God's Calling?

Yesterday I went to Methodist West Hospital (where Gordo used to go) to see one of our patients who is also a special friend of our family.

 “Tis the season” … so I bought one of those silly reindeer headbands, picked up a poinsettia for my friend and filled my work bag with candy canes.  Yes … I have no shame!

I took the elevator to the 6^th floor … holding my head (with antlers) high … hoping that my emotions would not get the better of me … as this was the floor dad ALWAYs went to and where he passed away two months ago.

Luckily my friend’s room was right next to the nurse’s station ... so I went directly in. We chatted for about 30 minutes. She started getting tired, so her nurse and I helped get my 80 ish years old friend and her healing hip back into bed.

I passed back by the nurses’ station … handed them all candy canes and thanked them for the job that they do. Then it occurred to me ... to (personally) thank them for caring for my dad over the past few years. Then one of the nurses said … “We thought you were Mr. Cave’s daughter. So sorry for your loss.” WOW! They actually remembered!

Feeling rather warm and grateful in my heart … I decided to stop at the ER on my way out and thank them as well.

Got nothing but smiles as I walked through the halls … then I had to chuckle … remembering … that it was due to the crazy headband on my head.

I reached the ER nursing station. One of the nurses looked up and said … “You are one of Mr. Cave’s daughters … right? He wore those baseball caps and loved Lady Gaga.”  I was stunned … told her that he had passed, but wanted to thank her and all the others who took such great care of him. Explained my new career in home healthcare … handed her some candy canes and was about to leave … until she asked me to wait. She picked up the phone and told the person on the other line to come to the desk … Mr. Cave’s daughter has something to tell you.

The next thing I knew … I was surrounded by several nurses who shared Gordo stories and gave their condolences.

My eyes began welling up with tears … so I told them that I had to go. As I turned around to leave … one of them said … “Cora … I do believe you found your calling”.

I think that perhaps she’s right. We’ll see.

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.”

Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Truth

The Truth About Medicare!*

Some widely held beliefs about Medicare are misguided or wrong.

 Here, we separate fact from fiction:

Myth: Medicare provides cheap health care.

Fact: It’s true that most people don’t have to pay monthly premiums on Medicare Part A (which covers inpatient stays in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, hospice and home care. But you will have to meet a deductible before your Part A coverage takes effect.

Myth: Everybody pays the same premium for Part B (which covers doctor visits).

Fact: For the vast majority of Medicare beneficiaries, that’s true (and for them the monthly premium this year has been $104.90).

Myth: Everybody pays the same premium for Part D (which covers prescription drugs.)

Fact: There are 31 Part D prescription drug plans offered for sale in the Houston metropolitan area for consumers that have original Medicare. These Part D drug plans have different costs and coverage associated with each one. It is a good idea to investigate these thoroughly to determine which one is right for you.

Myth: Medicare automatically covers everything.

Fact: Not true, it is a good idea to investigate the coverage you need and what is offered to determine what coverage is best to meet your individual needs.

Myth: You should sign up for Medicare as soon as possible even if you’re working.

Fact: When it comes to Part A, which covers hospitalization, that’s probably a good move. As for Part B, which covers doctors’ visits, the federal government suggests that you wait to sign up, since your at-work insurance is still the primary payer for those medical bills. Visit the Social Security Administration’s website (www.ssa.gov) to sign up, or call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213.

Myth: Medicare covers all hospital stays equally.

Fact: Unfortunately, whether a person is classified as an actual “inpatient” or only “under observation” can make a huge difference in the amount he or she may be responsible for. To qualify for Skilled Nursing Facility care, a person must have been a patient in a hospital for three consecutive days. But if that patient is only in the hospital “for observation,” he or she may be liable for additional charges during the stay – as well as all follow-up skilled nursing facility care. To help prevent this happening, ask the patient’s doctor, and the hospital, to clarify your status.

Myth: When it comes to prescription drug costs, you can’t get help from anywhere but Medicaid.

Fact: Many pharmaceutical companies have Prescription Assistance Programs (PAPs) to help qualified patients pay for medications. Click here https://www.medicare.gov/pharmaceutical-assistance-program/Index.aspx to see what medicines are covered under these programs. You can also check here https://www.medicare.gov/pharmaceutical-assistance-program/state-programs.aspx to see if your state has a Pharmaceutical Assistance Program.

Aging in Place

I continue to get my “Learn On” with regard to our aging population.

One of the buzz phrases I keep hearing is … “Aging in Place”.

What that basically means is … the ability to live in one's own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level.

There are several types of proactive and re active home modifications that might provide folks with more options and abilities to stay in their own homes longer without having to move to an assisted living facility, a family member’s home, a personal care home or a nursing home.

This this article was a good read.

Gives us all something to think about.

http://www.rd.com/home/improvement/5-universal-design-needs-for-aging-in-place

Do it NOW!

I spent a lot of time today with a director of an Alzheimer’s care facility.

The biggest takeaway was something I (personally) did and just assumed many knew about. WRONG!

Please … please … please have your folks or loved ones who are getting old … sign a Medical Power of Attorney while they are lucid and understand. Without this you cannot even talk to their physician if and when the patient can no longer make rational decisions about their own healthcare.

You can’t place them in the hospital, home, or converse in any medical conversations about them … unless you have a legal MEDICAL POWER OF ATTORNEY!

Now this is about Texas … so please check out your state or country and its regulations.

I am not an attorney … so rather than giving advice based on my own person experience or what others have told me … I STRONGLY suggest that you click this link http://www.dads.state.tx.us/news_info/publications/handbooks/advancedirectives.html.

I can PROMISE you… it will be worth a bit of work to get these things handled NOW!

God love our old folks!