Kokomo Magazine August 2023

STAYING IN THE KNOW

SENIOR PRODUCTS SPECIALIST NICK BYRD BREAKS DOWN OPTIONS WITH SENIOR LIVING EXPENSES

COMFORTING CARE

GUARDIAN ANGEL HOSPICE HAS BEEN PROVIDING DIGNIFIED AND COMPASSIONATE SERVICES FOR 20-PLUS YEARS AND COUNTING

MEDICAID MADE MANAGEABLE SILVER BIRCH OF KOKOMO HELPS WITH THE MANY ASPECTS OF THE MEDICAID PROCESS

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KEY CONTRIBUTORS

SERVING BY SEWING

IN

STITCHES WITH DEB ORGANIZATION ACTS AS A COMMUNITY SEWING MINISTRY

Photography Provided

In Stitches with Deb is a community ministry dedicated to making life a little easier for hospice patients and their families. Completely donation and volunteer based, it provides unique and colorful hospital gowns to facilities in Kokomo as well as hospice programs in surrounding counties.

The organization got its start when Founder Deborah Zent realized there was a need for easy-to-put-on and comfortable clothing for those who are bedridden.

In 2013, after more than three decades as a nurse, Zent switched to the field of hospice. In one of the first homes she visited, she noticed that her 80-something patient was

dressed in a button-down Oxford cloth shirt. His wife took Zent back to the kitchen where her sewing machine was located. She showed Zent how she sewed the front closed and altered the back by cutting the material out and installing ties.

“I started to wonder how others handle dressing at the end of life,” Zent says. “I went

SEWING

•

Writer / Julie Yates

home and talked to my husband about how I wanted to make gowns for those who needed them. He agreed and my son helped as well. The demand grew so much, our family couldn’t keep up.”

Fortunately, by 2016 the community stepped up. The marketing department at St. Vincent Ascension got the word out that volunteers were needed and a local church, St. Joan of Arc, opened its gymnasium for the first community sewing event. Today, 20 core volunteers meet monthly, other individuals sew at home and the community event takes

“This year the community sewing event was held July 8,” Zent says. “We have many men that sew and even people that don’t know how to sew. There are other tasks they can do. We call ourselves ‘sewists’ because ‘sewers’ looks too much like sanitation plumbing. The ‘In stitches’ part of our name is for more reasons than one - we have fun.”

The majority of the gowns are constructed from easy-care, wash-andwear cotton, although a few flannel ones

are made as well. Three sizes are available including regular, which fits most people, petite for the small or short, and a plus size for bariatric patients. In addition, the group also makes other items such as catheter covers and clothing protectors. Everything is offered to patients for free.

The organization has had a ripple effect. Individuals from Florida, Missouri and Southern Indiana have contacted Zent in order to start similar groups. Patterns can be downloaded from the official In Stitches with Deb website. There is a tutorial on the site for instruction in sewing the gowns.

Also on the website is a QR code that links to the group’s Wish List on Amazon. com. It includes scissors, pins, ziplock plastic bags and laundry detergent, among other things. Many of the sewists buy the necessary materials on their own.

“This has been a God-inspired thing from the beginning,” Zent says. “He has sustained us with donations. There is no way I could do it all. I couldn’t do it without volunteers.”

Visit institcheswithdeb.com for more info.

CROSS AMERICA

COMFORTING CARE

GUARDIAN ANGEL HOSPICE HAS BEEN PROVIDING DIGNIFIED AND COMPASSIONATE SERVICES FOR 20-PLUS YEARS AND COUNTING

Lyn Salem, chief business development officer at Guardian Angel Hospice, knows why community members value the Kokomo hospice and routinely pick it to care for their loved ones.

“Guardian Angel Hospice was started with a group of talented professional women around a dining room table who had ‘the hospice heart,’” Salem says. “They knew they could be the best and they wanted to bring great service to their community. Our founding owner, Leslie Bever, CEO, taught us that we use the same care for patients and families that are leaving this world as you do for those coming into the world. This is someone’s loved one and we care for them as we would care of our own loved one, with respect, dignity and love.”

Guardian Angel Hospice, with a corporate office in Kokomo and other locations in

the hospice recently celebrated its 20-year anniversary.

Salem emphasizes the importance of being a locally owned business.

“Two of our founding owners are still active in the day-to-day operations of Guardian Angel Hospice,” Salem says. “Leslie Bever and Dorothy DeWitt have chosen to bring on succession partners to continue the legacy that is Guardian Angel Hospice instead of selling out to a large publicly owned corporation. It is important to our mission and vision to remain locally owned and operated, as we believe this enhances our care as each owner is available to families and patients for questions about services. If there is a specific need, it is taken care of in a timely manner.”

Guardian Angel Hospice also is a key business in the Kokomo community. They are involved in many Chamber of Commerce events, the We Care tree auction, and the IU Tipton Health

Fairs. The hospice also has an inpatient hospital contract with IU Tipton to serve community inpatient needs, participates in the Kokomo senior health fairs, is involved with the Military Foundation that serves Howard and Tipton counties, and volunteers with the Strawberry Festival. Additionally, Guardian Angel sponsors the Kokomo Women’s Business Council Leadership Conference with the Greater Kokomo Chamber of Commerce, and educates and serves the nursing classes at IU Kokomo and Ivy Tech.

For Salem, who has been with the hospice since 2004, making a difference in someone’s life has been the most rewarding part of her career.

“I started as a volunteer at Guardian Angel Hospice in 2004,” Salem says. “I volunteered for the clinical director as her administrative assistant for five weeks before I asked if I could be hired full time, and they did. It was the best day. I can remember being ecstatic that I was going to get an opportunity to

We are proud to be your locally owned and operated hospice experts in North Central Indiana. For 20 years we have brought comfort, dignity, and peace to patients and their families. For information on the best of hospice care, call us today. We’ll meet you where you are.

Writer / Natalie Platt Photography Provided

work with an organization that is making a difference every day in people’s lives.”

Salem has had many different roles over the years including referral-intake specialist, clinical administrative assistant, marketer, and director of marketing. In 2016 the founding owners decided they wanted their legacy to continue, and also wanted Guardian Angel Hospice to remain locally owned and operated.

“I was asked to become a succession owner and I absolutely accepted,” Salem says. “I am grateful for the opportunities that Guardian Angel Hospice has provided for me, my family and my community. Every day I learn something new about how we can make our services better for those around us, and I hope that opportunity continues for years to come.”

Salem expresses why the Kokomo community is so valuable to their business, and vice versa.

“Families chose Guardian Angel Hospice because of the reputation that has been established and maintained for over 20 years of being in the community,” she says. “We are a locally owned business whose owners live, shop and raise their families in the communities we serve. They chose us because we are like family, and we return that trust by caring for them as if they are family.”

For more info, go to guardianangelhospice.com.

STAYING IN THE KNOW

SENIOR PRODUCTS SPECIALIST NICK BYRD BREAKS DOWN OPTIONS WITH SENIOR LIVING EXPENSES

In addition to being a Medicare agent for Kokomo and the surrounding area, Nick Byrd has been an occupational therapist for 26 years. He’s worked in every skilled nursing facility in the area at one time or another and is currently a rehab director at a local assisted-living facility.

One of the questions he’s often asked is, “Does Medicare pay for me to be in a nursing home?” The very complicated answer to that question is, yes and no. To get a clearer understanding of what is paid for by Medicare, you must know the difference between what is considered skilled nursing

care versus custodial care. When someone is in the hospital and then they go to a skilled nursing facility, which is usually set up within a nursing home for rehab or skilled nursing care for things like intravenous care for antibiotics or wound care for open sores, then Medicare will pay for that stay. How long can you be at the facility for the care? This is where it gets complicated, and how you get your Medicare is an important part of that.

Most Medicare Advantage Plans and Original Medicare give you 100 days of skilled nursing facility coverage. Days

one through 20 are covered with no copay. On day 21 you start to have copay obligations. If you have Original Medicare and a Medicare Supplement, usually the Medicare Supplement will cover your copay obligations. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, then on day 21 your copays become your obligations.

The amount you will be expected to pay per day varies based upon your plan, but is usually $170 to $200 per day. Please contact your agent for specific details regarding your Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage Plan details. If you don’t have a

Writer / Nick Byrd Photography Provided

local agent, please feel free to contact Byrd if you have questions. If you must live in a nursing home or an assisted-living facility because you are no longer able to care for yourself, and you need help with everyday activities, then Medicare does not pay for you to live in a nursing home.

There are insurance plans available to help you recover the expenses you may incur while being in a nursing facility for skilled care, or having to live in a nursing home or an assisted-living facility because you are unable to care for yourself. Byrd carries Aetna Recovery Care Insurance, which will

MEDICARE

How you get your Medicare matters. Original Medicare and Supplement Medicare Advantage Plan:

☐ Days one through 20 covered with no copay.

☐ Most plans, days one through 20 covered with no copay.

☐ Days 21 through 100, usually Supplement pays copays.

☐ Copays vary, usually $170 to $200 daily.

☐ If you live in a nursing home or assistedliving facility due to not being able to care for yourself. Medicare will not pay for your stay. Short-term insurance plans are available to help with costs.

pay you directly up to $400 a day if you must be in a skilled nursing facility, nursing home or assisted-living facility. This gives you up to 360 days of coverage and many other options, and can be customized to meet your specific needs. You can think of this as a short-term long-term care insurance policy. The premiums are significantly less than a long-term care policy.

For those who may have to live in a nursing home or an assisted-living facility for an extended amount of time, this can get expensive, and it can lead to your life savings and all your assets being liquidated

AETNA RECOVERY INSURANCE PLAN

☐ There are three parts to it: Daily Nursing Facility, Daily Hospital Indemnity, Home Care (optional).

☐ Up to $400 daily.

☐ Up to $1,200 weekly.

☐ Up to 360 days.

☐ 20 days per period; 365 days total.

☐ 13, 26 or 52 weeks.

☐ Ages 50 to 89.

According to seniorliving.org, a private room in a nursing facility is nearly $112,000 per year, and an assisted-living facility is $55,000 per year.

to help pay for those costs. Long-term care insurance is available to help you protect the assets you’ve worked your entire life for and would like to leave to your family. Byrd has the Mutual of Omaha long-term care plans. These plans can be customized in multiple ways to give you the protection you need and premium you can afford.

Another way of offsetting the cost of nursing home or assisted-living costs that may be available to some is life insurance. Some life insurance plans allow you to take your death benefit early if you have a chronic condition. Please contact your agent for your plan’s details.

LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE

Mutual of Omaha

☐ If you max out benefits and need to go on Medicaid, you keep your assets.

☐ Issue age 39 to 70. Benefits non-taxable. You can get premiums returned if policy isn’t needed.

☐ $1,500 to $10,000 per month up to $500,000 policy limit.

☐ Used for nursing home, assisted living, home health care, adult day care, respite, and hospice.

☐ Plans are flexible and customizable to meet your needs.

NICK BYRD SENIOR PRODUCTS KOKOMO’S MEDICARE EXPERT

NICK BYRD SENIOR PRODUCTS KOKOMO’S MEDICARE EXPERT

LIFE INSURANCE

Many life insurance plans allow you to cash out a portion of your death benefit early in the event of a chronic condition diagnosis or a terminal illness. Check with your agent for your plan details.

MEDICARE ANNUAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD

Medicare’s Annual Enrollment period is quickly approaching, from October 15 to December 7. This is when seniors are overwhelmed with relentless phone calls, mailers and commercials. Here are five tips to help you get through the Annual Enrollment Period and keep your sanity.

In this area there are many UAW retirees. The UAW Benefits Trust Medicare Plans are very good, so unless you also qualify for Medicaid, no plans in the area are better. However, Byrd does recommend the Traditional Care Network for those eligible. Contact your union for details on that.

Many seniors have Medicare Supplement plans that cost over $300 a month and it can be financially challenging. You may have options available. In the last Annual Enrollment Period Byrd gained six new clients who wanted to leave their Supplement and go to a Medicare Advantage Plan. He informed them that if they did not like the Advantage Plan, they had one year to return to their Supplement.

As of now, no one has asked to return.

Your prescriptions can change since you’ve been on your current plan. Prescription drug plans change annually. You can never go wrong with an annual prescription drug plan review.

It’s always better to have a local agent who is available to answer questions that may come up over time. Cut Byrd’s ad out and put it on your refrigerator, or add his number to your contact list and feel free to call with any questions you may have.

For more details, go to bradyinsurancegroupllc.com.

MOST PHONES HAVE CALLER ID.

IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHO IS CALLING YOU, DON’T ANSWER YOUR PHONE. IF IT’S IMPORTANT THEY WILL LEAVE A MESSAGE.

UP

GAME & TURN BACK

MEDICAID MADE MANAGEABLE

SILVER BIRCH OF KOKOMO ASSISTS APPLICANTS WITH THE MEDICAID PROCESS

Finding an assisted-living community that’s a good fit can be overwhelming. There are many factors to consider including location, activities, menu and cost. What happens if you find yourself needing additional assistance but can’t afford the high costs that may be associated with traditional assisted-living facilities?

The Indiana Medicaid Waiver program may be the perfect alternative, and that’s where Silver Birch of Kokomo may be able to assist. Silver Birch of Kokomo is one of the few assisted-living communities in the Kokomo area that participates in the Indiana Medicaid Waiver program for individuals aged 55 and over who are needing health-care assistance. Silver Birch, uniquely, has experienced eligibility coordinators to assist by educating individuals on the eligibility requirements, coverage options and how to apply.

Part of the process for seniors considering a move to an assisted-living community under the Medicaid Waiver program is to verify their eligibility for Medicaid and the

Aged and Disabled waiver. This is done through a screening process by a third party. In the Kokomo area the screening process is done by the Area Agency on Aging. Once a screening has been completed to determine that the individual qualifies based on medical necessity, the waiver is considered “approved” and the community is then able to bill Medicaid for the clinical services provided to the resident. This includes, but is not limited to, medication management, meals, assistance with bathing and dressing if needed, and regular social programs. In addition, assistance is provided with laundry and light housekeeping of the resident’s apartment.

To qualify financially for Medicaid assistance in an assisted-living community, there are income limits in place that are set by the Indiana Medicaid program. Silver Birch’s eligibility coordinator is well-versed in the financial requirements to be eligible for Indiana Medicaid in an assisted-living community, and works with the prospective residents to educate them

on what the income limits are, to quickly determine if they will be eligible to move into an assisted-living community under the Medicaid Waiver program.

The Medicaid Waiver program in Indiana is an extremely beneficial one, in that it makes assisted living affordable for those who may otherwise have to go without these essential services. However, the process to determine eligibility and apply is not one that seniors should try to tackle on their own. That is why Silver Birch is there to help. The eligibility coordinator offers this free service to anyone wishing to move to a Silver Birch community for themselves or a loved one.

For more information on making Medicaid manageable, the Medicaid Waiver program in Indiana, or Silver Birch of Kokomo, contact Silver Birch at 765-868-7266, or visit silverbirchliving.com. Silver Birch of Kokomo is located at 408 South Washington Street.

Story Provided by Silver Birch Living Photography Provided

SENSATIONAL SOUNDS

LOUDER THAN LIFE AND BOURBON & BEYOND FESTS ARE BACK

Writer / Gavin LaPaille Photography Provided

Eight big days of music are coming to Louisville this summer. Outdoor festivals Louder Than Life and Bourbon & Beyond are back on the Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Exposition Center this September, showcasing some of today’s top artists from a range of genres.

“We are really excited this year because both of our lineups are spectacular,” says Chamie McCurry, chief marketing officer for Danny Wimmer Presents, the producer of both fests. “They are the biggest lineups we’ve ever had for each festival. It truly is the eight biggest days of music in the United States. You will not find eight bigger days

back to back with this kind of fire power and affordability.”

Known as a “love letter” to Louisville, Bourbon & Beyond is September 14 through 17 and features more than 65 musical acts across rock, pop, folk, blues and country. Each day has different headliners while emphasizing the Kentucky bourbon and culinary scene throughout the festival.

After receiving high praise for her performance last year, Brandi Carlile returns to Bourbon & Beyond on opening day, joining Billy Strings and Train. The Killers, Duran Duran and Hozier take over for the

second day, while the Black Keys, the Black Crowes and the Avett Brothers follow on day three. Fifteen-time Grammy Award winner Bruno Mars will help close out Bourbon & Beyond, along with Blondie, Jon Batiste and Ryan Bingham.

“We are excited to end the weekend with Bruno Mars,” McCurry says. “He’s one of the best live performers of the last 20 years. This is one of the only places outside Las Vegas that fans are able to see him in the United States. We know he will put on an unbelievable show, to put a cap on a magical weekend.”

Living up to its name as the world’s biggest bourbon and music festival, Bourbon & Beyond will host daily workshops and demonstrations at the Team Kentucky Bourbon Stage Presented by Kentucky Proud, and the Kentucky Venue Culinary Stage Presented by GE Appliances. Amanda Freitag, Chris Santos, Ed Lee and Chris Blandford will lead the programming featuring world-renowned master distillers and celebrity chefs, including Blind Bourbon Live with Fred Minnick. The Kroger Big Bourbon Bar returns with bluegrass music, line dancing and a menu of the nation’s top whiskey, while fans can stop by a number of other experiences that feature cocktails curated specifically for the event.

“Beyond the music, the festival has so many great experiences,” McCurry says. “There is something for everyone there. We will have some special programming and great partnership activations throughout the event. It’s an amazing festival experience from beginning to end.”

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Louder Than Life, a hard rock and metal festival, follows with more than 100 acts on five stages, and Louisville’s finest spirits and cuisine, from September 21 through 24. Foo Fighters, Weezer and Rancid open the festival, with Tool, Godsmack and Limp Bizkit headlining the following day. The weekend lineup sees Avenged Sevenfold, Pantera and Falling in Reverse on Saturday, with the final day featuring Green Day, Queens of the Stone Age and Turnstile.

Last year, Louder Than Life set the record as the biggest rock festival in the U.S. with more than 170,000 in attendance over the four-day event. McCurry says this year should be even bigger.

“We’re going to beat that record,” McCurry says. “Everything points to this remaining the biggest rock festival in the United States and then some. It’s such a great festival experience with so many things to do. It’s a wonderful weekend.”

Tickets for both festivals can be purchased online, including a specially priced Exacta Pass package that includes all eight days. While the layout is similar, McCurry says Louder Than Life and Bourbon & Beyond offer unique experiences.

“They’re very different, genre-wise,” McCurry says. “Both festivals are uniquely curated to that festival’s brand. Bourbon & Beyond is rooted in the bourbon and local Kentucky scene. Louder Than Life has several more stages and is very musically driven with multiple performers playing at the same time. The layout is the same but we customize each within the grounds to be unique for each festival.”

They are two of eight music festivals produced by Los Angeles-based Danny Wimmer Presents (DWP) this year. With a history in Louisville dating back to 2014, both festivals have seen rapid growth and continue to attract some of the biggest acts in music. The festivals moved to the

Exposition Center in 2019 after initially taking place in Champions Park.

“We have a great partnership with Kentucky venues,” McCurry says. “They have allowed us to find a long-term home that isn’t quite as vulnerable to weather. That has also given us the ability to grow the festival’s footprint. As these festivals have brought in fans from all over the country, the grounds have allowed us to scale the experience. They have amazing infrastructure that lets us have camping right there. There are a lot of hotels and the site is airport adjacent. Without the great support we have gotten, this would be a much different festival.”

Fans have come to expect Louder Than Life and Bourbon & Beyond on back-to-back weekends. The condensed schedule reduces the costs of putting on the events, resulting in lower ticket prices. Many attendees stay for both, generating an estimated $43 million in economic impact for the city in 2022.

“Ever since Bourbon joined Louder they have been on consecutive weekends,” McCurry says. “What that allows us to do is reduce the very real costs of producing live events. We’re able to keep our tickets affordable for fans. Producing eight days of music in 11 isn’t easy, but with the infrastructure already being there, it makes it much more accommodating.”

Already, DWP is working on finding the right mix of talent for 2024. McCurry says while pausing the festivals during the COVID pandemic was difficult, the group was able to better understand their fans and what they value.

“Our talent team prides itself on putting out the best lineup every year and being better than the year before,” McCurry says. “They have a lot of pride in curating that lineup specifically for the fans. We want to provide something new and something they love so people want to come back and experience it again.”

Fans shouldn’t expect these festivals to leave the local community any time soon. McCurry says DWP sees Louisville as a second home and hopes to continue putting on great events that highlight the city.

“People are discovering Louisville for the first time and falling in love with it, like we did back in 2012 when we first started scouting,” McCurry says. “Louisville has been an amazing host city, which makes it easier for people to come back when they have a good experience. People feel at home there. That’s a true testament to what we love about Louisville, which is the people and the community. That’s what makes us the proudest, when people come from all over the country and see Louisville the way we see it. Our long-term goal is to continue that and showcase the people, and put Louisville on the national spotlight for having great entertainment and festivals.”

For more info, go to dannywimmerpresents.com.

AUGUST CROSSWORD PUZZLE

DOWN

1. A little of a lot?

2. Bright, as a color

3. Carry

4. Criminal-record listing

5. Bottom line

6. Angel’s antonym

7. Detect

8. Ratings period

9. Far from ruddy

10. South African org

11. “Wow!”

17. “___ the season ...”

19. March hare characteristic

22. Cow poke?

23. Madrid Mr.

25. Lighten

26. Like, with “to”

27. Others 28. Sprays 29. Not as planned 30. Teutonic turndown 31. Backgammon equipment

Blackjack’s cousins

Art installation