ARE YOU OVERPAYING FOR PART D COVERAGE?

In 2019, one million Medicare beneficiaries with the Low Income Subsidy (LIS or Extra Help) paid an average of approximately $24 / month for Part D premiums. They could have saved money had they been enrolled in a 'benchmark' plan. People who qualify for the full Medicare Part D LIS do ...more

Do You Know What "Call Spoofing" Is?

Call spoofing is when a caller "poses" as a local business, person or agency. This is a technique used by scammers to mimic a legitimate phone number. Consumers believe that the call is from a legitimate recognizable business but that isn't the case. Reports indicate those making the unsolicted calls will ...more

Stroke Information

Stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. They occur when a blood vessel that carreis O2 and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or ruptures, both leading to reduction in O2 to the brain and ultimately brain cell death. ...more

And A Few More Scams!

I just read on the Federal Trade Commission's web site about two more scams that are making the rounds! One of these targets people of faith pretending to be a pastor, priest, rabbi, imam or bishop. They ask those (who are unfortuante enough to answer the phone) for gift card contributions ...more

Another Side of Scams

I have written about different scams that perpetrators use. There are the Grandparent Scams, the Sweetheart Scams, the Contractor Scams, the Utility Scams, the Social Security Scams, the IRS scams.....the list goes on and on. One area that I have not written about is Health Fraud Scams. Health fraud scams refer to ...more

Staying Safe in the Summertime

We made it past the wind, cold, snow and ice, and now have the opportunity to enjoy the warm days of summer. Of course, we have been dodging raindrops (7 out of the last 8 days according to Channel 9 WTOV) but we have still had ample time to get ...more

Websites of interest

Most of us spend a lot of time researching various topics on line. There is information on anything and everything! But - we have to exercise caution. If you are looking for medical information, ask your physician. He/she can probably guide you to reputable and informative sites. Be attentive to the website ...more

Apple Scam

We had a message on our answering machine with an automated voice saying there was a problem with our "Apple account". Instructions were to press 1, 2 or 3 (if we'd answered) or call 718 307-1139. Do NOT call the number. This is a scam. If you answered the phone - ...more

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Today - June 17th - is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Elder abuse comes in many forms: physical, sexual, psychological, and financial. There is also neglect where a vulnerable adult is denied medications, food, personal care and the option to make decisions. Risk factors include isolation, cognitive impairment or mental health challenges, ...more

Veteran and family health care: Camp Lejeune

In the 1980's, contaminants were found in several wells that provided water at Camp Lejeune North Carolina. It is estimated that the contaminants were in the water supply from the mid-1950s until February 1985 when the wells were shut down. There are benefits for Camp Lejeune veterans and family members that include health ...more

Social Security Scam

REGARDLESS OF WHERE YOU LIVE - BE AWARE OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY SCAM! WV Attorney General Patrick Morrissey is warning consumers of yet another scam aimed at stealing our personal information. Con artists posing as Social Security Administration workers are contacting consumers claiming a compromised Social Security number or a frozen ...more

Do you have your advance directives completed?

April 16 is National Health Care Decisions Day. This is a day of education and awareness, a day to encourage more individuals to plan for health care decisions. Slightly more than 1/3 of adults in the United States have any form of a written advance health care directive. Your Medical ...more

What do you know about hospice?

Hospice is the care that people can receive when they have a life-limiting illness with a prognosis of six months or less. Hospice care involves a team-oriented approach that includes medical care, pain management, emotional support, and spiritual support. The family of the patient receives support as well. Bereavement support ...more

Taking Care of Yourself!

Caregiving consumes more hours than there are in the day. At least that's what it feels like. Caregivers are managing their own lives (job, house, groceries, finances, kids/grandkids, and more) and they help their care receivers in varying degrees of time. The tasks of caregiving may entail transportation, arranging services, ...more

OLDER ADULT EXPO 2019

It's almost time for the Older Adult Expo sponsored by the Belmont County Adult Services Coalition! The event will be held at the Ohio Valley Mall on Tuesday, May 7 from 10am - 3pm. There is no fee to exhibit although the Ohio Valley Mall requires exhibitors to provide a certificate ...more

Do you know about Project Lifesaver for wandering?

Project Lifesaver was founded in 1999 in Chesapeake VA by a local police captain, Gene Saunders. The program is designed to help family members locate a loved one who wanders. Project Lifesaver has helped those with dementia, autism and other cognitive disorders. The person who is enrolled receives a waterproof transmitter ...more

CAREGIVER FATIGUE

Today's Caregiver has an interesting article entitled "Fighting Caregiver Fatigue" which talks about....caregiver fatigue! This is a very real, very impactful (mentally, physically and spiritually) condition that affects caregivers. This physical and/or mental exhaustion takes a toll on caregivers whether they are providing care 24 hours a day or if ...more

Holiday Stress

We just finished a program on Supporting & Empowering the Caregiver, and as might be expected, a big piece of the program focused on self-care. Providing care to a loved one tests the limits of our endurance. We become physically tired, emotionally drained, and can challenge our spiritual strength. The holidays ...more

What are irrational thoughts?

Dr. Albert Ellis, a prominent psychologist, developed the theory that if we control our emotions effectively and keep ourselves (as much as is possible!) from neurotic, self-defeating thoughts, we can lead a more fulfilled, happier life. These thoughts have been ingrained in us from childhood and have been reinforced from authority ...more

What is a hospitalist?

Some of our local hospitals are providing in-patient care by a hospitalist. Patients often do not understand how a hospitalist works in their continuum of care. They are unsure of who is providing their care, and they think they are losing their primary care physician. Let's start with: What IS a hospitalist? This term was ...more