Archive for April 2011
A New Resource for Information About Medicare
According to a Post on http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/, Medicare’s website, www.medicare.gov, is visited more than 2.5 million times a month by people looking for information, ordering replacement cards or applying for benefits.
Part of that page is titled Ask Medicare. This section, containing excellent information geared toward family caregivers, has recently been re-designed to make it easier to use. The site includes basic information on eligibility and coverage, how-to instruction on filing claims, links to other organizations, and an outstanding library of downloadable fact sheets and pamphlets. In addition, you can sign up for an e-mail newsletter that provides updates on changes to benefits. You can also read other caregiver’s stories, and share your own. In view of all the rumors about what is and is not happening to Medicare, you should be aware of this great source of information directly from the agency.
April Education Forum Supports Arizona Military and Veteran Families
A unique educational forum taking place at Home Instead Senior Care – Greater Phoenix will provide education to active duty military personnel, veterans and their families, while also benefitting Operation Homefront-Arizona. See the attached Press Release for more details.
National Healthcare Decisions Day April 16
April 16, 2011 is National Healthcare Decisions Day. This initiative is a collaborative effort to ensure all adults with decision-making capacity in the U.S. have the information and opportunity to communicate and document their healthcare decisions. See www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org for more information.
Enacted in 1990, the Federal Patient Self-Determination Act requires all Medicare-participating healthcare facilities and providers to ask about and make available information on Advance Directives. This legislation gives people the right to make choices and decisions about the types and extent of medical care they wish for themselves. They can also identify a legal representative to make healthcare decisions if they become unable to make decisions for themselves. If a person establishes a living will or durable power of attorney for healthcare or mental health purposes, the patient is acting on his/her rights of self determination.
I remember back in 1991 being trained as one of the people responsible for making sure that the hospital I worked in met the requirements of the legislation. It was an empowering experience. I wish I could say that since that time most people are aware and have acted on this right to self determination by completing a living will and medical power of attorney. Unfortunately, many people still are unfamiliar with the documents or have not taken the time to communicate their wishes in writing. Let’s take this time to learn more about Advance Directives.
Long Term Care Ombudsmen
Congress passed the Older Americans Act in 1965, but the long term care ombudsman program that the law required wasn’t fully implemented for another 10 years. In Arizona, that program is contained in Arizona Revised Statutes §§ 46-452.01 and 46-452.02. This resource, which gets its authority from the Department of Economic Security, but is administered by the Area Agency on Aging (In Phoenix, www.aaaphx.org, or nationally, www.n4a.org).
While nursing homes are governed by more federal regulations than any industry but nuclear power, assisted living facilities are governed by state regulations. The long-term care ombudsman is in place to make sure that they adhere to those regulations, and that they always have the best interest of the resident in mind.
The long-term care Ombudsman program is a resident-centered advocacy program. The ombudsmen advocate to promote the rights of residents, and improve the quality of their lives. They educate residents and their families, as well as facility staff and the community. While they can’t address all of the issues that may be raised, they can identify agencies that can help, and coordinate efforts with other agencies and service providers. Finally, they can identify problem areas in facilities and advocate for change.
In Maricopa County, AZ, the LTC Ombudsman has a professional staff of 9 people. Since Maricopa County is larger than 22 states, they also utilize a large cadre of volunteers. If you are interested in serving in this way, contact the Area Agency in your community.
