Senior Q & A – May 2015
Senior Q & A: Answers to common questions about senior living
Q. Are there benefits to working with seniors?
A. Yes, absolutely.
Here are three:
- Working in geriatrics gives you the opportunity to make a real difference in someone’s life. Elderly patients and nursing home residents truly need the services you provide.
- Gratitude. Many of the seniors that caregivers work with look forward to their interactions as a highlight of their day. The empathetic presence in a senior’s life can mean the difference between a dismal day and a bright one. Seniors appreciate what caregivers do for them and often don’t mind saying so.
- Nothing helps you understand more about what’s important in life than seeing others face struggles you do not face. Seniors in nursing homes and assisted living facilities have travelled much farther along life’s journey than you and they have a lot to teach about what matters most. As you learn about the aging process and what’s to come, you may be better able to set priorities in your own life and remember to spend time with the people who matter most.
Q. What is COPD?
A. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a serious lung disease that usually causes breathing to get worse over time.
COPD includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both. COPD also includes episodes called flare-ups (also known as exacerbations). The main cause of COPD is tobacco smoking. However, in the developing world, COPD often occurs in women exposed to fumes from burning fuel for cooking and heating in poorly ventilated homes. Only about 20 percent of chronic smokers develop COPD. Some smokers develop less common lung conditions. They may be misdiagnosed as having COPD until a more thorough evaluation is performed. Fortunately, COPD is treatable. One can start managing their COPD by pay attention to symptoms, such as occasional shortness of breath or wheezing, as well as any loss of ability to be physically active. Quitting smoking is the only thing that can stop the progression of COPD.
Q. What are the Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) rules regarding moving from one state to another?
A. A person with Medigap can keep their current Medigap policy regardless of where they live as long as they still have Original Medicare.
Original Medicare is fee-for-service coverage under which the government pays your health care providers directly for your part A and/or Part B benefits. If you want to switch to a different Medigap policy, you’ll have to check with your current, or new, insurance company to see if they will offer you a different Medigap policy. If you decide to switch, you may have to pay more for your new Medigap policy and answer some medical questions if you’re buying a Medigap policy outside of your Medigap open enrollment period.
Q. Where can I get help determining the best level of care for my elderly loved one?
A. Alternatives for Seniors can help.
If you’re in the process of trying to determine the level of housing or personal care that’s best for yourself or a senior loved one, alternativesforseniors.com provides a helpful Evaluation Tool for you to use. The clearly stated, brief questionnaire lets you select one choice per category that best describes the situation of the person in need of housing or care, then you hit a ‘submit’ button for your recommendation. You can also call a Senior Specialist at Alternatives for Seniors at (888) WE-ASSIST (888-932-7747) to ask questions and receive free placement assistance.
BLOG Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Writer: Ryan Allen