Caregiver Tip of the Month

This year's open enrollment period begins November 15th and ends December 31, 2006. The open enrollment period applies to everyone now on Medicare as well as to people age 65 and older who did not enroll during previous open enrollment periods.

If you or your loved one is unhappy with their current Medicare plan, whether it is the original Medicare plan, one of the newer Medicare HMOs or another Medicare+Choice plan, or the new Plan D prescription drug plan, this is the only time of the year when you or your loved one can make a change. Begin to evaluate the various choices now before it's too late; don't let December 31st sneak up ... the busy holiday season is almost here.

In most cases, your loved one won't have to do anything if they want to stay in their current plan. But, you and/or your loved one should read the information they received from their current company or companies to be sure. Benefits for 2007 may change from this year's plan, leaving them with less coverage than they now have. Or, they may be taking different prescriptions, some of which may not be covered by their present plan.

If your loved one is NOT YET on Medicare, or if they just turned 65, they can apply for any of Medicare's plans beginning 3 months before the month of their 65th birthday, or they can delay their decision for up to 3 months after the month of their 65th birthday. For example, if their 65th birthday is August 20th, they can apply at any time from May 1st to November 30th without any penalty.

This year's open enrollment period is especially important for many seniors. Medicare's new prescription drug plan (Part D) took effect earlier this year. Because they had no prior experience with what it did (and did not) cover, their earlier choice of plans may not have provided the best possible coverage for all of their prescriptions. And, many plans have changed their Plan D benefit structures based on this year's experience.

For example, for an extra premium, some plans in 2006 covered all prescriptions purchased during the infamous "doughnut hole" even though most plan participants had no benefits at all. But for 2007, those same plans may cover only generic drugs during the "doughnut hole" ... not the more expensive name brand prescriptions.)

Visit Medicare's Part D Prescription Drug Plans for more information, including how to enroll. You can also find more information about all of the plans that are available to your loved one by using Medicare's online tool, Medicare Prescription Drug Plans by State for 2007. You can reach it via Medicare's home page at www.Medicare.gov.

Our visitors ask ...

Q. I am in need of a referral to a gerontologist in the Orlando area. Can you help?

A. If you live in the Orlando area, we suggest that you talk to the heads of nursing at several local assisted living facilities and/or nursing homes.

If you don't live in the Orlando area, contact a geriatric care manager in the Orlando area. This elder care professional is trained in geriatrics, social work, nursing or counseling. In addition to their other services, they can offer knowledgeable referrals to geriatric specialists.

To locate a care manager, look at the website of the National Association of Geriatric Care Managers. This is the major national association of health care professionals who oversee long-term care arrangements needed by older people. Their Web site includes a locator to help you find a nearby care manager; click on "Find a Care Manager" in their left-hand menu.

Daily Living Solutions

— products for seniors —

As we grow older, it often becomes difficult to use many everyday products because of arthritis and other conditions. If you or a loved one needs a little help – or a lot – we've selected a group of practical and affordable solutions from our affiliated merchants to help overcome those limitations.

Whether you are looking for yourself, or to help an elderly senior continue living in their own home, you'll find a wide variety of supplies and accessories – raised toilet seats, safety rails, incontinence supplies, large-handle eating utensils, pain relief, diabetic supplies, pill splitters and crushers, big-button telephones, canes, walkers, rollators, wheelchairs – and much more.

Everything is sorted into convenient categories in our Solutions for Seniors section.

Caregiving – Finding the money for care at home

A variety of resources can help pay for care at home. We discuss these resources in some detail in our article 12 tips to help you find money (and free resources) for care at home.

Caregiver Tip #2

The holiday season is rapidly approaching. Quite often, that includes visits to older relatives when we should be watchful for unsettling warning signs that they may need assistance. Take a look at our checklists for more helpful information ...

Elderly Driving – When to put the brakes on elderly drivers. When the question of declining driving abilities becomes personal, the issues involved with elderly driving are very emotional. Elderly drivers might get defensive ... even angry – when the subject of their driving abilities is raised. For more information about elderly driving ...

Home Alone – Are they OK? Will your loved one be safe? Will he or she wander off? Will they let strangers into the house? Will they turn on the stove and forget to turn it off? Here's more information to guide you.

Home Safety – Is your loved one's home safe? More than 600,000 seniors are treated each year in hospital emergency rooms for injuries at home. These injuries often result from hazards that are easy to overlook, but easy to fix. Use this checklist to spot possible safety problems

Our visitors ask ...

Q. I hope you can steer me in the correct direction. I live in Massachusetts, my 70 year old mother lives in New Jersey. She has Medicare and Blue Cross and I am trying to find out if there is a way she can get some services at home. She cannot clean anymore, she cannot do her groceries, and she has difficulty showering. She has had surgeries on both knees and both feet, and can barely walk at all. I would appreciate anything you can tell me to do to find some help for my mom.

A. Unfortunately, neither Medicare nor Blue Cross will pay for the type of care your mother needs. However, other solutions may be available.

First, call the Eldercare Locator. Developed by the U.S. Administration on Aging, the Eldercare Locator is a free public service. It helps older people and their caregivers find local support services to help them live independently and safely in their homes and communities for as long as possible. Look for the resources you need by following the easy directions on their website. Or, call their toll-free telephone number 1-800-677-1116, between 9am and 8pm weekdays, Eastern Time.

Second, check out BenefitsCheckUp.org. Millions of older adults are eligible for federal and state benefits, but are not receiving them, including assistance to pay Part B and Part D premiums for Medicare benefits. This is unfortunate because these programs can help with housing, meals, transportation, health care, prescription drug costs, legal services and utility bills, just to name a few.

Benefits CheckUp is a service of the National Council on the Aging, a non-profit organization. It helps older adults quickly and easily find out which benefits they qualify for, and how to get them (many are available regardless of income). This is a free service and is completely confidential. It does not require your mother's name, address, phone number, Social Security number, or any other information that could be used to identify her.

Simply complete the online questionnaire. In a few minutes, you'll have a list of programs for which your mother most likely qualifies, including phone numbers and addresses. It also includes step-by-step instructions on how to apply for the benefits. To visit Benefits CheckUp, click on http://www.benefitscheckup.org/.

Third, take a look at our article 12 tips to help you find money (and free resources) for care at home where you'll find many other suggestions that may be of help to your mother.

Recommended Reading and Videos

Many excellent books and videos can help guide you through the caregiving process. For our recommendations, including a brief description of each one, click here.

The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is intended as a supplement, not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider. More