Medicare Already?
But I don't know anything about Medicare
It's time for the inevitable, dealing with the dreaded, yes, I am talking about Medicare. I suppose it is not wanting to admit I am getting old. Medicare, That's something old people know about. Well, guess what? It just snuck up on me. I am sixtyfour and this June I will be covered by Medicare. So it is about time I discover what the hell Medicare is.
Medicare is a health insurance program for people 65 years of age and older, some disabled people under 65 years of age, and people with end-stage renal disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant).
Medicare is divided into four parts, which are shown below:
Medicare Part A (hospital insurance)-Part A helps pay for medically necessary inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facilities, some home health care, and hospice care. Medicare Part A is usually available at no cost to people who have worked in the United States for 10 years or more. You can purchase Part A if you don't qualify to receive it free.
Medicare Part B (medical insurance)-Part B helps pay for physician services, outpatient hospital care, and other medical services not covered by Part A. Medicare Part B is purchased from the federal government for a monthly premium, which may change annually.
Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage (MA) plans)-Part C plans are health plan options approved by Medicare and run by private companies. Medicare Advantage plans provide all of your Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical) coverage and medically necessary services. Part C plans generally offer extra benefits and many include Part D drug coverage as long as you see doctors who belong to the plan or go to plan hospitals to get covered services. These plans usually have monthly premiums.
Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage)-Part D helps pay for outpatient prescription drugs. Medicare prescription drug coverage is purchased through private plans, not through the federal government.
When
If you plan to retire at age 65, apply for Medicare through your local Social Security Adminstration office three months before your 65th birthday, unless you're already receiving Social Security benefits.
If you're already receiving Social Security benefits, you do not need to apply for Medicare. You will be enrolled automatically. Social Security will send you a packet with your Medicare card approximately three months before you turn age 65, or on your 25th month of disability benefits.
If you or your spouse plan to continue working after age 65, call your group benefits adminstrator or your local Social Security Adminstration office to find out if it is in your best interest to sign up for Medicare Part B right now.
How
You can apply for Medicare through your local Social Security Adminstration office.
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Examples:
Finding Quality Health Information on the Internet
"Top Ten" Most Useful U.S. Consumer Health Websites
* www.cancer.gov (The National Cancer Institute)
* www.cdc.gov (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
* www.familydoctor.org (American Academy of Family Physicians)
* www.healthfinder.gov (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Department of Health and Human Services)
* http://hivinsite.ucsf.edu (University of California San Francisco AIDS Research Institute)
* www.kidshealth.org (Nemours Foundation's Center for Children's Health Media)
* www.mayoclinic.com (The Mayo Clinic)
* www.medem.com (multiple medical societies, including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists)
* www.medlineplus.gov (National Library of Medicine)
* www.noah-health.org (New York Online Access to Health)
Source: The Medical Library Association
International Internet Resources
Excellent multilingual and international websites dedicated to health information:
* www.cdcgov/spanish (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in Spanish)
* www.gosmokefree.co.uk (UK-based smoking cessation site)
* www.healthinfotranslations.com/index.php (information in 10 languages)
* www.healthy-india.org (Public Health Foundation of India)
* http://www.hpa.org.uk/topics/index.htm (UK health topics)
* http://library.med.nyu.edu/patient/hicup (health information in Chinese)
* www.mhcs.health.nsw.gov.au/mhcs (information in 58 languages)
* www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk (UK-based with information in 13 languages)
* www.phillyhealthinfo.org (health topics available in multiple languages)
* www.saude.gov.br (Brazilian Ministry of Health)
Additional Health-Related U.S. Websites
* www.4women.gov (women's health)
* www.acsm.org (excercise and fitness information
* www.bam.gov (child-geared health website)
* www.cancer.org (cancer information, includes a Guide to Quitting Smoking)
* www.caphis.mlanet.org/consumer/index.html (consumer and patient health information)
* www.clinicaltrials.gov (current information about federally and privately supported clinical research in human volunteers)
* www.fda.gov (wide variet of information regarding foods, nutrition, medicine, medical devices and procedures, vaccines and other timely topics)
* www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/cureall/coninfo (information about fraudulent healthcare claims)
* www.girlshealth.gov (health information site for girls)
* www.health.gov (includes online directories "Federal Health Information Centers" and "Toll-Free Numbers for Health Information")
* www.kidnetic.com (healthy lifestyles for kids)
* www.labtestsonline.org (information about specific lab tests)
* www.mlanet.org/resources/medspeak/ (online medical dictionary, prescription shorthand guide and tips on identifying quality healthcare information)
* www.mlanet.org/resources/userguide.html#6 (lists of reliable cancer, diabetes and heart disease websites)
* www.mypyramid.gov (nutrition website)
* www.pueblo.gsa.gov (online catalog of the Federal Consumer Information Center)
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Let's talk about FAT
Making healthy choices about what we eat.
Eating healthy is an important part of maintaining a healthy body, but making good choices can be difficult. An easy solution is to eat more plant-based foods and reduce consumption of animal products. A diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and oils is healthier than a diet heavy in beef and high-fat dairy products, which tend to be higher in calories and artery-clogging fats.
Low fat options are generally better for you. A good guide is to read food labels, track your food choices and keep your total daily saturated fat intake to less than 20 grams. Look for lower fat or fat-free options. But beware. "Fat-free" or "low-fat" by itself is not necessarily healthier. Many of these products have replaced the fat with more sugar, which in excess can lead to weight gain. You can avoid this trap by focusing on fresh fruits and vegetables, which are all low in the harmful types of fat and naturally lower in calories.
Children and adults have different nutritional needs, including the amount of fat that should be in their diets. Fat and cholesterol are very important for brain development in young children and should not be restricted in children under age two. For kids between the ages of two and four, about 30-35 percent of their daily calories should come from fat. Past age four, 20-35 percent of calories should come from fat.
In the past, adults were told to limit all types of fat intake, but we now believe that's not the best advice. The type of fat is actually more important than the amount of fat in our diets. There is good fat and bad fat, and newer recommendations focus on minimizing the bad fats-saturated fat and trans fat. The other fats are called "unsaturated," and a certain amount of them is actually healthy and essential for our bodies.
FATS TO AVOID
Trans Fat
Trans fats, also called partially hydrogenated fats, can occur in nature, but most are man-made. The good thing about trans fats is that they're easier to cook with and don't spoil as quickly as oils. The downside is they're quite unhealthy. People who consume a diet high in trans fat have higher rates of heart disease.
Trans fats raise the LDL (bad) cholesterol, lower the HDL (good) cholesterol and are found in stick margarines, many fast foods and commercially baked goods. As the public has become more aware of the harmful effects, we're seeing many fast food companies removing the trans fat from their products. This is a good step, but these foods are often still high in calories and low in nutritional value. So, they should be avoided as much as possible.
Saturated Fat
Saturated fats are the "solid" fats in beef and other animal products. These high-calorie fats are also found in coconut oils, palm oils and dairy products, especially cheese and whole milk. Our bodies convert this fat into the type of cholesterol (LDL) that leads to heart disease, and people who consume diets high in saturated fats may also be at increased risk for prostate and colon cancer.
One solution is to look for leaner sources of meat, such as chicken or fish, and when you eat beef or pork, it's a good idea to choose the leaner cuts.
Did I Take My Meds?
A reminder system for medication management
According to Food and Drug Adminstration statistics, people 65 and older:
* represent 13 percent of the population
* purchase 30 percent of all prescription drugs sold in the United States
* purchase 40 percent of all over-the-counter drugs sold in the United States
Remembering when or if the older adult takes medication or multiple medications can be a problem. A possible help to this problem is setting up a reminder system to manage medications properly. A simple reminder system is the pillbox, usually a box with seven compartments used for a week's worth of medications.
There many different styles of pillboxes. Some are clear, some have safety lids and some have the days of the week in Braille for the blind. Other systems have watch alarms that alert patients to take their medicines.
An alarming fact is that 40 percent of older people do not take their medications at the correct time of day, according to FDA statistics. And 75 percent do not take the correct dosage.
Tips for medication management
* Always read the package inserts on new medications to mitigate potential drug interactions
* Save the inserts or know where you can look up the possible effects and side effects of the medication.
* When beginning a new drug or receiving a dosage change, watch for adverse reactions for a few days to a week.
* Consider keeping a medical journal to record prescriptions and dosages.
* Consider making a daily check-off list of medications as they are taken.
* Purchase a pillbox that has compartments for days and/or time of day.
* Choose a day of the week or a time of day to put the proper pills in the proper compartments of the pill case.
* Set alarms to alert when it is time to take the next pill.
* If taking certain medications with meals, put them in a bowl by your place setting before the meal starts.
* Consult a doctor before mixing prescriptions with over-the-counter drugs or herbal supplements.
Source: Cancer Treatment Centers of America
IDENTITY THEFT
What should I do?
If you find you are a victim of identity theft, contact one of the following consumer reporting companies immediately.
Equifax: (800) 685-1111
or www.equifax.com
Experian: (888) 397-3742
or www.experian.com
TransUnion: (800) 916-8800
or www.transunion.com
GOLDEN Years, SAFE Years By Kyle W. Morrison
More than any other group, senior citizens are at serious risk for home fire fatalities. Some 900 adults 65 and older die from blazes each year, another 2,000 are injured, according to the U.S. Fire Adminstration.
In 2002, more than one-third of all home fire deaths were older Americans. In fact, people between 65 and 74 years old are nearly twice as likely to die in a fire, those between 75 and 84 are nearly four times as likely, and those 85 and older are more than five times as likely.
These high death rates for seniors are attributed to several reasons, most notably to decreased mobility, health, sight and hearing, according to the Department of Homeland Security. But many of the fire risk factors facing older adults apply to everyone. Taking certain steps, and remembering good safety advice that applies to people of all ages, greatly reduces the chances of injury or death from a home fire.
Prevention
The three leading causes of house fires and elderly deaths can all easily be prevented by following a few simple guidelines.
The leading source of fire injury among senior citizens is cooking. When working at the stove, never leave flammable materials like potholders or paper towels nearby, the USFA said. Foods that are cooking should never be left unattended, and the cook should always wear short or tight-fitting clothing.
Careless smoking is the second leading cause of fire injuries for elderly Americans. When smoking, always properly extinguish a cigarette when starting to feel drowsy, use a deep ashtray and never walk away from smoking materials. Additionally, never smoke in your bed or near an oxygen source, gas stove or other flammable object, the USFA said.
The third leading cause of fire injuries for seniors is related to heating devices. To reduce your risk:
* Keep fire in the fireplace by having a screen large enough to catch flying sparks and shifting logs.
* Give space heaters plenty of room by moving flammable materials at least 3 feet away.
* Buy space heaters that feature an automatic power shutoff in the event a heater falls over.
Know your exit
All older adults should have an escape plan and should practice it at least twice a year. The plan should include at least two exits from every room; and family members, building managers or neighbors should know what your plan is and have practiced it with you, the USFA recommends.
Check all doorways to be sure that a walker or wheelchair (if you use one) fits through. If necessary, ensure the doors are widened and a ramp is available. Never use an elevator during a fire unless instructed to do so by firefighters.
Contact your local fire department to inform them of any special needs you may have. The fire department also may offer escape plan ideas and could perform a home fire safety inspection. The USFA suggests that if you live in an apartment building, try to live on the ground floor where you will be safest. If you live in a multistory home, sleep on the first floor.
Alarms and sprinklers
The majority of older adults killed or injured in a fire were in the bedroom at the time, and many were sleeping, according to USFA statistics. Even though a person's sensory skills generally decrease with age, a recent study from the National Fire Protection Association in Quincy, MA, found audible alarms still work best for waking the hard of hearing. And according to the USFA, the chance of surviving a fire in the home nearly doubles from a smoke alarm warning.
Alarms need to be installed on every level of your home, including one outside all sleeping areas. Smoke alarms should be tested every month to make sure they are still working properly. Each year, the alarms' batteries should be replaced; the alarm itself should be replaced every 10 years.
If possible, seniors should consider installing a sprinkler system in their own home. Sprinkler systems are required in long-term care facilities, but there are no federal standards requiring smoke alarms in individual rooms. However, Rep. Michael Arcuri, D-NY, recently introduced the Long-Term Life Safety Act of 2007 (H.R. 2282). If passed, the bill would authorize grants to be awarded to promote retrofitting assisted-living facilities, nursing homes and hospice facilities with fire alarm detection systems and prevention technology.
