Aging advocate

              FALL 2011
ISSUE
CONTACT US
Clark Miller
Director
918.579.9473
cmiller@incog.org
Reena Shetty
Planner
918.579.9477
rshetty@incog.org
Regan McManus
Aging Specialist
918.579.9495
rmcmanus@incog.org
Cheryl Lopez
Financial Monitor
918.579.9482
clopez@incog.org
LTC Ombudsmen
Supervisors:
Sarah Strecker
918.596.7210
sstrecker@incog.org
Loretta Bailey
918.596.7657
lbailey@incog.org
Lesley Smiley
918.596.7685
lsmiley@incog.org
Time to Review: Medicare Part D
and Advantage Plan Open Enrollment
The Open Enrollment Period for Medicare Part D is between October 15 – Decem-ber
7, anyone can join, switch, or drop a Medicare drug plan or Medicare Advantage
plan. The change will take effect on January 1, 2012 as long as the plan gets your
request by December 7, 2011.
Two Ways to Get Medicare Drug Coverage
1. Medicare Prescription Drug Plans.These plans (sometimes called “PDPs”) add
drug coverage to Original Medicare, and some Medicare Cost Plans. The Medicare
Prescription Drug Plan (Medicare Part D) covers prescription medicines. Any Medi-care
benefi ciary is eligible to get insurance to pay for part of their prescription drugs.
2. Medicare Advantage Plans (like an HMO or PPO). You must have Part A and
Part B to join a Medicare Advantage Plan. Depending on where you live, you may
be able to join a Medicare Advantage plan. You’ll usually pay less out-of-pocket in
a Medicare Advantage plan than you would with original Medicare. In exchange for
lower costs, however, some types of Medicare Advantage plans require you to go to
doctors in your plan’s network. You also pay copayments or coinsurance.
Low-Income Subsidies/Extra Help
The low-income subsidy helps pay for all or part of the monthly premium, annual
deductible, and drug co-payments. For a single-person household you must make
$1,361.25 or less per month and for a two-person household it must be $1,838.75
or less per month. If you think you may qualify for this benefi t please contact us to
enroll.
We are offering couseling sessions — in person and over the phone — through
the end of the year. The counseling sessions offer free, unbiased help in comparing,
selecting and enrolling in the plan that best fi ts their individual needs.
Call 1.800.211.2116 to make an appointment with a Medicare Part D specialist.
2
If you are 60 years of age or older (or a caregiver) and have a
disease such as diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, heart
disease, chronic pain, anxiety or if you are a caregiver for
someone who does, this program will help you:
This free workshop is 2 ½ hours a week for six weeks. You’ll
get the support you need, fi nd practical ways to deal with pain
and fatigue, discover better nutrition and exercise choices, un-derstand
new treatment choices, and learn better ways to talk
with your doctor and family about your health.
Registration for this
workshop is required.
Tulsa Jewish Retirement Center
2025 E. 71st Street • Tulsa, OK
October 4, 2011 through November 8, 2011
Every Tuesday from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
To learn more about this program or to register
for the program contact Carol Stanley at 918.496.8333
Cedar Ridge
200 Atlantic Field Road • Pawhuska, OK
October 6, 2011 through November 10, 2011
Every Thursday from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm
To learn more about this program or to register
for the program contact Kathy Noojin at 1.800.316.2222
Morton Comprehensive Health Services
1334 N. Lansing Avenue • Tulsa, OK
For more information, to register for the program,
or to make transportation arrangements, contact:
Wendy Williams
at 918.295.6104 or wwilliams@mortonhealth.org
3
To give senior citizens quick access to civil legal assistance, Legal
Aid Services of Oklahoma launched a statewide telephone hotline in
mid-September. The Sixty Plus Legal Aid Services Helpline (SPLASH) will provide
free legal assistance to persons 60 and over in most Oklahoma counties. Oklahomans
60 and over can call SPLASH at 1.855.488.6814.
SPLASH calls are answered by an application specialist who will request basic infor-mation
concerning the caller’s name, address, income, and type of legal problem or legal
information needed. In 70 of Oklahoma’s 77 counties, SPLASH is supported by the Area
Agencies on Aging. Seniors from supported counties will be immediately transferred
to a Legal Aid attorney for a legal assessment and advice. If all attorneys are busy, the
senior will receive a return call within two business days. Seniors with high priority cases,
who are fi nancially eligible, will be forwarded to Legal Aid’s local litigation offi ces for
further consideration.
“This helpline will provide live assistance to seniors and set them apart for intake pur-poses,”
said Sharon Ammon, who manages SPLASH.
Currently, seniors must go through a telephone intake system which is the point-of-entry
for all Oklahomans who are seeking help from Legal Aid. SPLASH carves a faster intake
route for senior citizens.
Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma is a not-for-profi t law fi rm which provides free civil
legal assistance to eligible low-income individuals and their families and to elderly persons
in the areas of family, consumer, housing, health and employment.
Legal Aid Makes SPLASH
For Senior Legal Help
One of the goals of the IAAA is to help older adults be aware of the many issues of senior health.
Information on living a healthier lifestyle is delivered through seminars, workshops, and individual
counseling sessions.
Hearing Health for Older Adults
Come learn about your hearing health as we take an informative look at the ear and ways to protect
your existing hearing. We will provide a fun and interactive way to screen your hearing.
Presenter: Lara Hufford, Marketing Liaison, Hearing Solution Centers
Cornerstone Village - October 4, 10:15am
Oilton Senior Center - October 11, 11:00 am
Broken Arrow Senior Center - October 12, 10:45 am
Legal Aid
Community Education on Advance Directives, wills, durable powers of attorney, benefi ciary deeds
and other means to avoid probate; and senior fraud.
Presenter: David Edge, Attorney at Law Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma
Carver Senior Center - October 5, 10:30 am
Barnsdall Nutrition- October 21, 10:30 am
Sapulpa Community Center - October 27, 10:30 am
Arthritis 101
Learn about the different forms of arthritis, living with arthritis, and the resources available through
the Arthritis Foundation to help people live a better quality of life
Presenter: Dawn C. Duca, Executive Director & Regional VP, Arthritis Foundation
Cardinal Heights - October 5, 9:30 am Heritage Landing - October 20, 10:30 am
Sand Springs Senior Center - October 19, 9:30 am
Jordan Plaza III - October 19, 2:30 pm
Owasso Community Center - October 26, 10:30 am
A Simple Guide for Healthy Eating
We hear a lot about the benefi ts of a healthy lifestyle nowadays, but what does that actually mean?
A Registered Dietitian will discuss what makes up a healthy lifestyle, including an easy to understand
guide for a healthy balanced diet.
Presenter: Mike Lundy, MS, RD, LD.
Owasso Community Center - October 3, 10:30 am
Autumn Park - October 4, 10:30 am
Mannford Senior Center - October 5, 11:30 am
Cornerstone Village - Ocober 18, 10:15 am
Country Oaks - Ocober 19, 10:00 am
Making Your Home Senior Safe
Join us to learn about things you can do today to decrease the risk of falls. What to do when a fall
occurs & how to modify your home to make it safer? Learn to protect yourself in your home.
Presenter: Vic Osteen, M.S. Owner, Senior Safety Services
Oilton Senior Center - October 4, 11:00 am
Autumn Park - October 11, 10:30 am
Fairfax Nutrition - October 18, 11:00 am
Five Senses of Safety
“Did you know that hearing contributes to balance, or that taste can protect you from fi re?” Join us
for the upcoming educational opportunity on the “5 Senses of Safety”.
Presenter: Gail O’Connor, RN, St. John Medical Center Trauma Services
Fairfax Nutrition - October 4, 11:00 am
Skiatook Nutrition - October 10, 9:30 am
Heritage Landing - October 13, 10:30 am
Oilton Senior Center - October 18, 11:00 am
Cornerstone Village - October 25, 10:15 am
Cedar Ridge - October 28, 12:30 pm
Cardinal Heights - October 26, 9:30 am
Prairie Village - October 4, 11:00 am
6
Finding ways to pay for nursing home care is diffi cult for
most people, because it is so expensive. There are several pay-ment
methods to consider.
Medicare
Under certain limited conditions, Medicare will pay some
nursing home costs for Medicare benefi ciaries who require
skilled nursing or rehabilitation services. To be covered, you
must receive services from a Medicare certifi ed skilled nursing
home after a qualifying hospital stay. A qualifying hospital stay
is the amount of time spent in a hospital just prior to entering a
nursing home. This is at least three days.
Medicaid
Medicaid is a State and Federal program that will pay most
nursing home costs for people with limited income and assets.
Eligibility varies by State. Medicaid will pay only for nursing
home care provided in a facility certifi ed by the government
to provide service to Medicaid recipients. In Oklahoma, the
Department of Human Services handles the Medicaid eligibil-ity.
Medicaid is the primary payer for about 7 out of 10 nursing
home residents.
Personal Resources
Many nursing home residents pay nursing home costs out of
their own savings. After these savings and other resources are
spent, many people who stay in nursing homes for long periods
eventually become eligible for Medicaid.
Long-Term Care Insurance
This is a private policy. The benefi ts and costs of these plans
vary widely. You can get a copy of the “Guide To Health Insur-ance
for People with Medicare” by calling 1-800-MEDI-CARE.
You can also visit www.Medicare.gov to obtain more
information on health care and nursing home information.
If you would like a free “Directory for Licensed Facilities
in Creek, Osage, and Tulsa Counties” or information on the
Long-Term Ombudsman Program, call one of the LTC
Ombudsman Supervisors.
Paying for
Nursing Home Care
The 2011 Senior Farmers’ Mar-ket
Nutrition Program was a huge
success in the INCOG Area Agen-cy
on Aging service area. The
program which provides money
for seniors to purchase fresh fruits
and vegetables is funded by the
Oklahoma Department of Human
Services Aging Services Division.
IAAA received 438 applica-tions
to disburse to the senior
population in Creek, Osage, and
Tulsa counties. A total of 359
seniors (or 82%) actually used
the card. Only 265 seniors who
received the cards (or 74%) used
the entire $50 allocation.
The total benefi t amount dis-bursed
in the area was $16,289.
The total amount of Senior Farm-ers’
Market Nutrition Program
benefi ts expended in the state this
season was $43,450.
Watch for information on ap-plying
for the 2012 Senior Farm-ers’
Market Nutrition Program
which will begin in early spring.
Farmer’s Market
Program Update
7
The United Community Action Program Weatherization Department is offering free home weather-ization
for low-income homeowners and renters while supplies last. Weatherization is the installation
of materials to improve energy effi ciency, specifi cally by preventing cool air from escaping your home
during the summer and heat in the winter. Families or individuals with incomes at or below 200% of
Federal Poverty Level ($21,660/year for a single person, $29,140 for a 2-person household) may apply.
Homes will be evaluated through onsite visits, and data will be entered into the National Energy Audit
Toolkit (a computer program) and used to determine the most appropriate weatherization procedures
required. Examples of such work include: altering or replacing ineffi cient doors; replacing broken
glass or installing windows; installing carbon monoxide and smoke detectors; insulating attics and hot
water tanks; replacing old refrigerators; caulking pipe and drain lines to prevent air loss; and the instal-lation
of more energy-effi cient lighting. No more than $500 per person can be spent on repairs. If your
home weatherization will cost more than this, the program will not be able to help you.
For an application to this program, please contact the United Community Action Program at
918.762.3041 and ask for Charmaine (ex. 162) or Robyn (ex. 131). Funding for this project comes
from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Program Provides Free Weatherization
More than 200 teens and adults braved the record-setting summer
heat to help seniors in need of home repairs in Tulsa and Creek coun-ties.
Know Sweat is a program of Christ in Youth located in Joplin, Mis-souri.
This program provides home repairs to those in need in various
communities across the United States. This year, Tulsa was chosen
as one of the ten cities for this annual summer service projects. Nine
groups of youth and their leaders, from various parts of Oklahoma,
Illinois, Kansas, and Missouri, completed home repairs for Tulsa and
Creek County seniors during the week of June 20-24, 2011. Repairs in-cluded
replacing fl oors, yard work, house painting, building fence,
cleaning up debris, and removal of trash and porch repair.
The SYNOD Youth Workshop provided a day of service on July
14, 2011. These youth traveled from Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana,
and Arkansas. Four groups of fi fteen youth and adults provided
yard clean up and house painting to seniors in Tulsa. The SYNOD
Youth Workshop has provided this service to Tulsa Seniors for nine
years.
The Summer Heat Did Not
Stop Needed Home Repairs
She was also the face of the INCOG Area Agency on Aging representing IAAA at numerous
health fairs, interagency meetings, and resource meetings. We wish her the very best retirement,
and we will miss her, as will the thousands of senior citizens in whose lives she made a
difference.
Barbara McDonald
Announces Retirement
Barbara McDonald recently announced her retirement
from the INCOG Area Agency on Aging family. For the past
seven years, she has assisted thousands of senior
citizens in northeast Oklahoma fi nd solutions and r
esources to critical problems they were facing in day-to-day
living. Her counsel went beyond proving referrals, she
sought to understand each and every person’s situation and
her empathy was appreciated by everyone she touched.