Health Services

guide you to online information and resources. (1-800247-4422) • Medicare Counseling Appointments provides beneficiaries with a one-on-one meeting with a Certified

Medicare Counselor in person, over the phone, or a webbased platform. During these appointments counselors assist beneficiaries to understand their benefits so they can determine the best coverage from what is available to them when becoming eligible for Medicare or eligible for a Special

Enrollment Period due to a qualifying change in situation. • Annual Open Enrollment Counseling Appointments provide beneficiaries with a one-on-one meeting with a

Certified Medicare Counselor to review their coverage and determine the best coverage, from what is available, for the following year. • The SHIBA Website (shiba.idaho.gov) is a great resource for current beneficiaries, those who are new to Medicare, and those who are assisting others. It offers information on | Medicare and Idaho-Specific Coverage and Rules | Medicare Advantage Plans and Prescription Drug

Coverage | Idaho Medigap Rates | Resources For Seniors and Caregivers | Programs Available to Help Save Money on Medicare

Costs | How To File a Medicare Complaint | SHIBA’s Calendar of Events and Registration | Volunteer Information | And So Much More!

What are key points to remember about Medicare?

Medicare is health insurance. There are different ways to get coverage. There are programs for people with limited income and resources.

It is important to make the right decisions at the right time and get help if you need it. SHIBA will provide that help. Call

SHIBA today at 1-800-247-4422.

The SHIBA Helpline is open 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday-Friday.

Would you like to help others?

Idaho SHIBA is always seeking new volunteers who want to help others in their community. SHIBA volunteer counselors and educators are provided with excellent training, so they are prepared to assist those needing guidance.

As a SHIBA volunteer you’ll gain valuable experience. You’ll become an expert on Medicare health, hospitalization, prescription, and supplemental insurance. As a volunteer you can help individuals compare their options, solve problems with their insurance, help with understanding medical bills, find resources to reduce medical and prescription costs, and identify and report fraud. The SHIBA program does not sell insurance or recommend companies or policies but provides unbiased information.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer Medicare Counselor or would like to learn more, please visit us online at SHIBA.idaho.gov and click on “Get Involved with SHIBA” or call us at 1-800-247-4422.

Written by the Idaho Department of Insurance SHIBA Team

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The Burden of Alzheimer’s Falls Mostly to Women

by Michelle Larson, Community Outreach Manager, Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer’s Association releases the Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report each year, providing an in-depth look at the latest statistics and information on disease prevalence, mortality, costs of care and impact on caregivers across the country and in Idaho. When looking at the data, one thing is clear: the burden of Alzheimer’s falls disproportionately to women.

Over 6 million people in the U.S. over the age of 65 are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Of those, nearly two-thirds or 3.6 million are women. A woman’s estimated lifetime risk of developing Alzheimer’s at age 65 is 1 in 5. Surprisingly, women in their 60s are about twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s than they are to develop breast cancer.

Why the disproportionate impact?

For many years, the disproportionate impact of Alzheimer’s on women was attributed to age: Women live longer than men and age is the greatest known risk factor for Alzheimer’s — but now, scientists aren’t sure it’s that simple. Some research suggests that the risk for developing Alzheimer’s could be greater for women due to biological or genetic variations, or even different life experiences, such as education, occupation or rates of heart disease.

One area researchers are exploring is focused on female reproduction. A recent study in California found correlations between reproductive history and risk for dementia. Women were at higher risk for dementia when they: • Had their first menstrual period at age 16 or older (31% higher) • Experienced natural menopause before the age of 45 (28% higher) • Had at least one miscarriage; each miscarriage was associated with a 9% increased risk of dementia

The same study found that women who have given birth to three or more children had a 12% lower risk of dementia compared to women with one child.

Social factors may also play a part. For example, a recent study showed that women who participated in the paid workforce earlier in life had better cognitive outcomes after age 60. Another study showed that lower education levels in women born in the first half of the 20th century could account for an elevated risk of dementia.

While more research is needed, these studies support a promising theory: that events across someone’s lifespan may impact their risk of developing dementia. Findings like these may also lead to risk reduction strategies specifically for women in the future.

Women’s role as dementia caregivers

Not only are women more likely to have Alzheimer’s, they are also more likely to be caregivers of loved ones living with dementia.

According to the Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures report, approximately two-thirds of dementia caregivers are women. Not only is it more common for wives to provide informal care for a husband than vice versa, but it also affects multiple generations, as more than one-third of dementia caregivers are daughters caring for a parent.

Women caregivers may also experience higher levels of depression and impaired health than their male counterparts. Evidence suggests these differences arise because female caregivers tend to spend more time caregiving, take on more caregiving tasks and continue to provide care for a longer period of time. For instance, women are two-and-a-half times more likely to live full-time with the person they’re caring for, and of those providing care for five years or more, 63% are women.

What can I do?

While women are more likely than men to develop Alzheimer’s disease, growing evidence indicates that everyone can reduce their risk of cognitive decline by adopting key lifestyle changes. It’s never too late or too early to incorporate brain-healthy habits like: • Getting regular exercise • Eating a diet that is lower in fat and higher in veggies and fruit • Making sure you’re getting enough sleep • Keeping your brain active through socialization with other people or engaging in something challenging or creative.

Whether you’re someone who’s concerned about memory loss, living with Alzheimer’s disease or caring for a loved one with dementia, the Alzheimer’s Association in North Idaho has resources available to help. We offer