Senior Resource Guide Houston (Spring/Summer 2022)

Page 56

EARLY PHASE

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INITIAL MEDICAL CARE

UNDERSTANDING MEDICARE:

Parts, Plans and Meeting Your Needs Courtesy of Sharon Wagner, seniorfriendly.info

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SRGTEXAS.COM

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SPRING/SUMMER 2022

any Americans who enter into Medicare do so with a sketchy understanding of how the system works. That’s rather alarming considering how much older Americans rely on Medicare for their health care needs. It’s essential that seniors and their caregivers understand how the program works to avoid missing out on important benefits and paying unnecessarily high costs. Sometimes, the best approach is to start from the beginning when unraveling a complex subject like Medicare.

PARTS OF MEDICARE When you sign up for Medicare at age 65 you’re automatically enrolled in Plan A, which is hospital coverage, and Plan B, which covers outpatient coverage. Part A covers room and board in a hospital or skilled nursing facility, while Part B covers things like doctor visits, surgeries, lab work, equipment and diagnostic tests. Prescription drugs are covered under Part D, which provides a card that allows you to buy prescription medications at a significantly lower cost than retail. Part D insurance is voluntary coverage but it’s a key part of the system because paying out-ofpocket for medications can be extremely expensive.


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Steps to Take After the Passing of a Loved One

1min
pages 158-159

Understanding Hospice

3min
pages 150-153

Types of Residential Care for Seniors

1min
pages 126-128

What’s Skilled Care

2min
pages 144-146

Looking at Skilled Nursing Options

1min
pages 147-148

Paying for Long-Term Care

1min
pages 111-112

Reminiscence Therapy

4min
pages 98-102

Tips for Effective Alzheimer’s

1min
pages 103-105

Signs Not to Ignore Dementia Versus

2min
pages 106-108

Steps to Take After a Memory Issue is Recognized

2min
pages 96-97

Homemade Turmeric

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pages 94-95

Meaningful Minutes for Caregivers

2min
pages 82-83

How Can You

2min
pages 92-93

Why are Seniors More at Risk of Dehydration?

2min
pages 90-91

When Do You Need

2min
pages 75-77

Home Care Versus

1min
pages 78-79

A Guide to Medication

2min
pages 68-69

Ombudsmen are

2min
pages 46-47

Make the Most of

2min
pages 63-64

Volunteering Opportunities

1min
pages 42-43

Five Must-Have Legal Documents

2min
pages 54-55

Understanding Medicare: Parts, Plans and Meeting Your Needs

2min
pages 56-58

What’s an Adult

1min
pages 40-41
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