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Guest Blog: The Latest Changes in Medicare for Respite Care

12/6/2019

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This post features a guest blogger, Danielle K. Roberts, a Medicare expert and regular writer for online publications. You can learn more about her work at www.daniellekroberts.com.
According to the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC), there are over 40 million unpaid caregivers in the United States. Of that 40-plus million, nearly 80% care for a senior who likely has Medicare.
For all the caregivers do, it’s astonishing that most are unpaid. According to the AARP Public Policy Institute, unpaid caregivers had a value of $470 billion in 2013 alone.

The average caregiver cares for a loved one for 4 years, according to the NAC. However, nearly 40% of caregivers provide care for more than 5 years.

Although caring for a loved one can be very rewarding, it can also cause a lot of stress, especially for unpaid caregivers who rarely take time off. Thankfully, Medicare has slightly upped its game in the respite care field.

What is respite careMedicare defines respite care as “temporary care provided in a nursing home, hospice inpatient facility, or hospital so that a caregiver can rest or take some time off.” In short, respite care is a caregiver’s vacation.

When Original Medicare Covers Respite CareOriginal Medicare consists of two parts, Part A and Part B. Part A is your in-patient hospital stay benefits, while Part B is your outpatient benefits. Part A covers respite care for its beneficiaries’ caregivers if the beneficiary is officially on hospice care.

To be on hospice care, the beneficiary must be certified as terminally ill with less than 6 months to live, accept care solely for comfort, and sign an official document stating he or she is choosing hospice care over trying to cure illness.

Once hospice care has started, caregivers can request respite care whenever they need time away. Part A allows up to 5 consecutive days of respite care at a time, and only on an occasional basis. The beneficiary can get respite care in the hospital, in a hospice facility, or in a nursing home.

If the beneficiary doesn’t have a Medigap plan that covers the Part A coinsurance, then there may be a 5% coinsurance charge for each respite care stay. Many Medigap plans cover the Part A hospice coinsurance.

When Part C covers respite careMedicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, is a part of Medicare that combines your Part A, Part B, and usually, Part D benefits into one plan. These plans are sold by private insurance carriers, such as United Healthcare, Cigna, and Aetna.

Part C plans are required to offer the same benefits as Original Medicare at a minimum. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t offer better coverage. Also, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) allow Part C plans to offer a few additional benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t offer.

For example, Original Medicare doesn’t cover respite care unless the beneficiary is on hospice care. As of 2019, Medicare Advantage plans are allowed to offer respite care under their own rules. Your loved one may be able to get respite care without being under hospice care.

Each Medicare Advantage plan has its own set of rules and pricing for services. Because of this, you need to read plan brochures carefully to see what’s covered. If your loved one wants a Medicare Advantage plan offering respite care coverage, compare plans in your area prior to the Annual Election Period that runs from October 15th until December 7th.
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Alternatively, you can look into short term respite care at facilities such as adult daycares, nursing homes, and in-home care. You may have to pay for these services yourself, but check with your local Area Agency on Aging to see if help is available. 
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The First Thanksgiving

11/28/2019

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In September 1620, the Mayflower and the Speedwell, set sail from England bearing 102 passengers - 50 men, 19 women, 33 children and young people. 41 were "Puritan Separatists, who were fleeing 
England for more religious freedom; and 61 "Strangers", those who were not going for any religious reason. They were aiming for Northern Virginia, but being blown off course, they landed, in mid-November, near Cape Cod, outside the jurisdiction of the Virginia Company and the charter. Being in a situation where they could descend into chaos, the men on the ship signed the Mayflower Compact, establishing a "civil body politic" to keep them together as they embarked into a brave new world. 

The Pilgrims lived on the Mayflower through much of the winter, ferrying back and forth to build their settlement and storage. The conditions were cold and deplorable, a bitter winter. Over half of the original settlers died that first winter. In the spring and summer of 1621, a Native American, Squanto - who had been captured by John Smith in 1614-15, taken to England bound for slavery, but escaped and returned to North America - encountered and proceeded to help the settlers learn to plant, hunt, harvest and live in this "New World". He acted as liaison and translator between the local tribes and the Pilgrims.

In the fall of 1621, in the midst of abundance, the Pilgrims and the Natives shared a feast in celebration of the magnificent harvest, and peace. This is now known as the First Thanksgiving.
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Today is Thanksgiving. While we watch the Macy's Day Parade, football, spend time with friends and family, and eat until we are fit to bust, remember what the first members of Thanksgiving endured. That first Thanksgiving demonstrates to us a unity of peace and abundance. Think about sharing with those less fortunate and how we can pave a smoother road for generations to come. From our family to yours:
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The Value of Gratitude

11/22/2019

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"Gratitude in advance is the most powerful creative force in the universe."
~ Neale Donald Walsh ~

Next week is Thanksgiving. It marks the beginning of the Holidays and catapults us into a frenzy of shopping, football, presents, parties, family, friends, food and many missions of giving back. All good things!...

...But in this day and age, with the level of information and visual stimulation we are exposed to, it can be overwhelming and highly taxing. It can get to the point that someone wants to get past the season, to the new year, and away from the elevated hubbub. Nobody likes a scrooge.

We've all heard the saying about having an attitude of gratitude. Science is now backing that up. Studies show that saying thank you helps to motivate people - ie. a manager thanking an employee regularly may see an increase in productivity. Being thankful is great for our health too, especially emotional. It strengthens our bonds with people. 

How can we cultivate gratitude in this season? Make a list of positives in your life. Write thank you notes to people for gifts that you receive this holiday. Keep a journal of what you are thankful for. See what you can do to pay it forward.

For more on the science behind gratitude, check these out.
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier
- ​https://www.heysigmund.com/the-science-of-gratitude/
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Fall Safety for Seniors, Especially Alz

11/15/2019

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November is National Alzheimer's Awareness Month. Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia and the 6th leading cause of death in the United States (5th among those 65 and older). One in 10 people over the
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age of 65 will be diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. How do we keep them safe and with a better quality of life, even as their health will decline? People with Alzheimers and dementia may be prone to wander and lose their ability to make good decisions.  Here are some tips.

- Take inventory of their environment - look at cleaning chemicals, doors and windows, work rooms...places that require them to have supervision. Apply locks that can prevent them from getting out, and consider security cameras. 
- Make sure all safety alarms are working - carbon monoxide detectors, smoke detectors, Life Alerts, motion detectors to make sure they don't wander off etc.
- Make sure walkways and hallways are clear of all tripping hazards and well-lit. 
- The person in charge of medical decisions for the diagnosed person should make sure they receive their flu shot.
- Lock away all medications to keep out of reach. 

These are just a few. Visit www.alz.org for extensive information.
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Do You Know the Difference?

11/11/2019

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Today, many Veterans from around the state will be welcomed into the elementary, middle and high schools for ceremonies and breakfasts / lunches in their honor. They will be thanked for their service. This Monday is Veterans Day.

Somehave asked, "isn't Veterans Day in May?"..."Isn't Memorial Day (in May) when we thank Veterans?"...Well, what's the difference between Memorial Day (last Monday in May) and Veterans' Day (every November 11)? 

Key Difference
Memorial Day is designated to honor and remember the fallen soldiers who have died in service to our country. Veterans Day is appointed to recognize and honor living Veterans for their service to our country. However, there is natural crossover.

What Can Do Both
While both days have a particular focus, we can acknowledge both on either of these days. It is important to remember the fallen and honor the living Veterans. Their stories are the foundations of this nation, and of our own paths.

This Monday, November 11, 2019, honor these living Veterans for the service and sacrifice. Remember those who fell so that we can live free.
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Golden Nuggets, November 2019

11/8/2019

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A publication of Golden Horizons Elder Care Services, Inc.
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Now is the time to take your car in for routine maintenance, make sure your gutters are clear, prepare kits for your home and car in case of emergency, ie. losing electricity. Making 
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preparations is often the key to success in any situation.

Speaking of preparations, the start of the cold weather
also hails the arrival of the holidays. At the end of this
​month, we will celebrate 

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A Message from the Office

As I look outside, the trees are nearly bare. The sun is casting long shadows; the air is decidedly crisp and cool. We are entering the late fall and winter months, with cold weather and shortened days. ​
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Thanksgiving, ushering in the
festive season. It is the perfect time for reflection on our our many blessings. There are many, around the world and in our own back yard, who are less fortunate than us. Take the opportunity to pay it forward - help with a soup kitchen, donate clothes and shoes to a Good Will, make a monetary donation to an international 
organization like Charity Water. 
There is so much darkness in the world. During the shorter, darker days of this season, be someone’s light. 
~ Golden Horizons Office Team ~

Safety Tip of the Month

​This morning, when we walked into the office, the was a loud beep alerting us that the smoke alarm needed a new battery. We promptly replaced it. 

Heading into the winter months, it is imperative that keep our smoke and carbon monoxide detectors at the ready with routine maintenance and fresh batteries. With cold weather, we keep our windows closed, and 
many use wood stove or fireplaces as heat sources. While
these steps help create a warm environment, they increase the chances of carbon monoxide build up and house fire, respectively. Tested, working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors may mean the difference between life and death. 
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Mr. W's Newsletter Inspiration

“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”
​~ Frederick Douglass ~
​Cultural Tidbit
Frederick Douglass (birth name Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey) was a reknowned American statesmen, orator,  author, minister, social reformer and, most famously, an abolitionist (anti-slavery activist). Born c. February1818, he successfully (after 2 other attempts) escaped slavery in Maryland on September 3, 1838, with the encouragement of Anna Murray, a free black woman from Baltimore he fell in love with. Once free, she joined
Douglass. They married September 15, 1838, settled inNew Bedford, adopted the Douglass surname, and went
on to have 5 children. Douglass’ slave mistress had taught him the rudiments of reading around age 12, before her 
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Frederick Douglass did not smile in pictures. The Reason: Southern slave owners and supporters perpetuated a false narrative of the "Happy Slave", singing all day as they went about their work. It was reinforced through racist caricatures and blackface minstrelsy shows that mocked African Americans as lazy, dumb, care free, superstitious, unintelligent. Frederick Douglass didn't smile in photographs taken of him aimed to resist and counter the caricatures of the black man.
husband stopped her. With these basics, he educated himself, and went on to become one of America’s most famous abolitionists, underground railroad conductor, womens’ suffrage activist, and world changer. He died at 77, on February 20, 1895; a life
​well-lived.

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Open Enrollment

11/1/2019

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November 1, 2019, starts open enrollment for health insurance in the federal and state public market places. 

Your health is one of your most important assets. If your health is bad, it will affect your income generating ability, your quality of life, and so much more. Don't take it lightly. Get your health insurance and have peace of mind knowing that, if something happens, you are covered. 
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Health Literacy, Open Enrollment

10/25/2019

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Health Literacy Month

Your health is your best asset. If you're not in good health, it effects every aspect of your life - income earning potential, moods, mobility, attitudes. Are you making the best decisions regarding your health? Do you
understand whta the doctor is talking about in your diagnosis? Do you know what resources are available to you for your health?

According to Title V of the ACA of 2010, health literacy is 
“the degree to which an individual has the capacity to obtain, communicate, process, and understand basic health information and services to make appropriate health decisions.”  It is high time we got on the bandwagon to understanding health, wellness and the resources available to us.

As we discussed in our October edition of the Golden Nuggets Newsletter, October is Health Literacy Month.  In 1999, Dr. Helen Osborne M.Ed., OTR/L, founded Health Literacy Month to raise awareness about the need for better health literacy and provide education. Today, 20 years on, it is a worldwide campaign.

Open Enrollment

Health insurance professionals are entering their 'extremely' busy season. Open enrollment for different health insurance programs are in the beginning stages. Here are some dates:
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The open enrollment period for Medicare is October 15-December 7, 2019. Open enrollment for federal healthcare marketplace is November 1-December 15, 2019. Open enrollment for Access Health CT is November 1-January 15, 2019; it was extended. 

Visit resources below for more:
-https://www.healthcare.gov/blog/when-is-2019-open-enrollment/
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-​https://www.medicareresources.org/faqs/when-is-the-next-medicare-open-enrollment-period/
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-https://agency.accesshealthct.com/access-health-ct-extends-2019-health-insurance-open-enrollment-period
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Pink About It

10/18/2019

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It's October again everybody! You know what that means...
It's time to pink about it. 

Pink is the color for the Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, a global endeavor to educate and raise funds to beat the disease.
Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in women worldwide, and the second most frequent overall. Every October we recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a global campaign, involving thousands of organizations, focused on raising awareness, education and funds for research for better treatments and cures for breast cancer. This month, wear pink, get your mammogram, and see what local events are happening; join the fight! Sources: www.wcrf.org, www.wearitpink.org, www.nationalbreastcancer.org
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Golden Nuggets, October 2019

10/9/2019

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A publication of Golden Horizons Elder Care Services, Inc.

A Message for the Office

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​Buckle up everyone! We’re getting ready for the holiday
months. Columbus Day, Halloween, fall festivals, vibrant
foliage, pumpkin spice lattes, sweaters and more!

October kicks us off with several observances. The most
well known is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A lesser
known one is Emotional Wellness Month. When it comes to health, there is a wealth of information on the physical, but we are playing catch up when it comes to mental, spiritual and emotional. As the weather turns colder and the days get shorter, many people descend into darker moods. It is sometimes known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and while its symptoms may come and go with the seasons, other disorders, like depression may linger. If you, or someone you know suffers from these, please see a professional. Our health is one of our most precious assets, emotions included.
~ Golden Horizons Office Team

Mr. W's Newsletter Inspiration

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
~ Laozi ~
Cultural Tidbit: Laozi (sometimes rendered Lao Tsu or Lao Tsi) is a famous Chinese figure - ancient philosopher, credited author of the philosophical treatise Tao Te Ching,
reputed founder of Taoism, recognized deity in Taoism and other Chinese religions. 
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*sometimes rendered Lao Tsu ​or Lao Tsi
The historical figure of Laozi is wrapped in myth and legend. In one account, he is recorded as a contemporary of Confucius. In another, he was the Keeper of the Archives for the royal court of Zhou. As Taoism took root as a religion, Laozi took on the persona of a deity. In the mid-20th century, the historicity of Laozi and his authorship of Tao Te Ching (now believed to be the work of many Taoist writers) came into question. What is not in question is the contribution of Laozi to world history. 

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    Golden Horizons Elder Care Services are registered with the State of CT as a Homemaker-Companion Agency. The well-being of the aging is their primary purpose. Your loved ones are in caring hands with Golden Horizons. Golden Horizons' offices are located in Old Saybrook, and Groton, Connecticut, USA.

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