July 2015
Don’t Navigate the Pill Maze Alone Medication Management for Loved Ones STAYING ACTIVE Keep moving to be healthy 48
Family Living At Its Best
Summer Safety
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July 2015 • Northeast Ohio Parent | Aging Answers
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Celebrate Summer Safely
Tips to keep your loved ones safe during this warm season
T
he weather is turning warmer and for many, thoughts are turning to the dozens of great outdoor parks, fairs and festivals that Ohio’s communities offer. The Ohio Department of Aging, through its STEADY U and HEALTHY U initiatives, urges all Ohioans to think about health and safety while enjoying the festivities.
HERE ARE SOME TIPS TO STAY SAFE THIS SEASON: ● As much as possible, stick to paved surfaces and sidewalks. Consider using a cane or walking stick for off-road walking. ● Trash, hoses and cables in walkways can cause you to slip or trip. ● Heavy crowds can affect the way you walk and cause you to trip or be knocked over. Consider attending events and attractions during off-peak times, such as early in the day and on weekdays, to avoid large crowds. ● Dehydration and exhaustion can
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make you unsteady on your feet before you realize you feel tired or thirsty. Take frequent breaks to sit down and rest. Drink plenty of non-alcoholic liquids to stay hydrated. Watch for signs of dehydration and heat-related illness, such as muscle cramps, light-headedness, nausea, rapid heartbeat, flushed or clammy skin and disorientation. Seek cool environments and medical attention if you experience symptoms.
GET THE MOST OUT OF SUMMER DESTINATIONS: ● Make a budget for your visit. Know how much you expect to spend for travel, parking, admission, food, gifts and other expenses. ● Contact the venue in advance to ask about discounts on admission, food or gifts for veterans, seniors or groups. ● Call ahead to ask about wheelchair or mobility scooter rentals and prices, or if you can bring your own. Ask if there are any areas of the venue that are not accessible for people with limited mobility. ● Bring any necessary medications with you in a sealed, waterproof container, along with a list of the medicines you take and dosage information. ● Apply sunscreen to exposed skin and wear sunglasses or a hat with a wide
brim to protect your eyes and minimize glare. ● Wear light-colored, lightweight clothing made from natural fibers. Fabrics like cotton absorb less heat from the sun, allow good air circulation and dry quickly if they get wet.
AFFORD COOLING COSTS If you are concerned about your ability to afford your summer cooling costs please know that there is help available through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Summer Crisis Program. The Summer Crisis Program is a federally funded program administered by the Ohio Development Services Agency’s Office of Community Assistance. It is designed to help eligible lowincome Ohioans meet the high costs of home energy. For more information about HEAP and applying for the Summer Crisis Program, call the Direction Home Akron Canton’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) at 1-877-770-5558. HEALTHY U Ohio offers several community-based and online workshops that can help you learn proven strategies to live a more active life with chronic conditions. To learn more, visit www.aging.ohio.gov. Article courtesy of the Ohio Department of Aging.
Health & Well Being
Exercise Offers Many Benefits for Older Adults
I
f the older adult in your care has health problems, he or she may have a hard time starting or consistently doing exercises. Those health problems may reduce energy levels or make activities feel too difficult. However, there are easy exercises for those who do not have much energy or do not feel well. Getting started is the hardest part. You can help your loved one start at a lower level that he or she can tolerate before building up to recommended levels of activity. If you do the exercises together, not only will you gain the benefits of the exercise, you will be spending quality time with your loved one and may find that some of the stress associated with caregiving is reduced.
BENEFITS OF EXERCISE Older adults who regularly exercise or maintain high levels of physical activity have a better quality of life, as well as improved memory, mood and ability to do daily tasks. Physical activity is important, and possible, even for people who have physical health, memory or mental health problems. Although health problems can make it challenging to be physically active, exercise can still be beneficial.
by Jeanne Hoban Even older adults with severe memory problems experience benefits from regular exercise. Early findings from a study by the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging — the Reducing Disability in Alzheimer’s Disease study — show that exercising helped improve the ability for people with dementia to do daily activities, such as dressing, bathing and walking. The exercises helped improve their mood, too.
CREATING AN EXERCISE PLAN The American Heart Association recommends that older adults spend two and half to five hours per week doing moderate-intensity exercise; or about 30-60 minutes a day, five times a week. This can be done all at once or in increments as little as 10 minutes at a time. There are two types of recommended exercises. One type is aerobic exercise, which can help reduce the risk of premature death from cardiovascular causes, improves cognition and mood, and includes, for example, swimming, fast walking or bicycling. The other type is resistance exercise, which can help with strength, function, balance, bone density and reduced risk for falls. Some examples of resistance exercise include lifting weights, some types of
housework or yard work, and using resistance bands during movement. The best exercise program is one that includes both aerobic and resistance activities.
THE KEYS TO HELPING YOUR LOVED ONE GET THE MOST BENEFITS FROM EXERCISES ARE TO: Help him or her consistently do exercises for the long-term. It usually takes around six weeks to notice the physical benefits, but the mood-enhancing benefits may show up right away. Make sure he or she is doing the right exercises; doing the wrong exercises can be risky. Check with his or her physician or an exercise professional to get started. Be free with words of encouragement. Set a time or schedule for exercising each day, or every other day. For more information on the benefits of exercise for older adults, visit NIH Senior Health from the National Institutes of Health at nihseniorhealth.gov. Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging cares for people with complex, long-term needs through home care, mental health case management, social work and other services. benrose.org
July 2015 • Northeast Ohio Parent | Aging Answers
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Take Control of Prescriptions YOUR AGING LOVED ONES DON’T HAVE TO NAVIGATE THE PILL MAZE ALONE
A
bit of arthritis. High cholesterol. Diabetes. Aging takes its toll on everyone. As health issues mount, so do the number of prescription medications. A hodgepodge of pill bottles lining a kitchen windowsill or crowded into a bathroom drawer can be a dangerous way to manage medication. Take one drug twice daily, another only at bedtime, a third with meals — it’s easy to make a mistake. Aging family members can have a difficult time sorting through an ever-increasing assortment of prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and other supplements. The problem can be magnified by possible memory and other issues.
Personalized Help Via Technology
While the everyday pill box can help keep things organized, there are organizations around the region that sort and deliver prescriptions in personalized pouches. One example is the Cleveland area-based Exactcare Pharmacy. With no additional cost beyond the usual pharmacy charge, the company will provide an in-home assessment of all medications that someone takes. A trained staff member looks at every prescription and over-
by Marie Elium
the-counter medication, contacts each physician to review dosages and other details and turns the information over to the company’s online pharmacy. All insurance claims and other paperwork are handled by Exactcare. Drugs are sorted and packed into carefully marked pouches that detail the day, time and other dosage information. The box of drugs, including any inhalers, diabetic supplies and over-the-counter medicines, is delivered to the home with no shipping charges, says Dale Wollschleger, company founder and president. It’s best suited for people who take five or more medications regularly. Antibiotics, for example, are taken for a specific amount of time and don’t lend themselves to the program. Wollschleger, a pharmacist, had worked with mental health patients and devised a system to help them take multi-doses of medications. He knew the system could be helpful to others, so he started Exactcare. “Safety is a huge factor in this,” he explains. Often, senior citizens are hospitalized or move to assisted living facilities because they have a difficult time managing their drugs. Of every 100 prescriptions written, between 50 and 70 are taken to a pharmacist. Of those, between 46 and 66 are filled. The numbers become more sobering; only 25 to 30 of the medications are taken properly and just 15 or 20 are refilled as prescribed, Wollschleger says. A glance at the pre-dosed, pre-sorted Exactcare packaging can tell a family member or patient if he has taken the correct drug in the correct dose at the correct time.
Pharmacies Provide Extra Services People may be surprised at the variety of ways pharmacies try to help people manage their medicines, regardless of age, says Stuart Deal, a pharmacist with Klein’s Pharmacy and Medical Equipment in Akron. “We try to make it as streamlined as possible,” he says. Klein’s uses two systems to help keep pills organized: Doc-U-Dose and RxMap. Doc-U-Dose uses envelopes with four individual pouches for each day to separate doses into morning, noon, evening and bedtime. Each is meticulously labeled. RxMap employs a similar packaging system but uses a trifold card. Each card represents one week of medications. With each, the pharmacist can include over-the-counter medications and vitamins. Deal and other pharmacists are liaisons who coordinate physician prescriptions, insurance reimbursements and the needs of patients. Klein’s most frequently uses a delivery service to get the “compliance packaging” into the hands of clients if patients or caregivers can’t pick it up at the stores. Dosing systems such as those offered by Exactcare and Klein’s can be customized to best suit the needs and abilities of patients and caregivers. A quick look at the packaging ensures that medications are taken in a timely manner and indicates missed doses.
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MEDICATION SAFETY TIPS Prescription drugs can save lives, but in the wrong dosages or combinations they can be killers. About 76 percent of seniors ages 65 to 74 used two or more prescription drugs within the past month. Thirty-seven percent use five or more. It’s tough to juggle medicines at any age, but many seniors have diminished memory and other cognitive challenges that make proper drug use difficult.
✔ Review Medications with Your Healthcare Provider Schedule a medicine review annually with your primary healthcare provider. Make sure
your list of drugs is up to date, review dosages, discuss which need to be changed or eliminated and ask about lower cost alternatives if drug expenses have become a burden.
Here are four ways to use prescription drugs safely, according to the FDA: ✔ Take Medicine as Prescribed Seniors on fixed incomes may be tempted to take unused medicine from a spouse or split pills to save money. Others may tinker with their dosages to counter unpleasant side effects. Drugs such as those for arthritis or high blood pressure work best when taken over a long period of time. Follow the advice of the health care provider. Don’t make adjustments on your own. ✔ Keep a Medication List Write down the name and dose of every drug. Keep it handy and give a copy to a close family member or friend. The list is invaluable in an emergency or at the next doctor visit. ✔ Be Aware of Potential Interactions Age can increase harmful drug interactions. Liver and kidney function may not work as well, and aging often affects the way the body absorbs medicine. Read the prescription insert and rely on the pharmacist or healthcare provider for further information.
July July2015 • 2015 •Northeast NortheastOhio OhioParent Parent| |Aging AgingAnswers Answers
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OHIO SUPREME COURT ENACTS NEW GUARDIANSHIP RULES Two of the most important estate planning documents you can sign are a financial durable power of attorney and a health care power of attorney. These documents allow someone you trust to handle your financial affairs and health care decisions if you are no longer able to make them yourself. Having these documents signed can prevent someone from being appointed as your guardian through the county probate court. Having a guardianship is costly, time consuming and involves lots of paperwork. Plus, it’s public record of the fact that you have been declared incompetent. Most people want to avoid a guardianship. Effective June 1, 2015, the rules to serve as guardian were changed, making it even more important to avoid a guardianship. Below contains some highlights of the new rules. • All guardians who were serving on June 1, 2015, or during the five years before June 1, 2015, must take a six-hour fundamentals course provided by the Supreme Court of Ohio or an entity approved by the court by June 1, 2016. This training is required unless the court waives the training for good cause to a person related to the ward. • In each succeeding year, a guardian must complete a continuing education course of three hours provided by the Supreme Court or an entity approved by the court. A guardian must report that he/she has taken such course by or before January 1 of each year. • Anyone requesting to be appointed as a guardian will need to have a criminal background check. In addition, the training and annual continuing education will apply to guardians appointed after June 1, 2015. Newly appointed guardians will have until six months after their appointment as guardian to complete the six-hour fundamentals course. • If the person under guardianship is to be moved, you must notify the court. Unless it’s impractical, you must notify the court no later than 10 days prior to changing the ward’s residence. If the change is to a more restrictive setting, the court’s approval must be obtained prior to such move, unless health and safety reasons would be affected by a delay. • Each year, a guardian is required to file a guardianship plan. This is a new requirement and is in addition to the guardian’s report. The guardianship plan must contain the guardian’s goals for meeting the ward’s personal and financial needs. In addition, a guardian must meet at least quarterly with his/her ward. Local court rules will be enacted, which will implement these above rules. The following is a link to the Ohio Supreme Court website for more information: supremecourtofohio.gov These changes are meant to improve the lives of the persons under guardianship. However, these new rules can be burdensome, and you should try to complete a financial power of attorney and a health care power of attorney instead of imposing all of these rules on your loved ones. Please contact Solomon, Steiner & Peck at 216-765-0123 for more information.
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Furry Friends
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Easy Ways to Protect Your Dog from Getting Canine Influenza by Dr. Anna M. Van Heeckeren, MS, DVM at One Health Organization
C
anine influenza is a viral disease of dogs. You may have read reports about this in the news. Luckily, there are some easy ways you can prevent your dog from getting this disease (and other viruses).
FOR A QUICK OVERVIEW, HERE ARE 5 EASY WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR DOG:
1.
Know more about how this virus is spread to your dog
2. Get your dog vaccinated against canine influenza
3.
Stay away from areas where your dog will encounter other dogs
4. Learn more about whether canine influenza can spread to other species
5.
Understand what it looks like if your dog may be infected with canine influenza How is the disease spread? Canine influenza is spread to other dogs like human influenza virus is spread to other people–coughing, sneezing, and even indirectly through objects like leashes, food bowls and clothing that can carry the live virus (this virus can live on surfaces for up to 48 hours). What about a vaccine for canine influenza? Like the human influenza virus changes every year, so can canine influenza. Therefore, currently available canine influenza vaccines may not be 100% protective. Regardless, they are likely to help your dog’s immune system fight against exposure to many strains of canine influenza. Talk to your veterinarian about what vaccines are recommended for your dogs.
How can you prevent your dog from getting exposed to canine influenza? One of the best ways to prevent the spread of canine influenza is to keep your dog away from other dogs. However, you may want to balance the risk of exposure versus your dog’s happiness. If your dog loves to have “playdates” with other dogs, be sure you know that your dog’s playmates are receiving the same kind of precautions you give your dog, like vaccines. Similarly, make sure that if your dog needs to go to dog day care or to a boarding facility, that the facility has stringent guidelines about vaccinations (plus disease testing for heartworm and parasite control). Can canine influenza infect people or other pets? Luckily, canine influenza isn’t thought to be able to infect people and make them sick. However, it may make your cat sick. What does it look like if your dog has canine influenza? Your dog may cough, have runny eyes or nose, be lazier than is typical for your dog, not want to eat all their food, and have a fever. Finally, if you suspect your dog has been in contact with an infected dog or has the symptoms mentioned, then call or make an appointment with your veterinarian. Canine influenza and other transmissible diseases of dogs and cats are constantly emerging and re-emerging. That’s why it’s so important that you and others take your pets to a veterinarian for vaccinations and parasite control, and keep on top of your pet’s health condition. Know what’s typical for your pet, and talk to your veterinarian about your lifestyle, your pet’s lifestyle, and how to best protect them given your special circumstances. July 2015 • Northeast Ohio Parent | Aging Answers
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S
Be Fit!
Take the ‘Physically and Financially Fit’ Challenge this Summer by Dee Siegferth
ummer in Ohio is the time to finally be able to enjoy the outdoors, which make becoming more physically fit doable. Summer also is a good time to take the “Financially Fit Challenge.” Here are some ways to help your aging loved one do both.
WARD OFF HEALTH ISSUES
The days are longer, which means more time to plan activities to increase your physical fitness. Being physically fit helps you ward off health problems, have more energy, and feel better inside and out. You can become physically fit by adding more steps each day while enjoying the outdoors. Take the challenge every summer by turning off the television or electronic device for at least an hour to enjoy more of summer’s fresh air in an outdoor physical activity. It only takes 21 days to create a new healthy habit, and you will have the satisfaction of meeting your fitness goal.
BE MONEY WISE
At the same time, you can become more financially fit by setting aside time to “Close the holes in your financial security bucket.” Did you realize that most people do not check their beneficiary forms that they may have completed a long time ago for their insurance, investment or retirement (IRA, 401k or 403b) accounts? Just like getting a physical each year, your financial and risk protection house needs an annual check-up to cover up any holes. Adjust your plan to meet yearly changes. Eight out of 10 people do not have their important legal documents completed to ensure that their wishes will be completed their way during life or after they pass. Have you thought about what would happen to your nest egg if you become too ill to take care of yourself or make your own decisions? Without a plan, you may not have “your wishes, your way.” With a solid plan, your care will be followed the way you want it to happen. Take the summer fitness challenge this season to become physically and financially fit by being in control of your life’s direction. Securities offered through Wall Street Strategies, Inc. 362 N. Main St., Huron, 419-433-5291 Member FINRA & SIPC
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Family Living Living At At Its Its Best Best Family
HEALTH & WELLNESS EVENTS July/August 2015 Mondays & Wednesdays
JULY EVENTS
strength, stretching and stamina. No floor exercises. Chairs, mats, weights provided. Sign up for one or two days a week. $4 per class. 10-11 a.m. Health Education Center, 7300 State Road, Parma, 440-743-4900, uhhospitals.org
Scam Alert. Learn about the latest scams
Tuesdays
7/8
the Coventry Collaborative Garden with fellow community members. 6-7 p.m. Coventry Village Branch Library, 1925 Coventry Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-321-3400, heightslibrary.org
new DVD releases and light refreshments. 1-3:30 p.m. Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, 330-273-4150, mcdl.info
Senior Fit. Ages 60 and older focus on
Open Gardening Hours. Help tend
Blood Pressure Screening.
First Tuesday of every month sponsored by Southpark Mall and Southwest General. 9-10 a.m. Southpark Mall, upper food court, 500 SouthPark Center, Strongsville, 440-816-4037, swgeneral.com Senior Horticulture Group. First
Tuesday of each month. 10 a.m.-noon. $5 for members and $7 for non-members. Cleveland Botanical Gardens, 11030 East Blvd., 216-721-1600, cbgarden.org
Wednesdays
Senior Matinee Series. Cookie and
punch reception following the performance. $15 per person. 1 p.m. The Fine Arts Association, 38660 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, 440-9517500 ext. 103, fineartsassociation.org
Thursdays
Laughter Club. 11 a.m.-noon. South
Euclid Community Center, 1370 Victory Drive, Cleveland, 216-291-0771, communitypartnershipon-aging.org Arthritis Exercise. Approved by the
Arthritis Foundation. 9:30-10:30 a.m. DeJohn Community Center, 6306 Marsol Road, Mayfield Hts., 216-291-3902, communitypartnershiponaging.org Brain Gain Games & Puzzles.
Fun and thought provoking! Drop in on the first and third Thursdays at 1 p.m. Stow Senior Center, 3968 Darrow Road, 330-686-1325, stowohio.org
Fridays
Intermediate Line Dancing.
Dances such as the Bossa Nova or learn new Cupid Shuffle and Cha Cha Slide. 9:30-10:30 a.m. DeJohn Community Center, 6306 Marsol Road, Mayfield Hts., 216-291-3902, communitypartnershiponaging.org
7/7
targeting our senior population and find out how to protect yourself and your loved ones. 7-8 p.m. Richmond Heights Library, 5235 Wilson Mills Road, cuyahogalibrary.org Afternoon at the Cinema. Enjoy
7/10
Archery for Seniors. Ages 55 and
older can learn and test their marksmanship. Equipment and instruction provided. Registration required. 7-8:30 p.m. Silver Creek Metro Park, Archery Range, 89 Western Road, Wadsworth Township, 330-865-8065, summitmetroparks.org
7/14
Welcome to Medicare. A representa-
tive from the Lake County Council on Aging and the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) will provide unbiased information on Medicare Part A and Part B benefits and more. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Mentor Public Library, 8215 Mentor Ave., lccoa.org Wellness Lecture – “Exercise is
Medicine for Cancer-Related Fatigue.” 7-8 p.m. Cleveland Clinic Lyndhurst Campus, Auditorium, 1st floor, 1950 Richmond Road. 216-448-4325, clevelandclinic.org
Aging and the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) will provide unbiased information on Medicare Part A and Part B benefits and more. 1-2 p.m. Fairport Senior Center, 1380 East St., Fairport Harbor, lccoa.org
Stroke Survivor Support Group.
7/17
7/25
available at 11:30 a.m. and games begin at 1 p.m. Ages 50 & over. Quirk Cultural Center, 1201 Grant Ave., Cuyahoga Falls, 330-971-8425, cityofcf.com
to save while learning how to shop at all the stores like Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, Staples and more. 2-4 p.m. Medina County District Library, 210 S. Broadway St., 330-725-0588, mcdl.info
Bingo. 25 cents a card. Lunch concessions
7/18
Arts for Wellness – Collage Jewelry. For those affected by cancer:
patients, former patients, family members, caregivers. 10 a.m.-noon. Lee Road Branch Library, 2345 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-932-3600, heightslibrary.org
7/23
A Matter of Balance – Healthy U!
Emotional healing to new drugs or devices or specific therapies that might be helpful to the stroke survivor. 6-7:15 p.m. TriPoint Physician, 7590 Auburn Road, Concord, Lubrizol Conference Center, lakehealth.org Couponing with Rachel. Find ways
7/27
Chronic Pain Support Group. 2-4
p.m. Hillcrest Hospital Atrium, 6770 Mayfield Road, Mayfield Heights, 440-312-4310, clevelandclinic.org
7/28
Random Act of Music. Weather
Your risk of falling decreases the minute you stop being afraid of falling. Free. Avon Senior Center, 36786 Detroit Road, 440-934-2417, cityofavon.com
permitting, the all-volunteer Metro Parks Ensemble performs traditional marches, big band standards and oldies. 7-8 p.m. Wood Hollow Park, 2121 Barlow Road, Hudson, 330865-8060, summitmetroparks.org
7/24
7/30
55 and older.Registration required. 5-6:30 p.m. Silver Creek Metro Park, Archery Range, 89 Western Road, Wadsworth Township, 330-865-8065, summitmetroparks.org
includes lunch, beverages, games . 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. Rear Quarry Picnic Shelter, Euclid Creek Reservation, Euclid Creek Parkway, near Green Road entrance, Euclid, 216-650-4029, communitypartnershiponaging.org
Archery Games for Seniors. Ages
CPA Picnic-in-the-Park. $13
7/15
Heart & Sole Challenge, Healthy Strides. A
casual 30-minute walk, preceded by a brief informative talk by local health professionals and city officials. Sandy Ridge Reservation, 6195 Otten Road, North Ridgeville, nridgeville.org
7/16
Welcome to Medicare.
A representative from the Lake County Council on
July 2015 • Northeast Ohio Parent | Aging Answers
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7/31
8/5
8/12
Kiwanis club of Nordonia Hills. 4:30 & 7:30 p.m. Northfield Village Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation, 10267 Northfield Road, 330468-1800, northfieldvillagesnr.com
lunch, entertainment and health information. Reservation required. 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. St. George Fellowship Centre, 3204 Ridgwood Road, Fairlawn, 330-869-9800, Tickets are $12, akrongeneral.org
new DVD releases and light refreshments. 1-3:30 p.m. Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, 330-273-4150, mcdl.info
Kelly Miller Circus. Sponsored by the
AUGUST EVENTS 8/1
Free Family Health & Safety Day Celebrate wellness with free health
screenings, education and demonstrations – plus family-friendly activities. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. University Hospitals Richmond Medical Center, 27100 Chardon Rd, Richmond Heights, 216-593-1768, uhrichmond.org
WAKR Senior Luncheon. Enjoy
8/10
Joint Replacement Class. Learn
how to prepare for your recovery, what to expect during and after your total joint replacement surgery. 9-11 a.m. West Medical Center, 36000 Euclid Ave., Willoughby, lakehealth.org
tion Program (OSHIIP) provides Medicare information. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Willoughby Senior Center, 38032 Brown Ave. lccoa.org
Afternoon at the Cinema. Enjoy
8/24
Chronic Pain Support Group. 2-4
8/16
British Invasion at Blossom – The
Cleveland Orchestra. $65 includes transportation, dinner, concert ticket and event t-shirt. 440-473-5138, communitypartnershiponaging.org
8/18
Welcome to Medicare. A representa-
tive from the Lake County Council on Aging and the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Informa-
p.m. Hillcrest Hospital Atrium, 6770 Mayfield Road, Mayfield Heights, 440-312-4310, clevelandclinic.org
Underground Railroad Walking Tour. Learn more about the homes, sites
and people that played a significant part in the anti-slavery movement of pre-Civil War Hudson. 6:30 p.m. Entrance of Hudson Library, 96 Library St., Hudson, engagedpatrons.org
Medicare update The Medicare Open Enrollment period for 2016 begins this fall on Oct. 15 and runs until Dec. 7. This is the period of time when all people with Medicare can change their Medicare health plans and prescription drug coverage for 2016. Medicare is available for people age 65 or older, people under age 65 with certain disabilities, and people of all ages with end-stage renal disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant). Medicare Part A covers inpatient care in hospitals, including critical access hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. Depending on eligibility, it also can help cover hospice care and some home health care. Medicare Part B provides medical insurance to help cover doctors’ services and outpatient care. It also covers some other medical services, such as physical and occupational therapy, some home health care, and supplies when they are medically necessary. Medicare Part D provides prescription drug coverage and is available to anyone who receives Medicare. Private companies provide the coverage. Beneficiaries choose the drug plan and pay a monthly premium. People with Medicare, family members and caregivers should visit medicare.gov, for the latest information on Medicare enrollment, benefits and other helpful tools. Courtesy of Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging, benrose.org
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