Lydia Chan

Diabetes Coverage: Tips to Help Seniors Plan Ahead

January 28, 2019 by Lydia Chan

Managing diabetes isn’t simple for anyone. When you or someone you’re caring for becomes eligible for Medicare, there is a whole new field of information to navigate. If you or your loved one has lived with diabetes for any amount of time, you know how important it is to get proper care. Between treatments, testing supplies, insulin, and managing your overall health, you need coverage that won’t leave you in a pinch.

pin prick and finger — Paying for diabetes supplies and medication can be costly, especially for seniors on a fixed income. Medicare’s supplemental plans can help cover those costs. Photo credit: Pixabay

Researching Your Options

Medicare is a valuable benefit, but it can also be confusing. According to statistics, 25 percent of seniors over age 60 have diabetes. If you are part of that group, trying to find the best coverage can be even harder. This is because basic Medicare (Part A and Part B) covers some of your health needs but not everything. Basic Medicare covers hospitals and doctors visits, along with some medical equipment and preventive services.

The problem is that this leaves a pretty big gap. Original Medicare doesn’t cover some essential health needs. How can you get these needs covered?

Some people opt to stick with Original Medicare and purchase an additional plan called Part D. Part D covers prescription drugs. Other folks choose to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan (also called Part C) as an alternative to Original Medicare. One benefit to Medicare Advantage plans is that they typically give you coverage for things like dental and vision, which are not covered by Medicare. Because diabetes can affect your overall health, it’s important to find a plan that doesn’t leave these things out. We recommend learning more about the Medicare Advantage plans that are available through Aetna to see if they fit your needs.

What Is (And Isn’t) Covered Under Medicare

If you’re considering Original Medicare, make sure your diabetes supplies are covered. Along with your primary care visits, Medicare Part B should cover most testing supplies, although according to Accu-Chek, you may need a prescription from your doctor in order for these supplies to be covered. Medicare Part B also covers some medical nutrition therapy, which is a valuable preventive health tool for you or your loved one to manage diabetes better.

And while Medicare Part B may cover the cost of an insulin pump, in most cases, you will need to purchase Medicare Part D in order to get coverage for insulin and other supplies like insulin pens, syringes, and needles.

Other Considerations in Choosing a Plan

With these basic benefits in mind, there are a few other things you want to consider when deciding whether to go with Medicare or an Advantage Plan.

Prescription Drugs

Besides insulin, are there other prescription drugs you use regularly? Most Advantage plans have prescription drug coverage built into them, whereas you would have to purchase Medicare Part D to get prescription drug coverage with Original Medicare. Either way, it’s a good idea to make sure your current prescriptions are covered under any plan you’re considering.

Spending Caps

According to US News, Medicare has no out-of-pocket spending maximum, so you will always be on the hook for a portion of any healthcare expense you incur. Advantage plans are required to have out-of-pocket maximums, and after you reach that point, you won’t have additional expenses. It’s important to consider your overall health and any related conditions that may require treatment in the future.

Choice and Flexibility

One potential drawback to Advantage plans is that they are usually run through provider networks, which can be limited, whereas most physicians accept Original Medicare. If you choose an Advantage plan, make sure your providers and hospitals are in the network before enrolling.

With all of these considerations, there is also the reality that Medicare is continually changing. This can be good news for diabetics, especially because Advantage plans may soon provide expanded benefits like groceries to make it easier to eat healthy. The reality is that there is no one-size-fits-all answer for choosing coverage. The most important thing is to consider all of your medical needs and double-check exactly what is covered before making a decision.

Helping Seniors Maintain Their Independence

September 13, 2018 by Lydia Chan

When someone you love lives far away, it can be frustrating to try and help them from afar. Seniors, especially, often need assistance with household chores or staying mobile. They may not have a relative who lives close enough to help out. Not only can this add to their stress and anxiety, it can lead to accidents, falls, and injuries. That’s especially the case when they attempt to take care of everything themselves. In fact, falls are one of the most common causes of injury for seniors. In some cases those injuries can be life-threatening.

hand — Caregivers, even ones living at a distance, can set up support services to help seniors maintain their independence. Photo via Pixabay by BeeJees

Fortunately, there are several things you can do to help your senior loved one, even if you live in a different state. You can hire help to come and take care of chores (like cutting the grass or cleaning). And, you can teach your loved one how to use apps that will make their life easier. A side benefit is that apps can connect the two of you, thereby lessening your worry.

Keep reading for more info on how to get started.

Find the Right Apps

There are tons of apps available that are specifically made for seniors. Whether your loved one needs help remembering when to take medication or where they parked the car, or you just want to be able to see each other when you’re talking on the phone, there are a lot of great options out there. The key is to help your loved one find the right ones for their needs and make sure they’re internet-savvy enough to understand them. For more on apps read this article.

Hire Some Help

One of the most dangerous and overlooked jobs a senior has is taking care of the lawn, yet many seniors take pride in the way their yard looks and want it to be well cared for. One way around this is to hire someone local to come over and help out so they don’t have to spend time in the heat or use heavy, dangerous machinery. The cost of this service varies across the country; go here to find out the national average and to look up price ranges in your loved one’s area.

Help Them Find a Ride

Many seniors find that after a certain age, they don’t feel comfortable driving themselves, either because of vision problems or because their motor skills aren’t what they used to be. You can help out by looking for a senior ride service–many senior homes and hospitals offer them–in their area that will provide a safe ride to the doctor or grocery store.

Make Sure Their Home Is Safe

Many seniors struggle with home safety after their mobility has been compromised by an illness or injury. If seniors have been hospitalized, you can often ask for an occupational therapist to evaluate the home’s safety. An occupational therapist might recommend tossing the throw rugs, reducing clutter, or rearranging furniture. These measures can be especially helpful if a hospital stay has made your loved one more fragile than they were previously.

An occupational therapist may also recommend that you hire someone to install grab bars in the shower. Make sure you buy non-slip rubber mats for the bathroom and kitchen. These are the areas that most seniors fall most often.

You can also have a home security system installed that transmits a live feed to your smartphone. That way you can keep an eye on things even when you’re far away.

Helping your senior loved one from out-of-state doesn’t have to be stressful. With some good planning and a little research, you can ensure that the senior in your life is happy, healthy, and safe. Use technology to your advantage as much as possible and help your loved one become comfortable using it as well.

Aging-in-Place Can Work if Caregivers Make Home Safety a Priority

May 10, 2018 by Lydia Chan

As many people age, they find it harder and harder to live on their own, but aging-in-place is a viable option if caregivers pay attention to safety. Many seniors end up in assisted living communities or nursing homes where they have to trade their independence for security. The majority of seniors don’t want to do this. They would prefer living among their memories and in their familiar environment. However, the issue is safety. To keep parents where they’re happiest, caregivers may need to make some simple modifications around the house. These modifications don’t have to cost a lot of money. The goal is to provide your loved ones with a safer living space.

natural light from window helps seniors aging-in-place — Preventing falls is critical for senior intent on aging-in-place. Besides eliminating the obvious hazards, such as throw rugs, caregivers should make sure the home has plenty of light, both day and night.

Aging-in-Place Means Checking the Home for Hazards

The most important thing to take into consideration when preparing a senior’s home for aging-in-place is fall prevention. Falls are a terrible hazard for older people. In fact, they are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for seniors in the United States. One in every four Americans aged 65 or older falls each year, and that number is only expected to increase as the population ages.

There are many reasons seniors are so susceptible to falling. As we age, our balance and coordination begin to deteriorate, making simple actions and movements more treacherous. We also start to lose our vision and flexibility. Furthermore, some seniors have to take medications that cause dizziness. In hot climates dehydration poses a falling risk. Occasionally, interactions between an elderly couple can lead one or both to fall. While it might be safer in the long run to have elderly parents move into your home, that’s not always an option.

We can’t stop the effects of aging, but we can make changes in a senior’s environment to create a more hospitable and secure home. Angie’s List suggests, “Make a point when visiting to observe how Mom or Dad gets around the house. Input from the doctor and other health care professionals may give you insight on your parents’ abilities and areas of difficulty.” Occupational therapists, who are trained to adapt living spaces to the needs of residents, are great people to have on your team. Ask your physician for a referral. Beyond that, the following are just some of the modifications we suggest you make.

Lighting

As mentioned above, age can do quite a number on a person’s eyesight. One of the most important renovations you can do for a senior loved one is to add light. Natural light is a great option because it doesn’t cost extra on the electric bill. Furthermore, natural light can help regulate a senior’s biorhythms, sleep, and overall health. If their home is in need of more sunlight, consider enlarging existing windows or adding new ones. Skylights are also a great way to take advantage of natural light within the house.

Of course, the sun isn’t up all day. You will also need to add lamps and other sources of synthetic light if they are expected to get around the house safely at night. You may find it beneficial to put motion sensor lights throughout the home so they don’t have to fiddle with switches or pulls when they need illumination. Talk with your senior loved one about which options sound best to them.

Stair Safety

Even if your parent doesn’t use a wheelchair, they may benefit from safety ramps placed over their steps. Stairs can be quite dangerous to navigate. For seniors of advanced age, hand-eye coordination and balance deteriorate. One wrong step can mean a major fall and the injuries that come with it. Installing safety ramps over steps–be they just a few steps or a whole staircase leading to another floor– can help seniors get around the house safely.

Bathroom

Slick tiles and moisture create a prime environment for slip-and-falls. Installing grab bars along the bathroom walls can help a senior get in and out of a tub or shower safely. Bathtubs can be especially tricky. Add non-slip decals along the tub’s bottom. Decals are a cheap and easy way to improve friction for aging feet. If the home has a walk-in shower, consider installing a shower seat as well as a handheld shower-head so seniors can safely bathe while seated.

What Caregivers Can Do to Help

While most people would prefer aging-in-place to downsizing and moving to a senior living community, the average home is not equipped for a senior’s safety. Preventing falls by making simple home modifications can help make aging-in-place possible. Adding light, putting ramps over stairs, and reducing hazards in the bathroom are just a few of the ways you can help seniors prepare their home for the challenges aging presents.

Moving an Elderly Relative Into Your Home

March 2, 2018 by Lydia Chan

Inevitably, our parents will reach a point when they can no longer care for themselves. If old age, a disability or the death of a spouse has made independent living impossible for a loved one, you may have considered moving them into your home. Today, such an event can be particularly taxing on caregivers because, as research shows, the combined effect of families having children later in life and people living longer puts more and more adults in the difficult situation of having to care for their children and their parents simultaneously. If you are facing such a challenge, then consider these pointers for helping you ease the transition.

moving elderly relative — Moving an elderly relative into your house can go more smoothly if you hire movers, delegate, and ask for others in the family to participate.
Photo by Pixabay

Make the necessary home modifications

First, you will need to prepare your home for the arrival of your loved one. Start by designating an appropriate room for them. Choose one that is accessible to the home’s entrance and, most importantly, to a bathroom. You will need to declutter the space and remove rugs or other items that could present tripping hazards. Make the room inviting by decorating it with familiar items and photos.

Certain modifications to the home can make it safer and more comfortable for them. If there are stairs at your home’s entrance, you may want to have ramps installed if your loved one cannot take the stairs. This could cost you on average $1500-$3250, but, depending on the situation, it could make life much easier for the whole family.

While a walk-in tub is a nice bathroom feature, save yourself the expense of having one installed. Whether you have a tub or walk-in shower, there are simpler and less expensive ways to make bathing safer. Install safety bars on the walls and safety strips on the floor of the tub or walk-in shower to prevent falls. Use a chair inside of the tub or shower. And a bathtub transfer bench will make entering and exiting the tub easier and safer.

Moving is less stressful if you get help

While you’re busy preparing the house for your loved one’s arrival, enlist a friend or young family member to help them pack. They will need to assist your relative with deciding what to bring with them and then help them sell, donate or store the remaining items.

If you are juggling a job and parenthood, you may not be able to handle the move yourself, so you may want to consider hiring movers. If you leave moving day to the professionals, it will take the burden of packing and moving off of your shoulders, and will make the process of unpacking simpler, since the movers will have a system for keeping everything organized for you. It will also reduce the risk of someone getting injured and allow you to focus on what’s most important – caring for your family. Moving your loved one doesn’t have to cost much, and because it will make the whole experience much less stressful for you and your loved one, it will be money well-spent.

Delegate responsibilities

Once your relative has moved in, prevent caregiver stress syndrome by delegating responsibilities. One person can only do so much, so make sure everyone in the house contributes. Ask your spouse to take on some additional household chores and to assist with caregiving. Your children may also be able to help, but be careful not to give them too much responsibility, as it could have negative consequences for them. If your senior relative is healthy enough, they may even be able to help with certain tasks, like helping with homework or setting the table.

If it is time for your aging or disabled family member to move in with you and your family, you may worry about the stress it might cause. Make the process easier by asking other family members to help with packing while you prepare your home for your loved one’s arrival. For moving day, hire movers to do the heavy lifting and take the burden off of your hands. Lastly, if everyone pitches in, then no one person will become overburdened with responsibility. And don’t forget to enjoy and appreciate all of the quality time you will now have with your loved one!