The most common types of financial scams to make your aging loved one aware of are:

• Pre-Planned Funerals and Cemetery Plots. Scammers target the elderly to encourage them to take care of these two items so their loved ones don’t have to. But it is an area where abuse is common. Never sign a contract without having your attorney review it. Also, shop around to compare costs and don’t let anyone try to pressure you into making a quick decision.
• You’ve Won…Something. Prize notifications are common calls senior citizens receive. They’ve won a vacation or a sweepstakes, but they need to pay for shipping and handling. They will need to send a check or money order for that. Or they may ask to give a credit card number over the phone. Don’t do it. These are almost always a scam of some sort.
• Internet Fraud. Seniors often fall victim to multiple kinds of fraud online. The FBI has set up a page on their website that gives more concrete examples of the most common types. You can find it here: http://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/fraud/internet_fraud
• Home Equity Conversion Mortgages. Also known as reverse mortgages, these types of loans can be a good source of income for a senior who wishes to remain in their home. It allows them to take advantage of the equity in their home to live off. Unfortunately, many scam artists use them to defraud seniors of their homes or money. AARP has developed a few resources that can help better understand these loans and how to safely set one up for an aging loved one. Learn more by visiting: http://www.aarp.org/money/credit-loans-debt/info-02-2011/10-questions-answered-about-reverse-mortgages.html
• Spam Text Messages. Smishing is the new term for text message spam. The incidence of smishing has tripled from 2011 to 2012. Experts believe as many as 45 million spam texts are sent out in North America every day. These messages are almost always designed to defraud you of money. The best thing you can do is not to respond. Contrary to advice you may have heard, do NOT reply back with a “STOP” message. Spammers will then know they have a live phone. Instead, forward the text message to 7726 (which is “SPAM” on most phone keypads). That will let your cell phone carrier know they have a problem and block further texts from that number.

Has a senior in your life fallen victim to fraud? Were you able to help them resolve it?

The aging experts at Robert Lee Care Center thought this would be a good time to share the results of a 2012 AARP survey of caregivers. It may make family caregivers feel a little better to see what their peers across the country have to say about this demanding role.

In July of this year, AARP surveyed 500 caregivers aged 40 – 60. Here is what they found:

• 80% of caregivers are women.
• The majority caregivers (63%) spend 9 or more hours a week providing care.
• Almost half of all caregivers feel a high level of fatigue and it’s no surprise why – 51% work full-time and 11% work part-time.
• 69% of caregivers are married and 21% have child under the age of 18 living at  home
• Three out of four caregivers describe the role of caregiver as “difficult” with one in four admitting the job is “very difficult”.
• While the majority of caregiving duties revolve around errands, housework and physician appointments, nearly half are more physically demanding. That includes bathing, dressing, bathroom assistance, and helping someone in and out of bed.
• More than a third of caregivers have been providing care for five years or more.
• 58% of those caring for someone feel that they need support yet the majority (59%) have not sought out help or resources.
• One in four caregivers is not sure where to find information and resources that can help them.

To help point caregivers in the right direction for support in the new year, the team at Robert Lee Care Center has assembled a list of resources.

1. Family Care Navigator is an online tool developed by the Family Caregiver Alliance. Broken down by state, it helps caregivers find their way through the maze of resources. Find it at: http://caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/fcn_content_node.jsp?nodeid=2083
2. Medicare has information available to help families. You can receive an update directly from them by signing up for their e-newsletter at: http://www.medicare.gov/campaigns/caregiver/caregiver-newsletters.html
3. If your loved one is a veteran or the surviving spouse of a veteran, there are additional resources available for them. Learn more by visiting http://www.caregiver.va.gov/.

Are you a caregiver? Are you surprised at the statistics on caregivers in 2012?

The Alzheimer’s experts at Robert Lee Care Center have a few tips to help keep your loved one safe this holiday season:

• Avoid having lights on your tree or around your home that blink on and off. That can be disorienting and even scary for someone with dementia. Stick with non-twinkle lights.
• Having lit candles around the home can also pose a safety hazard. Consider substituting battery operated candles with a steady, faux flame.
• Decorations that look like gingerbread cookies, fruit or other foods but are actually artificial should also be avoided. Someone with Alzheimer’s disease may mistake them for the real thing and attempt to eat them.
• As decorations go up and presents appear in the home, traffic areas often become cluttered. Alzheimer’s disease can cause a person to have more of an unsteady gait. So try to keep the pathways free for your loved one. Especially if they are prone to pacing.
• Pay attention to the size of decorations. Life-sized Santa or reindeer can cause confusion for someone with dementia.
• We often have to use extension cords to get all of our lights set up at the holidays. Make sure they are taped down or run under furniture and rugs so they don’t present a fall risk.
• Try to limit the number of breakable and small holiday ornaments. Especially the ones at or below your loved ones eye level. The shiny gloss on them might be too tough to resist.

If you would like more information on how to make the holidays meaningful and safe for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, we have a suggestion. The Alzheimer’s Association has a great holiday tip sheet that you can download free at http://www.alz.org/national/documents/topicsheet_holidays.pdf.

Do you have any suggestions for families decking the halls with a loved one who has Alzheimer’s disease? We’d love to hear your advice!

The FDA recently lowered the age to receive the shingles vaccine to 50. That is because the rate of shingles is on the rise and not just among those 60 and older. Physicians are now seeing an increased number of patients as young as 50 developing shingles.

The vaccine is the only preventative measure available. In a study published in the Journal of American Medical Association, the vaccine was successful in preventing shingles in about 55% of patients who received it. Yet, according to the Centers for Disease control, less than 15% of older adults receive the vaccine.

What are the Symptoms of Shingles?

Patients who have had it describe it as “the worst pain ever”. According to Olmstead Medical Center researcher Dr. Barbara Yawn, “Often pain will begin around the jaw, back, shoulder, or abdomen—a telltale sign where the rash will break out. But the rash won’t emerge for a week or 10 days, and the pain can get misdiagnosed as a heart attack or appendicitis,” she says. Once the rash breaks out, the pain becomes acute. It interferes with all areas of daily living and causes poor physical functioning. The nerve pain associated with shingles may never completely go away.

Does insurance pay for the shingles vaccine?

That has been a confusing issue for most people. With vaccine costs running in the range of $190 to $400, lack of coverage could explain why more people don’t receive the vaccine. Currently, Medicare Part B does NOT cover the vaccine. But Medicare Part D is required to provide it. Most patients who have received it have had to pay a co-pay of between $60 and $80. Coverage by private insurers varies.

Who Should NOT receive the vaccine?

There are a few groups of people who should avoid the vaccine:

• If you have had an allergic reaction to gelatin, neomycin or any components of the vaccine, you should not get it.  If you have any severe allergies, review the vaccine ingredients with your physician.
• Those with an immune system weakened from AIDS, steroids, cancer treatments or cancers associated with bone marrow or the lymphatic system are not good candidates for the vaccine.
• Women who are or might be pregnant.

So bottom line from physicians on the shingles vaccine? Get the shot. It is worth the cost.

Have you or someone you know had shingles? Have you received the shingles vaccine because of it?

If your aging loved one lives alone, your family may have struggled with this decision. Both are the obvious answer. But for seniors on a fixed income, having both may not be an option. The aging experts at Robert Lee Care Center weigh in on the factors you should consider when making this decision.

1. Is your family member out and about in the community? Still driving? Most medical alert systems work with a wireless pendant that transmits to a console on their home phone. If they get beyond that range, the system won’t alert if they need help.
2. Are they physically able to dial the small numbers on a cell phone? For older adults with vision impairments or arthritis in their hands, it can be a struggle. There are vendors who provide a special kind of cell phone. They have only two or three buttons. Each connects to a specific person or place- like one for a daughter’s cell phone and one for 911 service. While easier to use, they are limited in who they can reach.
3. You will need to consider the battery life. As we all know, cell phones need to be charged frequently. Will they remember to do that? Most medical alert systems send a message to the monitoring station when the battery is getting low.
4. The GPS issue is another thing to consider. If you worry your loved one may wander, you will want to choose a system that allows for GPS tracking.
5. If you decide on a cell phone, can you count on your family member to keep it on them around the house? If they fall and don’t have it on them, they could be in trouble. Medical alert bracelets and pendants are more likely to be worn all of the time.
6. Call your local agency on aging for advice. Many local aging agencies have joined forces with emergency services to set up programs just for seniors. Many provide free cell phones with through a 911 cell phone bank. Others offer discounted rates on cell phones designed just for seniors.

Does your community have a senior cell phone project? We’d love to hear about some of the programs that are out there!

If you are caring for a friend or family member, the aging experts at Robert Lee Care Center offer you a few suggestions to make the season brighter:

• Keep your expectations reasonable. The temptation might be to attend every event possible with your loved one “in case it is their last holiday season”. But that can set you up for more stress and exhaustion. Prioritize those that mean the most and enjoy them together.
• Ask for help! This time of year it is more important than ever. Ask a friend or other family member to visit with your loved one while you do holiday shopping or schedule a home care aide for a few hours.
• Try to maintain a healthy diet and exercise program during the holiday rush. They will both help you maintain your physical and emotional well-being.
• If the person you care for has Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia, try to stick to a routine. That often means planning ahead and learning to say “no”.
• Do your holiday shopping online. Many retailers offer free shipping during the season. You can order everything from your holiday meal to a gift card for your mailman.
• Keep in touch with friends and family! Sometimes the rush of the season makes that more difficult, but it is important to have someone to talk with if you are feeling blue this season.

You can read more about holiday blues and caregivers at: http://www.agingcare.com/Articles/dealing-with-holiday-depression-108018.htm.

Are you a caregiver? Have you struggled with the holiday blues?

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, the thought of losing your independence can be tough to accept. But there are some steps you can take now to stay more independent later.

• Walk through your house now with an eye on future safety. That includes grab bars, smoke detectors, automatic shut-off switches on appliances like the iron and the coffee pot.
• Plan now for future transportation needs. Your local agency on aging will probably have some resources to help.
• Explore what options are available for help with daily tasks and activities. Mobile Meals is probably a good thing to sign up for now. Some communities have programs for seniors that help with lawn mowing and snow removal. Investigate if any of the local pharmacies and grocery stores offers a delivery service.
• Shop around for medical assistance alerts or the Safe Return program from The Alzheimer’s Association.
• Consider putting together some cues that your loved ones can put up for you when you need them later. For example, a sign with words and pictures to put on the bathroom door or pictures of what kitchen tools are in each drawer.
• Start investigating private duty home care support. Consider hiring help a few hours a week now so you are more comfortable with them later.

The Alzheimer’s Association has great resources available online. They have everything from financial considerations to information on clinical trials. You can find it here http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_15768.asp.

Have you found ways to help a loved one with dementia maintain their independence longer? The team at Robert Lee Care Center invite you to share them with us!

It is that time of year again! Medicare Open Enrollment is the time period each year when Medicare allows you to make changes to your current coverage.

The aging experts at Robert Lee Care Center have a few suggestions to help you get started this year:

• Pull out your health file and look to see what your covered and out-of-pocket expenses were. Did you have more expenses than you thought you would or should?
• Are the providers you most want to use covered? Don’t forget to consider pharmacies, labs, physical therapy and other similar services when you do your review. Convenience matters when you aren’t feeling well.
• Read and review all of the information you receive about open enrollment as it arrives. Don’t make the mistake of letting it pile up before you tackle it. If you wait too long, you may find it is hard to get expert advice if you decide that you need it.
• If you have limited resources and income, have you investigated opportunities for financial assistance? Medicare Part has an Extra Help program that can help with everything from annual deductibles to prescription co-pays. The Medicare Savings Program (MSP) may also help. You can learn more about Extra Help at http://www.ssa.gov/prescriptionhelp/ and MSP here:

http://www.medicare.gov/Contacts/staticpages/msps.aspx.

• Do you find yourself struggling to figure out what options are best for you? A couple of resources that might be of help to you are:
  • Each state has a state health insurance plan (SHIP). They offer unbiased support at no cost. You can access your state’s plan here: http://www.medicare.gov/contacts/topic-search-criteria.aspx.\
  • The National Council on Aging has an online tool that can help walk you through how to choose a Medicare Part D prescription plan. You can find it by visiting them at: http://www.mymedicarematters.org/PrescriptionDrugs/Steps/index.php

Have you found a good resource for helping with Medicare Open Enrollment you would like to share? Let us know by commenting!

Here are a few of our suggestions for optimum lighting for your aging loved one:

• Are there outdoor motion lights in key areas like stairs and doors?
   
• Is there a motion light over the garage entrance? Inside the garage?
   
• Are all stairways inside the home well lit? Is there a switch to turn the lights on at the top and bottom of the stairs?
   
• As a precaution, consider adding sensor lighting at the top and bottom of all stairwells in case your loved one has to use them after dark and can’t find the switch.
• Is there a nightlight that comes on at dusk in the bathroom closest to their bedroom? That is important for seniors who are typically restless sleepers and may be up and down during to the bathroom during the night.
   
• Is there a nightlight or easy to reach lighting in the other rooms your loved one uses most frequently if they are unable to sleep? For example, if they go to the kitchen for a midnight snack when they can’t sleep, does the path they will take have easy access to lighting?
   
• Are the lighting switches for each room near the entrance and easy to access? You may want to re-locate them if not.
   
• Frosted bulbs in lighting fixtures can help prevent glare that often creates vision problems for older eyes.

Walk through your loved ones home as if you were them, and you will probably find areas where poor lighting could create a fall hazard. Some quick solutions can be small battery-operated, sensor lights (just make sure to check the batteries when you visit) and dusk to dawn nightlights. It doesn’t have to cost a fortunate to light their way.

Do you have a lighting tip you would like to share? Check it out after dark while visiting.

1. Plan Ahead. Pre-arrange your route and stops. Try to keep to a schedule and establish a travel routine. Make sure it includes rest breaks. This is especially important if your loved one has any memory impairments.
2. Medical History & Medication List. Make sure that in addition to your loved one’s medications, you also take documentation that lists those medications and dosages. You also need to have their medical history and medical contacts with you just in case they need medical attention.
3. In Case of Emergency Cards. On the chance that you and your loved one may get separated, make sure you have cards made up with your name and cell phone number on them. You probably want to have a back-up family member’s name and contact information too. Put the cards in one or two of your loved ones pockets every day.
4. Safe Return Program. If your loved one has dementia, consider getting a Safe Return bracelet for them. Airports can be busy places. You don’t want to risk your loved one wandering away and not being able to communicate. You can purchase one from The Alzheimer’s Association at: http://www.alz.org/oc/in_my_community_10848.asp
   
5. Give Out Copies of Your Itinerary. Make sure friends and family at home and at the destination you are headed for have a copy of your daily itinerary. You might also want to have a daily check-in with them if you will be traveling over several days. That will help people know if and when they need to start worrying about you if you don’t show up as planned.

Will you be traveling with someone you are caregiver for this holiday season? What plans have you made?