Generations Michigan
Spring 2007
Exercise
A Magic Pill for Seniors
Also in This Issue: ■ Ask the Expert About Medicare ■ Caregiving News & Notes Published quarterly by Michigan’s Area Agencies on Aging
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Welcome to Michigan Generations Michigan is divided into 16 AAAs, each serving a different part of the state.
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They are:
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Whether you are an older adult yourself, a caregiver or a friend concerned about the well-being of an older adult, Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) are ready to help. AAAs in communities across the country serve as gateways to local resources, planning efforts, and services that help older adults remain independent. AAAs were established under the Older Americans Act in 1973 to respond to the needs of Americans aged 60 and over in every community. The services available through AAA agencies fall into five general categories: information and consultation, services available in the community, services in the home, housing, and elder rights. A wide range of programs is available within each category.
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4 Region IV Area Agency on Aging 5 Valley Area Agency on Aging 6 Tri-County Office on Aging 7 Region VII Area Agency on Aging 8 Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan 9 NEMCSA Region 9 Area Agency on Aging 10 Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan 11 Upper Peninsula Area Agency on Aging 14 Senior Resources of West Michigan Visit the AAA’s state website at www.mi-seniors.net
The services offered by Michigan’s 16 AAAs cover a broad spectrum of needs, such as information and referral, case management, in-home services, home-delivered meals, senior centers, transportation, and special outreach. To read more about each of Michigan’s AAAs and the services available, turn to page 8 of this issue. MI
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Generations Michigan
SPRING 2007 Published quarterly through a cooperative effort of Michigan’s Area Agencies on Aging.
For information contact: Jenny Jarvis 248-262-9202 jjarvis@aaa1b.com
Editorial Project Development: JAM Communications, Atlanta, GA Design and Production: Wells-Smith Partners, Lilburn, GA Michigan Generations is a
On the Cover: Walk, swim, dance, work out: The health benefits of regular exercise are impressive. Yet more than 60 percent of older adults are inactive. If you're one of them, here's how — and why — you should start moving. See story, page 4.
Spring 2007, Volume 4, #4 © 2007 by the Michigan Area Agencies on Aging. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, the Michigan Area Agencies on Aging and JAM Communications make no warranty to the accuracy or reliability of this information. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission. All rights reserved.
map photography courtesy travel michigan
AAAs —‑Gateways to Community Resources
1A Detroit Area Agency on Aging 1B Area Agency on Aging 1-B 1C The Senior Alliance 2 Region 2 Area Agency on Aging 3A Kalamazoo Co. Health & Community Services Dept. Region 3A 3B Burnham-Brook Region IIIB Area Agency on Aging 3C Branch-St. Joseph Area Agency on Aging IIIC
CAREGiVinGnews&notes A Hotline to Legal Help
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f you have a legal question or problem and don’t know where to turn for advice, Elder Law of Michigan has the answer for you: the Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors. The Legal Hotline provides free advice over the phone to any Michigan resident age 60 or older, regardless of his or her income. Since the hotline began in 1990, the organization has helped over 120,000 seniors in Michigan. Seniors or caregivers call with a variety of problems, ranging from divorce to wills to disputes with neighbors. Experienced attorneys provide information and possible solutions, all in easy-to-understand language. They also help out by doing additional research and writing letters. Hotline attorneys do not go to court; however, they try to refer those clients that need additional help to legal service providers or private attorneys in their local community. Contact the Legal Hotline at 1-800-347-5297.
Watching the SIDE EFFECTS of
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sing OCT drugs is a common treatment for colds and flus — and one that most doctors recommend. Did you know, however, that most of the drugs contain large amounts of sugar, which could play havoc with diabetics’ blood sugar levels? The new edition of “Diabetes Survival Guide” points out that some popular cold and cough syrups contain 3½ grams of carbohydrate per teaspoon. So if you were to take three teaspoons a day for a cold, you would be adding 10½ grams of unwanted sugar to your bloodstream. Ask your druggist to guide you to sugar-free formulas such as Diabetic Tussin. In addition, many cold medicines contain decongestants that can raise your blood pressure. One major pharmaceutical company, ScheringPlough, has come out with a new product — Coricidin HBP — that does not affect blood pressure. (The HBP in the medicine’s name stands for “high blood pressure.”)
Spring 2007
CAREGIVER’S
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Stress BUSTERS
lean out your wallet or messy purse. Sort that jumbled sock drawer. Tidy up your desk. Consider it a form of stress management, if the challenges of caregiving sour your spirits or make you anxious, says Robert Thayer, PhD, professor of psychology at California State University, Long Beach, and author of The Origin of Everyday Moods. According to Dr. Thayer, getting organized is one of the
most effective ways to change a bad mood. It reduces tension and/or boosts energy. Easy-to-do tasks like these can give you a feeling of accomplishment that increases your sense of control, says Georgia Witkin, MD, assistant clinical director of psychiatry at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. “And when your sense of control goes up, your stress level goes down.” Courtesy of caringtoday.com
CALLING ALL
ATHLETES
to the Senior Olympics Is your competitive spirit itching for a challenge? If tennis is your game — or track & field, baseball or cycling, consider participating in the Michigan Senior Olympics (MSO) 2007 Summer Games, an athletic competition for men and women age 50 and up. The games will be held this year on August 6–11 at 17 different locations throughout Oakland County. Events include traditional sports such as cycling, swimming, tennis, track & field and volleyball, but also baking, arts & crafts, ballroom dancing, bridge and pickleball. For a complete listing of all events, to register or for more information, visit the website at www.michiganseniorolympics.org, call 1-800-400-8161 or email misrolympics@yahoo.com.
Surfing the net Each issue of Michigan Generations offers several websites of interest to older adults and their caregivers … right at your fingertips. www.shapeup.org raises awareness of obesity as a health issue and provides tips on healthy weight management. You can test yourself on strength, flexibility and aerobic fitness. www.stroke.org addresses the needs of stroke survivors and their caregivers. It hosts an online support group and provides links to other sources. Look for more helpful websites in the next issue of Michigan Generations. 3
By Martha Nolan McKenzie
Exercise A Magic Pill for Seniors Evelyn Lambert always prided herself on doing all her own yard work, but a couple of years ago she began to notice that the 40-pound bags of fertilizer were starting to feel heavier. “I knew I had to do something, or pretty soon I was going to have to pay someone to do the work I should be doing,” says Lambert, now 73. So the Williamsburg woman began working out one day a week at the Traverse City Senior Center. Soon she increased to three days a week. Then five. Eventually, Lambert hooked up with a certified personal trainer, and she now exercises at a gym for 1½ hours each weekday morning. In the afternoons, she goes to the senior center to work out again with her buddies there, but she admits that session is mostly social for her. Today, not only can Lambert easily carry bags of fertilizer, but she dropped from a size 18 to a size 8 and has been able to stop taking medication for high blood pressure and acid reflux. “It’s not always fun to get out in the cold and snow and go to the gym,” says Lambert. “But I live by myself, so it’s up to me to stay strong and healthy so I can take care of myself.” Health experts wish more seniors would follow Lambert’s lead. Despite the widely recognized benefits of exercise, more than 60 percent of older adults are inactive. Among those age 75 and older, about one in three men and one in two women engage in no physical activity. That’s a tragedy when you consider the cost of inactivity. “Many of the physical declines people associate with aging are not actually an inevitable part of the aging process,” says Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom, the Michigan Surgeon General. “Rather, they are the result of being inactive. Seniors can remain vibrant, healthy and happy, and the key is exercise.” 4
Top: Foster Community Center, Lansing; bottom: Senior Splash Bash, Detroit.
Closest thing to a magic pill Indeed, the health benefits of regular exercise are difficult to overstate, and research is finding new ones every day. While physicians have long known that exercise helps prevent heart disease, diabetes and stroke, recent research suggests it also prevents or delays cognitive impairment, such as dementia. “There are two mechanisms at work here,” Michigan Generations
says David Buchner, chief of the physical activity and health branch for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). “First, there is promising evidence that seniors who walk regularly have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Second, there is solid evidence that physical activity reduces the risk of stroke, which can cause cognitive impairment.” Physical activity has also been shown to relieve depression. “It’s not to the point where you could throw away your antidepressant,” says Buchner. “But exercise is a good ancillary treatment for depressive illness.” And though physical activity has not been proven to reduce the risk for other types of cancer, it has been positively linked to a reduction in risk for colon and breast cancers. “Researchers are finding new benefits every day,” says Wisdom. “The bottom line is that physical activity contributes to successful aging. It’s critical in maintaining a person’s health, his independence, his ability to cope and manage and maintain a positive mood. And it doesn’t have to be rigorous or done in a spa. A little physical activity around the house or in the neighborhood can go a long way.”
body strength, it can help with their balance, so that if they stumble or fall, the chance of a fracture is greatly reduced.” Weight training and physical therapy can be vital to the health of seniors — so much so that Nielsen has collaborated with Detroit’s Medical Center Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan to offer both services to his clients and the surrounding communities. Most strength exercises involve lifting or pushing weights (which can be socks filled with beans or empty milk jugs filled with sand or water). You can get the same benefits from exercises with a resistance band, which is like a giant rubber band, or special weight equipment at a fitness center. The goal in
How much and how often The CDC has specific guidelines for how much physical activity is needed to achieve health benefits. It’s important to note that these recommendations are pretty much the same for everyone, whether you’re a fit 50-year-old jogger or a frail 75-year-old congregate home resident. “When you work with the frail, you definitely want to work within what they can do and gradually encourage them to do a little bit more,” says Jane Braatz, a senior fitness consultant and frequent member of statewide task forces on fitness. “But the frail can probably benefit the most from an exercise program. Increasing their strength a little can make a big difference in their quality of life.” The CDC’s exercise recommendations fall into four categories: endurance, strength, flexibility and balance. Endurance activities increase your breathing and heart rate, which is good news for the health of your heart, lungs and circulatory system. These activities can help delay or prevent a host of diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes and heart disease. Examples of endurance activities include walking, dancing, swimming, gardening and brisk housework. The goal to shoot for is to do a moderate-intensity endurance activity for a minimum of 30 minutes on most days of the week (no less than 5 minutes). If you prefer, you can break up that 30 minutes into several shorter segments (of no less than 10 minutes) scattered throughout the day. Strength training is a new concept to many seniors. Yet it is critically important to help prevent the muscle deterioration that comes with age and to help maintain bone mass. It also increases your metabolism, which helps keep weight and blood sugar in check. “A lot of seniors think strength training is just for body builders,” says Peter Nielsen, a fitness expert, author and host of a nationally syndicated series, Peter’s Principles, on WDIV-TV4 in Detroit. “But it can add quality to their lives. It can mean the difference between being able to bathe and dress yourself and having someone else do it for you. If a senior trains with weights and builds strong legs and core Spring 2007
Top: New Dawn Senior Day Services, Sturgis; bottom: Leelanau Cultural Center, Leland.
strength exercises is to work all your major muscle groups (arms/ shoulders/upper back/chest, stomach/abdomen/lower back and hips/legs) at least twice a week. However, don’t do strength exercises of the same muscle group two days in a row because your muscles need time to recover. Finally, the CDC recommends flexibility and balance training. While these won’t necessarily reduce your risk for heart disease or diabetes, they can make it easier to get around and reduce your risk of falls, which is critically important to seniors. Each year, U.S. hospitals have 300,000 admissions for broken hips, often the result of falls. Many seniors never fully recover from the injury. Strength and flexibility exercises can also improve balance. Movements that require you to raise or bend your leg to the side or back challenge, and over time improve, your balance. Eastern exercise regimens, such as yoga and Tai Chi, work on both flexibility and balance. And there are several “anytime, anywhere” balance exercises, such as walking heel-to-toe (like a sobriety test), standing on one foot and standing up and sitting down without using your hands. “You have to practice balance to keep it going,” says Braatz. “If you spend all your time sitting in a chair, you will gradually lose your sense of balance, and that’s what has happened to many seniors. But you can get it back with some practice. It’s just like riding a bike.” 5
Opportunities abound in Michigan If the above recommendations sound too daunting, just remember that any physical activity is better than none at all. So if you can’t do everything the CDC recommends right now, don’t worry about it. Do what you can now and try to build up over time. It’s almost always easier to stick with an exercise program if you’re in a group of some sort. Watching others work through the regimen can inspire you, and the camaraderie can add motivation to keep you coming back. There is a wealth of resources around the state to help seniors get fit. Here is a sampling: Manton Senior Center.
Senior centers
Nearly all senior centers offer some sort of exercise program, such as classes led by an instructor or a fitness center that is open to members. But Eleanor Sosenko, director of the Manton Senior Center, wants to make fitness the primary focus of her center. “I’d like to get away from the senior center as mostly a social center,” she says. “My goal is to become a fellowship wellness center.” Toward this end, Sosenko offers strength training classes aimed at older, less active seniors. “We’ve been doing this since 2000, and we know that participants have increased their bone density,” says Sosenko. “We went on a field trip last Fall and we took a school bus. A 92-year-old woman stepped up on that first step and then turned around to me and said, ‘That’s what strength training does for you!’” For more active seniors, Sosenko offers a vigorous chair exercise program called “Fired Up Ex–Couch Potatoes” (see below). The half-hour full-body workout is extremely popular with the center’s members. And finally, seniors can also participate in a 15-minute 1-mile walking program. “The reason I brought in these more vigorous programs is because I don’t want to lose the ability to do things for myself,” says Sosenko, 68. “I want to be able to mow my own
Get in SHAPE with a SIT-DOWN workout It started as a way to help THE African-American community — and himself. Former Detroit Lions linebacker Ernie Clark recognized the epidemic of obesity and diabetes that plagued the underserved black community. He also had a good look in the mirror at his 296-pound frame — nearly 60 pounds heavier than his playing weight. So he founded Lifelong Fitness: Home of the Fired Up Ex–Couch Potatoes — a nonprofit fitness program that gives seniors a workout while they sit in a chair. “I had to develop a program that I could do, despite all the injuries I had sustained in football,” says Clark, now 69. “So I
lawn, to vacuum my own floors. And I figured if I don’t do something now, I’m going to lose it.” At the St. Patrick Senior Center in Detroit, seniors can hustle or hula their way to health. Some 20 to 30 seniors show up religiously for dance classes including ballroom, square dance, Hawaiian dance and — the hands-down favorite — the hustle. “The seniors don’t look at dance as working out, and they just love it,” says Joanne Youngblood, activities director of the center. “We offer Tai Chi, yoga and chair exercises, but our dance classes are far and away the favorite.” At Clinton Township Senior Center, seniors have a seemingly endless array of fitness options. “We are nationally certified and we have about 7,500 members, so we are one of the largest centers in the area,” says Wanda Vasko, sports and fitness coordinator for the center. Indeed, Clinton Township seniors can use the fullyequipped gym, walk on an outdoor mile-long track and participate in classes ranging from strength training to Tai Chi. Some of the more popular offerings, however, are the competitive teams. “We have tennis teams, volleyball teams, bowling teams, golf teams — pretty much everything but
developed an exercise regimen that works every muscle group while you sit in a chair. I turn a chair and some handheld weights into a gymnasium.” The program begins with some loosening and stretching. It goes into a weight routine to build bone density and muscle mass. Then it builds to a cardio session, complete with kickboxing, jumping jacks and power walking — all in the chair. The routine winds up with a cooldown. “As you get older, falling and fear of falling dictates a lot of what you do,” says Clark. “By putting folks in a chair, it gives them stability and takes away that fear of falling.” Instructors trained in leading the program offer classes in several inner-city Detroit neighborhoods. DVDs and videos are also available and used in senior centers throughout the state. “Michigan has always been one of the fattest states in the country, and Detroit is off the charts,” says Clark. “I’m hoping to change that, one ex–couch potato at a time.”
Michigan Generations
football,” says Vasko. “We compete against teams from other centers throughout the region. We also have a lot of seniors who compete in the Senior Olympics.” At the Traverse City Senior Center, director Lori Wells and program coordinator Pat Thompson devised a unique program to keep seniors active during Michigan’s long winter months. Called “The Amazing Race,” the program is based very loosely on the popular TV show of the same name in which contestants race around a town. Participants at the senior center get a “passport” filled with 16 different locations they are supposed to visit. At each destination, the senior can choose between a challenge and a detour. “I wanted this to be something that you could do whether you are 50 and fit or 90 and not so mobile,” says Wells. “So they might visit the mall on one trip, and the challenge would be walking the circle of the mall. Then the detour would be picking up fitness information from one of the stores.” Other destinations included a fitness center, the county extension service, a pharmacy and a bottled water vendor. “The goal was to keep them active and to educate them about services in the area,” says Wells. Some senior centers manage to provide exercise programs even if they lack the proper facilities. The Emmet County Friendship Centers, for example, contract with Craig Bonter, the owner of Holiday Inn Express Pellston, to use the hotel’s pool for its Senior Swim Aerobics classes. “We’ve been doing this for about five years now,” says Bonter. “Between 15 and 25 seniors come regularly and work out in the pool. We also have open swim for anyone in the community. We are a small rural community of less than 1,000 people, and my hotel is the only community pool within 20 miles, so I open it up to the public for a very small fee.” Senior day care
Seniors in a day care program often have opportunities to exercise. Consider New Dawn Senior Day Services in Sturgis. The day care program offers yoga classes and has two exercise machines — a treadmill and a Nustep recumbent stepper. “The treadmill will handle very slow speeds, and we encourage anyone who can to use it,” says Gary Brown, co-director of New Dawn. “We feel weight-bearing exercise is so important for maintaining bone density and preventing osteoporosis.” The recumbent stepper allows seniors to adjust the resistance as they move their feet and hands back and forth, enabling them to build strength and endurance over time. And during the summer months, Brown loads seniors into a golf cart and takes them down to a nearby lake to walk.
The results he sees make his job much more rewarding than his previous career. “I used to work with women so they could get into smaller-size jeans,” he says. “Now people come to my class wearing shoes with Velcro straps because they can’t bend over to fasten shoes. After a while, they come in and show me their new shoes with laces. They tell me they feel more comfortable walking, they can get in and out of the bathtub by themselves, they can take care of themselves. It’s amazing the difference it makes in their lives.” Managed care plans
Insurance companies are getting into the fitness act, recognizing money invested in promoting exercise will yield incalculable returns. One such example is Health Alliance
Exercise Resources for Seniors Stronger, Longer is a free booklet created by the Michigan Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness. It walks seniors through aerobic, strength building and flexibility exercises. You can order your free copy at 1-800-353-8227. n Michigan Steps Up is an initiative to encourage people of all ages to “Move more, Eat better, Don’t smoke.” By going to www.michiganstepsup.org, you can create your free “personal plan” by taking an assessment quiz and setting goals that work for you. n Senior Health and Fitness Day is the last Wednesday of May. There will be sites all over the state on this day to encourage seniors to become more physically active. n MI Seniors, through the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging, offers links to exercise resources and recommendations. Go to www.michigan.gov/miseniors and click on “Aging Well, Living Well.” Then click on “Staying Active.” n
Plan, a managed care plan headquartered in Detroit serving more than 560,000 members. The plan sponsors Senior Splash Bash, a senior water aerobics class, at senior and community centers throughout its membership area. The program has proven so popular with seniors that organizers have added winter sessions as well. “As a health plan, we believe in the power of prevention,” says Barbara Kopasz, associate vice president of Health Alliance Plan. “If we can encourage our members to exercise — and water-based exercise is a great option for many seniors — then we can help prevent falls, injury and illness.”
Retirement communities
Retirement communities are jumping on the physical activity bandwagon. Presbyterian Villages of Michigan, for example, employs wellness coordinators at 4 of its 21 properties, with the goal of eventually having one at each site. And the Village of Westland converted one of its two dining rooms into a fitness center and hired Tony Maino, a former personal trainer, as the wellness coordinator. Maino gives the seniors who participate in his classes — strength, cardio and balance — a fitness assessment every 12 weeks and then tailors his classes to the results.
Health and Aging Associations
Disease-specific organizations can be another good resource for exercise assistance. The Arthritis Foundation Michigan Chapter, for example, maintains a website with a statewide listing of sponsored Tai Chi classes, warm-water aquatic classes and PACE (People With Arthritis Can Exercise) classes. Go to www.arthritis.org and type in your zip code. The Tai Chi classes can be particularly beneficial for seniors with arthritis. “Tai Chi is an exercise of very slow, Continued on page 16
Spring 2007
regionalNews In communities across the U.S.,
6 Tri-County Office on Aging 7 Region VII Area Agency on Aging 8 Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan 9 NEMCSA Region 9 Area Agency on Aging 10 Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Reg 1-B / AAA 1-B Michigan 11 Upper Peninsula Area Agency on Aging 14 Senior Resources of West Michigan
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Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) serve as gateways to local resources, planning efforts and services that help older adults remain independent. Here are the programs and services offered by Michigan’s AAAs.
1A Detroit Area Agency on Aging 1B Area Agency on Aging 1-B 1C The Senior Alliance 2 Region 2 Area Agency on Aging 3A Kalamazoo Co. Health & Community Services Dept. Region 3A 3B Burnham-Brook Region IIIB 3C Branch-St. Joseph Area Agency on Aging IIIC 4 Region IV Area Agency on Aging 5 Valley Area Agency on Aging
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Reg 3-A / Kalamazoo Cty. Human Services Dept. (Region 3)
Reg 3-B / Burnham-Brook Reg IIIB
Reg 3-C / Bra (IIIC)
Reg 6 / Tri-County Office on Aging
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S potlight O n …
Tri-County Office on Aging A consortium of Clinton, Eaton and Ingham counties and the cities of Lansing and East Lansing
TCOA Partners with the Alzheimer’s Association
Reg 5 / Valley AAA
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t the end of December 2006, the Alzheimer’s Association, Michigan Great Lakes Chapter, began expanding services in the greater Lansing area to better serve local families. They have relocated their Capital Area Regional Office to the Tri-County Office on Aging (TCOA), offering a convenient community location for walk-in clients and expanded information and referral services. The Alzheimer’s Association’s move to the TCOA further extends the relationship between the two nonprofit agencies. In the future the Association and Tri-County Office on Aging plan to work collaboratively on both program and fundraising initiatives. “Our goal in moving to TCOA is
to make services The two agencies more accessible will also join forces on to area families,” a charity Golf Outing says Elizabeth to benefit TCOA and Longley, presithe Alzheimer’s Assodent and CEO ciation. The event will of this area’s be held on June 14 at Alzheimer’s Acres West.MI Reg 9 / NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA Forest Reg 10 / AAA of Northwest Association. “We From left: Jennifer Burley, program and Contact Nancy Kapp operations manager for the Alzheimer’s look forward to at 517-887-1377 for Association’s Capital Area Regional Office, joining forces more information. and Alzheimer’s Association volunteers Karen on a number “Both agencies will Grams and Lana Hufnagel. of fronts in the benefit from this collabcoming months.” oration, in terms of advocacy and fundIn February the Alzheimer’s Asso raising opportunities, but the consumer ciation and the TCOA co-sponsored a will benefit the most,” says Marion free education series for Alzheimer Owen, executive director at TCOA. caregivers entitled “Making Sense of For further information, contact the Memory Loss.” TCOA at 517-887-1440 or 1-800-405-9141. Michigan Generations
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Detroit Area Agency on Aging Serving Detroit, Highland Park, Hamtramck, Harper Woods and the five Grosse Pointes in Wayne
agency’s use of electronic media will grow Reg 1-A / Detroit AAA to include podcasts and everything short of a sledgehammer tunity to relate serious issues to to get our attention.” real people,” says Peter Lichtenberg, For Paul Bridgewater, it’s not director of the Institute. “In turn, the enough to inform his listeners; he audience can be hopeful as it learns wants to inspire them. These days, about the research that will increase Bridgewater does much of that by the quality of life for seniors.” sharing his own health challenges. When early Baby Boomers tune in “I’m 58, with diabetes, hypertento the radio show to hear about care Reg 3-A / Kalamazoo Cty. Human sion and vision problems because Services Dept. (Region 3) of options for their aging relatives, they diabetic retinopathy,” Bridgewater discover their own need for help with admits. “Despite interviewing experts on health and wellness, it’s been a battle to focus on my own lifestyle changes. At least until now.” Bridgewater’s recent Reg 5 / Valley AAA procedure to open two heart arteries was a wakeup call. Now he’s working harder to control his chronic illnesses, hoping others will learn from his Above: DAAA president and CEO Paul warnings. “Every mediBridgewater prepares to host his weekly cal authority addresses radio show, “The Senior Solution.” the importance of low-fat Left: Dr. Peter Lichtenberg discusses the Reg 9 / NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA diets,” says Bridgewater, perplexing problem of above-average cancer rates among elderly African “but the voices of regular Americans. people are critical to make that message resonate.” After a visit to DAAA from Revercaregiving responsibilities and longend Jesse Jackson, founder and presiterm care planning. dent of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, DAAA employee Dameon Wilburn the radio show ran excerpts of realizes the impact of these demoJackson’s presentation, repeating the graphic changes more than most. simple call: “Drink water, walk more, At age 35, she became the primary use less sugar, use less grease.” caregiver for her 61-year-old mother, Bridgewater hopes that all DAAA whose health challenges matched staff members will heed those words those of many in DAAA’s service as the agency continues its “Own area — where diabetes, high blood Your Future” outreach campaign. pressure and heart disease are at dis“We can’t work with the attitude proportionately high levels. of ‘Do as I say, not as I do.’ We have “Hundreds of thousands of us are to be the example of the change we the children of these Baby Boomers want in our clients.” — most without a clue about our To contact the Detroit Area Agency parents’ health, insurance and financial on Aging, call 313-446-4444. matters,” says Wilburn. “I hope our
Detroit Radio Reaches Seniors
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or the Detroit Area Agency on Aging, a live 60-minute radio show at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday mornings (WGPR 107.5 FM) profiles the agency’s ongoing work. Segments cover everything from disease prevention to caregiving to long-term care planning. The show is called “The Senior Solution,” and just like AARP’s new catchphrase, “It’s for people who have birthdays.” “Our primary goal is to reach seniors and their caregivers, yet people of all ages need to understand aging,” says DAAA president and CEO Paul Bridgewater, host of “The Senior Solution.” “When we want younger people to understand hearing and vision changes, for instance, we often direct those messages to their parents, teachers and employers.” The short, targeted messages for the magazine-format show also have an afterlife. Nutrition features called “Every Bite Counts” are available to the agency’s congregate meal sites. And features on changes in the Older Americans Act developed for listener feedback are now on a CD — a useful tool to further engage the media, key community organizations and DAAA’s board and advisory council. “The Senior Solution” also promotes the public health, wellness and long-term care events of other community organizations, including the Institute of Gerontology at Wayne State University. “We’re concerned with health disparity issues, like the higher cancer rates among elderly African Americans. This radio show gives our academic staff an opporSpring 2007
Reg 1-B / AAA
Reg 3-B / Burn
Reg 6 / Tri-Cou
Reg 10 / AAA
Area Agency on Aging 1-B Serving the counties of Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair and Washtenaw
Monroe County Reaches Out to Caregivers Caregiving Guide The 2007 edition of the Monroe County Caregivers Guide to Community Resources is now available to families caring for an older adult or person with disabilities in Monroe County. This guide is free and is an excellent source of information on resources in Monroe County, including adult day services, bereavement/grief support, caregiver support groups, counseling, housing options, transportation, legal advice and much more. The 2007 Caregiver’s Guide was made possible by a collaboration between Faith in Action for Monroe County; Monroe County Commission on Aging; the Area Agency on Aging 1-B;
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Caregiver Fair
and AARP Michigan. For a copy of the new edition, contact Faith in Action at 734-2432233 or the Commission on Aging at 734-240-7363, or download a copy from www.co.monroe.mi.us/.
Agency Welcomes New CEO he Board of Directors of the Area Agency on Aging 1-B (AAA 1-B) is pleased to announce the appointment of Tina Abbate Marzolf as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Abbate Marzolf replaces Sandra K. Reminga, who founded the agency in 1974 and had served as the only CEO until her retirement this past year. Tina Abbate Marzolf, who holds a Master of Science in Administration degree from Central Michigan Univer-
Reg 1-A / Detroit AAA
sity and an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan, worked at the AAA 1-B for 14 years, first as a community planner and most recently as the director of Contract and Purchased Services for 8 years. As the new CEO of the agency, Abbate Marzolf is deeply committed to carrying out the mission of the AAA 1-B to ensure the dignity and independence of older adults, family caregivers and persons with disabilities, by
On Saturday, April 28, the Monroe Aging Consortium will host the 4th Annual Monroe County Caregiver Fair. The fair will be held from 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. the MonReg 3-A / Kalamazoo to Cty. Human Reg 3-B /at Burnham-Brook Reg IIIB Services Dept. (Region 3) roe County Community College, located at 1555 Raisinville Road in Monroe. This event is free and open to the public. Individuals can attend presentations on a variety of topics, including Alzheimer’s, legal tips and Reg housing options; Reg 5 / Valley AAA 6 / Tri-County Office on Aging visit with exhibitors; enjoy complimentary refreshments and have a chance to win wonderful prizes. For more information, call 1-800-8527795 or visit www.aaa1b.com.
Reg 9 / NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA
Reg 10 / AAA of Northwest MI
supporting a high-quality network of service providers and guaranteeing access to community-based care options. This mission will guide the agency’s daily work and long-term goals. Abbate Marzolf will focus on continuing to build strong partnerships in the community to benefit older adults, persons with disabilities and family caregivers. Another key objective for the AAA 1-B over the next several years is to identify new funding streams to bring much-needed dollars into the aging network to support and expand existing services such as home-delivered meals, senior centers and care management. Michigan Generations
Reg 3-C / Bra (IIIC)
Reg 7 / Reg V
Reg 11 / Uppe
“Aid and Attendance” Pension an Underused VA Benefit
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he Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a pension program for veterans and widows that helps pay for home health care or for an assisted-living facility. Although this is not a new program, not everyone is aware of his or her potential eligibility. The Aid and Attendance pension benefit may be available to wartime veterans and surviving spouses who have in-home care or who live in nursing homes or assisted-living facilities. The pension can pay a veteran up to $1,743 per month and a widow up to $945 per month. For a veteran or surviving spouse to qualify for this special monthly pension, the veteran must have served at least 90 days of active military service, one day of which was during a period of war, and must not have been discharged under dishon-
orable conditions. The veteran or spouse must also have a current medical or psychological condition that makes them dependent on others for care, such as the inability to feed oneself; the inability to dress and undress without assistance; being bedridden; dependence on a prosthetic or orthopedic device; or a physical or mental injury or illness that requires regular assistance. Additional information and assistance in applying for the Aid and Attendance benefit may be obtained by calling 1-800-827-1000 or your local veterans service. Applications may be submitted online at www.vabenefits.vba.va.gov/ vonapp/main.asp.
Help is a Phone Call Away The Area Agency on Aging 1-B is the first resource for older adults, caregivers and persons with disabilities to call when looking to resolve problems or locate the resources they need to improve the quality of their life. When individuals call the toll-free Information and Assistance (I&A) service at 1-800-852-7795, they speak with a certified Information and Referral Specialist to determine what their needs are and the services and assistance available to address those needs. Once the needs are determined, the specialist accesses the I&A database of over 2,000 community agencies and mails the individual a complete listing of relevant services and providers in their local community. Call us. We can help.
1-800-852-7795
Region 2 Area Agency on Aging Serving Hillsdale, Jackson and Lenawee counties
Daybreak Adult Day Services Tells Our Story of Caring Reg 1-A / Detroit AAA
A
dult day services hold the untold story of the health and social services system. With life expectancy on the rise, elderly loved ones may need some assistance as they age. A valuable service not well known in our community is Daybreak Adult Day Services. We at Daybreak provide care and interaction for aging loved ones in a cost-effective way that promotes independence and keeps families together. Day services are designed for older adults who can no longer be left alone safely, have a need for social opportunities or have had a loss of independence. Many times the families we meet ask us, “How can this service be beneficial?” The answer is simple; it’s Spring 2007
Reg 1-B / AAA 1-B
a win-win situation for the caregiver and the loved one. Every caregiver receives something from this service, whether it is a well-deserved break or simply peace of mind knowing that their loved one is in a safe environment. As a Daybreak client, the loved one receives a warm, secure environReg 3-A / Kalamazoo Cty. Human Reg 3-B / Burnham-Brook Reg IIIB Services 3) ment, Dept. an (Region enhanced level of independence, and socialization and support. At Daybreak, each client who comes through the door is welcomed by staff and accepted as though they are one of our own family members. The program has been designed to give quality of life to the clients and families by creating anRegenvironment Reg 5 / Valley AAA 6 / Tri-County Office on Aging that brings friendship and laughter. Occasionally clients can be resis-
Reg 1-C / The Senior Alliance, Inc.
Reg 2 / Reg 2 AAA
tant to attending Adult Day Services. They may be in denial that they need assistance or may feel rejected by their families, but most often this is overcome by just a few visits. It also can be very intimidating for caregivers to seek outside assistance. They may be in denial about the loved Reg 3-C / Branch-St. Joseph AAA Reg 4 / Reg IV AAA (IIIC) one’s loss of independence, or may feel injured pride or embarrassment and/or lack of support from other family members regarding this need. Statistically, families wait approximately four years before they reach out for help, this usually being after a crisis has occurred. Stop by to tour ourRegfacility at 4650 Reg 7 / Reg VII AAA 8 / AAA of Western Michigan U.S. 223 in Adrian, or call Tammy Jewell at 517-266-2588. 11
Branch–St. Joseph Area Agency on Aging IIIC Serving a two-county area surrounding Sturgis, Three Rivers, Coldwater and Quincy
Test Your Home Today!
E
ach year tens of thousands of Americans are affected by radon — an invisible radioactive gas that seeps into your home from underground, and can reach harmful levels if trapped indoors — and some even die from lung cancer caused by exposure to the gas. While a common source of exposure to radon that can be avoided is exposure in the home, only one in five homeowners has actually tested for radon. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and your local Community Health Agency
Reg 3-A / Kalamazoo Cty. Human Services Dept. (Region 3)
is urging you to test your home — today! The EPA ranks Branch and St. Joseph counties (along with seven other counties around us) as having a higherthan-average chance of having radon gas problems in our homes.RegThe gas 5 / Valley AAAcomes in through cracks in foundations or, in the case of Michigan basements (often with dirt floors), it has unlimited access to your home. If radon is found, home owners should consult with qualified professionals who can reduce exposure
Coldwater — 570 Marshall Road. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-279-9561, ext. 106 Reg 9 / NEMSCA 9 AAA Three Rivers — 1110 Hill Street. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269-273-2161, ext.Reg233 Reg 1-A / Detroit AAA Reg 1-B / AAA 1-B Sturgis — 209 W. Hatch Street. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269-651-4013
at a cost similar to many common Reg 3-B / Burnham-Brook Reg IIIB Reg 3-C / Branch-St. Joseph AAA (IIIC) home-improvement repairs. Testing for radon in your home is free and easy! Test kits — as well as staff members who can instruct you on how to perform the test, and who can offer possibilities for cleanup if radon levels are too high — are available at each of the Community Health Agency offices Three Reg 6 / Tri-County Office on Aging Reg 7in / Reg VII AAA Rivers, Sturgis and Coldwater. Not only are the kits free, but postage is paid too. The Branch-St. Joseph Area Agency on Aging, a department within the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency, partners to improve our community’s health and maintain independence. Call us further Reg 10 / AAA of Northwest MI for Reg 11 / Upperinformation Peninsula AAA Reg 1-C / The Senior Alliance,at Inc.517-278-2538 Reg 2 / Reg 2 AAA or tolland assistance free 1-888-615-8009. You may also visit
Region IV Area Agency on Aging Covering Michigan’s Great Southwest including Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties
New Program Unites Children and Seniors
Reg 3-A / Kalamazoo Cty. Human Services Dept. (Region 3)
Reg 3-B / Burnham-Brook Reg IIIB
Reg 5 / Valley AAA
Reg 6 / Tri-County Office on Aging
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ircle of Friends Intergenerational Project is a new program at the Region IV Area Agency on Aging made possible through a grant from Generations United (www.gu.org). Children and nursing home residents at Lakeland Continuing Care Center spend time together one morning each week having fun and building intergenerational relationships through reading, art, music, cooking, gardening, movement, games and observance of special occasions. Planned activities include shared developmental goals such as memory and small motor skills, along with spontaneous opportunities for building relationships between young 12
Intergenerational relationships are built with lots of beautiful smiles.
and old. Children who participate in the project are those being cared for by relative child-care providers. While the children spend time with the elders, caregivers attend Basic Child Care workshops byofMichiReg 9 / NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA provided Reg 10 / AAA Northwest MI gan State Extension and Child Care Resources.
Natural, everyday Reg 3-C / interactions Branch-St. Joseph AAAandReg 4 / Reg IV AAA (IIIC) opportunities to build meaningful relationships between young and old were more common prior to the last half-century, when elders held an integral place within families and neighborhoods. Now, aside from occasional formal visits and special programs, many children lack opportunities to acquire accurate information about Reg 7 / Reg VII AAA Reg 8 / AAA of Western Michigan aging, compassion for age-related limitations, and understanding of the fact that they will get older someday. Children bring life, spirit and joy to elders. Elders maintain self-worth by sharing their lives and experiences. For more information, call Camellia Pisegna, director of Senior Volunteer and Intergenerational at the Reg 11 / Upper Peninsula AAA RegPrograms 14 / Senior Resources of West Michigan Region IV Area Agency on Aging, at 269-983-7058. Michigan Generations
Reg 4 / Reg I
Reg 8 / AAA
Reg 14 / Sen West Michig
Services Dept. (Region 3)
(IIIC)
Region VII Area Agency on Aging Serving Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Midland, Saginaw, Sanilac and Tuscola counties
Respite and Adult Day Services
Reg 5 / Valley AAA
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re you caring for a loved one and need a temporary break from caregiving responsibilities? Perhaps you are looking for an alternative in communitybased long-term care, which helps keep your loved ones healthy and at home. St. Mary’s of Michigan Guardian Angel Respite and Adult Day Services may be the answer for you. Their mission is to foster a caring atmosphere for seniors and individuals with special needs by providing them with a warm, safe haven, while also giving respite to their families, enabling them to enhance their quality of life. Guardian Angel Respite and Adult
Reg 9 / NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA
From left to right: Betty H., Eunice M., Debbie S., Peter M., Dana L. (care staff ), Sallie K., Jim R., Jamie N. (care staff ) and Eddie G. Front center: Mike M. and Eugene V.
Day Services is located in Saginaw County and provides care from highly trained staff members and volunteers during the day. Services include:
• Hands-on activities • Social events Reg 6 / Tri-County Office on Aging Reg 7 / Reg VII AAA • Personal care Reg 1-A / Detroit AAA • Group activities • Health monitoring • Meals and snacks • Outdoor recreation and leisure Individuals, physicians or community agencies can make referrals to the center. The convenient hours Monday through Reg 10 / AAA are of Northwest MI Reg 11 / UpperFriday, Peninsula AAA 7:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.Reg Safe door-to3-A / Kalamazoo Cty. Human Dept. (Region 3) door transportationServices is provided using a comfortable, wheelchair-accessible van that is equipped to handle the needs of all participants. Region VII proudly offers adult day services in each of the 10 counties that are served. If you would like further information, contact the Region VII Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-858-1637 or Reg 5 / Valley AAA visit our website at www.region7aaa.org.
Reg 8 / AAA Reg 1-B / AAA
Reg 14 / Sen West Michiga Reg 3-B / Bur
Reg 6 / Tri-Co
NEMCSA Region 9 Area Agency on Aging Covering 12 counties of Northeast Michigan
Bestselling Author to Discuss Dementia
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acqueline Marcell, author of better help the the bestselling book Elder families they work Rage (www.ElderRage.com) with; provide soluand host of the popular “Coptions and hope to ing with Caregiving” radio families; expose program, will be in Alpena in elder abuse; and mid-September to share her bring attention to expertise on caring for loved the need for fundones with dementia. ing of Adult Day Jacqueline was so comServices. pelled by caring for her Mixing practielderly parents (both with cal advice with Alzheimer’s, which was not humor, JacqueAuthor Jacqueline Marcell. properly diagnosed for over line’s message of a year), that she gave up her career as hope is that there can still be a good a television executive to become an life after a diagnosis of dementia — if advocate for eldercare awareness and it’s properly managed medically and reform. Her missions are to: enlighten behaviorally. Her first presentation health care professionals on how to will be on Thursday, September 13, at Spring 2007
the Alpena High School Auditorium, 6:00–8:00 Reg 9 / p.m. NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA This free public event is made possible by the Region 9 Area Agency on Aging, the District Health Dept. #4 and the Alpena Regional Medical Center. On Friday, Jacqueline’s presentation for health care professionals only will be at Alpena Community College, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. (Continuing Education Units; preregistration required). And on Saturday morning, September 15, at 10:00 a.m., she will rally hundreds of walkers at the Alzheimer’s Association Northeastern Regional Memory Walk (www.alzgmc.org). For more information, call the Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-219-2273, ext. 261, or go to www.nemcsa.org.
13
Reg 10 / AAA
Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan Offering information and funding senior services in the 10-county area of Northwest Lower Michigan
Tuesday Toolmen Assist with Home Repairs
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uesday Toolmen is an innovative volunteer program that helps low-income seniors in our community with home health and safety repairs. Introduced through RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) of Northwest Michigan in 2002, the Tuesday Toolmen program has helped more than 100 seniors with inspections and small home repairs since its inception. We presently serve Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties and plan to expand into Benzie, Antrim and Kalkaska counties in the next two years. The Tuesday Toolmen volunteers are connected with income-eligible seniors through referrals from the Area Agency on Aging and the Grand
benefit of Tuesday9 AAA Toolmen is/ AAA of Northwest MI Reg 9 / NEMSCA Reg Reg 10 Reg 1-A / Detroit AAA Reg 1-B / AAA 1-Bthat seniorReg 1-C citi-/ The Senior Alliance, Inc. zens who participate in the program are able to remain Traverse and in their homes for a longer Leelanau Comperiod of time. missions on Sponsorships and volunAging. An teers are being sought to advance team is provide funds and manpower sent to eligible for our Tuesday Toolmen seniors’ homes activities 2007. Funds will to complete a Reg 3-A / Kalamazoo Cty. Human Reg 3-B / Burnham-Brook Reg IIIB inReg 3-C / Branch-St. Joseph AAA Services Dept. (Region 3) (IIIC) Tuesday Toolmen volunteers tackle be utilized to buy lumber 47-point safety small home repairs. and building materials to inspection, make required repairs. They answer queswill also be utilized to cover administions, assess needs and provide infortrative costs. mation. Our Toolmen make minor For more information on Tuesday repairs as needed. Among other Toolmen, call the United Way of Northtasks, our Toolmen may install grab west Michigan/Volunteer Center director, bars or other barrier-free devices Susan McQuaid, at 231-922-7338 that give seniors improved safety Reg 5 / Valley AAA and Reg 6 / Tri-County Office on Aging Reg 7 / Reg VII AAA or email susan@unitedway.tcnet.org. mobility in their homes. An important
Reg 11 / Upp Reg 2 / Reg
Reg 4 / Reg
Reg 8 / AAA
Upper Peninsula Area Agency on Aging Serving all 15 counties of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
MMAP Navigates the Medicare Maze Reg 9 / NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA
M
rs. Johnson* is upset because her Medicare drug plan will no longer be covering her most expensive medication. Mr. Wellman* never did join a prescription drug plan, but his daughter thinks he should, as he does have prescription drug costs. Yet he is frustrated because the program seems so complicated. Mrs. Smith* receives extra help paying for her medications through the Medicare drug program. However, when she went to pick up her medications in January, she was told that she would have to pay full price for them until she met a large deductible. She was confused and upset because she knows that she did not have to meet a deductible last year. 14
The complexity of the new Medicare prescription drug benefit confuses and frustrates those who must navigate its difficult system. However, the UPAAA’s Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) has been at the front line of this program since its inception, helping beneficiaries through the maze of drug plans, regulations and guidelines. MMAP counselors are specially trained to provide objective and confidential assistance free of charge to beneficiaries and their families concerning Medicare, Medicaid and other insurance. Since October 2005, when information on the new drug plans was first made available, 30 trained MMAP counselors have personally
assisted over 3,500 beneficiaries in the U.P. Reg 10 / AAA of Northwest MI Reg 11 / Upper Peninsula AAA with the Medicare drug program. Counselors have helped to compare plans, assisted with enrollment, and explained the “extra help” for those with limited income and assets. Additionally, MMAP counselors have answered a myriad of other questions for over 5,800 individuals who have called MMAP’s toll-free Helpline. With the assistance of MMAP, seniors are finding a drug plan that saves them money. Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Wellman and Mrs. Smith were lucky — they knew they could call a MMAP counselor to get their questions answered and their problems fixed. For more information, call the MMAP Helpline at 1-800-803-7174, or dial 2-1-1. * The stories of Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Wellman, and Mrs. Smith are actual cases, although names have been changed. Michigan Generations
Reg 14 / Sen West Michig
ASKtheExpert
Jeffrey Deitch, DO
Medicare Part B Offers
Preventive Benefits
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edicare is helping you stay healthy and active. The Medicare program now offers you more in the way of preventive services. Medicare Part B offers beneficiaries an array of exams, lab tests and screening shots to help prevent, find or manage a medical problem. Preventive services may detect health problems early, when treatment works best.
What’s the first step? talk to your provider about which
preventive service you need and learn if you meet the criteria for coverage. Medicare Part B covers a variety of screenings. For new enrollees, though, a first step is to schedule a one-time review of your health, including education and counseling about preventive screenings. Medicare offers the “Welcome to Medicare” physical exam.
What is this one-time exam? it’s important to schedule the “Welcome to Medicare” physical exam right away. This is a one-time benefit. Medicare will only cover this physical exam if it occurs within the first six months that a beneficiary enrolls in Part B. The exam includes a thorough review of your health, as well as education and counseling about the preventive services offered under the Medicare program.
Do you have a caregiving question? Write or email your question to our “Expert” at: Jenny Jarvis, Area Agency on Aging 1-B, 29100 Northwestern Highway, Suite 400, Southfield, MI 48034; jjarvis@aaa1b.com. We will make every effort to answer your question in an upcoming issue of Michigan Generations. Spring 2007
What can I expect from the exam? during the exam, the doctor will
record medical history and check a patient’s blood pressure, weight and height. The doctor may also administer a vision test and an Electrocardiogram (EKG). The health care provider should also check to make sure that a beneficiary is up-to-date with their shots. Depending on the individual’s general health and medical history, further tests may be ordered as necessary.
How much does the exam cost? beneficiaries pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount after they meet the yearly Part B deductible ($131 for 2007). Since this may be their first Medicare-covered service, they may meet the entire Part B deductible at this visit.
If I schedule this exam, what should I bring with me? the patient should bring:
• Medical records, including immunization records (especially if you are seeing a new doctor for the first time). • Family health history. Any information that you can give your doctor will help determine if you are at high risk for certain diseases. • A list of prescription drugs that you currently take.
If I am not new to the Medicare program, what preventive services are covered benefits? remember that with any covered
service, co-insurance and/or deductibles may apply. Medicare Part B helps cover: • Bone mass measurement: This service is covered once every 24 months if medically necessary. • Cardiovascular screenings: Every five years to test your cholesterol, lipid and triglyceride levels to help prevent stroke or a heart attack.
• Colorectal cancer screenings: One or more of these tests may be covered: fecal occult blood test; flexible sigmoidoscopy; colonoscopy; barium enema. • Diabetes screenings: Based on the results of these tests, you may be eligible for up to two diabetes screenings a year. • Flu shots: Once a flu season in the Fall or Winter. • Glaucoma tests: Covered once every 12 months for people at high risk. • Hepatitis B shots: Covered for three shots if you are at high or intermediate risk. • Mammograms: Once every 12 months for all women with Medicare age 40 and older. • Pap test and pelvic exam: Once every 12 months for women at high risk. • Pneumococcal shot: Most people only need this shot once in their lifetime. Talk with your doctor. • Prostate cancer screenings: Once every 12 months for all men with Medicare age 50 and older. • Smoking cessation: Offered at any provider site if ordered by your doctor.
Where do I go for information? for further information about
the many different preventive screenings covered under the Medicare program, visit www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Jeffrey Deitch, DO, is medical director of MPRO, Michigan’s Medicare Quality Improvement Organization. A nonprofit, MPRO is under contract with the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to serve as the Quality Improvement Organization in Michigan. MPRO works to educate beneficiaries on the Medicare program and works with providers statewide to improve the quality and delivery of health care. 15
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Exercise: A Magic Pill ... continued from page 7 deliberate movements,” says Natalie Rosenfield-McKee, manager for community programs for the Arthritis Foundation Michigan Chapter. “We offer it throughout the state in senior centers, churches, synagogues, parks and fitness clubs. “There are 2.5 million Michigan residents who have arthritis, and most of them are age 65 or older,” she continues. “People who have it tend to think they should not exercise because it hurts, but the goal is to exercise so it won’t hurt.” The Leelanau County Commission on Aging began subsidizing a senior exercise program in the landmark Old Art Building in Leland after a community forum revealed exercise as an unmet need in the area. Judy Livingston, program director for the building, says the class was an instant hit. “We offer a lot of programs here, like Spanish, painting, dance,” says Livingston. “When we get a good snow, all the other programs will be cancelled, but the seniors still turn out for their exercise class. They won’t miss it!” Even if you are homebound and can’t make it out to a senior center or fitness facility, there are exercise resources available for you. The Otsego County Commission on Aging, for example, has begun a program called Healthy Moves for
Aging Well. Home service workers who visit the homebound to provide personal care incorporate a 15-minute exercise routine into their visit. “Routines are tailored to each client’s ability to safely complete exercises, while addressing strength and flexibility of upper and lower body,” says Dona Wishart, assistant director of the Commission. “Although the service providers only visit once or twice a week, clients are encouraged to exercise every day and chart their progress.” News of the Healthy Moves program has traveled by word of mouth, and other homebound seniors are calling to ask to be included in the program. The agency hopes to secure more funds to allow for program expansion. For information, visit www.healthyagingprograms.org. Despite all the resources available, in the end it’s up to seniors or their caregivers to, as the old Nike ad says, “Just do it.” “If you look up what ‘senior’ means in the dictionary, it’s an honor,” says Nielsen. “A senior executive, a senior official — it means you have paid your dues and you have earned a position of privilege. It’s the same with life stages — when you make it to being a senior, you deserve to enjoy your reward. You can’t do that unless you are healthy and fit.” MI