SPRING ISSUE 2016
YOUR GUIDE TO RESOURCES
25 YEARS OF OUTREACH
Courage in Leadership Making the Hard Decisions Page 5
SPOTLIGHT ON...
The Widows Program Learn how this program works Page 15
SUPPORTING THE HOME
Unconventional Ways Support the Home While Shopping Page 19
Last Chance to Register for Golf Tournament
Board of Directors
Reminder!!
C. Brent Stewart, Chairman/Grand Master Richard L. Smith, President Ronald D. Jones, Vice President Keith M. Bail, Secretary Chris T. Harrelson, Treasurer
In regard to the Creating-A-Partnership Program (CAP) and Partnering to Honor (PTH) Program, all matching funds MUST be raised by the Lodge and/or Chapter and the application must contain two signatures, with one being either the Worshipful Master, Worthy Matron, Lodge/Chapter Secretary or Treasurer.
William J. Bowser Stanton T. Brown, II Jeffrey A. Parrotte David W. Ramsey Buddy Roberts James D. Schepers Tim Thomas Daniel J. Ward
Executive Director Barbara Ramsey
Director of Finance & Fund Development Jodi Blake
Editor
Rhonda Stone Lightfoot
Once items are purchased and/or funds donated, the Lodge or Chapter will be responsible for providing a copy of the receipt(s) and/or a letter from the organization showing how the funds were spent. The Lodge/ Chapter will not be able to make additional requests until all receipts are received.
Mailing List Disclaimer The Masonic Home of Missouri does not give or sell our mailing list for any reason to any other person or company. We utilize our lists to keep you abreast of programs, special events or items of interest to the members of the Masonic Fraternity. We respect everyone’s privacy. If you do not wish to recieve mailings from the Masonic Home of Missouri, please contact us at (800) 434-9804.
Masonic Home of Missouri 6033 Masonic Drive, Suite A Columbia, MO 65202 (573) 814-4663 (800) 434-9804 (573) 814-4660 Fax www.mohome.org
Cover Photo: Shirley Sturm, a Long-Term Financial Assistance client. Read about Shirley on page 8 in this issue.
CONTENTS 12
Reassesment Explained
13
Medicaid Spend Down
15
Spotlight on the Widows Program
17
Last Chance for Golf Tournament
18
What’s in the Numbers?
04 05 08 14 16 19 21 22 24
Executive Director’s Notes Courage in Leadership
Through the Eyes of Others 2016 Resolutions Must Have Healthcare Legal Documents Unconventional Ways to Support the Home Did You Know? Organize Your Medical Records Calendar of Events
Executive Director Notes This issue of the Missouri Outreach Magazine contains an article on the history of the Masonic Home and how the Outreach Program began. As I read the article, I could not help but reflect on the leadership and courage needed by the Masonic Home Board members to do what they felt was in the best interest of the fraternity they served while knowing that the decisions they made held uncertainty and were not supported by all. The Masonic Home opened its doors in 1889 – roughly 14 years after the impassioned call for a Masonic Home was presented to the Grand Lodge Assembly by Grand Master John C. Ralls. Although many supported the Home, Board Member V.O. Saunders would write in 1891: “The sentiment in favor of the Home was not unanimous; some of the Brethren did not know whether the kite was going to fly or not, and they were not anxious to take hold of the string, but when the Grand Lodge gave the Home a stipulated amount, by voting a fifty cent annual per capita dues for each Mason in Missouri, the mist rolled away, and some who had opposed, were willing to serve as Directors on the Board.” One hundred years later, Masonic Home Board Members would face their own difficult decisions, and just as their predecessors did - they had to make difficult decisions without unanimous support. The Masonic Home Board made the decision to sell the Delmar Campus after 100 years of providing care on those grounds. Particularly for those in St. Louis, it was a heart wrenching decision. You combine that difficult decision with the courage to try something new – the Outreach Program. The Board of Directors could not know with any certainty the future of the Outreach Program. They could not know the story of Shirley Sturm or Florence Boone, both featured in this
magazine. However, they remained true to the Masonic Principles upon which the Home was built which allowed the Home to continue to assist Masons, their wives or widows, female member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and children in need. I am sometimes asked, “Where is the Masonic Home of Missouri?” There can be a moment of confusion, when I state that Missouri no longer has a “bricks and mortar” facility. Missouri has Outreach Programs which enable the Masonic Home to be in homes and communities of those in need throughout the state. I am grateful for the leadership the Masonic Home has been blessed with over the years. During this year of celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Outreach Programs, I am particularly grateful to those members of the Board of Directors that had the courage to make difficult decisions which would ultimately lead to such an amazing set of programs making a difference in the lives of people each and every day. It makes me think of one of my favorite quotes: Wisdom is knowing what path to take next….Integrity is taking it. Sincerely,
Barbara Ramsey Executive Director Masonic Home of Missouri
Mission Statement To assist eligible adults and children in need by practicing the principles of Freemasonry Page 4
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M sonic Home of Missouri OUTREACH PROGRAMS 25 years of being where you are.
Courage in Leadership By PGM Dan Cole
I served as President of the Masonic Home at the time the decision was made to move from “Bricks and Mortar” care to a more universal Outreach Program. That program would allow brother Masons, their wives, and widows, as well as female members of the Order of the Eastern Star to receive support and care without leaving their community and, in some cases, without leaving their homes. As you will read in this article, the Masonic Home is celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Outreach Program. With the Masonic Home staff, we prepared the following short history of the Home - where it has been, where it is now, and where it is headed in the future. The decisions made around 1990, while not easy, set the Masonic Home on a path toward expanded opportunities. Sometimes the most difficult decisions can result in the most positive outcomes. The Masonic Home of Missouri opened its doors to the fraternity in 1889 in St. Louis, Missouri. It
began as a home for those most vulnerable society members – orphans and widows. The Masonic Home of Missouri would evolve and grow to meet the needs of the fraternity as each decade passed. Part of that process would inevitably lead to building new structures, letting go of outdated buildings, and adapting to the populations most in need during each decade, always with a careful mindfulness by each Board of Directors of how to best meet those needs of the fraternity, while being fiscally mindful for future generations. The Board of Directors for the Masonic Home of Missouri would be faced with many challenges over the years. Until the 1980s, those challenges were primarily focused on providing adequate housing to meet the needs of the fraternity. However, multiple forces would combine causing the Board of Directors to move away from bricks and mortar to something new that held the possibility of meeting the needs of more people throughout the state more efficiently.
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The Masonic Home in St. Louis, often referred to as the Delmar Campus or Eastern Unit, underwent various building projects over the years as it grew and expanded. The last building project was completed in 1958 when the Home opened a tenstory residence hall and hospital on the campus. Considered a state of the art building when it opened in 1958 by the mid-1980’s the structure would be woefully inadequate to provide for an efficient operation. In addition to growing maintenance costs and difficulties due to aging, the facility was not originally built in a way that would accommodate the growing needs of the residents or comply with everincreasing governmental standards and expectations. In November 1987, the Home was cited with multiple deficiencies by the Missouri Division of Aging, and although the Board addressed those deficiencies, there were many additional structural issues to address: the boiler, the roof, and, at least, two elevators. How does one attract new residents to a building that had 15 rooms to a floor with only 2 shared bathrooms? Also, the Delmar Campus was located in an area of St. Louis that was suffering from socio-economic factors that necessitated the property be guarded by armed guards day and night. Various factors also contributed to high employee turn-over and difficulty attracting new, skilled staff. In addition to the high costs associated with repairing outdated building systems, the Board of Directors had additional financial concerns to consider. The Masonic Home was facing decreased revenues at the same time that the cost of proving care was increasing dramatically. One source of revenue the Home received was per capita. In 1956, a couple of years before the last residence hall opened, the membership was roughly 124,000 masons, dropping to 100,000 by 1977, and to an estimated 72,000 by 1989. The downward trend in membership provided a direct correlation to available revenue to help operate the Home, which contributed to significant yearly budget short falls. Another complicating financial issue was the Life Care Program, which required residents to turn over all of their assets to the Masonic Home of Missouri upon admission. Again, due to rising cost of care, these assets did not cover the costs incurred by the Home. In addition, the
program became a deterrent for individuals to move to the Masonic Home, as they were not interested in turning over all of their assets, and therefore became a destination of last resort. Society was changing. There was no longer a need for a children’s home. The Delmar campus was structurally failing. The Life Care Program was not a viable option for many clients or the Masonic Home. The Delmar Campus was only serving a very small population in the St. Louis area. Despite the formidable issues, the Home on Delmar had a very special place in the hearts of so many. It bore testament to 100 years of charitable giving both financially and through countless hours of volunteerism. If the Delmar Campus closed, then what would come next? In 1989, the Board of Directors, a group of 13 Masons from across the state, were faced with determining a course of action that would allow the Masonic Home to continue to meet the needs of the membership that would be both more efficient and effective. The Board of Directors made the heart-wrenching decision to let go of the Delmar facility after 100 years of providing care, relocated the residents to other facilities, and ended the Life Care Program. However, they did not let go of the principles upon which the Masonic Home was founded. The Board of Directors knew that the Home was never about the buildings. The Masonic Home was always about taking care of those in need within those walls. As difficult as it was, the Board of Directors set the Masonic Home on the path to fulfilling its mission without building facilities. Was it possible to help Masons, their wives or widows, and the Order of the Eastern Star in Kirksville, Cape Girardeau, Joplin, and all corners of Missouri? Could we help those needing care and assistance without forcing them to move to Kansas City or St. Louis? The answer to that question was a leap of faith, and the answer was yes – a Financial Needs Program. This program would allow the Masonic Home to help a Mason stay in his own home in his own community. In 1991, the first clients of the new Financial Needs Program were given financial assistance while remaining in their own communities.
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Just as the bricks and mortar campus changed and evolved over 100 years, the Financial Needs Program would grow and evolve and would eventually be called the Outreach Program. It was a financial assistance program that could provide monthly or one-time payments to a Mason, his wife, widow or female member of the Order of the Eastern Star. The program would remain relatively small, helping a handful of people each year, until roughly 2001 when the program began to grow, helping more people financially statewide. In 2003, the program would expand in support of the Home’s original mission of helping children with the Children’s Outreach Program and the Creating-A-Partnership Program. As the Outreach Program grew, it became clear that it was no longer “one” financial assistance program. In 2011, the Outreach Program would be redefined and expanded to include new programs, such as the Financial Counseling Program. The Outreach Program is now comprised of multiple programs designed to serve those in need and to work with the fraternity. It consists of both financial and resourceoriented programs including Long-Term Assistance, Short-Term Assistance, Children’s Outreach, Creating-A-Partnership, the Armed Forces Program, Social Services, Masonic Family Cares, Financial Counseling, and the Widows Program. The Outreach Program is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year! It is difficult to believe that this path began 25 years ago. It is also difficult to believe that the decision made so many years ago would grow into such a comprehensive group of programs truly designed to meet the needs of this fraternity. That decision was not an easy one, and took a group of dedicated Board Members who had the courage to change the course of the Masonic Home, just as those involved in its creation, as so eloquently stated above by Noah Givan, the first Board President of the Masonic Home. His words were no less fitting for those of us involved in the transition of the Home from campus to Outreach: It involves labor, sacrifice, anxiety, devotion, liberality, confidence, faith, hope, and charity. The fraternity has entrusted the leadership of the Masonic Home for over 125 years to be willing to make the difficult decisions to ensure that the mission upon which the Masonic Home was
founded will continue to survive for generations to come. It took a great deal of courage 25 years ago to set the Home on a new path, but that path is now one that has become the model for so many other states. It truly provides a way to make the Masonic Home of Missouri part of every community in the state, serving the fraternity and working with the fraternity to help those in need. Please join me in celebrating the success of the Outreach Programs of the Masonic Home of Missouri. As part of the Masonic Home’s year-long celebration for the 25th Anniversary of the Outreach Programs, we will share stories from our clients, families, care partners, donors, supporters, and Board Members. The Masonic Home was, and will always be, more than a building. It was and is an answered prayer for those in great distress who had no place to turn for help. The work of this great charity has spanned over 127 years, seeing extraordinary changes in our country and adapting to meet the ever-changing needs of its membership. The Masonic Home is no longer restricted to the walls of buildings. It reaches out into the homes of the members assisted throughout the state. The Masonic Home is present in every community where a Lodge or Chapter is working in partnership with the Home’s Outreach Programs. It continues to answer the call of those in great distress, and it continues to provide inspiration to those dedicated to the cause of humanity. The undertaking in which we have engaged is not a small one. It involves not the work of a day, or year, or a generation even, but the united efforts of every Mason in the State for all time to come. It involves labor, sacrifice, anxiety, devotion, liberality, confidence, faith, hope and charity. -Past Grand Master Noah M. Givan, First President of the Masonic Home of Missouri
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The Home through the As staff walked down the hallway to our appointment with one of our Long-Term Financial Assistance Program clients, one could not help but notice the friendly people and attractiveness of the facility. Spring themed wreaths hung on all of the residents doorways, and each door was accompanied by a mailbox, giving the hallway a homey feeling. One mailbox had brightly colored magnets, reflecting different locales such as Padre Island, Cancun, and Florida. This room belongs to Shirley Sturm, one of three Masonic Home of Missouri clients who reside in this particular assisted care facility. We knocked on the door and were greeted by a sprightly, gracious lady named Shirley Sturm. Shirley’s room is one of those that you just stop and look around. Her well-appointed room shows how someone with decorating sense can make a room cozy, relaxing and inviting. In fact, her room is one that the staff at the care facility shows to families that are curious about how big the rooms are and how much their loved one might be able to bring with them. Shirley smiled and invited us in to look at her orchid in the window that was blooming. “I love plants and flowers,” Shirley laughingly says, “I’ve never had an orchid bloom this early, and I just had to share it with you.” We spoke for a bit and then walked down to a small private room to go over some paperwork with Shirley. Shirley will be 84 years young this year and has been a client of the Home since 2007, through her membership of the Order of the Eastern Star. “My Mom was also in the Order of the Eastern Star, and I still have her ring,” Shirley says, “My Dad was a Mason, and I buried him with his ring. I am just so thankful that the Masonic Home was able to help me when I needed it.”
Eyes of Others As we went through the re-assessment paperwork, which is done at least every six months with each client to understand where he or she is financially, emotionally and if there are any unmet needs, Shirley kept us entertained with her stories. “I’ve traveled to every state at least once plus several countries with my late husband and then started visiting them all over when he passed,” Shirley tells us, “I worked as a secretary for a company in Annapolis, Missouri and retired after 20 years. I’ve even beat breast cancer twice.” When the caseworker asked Shirley how she was doing physically, Shirley indicated that she had some difficulty sleeping but promptly fessed up that she was watching television late at night which prompted quite a bit of laughter from all of us. She admitted she liked the television show “NCIS” the best and had seen most of the episodes.
Shirley Sturm
When the caseworker asked her how she liked the care facility, Shirley immediately smiles and said, “I
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like where I live. My sons and daughter live close. One of my sons stops by every Sunday and takes me to church with his family.” Shirley added, “There are a lot of activities here, like Bingo every Tuesday. My daughter-in-law works across the street, and she stops by to visit. I’m happy here. I’m very appreciative of the help I have received from the Masonic Home of Missouri and the relationship I have with the staff. It’s been a blessing.”
up in the hospital. She was unresponsive for a couple of days, and Lloyd couldn’t take care of himself. It was just such a helpless feeling for us. Lloyd passed away, and Mom finally did recover enough to move back to the mobile home. Our oldest sister went to stay with her for a while.” Time passed, but Michele and Linda’s sister own health worsened, and decisions needed to be made about where Florence could go that was safe, and her needs met.
We, at the Masonic Home of Missouri, see this differently. We get to have the blessing of helping others and building relationships with our clients and their families. That’s the blessing.
Michele described the helplessness of the situation and said, “I went home and sat down in front of my computer. I started Googling for places that might help us. A place popped up called “A Place for Mom” and I called them. A lady named Kris Stark answered, and we talked about the situation. She asked me some questions and then she asked me if either my Mom or Lloyd were affiliated with the Masons. I was confused about the question but knew Lloyd had been a member of Weston Lodge for years and told Kris that. Kris said that there was an organization that helped those affiliated with the Masonic Fraternity called the Masonic Home of Missouri and gave me the phone number. I called the Home and spoke to one of the Home’s Financial Outreach Caseworkers, Debbie Summers.”
There used to be a novelty song, “I’m My Own Grandpa”, written by Dwight Lathan and Moe Jaffe, about a man who, through an unlikely combination of marriages, becomes his own grandfather. Well, the Boone family has quite a tale when it comes to their genealogy. Gene and Florence Chaudoin were married for 40 years and raised five children. Gene passed away, and Florence continued to bring up their children. One of their daughters, Linda, married Lloyd Boone, Jr. and life continued to roll along for the family. Some years went by, and Lloyd’s mother passed away. Then the story starts to become the song. After a while, Lloyd Boone, Sr. and Florence Chaudoin married making Linda’s father-in-law, her stepfather and her husband, her stepbrother. Giggles erupted around the table, as staff sat and listened to this tale as Linda and her sister, Michele Russell told it. Lloyd Boone, Sr. passed away after spending 30 years with his wife, Florence. Mrs. Florence Boone is proud of her Catholic faith and her first husband, Gene, was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Her second husband, Lloyd Boone, Sr., was a Mason and through his 50-year membership in the Masonic Fraternity, more of this story unravels. “When Lloyd became ill from bone cancer, they were living in a mobile home. Lloyd was in hospice and Mom was taking care of him,” Michele says, “We are not sure exactly what happened, but she had a seizure, and they both ended
The Family of Florence Boone
“Debbie helped me understand all the rules and regulations that we were facing with Mom and her assets. She helped me get my Mom’s affairs in order. My siblings and I knew that Mom wasn’t going to be able to stay in the mobile home for much longer,
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so we started the process of ‘getting our ducks in a row’. Michele relates, “Mom was in rehab for a previous hip injury, and we knew that we needed to find a safe, smaller place for her to live. The place where she was doing rehab was beautiful but just too large and confusing for her. Then we found this care facility. It was perfect.”
are met.” Michele states, “The Masonic Home has been a Godsend to our family. We know if we have a question, someone will provide us with the answer and our Mom is taken care of.” Both ladies smile and look at Florence, who has been quietly taking in our conversation, and the love is evident in all of their eyes.
The paperwork and regulations regarding Medicaid are often confusing and frustrating for families but especially for families facing significant life changes for their loved ones. Linda and Michele tackled what they could. “Whenever we would have a question, we would call Debbie for guidance, and she would walk us through it. Now keep in mind, this is before the Home could even help us financially. We had to get Mom’s assets spent down to comply with Medicaid. Mom’s funds paid for her care for about six months, then Debbie helped us with the paperwork for Medicaid.” Linda laughed and said, “Whenever we got stuck, we would look at each other and say, ‘let’s call Debbie.’ It was such a relief to have someone be able to tell us what we needed to do next. We just kept in touch with Debbie and the Home, and planning ahead.”
You have heard the adage that the world is a small place? In the world of assisting people with their elder care, it seems even smaller. The Masonic Home of Missouri has offered the Outreach Program for the past 25 years and during those years has worked with several caseworkers, community partners, and care facilities throughout the state, and even the country. We develop relationships with these partners, so we better understand each other’s requirements and abilities. One of the people that the Home has developed a relationship with is Ms. Kris Stark, Elder Care Advisor for Americare Senior Living. Kris currently serves the areas of St. Peters and Troy, Missouri but before that, she had served the Farmington, Missouri area where the Masonic Home had several clients living in Americare facilities.
Florence is now living in an assisted care facility, and while she is wheelchair bound due to her hip injury, her family is close by and can stop and visit with her. As we are talking with the family, several staff members of the facility stopped by to place their hands on Florence’s shoulders and inquire if we would like something to drink or had other needs. Laughter filters through the dining room from the staff and residents and preparation of the evening meal is underway. Michele and Linda were eager to share a family viewpoint of how the Masonic Home has made a difference in their families’ lives. “Our advice would be to plan ahead. Ask questions and find someone knowledgeable about the system before your parent needs help.” Linda says, “I cannot imagine how we would have gotten through this without Kris and Debbie’s help. The paperwork alone can be overwhelming, having to keep up with financial and medical information and at the same time, making sure your loved one’s needs
Through her position as an Elder Care Advisor, Kris has been an advocate for the Masonic Home of Missouri and has referred several clients to our charity through her knowledge of our programs. Kris advises families about their options when it comes to Medicaid, Personal Care Units, and looks for support services such as Veterans Benefits, Senior Services, and even Masonic or the Order of the Eastern Star membership. “It’s become second nature to me actually,” Kris laughs, “to ask if someone’s parent was a Mason or a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. I’ve worked with the Home and the caseworkers for so long that it’s just one of those things that I ask the families because I know what good can happen from their membership if they qualify for the assistance.” “When I first started with Americare 17 years ago, knowing about the Masonic Home and what it offered was just part of my training. Now I make sure that all of the facilities in my area have a question about Masonic affiliation on their intake sheets. Even if I
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know that the Home cannot assist right at the moment of someone coming to one of our facilities, the family can make contact with the Home and speak to one of the Home’s caseworkers to find out if there are other resources besides financial that might help.” Kris says, “The Home has its guidelines, and the Board meets monthly, so having the families connect with the caseworkers at the Home before they are in crisis with their loved ones can significantly reduce anxiety and make the transition smooth.” When asked what Kris thought about the process of requesting assistance from the Home, she immediately said, “It’s phenomenal. In fact, just yesterday, I had stopped in at our Troy facility and was working with a family who was just exploring their options
Care professional to all families is plan ahead. If you notice Mom or Dad is struggling, sit down with an expert now to start planning and making sure you have an open dialogue with those who can help you start on the paperwork needed.” Kris cautions, “Doing this during a crisis event, just adds to the overwhelming feeling that people experience when having to make a decision about moving someone to a facility. Have the correct Power of Attorney and a Health Care Directive in place and planning ahead will allow you to know the costs and start bringing all of the resources needed for your plan.” The Masonic Home of Missouri appreciates our partnership with our client’s caseworkers, care facilities, families and other supportive entities. It takes all of us, working together to ensure that our clients’ needs are meet.
By sharing the stories of our clients, families and care partners, the Home continues to celebrate our 25 year Anniversary of offering Outreach Programs. The Masonic Home of Missouri is grateful to our clients, their families and our partners for allowing us to share their experiences.
Kris Stark, Elder Care Advisor
for their Mom. I asked if there was any Masonic or Eastern Star affiliation and the son said that their father had been a Mason and that their mother had been a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, but he wasn’t sure if she had kept up her membership. I sent off an email to Dana [Morgenthaler, Financial Assistance Caseworker] and before I was finished with the interview, Dana had already checked to find out that our potential client’s late husband did meet the Age & Length of Membership Requirements and had been in good standing at his death. The son knows this now and can reach out to the Home to find out if his Mom meets the other requirements for assistance, but the best thing is that the family is not in crisis and can make some plans.” “The main thing that I would emphasize as an Elder
The ability of the Masonic Home to provide assistance to the membership and thousands of children throughout the state now and for years to come requires the continued support of donors who share our passion to fund the services provided through our nine distinct Outreach Programs. The Outreach Programs are all built around helping people in communities throughout the state, and the Masonic Home of Missouri exists in every community. It is because of the local Lodges and Chapters that the Masonic Home is able to fulfill our mission “To assist eligible adults and children in need by practicing the principles of Freemasonry.” The Masonic Home of Missouri has no affiliation with Americare and does not endorse any private or public care facilities. The Masonic Home encourages everyone to check into available resources and contact an Elder Care Professional when planning for a life transition.
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What Happens After Assistance is Given? The Masonic Home of Missouri’s Long-Term and Short-Term Financial Assistance programs provide financial assistance to Missouri Masons, their wives or widows, and female members of the Order of the Eastern Star demonstrating a financial need. These programs assist clients in their own homes, apartments, independent living, and assisted living throughout the state. In certain circumstances, the Masonic Home can also provide assistance to clients who maintain their Missouri membership but are living in other states. The Masonic Home receives a request for assistance from multiple sources – Masonic Home Representatives, family members, self-referral, social workers, and facility administrators. Upon receiving the initial application, Financial Assistance caseworkers verify the Missouri Masonic membership and contact the appropriate person indicated in the referral. If the client would like to complete the financial application, then a caseworker arranges a date and time to visit the client in person. Once the application is complete, and all financial information is obtained, it is presented to the Board of Directors at the next available Board Meeting. The Board of Directors holds meetings once a month. The Board of Directors approves or denies all requests for assistance. Once the determination is made by the Board, the staff will notify the client of the decision. The Board may approve monthly assistance provided directly to the client or a care facility. The client might also be approved for one-time payments, with those payments sent directly to the provider.
For example, financial assistance approved for a medical bill would be paid directly to the doctor or hospital. Clients approved for on-going monthly assistance are required to complete follow-up reassessment appointments with the Financial Assistance Caseworkers. The caseworker will ask the client to again provide updated financial paperwork along with discussing any new issues or concerns the client might be experiencing. This confirms that the assistance provided is still appropriate for the client’s needs because expenses and income can change in big and small ways over time. It also provides the Masonic Home with an opportunity to ensure that the funds previously allocated have been used as intended. The Board of Directors may approve several months of financial assistance, ranging from one month to several months, not exceeding six months. Typically, clients in the Long-Term Assistance Program receiving monthly financial assistance will be visited in person by a caseworker twice a year. The Masonic Home’s watchful concern for fiduciary responsibility balanced with concerns for our client’s well-being makes those in person visits so important. If you would like to learn more about the LongTerm or Short-Term Financial Assistance Programs, please contact the Masonic Home at (800) 434-9804 and ask to speak to a Financial Assistance Caseworker. Caseworkers can provide more detailed information on the application process, paperwork required, and how the programs may work for you or a loved one.
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What Exactly is Medicaid Spend Down? By: Carly Dibben, Financial Counsling Caseworker Is there anything more confusing than Medicaid? Most people would answer this question with a resounding “NO!” Medicaid, which is now known as MO HealthNet in Missouri, has so many rules that change yearly that it is hard to keep track of them all. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, something changes and you’re back to square one. This can be frustrating for those who have no choice but to navigate the system. One of the more confusing aspects of MO HealthNet is the dreaded spend down. As intimidating as this sounds, spend down is actually a way to help people to qualify for MO HealthNet assistance. MO HealthNet spend down rules were established so that people whose income and assets exceed MO HealthNet levels can become eligible for benefits when medically needy. To take advantage of the spend down program, you must first apply for MO HealthNet benefits to learn if you qualify. Once you’ve been approved for MO HealthNet with a spend down, you will receive a letter stating what your spend down amount will be each month. This amount is how much you will be responsible to pay towards your medical care each month before MO HealthNet will assist with costs. There are several ways to meet your monthly spend down. One way to meet your spend down each month is the pay-in option. This is similar to paying a monthly health insurance premium. Recipients can choose to send payment to the state at the start of each month in amount of their spend down. Once the state receive this payment, they will cover all approved medical expenses for that month. There are two ways to make payment. The first is to send a check to the MO HealthNet Division and the second is to allow for payment to be
automatically taken from your bank account on the 10th of each month. This is a good option for those who require extensive medical care and actually spend up to or beyond their spend down amount each month. Those whose medical care does not meet or exceed their spend down amount in a month would not want to use the pay-in option. Instead, it would be better for them to submit proof of their medical care during the months where their care needs exceeds their spend down amount. Basically, the recipient would provide MO HealthNet with invoices or bills from medical providers in order to prove that they have met their spend down obligation for that month. The bills can be submitted either by the recipient or by the provider. Once MO HealthNet is satisfied that the patient has met the amount they’re responsible for paying, MO HealthNet benefits will cover the rest of their care for that month. Spend down is a very different process for married couples. In the event that one spouse needs to move to a skilled care facility while the other remains in the home, the couple would first go through a process known as Division of Assets. Many years ago, a spouse moving to skilled care would often lead to impoverishing the spouse who was still living in the community. Spousal Impoverishment Laws brought about Division of Assets which prevents this from happening by allowing the community spouse to retain their income, part of their spouse’s income, and a majority of the marital assets. Once it is determined which portion of the assets belong to the facility spouse, those assets are used for their care. For example, the amount of income that they retain each month would go to the facility each month. MO HealthNet then would pay for any remaining costs.
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As scary as it sounds, and as intimidating as the process can be, MO HealthNet spend down is actually a good thing that can help those who qualify receive much needed medical care. If you have questions or need help finding resources in your area, call the Masonic Home of Missouri for help. The Caseworkers in the Financial Counseling and Financial Assistance Programs can assist you in finding the answers you need. Before you know it, you’ll be a MO HealthNet spend down expert. Sources: www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/help-paying-costs/medicaid/medicaid.html http://mmac.mo.gov/spend-down-update/ http://wplawpractice.com/spousal-division-of-assets-medicaid/
Many of us made New Year’s resolutions for 2016. The most common include starting a weight loss program, exercising more or becoming organized. Think about a New Year’s resolution as a time to make a positive change in your life. If your New Year’s resolution includes helping others and giving more to charity, please don’t forget the Masonic Home of Missouri. The Masonic Home exists to help members of the Masonic Family in need. We touch the lives of thousands of individuals each year through our programs and we rely on your support to make that happen. Please consider including the Masonic Home in your New Year’s resolution by becoming a donor, by increasing your level of giving, or by including the Home in your estate planning. Our Legacy Society recognizes those that remember the Masonic Home of Missouri through a will, trust, beneficiary designation or other planned gift. These gifts will have meaning and impact for generations to come. Giving to the Masonic Home of Missouri can lead you down some unexpected and satisfying pathways in your life. No act of philanthropy is too small. Every donation or act of kindness makes a difference in the lives of those in need. It’s true that every one of us can make a difference. We invite you to become a member of our Legacy Society in 2016. Please contact Jackie Walters at (800) 434-9804 or jwalters@mohome.org to learn more about this exciting new Society.
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Spotlight on the Widows Program One of the Masonic Home of Missouri’s nonfinancial Outreach Programs is the Widows Program. Honoring our late Missouri Master Mason’s spouses is a very important part of taking care of our Masonic family. Each year, the Masonic Home sends out condolence cards to families when a Missouri Mason passes away. In FY15, the Masonic Home sent out 398 condolence cards to grieving families. The surviving female spouse also receives a Widows Pin and a card with her deceased husband’s Masonic information. Should she ever need assistance through the Financial Assistance Programs, this card contains all the Msaonic information a caseworker would need to verify membership requirements.
Home of Missouri also sends Christmas cards each year to the widows, along with mailing the Missouri Outreach magazine. The Masonic Home shares the list of widows with Lodges. This list provides an opportunity for the Masonic Home Representative to stay in touch with his Lodge’s Masonic Widows and honor their late husband’s Masonic legacy. The list is mailed every year around mid-November and is updated continually. Widows who are in need of non-finanical assistance, such as removal/storage of window air conditioning units, installation of hand rails, etc., might be able to receive assistance through the Home’s Masonic Family Cares Program which facilitates connections between Lodges, Chapters, and youth organizations and the Masonic brothers and sisters in their communities. If you know of a widow who is in need of assistance or needs to be added to the Widow’s database, please contact Chantana Irvin at (800) 434-9804 or cirvin@ mohome.org.
Widows Lapel Pin
The Masonic Home wanted to further connect the Masonic Widows to the Home and the Lodge, so the Home introduced the Ladies Luncheons & Teas events. Local Lodges host the events and invite their wives and widows to attend and the Home provides a speaker to present information on all of the Outreach Programs. The Order of the Eastern Star Chapters are also encouraged to host these events. The Masonic
“I cannot remember a time when the Golden Rule was not my motto and precept, the torch that guided my footsteps.”
Spring Issue 2016
-Bro. J.C. Penney
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Must-Have Legal Documents for Elderly Healthcare Many people consider information and decisions about their health to be highly sensitive, deserving of the strongest protection under the law. Therefore, when it comes to your parent’s healthcare, the law is very strict about who is able to participate in healthcare-related conversations and decisions. However, many people never think about their views and values regarding end-of-life decisions until a crisis hits – the time when decision-making is most difficult. Not planning in advance means that you might not be able to gain access to the information you need, or act on your parent’s behalf if they are unable to do so. In a worst-case scenario, you might be forced to fight in court for guardianship, a time-consuming and costly process. You can avoid this scenario by working with your parent to prepare these documents.
HIPAA Authorization The Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) keeps a person’s health information and records private. Unless your parent authorizes in writing someone else to receive that information, it is illegal for doctors to share any details with you about your parent’s health. HIPAA authorization is a simple document that authorizes the doctor to share necessary information with you on your elderly parent’s behalf. It’s very short and only takes a moment to complete. The doctor’s office will have the blank form you need.
Health-Care Proxy Also known as a medical power of attorney, a health-care proxy is a legal document that enables
you to make health-care decisions for your elderly parent in the event they are unable to make those decisions themselves. This document must be prepared while your parent is still mentally competent to do so. The designated person has the power to make all health care decisions for your elderly parent. However, to avoid the difficulties associated with making joint decisions, only one person can be given authority to act on your parent’s behalf. For example, two siblings cannot both be named as a Health-Care Proxy – it must be only one person. An alternate person may be designated at the time the Health Care Proxy is prepared in the event the first person is unable or unwilling to serve. It is crucial that the person who is named healthcare proxy know what the elderly parent’s wishes are in the event that they need life support, a feeding tube or intravenous fluids to survive. This is why the patient’s living will, known as Advance Care Directive, is a very important document for family caregivers to have.
Advance Health Care Directive This is commonly known as a living will. An Advance Health Care Directive lets people make their own end-of-life care decisions before a medical crisis strikes, even if they are unable to communicate their own wishes. With a living will, the caregiver and other loved ones don’t have to agonize over difficult medical decisions. A living will should spell out: • Whether the person wants to be resuscitated if he or she stops breathing
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• Whether artificial life support should be used • Whether a feeding tube should be inserted A living will may indicate care or treatment the person does or does not want performed under specific circumstances.
Plan Ahead Once a healthcare emergency strikes, it will probably be too late to prepare these documents, so talk to your parent about getting their affairs in order and spell out their wishes regarding healthcare while they are still healthy. Consult an attorney specializing in elder law who will prepare these items and can provide advice on additional planning tools, depending on your family’s circumstances. Re-printed with permission. Article can be found at https://www.agingcare.com/Articles/legal-documents-to-make-healthcare-decisionsfor-your-parent-146623.htm
Last Chance Register Your Golf Team Today! The 14th Annual Masonic Home of Missouri Charity Golf Tournament is being held on Monday, May 2nd at the Columbia Country Club in Columbia, MO. The deadline for team registrations is April 10th. If you have not yet registered your team, please go online to www.mohome.org and download a registration form or call Julie Kirchhoff at (800) 434-9804. For more information on the event or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Julie Kirchhoff at jkirchhoff@mohome.org or Jackie Walters at jwalters@mohome.org.
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What’s in the Numbers? “Run for the Roses with the Masonic Home”
14th
Annual Charity Golf Tournament to help support the the Masonic Home of Missouri’s Creating-A-Partnership Program (CAP) and Partnering to Honor Program (PTH). This year’s Derby Themed Event will be held on May 2, 2016 at the Columbia Country Club in Columbia, Missouri. For more information about the event, teams, or sponsorship levels, please visit our website at http://mohome.org/Golf.html or call us at (800) 434-9804.
$125
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Twenty-Two Lodges sponsored holes last year during the Golf Tournament. Consider sponsoring a hole this year. All Lodge and Chapter sponsorships count towards Vincil Society membership.
2nd
games will be available for some fun while golfing this year - Roll the of May, 2016 is the 14th Annual Charity Golf Die, Choose Your Tee, and Run for Tournament at the the Roses. Each game costs $20 per team. Pre-payment for games helps Columbia Country Club in Columbia, Missouri. keep the registration line moving. Mark your calendar!!
10th
team spots are available for the Charity Golf Tournament. Sign your team up today!
businesses provided teams or players for the 13th Annual Charity Golf Tournament in 2015.
is the cost for a individual to play in our tournament. $500 will secure your team of 4 players in this shot-gun start event. Registration forms can be downloaded from our website at http://mohome.org/Golf.html
Three
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$30,000
was raised at last year’s tournament to benefit the Masonic Home’s Children’s programs.
of April, 2016 is the deadline to register your team. Don’t miss out!
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Unconventional Ways to Support the Masonic Home When making a donation, most donors get out their checkbook or credit card. After all, that is the standard, isn’t it? While making a direct financial donation to an organization is still the most common method of support, it surely isn’t the only one. In today’s technology-driven world, there are many other ways you can support your charity, and some won’t cost you a dime! Online retailers, grocery stores and restaurants are donating a percentage of purchases to the charity of the buyer’s choice. Corporations offer charitable giving programs as a way to give back to local organizations where employees are donating either their time or money. Non-profit-focused websites offer a donor the ability to research their charity and then make a safe, secure donation online. There are many unconventional options for making a charitable donation. Here are just a few in which the Masonic Home participates in. Be sure to look for these:
Retail Programs Do you like shopping online? Many online retailers donate a percentage of your purchase. Look to see if the Masonic Home is listed, if not, give us a call and we will look into being added to that list. Do you have a Dillons, Gerbes, Kroger or Bakers near your home? They have a community rewards program that donates a percentage of each purchase to the non-profit of your choice. To sign up for the program, members must visit one of the following websites to sign-in or create an account. For Dillons For Gerbes For Bakers
www.dillons.com/communityrewards www.gerbes.com/communityrewards www.bakersplus.com/communityrewards
• Scroll down to the bottom of the page to Community Rewards • Click on "Enroll Now" • Find and select the Masonic Home of Missouri then click on "Enroll"
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Corporate Programs These programs do not always require charities to participate in a formal program to be a recipient of donated dollars. Each company is different, so check with your employer (or former employer because retirees qualify too) and see if they offer one of these types of corporate giving programs. • Matching Gift – a program in which companies match donations, often dollar for dollar, made by employees, spouses and/or retirees. Check with your company when making a donation to your charity, they just might match your gift and double your donation! • Volunteer Grant – a monetary gift made to a non-profit as a way to recognize employees who volunteer with the organization. The average volunteer grant is for $10-$15 per hour volunteered by a company employee. • Annual Stipend – a set dollar amount an employee can allocate to a nonprofit of their choosing; does not require employee to make a gift or volunteer their time for the organization they choose to allocate funds to.
Workplace Giving Campaigns Some companies offer campaigns that allow you to give to the charity of your choice through payroll deduction. Check to see if the Masonic Home of Missouri is listed in your company’s campaign. Two types of campaigns that the Home participates in are: • Combined Federal Campaign – Each year, Federal employees are given the opportunity to donate to the charity of their choice through payroll deduction. The Masonic Home participates in this campaign. Our ID number is 45622. • Missouri State Employees Charitable Campaign – similar to the Federal campaign, Missouri State employees are given the opportunity to contribute through payroll deduction. The Masonic Home is a participating nonprofit. Our ID number is 8020. Whether you are shopping online, in your local grocery store or at another major retailer, check to see if they have a charitable giving program and if the Masonic Home is listed. When making your next donation, be sure to also check with your human resources department to see if they will “double your donation” by matching it. If the Masonic Home is not listed as a beneficiary organization in a program you would like to participate in, contact Julie Kirchhoff at jkirchhoff@mohome.org or (800) 434-9804.
If you think you are too small to make a difference, try spending the night in a closed room with a mosquito. -African Saying
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• In FY15, Widows comprised 57% of the clients that the Home assisted. 13% of those were also members of the Order of the Eastern Star.
• The Masonic Home of Missouri provided $951,485.51 in direct financial assistance to 116 Missouri Master Masons, their wives, widows, female members of the Order of the Eastern Star, and their dependent children in FY15. • It costs approximately $13,000.00 to assist one client living in a facility through the Long-Term Financial Assistance Program for one year.
• The Masonic Home assisted 47 clients with one-time payments totaling $93,962.31. Five of the short-term assistance clients received both monthly assistance and one-time payments. • The longest length of time that the Home has assisted someone in the Long-Term Finanical Assistance Program is thirteen (13) years. • During 2015, 67% of the Home’s total operating revenues were received from investment income,while the remaining 33% came from donations.
If you have an article on how your Lodge or Chapter is utilizing our Outreach Programs and would be interested in submitting to the Summer edition of the Missouri Outreach magazine, please contact Rhonda at (800) 434-9804 or email the article to rlightfoot@mohome.org by April 29, 2016. All photographs submitted for publication should be sent in digital format via email. The Editor reserves the right to accept, reject, subedit and rearrange material submitted for publication. The Missouri Outearch magazine is published three times a year; Spring, Summer and Winter. The Fall issue is our Annual Report. The magazine is mailed free of charge to all Missouri Master Masons and their widows. We also offer several other ways to keep in touch with the Masonic Home: https://www.facebook.com/MasonicHomeofMissouri/?ref=hl
https://twitter.com/MasonicHomeofMO
https://www.instagram.com/masonichomeofmo/
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Organizing Your Medical Records It’s always smart to keep copies of your medical records, as they’ll come in handy if you change doctors, go to an emergency department, get sick while traveling or move to another place. Having hard and digital copies of your medical records conveniently organized can save you time and allow you to get better medical care. In fact, research has discovered that cardiac patients who keep personal health records enjoy better health outcomes because their caregivers can better see their health history. This is likely also the case for people with other chronic conditions such as cancer, diabetes and arthritis.
Organizing Hard Copies
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Ask your caregivers for access to your medical files. The first step in organizing your personal medical record is to collect hard (physical) copies of as much information about your treatments and diagnoses as you can from all your caregivers, including physicians, nurse practitioners, chiropractors, physiotherapists, psychologists, etc. Keep in mind that federal law requires all doctors and medical facilities to allow you access to your medical records. • Remember to be polite and patient when asking to access your medical files. Tell them it’s to establish your own personal records. Some doctors and medical facilities might be hesitant to allow you access due to fear of malpractice litigation. • Your caregiver may need some time to organize your medical information because it may not all be in a single file. Schedule an appointment to come back if that’s the case. • Keep in mind that a personal medical record combines all the medical information collected by each caregiver/medical facility that you’ve been to, into a single file that’s easily accessed.
2
Copy all the documents in your medical files. Once you’ve notified the caregiver of
your intentions and they’ve organized your medical information, it’s time to make copies of it all. Your personal medical record should include copies of all test/lab results, diagnoses, treatment reports, radiology reports, progress notes insurance statements and referrals from each caregiver/medical facility you’ve visited. Don’t expect the actual caregiver to copy your file for you. Likely their support staff will be the ones to do the actual copying. • Although you own your medical information, you don’t own the actual paper, files and x-rays that your info is on, so don’t expect to walk out with the originals. You’re only entitled to copies from the originals. • Your caregiver/medical facility has the legal right to charge you a copying fee, so ask how much it might cost. They may charge per page or a flat fee for the copying service. • You’ll likely need to sign a release form at every facility that you request records from. • Be specific about the medical records you want for your personal file, otherwise your doctor’s office might copy every item in your file and charge your for it.
3
Organize and put your hard copies in a binder. Once you’ve copied your original medical files, separate them by making a pile for each medical provider. Then, order the records for each provider from your earliest visit to your most recent. This type of organization will make it quick and easy to find information. Punch holes in your medical records along the left margin with a 3-hole punch and place them in a sturdy 3-ring binder or wire-bound notebook (maybe with dividers for each family member) • Use different colored index dividers to organize your medical records by medical provider and/ or facility. • Consider reinforcing the punch holes of your copied documents, especially if you or your caregivers are looking through the binder
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frequently. • Keep in mind that any documents related to insurance claims / payments should be kept for up to 5 years, although if they’re related to your tax returns, keep them for at least 7 years.
4
Create a table of contents. Use a word processing program on your computer to type up a table of contents for your personal medical records. The table of content page should outline the color-coded providers that you’ve seen and be listed chronologically and/or alphabetically — it’ll be much easier for busy healthcare professionals to navigate. Print the table of contents out onto a thicker piece of paper so it’ll be more resistant to tearing or wearing out. • Use large and legible font for the content page — nothing too fancy or artistic (remember it’s not a scrapbook you’re making). • If necessary, visit the website of the company that manufactured your index dividers for assistance in creating a printed table of contents. • Find the blank table of contents that was included with the index dividers that you purchased for your binder. Keep your binder/notebook secure. Once you have all the hard copies of your medical records organized in a sturdy 3-ring binder or wire-bound notebook, store it on a stable bookshelf or in a lockable filing cabinet at home, away from the grasp of children and pets. Having your medical records at home allows you to read and understand them at your leisure, which can help you feel more in control of your health and better choose your therapies.
5
• For additional security and safety, consider keeping your binder of hard copies in a safe deposit box or fireproof home safe. • It may be more convenient to have your hard copies handy and near to where your desk and computer are, then focus on securing the digital copies instead (see below).
Making an Electronic Copy Scan your medical records into your computer. Once you’ve got all the hard copies of your health record, you should also scan them into digital/electronic copies. Having a digital copy of your medical records will protect you in the event that your paper copies are damaged or lost — this is of particular concern for people who live in areas that have high risk of flooding, tornadoes, earthquakes and other natural disasters.
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• Most printers have the ability to scan documents, so no other equipment is typically required. • Once you scan the hard copies into your computer, create a “Medical Records” folder and then a few subfolders for each medical provider. Drop the scanned files into the applicable folders. • As an alternative, you can input the data from your hard copies into your computer by hand (by typing), but that’s a lot more time consuming then scanning them. Check for online health records. Some healthcare providers, hospitals and insurance plans offer online records that you can access remotely. In other words, they place your medical records online (with your permission and on a secured database), so you can conveniently access them from your computer at home or even from your phone. If that’s the case with your caregivers, then that might save you the time and hassle of scanning your hard copies.
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• You may need special apps and/or programs in order to access and navigate your online health records. Ask your primary caregiver (or their staff) for recommendations. • If you’re worried about security of your personal information online, you can request that your caregiver/medical facility not store any of your files online. Excerpted and re-printed with permission from http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/healthy_aging/caregiver_resources/medical-records-getting-organized. Laws and regulations differ, please check your State Laws accordingly.
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Important Dates Wednesday, March 23, 2016 • Ladies Dinner @ St. Joseph Lodge No. 78
Monday, May 2, 2016 • Golf Tournament
Saturday, April 9, 2016 • Ladies Tea @ Carthage Lodge No. 197
Monday, May 9, 2016 • Masonic Complex Closed - Truman’s Birthday
Sunday, April 10, 2016 • Ladies Dinner @ Richmond Lodge No. 57
Saturday, May 14, 2016 • Ladies Tea @ Waynesville Lodge No. 375
Monday, April 11, 2016 • Ladies Dinner @ Bee Hive Lodge No. 393 (Lawson, MO)
Monday, May 16, 2016 • Ladies Dinner @ Maryville Lodge No. 470 (Maryville, MO)
Thursday, April 14, 2016 • District 10 Supper at Marceline Lodge No. 481
Saturday, May 21, 2016 • Board of Director’s Meeting - Kansas City, MO
Saturday, April 16, 2016 • Board of Director’s Meeting - St. Louis, MO
Monday, May 30, 2016 • Masonic Complex Closed - Memorial Day
Sunday, April 17, 2016 • Ladies Dinner @ Salem Lodge No. 225 (Salem, MO)
Please confirm that events are still scheduled before traveling by calling Rhonda at (800) 434-9804