More than 1.7 million Americans use hospice each year to maintain or improve their quality of life due to a terminal illness. Hospice care plans address physical, emotional, and spiritual pain and offer support to caregivers during the grieving process.
Hospice decisions can take an emotional and financial toll on you and your family, so you may be asking… “Does Medicare cover hospice?”
How does Medicare cover hospice care?
If you are enrolled in Medicare Part A (hospital insurance), you may qualify for hospice care. However, you must meet the following criteria:
Your doctor certifies that you are terminally ill (with a life expectancy of less than 6 months)
You accept palliative care (for comfort) rather than try to cure your condition
You sign an agreement choosing hospice care over other Medicare-covered benefits to treat your illness
You are not eligible if you had already made a hospice election or have not previously received pre-election hospice services (evaluation of your need for pain and symptom management).
If you meet the above criteria, the following services may be part of your hospice care plan and are covered in part by Medicare:
Other services focused on pain and symptom management
There may be a co-payment of $5 for your prescription drugs or other pain relief. You may also need to pay five percent of the Medicare-approved amount for respite care. However, the following services are not covered by Medicare:
Hospice is intended for people who have six months or less to live. To receive hospice care, you can not receive curative treatment.
If you decide to receive treatment, your hospice care is no longer covered. However, you can withdraw from your hospice care at any given point, and you can resume treatment as long as you are still eligible.
Prescription Drugs Intended to Cure
Just like you can’t pursue curative treatment, you can not take prescription drugs that are intended to cure your illness when receiving hospice care. Hospice only covers drugs that are intended for pain relief and control.
Care for Any Hospice Provider That Wasn’t Arranged by the Hospice Team
You are only eligible to receive care from the hospice team that you initially select.
You cannot get hospice coverage from a different provider unless you go through the switching process. However, you can still visit your regular doctor if they have been appointed to supervise your hospice care plan.
You can only switch to a different hospice provider once per benefit period. If you are interested in switching, be sure to do your research and pick a hospice team you feel comfortable with.
Does Medicare cover hospice room and board?
Medicare does not cover room and board regardless if you live at home, in a nursing home or inpatient assisted living facility, or inpatient hospice office. The only exception is during short-term inpatient or respite care stays in which Medicare will help cover the costs.
Emergency Care
Emergency transportation is not covered by Medicare’s hospice benefits. Medicare will not cover emergency inpatient hospital care unless they are arranged by your hospice team or unrelated to your terminal illness.
Does Medicare cover hospice in a nursing home or at home?
If you are eligible, Medicare will cover hospice care regardless if you receive the care in your home, nursing home, or inpatient facility. Some nursing homes work directly with a hospice team. In a nursing home setting, your hospice team can help with the following:
Regular visits to the nursing home
Consultations by specialized hospice physician as needed
Pain and medication management
Educating staff on symptoms, medications, and care
Emotional and spiritual support
Coordinating care across all patient’s medical providers including doctors, hospice team, and nursing home staff
How long will Medicare pay for hospice care?
Hospice care is intended for people who have less than an estimated six months to live. If you still require hospice care after six months, you can continue to receive benefits if a hospice doctor recertifies your terminal illness in a face-to-face meeting.
You can get hospice care for two 90-day benefit periods followed by an unlimited number of 60-day benefit periods.
Level One: This level includes basic care under Medicare’s hospice benefit. Services include nursing services, medical equipment & supplies, and medications.
Level Two: Medicare designates people who need continuous care such as home health care. The home health aide stays in the patient’s home for eight to 24 hours a day, but it’s short-term care. The patient’s needs are re-evaluated once every 24 hours.
Level Three: The third level of Medicare hospice coverage is general inpatient care. Some people have short-term symptoms that are so severe that they can’t get adequate treatment at home. With level three care, the patient has 24-hour care available.
Level Four: This level of care is more for the family than the patient. If the patient doesn’t meet the criteria for inpatient care and the family needs a break from daily care duties, respite care may be an option. Respite care provides caregivers temporary relief by admitting the patient to a hospital.
Medicare Palliative Care vs. Medicare Hospice Care Coverage
Medicare can cover palliative care for helping relieve symptoms in accordance with curative care. Some organizations define palliative care as “specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness” with the focus of care being symptom relief rather than to find a cure.
The difference between palliative care and hospice care is that palliative care can occur in conjunction with curative care.
Medicare may cover palliative care, but not under the Medicare hospice benefit.
Hospice and Medicare Supplements
Medicare Supplements can help cover the gaps in hospice care that Original Medicare may not, like prescription drugs for pain relief and respite care. After your Medicare coverage, you will likely be responsible for five percent of your total respite care costs and a $5 copay per prescription drug. Medicare Supplements can cover some, or all, of these gaps.
Medicare Supplement Plans A, B, D, G, M, N cover 100 percent of hospice coinsurance and copayments. Medigap Plan K covers 50 percent and Plan L covers 75 percent.
If you are interested in enrolling in a Medicare Supplement plan, or have questions on how these plans work with your correct coverage, click here to get in contact with a licensed agent.
2020 Medicare Supplement Comparison Chart
Hospice and Medicare Advantage
If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you will have the same hospice care coverage as with Original Medicare. However, Medicare Advantage plans can offer extra benefits like vision, hearing, and dental coverage. They may also offer fitness programs like SilverSneakers®.
If you are interested in enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan, fill out this form, or give us a call at 844-431-1832. There is no cost to you to meet with one of our agents and there is never an obligation to enroll.
This post was originally published on April 16, 2019, and updated on November 18, 2019.
Healthy Soups for Seniors
There are thousands of unique soup recipes out there on the internet. While soup may only be as healthy as the ingredients inside it, Eatingwell.com reports that soup-eaters have “higher intakes of fiber, vitamin A, magnesium, iron, and potassium, which are all important for a healthy diet, especially for aging seniors! Soups also tend to be relatively low in calories!
Granted, like everything else, you should enjoy soup in moderation. Soups also tend to be high in sodium, which can raise your blood pressure. The potassium content in many soups can even the sodium out, but it’s still not something you want to over-indulge in.
Healthiest Soups for Seniors
The way you prepare and consume a soup can determine whether or not it’s healthy for you. “Healthy” can also depend on your specific dietary needs.
However, the following soups can be deliciously healthy when prepared correctly!
Broth is made of bones and tissue usually derived from chicken, cows, or even fish. Broth can be rich in vitamins and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous. MedicalNewsToday says that broth can strengthen your joints, fight osteoarthritis, reduce inflammation, support weight loss, and even aid sleep.
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis, affecting millions each year. Arthritis can become a legitimate concern. Arthritis happens when your bones wear down from overuse, which can become more possible as you age.
Tomato-based Soups
Tomatoes are loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants and are sometimes considered a superfood. Uniquely, they also contain lycopene, a plant compound that gives tomatoes their red color and has been linked to prostate cancer prevention. Tomatoes are one of the few sources of lycopene. Tomatoes have also been proven to help maintain blood pressure, support heart health, improve insulin levels in diabetic people, reduce constipation, and improve skin and eye health.
Tomato Soup for Seniors
Lentil-based Soups
Lentils are high in fiber and nutrients like vitamin B, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. They also contain phytochemicals, which protect against chronic diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Again, like everything, it’s important to only enjoy lentils in moderation. Uniquely, they contain “antinutrients,” which can reduce your intake of other nutrients. Thankfully, you would have to eat a lot of lentils for this to pose a real problem!
Healthy Canned Soup
In many cases, canned soups are not going to be nearly as healthy as a fresh, home-made batch. However, sometimes, you just don’t have the time or energy to make yourself some fresh soup! Canned soup can be very cheap at your local grocery store (and even online), and it’s not always terrible for you.
When looking for healthy canned soups, look at the nutrition label and look for low sodium content, less calories, and more vitamins and minerals. Additionally, canned soups tend to have high levels of BPA. Consider looking for soups packaged in “Tetra Pak” or other cardboard/BPA-free solutions.
We found this recipe for split-pea soup that serves six people from Epicurious! You could probably substitute out a different cut of pork (for example, if you have some leftover ham from Thanksgiving, throw that in there)!
Ingredients:
2 tbsp butter
1 chopped large onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped peeled carrots
1 ½ pounds smoked pork hocks
2 tsp dried leaf marjoram
1 ½ cups green split peas
8 cups water
Directions:
Melt butter in large pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat
Add onion, celery, and carrots
Saute until vegetables soften (about eight minutes)
Add pork and marjoram; stir for one minute
Add peas, then water; bring to boil
Reduce heat to medium-low and partially cover pot
Simmer until pork and vegetables are tender and peas are falling apart; stir often (about 70 minutes)
Transfer hocks to a bowl
Puree five cups soup in batches in a blender; return to pot
The health benefits of tea are seemingly endless. Teas are usually full of antioxidants and important nutrients that can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, assist with weight loss, protect your bones, soothe your digestive system, keep you hydrated, and more.
Different types of tea can provide different benefits. Today, we’ll share the seven teas that you should keep in your pantry to help relieve different symptoms.
#1 – Green Tea: Best Tea for Energy and Focus
Even though green tea has about half the amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee, it has been proven to improve energy and focus as well as improve sleep quality. Plus, a Japanese study proved that L-theanine, which is found in green teas, can improve focus and reduce anxiety.
Aging can bring a natural decrease in energy, and coffee might not be the best way to supplement it. While coffee can provide energy by keeping you alert, green tea can provide a more calming energy and keep you relaxed throughout the day.
Plus, green tea contains about 30% polyphenols, substances that can protect your cells from damage, reducing the risk of certain diseases, and the effects of aging.
Best Green Tea for Energy
While all green teas should be made the same way, some are more processed than others. The best green tea for energy and focus will be natural and fresh.
It’s also best to use loose leaves instead of tea bags. Even though tea bags may be easier to use, they also typically contain broken, low-quality tea leaves and are more likely to gather dust.
Lose leaves will often have a stronger, fresher flavor and are less likely to have lost nutrients during production.
Check your local organic or healthy food store for fresh green tea leaves.
Green Tea | Medicare Plan Finder
#2 – Peppermint Tea: Best Tea for a Cold
There’s a reason why cough drops are commonly peppermint flavored, and why you might feel clean and refreshed after enjoying a peppermint candy or gum: menthol. Menthol is an alcohol naturally derived from peppermint or mint oils. It creates a peppermint flavor, but it also is a counterirritant for skin and mucous membranes.
Menthol also creates a local anesthetic effect. That’s why while enjoying a cough drop (and for the moments after), you might notice that you can’t feel the irritation in the back of your throat anymore.
Peppermint tea can have a similar effect to a menthol cough drop when you have a cold. It can help break up any mucus in your throat that is causing a cough or itchiness.
At the same time, peppermint itself has antibacterial properties that can fight off disease and boost your immunity – making peppermint tea a great option for when you’re fighting off a cold.
Peppermint Tea for Caffeine
Like other herbal teas, natural peppermint tea does not contain any caffeine! That means peppermint tea is also a great option for those who are actively trying to avoid caffeine.
Peppermint Tea for Nausea
Though ginger may be what people more commonly reach for when it comes to nausea and digestion solutions, peppermint tea can work wonders for that as well. Peppermint can relax the stomach muscles and make it easier for bile to break down fats.
Peppermint Tea | Medicare Plan Finder
#3 – Chamomile Tea: Best Herbal Tea for Sore Throats
Chamomile tea has natural anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and astringent properties. Similar to peppermint tea, drinking chamomile tea when you have a cold can help soothe a sore throat!
The main difference in whether you choose chamomile or peppermint (other than flavor) is what kind of illness you are trying to cure. If you have a lot of phlegm build up in your throat, peppermint tea might do a better job of breaking that up. However, if you have strep throat or another condition that leaves you with an itchy, dry throat, chamomile might be the better option.
Another great option available at grocery stores is a product called “Throat Coat.” Throat Coat has a distinct licorice taste that some people love, and some people hate. Throat Coat, produced by Traditional Medicinals, is known for being a useful tool for vocalists who have a scratchy throat but have a performance coming up. The product can cause major temporary relief from an itchy or scratchy throat! It includes organic ingredients such as licorice root, slippery elm bark, marshmallow root, and traces of cherry bark, fennel fruit, cinnamon bark, and orange peel.
Cinnamon Tea: Best Tea for Weight Loss
While cinnamon tea has not been directly tied for weight loss, cinnamon itself does have certain properties that can contribute to weight loss.
For starters, cinnamon is loaded with fiber, which can make you feel full and prevent you from overeating. Additionally, cinnamon has been said to boost your metabolism due to the amount of energy it takes your body to process the spice.
Similarly, cinnamon can reduce bloating – which doubles as a remedy for indigestion!
Cinnamon Tea for Diabetes
Cinnamon tea is also “said to increase insulin sensitivity and decrease blood sugar,” which can help control type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 is the most common type of diabetes but is also the most preventable and treatable. People with type 2 diabetes frequently begin with “prediabetes.” If you’re prediabetic, that likely means you have high blood sugar and your body is starting to reject insulin. Healthy eating, exercise, and weight loss can help prevent your prediabetes from turning into type 2 diabetes. Cinnamon tea and other cinnamon products may help you keep your blood sugar down (but that doesn’t mean you can eat all the sugary cinnamon rolls you want)!
Cinnamon Tea | Medicare Plan Finder
#5 – Ginger Tea: Best Tea for Nausea
You probably already know that ginger ale can be a fantastic remedy for an upset stomach, but ginger ale products can be loaded with sugar! Ginger tea is a healthier option for curing nausea.
Healthline.com recommends drinking about four cups of ginger tea to reduce nausea. If you don’t have ginger tea, you can use freshly grated (or store-bought grated) ginger by steeping it in hot water the same way you would tea leaves. Be sure to sip your ginger tea slowly if you already have an upset stomach!
If your ginger tea is too bitter, try sweetening it with natural honey before turning to granulated sugar.
Ginger Tea Health Benefits
Other than relieving nausea and an upset stomach, ginger tea has other health benefits as well. Ginger is naturally anti-inflammatory, so regular ginger tea drinking can be a home remedy for muscle and joint aches (soaking in ginger can have the same effect).
Ginger can also improve your blood circulation, relieve menstrual discomfort, relieve stress, strengthen your immune system, and fight respiratory problems.
Ginger Tea Side Effects
Like anything else, ginger is only good in moderation! Some people may experience diarrhea or abdominal discomfort after drinking too much ginger tea or consuming too much ginger. Some people also experience heartburn and lightheadedness.
If you notice strong side effects or sudden discomfort after drinking ginger tea, stop use, and call your doctor if symptoms worsen.
#6 – Jasmine Tea: Best Tea for Stress
Jasmine tea is a combination of tea leaves and jasmine blossoms. Jasmine’s aroma has been called a stress reducer for years, with a variety of perfumes, lotions, and candles carrying the jasmine scent. The scent triggers a “parasympathetic” response, which releases chemicals that allow you to relax.
Like everything else, stress can become more dangerous as you age, so it’s important to stay on top of it. Dr. Michelle Dossett from the Institute for Mind Body Medicine says, “Our cells are aging. Heart fitness and lung capacity decline, especially if you’re sedentary.” When your heart fitness and lung capacity decline, your body’s natural stress response can sort of take over more than it did in the past.
If your stress gets particularly bad, it may be time to speak to a counselor. Make yourself some jasmine tea and find a counselor near you. Stress, anxiety, and depression are nothing to wait on: get help now!
#7 – Lemon Verbena: Best Tea for Inflammation
A lot of different teas have anti-inflammatory properties, but lemon verbena tea has been used forcenturies to treat colds, fevers, anxiety, indigestion, spasms, insomnia, immunity, weight loss, etc. Lemon verbena is all around a great tea to keep in your house.
In regards to inflammation, lemon verbena is a plant with natural anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation is not always obvious. When you think of inflammation, you probably think of your skin turning red, blotchy, or even bumpy, like in the case of an allergic reaction. While that’s certainly one type of inflammation, inflammation can also occur in your muscles and joints. It can be the result of an infection or a physical injury. Inflammation can be the result of a large number of illnesses, so an anti-inflammatory product like lemon verbena tea is certainly multi-use.
Lemon Verbena Tea | Medicare Plan Finder
Electric Tea Kettles for Seniors
Ready to give some of these tea suggestions a try? How will you try them at home?
Whether you have arthritis, weak muscles, or dementia…or you’re just a little bit worried, there are safe tea kettle options out there designed with seniors in mind. When you’re choosing a tea kettle for yourself or a senior relative, you should keep the following six factors in mind:
Weight: Weak or arthritic hands will find a heavy tea kettle cumbersome. Dropping a steaming hot tea kettle can be a disaster! Look for tea kettles that are small to begin with so that they aren’t incredibly heavy when full of water.
Automatic shut-off: Regardless of how old you are, it’s easy to pour your tea but forget to turn off the kettle. Forgetful seniors will benefit from an electric kettle that automatically turns off when the water is boiling.
Cool handle: Make sure the kettle you purchase has a cool handle, so you don’t have to worry about remembering to wear your oven mitts! The same goes for other heating elements. Sometimes you’ll notice in toasters and other devices that certain elements turn red when they heat up. Those are exposed heating elements and can be a burn hazard.
BPA-free: Read the packaging to look for BPA-free kettles. BPA is a chemical found in plastic that can be harmful if ingested.
Cordless: A cordless kettle reduces tripping hazards and is easier to carry.
Hematologic Diseases & Common Blood Disorders in the Elderly
Blood has a number of important functions that include supplying your cells with oxygen and nutrients, fighting off infection, and removing waste such as carbon dioxide and lactic acid.
Hematologic diseases or blood disorders can impact your blood’s ability to function like it should. As you age, common blood disorders such as anemia and blood cancers may become more likely.
If you are age 65 and older, have ALS or ESRD, or have been receiving Social Security Disability Income for at least 25 months, you may be eligible for Medicare insurance. Medicare may cover some treatments and testing for common blood disorders.
List of Common Blood Disorders in the Elderly
As you age, you may become more susceptible to blood disorders. Common blood disorders in the elderly range from conditions that can be treated with diet and supplements to chronic diseases. The most common blood disorders include:
Anemia
Blood clots
Hemophilia
Leukemia
Lymphoma
Myeloma
Medicare Chronic Special Needs Plans for Blood Disorders
Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) may cover certain medical services for blood disorders. Medicare Part A is hospital insurance, and it can cover inpatient services such as surgeries that take place in the hospital. Medicare Part B is medical insurance, and it can cover outpatient services such as doctor visits and treatment, and emergency transportation.
For the most part, Original Medicare does not cover prescription drugs you take at home. Prescription drug coverage falls under Medicare Part D or certain Medicare Advantage plans.
Medicare Advantage plans are private health insurance plans that can offer supplemental benefits that Original Medicare does not such as prescription drug coverage, non-emergency medical transportation, and meal delivery.
Some chronic blood diseases may qualify you for a special type of Medicare Advantage plan called a Chronic Special Needs Plan (CSNP).
If you’re eligible for a CSNP, you may also qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that allows you to make changes to your coverage as your medical needs change. Most people on Medicare have to wait for certain times of year to make changes.
With many CSNPs, you get coordination of care between multiple providers to ensure that your medical needs are met.. For example, a CSNP for leukemia, a type of blood cancer, may help pay for treatment by a blood specialist called a hematologist and/or a cancer specialist called an oncologist. Other team members may include surgeons and oncology nurses.
Another coverage option is a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan. Medigap plans can help cover certain fees associated with Original Medicare such as Part A and Part B coinsurance and copays, but they don’t usually include additional health benefits.
You cannot have both Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplements. A licensed insurance agent can be an important resource for deciding which type of plan would best suit your needs.
Anemia in the Elderly
Anemia is a condition that happens when you have a lack of healthy red blood cells or a lack of hemoglobin (a main component of red blood cells). It can be caused by blood loss, decreased red blood cell production, and/or destruction of red blood cells. Symptoms include:
Dizziness
Fast or unusual heartbeat
Headache
Pain in your bones, chest, belly, and/or joints
Shortness of breath
Pale or yellow skin
Swollen or cold hands and feet
Feeling tired or weak
Vision problems
Medicare Coverage for Anemia
Medicare may cover a specific type of screening called a blood count for anemia if your doctor recommends one. The blood count can determine how much hemoglobin, white blood cells, and platelets your body has.
Medicare coverage for anemia treatment depends on the treatment. For example, a vitamin B12 deficiency can cause certain types of anemia, and they can be treated with oral vitamins and supplements. Neither Original Medicare nor Medicare Part D covers over-the-counter (OTC) vitamin supplements, however, some Medicare Advantage plans have an OTC benefit.
Original Medicare will help pay for vitamin B12 injections for certain types of anemia, as long as the injections are “reasonable and necessary to the treatment” of your hematologic disorder.
If your anemia is due to an iron deficiency, your doctor may recommend OTC supplements and/or changes to your diet.
If your body can’t produce enough red blood cells, your doctor may recommend blood transfusions as part of your anemia treatment. In that case, Medicare may help cover blood transfusions. You may have to pay coinsurance, copays, or deductibles depending on your plan and how your healthcare facility gets the blood.
Sometimes underlying chronic diseases such as cancer, kidney disease, and HIV/AIDS can cause anemia. In those cases, your treatment will depend on your condition and what your doctor recommends.
Blood Cancer
The most common types of blood cancer include leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma.
Leukemia
Leukemia is cancer of the tissues that form blood, such as bone marrow and the lymphatic system. The cancer forms when mutated genes form in your DNA. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms include:
Fever or chills
Persistent fatigue, weakness
Frequent or severe infections
Losing weight without trying
Swollen lymph nodes, enlarged liver or spleen
Bleeding or bruising easily
Frequent nosebleeds
Tiny red spots on your skin
Excessive sweating, especially at night
Pain in your bones
Lymphoma
According to the Mayo Clinic, lymphoma is a blood cancer that occurs in the lymphatic system — part of the body’s “germ-fighting network.” Lymphoma has two main subtypes, which are Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s. Symptoms include:
Painless swelling of the lymph nodes in your neck, armpits, or groin
Chronic fatigue
Night sweats
Shortness of breath
Unintentional weight loss
Itchy skin
Myeloma
Myeloma is a cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell. Your plasma cells help fight infection by making antibodies that attack germs. The cancer forms in your bone marrow, where the cancer cells can eventually outnumber healthy plasma cells. When that happens, your plasma cells can no longer produce antibodies. The cancer cells begin to produce proteins that can cause serious complications. Symptoms include:
Bone pain, especially in your spine or chest
Nausea
Constipation
Loss of appetite
Mental fogginess or confusion
Fatigue
Frequent infections
Unexplained weight loss
Weakness or numbness in your legs
Excessive thirst
Medicare Coverage for Blood Cancer
Your healthcare providers will create and execute your treatment plan depending on your type of blood cancer.
Medicare may cover diagnostic testing and screenings or blood cancer. Part B may cover treatments including outpatient radiation and intravenous chemotherapy. Medicare Part B may also cover CAR T-cell therapy for leukemia and lymphoma. Part A may cover hospital stays and inpatient surgeries as well as limited home healthcare services and skilled nursing care.
Medicare Part D may cover oral chemotherapy medications, painkillers, and/or anti-nausea drugs.
If you have blood cancer, you may qualify for a CSNP. After your initial diagnosis, you have 30 days to enroll in new coverage. If you need help selecting a CSNP*, talk to your agent. If you have a CSNP, your SEP will allow you to change your coverage as you need to. Your agent may be a valuable resource for finding the right plans.
*CSNPs may not be available in every location.
Hemophilia
Hemophilia is a hematologic disorder in which the blood can’t easily clot. If you have hemophilia, even a slight injury can cause severe bleeding. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hemophilia is caused by a mutation in the gene that provides clotting instructions. The mutation can stop the “clotting protein from working properly.” Hemophilia can result in:
Bleeding in the joints that can lead to joint pain and disease
Bleeding in the brain which can cause long-term issues including paralysis and seizures
Bleeding in vital organs which can lead to death if the issue is severe
Medicare Coverage for Hemophilia
According to the National Hemophilia Foundation, Medicare Part B helps cover “clotting factors,” which are concentrated forms of clotting proteins. The CDC separates clotting factor products into two groups: plasma-derived and recombinant. Plasma-derived products come from donors. The clotting factors are separated from the blood plasma, tested for viruses, and freeze-dried. Recombinant products are genetically engineered in a laboratory. They do not contain any plasma or albumin.
Blood Clots
If you get a cut or scrape, blood cells called platelets and certain clotting proteins in your plasma work together to create clot over the injury. Usually, your body will dissolve the blood clot after you’ve healed. According to the American Society of Hematology, sometimes clots do not dissolve naturally, or they form on the inside of blood vessels without an injury.
Blood clots may be extremely dangerous. For example, blood clots in the brain can lead to a stroke, clots in the coronary artery can cause a heart attack, and clots in the pulmonary artery can cause pulmonary embolisms.
According to Medical News Today, the legs are the most common place for a blood clot to develop. Symptoms of a clot in the leg may include:
Pain
Swelling
A feeling of warmth
Tenderness
Redness
Pain in your calf when you stretch your toes upward
Medicare Coverage for Blood Clots
Medicare covers medically necessary diagnostic tests such as pulmonary angiograms or ultrasounds to look for blood clots.
Treatment for blood clots may include prescription anticoagulants (blood thinners). Medicare Part D or certain Medicare Advantage plans may cover blood thinners such as Xarelto.
Get Coverage for Common Blood Disorders Today
If you need coverage for the most common blood disorders in the elderly, a licensed agent with Medicare Plan Finder may be able to help. Our agents can see what plans are available in your area and help you decide which one works best for your needs, whether you need a CSNP, Medicare Advantage plan, or a Medicare Part D plan. To arrange a meeting with an agent, call 1-844-431-1832 or contact us here now.
7 Fad Diets That Work for Seniors
It may seem like you hear about a different celebrity toting a new diet every time you turn the TV on. Some people say that eating lots of protein and cutting carbs is the way to go. Other people say to keep the bread and pasta in your diet and to not eat dietary fat.
The diets on this list may be considered fad diets, however, they are diets that work*. Experts in health and nutrition created and reviewed these diets, and they may offer overall health benefits along with additional support for specific health conditions such as dementia, heart disease, and diabetes.
*Always check with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program.
1. Mediterranean Diet
According to US News, the Mediterranean Diet is the best diet for overall health, heart health, and diabetes management. The people who live around the Mediterranean Sea “live longer and suffer less than most Americans from cancer and cardiovascular ailments.”
The diet itself “is more of an eating pattern than a structured diet.” In other words, you’re “on your own to figure out how much to eat to lose or maintain weight.” With the Mediterranean Diet, you focus on fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and nuts.
You should also have fish “at least a couple of times a week,” and eat poultry, eggs, cheese, and yogurt “sparingly.” The diet does not prohibit sweets and red meat, but it does encourage you to eat them only on special occasions.
2. DASH Diet
DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. The diet is promoted by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to stop or prevent high blood pressure. DASH ranks third in the “Best Heart-Healthy Diet” category.
The diet focuses on lean protein, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy in an attempt to help manage blood pressure, because these foods contain nutrients such as potassium, calcium, fiber, and protein. All of these nutrients have been shown to “deflate blood pressure.”
DASH also recommends limiting sodium to 2300 mgs a day.
According to US News, the diet works because it’s easy to follow long-term.The DASH diet recommends making small changes such as:
Adding one vegetable or fruit serving to each meal
Introducing two or more meatless meals per week
Using herbs and spices rather than salt to flavor food
Snacking on almonds or pecans instead of chips
Swapping whole wheat flour for white flour whenever you can
Taking a 15-minute walk after lunch or dinner (or both)
DASH, according to US News, can be used as a weight loss diet if you burn more calories than you take in.
3. Flexitarian Diet
“Flexitarian” is a combination of two words — flexible and vegetarian. The term basically means that you’re a vegetarian most of the time, but you can eat meat when the urge hits. The diet is based on a book called The Flexitarian Diet: The Mostly Vegetarian Way to Lose Weight, Be Healthier, Prevent Disease and Add Years to Your Life, by Dawn Jackson Blatner, a registered dietician.
The idea is that if you consume more vegetables than meat, you can lose weight and improve your overall health. The US News panel of experts agree, because the Flexitarian Diet ranks third for the “Best Diets Overall,” “Best Diets for Weight Loss,” “Best Diets for Healthy Eating,” and “Best Weight Loss Diets.”
According to US News, the diet is easy to follow. The diet emphasizes plant-based protein (beans, peas, lentils), eggs, dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Blatner’s book offers a customizable meal plan that includes two snacks. If you follow the plan, you’ll consume about 1500 calories a day.
You can adjust your food intake as necessary for weight loss or maintenance. How much you consume depends on your age, weight, height, and activity level.
4. MIND Diet
The MIND Diet is designed to help promote brain health. Note: There is no guaranteed way to prevent Alzheimer’s, but eating leafy greens, nuts, and berries may lower your risk of developing the progressive brain disorder.
MIND stands for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay, and it’s a mixture of the DASH and Mediterranean diets. The diet was developed by Martha Clare Morris, a nutritional epidemiologist at Rush University Medical Center.
If you follow the MIND Diet, you’ll eat at least three servings of whole grains, a salad, and one more vegetable. You also get a glass of wine, which is good for brain health, according to Morris.
You’ll snack on nuts most days, and every other day you should eat half a cup of beans. You’re supposed to include poultry and blueberries twice a week, and fish once a week. When you cook at home, you should use olive oil instead of other cooking oils.
5. Volumetrics Diet
This diet was created by Barbara Rolls, a nutrition professor at Penn State University. Like the Mediterranean Diet, Volumetrics is an approach to eating, rather than a structured diet.
Volumetrics groups foods by energy density. Basically, the lower a food’s energy density, the more likely it is to fight off hunger.
For example, non-starchy fruits and vegetables, and broth-based soups have a very low energy density because they’re mostly water. Those foods are in Category One.
Low-density (Category Two) is the next step up. Those foods include starchy fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat meat.
Medium-density (Category Three) foods include meat, cheese, pizza, ice cream, pretzels, and cake.
High-density foods make up Category Four, and they include chips, chocolate candy, cookies, butter, and crackers.
To follow the diet, you’ll use Rolls’ book to categorize your food choices. You’re supposed to focus mainly on Category One and Two foods, keep Category Three portions small, and eat Category Four foods rarely.
Volumetrics can help you lose weight if you stay in a caloric deficit, which may be easy to do if you eat mainly filling, low-calorie foods.
6. Mayo Clinic Diet
The Mayo Clinic Diet is designed to promote “weight loss and a healthy lifestyle.” The diet uses the Mayo Clinic’s “unique food pyramid” that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
The diet works on some of the same principles as the Volumetrics Diet by focusing on foods with low energy densities. For example, two cups of broccoli has the same amount of calories as one quarter of a Snickers bar.
The Mayo Clinic Diet is effective for weight loss. According to the Mayo Clinic, you can lose “6-10 pounds in two weeks, and continue losing 1-2 pounds each week until you hit your goal weight.” You do this by adding a healthy breakfast, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day.
7. TLC Diet
In the diet’s case, “TLC” stands for Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes. The National Institute of Health’s National Cholesterol Education Program created the diet with the goal of cutting cholesterol for heart health. It focuses on vegetables, fruits, bread, whole grains, pasta, and lean meat.
If you want to lower your LDL (bad cholesterol) level, men are supposed to eat 2,500 calories a day, and women are to eat 1,800. If you also want to lose weight, men are to eat 1,600 calories a day, and women are supposed to aim for 1,200 calories a day.*
Then you’re supposed to limit saturated fat to less than seven percent of your daily calories. If you do that and our LDL level hasn’t dropped by 8-10 percent, then add “two grams of plant stanols or sterols and 10-25 grams of soluble fiber every day.” You can find stanols and sterols in vegetable oils.
Other daily guidelines include:
Keeping meat to a maximum of five ounces per day, and sticking to skinless poultry and fish
Eating 2-3 servings of low-fat or nonfat dairy products
Loading up on fruits and vegetables — up to four servings of fruit and 3-5 servings of vegetables daily
Eating 11 servings of bread, cereal, rice, pasta, or other grains
*The exact appropriate number of calories to eat may differ for each individual person. Speak to a doctor before beginning a new diet.
Healthy Choices for Your Overall Health
The above diets may be a great starting point for getting or staying healthy. Go to your doctor with specific questions about diet and exercise, and check out our blog for information about Medicare. To learn more about Medicare Advantage and/or Medicare Supplements, call 844-431-1832 or contact us here to arrange a meeting with a licensed agent.
Home Health Tests Seniors Should Try
We’re all aware we should make an effort to regularly see our physicians. But we also know that life tends to get in the way.
Especially for seniors, transportation and cost can often prevent routine doctor visits. However, just because you can’t get to your doctor’s office, doesn’t mean you have to stay in the dark about your health. There are quite a number of tests that you can perform without ever leaving home!
Tests You Can Do At Home Today
The range of at-home tests and testing methods varies widely. Some require expensive medical equipment only available through a supplier and with a prescription, while others require only a pen and paper. Here are some tests that you can do today with little to no supplies
SAGE Test for Dementia
The Self-Administered Gerocognitive Exam, or SAGE, was devised by researchers from the Wexner Medical Center at Ohio State University. SAGE can help detect early warning signs of cognitive impairment and memory loss in less than 15 minutes.
The test has several components and several forms, all of which can be viewed and downloaded at the Wexner Medical Center’s website. These include sections on orientation, language, memory and visuospatial awareness.
The most well-known element of the SAGE is known as the clock drawing test. All you need to do is get out a pen and paper and draw a picture of a clock, with the hands reading 3:40. Then compare your drawing to a real clock to see how you scored.
If your circle is closed, give yourself a point. If all twelve numbers are accounted for and in the right place, you get two more points. If your hands are in the correct position as well, you passed with flying colors. A score of any less than three points, however, might be an indication that you should see your physician for further screening. This test is sometimes performed without the rest of the exam, though it is usually recommended to perform the entire SAGE test for dementia detection.
Free Medicare 101 Course
Window Test for Vision Loss
Our eyes take a lot of abuse these days from the onslaught of screens and artificial lighting. It’s even more severe as we get older and the natural, age-related loss of vision begins to take effect. If you experience some trouble reading, give yourself this informal at-home eye exam to judge whether or not you should seek an eye care professional.
First, sit across the room from a large window or door so that you can see all the lines of the frame around it. Cover one eye and focus on the window or door frame with your open one for 30 seconds. Then repeat with the opposite eye. The horizontal and vertical lines of the frame should be clearly visible with no missing or hazy areas. If the edges of the frame seem distorted or warped, this may indicate macular degeneration, a disease that is currently the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in people over 60.
Cushion Test for Peripheral Arterial Disease
The cushion test can be performed without even getting out of bed! It can help detect blocked arteries in your legs and feet, a condition known as PAD, or peripheral arterial disease. Those with high blood pressure or diabetes, both common among seniors, are especially at-risk for this disease.
To perform this test, lie on a bed and elevate your legs with pillows or cushions until they are resting at a comfortable 45-degree angle. Keep them there for one minute, then sit up and swing your legs over the side of the bed so that they hang at an angle of 90 degrees. If either or both of your legs turn pale when elevated and take several minutes to return to their normal shade after sitting up, you may need to consult your physician with the results from this peripheral artery disease test.
Phalen’s Maneuver for Carpal Tunnel
We are an increasingly computer-savvy society and people of all ages are typing more than they used to. Extended periods of typing are strongly associated with carpal tunnel syndrome, a painful condition caused by a pinched median nerve in the wrist, but many other activities like driving can bring on these symptoms as well. Furthermore, people over 55 years old are at a much higher risk and those over 65 are more likely to have cases that are severe.
Phalen’s maneuver is a test devised to diagnose carpal tunnel at home and has been shown to be surprisingly effective. To see for yourself, press the tops of your hands together with your fingers pointing toward the floor and your elbows extended. If you can, hold this position for a full minute. If you feel an unpleasant sensation, such as prickling, tingling, or burning, you may likely have carpal tunnel and should consider preventive measures.
Check out this video from Physiotutors on YouTube that explains how to perform the Phalen test:
Testing With Medical Equipment
Some at-home health tests will require special instruments to fully gauge the results. While many of these items can be freely obtained from online and brick-and-mortar retailers, some require ordering through a medical supplier with a doctor’s prescription. Below, we will detail some of the testing you can do at home with the help of specially-designed medical equipment.
Blood Sugar Test
For the 12 million seniors living with diabetes* (about 25% of those over the age of 65), monitoring blood sugar levels is an near-constant concern. Luckily, this is something that can be checked at home or on-the-go using a blood glucose monitor, or glucometer. These can be found online or in pharmacies in the form of kits, which include testing strips, needles (called lancets), and the glucometer itself.
To test blood sugar at home, you will need to insert a test strip into the electronic monitor and prick the side of your finger with the provided lancet. Gently apply pressure to that finger until you see a drop of blood form, then touch it to the edge of the test strip. In just a few seconds, you will have an accurate metering of your current blood sugar levels, no matter where you are.
Blood Pressure Test
Along with heart rate, breathing rate, and body temperature, blood pressure is one of the four most significant vital signs that our bodies produce. High blood pressure can be caused by countless factors like high cholesterol, stress, and even fear, and affects almost 70% of adults between the ages of 65 to 74. Monitoring blood pressure accurately is vitally important, as symptoms may not manifest until these levels are dangerously high. Doctors maintain accuracy by using large, costly machines but there are ways to test blood pressure at home with minimal equipment.
The quickest and most accurate results will come from automated, electronic blood pressure monitors that come with an upper arm cuff. Many different brands of at-home blood pressure cuff exist and can be found at pharmacies or similar retailers. The directions for use may change from model to model but there are certain rules that apply no matter what brand you use, including placing the cuff directly on the skin, placing the feet flat on the floor, elevating the arm to chest height, and avoiding smoking or drinking for 30 minutes before testing.
At-Home Lab Tests
Another popular method of in-home health testing comes in the form of test kits that can be ordered right to your door. These vary widely, not only in terms of what is being tested, but also in the method of sample collection. Some services will send a team of professionals to administer and retrieve your test, while others will only send instructions and require you to send your samples back in the mail for results. These can be purchased to test for a wide range of conditions, including food sensitivity, hormone testing, DNA testing, and other at-home blood tests.
Medicare DME Coverage
Medical equipment may be needed for certain tests.
Durable medical equipment, or DME, is a designation that Medicare uses to classify coverable medical equipment that can be used in the home. This benefit might be used to cover the cost of equipment to aid in the at-home testing we have already covered. The covered equipment can range from crutches and canes to CPAP devices and hospital beds, though it all must come from a Medicare-approved medical supplier.
Medicare-Approved Glucose Meters
Blood sugar monitors and test strips are usually covered under Medicare Part B as durable medical equipment for home use with a doctor’s prescription. You may be able to rent or buy a glucometer but Medicare will only provide coverage if both your physician and the supplier are both enrolled and participating in Medicare. Be sure to clarify this with your doctor and equipment supplier, as some may be enrolled but not “participating” and may not accept the cost of assignment.
Medicare Part B may cover the cost of a blood pressure monitor or ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) device but only under very specific circumstances. Part B will cover a blood pressure monitor and stethoscope for those who receive blood dialysis treatment in their home and will pay for the rental of an ABPM device for patients who have exhibited “white coat hypertension,” a phenomenon where nervousness in clinical settings causes artificially high blood pressure readings.
For those with Medicare Part C, or Medicare Advantage, all the benefits of Parts A & B will be covered but may also include additional benefits and expanded coverage. Contact your insurance company to find out if your Part C plan covers blood pressure monitors or glucometers.
If you don’t have a Medicare Advantage plan, give us a call at 844-431-1832 or contact us online to speak with a licensed agent and find a plan that can address your healthcare needs!
Help for Seniors Living Alone
Living alone is scary, no matter how old you are, but it gets scarier as you age and develop more health and safety concerns.
Concerned family members may start to lovingly imply that it “might be best” for you to move into an assisted living home, or start to ask questions.
You can share this blog with them to give them a sense of security that you are thinking about this and making the right moves. Living alone can be scary, but it’s not impossible.
Advantages of Elderly Living Alone and at Home
There are more benefits to living alone than your family members may realize. Living alone and at home can cost much less than moving into a retirement home or nursing facility. Of course, this can change depending on whether you have specific healthcare needs or require an in-home aide.
Living at home can also be much more comfortable. High-tier, expensive nursing homes, and retirement facilities can certainly be nice, but they often come at a cost.
Sometimes, more reasonably-priced facilities are not as comfortable as being home. Plus, there’s a sense of security and happiness that comes with staying in the home that you’ve worked for.
Tips for Living Alone
The following tips will not only provide you with a safer, healthier living situation but will also provide your friends and family members with peace of mind.
Attend your annual doctor visits, even if you feel fine.
Keep your social life as active as possible and get to know your neighbors.
Set reminders on your phone or calendar to refill your medication, or schedule automatic medication reminders.
Have a first-aid and a disaster preparedness kit easily assessable in case of emergency.
Make all necessary home repairs as soon as possible.
Always lock your doors and windows, and consider installing an alarm system.
Keep a list of emergency contacts pinned in a visible location in case of an emergency.
Consider purchasing useful devices for your home (see below)
Devices for Seniors Living Alone
Technology has made living at home by yourself much easier than it was for your grandparents. Everything from automatic vacuums to alarm systems makes home life safer, healthier, and more possible. We searched the internet, and these are some of our favorite devices that you can buy to improve your life at home.
Housekeeping Devices
Smart Vacuum – One of the hardest things about living alone as an older adult is finding ways to keep your house clean. Simple tasks like vacuuming will start to get harder, but smart vacuums can solve that problem for you. All you have to do is press a button on your phone to get a Roomba vacuum to do it for you!
Voice Assistants – Devices like Amazon’s “Alexa” and Google’s “Home” platform can save you from things turning off the light before you walk to bed, or having to get up and walk around too often.
Kitchen & Bath
Bath Mats, Chairs, and Bars –Slips and falls are one of the most dangerous parts of living alone because it’s hard to say how long it will be before someone can help you up. Be sure to buy grip bath mats for your shower or tub (or even for any tiled and slippery areas). Also, consider investing in a chair for the shower so that you don’t have to stand on the slippery tub.
Automatic Kitchen Appliances – Kitchen fires are another major concern for adults living alone. As symptoms of dementia start to appear, leaving appliances on can become a common occurrence. Consider appliances that have automatic “off” functions and cordless devices like this electric kettle.
Life Alert Devices for Seniors Living Alone
Life Alert is just one brand of medical alert device, which is a device you wear that can alert emergency personnel if you need help. Other brands include Medical Guardian and Philips Lifeline.
Life Alert – Life alert can be a lifesaver if you fall and can’t get up, or if you have a medical emergency and can’t reach for the phone. All you have to do is hit a button on your device (which you can wear around your neck), and help will arrive.
Medical Guardian – This company has a few different types of products for medical alerts and home safety. Their devices are capable of detecting falls and alerting authorities of any emergency instantly.
Philips Lifeline – Their products include wearable pieces like watches and necklaces as well as home bases that you can keep in your living room. Like other services, Philips Lifeline products will alert authorities. Uniquely, they focus on unique, individualized care plans, and there is two-way communication available so that you can request a specific type of emergency help.
How Medicare Covers Home Care
You can alleviate a lot of your and your family’s concerns about you living alone at home by taking charge of your in-home care. Medicare Part A covers part-time or intermittent home health services when ordered by a doctor.
It does NOT cover 24-hour care, meal delivery, or homemaker/custodial services, but you may be able to get those other items through select Medicare Advantage plans.
Home Care Services That Accept Medicare
To find home care services near you that accept Medicare, use Medicare.gov’s “Find a home health agency” tool. Type in your zip code and click “search” for a list of the providers in your area.
Home Health Services That Accept Medicare
Remember that if you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you’ll need to use your plan’s search tool or list of providers to make sure that the agency or service you want to use accepts your Medicare Advantage coverage.
Organizations That Offer Help for Elderly Living Alone
Living independently does not mean that you are completely alone. Even if you don’t have friends and family members close by, there are several organizations you can reach out to for help.
AARP & the AARP Foundation: AARP is a nonprofit organization with a goal to help people aged 50 and older improve their lives through better nutrition, housing, income, social activities, and more.
Area Agencies on Aging (AAA): The AAA is a nationwide program offering education, meal programs, transportation, and more for aging adults. Each of its programs is localized.
National Council on Aging: Works with nonprofits, governments, and businesses to provide programs and services for seniors in regards to health, finances, and legal concerns.
National Institute on Aging (NIA): The NIA conducts research on the well-being of older adults and is a great source for health topics. They also operate “Go4Life,” an exercise and physical activity program for seniors.
Meals on Wheels: The Meals on Wheels program is a localized program for meal delivery for people who have a hard time leaving their homes and cooking their own food. Click here to read more about Medicare meal delivery.
PACE (Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly): PACE helps eligible people over the age of 55 with medical, personal, and social care while they live at home. That can include medication delivery, transportation, etc.
Becoming a Caregiver
If you are reading this with another person in mind, maybe it’s time for you to become a caregiver. Keeping your loved ones at home instead of moving them to a facility is a tough decision to make.
Some older adults will truly be better off living in a medical facility, while others don’t need that level of attention and will be more comfortable at home. Have the discussion not only with your loved one but also with their doctors.
If you decide that your loved one is going to stay at home, and you would like to become their primary caregiver, there are a few steps you should take:
Learn everything you can about your loved one’s medical conditions so that you can provide the best possible care.
Reach out to the senior advocacy groups listed above for help with managing your loved one’s in-home care.
Talk to your loved one about Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance options and find out if you are eligible to be paid as a caregiver through their plan (click here to speak with a licensed agent).
This post was originally published on July 31, 2019, and updated on October 29, 2019.
Halloween Safety Tips: Take the Grandkids Trick or Treating
Kids love Halloween because it means they get to dress up as their favorite characters and eat candy. Grandparents love Halloween because they get to see their grandchildren have the time of their lives — it also means your grandkids might share their peanut butter cups.
Halloween can be a lot of fun, but it can also be dangerous. For example, kids are twice as likely to be hit by a car as they are on any other night of the year. With a little planning and supervision, you and your grandkids can safely enjoy Halloween. Follow these Halloween safety tips for maximum fun and peace of mind.
Safe Trick or Treating Tips
Before you take your grandchildren trick or treating, do the following things to ensure safety:
Explore Familiar Territory: As you age, it can become more difficult to see at night. Set a curfew for your grandkids and plan a route you’re familiar with. Make sure the route is well-lit and that you stay on the sidewalk. Always bring a flashlight with batteries and your cell phone. Walking around the neighborhood with your grandkids to get candy doesn’t only benefit them, it’s also a great way for you to get some exercise in!
Inspect Treats Before You Indulge: It may be hard for your grandchildren to wait until they get home to eat their candy, but they should. Look at their candy before they eat it, and throw away anything that’s already been opened, looks tampered with, or otherwise looks suspicious. If your grandkids are very young, remove any choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, and/or hard candy. If your grandkids have food allergies, carefully read the labels to make sure they’re safe.
Have a Plan in Case You Get Separated: You should try to stay with your grandchildren at all times, of course, but if you do happen to get separated, make sure you have a plan. Give your grandchild a piece of paper with your name and phone number and agree on a meeting spot in case you get separated .
Make Sure Costumes are Safe: Your grandkids should wear bright colors and flame-retardant materials. If it’s dark, add reflective tape to your grandkids’ trick or treat bags or costume. Masks can obstruct your grandchildren’s vision, so nontoxic makeup may be a better choice. Props with points such as swords and wands might pose safety hazards. If it’s chilly, make sure the costume is warm, or, at the very least, loose enough to wear warm clothing underneath (but not lose enough to create a tripping hazard).
Attend Trunk or Treat Events: If your area has them, trunk or treat events are a great way for your grandkids to get candy and for everyone to remain safe. In a trunk or treat event, people park their cars in parking lots, decorate open trunks,, and pass out candy to trick or treaters. These events can be a safer alternative to walking from door to door in neighborhoods.
Pumpkin Carving Safety
Carving jack-o’-lanterns may be a time-honored tradition, but it can lead to injuries if you don’t use safe practices.
Consider Carving Alternatives: Instead of taking a knife to a pumpkin, consider drawing with permanent markers or using puff paint. This tip is especially useful for young children. If you must actually carve a jack-o’-lantern, have an adult handle the knife — no matter how many times your grandkids ask.
Use Caution With Candles: Put candle-lit jack-o’-lanterns away from curtains or anything else that could catch on fire. Never leave pumpkins with candles unattended and be sure to blow out the flame before you leave. Or, instead of using candles, use battery-powered flameless candles, flashlights, or glow sticks.
Safe Trick or Treating at Home
Part of the fun in Halloween trick or treating is passing out candy at your own home. With a little preparation, you can make your home a safe place for trick or treaters to visit.
Remove Clutter: Put away tripping hazards such as garden hoses and bicycles. Be sure to clear leaves, snow, or other debris from your sidewalk.
Light the Area: Not only will lighting your porch, sidewalk, and/or driveway let trick or treaters know that you’re open for business, but good lighting also makes your property safer. Replace any burnt-out lightbulbs to ensure visibility.
Make Sure Your Pets Are Under Control: Don’t take any chances on a scared pet biting or chasing a trick or treater. Make sure your pets are well-behaved or that they’re in another part of the house.
Have a Safe and Happy Halloween!
We hope the above safety tips are useful and that Halloween is great for you and your grandkids. Check out our blog for more safety tips and information about Medicare. If you want to learn more about Medigap and/or Medicare Advantage, you can arrange an appointment with one of our highly trained, licensed agents by calling 844-431-1832 or contacting us here.
Fall Prevention: Tips, Tricks, and Exercises
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the leading cause of injury and death in older adults. Falls can occur at any time and can range in severity.
Seniors and Medicare eligibles can suffer from significant injuries or pain. The average hospital cost for a fall injury can exceed $30,000. Fall prevention is important to help lower the risk of falling and potential injuries.
Preventing Falls at Home
According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the majority of falls (60 percent!) occur in the home. Something as minor as a slippery spot on the floor or an electrical cord out of place can have devastating consequences.
Thankfully, there are several steps you can take to help reduce the risk of falling. The following are quick and easy suggestions that can give you a greater sense of security in your home:
Eliminate Clutter
If you have clutter in narrow or close areas, like hallways or staircases, you can easily trip or lose your balance. One of the easiest steps you can take is keeping your home clean and tidy by eliminating clutter and keeping your pathways clear.
Remove Hazards
Every room in your home should be free of tripping hazards. These hazards can include loose carpet, slippery rugs, damaged wood floorboards, etc. You should examine your home for these hazards and if you find one, remove or repair it. It is better to opt for carpet over hardwoods if possible.
Install Handrails
Woman Using Grab Bar
Grab bars and handrails can help to lower your risk of falling, especially in the bathroom. Install handrails near the toilet and bathtub and in hallways and stairwells. If you are unable to install these yourself, contact a handyman or a family member.
Wear Properly Fitting Clothes
Everyone wants to be comfortable and able to relax in their home, but did you know that baggy clothes can make you more likely to fall? Wear clothes that are the proper length, and avoid wearing anything that drags on the floor.
Wear shoes or non-slip slippers when possible. Socks can be slippery and increase your risk of falling. Non-slip socks are great alternatives that help maintain comfort and lower your risk of falling.
Create Light
It’s important that your home is well lit so you can see where you are walking. Install brighter light bulbs in dark, high-risk falling areas like hallways or stairwells. Plus, night-lights in bathrooms or hallways can help you see during any time of the night.
Preventing Falls in Hospitals
If you are in a hospital for any given reason, there is a risk of falling, especially if you are staying long-term. If you need to get up or go to the bathroom, use the call light or ask the nurse for help.
Some medicines can make you feel sleepy or dizzy, so when you are getting up, move slowly. Be sure to wear your glasses or hearing aids when you are up and moving around.
Plus, use a walker or cane because bedside tables, IV poles, and other objects cannot provide the proper support. Lastly, if you have any concerns about your safety, be sure to alert the nursing staff.
How Can Seniors Prevent Falls?
Fall Prevention Exercise – Medicare Plan Finder
Exercising is a great way to increase your balance and help lower your risk of falling. These exercises can help strengthen your muscles, and when completed regularly, improve your muscles and joints. The following are great exercises that help prevent falls:
Chair Sit to Stand
Find a sturdy chair with arms. Practice getting in and out of the chair and focus on utilizing your leg muscles. Use the arms of the chair to help you get up, but as you improve, try using only one hand. Aim for 10 repetitions.
Marching in Place
Have a chair nearby in case you lose your balance. Practice marching in place, but bring your knees as high as you can. Use your muscles instead of your momentum. Aim for 10 knee raises on each leg.
Balance on One Leg
Find a sturdy surface like a chair or countertop. Use these surfaces for support. Raise one leg and try to find your balance while standing on the other. Aim for 10-15 seconds per leg.
Toe to Heel
Hold onto a chair or countertop. Raise up onto the balls of your feet and hold for a few seconds, then relax into a normal stance. Next, rock back on your heels and hold for a few seconds. Aim for ten repetitions.
Injuries and Complications
As we mentioned above, falls are the leading cause of injury and death in older adults. Did you know one out of five falls will result in a serious injury such as a broken bone or head injury?
These injuries can make living your day-to-day life difficult. Plus, if you have vitamin d deficiency or take certain medications like sedatives or antidepressants, your risk of falling increases. Common injuries from falling include:
Head injuries
Hip fractures
Back and spinal injuries
Shoulder injuries
Torn ligaments, tendons, and muscles
Neck injuries
What to Do If You Fall
In the unfortunate incident you do fall and you live alone, you may consider buying a medical alert system to contact emergency personnel. A medical alert system is a device that you wear that features a button you can push to call for help. The systems usually come with monthly fees, but Life Alert and other medical alert devices can help provide peace of mind.
You can also keep a cordless phone or smartphone with you at all times, so you can call for help if you fall.
Another option is wearing a smartwatch. According to NPR, the Apple Watch can detect when a user has fallen, and the device will generate a notification to emergency personnel. If you don’t respond for more than a minute after the alert, the watch can automatically call for help and send “a message with location to emergency contacts.”
Does Medicare Cover Fall Injuries?
Medicare generally covers most expenses if you have a fall. If you are admitted to a hospital from your injuries, Part A may cover this expense or any necessary treatments.
Your Part A deductible and coinsurance may apply after 60 days. If you go to an emergency room, doctor’s office, or clinic due to a fall, Part B generally covers these expenses. Similar to Part A, your deductible, coinsurance, or copay payment amounts may apply.
Fall prevention is one of many ways to remain proactive and practice a healthy lifestyle. Medicare Advantage plans can offer even more benefits and coverage that help you become the healthiest version of you. Many MA plans offer hearing, dental, and vision coverage, and some even offer group fitness classes like SilverSneakers®.
If you are interested in arranging a free, no-obligation appointment with a top agent, call us at 844-431-1832 or fill out this form.
*This post was originally published on November 13, 2018. Last Updated on October 18, 2019.
Ultimate Guide to NIA’s Go4Life® Program
According to the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), “only 28-34 percent of adults ages 65-74 are physically active.” In an effort to get seniors moving, the National Institute of Aging (NIA) launched the Go4Life® campaign.
What Is Go4Life®?
Go4Life® is exercise and physical activity campaign from the National Institute of Aging at NIH (National Institutes of Health) that’s designed to help people include exercise and physical activity in their daily lives.
According to NIA, the campaign’s “essential elements are motivating older adults to become physically active for the first time, return to exercise after a break in their routines, or build more exercise and physical activity into weekly routines.”
The campaign offers exercise guides, motivational tips, and other free resources such as tracking tools to help you get started with and keep at physical activity.
Go4Life ® Types of Exercise
Go4Life®’s goal is to have people focus on more than one type of exercise. The campaign recommends doing four types of exercise for comprehensive physical fitness*:
Endurance
Strength
Balance
Flexibility
*Always check with your doctor before starting any exercise program.
Endurance
Endurance activities are also called aerobic or cardiovascular exercise.
Benefits of Endurance Training
According to the Mayo Clinic, cardiovascular exercise has many benefits including:
Strengthening your heart and muscles
Burning calories
Helping control your appetite
Boosting your mood through endorphins (feel-good chemicals)
Helping you sleep better at night
Reducing arthritis pain and joint stiffness
Helping prevent or manage high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes
Endurance Training Exercises
Go4Life® recommends the following endurance exercises:
Mall Walking: Malls provide a safe space for walking that’s free from bad weather and traffic.
Walking or Rolling Exercise: Brisk walking or rolling in a wheelchair around your neighborhood or other outdoor areas can increase your heart rate and breathing.
Exercise Around the House: You don’t even need to leave your home to be active! For example, gardening, sweeping, raking, and shoveling snow are great ways to get your heart rate up.
Outdoor Activities: These activities include cycling, horseback riding, sailing, jogging, skating, snorkeling, and swimming.
Indoor Activities: These activities include indoor lap swimming, using cardio equipment at your local gym, dancing, water aerobics, martial arts, and/or bowling.
Sports: Competition and teamwork can be extremely motivating. Sports such as tennis, pickleball, volleyball, and hockey can be great ways to raise your heart rate and help keep you healthy.
Strength
When many people think of strength training, they think of lifting weights at the gym. While that is one way, you can also get valuable strength training in the comfort of your own home with dumbbells and/or resistance bands.
Benefits of Weight Lifting
According to RunRepeat.com, “long-term lifting is the best way to prevent age-related muscle loss,” and lifting is “even prescribed for the prevention of diseases like osteoporosis.” Other benefits include:
Weight Lifting Routines for Seniors and Medicare Eligibles
Go4Life® suggests gradually increasing the weight you use to build strength. Start with a weight you can lift eight times maximum. Use the same weight until you can easily do 10-15 repetitions.
When you can do two sets of 10-15 repetitions, add more weight. You should only be able to lift the new weight eight times. Then repeat that cycle until you reach your goal. Go4Life® recommends the following strength exercises. You can find exercise instructions here.
Upper Body Exercises
Seated rows with resistance bands
Chair dips
Bicep curls with resistance bands
Wall pushups
Dumbbell bicep curls
Lateral raises with dumbbells
Front raises with dumbbells
Overhead presses with dumbbells
Dumbbell wrist curls
Grip exercise with a tennis ball
Tricep extensions with a dumbbell
Lower Body Exercises
Calf raises using a chair for balance
Standing from a chair
Leg extensions
Leg curls
Lateral leg raises
Back leg raises
Balance
As we age, our sense of balance can change. According to Harvard University, we lose our sense of balance if we aren’t physically active.
Benefits of Balance Training
According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), about 25 percent of adults over 65 fall every year, and the right exercise program can help seniors prevent falls. It makes sense, too. NIA says that having good balance will help you carry out daily activities such as walking up and down stairs and navigating around objects on the floor.
Balance Exercises to Try at Home
Follow the instructions here to start Go4life®’s balance training routine.
Go4Life recommends doing the following stretches three to five times whenever you exercise. You can do all of these exercises at home using a chair, supporting yourself with a wall, or lying on the floor.
Partner stretch
Standing calf stretch
Lying lower back stretch
Lying hip stretch
Standing thigh stretch
Lying thigh stretch
Seated back of leg stretch
Lying back of leg stretch
Seated ankle stretch
Various seated back stretches
Getting up from a lying position on the floor
Lying down from a seated position
Go4Life® also recommends yoga to help improve your flexibility.
Medicare Fitness Coverage
If you’re eligible for Medicare, you may be able to find coverage for gym memberships and fitness classes. Original Medicare, the public health insurance does not offer a fitness benefit. However, certain private insurance policies called Medicare Advantage plans can cover gym memberships and fitness classes.
Programs such as Silver & Fit® and SilverSneakers® partner with insurance carriers and local gyms to offer beneficiaries discounted memberships. Some insurance carriers even offer their own fitness benefits.
Some Medicare Advantage plans that offer fitness benefits even have $0 monthly premiums*! Plan benefits and availability vary by location, so check with your agent if you have questions about Medicare fitness coverage.
*Even if your Medicare Advantage plan has a $0 premium, you may still owe the Part B premium.
Find Coverage for Medicare Fitness Programs
Go4Life® provides exercise guidance so seniors can get active. If you want to learn about Medicare Advantage fitness coverage, a licensed agent with Medicare Plan Finder can help. Our agents are highly trained and they may be able to help you find a plan that fits your lifestyle and budget. To set up a no-cost, no-obligation appointment, call 844-431-1832 or contact us here today.
