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In this Edition:
Welcome to the Frenetic Holiday Season!
Medicare & Social Security News for 2008
Success Story - Sometimes "Monitoring" can be a Lifesaver
Welcome to the Frenetic Holiday Season!
by Rona S. Bartelstone, LCSW, BCD, CMC, C-ASWCM
Even if you don’t celebrate the traditional holidays of this season, it seems that the month of December is always a challenge. In Florida, it is the time for our annual snowbird invasion. We love these strange creatures from cooler climates. They arrive wearing shorts and hats (at 70 degrees, give me a break, its freezing!); they have strange driving habits (like going the speed limit), and they think we all want to go to the beach, or have nothing else to do except play golf with them!
December is also famously a time of endings and new beginnings. It is a time of reaching out to old friends and relatives, and sometimes it is a time when we find ourselves alone too much.
In December, we often begin to think about our lives-- our accomplishments and disappointments, as well as our future.
Often it seems to me that it is easier to focus on the negative and not truly appreciate the positive things and people in our lives – including ourselves. Even when we go through rough patches, it helps to hold onto those people and things that are positive. It seems so easy for us to be overly critical of ourselves instead of appreciating who we are in the moments of our lives.
While we are evaluating the year and looking ahead, here are some thoughts that I hope will guide you and your loved ones in enjoying this season of change, holidays, endings and new beginnings.
- Be gentle in the way you look at and communicate with yourself. You really do have strengths and positive attributes, and you are lovable.
- Remember to focus on the happy events, the people you love and the things for which you are grateful.
- Plan and talk to yourself about self care. Caregivers, especially, tend to put everyone else first. Remember that if we don’t take care of ourselves, we cannot be there for others.
- Set realistic boundaries - you don’t have to do it all. You don’t have to be all things to all people. It is truly ok to say “no” when saying “yes” will cause too much distress.
- Have realistic expectations of yourself and others. If you know that someone will disappoint you, don’t expect them to change because you think they should. Accept that they are who they are and remember to set those limits.
- Do something that will make you happy and give you a break. It doesn’t have to be something extravagant. For me, an hour in the garden with a good book is like heaven.
- Recognize those whose relationship you appreciate. Let them know that you are glad that they are in your life. A phone call, a card or an “I love you” is often more powerful than a gift that may be discarded or forgotten.
- Pass along something of importance to future generations. This could be a family story, a favorite recipe, an old photo or heirloom. Let the person know why it is important to you. You create new traditions and legacy by sharing yourself during your lifetime.
- If you do feel blue, sad or depressed reach out for help. No one has to be truly alone. But we do have to let other people know our needs – no one can read your mind. And if you have no close family or friends reach out to clergy or a counselor. Life is too hard to go it alone.
- Remember to sing, dance, laugh and have fun. Joy is infectious, healthy and invigorating.
- Rejoice, just because.
Wishing you a Happy Holiday Season and all Good Wishes for the New Year from all of us at Rona Bartelstone Care Management & Home Healthcare.
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Medicare & Social Security News for 2008
by Rona S. Bartelstone, LCSW, BCD, CMC, C-ASWCM
The Social Security Administration has announced that the cost of living increase for 2008 is 2.3%. However, many recipients won’t see the additional funds in their pockets because of the rising cost of premiums, deductibles, co-pays, and in some cases, increases in the cost of Part D, Prescription Drug Coverage.
November 15 through January 1 is open enrollment for the Prescription Drug Program under Medicare. So if you are newly eligible or unhappy with your plan, this is the time to investigate making changes. Most plans have already sent out their announcements for 2008 premiums; so if you receive an increase it might be wise to investigate other plans in your community.
Medicare Part B premiums for 2008 will range from $96.40 to $238.40 depending on your income and your marital status. People with higher incomes, should expect their premiums to go up this year. Additionally, the deductible for outpatient services for the coming year is $135. This is what the beneficiary must pay out of pocket at the beginning of the year before Medicare starts making payments for outpatient services.
Medicare Part A Premiums vary depending on your marital status and the number of quarters that you or your spouse has had in eligible employment. Additionally, the deductible and co-insurance amounts have increased. The deductible for in-patient services is $1024. There is no co-insurance requirement for the first 60 days of hospitalization. For days 61-90, the co-insurance costs are $256 per day; for days 91 – 150, the co-insurance costs are $512 per day.
We hope that you are caring for yourself wisely and that you stay healthy in the coming year!
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Success Story - Sometimes "Monitoring" can be a Lifesaver
by Nina Rothstein, MSW
In our role as care manager, we are often asked to be the “eyes and ears” for family members who live at a distance from their loved one receiving care. One such situation involved an 83-year-old woman who was living alone in her apartment in Ft Lauderdale. Her son engaged the services of Rona Bartelstone Care Management & Home Healthcare because he lived in Pittsburgh and was concerned that his mother was alone. Although she had friends in the condo, he felt that she needed a local professional to rely on if she had any personal or health concerns. She was still very independent and able to care for herself.
Our initial goal in this situation was to build a trusting relationship with the elder so that she had someone to call in case of an emergency. During each monthly visit I would assess her social, emotional, medical and household needs.
One morning I received a call from this woman stating that she had a severe headache and blurred vision. She refused to call the paramedics, so I immediately went over to her apartment. Since we had developed a trusting relationship, she valued my opinion and with coaxing, finally agreed to let me call 911.
I accompanied the ambulance to the hospital and provided support and guidance to this client. I was able to help the medical staff understand her health history and be an advocate for her immediate care needs. In addition, I contacted her son to inform him of the situation.
This client was diagnosed with Acute Angle Glaucoma. She was immediately treated by an eye doctor who explained that this is a condition that could cause blindness within 24 hours if not treated. Fortunately, with the trust and support of the care manager, she was able to access the appropriate care and maintain her vision.
She and her son were grateful for the "eyes and ears" of this care manager. Our eyes helped to save her eyes. Now both the elder and the family "see" the value of the care management service.
Rona Bartelstone Care Management & Home Healthcare has been the "eyes and ears" of families for more than 25 years. Let us be your "eyes and ears" in the New Year if you have concerns about a long distance family member.
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