but she needed more rehabilitation.

Edith had a good secondary insurance policy, so Sandy wasn't worried about her mother's rehabilitation being covered. She knew Medicare would cover up to a maximum of 100 days of inpatient therapy. When the rehab center said they were ready to send Edith home, Sandy advocated tirelessly for her mother to be allowed to continue therapy. Sandy ultimately convinced the
center to keep Edith several more weeks.

A little more than nine weeks after what would have been her original rehabilitation discharge date Edith had a set-back when she fell at the rehab center. She suffered a hairline fracture of her hip and went back to the hospital for a few days.

Even though this second time in the hospital was for a brand new medical problem Edith hadn't been out of the hospital and rehab for 60 consecutive days, so her re-hospitalization was considered to be a continuation of her first stay. After this second hospital stay Edith could probably have gone directly home, but Sandy again advocated strongly for what she thought her mother needed, and Edith returned to the rehab center for more physical therapy.

She is still unstable when she walks and needs to be watched closely so she doesn't fall again. She has now used up almost of her 100 maximum allowable rehabilitation days. She is still in her first Hospital Benefit Period because she has not been out of the hospital or rehabilitation facility for at least 60 consecutive days.

Now some hard decisions have to be made. Edith could stay on in the skilled nursing center for another week or two to take advantage of all the therapy she can get. That might make all the difference in preventing another fall. But that would also use up all of Edith's remaining rehabilitation days. Or, she could go home and begin working on the 60 days she has to remain out of a
medical facility. She could try to re-set her eligibility clock at home and keep those few remaining days available, just in case.

Whatever Sandy decides for her mother, they will be taking a gamble.

Until Sandy finally called me she didn't completely understand that her mother's "clock" hadn't been re-set for up to 100 new days with the second hospital stay. It's unfortunate, but many hospitals and skilled nursing facilities don't do a very good job of explaining this to families until the days have been all but exhausted. And not understanding how the Medicare system really works can have serious consequences for both the patient and the family.

How Medicare Benefit Periods Affect
Medicare Rehabilitation Days

When it comes to the hospital (Medicare Part A), Medicare works by "Benefit Periods" rather than on an annual basis like most health insurance. After a hospitalization the patient must stay out of the hospital or other Medicare facility (like a rehabilitation or skilled nursing facility) for at least 60 consecutive days in order to re-set the clock and earn eligibility for a new Benefit Period.

If the patient goes back to the hospital within 60 days of being discharged from a Medicare facility (hospital or skilled nursing/rehabilitation), it is considered to be part of the first hospital period, even if it is for a new medical problem. This has serious consequences for allowable rehabilitation days, as we saw with Edith. The second time she came out of the hospital, rather than starting fresh with another 100 potential days, as Sandy thought, she picked up her rehabilitation days where she left off.

When she has used up all of her allotted days, any additional skilled care Edith needs outside of the hospital will have to be paid out of her own pocket until she has been out of the Medicare inpatient system for at least 60 days.

So when Sandy thought she was helping her mother by pushing to extend her stay in the rehab facility, she was using precious rehabilitation days that she could possibly have saved. Edith could have been out of the "system" for more than 60 days when she fell, and she could have had a new Benefit Period. I really fault the rehab staff for not making this clear to Sandy, but here we are.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wisdom doesn't necessarily come with age. Sometimes age just shows up all by itself.

- Tom Wilson
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Mother's Day is May 8. Have you panicked yet? Do you have a wonderful idea for something your mother will love, doesn't already have, won't take up too much space or have to be dusted, doesn't cost an arm and a leg and that you won't have to drive all over town trying to find?

No? Didn't think so. Me, too.

Make a quick visit to the Gold Violin http://www.goldviolin.com This delicious web store has quite a selection of affordable, interesting, unique and fun things that will appeal to our older loved ones. You can search and sort by price, among other things. I love that.

They have things that will appeal to both men and women, so get two birds with one stone and shop for Dad's Day, too.

Their shipping charges are a little inflated, I think. But when you consider you save bundles of time and gas money as well as sales tax you probably come out ahead.

I'm not on their payroll, and they don't know I'm sending you. Again, Gold Violin at http://www.goldviolin.com

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Elder CareTip

How long has it been since you really looked at the front of your older person's home? If it's a house - single or multiple family - take a slow cruise past the front next time you visit. Can you see the house number easily from the street? Numbers painted on the curb fade over time, and you can't see them if there is a car parked in front of them. Numbers on the side of the building can fade or become obscured by foliage that has grown up. Numbers on the door are often too small to be easily read from the street.

Put yourself in the shoes of emergency personnel and freshen up your home I.D. Make sure the house number reflects light at night and that there is good color contrast against the house during the day. Make them bigger than you think they need to be so anyone can read them from the street.

You can also buy portable flashers to put in a front window or on the front stoop to further alert emergency personnel that they have the right address. But the house number comes first.
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If you've got an Elder CareTip you'd like to share, please send it to
mailto:molly@eldercareteam.com with the subject line "care tip."

Let me know if I can use your name. Or if you'd rather have me leave your name off, that's OK, too.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fear grows in darkness; if you
think there's a bogeyman around, turn on the light.
- Dorothy Thompson
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That's it for now. Don't keep us a secret. If you know other people who should be reading this too, then do them and us a favor by telling them about Elder CareTips(TM). Just send them this link:
http://eldercareteam.com/resources/newsletter.htm

Until next time -

Molly

Do you know why you should count the wheelchairs in the dining room of any assisted living residence you might be considering? The answer is on page 60 of the newly-released print edition of The Insider's Guide To Assisted Living, now available here and on Amazon.com. Read it before you look and you'll probably know more than the manager.

©2005 Molly Shomer, All Rights Reserved. You are free to use material from Elder CareTips: Mastering The Eldercare Maze™ as long as you include complete attribution, including live web site link and email link. I would appreciate it if you would let me know where the material will appear.

To subscribe, send a blank email to eldermatters@aweber.com

The Eldercare Team
SeniorLink, LLC
P.O. Box 700291
Dallas, Texas 75370
Phone (972) 395-7823 Fax (972) 395-7164
email: info@eldercareteam.com
©2005
Advanced Professional Member
National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers

April 1, 2005

The newsletter for all elder caregivers. Sent twice a month, and only by request. You are welcome to pass on Elder CareTips™ to anyone you think might be interested. You'll find information about how to get your personal subscription below.

We've been talking quite a bit lately about prescriptions. Here's another tip. It's such a simple thing, and it can have devastating results if no one catches it in time . . .

For every human problem, there is a neat, simple solution; and it is always wrong.>--H.L. Mencken

Enough with all this seriousness!

The last time I went to a flea market I noted that there were a lot of "antique" toys for sale. Quite a few of them were toys I played with when I was a kid. Now if there's anything that can make you feel bizarre, it's looking at the dollhouse you got for Christmas when you were 6 and seeing it labeled as an antique. And seeing the price on it . . . Dang, I wish I still had that thing!

And then there's nostalgia that's fun. Remember Neccos at the movies? Or big, fat, red wax lips (kind of like collagen on steroids)? And how about those little wax bottles with the nasty sugar water? You bit off the bottle top, drank the sugar water and chewed the bottle like gum?

Now those are memories . . .

Believe it or not you can still get this stuff. And you can get sweet treats that will bring back memories for our parents' generation, too (Sen Sen, anyone?) I wish I had found this before Easter. I could have made up some killer baskets. But there's still Mother's and Father's Day coming. Check this out. You'll be amazed:

http://sweetnostalgia.com/index.html

I'm sticking this one on the links page so you can find it again. No commissions or referral fees involved, just something I think you'll like.

Elder CareTip

As we age we need more light to be able to see well. And as we age it gets more difficult and dangerous to be climbing up on chairs or ladders to change light bulbs. They cost a bit more up front, but long-life bulbs can reduce the burned-out bulb problem. In the long run you don't end up paying more because they last longer. Get some and put them in the overhead fixtures
so Dad or Mom aren't either poking around in the dark or doing something dangerous to get light.

The big box warehouse hardware stores usually carry them.

If you've got a Reader Tip you'd like to share, please send it to molly@eldercareteam.com with the subject line "care tip."

Let me know if I can use your name. Or if you'd rather have me leave your name off, that's OK, too.

As you make your way through this hectic world of ours, set aside a few minutes each day. At the end of the year, you'll have a couple of days saved up.

-- Child Age 7, A child's 'eye view'

Happy Fool's Day everyone. Don't believe a thing you hear today and you'll probably be safe. Better yet, leave the TV and the radio off and watch a baby, a bird, or a butterfly. They keep me grounded, how about you?

Don't keep us a secret. If you know other people who should be reading this too, then do them and us a favor by telling them about Elder CareTips(TM). Just send them this link: http://eldercareteam.com/resources/newsletter.htm

Until next time -

Molly

© 2005 Molly Shomer, All rights reserved. You are free to use material from Elder CareTips: Mastering The Eldercare Maze™ as long as you include complete attribution, including live web site link and email link. I would appreciate it if you would let me know where the material will appear.

To subscribe, send a blank email to eldermatters@aweber.com

Molly Shomer
Head Coach
The Eldercare Team
http://www.eldercareteam.com
molly@eldercareteam.com
(972) 395-7823

March 15, 2005

There's another option. I'm going to turn my bully pulpit over to another expert today - one who deserves a lot of credit and our thanks for trying to help an impossible situation.

Without further ado, here's our guest columnist, Dr. Sagall:

Pharmaceutical Companies Helping Patients Get Their Medicines

By Richard J. Sagall, M.D.

It’s a choice no one should have to make – pay rent and buy food or get prescriptions filled. Yet all to often it's a choice Americans, particularly older Americans, have to make.

Over 40 million Americans have no health insurance, and millions more have limited coverage. Many Americans just can’t afford health care, and, if they can, they don’t have the money to buy their medicines.

Patient Assistance Programs

There is help available for many people who can’t afford their medicines. These programs, frequently called patient assistance programs (PAPs), are designed to help those in need obtain their medicines at no cost or very low cost.

Many, but not all, pharmaceutical companies have PAPs. The manufacturers who have programs do so for various reasons. Some believe that they have a corporate social obligation to help those who can’t afford their products. Others believe it’s a good marketing tool. As one PAP director once told me, many people who can’t afford their medicines now go on to obtain some type
of coverage. And when they get this coverage, the companies want the patient to remain on their products.

Last year, PAPs helped over 5 million people. The programs filled 14.1 million prescriptions with a total wholesale value of over $2.3 billion.

The Basics of the Programs

All PAPs are designed to help those in need obtain their medicines. Since each pharmaceutical company establishes its own rules and guidelines, all are different. All have income guidelines – but they vary considerably. Each company selects which drugs are available on their programs and how long a
person can receive assistance.

How PAPs Work

Although no two programs are exactly the same, most require that the applicant complete an application form. The amount of information required varies. Some programs require detailed medical and financial information, others very little. All require a doctor’s signature. Certain programs require the doctor complete a portion of the form while others only need a signed prescription.

Most send the medicines to the doctor’s office for distribution to patients, while others send the medicine to a pharmacy. A few send a certificate the patient gives to the pharmacist.

Some patients need drugs for a long time. Most programs that cover medicines used to treat chronic diseases offer refills, but not all programs.

What Medicines Are Covered

The pharmaceutical companies decide if they will have a PAP and, if they do, which of their medicines are available through the program. Some include many or all of the medicines they make while others include only a few. The reasons for their decisions are not something they reveal. None include generic medicines in their programs.

Sometimes a medicine or a certain dosage of that medicine will be on a program, then off, and then back on again. Or one dose of the medicine will be on the program while a different dose won’t be.

How To Learn About PAPs

Your doctor is not the best source of information on PAPs. Surprisingly, many doctors don’t even know PAPs exist. The same applies for pharmacists. Many social workers know about the programs. Any books in the library on PAPs are probably outdated before they are printed.

The best place to learn about PAPs is the Internet. There are a number of sites that have information on these programs. Many pharmaceutical companies have information on their patient assistant programs on their websites. Unfortunately, it’s often hard to find the page that describes their PAP.

Types of Websites

There are two types of websites with information on patient assistance programs. Three sites list information on patient assistance programs - NeedyMeds (http://www.needymeds.com), RxAssist (http://www.rxassist.org), and HelpingPatients.org (http://www.helpingpatients.org). There is no charge to use the information. These sites don’t have a program of their own nor do they help people get their medicines.

NeedyMeds is self–funded by sales of manuals and other items. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation supports RxAssist. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), an association and lobbying group whose members include many of the larger pharmaceutical manufacturers,
runs HelpingPatients.org, It only has information on PhRMA members programs.

Then there are a number of sites that charge to help people learn about patient assistance programs and complete the application forms. The charges vary, as does the quality of their services. Some offer a money-back guarantee if they can’t get your medicines.

How To Use NeedyMeds

I will describe how to use the NeedyMeds site – the one I know most about. RxAssist and HelpingPatients contain similar information.

There are two ways you can check to see if your medicines are available on a patient assistance program. One is to click on the drug list. This brings up an alphabetical list of all the drugs currently on PAPs. Find the medicine you take and click on its name. This will bring up the program page.

On the program page you will learn about the specifics of the PAP – the qualification guidelines, the application process, the information you need to supply, what your doctor must complete, etc. In addition, you will learn if there’s a downloadable application on the website or if you must get an application from the company. (Some companies accept copies of their application form while others require you complete an original.)

If you know the medicine’s manufacturer, you can click on the programs list. From there, you can click on the program you want to learn more about. That should bring up the information you need.

Once you get the information you need, it’s up to you to complete the applications, get the necessary signatures, and send the form to the program.

A Few Tips

The most common problem patients encounter when completing the application forms is lack of physician cooperation. Over and over I hear from people whose physicians just won’t complete the forms – or charge to do it.
I am asked what they should do.

Here are a couple of suggestions:

1. Make sure you have completed everything on the form you can. Not only should you complete the applicant’s section, but anything else you can do. This may include the physician’s name and address, phone number, etc.

2. Bring all the information your doctor may need. For example, some programs require proof of income. If so, attach whatever documents are required.

3. Bring an addressed envelope with the appropriate postage.

4. Don’t expect your doctor to complete the form immediately. A busy doctor may not have time to read the form while you are in the office.

5. If you encounter resistance, tell your doctor that without his/her help, you wont be able to obtain the medicines he/she is prescribing. Be blunt.

6. If all else fails, you may need to find a physician more sympathetic to your plight and willing to help you.

What If I Don’t Have A Computer?

Many people without a computer can still use the information available on these websites. Nearly everyone knows someone with a computer – a family member, a neighbor, or a friend. Most public libraries have computers for public use and people who can help those not familiar with their use.

Summary

Patient assistance programs are not the best solution to the problem of inability to pay for medication. However, it is the best solution for some people. Millions of people use PAPs to get the medicines they need but can’t afford. If you can’t afford your medicines, a patient assistance program may be able to help you.

* * *

Richard J. Sagall, M.D., is a board certified family physician. He co-founded NeedyMeds and continues to run the site. He can be reached via the website, http://www.needymeds.com. Currently he practices occupational medicine in the Philadelphia area.

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Progress might have been all right once, but it's gone on too long.
-- Ogden Nash


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Is It A Stroke?

Would you be able to identify the signs that someone is having, or has had, a stroke? The sooner a person gets treatment, the better chance there is of recovery. "Clot-busting" drugs need to be administered within only a few hours of a stroke event to be effective. Time is of the essence with stroke.

Doctors are saying that non-medical individuals can recognize a possible stroke by asking the person they are concerned about to do three simple things:

1. Ask the person to smile;

2. Ask the person to raise both arms and hold them up;

3. Ask the person to say a simple sentence.

If the individual has trouble with any of these actions, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the operator.

For more information on the research behind these recommendations see the American Heart website at
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3008841

The life you save may be that of someone you love.

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Elder CareTip

The Creator didn't include handles or grab bars on people. When we're trying to assist someone with getting up from a chair, or we're trying to walk with someone whose balance isn't good, a reliable handle would do wonders for both our backs and the safety of the person we're helping. Lifting under the shoulders is bad for everyone. Belt loops break at the most inconvenient times. There's the very real risk that the person we want to help may bring us down, too, if there's a bad fall.

One possible answer is a gait belt. These are the soft woven belts you see physical therapists and nurses put around the waist of a patient they want to safely assist. The gait belt gives you something sturdy and safe to hold on to. If it's loose enough to put two fingers behind (no looser) the "patient" can wear it all day without discomfort.

This is one piece of equipment that's not expensive. You can get increased safety for both you and your loved one for around ten dollars - a real bargain these days. Gait belts are available at most any medical supply store, or on the web at
http://www.vitalitymedical.com/VitalityMedical.storefront/EN/Product/
POS6524?AID=10273944&PID=1247687

I receive no compensation for this recommendation - I just think it's a doozy of a good product for the price and what it can do.

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Formerly, when religion was strong and science weak, men
mistook magic for medicine; now, when science is strong and religion weak, men mistake medicine for magic.
-- Thomas Szasz

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Just a quick reminder for those of you who have been meaning to get yourself or a loved one enrolled in one of the Medicare Drug Card programs - you have until the end of this month to do so without possibly losing some amount of coverage. It's a complicated matter at best. Try using the interactive planner at http://www.benefitscheckup.org

By the time we meet again, Spring will have officially sprung. Here's a cyber package of chocolate bunny ears for everyone who's so inclined. If you don't want yours, pass them along to someone who could use a hug.

See you on April Fool's day. Until then, don't keep us a secret. If you know other people who should be reading this too, then do them and us a favor by telling them about Elder CareTips™. Just send them this link:
http://eldercareteam.com/resources/newsletter.htm

Until next time,

Molly

© 2005 Molly Shomer, All rights reserved. You are free to use material from Elder CareTips: Mastering The Eldercare Maze™ as long as you include complete attribution, including live web site link and email link. I would appreciate it if you would let me know where the material will appear.

To subscribe, send a blank email to eldermatters@aweber.com

Molly Shomer
Head Coach
The Eldercare Team
http://www.eldercareteam.com
molly@eldercareteam.com
(972) 395-7823

Change the furnace filter if it needs it. Offer to make a run to the grocery store. Bring back a jug or two of drinking water for emergencies. Some fresh soup or a pot of spaghetti sauce might be welcome, too.