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Medicare and Medicaid are government-backed healthcare programs that serve different groups of people and have different eligibility requirements.

It’s important to understand the differences between them and how each one works,

so that if you’re eligible for either or both, you can receive all the benefits offered to you.

What Is Medicare?

Medicare is a federal program that provides healthcare coverage in “parts.”

Part A provides coverage for hospital insurance, and

Part B provides coverage for outpatient services.

Medicare Advantage, also known as Medicare Part C,

covers everything included in Original Medicare and bundles Part A and Part B into a single plan.

These plans usually include additional benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t offer, provided by private insurers who follow guidelines set by the federal government.

Who Is Eligible for Medicare?

• People 65 + years of age who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
• Most people eligible for Social Security are also eligible
• People younger than 65 with certain disabilities qualify, as well as those who are on dialysis or have had a kidney transplant.

What Does Medicare Cover?

(Part A) Original Medicare covers

• hospital stays
• skilled nursing
• home health care
• hospice care

(Part B) Also, covers

• doctor’s visits
• preventive care
• mental health services
• physical therapy
• occupational therapy
• lab services and other outpatient services

It doesn’t cover (unless performed in the hospital under Part A).

• prescription drugs
• eyeglasses
• hearing aids
• dental care

People who choose Original Medicare can buy prescription drug coverage with a standalone plan known as Part D.

Medicare Advantage covers everything included in Original Medicare.

Also includes prescription drug coverage and frequently offer dental and vision coverage, hearing aids and fitness benefits.

What Is Medicaid?

Medicaid is a joint program between federal and state governments that makes sure people with low incomes have healthcare access.

Who Is Eligible for Medicaid?

Medicaid provides health coverage for

• families & children
• pregnant women
• the elderly
• people with disabilities
• some people with low incomes.

In the 39 states that agreed to implement the latest expansion of Medicaid.

Most adults under the age of 65 who have an income lower than 138% of the federal poverty level are eligible.

In 2021, that amount is $12,880 for an individual and $21,960 for a family of three.

If you live in one of the 12 states that chose not to expand Medicaid.

Coverage for nonelderly adults is limited to people

• who have a child
• pregnant women
• people who have a disability

What Does Medicaid Cover?

Some benefits must be offered in all plans across all states, according to federal guidelines, including:

• Coverage for hospital stays
• Outpatient hospital services
• Laboratory and X-ray services
• Family planning services
• Nursing facility services
• Home health services
• Doctor visits
• Transportation to medical care

Some of the optional benefits states can choose to offer include:

• Prescription drugs
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech, hearing, and language disorder services
• Respiratory care services
• Optometry services
• Dental services

If you think you might be eligible for Medicaid or are making sense of your Medicare options, understanding what these programs cover and who they’re forwill help you choose the option that works best for you.

For more information, visit the Medicare and Medicaid websites.

Special Thanks to Kate Kelly from Forbes for this amazing content

See full article here

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The time to start researching senior care facilities, experts recommend, is before you need one.

The choices are numerous, and if you don’t fully understand the differences among your options, you risk making the wrong choice for your loved one.

There are four different types of long-term care facilities, according to the National Institute on Aging:

• Assisted living facilities
• Skilled nursing facilities
• Board and care homes
• Continuing care retirement communities

 Home-Based Care

Many elders prefer to remain at home as long as possible. If the elder has enough support from adult children or other friends and relatives to help.

Such as shopping, cleaning, driving and other so-called activities of daily living. If not, they may need to enlist a home care agency or hire an eldercare aide.

Home care is an optional service under Medicaid and Medicare typically doesn’t cover home care at all.

That means paying out of pocket or with a long-term care insurance policy.

Assisted Living Facility

Assisted living facilities, as the name implies, offer some assistance to residents in their activities of daily living.

These facilities are an option for seniors who can still take care of themselves most of the time but could use some help with things like:

• House cleaning
• Household chores
• Laundry/Cooking
• Bathing or Showering
• Medication Management

A typical assisted living facility includes a few support services in its basic agreements, and the resident can then sign up for additional services a la carte at an additional cost.

Many of these facilities are like high-end apartment complexes or housing developments, in that they include common areas like dining rooms, a gym and community rooms and most offer three meals a day for those who don’t want to cook.

An assisted living facility does not offer and cannot provide more intensive medical or daily living care, however for elders who need a higher level of care, a skilled nursing facility is a better option.

Skilled Nursing Facility

A skilled nursing facility offers the same services for daily living that assisted living can provide, but they also have trained and registered nursing staff for:

• Nursing care
• Rehabilitation services such as
  • physical
  • occupational
  • speech therapy
• Aid getting dressed
• in and out of bed Frequent
• daily medical management for chronic conditions

 Board and Care Homes

Board and care homes, the National Institute on Aging says, are sometimes known as residential care facilities or group homes.

These are similar to an assisted living facility, but are smaller residences of 20 or fewer who live in private or shared rooms.

These facilities have staff available 24/7 to help with activities of daily living, and they usually include meals, but not skilled nursing or medical care.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Continuing care retirement communities, sometimes called life care communities, are “full service” communities that include most or all of the above options all in one location.

For example, first move into an independent housing unit and then transition into assisted living housing when some daily activities become difficult.

Later, when health deteriorates, there is skilled nursing care right next door.

We are all prone to resolving a problem at hand, but not thinking about what could be coming in the future.

Thank you to David Levine and U.S News for this content.

See full article here

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One of the most difficult things to hear about dementia is that, dementia is irreversible and incurable.

However, with an early diagnosis and proper care, the progression of some forms of dementia can be managed and slowed down.

The cognitive decline that accompanies dementia conditions does not happen all at once.

The progression of dementia can be divided into seven distinct, identifiable stages.

Learning about the stages of dementia can help with identifying signs and symptoms early on.

As well as assisting sufferers and caretakers in knowing what to expect in further stages.

Stage 1: No Cognitive Decline

At this stage of dementia development, a patient generally does not exhibit any significant problems with memory, or any cognitive impairment.

Stage 2: Age Associated Memory Impairment

This stage, dementia features occasional lapses of memory most frequently seen in

Forgetting where one has placed an object and forgetting names that were once very familiar

Oftentimes, this mild decline in memory is merely normal age-related cognitive decline.

But it can also be one of the earliest signs of degenerative dementia.

Stage 3: Mild Cognitive Impairment

Clear cognitive problems begin to manifest in stage 3.

A few signs of stage 3 dementia include:

• Getting lost easily
• Noticeably poor performance at work
• Forgetting the names of family members and close friends
• Difficulty retaining information read in a book or passage
• Losing or misplacing important objects
• Difficulty concentrating

Patients who may be in this stage of dementia are encouraged to have a clinical interview with a clinician for proper diagnosis.

Stage 4: Mild Dementia

At this stage, individuals may start to become socially withdrawn and show changes in personality and mood.

Denial of symptoms as a defense mechanism is commonly seen in stage 4.

Behaviors to look for include:

• Decreased knowledge of current and/or recent events
• Difficulty remembering things about personal history
• Decreased ability to handle finances, arrange travel plans
• Disorientation
• Difficulty recognizing faces and people

In stage 4 dementia, individuals have no trouble recognizing familiar faces or traveling to familiar locations.

However, patients in this stage will often avoid challenging situations in order to hide symptoms or prevent stress or anxiety.

Stage 5: Moderate Dementia

Patients in stage 5 need some assistance in order to carry out their daily lives.

The main sign for stage 5 dementia is the inability to remember major details like,

The name of a close family member and a home address.

Patients may become disoriented about:

• the time and place
• trouble making decisions
• forgeting basic information about themselves, like
  • telephone number
  • home address

While moderate dementia can interfere with basic functioning, patients.

At this stage they do not need assistance with basic functions such as using the bathroom or eating.

Stage 6: Moderately Severe Dementia

When the patient begins to forget the names of their children, spouse, or primary caregivers.

They are most likely entering stage 6 of dementia and will need full time care.

In the sixth stage, patients are generally unaware of their surroundings. 

Also cannot recall recent events, and have skewed memories of their personal past.

Caregivers and loved ones should watch for:

• Delusional behavior
• Obsessive behavior and symptoms
• Anxiety, aggression, and agitation
• Loss of willpower

Patients may begin to wander, have difficulty sleeping, and in some cases will experience hallucinations.

Stage 7: Severe Dementia

Along with the loss of motor skills, patients will progressively lose the ability to speak. 

Severe dementia frequently entails the loss of all verbal and speech abilities.

Loved ones and caregivers will need to help the individual with walking, eating, and using the bathroom.

By identifying the earliest stages of dementia as they occur, you may be able to seek medical treatment quickly.

And delay the onset of later stages.

The more aware you are of these stages, the quicker you will be able to react. 

And seek help, either for yourself or for a loved one.

Thank you to Dementia.org for this content.

See full article here

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As your parents age, you may become more involved in their medical care. They may ask you to drive them to appointments or help make decisions about their care. As you do this, you may find you need to get access to their health records.

HIPAA prevents the distribution of medical information to anyone other than the patient, your senior loved one will need to grant you permission (if they choose to do so).

Here are some tips to help get the information you need to be able to best assist your loved one:

1. Your parent or loved one is in charge.

They have the right to designate who they want to have access to their medical records. If that person is not you, be respectful of their decision.

2. Have your loved one fill out the right form.

When the patient goes into the hospital or doctor’s office, they should specifically ask to fill out a form that says who can get access to their health records.

3. Ask your loved one if they want you present during the medical visit.

A doctor is allowed to give information to a spouse or family member if he or she is present during a doctor’s visit, or a hospital stay. If the senior has a family member come with them to the doctor, the doctor can assume that the senior wants the family member to have access to the senior’s medical information unless the senior states otherwise.

4. Have your loved one complete a living will.

A living will is a legal document that states who may make decisions about the patient’s healthcare in the event they are unable to make decisions themselves.

With a little extra attention and planning, you will be able to help your parent or loved one with their medical care.

Thank you to Lori-Ann Rickard from MyHealthSpin.com for this content.

See full article HERE.

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For many seniors, it can be difficult to stay positive and happy during this time.

To help seniors combat the isolation, lack of activity, and depression that might occur during the holidays, it’s important to stay educated and proactive.

1. Reminisce in a Positive Way

Memories of holidays past can drum up bad feelings during the holiday season for many seniors. Instead of dwelling on things that are now different, focus on all the good that has happened. Take out old pictures, sing old songs, and remind yourself what the holidays are all about.

2. Take Control of Finances

While it is common to feel like you need to spend a lot of money during the holiday season, that is a feeling that must be forgotten. Before you become over-stressed about the financial burden of the holidays, get ahead of the game by creating a budget and plan before the season hits.

 3. Get in the Spirit with Holiday Traditions

If you’re feeling the blues, try reminding yourself about the greater parts of the holiday season, like the food, decorations, and entertainment. Bake cookies and pies, watch your favorite holiday movies, make crafts, and hum along to your favorite holiday tunes.

Sometimes, participating in holiday activities can help not only get you in the spirit, but also become a time to connect with the people you love and make memories.

4. Be Honest and Talk It Out

It can be hard to admit when you have feelings of loneliness, depression, or are simply not feeling celebratory this holiday season. Talk about your feelings of isolation or loneliness with family, friends, caregivers, or even a licensed professional.

All of these people not only provide emotional support but also help you find solutions to the issues you are currently facing.

 5. Connect with Those Who Matter Most

For seniors having a difficult time, connecting with the people you love can be of tremendous help. Technology is a great way to stay connected with loved ones who don’t live nearby.

For those who are not able to see in person, set up a day and time of the week that works for both parties to speak on the phone.

By taking care of our senior loved ones, the holidays can be a time of celebration, love, and hope for everyone.

Thank you, Michelle Cemental of Caring Senior Services for this article

Click HERE for full article.

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