Be an Engaged Healthcare Consumer: Help Prevent Healthcare Errors, Fraud and Abuse

What is Medicare?Medicare is a federal health insurance program that gives you access to specific coverage and benefits. Medicare is different from health insurance you may have had before. It offers you a variety of coverage options and it has key enrollment dates and guidelines you need to follow. Were here to help you make sense of it all. How is Medicare Different From Other Health Insurance?You may be surprised at the differences between Medicare and other types of health insurance. If youve had health coverage through your employer, your plan likely included medical and prescription drug coverage, along with other benefits. It also may have covered both you and your spouse.Medicare only covers one person at a time. This means you and your spouse must enroll separately. In addition, Medicare gives you options that can make it possible to receive your benefits in a variety of different ways.You can:       Choose hospital and medical coverage delivered through the federal government.       Add prescription drug coverage delivered through a private company.       Purchase a supplemental insurance policy from a private insurer that can help cover some of the costs.       Choose coverage from a private insurer that combines hospital, medical and often prescription drug coverage into one plan.In short, with Medicare you can choose coverage that fits your needs, budget and lifestyle. We can help you take full advantage of that freedom. Who is Eligible for Medicare?      - Age 65+      - Under age 65 with certain disabilities      - Have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) When and How Do I Apply?If youre like most people, youll enroll in Medicare around the time you turn 65. Your Initial Enrollment Period begins three months before your 65th birthday, includes the month you turn 65 and ends three months after that birthday.Keep in mind that if you dont get Medicare during this Initial Enrollment Period, you may have to pay Medicare Part B or Part D late enrollment penalties. Plus, you could be missing out on coverage and benefits that can help protect your health and finances. Thats why its generally a good idea to enroll as soon you can. How you enroll generally depends on if youre getting benefits from Social Security, the Railroad Retirement Board or the Office of Personnel Management.Contact me today at 724-554-7989 for a FREE consultation.  

When deciding on the best senior living residence for your loved one, you may have questions regarding which type of facility is most appropriate to address their current health and desired autonomy. Your physician can hep in this determination, and most assisted living and memory care centers will perform their own assessment both to determine if their facility is equipped to help the individual and to determine a probable path for ongoing care. As time goes on, your loved one will be regularly assessed to ensure that their care plan is beneficial for their evolving needs. ADLs and IADLs are the most common measurement guidelines for the required care level.The six activities of daily living (ADLs) and the eight instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) are the standard guidelines used to assess whether senior adults can or should continue living independently, or if assistance is needed. In some cases, insurance companies may also require ADL or IADL assessment to clinically identify needs before agreeing to pay for additional care.What Are the 6 ADLs?Bathing. The individual is fully capable of bathing themselves, or may just need help with one part of the body because of injury.Dressing. The individual chooses their own clothes from a dresser or closet, get dressed, and adds appropriate outer clothing such as a sweater on cool days.Toileting. The individual goes to the bathroom without assistance, including getting on and off the toilet, taking off and putting on clothes, and cleaning themselves.Transferring. The individual can gets themselves in and out of a chair or bed on their own.Continence. The individual has complete control over urination and defecation.Feeding. The individual can feed themselves without assistance. (Food may be prepared by someone else.)Effectively Assessing ADLsIf senior adults can perform all six of these activities without any assistance or prompting, they are deemed to have full function, and can care for themselves. A score of four out of six indicates  moderate impairment and that they may need additional care, while one or two out of six indicates severe functional impairment and therefore, they need others to care for them. Many seniors lose these abilities gradually and progressively. Certain tasks may become more challenging as they ag, while others may remain their entire life.What are the 8 IADLs?Using the telephone. The individual can answer the phone, and knows how to call family and friends on their own.Shopping. The individual can purchase everything they need without assistance.Food preparation. The individuals has the capacity to plan, prepare and serve their own food.Housekeeping. The individual can perform home maintenance duties such as washing dishes or making the bed.Laundry. The individual can do their own laundry, at least in part.Mode of transportation. The individual can either drive, or understands how to arrange for their own transportation.Responsibility for own medications. The individual correctly self-administers their medication without prompting.Managing finances. The individual manages their personal finances with little (or limited) help, including paying bills and keeping track of balances.Considerations When Assessing ADLs and IADLsWhile ADLs and IADLs can be helpful in assessing autonomy, they arent a perfect tool. An individuals unique physical and cognitive abilities can change from day to day, or decline gradually over time. Because of this, ADLs and IADLs should be evaluated routinely to identify if any changes in living and care arrangements are needed.At My Care Finders, we help families to navigate the complexities of understanding all of their care options. Our knowledgeable senior care experts can help you to collect the necessary information to make an informed and appropriate decision for your loved one. Call today to learn more about our FREE services.

Happiness At Any AgeStart your journey to joy now in your 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and beyond with these simple and effective exercises, strategies, and positive insights.Living happily in any decade involves an open heart, open mind, and appreciation for the joy in the journey. While everyone is unique, heres a guide to enjoy life in your 20s, 40s, 60s, 80s, and beyond.In your 20s & 30s Embrace uncertainty. This is the time for trial and error. Try new things and take risks, even if they feel scary. Build connections. Your social network can be a source of support, advice, and shared experiences both now and as you get older. Learn how to learn. Develop a growth mindset. Teach yourself that its ok to feel silly as you learn new things. Itll set the stage for lifelong learning. Build healthy habits. Establish healthy habits early. Try to move your body, eat well, and sleep well. In your 40s & 50s Balance work and life. Prioritize time with your family and friends. Work hard in your professional life. But don't forget to find joy in the little things. Plan your finances. Establish good financial habits. Save and invest in your future. Spend less than you make. Financial stability contributes to your peace of mind. Practice gratitude. Take time to appreciate what you have. Thank those who help you and contribute to others in a positive way. Build a mindset that's all about gratitude. Be open to change. Life is always changing, so it's a good idea to be open to all the curves along the way. Being able to adapt to everyday life is a skill that will serve you well in the future. In your 60s & 70s Reassess your goals. That thing you always wanted to do one day? Do it now. Adjust and modify your goals to include the steps itll take to reach that dream. Start working on writing that book, taking that trip, or even reaching a health and wellness goal to keep a positive mental attitude going. Add in some adventure. Remember, theres no age limit to new adventures. Happy thoughts and actions can even make you more likely to try new things. Go for new activities, try new recipes, or make new friends as an adult. These ideas keep your sense of play alive and well. Nurture old and new relationships. Improve relationships by focusing less on long-held disagreements. You don't get any points for winning arguments. Letting go of the past paired with self-compassion exercises can help you move forward. Mentor others patiently. Share your experiences and wisdom with others. Remember to be kind and patient by listening without judgment and putting yourself in their shoes. Someone out may need you to guide them in a way that only you're capable of. In your 80s & 90sMake time for the small things. Love spending time with your family? Make an effort to engage in the small activities you enjoy every weekor even daily! This can lead to an overall positive mental attitude later in life.Keep learning. Nows the time to try that new hobby youve always wanted to or pick up an old one. Even making friends as an adult or participating at a senior center near you can lead to a sense of joy. Plus, learning new skills keeps your brain sharp.Be kind to yourself. Listen to your body and give it what it needs. Go for a quick walk outside. Eat healthy foods. Embrace each day as a chance to live the life you desire, regardless of your age.  This article is contributed by Devoted Health.  Contact your local Devoted Health Representative at 251-391-3788 to find out how you could save with a Medicare Advantage Plan.