HOW TO HELP SENIORS ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS

There are simple ways you can support an aging loved one you know and help seniors enjoy the holidays a little more this year. For most, the holidays bring feelings of joy, anticipation & excitement. Spending time with friends an family attending holiday gatherings and exchanging gifts all symbolize the season of goodwill. However, close to 18 million seniors live alone. Many often struggle with grief over the loss of a loved one, sadness, confusion and isolation, especially if they do not have family close by. This can bring on the holiday blues and make it difficult for seniors to enjoy this time of the year. Whether it’s an aging parent, friend or neighbor, there are simple ways you can help seniors enjoy the holiday a little more this year.

BE A COMPANION. Make it a point to visit and spend time with a senior(s) loved one. Participate in an activity, play their favorite game or ask them to tell you about their life. You can give a puzzle with the grand-great grand kids pictures on it. Make a Family Tree by printing out pictures of family and relatives & create a Family Photo Tree! Go to Tapestry Family Tree (thetapestree.com) or Simple Shapes Family Tree Wall Decal ($99), at Amazon.com. Storytelling and memory sharing is a great way to lift a senior’s spirit and important to the aging process. Listen to music, take them to a movie, play or out for dinner. You can also help them Skype. Zoom or Facetime so they can visit with out of town family or friends.

BE A CHEF. Prepare one of their favorite meals and stay to visit. Invite them to your home and help prepare a dinner with family and friends. Make a favorite recipe together. Family members need to include their loved one(s) and let them help with placing the table (for Memory patients…let them fold napkins, place silverware (with assistance if needed), be part of watching the cooking for the holiday meal(s).

BE A HOME HELPER. For some senior, housework can be difficult due to their mobility. Helping them around the house by cleaning, de-cluttering and picking up anything on the floor that could be a tripping hazard to ensure their safety. Help with yard work if needed by getting the outdoor Christmas decorations ready. (Keep it simple)

BE A CHAUFFEUR. About one in five seniors over the age of 75 do not drive. Offer to take them to the store, movies, doctor appointments, dental check ups and eye exams. If possible help take them to their senior center, volunteer opportunities and holiday events so they feel comfortable knowing there is someone to safely transport them…quality time.

BE SANTA’S LITTLE ELF. Help with setting up and decorating their Christmas tree or helping with putting ornaments on the tree. Help decorate their living area, or help with gift wrapping and write /mail their holiday cards. Make holiday cookies together.

The holidays can get busy, hectic and overwhelming for all of us. It’s important to remember what the holidays are all about—a season of peace, joy and giving! Remember the aging senior in your life. Just by spending time with them you can help them have a happy and joyous holiday!

Merry Christmas/Hanukkah to All! Keep Christ in your heart!!

Brenda Dever-Armstrong, CEO/Owner/CSA
The Next Horizon Seniors & Military Advocate/Resources/Services/Locator, www.nexthorizonlocators.com

Senior Article Nov: Veterans Day Facts and Information

Which is the Correct Spelling of Veterans Day:
Veterans Day does not include an apostrophe but does include an “s” at the end of “veterans” because it is not a day that “belongs” to veterans, it is a day for honoring all veterans.

What Day of Their Week is Veterans Day Observed:
Veterans Day is always observed officially on 11 November. However, when Veterans Day falls on a weekday, many communities choose to hold Veterans Day parades or other celebrations on the weekend before or after 11 November so more folks can participate.

What Is the Difference Between Veterans Day and Memorial Day:
Many folks confuse Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Memorial Day is a day for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. While those who died are also remembered, Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor all those who served honorably in the military – in wartime or peacetime. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank living veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our nation security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served-not only those who died-have sacrificed and done their duty.

Why are Red Poppies Worn on Veterans Day, And Where Can They Be Obtained:
The wearing of Poppies in honor of America’s war dead is traditionally done on Memorial Day, not Veterans Day. The practice of wearing of Poppies takes its origin from the poem in Flanders Fields, written in 1915 by John McCrae. A large number of Veterans organizations distribute Poppies annually on Memorial Day. You can find veterans groups on VA’s Veterans Day web page or Veterans Organization link on their web page.

Thank you all who have served, died serving our country, and serving today! God Bless America!

Brenda Dever-Armstrong, CEO/Owner/CSA/Geriatric Advisor
The Next Horizon Senior & Military (Veterans/Spouses) Advocate/Resources/Services/Placement
The Next Horizon Seniors & Military Advocate – https://www.nexthorizonlocators.com/
National Register Directory (NRD) – https://www.nrd.gov/

Medicare Open Enrollment – 15 October – 7 December 2024

The Medicare Open Enrollment starts from 15 October – 7 December 2024. This time frame gives you an opportunity to review your plan choice and make changes, if necessary. Review your current plan. Medicare has added more accepted care. Now, if your Veteran spouse served 20 years or more – after age of 65 you are covered with Tricare For Life…. Best coverage – Medicare (Primary) Tricare For Life (Secondary) – you do NOT need an additional medical insurance policy.

Major Medicare Changes For 2025 And How They Will Impact Your Coverage:

In 2025, Medicare will undergo some of the most significant changes in a generation. Changes to Medicare will include a $2,000 limit on out-of-pocket Part D drug costs, an opt-in payment plan, and some potential broad changes in Medicare Advantage plans.

Key Takeaways: Medicare changes include the elimination of the “donut hole” and a limit on how much you’ll pay out of pocket for covered prescription drugs.

There will be a new payment plan you can opt into to spread out your medication costs. A new optional payment plan can ease budgeting, particularly for expensive drugs. Depending upon the cost of your drug, remember out-of-pocket expenses are capped at $2,000 annually, you won’t pay more than $166.67 per month ($2,000 divided by 12).

In response to these changes, insurers will likely change pricing and coverage for Medicare Advantage and Part D plans.

Medicare Advantage beneficiaries should receive a letter in the middle of 2025 about unused benefits.

Other changes impact the availability of mental health care, prior authorization use, and unpaid caregiver support for Medicare recipients with dementia. Medicare aims to enhance access to these critical services.

*Check with your current medical plan and contact them with questions you may have or go onto the website: www.medicare.gov

Brenda Dever-Armstrong, CEO/Owner/CSA/Geriatric Advisor/Lifetime Advocate
The Next Horizon Senior & Military (Veterans/Spouses) Services/Resources/Locator

The Increasing Standards of Geriatric Care and Deducting the Cost of a Caregiver

Today’s facility needs to provide increased levels of both comfort and care. Here are six key criteria geriatric patients are using to measure hospitals and long term care residence.

  1. Quality of Care – This will Never change. Geriatric patients demand and expect top-notch care when they are in the hospital, rehap or Senior Living community. The Baby Boomers are demanding better care and doing their research on their condition and will ask questions to ensure they are receiving the best care from highly qualified personnel.
  2. “Privacy” – I Want A Door. HIPPA laws have led to a construction boom as hospital administrators strive to make Waiting Rooms, Treatment Bays, Exam Rooms and other areas of hospitals HIPPA compliant. They do not want to Share a Room!
  3. Room Comfort – Some hospitals are acting like hotels. More space for family to visit their loved one – some are like suites and provide additional luxuries. Requesting Unrestricted visiting hours, and on-site facilities for eating.
  4. Food Quality – Healthy and Tasty Diet. Emotional health is connected to physical health and physical health connected to a healthy diet. Providing healthier foods and diet will make the patient happier and healthier – improve & go home faster.
  5. Personnel with Professional and Caring Personalities. Patients rely heavily on facilities employees. When patients are ill or frightened, they need to feel confident they can depend upon staff to treat them correctly and with respect. Patients demand knowledgeable, efficient, comforting and – above all – pleasant staff.
  6. A Calm and Clean Environment. Every administrator knows that the better a patient feels emotionally, the faster they will heal physically. The atmosphere of the facility is one of the “key” things patients look for when deciding on a healthcare facility. Geriatric patients want tranquil environments that are tastefully decorated, cheerful and clean.

While these are not the only standards used to select healthcare facilities they are some of the Most important considerations. Facilities need to provide their patients in innovative ways, beyond their clinical needs, never forgetting that the quality of care and medical service is the Primary concern.

Can Someone Deduct the Cost of a Caregiver? With tax time upon us this is asked frequently. Our parent has a personal caregiver who works for them full time in their home. The parent(s) pay the cost of approx $4,000 per month out of their own income. Can they deduct the cost as a medical expense on their income tax?

Answer: YES, assuming they are “qualified long term care services.” To satisfy the IRS, one must have to verify primarily by a carefully written letter from her/his personal physician that: (a) she/he is chronically ill (b) the services are provided in accordance with the physician’s plan of care, and © she/he are required care and supervision to protect them from threats to health and safety due, for example: to her/his diminished capacity. A CPA will rely on Section 213 of the IRS Code in determining whether or not their care qualifies.

Note: Physicians do not think about tax deductions when they care for their patients. Its OK to tell them about this opportunity and about the need for an appropriate letter or written plan. Also, these expenses can only be itemized deductions if they exceed 7.5% of the patient(s) adjusted gross income. *Remember to issue 1099s for each of the Caregivers and submit to the IRS at year end. Check with your CPA…..

Brenda Dever-Armstrong, CEO/Owner/CSA/Geriatric Advisor/Lifetime Advocate
The Next Horizon Senior & Military (Veterans/Spouses) Services/Resources/Locator

HONORING FALLEN VETERANS ON MEMORIAL DAY

WAYS WE CAN PAY RESPECT TO THOSE WHO HAVE MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE

Since 1868, Americans have set aside one day a year to honor the over 1.1 million men & women who gave their lives while serving their country. While Memorial Day comes just once a year, VA and its employees uphold the meaning behind it each and every day by providing the best care possible to our Veterans.

Initially called Decoration Day because families & friends would spend the day decorating the graves of their fallen loved one; the day was renamed Memorial Day during WWII and became a federal holiday in 1971. It serves to honor the men & women whose lives & actions in battle helped to shape not just our Nation, but the World! Whether they were present when the first shot was fired at Lexington & Concord or they’ve walked the streets of Baghdad, they’ve had a direct impact on history.

A simple way to both show your respect & support living Veterans & their families is through the purchase of a RED POPPY, known as the “flower of remembrance,” the poppy gained popularity after Canadian surgeon, Lt Colonel John McGrae, penned the poem “In Flanders’Field” during WWI. He describes the crimson flowers growing between the crosses marking the graves of those who fell during that pivotal battle. It was proclaimed the official memorial flower of the VFW in 1922. Now, artificial poppies are manufactured by patients & residents in VA hospitals and homes, with proceeds going to support Veterans, widows and orphans affected by war. By purchasing and wearing a red poppy, you can honor Memorial Day while making a difference in a living Veteran’s life.

Fly your American flag at half-staff. Guidelines: when putting the flag at half-staff, raise it quickly to the top of the staff, then slowly lower it halfway down. The flag should only be flown at half-staff from dawn until noon before being raised to full-staff until sunset.

Take time on Memorial Day to pause for the National Moment of remembrance. At 3 pm local time, take one minute to pause and reflect on the sacrifices made by those who have lost their lives fighting for the United States! If you are driving, turn your headlights on to show your participation. SPREAD THE TRUE MEANING BEHIND MEMORIAL DAY…..

Each and every day beyond Memorial Day, over 365,000 VA employees dedicate their lives to serve those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Brenda Dever-Armstrong, CEO/Owner/CSA/Geriatric Advisor
The Next Horizon Seniors & Military (Veterans/Spouses) Advocate/Resources/Services/Locator (Military Spouse of 40 years)

HOW TO RESEARCH A SURGEON

Here is a four-step process to find out most everything you need to know about a surgeon’s background & skill level.

  1. CONFIRM STATE CREDENTIALS. The Federation of State Medical Boards can tell you if the surgeon is licensed in your state. Go to fsmb.org and click on Consumer Resources to get to the free tool, “Learn About Your Physician.”
  2. CONFIRM SURGICAL CERTIFICATION. To find out if the surgeon is board certified or eligible in a particular specialty, check with the American Board of Medical Specialties (go to certificationmatters.org). Board Certified means a physician has undergone lengthy training in a specialty and passed a stringent exam. It means the doctor has finished the appropriate residency but has yet to pass the test. It’s OK for young doctors to be board eligible – they have a few years to take the test. But, thee ABMS recently issued a ruling that physicians who try to use the term “board eligible” for their entire careers face penalties.
  3. UNCOVER PROFESSIONAL REPRIMANDS. Knowing if a doctor has been sanctioned by a professional licensing board should be an essential part of your search. For a $9 fee, the Federation of State Medical Boards will provide the disciplinary history of specific doctors in any state (click Credentialing, then Physician Data Services on its website). State medical boards also have doctor profiles that include board certifications, board actions, criminal convictions and medical malpractice claims. There are links to state websites; go to fsmb.org/policy/contacts.
  4. CHECK RATINGS, NUMBER OF PROCEDURES PERFORMED & COMPLICATION RATES: Pro-Publica & Consumers’ Checkbook both have websites where they rate surgeons & provide information on the number of procedures and complication rates, based on recent Medicare data. Plug in your zip code at the ProPublica website and you will find a directory of local hospitals that perform eight common procedures, along with surgeons on staff who perform them, the number of procedures they have done and their complication rates. SurgeonRatings.org from the nonprofit group provides a more comprehensive analysis that encompasses more than 5 million operations performed by 50,000 surgeons. It compares surgeons’ results for 12 types of surgery.

SURGERIES & SIDE EFFECTS: These 10 are the most common surgeries for Americans over 50, and the most common complications.

CATARACT REMOVAL: Complication: Posterior capsule opacity (blurry or cloudy vision develops after surgery. (Occurrence 20%)

PACEMAKER IMPLANT: Complication: Hematoma (a collection of blood outside a blood vessel) (Occurrence 2.2% patients over 70)

COLECTOMY: (partial or total colon removal). Complication: infection (Occurrence 12.4%)

CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS: Complication: Atrial Fibrillation (irregular heartbeat). (Occurrence About 24%)

HIP REPLACEMENT: Complication: Dislocation (Occurrence 2%)

KNEE REPLACEMENT: Complication: Blood Clot (Occurrence 1%)

PROSTRATE REMOVAL: Complication: Bleeding (Occurrence 5.3%)

INGUINAL HERNIA: Complication: Infection (Occurrence 0.2% (laparoscopic surgery), 0.3% (open surgery)

CHOLECYSTECTOMY: (gallbladder removal) Complication: Infection (Ocurrence 1% (laparoscopic surgery), 7.6% (open surgery)

APPENDECTOMY: (appendix removal) Complication: infection (Occurrence: 1.9% (laparoscopic surgery), 4.3% (open surgery))

*Information provided by International Journal of Surgery

 
Brenda Dever-Armstrong, CEO/Owner/Senior Advisor
The Next Horizon Seniors & Military (Veterans/Spouses) Advocate/Resources/Services/Locator
Business Cell: 210-275-3002
www.nexthorizonlocators.com