A SPECIAL PUBLICATION CREATED BY REPUBLIC MEDIA CUSTOM PUBLISHING
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HEALTHCARE NEWS YOU CAN USE FOR YOUR WHOLE FAMILY
IN THIS ISSUE | 3-6 ALZHEIMER’S AWARENESS MONTH:
NOVEMBER 2016
Presented by the Alzheimer's Association Desert Southwest Chapter
Time to choose your Medicare Advantage plan
How to successfully navigate the journey
What you should know to make the right decision
B Y M E G H A N N F I N N S E P U LV E DA
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t's far more common today, as opposed to 50 years ago, to see people live into their 90s. Of those, some who face financial difficulty may have to move back in with their children who then take on the role of caregiver, according to the American Psychological Association.
By Debra Gelbart
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f you’re a Medicare “first-timer” this year, meaning this will be your first Annual Election Period (AEP) since turning 65, you may be concerned about deciding the best way to receive Medicare benefits. AEP is the time of year when you are allowed to select or switch a Medicare Advantage plan.
Original Medicare
CARING FOR AN AGING PARENT
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ROLE REVERSAL Other seniors may benefit from a retirement community or might require additional care through assisted living or a memory care facility. These difficult decisions often fall on the adult children and are accompanied by worry and fear. It’s important to realize the emotional impact of role reversal and accept it as a new chapter in life.
Know when it’s time Peggy Wells, a Phoenix-area realtor, first became concerned for the wellbeing of her elderly mother, who is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, when she began to isolate herself from the activities she loved most, following the loss of her husband. “She no longer went out with friends and stopped going to church,” she said. “She also became obsessive about reading and responding to the mail.” Wells eventually moved her mom into Fellowship Square Phoenix, a senior retirement community, three years ago. “She is currently living independently, but caregivers check on her daily,” Wells said. “She’s also found companionship with other residents which has kept her social and active. It’s been such a positive experience because she’s happy and safe.”
Look for signs of aging Changes in a parent’s declining health are usually gradual. This can be challenging, especially when adult children live out of state and only visit a few times per year. “The holidays are a very advantageous time to check in with mom and dad,” said Donna Thomas, director of corporate communications for Senior Resource Group. “It can often be surprising and
concerning, especially if a significant amount of time has passed.” Changes can be seen upon arrival, from the maintenance and condition of the home to personal hygiene and overall appearance. “These are things you can immediately sense and are indicators that care might be needed,” Thomas added. Other signs include changes in a loved one's behavior, such as ignoring favorite hobbies, missing dates with friends, or forgetting to pay bills, according to AARP.
Evaluate the need Sometimes aging parents simply need assistance with everyday activities like
! Communicate successfully with your aging parents
When you turn 65, you have many choices for your regular medical care: original Medicare, Part A and Part B (also known as “original” or traditional Medicare), which you sign up for through the Social Security Administration anytime between three months before your 65th birthday month and three months after your birthday month; a Medicare supplement plan used with Part B; or a Medicare Advantage plan. Original Medicare and some other Medicare plans do not cover prescription drugs, so you may want to look into a Medicare Part D (prescription drug) plan as well. Original Medicare Part B lets you see any doctor who accepts Medicare, but only 80 percent of charges are paid by Medicare. You are responsible for the remaining 20 percent and there’s no maximum out-of-pocket expense. Many people with Medicare Part B also enroll in a Medicare supplement plan and Medicare Part D plan to help pay for costs not paid for by traditional Medicare.
Advantage Plus
Talking to your elderly parents about the need for additional care can be challenging. There may be feelings of resistance, denial and anger. In order to avoid a confrontation and successfully take the conversation further, Donna Thomas, director of corporate communications for Senior Resource Group, provides the following tips:
! Don’t be accusatory ! Be open-minded, caring, sensitive and diplomatic ! Ask questions and get feedback ! Let your parent make the decisions and be in control ! Make it easy – look at Fellowship Square Phoenix is one of many senior facilities together online retirement community in Phoenix metro area. before scheduling a tour getting dressed, cleaning, grocery shopping ! Encourage participation and taking medication. MORE INFORMATION: “Consider hiring someone for a few hours a Senior Resource Group, week,” Thomas said. “This can be a great first srgseniorliving.com. step that gets parents used to having help.” If more care is required, there are a variety of options available from retirement communities to assisted living and memory support facilities. “Do your research in advance before you broach the subject with your parents,” said " AGING PARENTS, continued on page 2
With a Medicare Advantage Plan, by contrast, you have a maximum out-ofpocket expense, little or no monthly premiums, all the same Medicarecovered benefits and even some supplemental benefits, such as an annual physical exam. Some Advantage plans include prescription drugs; others don’t.
“The Medicare Annual Election Period and the sign-up process for Medicare are completely separate from the Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace. The websites are separate, the insurers for each are separate and the options for Medicare enrollees are far more plentiful.” — Donna Jennings, COO Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Medicare Advantage
Other services may have a low co-pay, unlike Part B, where whatever charges Medicare allows are what you have to pay (up to 80 percent). But with Medicare Advantage, you’re typically limited to a specific network of health care providers. If you decide a Medicare Advantage Plan is right for you, here are the top three things to keep in mind as you mull over your choices:
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The Annual Election Period is critical. You can sign up for or switch Medicare Advantage Plans or prescription drug plans (Part D) between Oct. 15 " MEDICARE, continued on page 2
You’ll never make a bigger choice. HonorHealth.com/cancercare