Commun ty Matters Manor of the Plains
June 2016
Long-term care misconceptions There are many uncertainties in retirement. For example, we don’t know how long we are going to live, what the interest rates will be or how the stock market will behave. But one thing is nearly certain: our health will decline as we age. That means at some point, most of us will face serious functional limitations and, in the event of serious health shocks, maybe even permanent disability. As a result, a large number of older Americans might require professional medical care at home or in institutions such as nursing homes. But there is a lack of awareness about the risk of long-term care because of two big misconceptions surrounding the topic. Misconception No. 1: Very few people end up using long-term care. This study by researchers from the National Bureau of Economic CARE, continued on page 3
Jane Tyler uses her iPad to connect with family in Texas and Iowa.
FaceTime Jane Jane Tyler’s grandkids live in Texas and Iowa, and she sees them a few times a week. Thanks to smartphone technology, Jane can make video calls for free whenever she wants. And she can see her grandchildren growing up, at least on her iPhone screen. “It’s amazing,” said Jane, a Manor of the Plains resident. “I don’t know how it works, but I can finally push the right buttons and get on.” Jane’s granddaughter helped her get set up with the FaceTime video calling program. It has helped fill the gap between in-person visits with her family, she said. It’s not as easy to get together since Jane can no longer make the long drive to see them, and they can’t come as often either. “When you see somebody, it just means more to you than talking on the phone,” Jane said. “I’m very fortunate. It’s more fun if you can actually see them. And they can see you too.” The iPhone isn’t Jane’s first mobile phone. She was an early FACETIME, continued on page 2
adopter of cell phones and had a “bag phone” for the car when they were first coming on the scene. “It was pretty cool, I could call my daughter when we were on our way up to see her.”
Facebook, take photos, and check the weather both in Kansas and where her children are. Her daughter also taught her how to send text messages.
Jane is part of a small but rapidly growing segment of older adults using mobile devices nearly every day. According to a recent study by the Pew Research Center, nearly one in five Americans age 65 and older have a smartphone (the kind with a touchscreen), and 27 percent own a tablet, and e-book reader, or both.
Jane understands why technology can be intimidating for people who didn’t grow up with it. But she said it has been easy to learn with her loved ones showing her the way. And the benefits made the learning curve worth it.
In addition to FaceTime, Jane also uses her phone to play games like solitaire, see what’s happening on
“If I didn’t have my phone, I would feel real isolated,” she said. “I talk on it two or three times a day.”
FACETIME, continued from page 1
Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Manor of the Plains by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org.
Manor of the Plain’s Post-Acute To Home (PATH®) program isn’t just about getting you home— it’s about getting you back to your life.
Jerry Korbe, executive director Kurt Lampe, marketing director Lisa Montoya, activity director Jacque Soltero, health care activity director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Kurt at klampe@pmma.org. Telephone: 620-225-1928 Fax: 620-225-3982 Address: 200 Campus Dr., Dodge City, KS 67801-2760
Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. ManorofthePlains.org
Call 620-225-1928 today to schedule your personal appointment and tour. ManorOfThePlains.org
LIKE Manor of the Plains on
2
Community Matters June 2016
Like us on Facebook
CARE, continued from page 1
Research estimates that a 50-yearold has a 53 to 59 percent chance of entering a nursing home during his or her lifetime. Misconception No. 2: Medicare pays for all long-term care needs. Medicare covers some part of nursing-home expenses up to 100 days, but only in a skilled nursing facility and the nursing-home stay must be preceded by a qualifying hospital stay of more than three consecutive days. Custodial care (nonmedical assistance, typically for activities of daily living such as bathing, eating and dressing), which is the most common form of long-term care provided by nursing homes, is not covered by Medicare.
Medicaid pays for such care, but families typically must exhaust nearly all of their income and assets to qualify. As a result, Medicaid is the long-term care coverage of last resort for those with no assets.
costs are included, only 42 percent of households in that income group won’t run short of money, based on projections.
Long-term care
A possible solution for those who want to protect their assets from the risk of the costs of long-term care: long-term care insurance.
Long-term care costs are probably most concerning for middle-income households. High-income households may be able to self-insure and lowincome households may not have enough assets to protect, so Medicaid will likely cover their expenses.
Planning to buy protection
Premiums for this coverage vary depending on factors such as the age when the policy is bought, the extent of the coverage, the waiting period before benefits begin, inflation According to EBRI’s Retirement Security Projection Model protection and where you live. But predictions, 89 percent of households they can be expensive. in the second-income quartile will not run short of money in retirement So, future retirees need to plan carefully if they want the protection if these unpredictable health care costs are ignored. However, if these of long-term care insurance.
Celebrations & milestones at Presbyterian Manor Clockwise from far right top: Betty Bailey with Social Services Director Joy Wiggins, who baked Betty a cake and brought her a gift. Resident Mary Ann Black and Dawn Habiger, a previous Best in Show winner, enjoy goodies prepared by the food services department. Mary Ford, Sandra Hastings and Joanne Clarke enjoy the Art is Ageless reception. The trio from Hodgeman County has entered the competition for five years. Dee Maurer with her Best in Show (professional) nativity scene. Kae Bryant, from Ensign, with her first place quilt, “Mollie B. Castles.” She has been a part of Art is Ageless for more than five years. Like us on Facebook
Manor of the Plains
3
Manor of the Plains 200 Campus Dr. Dodge City, KS 67801-2760 Return Service Requested
Send a balloon. Show you care.
Support Presybterian Manors of Mid-America with a gift to the Good Samaritan Program. We’ll add another balloon to the bouquet and residents will see how much you care. Donate online at: PresbyterianManors.org/How_To_Give or stop by the front desk to make a gift.
August signals the beginning of school Sign up to receive our newsletter by email. Visit
ManorOfThePlains.org
and enter your email address in the subscription box. It’s that easy! 4
Community Matters June 2016
What are your memories of school? Were you a teacher or lifelong student? Did you get a degree late in life? How did education shape your life? If you’ve got a story to share, contact Marketing Director Kurt Lampe, and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters. Like us on Facebook