It is Medicare enrollment time once again! From now until December 7th you can review your parents’ policies and make sure they have the right plan for their needs. If their medical complications have increased or decreased they may need to see if their is a plan that better fits their conditions, medicines and finances. Each year costs, benefits, supplements can change in each state. Before assisting them you may want to know some basics about Medicare. The government insurance program for people over the age of 65 is very complex and uses slang that may be quite confusing, especially for older adults. As adult children you may be better equipped to understand what mom and dad really need and what plans are offered.

Medicare part A-D refer to different coverage under Medicare. Medicare part A is “hospital insurance” that covers care when there is an acute issue and they have to go to the hospital. Nursing, therapy and hospice care needed after a hospital stay may also be covered for a short term.

Medicare part B is “medical insurance” which covers services and supplies that are medically necessary to treat a medical condition. Outpatient care and preventative services can be covered under this part also.

Medicare part C represents Advantage Plans, these are plans offered by Private Insurance agencies that cover the same services as Part A and B.In addition, these plans may offer other benefits and cover prescription drug plans (Part D). Go here to learn more about Advantage Plans: http://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/medicare-health-plans/medicare-advantage-plans/how-medicare-advantage-plans-work.html

Medicare Part D refers to the subsidized prescription drug premiums for Medicare beneficiaries. These plans are good to review yearly to ensure the medicines that are being taken are covered in their plan.

While the task of helping your parents get their Medicare info together can be daunting, there is help out there that can make life a little easier. Using a trained SHIIP counselor (see your local Shepherds Center), you will get an unbiased person to help navigate the different plans. Independent agents can also explain different plans they may be able to offer.

We hope your family feels confident they are covered correctly in 2015. We are here to be a resource to you adult children who are caring for mom and dad. Please give us a call if you have questions on how we could assist you further at 336-993-1600.

Caring for a loved one can be difficult. This can be especially difficult when it comes to maintaining and remembering when to take medications. It may be difficult for your loved one to remember which medication to take at what time, especially if they take multiple medicines. Although remembering medications can be taxing, it is extremely important because it can lead to overdosing or even under-dosing on medication.

Statistics say that on average a senior takes about 7 different medications, this includes prescribed and over-the-counter drugs. Having to take so many medications in a day causes people to neglect taking their medications properly.Believe it or not, 30% of all hospital admissions for people over the age of 65 are directly attributable to missed doses or overdoses of medication.

It is important that the senior and family caregiver get an understanding of the different medications that are prescribed. Make sure to ask the physician what exactly each medication does, the side effects of each medicine, and adverse effects of taking different types of medications at the same time. The mismanagement of taking medications can be very dangerous and even life threatening. This is why being informed on the different medications is crucial.

When medication is misused, it can cause many different signs that help one to recognize that something is wrong. Some examples may include dizziness, nausea, confusion, memory issues, hallucinations, troubled sleeping patterns, incontinence, and increased falls. Malnutrition can also be a sign of medication misuse because seniors who may be confused may not eat properly.

Luckily, there are plenty of resources

and devices that can help with medication reminders. Clearly labeled pill boxes and pill boxes with alarms can simplify the routine. Agencies like the Shepherd Center have free telephone reassurance programs, where people can call to remind and check on clients. Home Health Agencies like Gentiva and Care South can send an RN out to set up medications and do some education for clients and be covered my insurance. Having a caregiver present can also be a helpful reminder of when it is the right time to take medication and to ensure they are actually taking the medication correctly.

We here at Home Loving Senior Care know how challenging it can be caring for a loved one who is ill or just needs some assistance here and there. We can help relieve your stress with our companionship services and medication reminders. If you are ever interested to learn more about our services, feel free to contact us at (336) 993-1600.

Bladder control can become more and more difficult to handle as we age. Incontinence is the inability to control bowel and bladder functions. This can be very stressful on the family member or caretaker. There are several causes of incontinence but there are also many ways to help manage it while staying as stress free as possible.

Many factors such as medical conditions, medications and diuretics, and even the environment can cause incontinence. Conditions such as: Urinary Tract Infections, diabetes, stroke, muscular disorders, and even physical disabilities can prevent the person from reaching the bathroom in time. Sleeping pills and anxiety-reducing drugs can cause the bladder to relax and make it hard to control the urge to use the bathroom. This is why making sure that there is a clear path to the bathroom is very beneficial.

Caring for a loved one who is incontinent can be very difficult and stressful. It is important to recognize the best way to approach and respond to someone who deals with incontinence. Being supportive and respecting their need for privacy reassures the person to reduce any feelings of embarrassment or shame.

Although it may seem reasonable to withhold fluids to help reduce the number of accidents, for this can be dangerous. Withholding fluids can cause dehydration which could lead to even more problems such as increased incontinence and agitated behavior. However, you may want to limit the amount of fluids before bed time, to prevent any accidents at night.

Don’t let your loved ones fear of having an “accident” prevent them from living day to day life and going out. Keeping them active and maintaining a social life is vital and still give them a sense of self worth and joy. When going on outtings, be prepared, take a small bag with supplies such as pads or incontinence briefs, wipes, and a change of clothes.

Incontinence can cause stress on the caretaker and their loved one. Always remain patient and calm so that it does not make matters worse. If you feel yourself getting overwhelmed because of your loved ones incontinence, we here at Home Loving Senior Care have properly trained staff that can help ease your stress level and provide exceptional care to your family member. Call today to learn more about how we can help with your loved ones needs at 33-993-1600.