A Medicare supplement (Medigap) insurance, sold by private companies, can help pay some of the health care costs that Original Medicare doesn't cover, like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.Some Medigap policies also offer coverage for services that Original Medicare doesn't cover, like medical care when you travel outside the U.S. If you have Original Medicare and you buy a Medigap policy, Medicare will pay its share of the Medicare-approved amount for covered health care costs. Then your Medigap policy pays its share.A Medigap policy is different from a Medicare Advantage Plan. Those plans are ways to get Medicare benefits, while a Medigap policy only supplements your Original Medicare benefits.Medigap policies don't cover everythingMedigap policies generally don't cover long-term care, vision or dental care, hearing aids, eyeglasses, or private-duty nursing.Insurance plans that aren't MedigapSome types of insurance aren't Medigap plans, they include:Medicare Advantage Plans (like an HMO, PPO, or Private Fee-for-Service Plan)Medicare Prescription Drug PlansMedicaidEmployer or union plans, including the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP)TRICAREVeterans' benefitsLong-term care insurance policiesIndian Health Service, Tribal, and Urban Indian Health plans

Lisa Graham is Agemarks Director of Human Resources. A member of the Agemark family since 2013, Lisa focuses on hiring and developing an engaged workforce a key to providing top-notch care for seniors. She is in a unique position as both an employee of a senior living company and an adult child of a father who lives with Alzheimers Disease and resides at CountryHouse, an Agemark memory care community.I remember getting a call from my mom. She was crying and did not know where Dad was. He had left the house in the middle of the night. We found him, but it was terrifying. Even more so because my dad had been diagnosed with Alzheimers Disease. My mom worked hard as his caregiver but was having a difficult time keeping dad safe. So, in August of 2016, we made the difficult decision to move him to memory care at CountryHouse in Omaha.Luckily, he settled in very quickly at his new home. I am so grateful to have an amazing community and wonderful, loving care for my dad as we walk the path of this horrible disease. Here are some of the reasons Im grateful for memory care.Caregiving is toughMy mom was his caretaker, but she hadn't been sharing how difficult it was with us. She had been battling terminal cancer and could barely take care of herself, but she insisted on caring for dad as well. The worry and stress took an extra toll on her health. My brother and I had no idea it was affecting her so much because she hid it from us. I know many caregivers suffer from guilt and stress when taking care of someone with Alzheimers and my family was no exception. Moving his daily care off our plate helped our family focus on our own health. My brother and I were relieved and so was my mom.He's happy and busyWith two kids and a full-time job, I knew there was no way I could keep Dad happy and occupied, and truly give him the care he deserved. The team at CountryHouse is so good at keeping him busy with fun, meaningful activities but only if he chooses to. Sometimes he can be a bit stubborn! His caregivers are so patient, kind and encouraging.He's safeDads community is secure, with locked doors to ensure safety. But with long hallways, multiple common areas and a large outdoor space, theres plenty of room for him to walk and wander. Gone are the days of us worrying about him leaving home and getting lost.He has people to monitor his health each dayAbout a year ago, dad contracted a UTI and pneumonia two things that seniors are particularly susceptible to. The staff identified these problems right away and got him to the hospital for treatment. He ended up needing rehab to recover. His experience in rehab was not positive. He would no longer talk and he wouldnt eat. The rehab suggested we move him to skilled nursing. Instead, my brother and I chose to move him back to his home CountryHouse. He was designated as being on hospice, which can mean someone is near the end of life. However, in just 4 weeks he was walking on his own again! I am so grateful for the expert care he has in place and how quickly they helped him recover.Im even more relieved my dad is in a safe environment during the coronavirus crisis. Now more than ever, we know that he is ok and has great care. Because visitor limitations are in effect and we cannot see him in person, its a relief to know he is loved by all who work there and that he feels right at home. Seeing photos and videos sent by staff members ensures us that hes happy and healthy, and relieves some of the guilt we feel by not being able to be there by his side.My dad no longer likes to even leave CountryHouse its very much his home and his comfortable place. Although it was a very difficult decision to move him at the time, looking back, we are 100% positive it was the right one for our family.

Making a choice to transition to hospice is a big step for any family, but especially so for families with children who have life-threatening illnesses. It can be hard to imagine a child at the beginning of their life as being appropriate for hospice care. However, kids need hospice too. For some children, their complex medical diagnoses or chronic illness are such that cure focused treatments are no longer successful. When this happens, children deserve supportive care so they do not have to remain hospitalized. Currently, in the Omaha area there are minimal options for pediatric families. Because of this, Endless Journey has started a pediatric hospice program to support the youngest patients in our community. When working with pediatric hospice patients, there is a need to provide support for multiple family members at once. The team provides direct medical care in the home for the patient, emotional support for the caregivers, and developmentally appropriate care for any siblings. This compassionate, family-centered care includes connecting families with community organizations to help provide meaningful experiences and facilitate memory making. At Endless Journey, the team knows that time is a resource we cannot create more of so we aim to make the most of each moment. Pediatric hospice is unique in that families can receive hospice care while also still engaging in curative treatments; this is called concurrent care. Under the affordable care act (sec. 2302) in the state of Nebraska, children aged 19 years and younger are eligible to receive this concurrent care. Because of this, Endless Journey has fostered partnerships with the pediatric hospital systems in the area to ensure that our in-home hospice support is well coordinated with the in-clinic plans of the primary medical teams. Making the choice for hospice has historically had a connotation of giving up, but in practice, hospice is looking towards living well with the focus of what is most important to the family. Editors Note: This article was submitted by Katie Ransdell, MS, CCLS, Bereavement Coordinator & Certified Child Life Specialist with Endless Journey Hospice where she can be reached at 402-800-8145  

If you traveled home for the holidays and spent some time with your elderly parents, you may have noticed they need a little extra assistance at home. Although it can often be difficult to know when your loved one is no longer able to live independently, there are some tell-tale signs.Perhaps their home isn't as clean as it used to be. Or they have expired food in the fridge or pantry. Maybe their personal hygiene has gone by the wayside. Or they have some new dents and scratches on their car.We've collected a few of our most-read blog posts that we think are helpful for family caregivers who are considering hiring a professional caregiver for their aging parent. Many adult children wonder when its time to consider home care for a loved one. If you find yourself stopping over more often to check on your aging parents or asking a friend or neighbor to stop by, it might be the time to look at in-home care options.Learn some of the most common signs it might be time for home care. In-home care can provide vital support Maybe your parent needs short-term assistance. Temporary in-home care can help individuals who are recovering from illness, injury or surgery, as well as after a hospital stay. This short-term care can last anywhere from several weeks to a few months, and it is typically provided in someone's home. This care can provide a long-term boost to what your loved one needs most comfort, confidence and peace of mind.Learn how temporary home care can support your family.Find the best possible caregiverDoing the proper research to ensure your parents are taken care of as they age physically, emotionally and financially will help give you peace of mind in the future. While researching care for your parents, take time to look for a caregiver who is patient, compassionate, detail-oriented, and present. Youll be able to rest easy knowing that the person you love the most is being taken care of by someone who has their best interest and wellbeing at the forefront.If you are a family caregiver, keep these in mind while researching home care for your parents.