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From Our Family to Yours
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 from the WellMed Charitable Foundation
Our best to caregivers, your care recipients, and the agencies and organizations providing support to you.
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Calendar "At a Glance"
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A free telephone learning and support program. Select a session right for you.
For more details, click here:
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01/08/13 (Tues) 2 p.m.:
"Medicaid Estate Recovery (MERP)" with Carlotta Vann
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01/10/13 (Thurs) 7 p.m.:
"Planning Time Bombs - the Ugly Truth and the Silver Lining" with Lynn Shank of Texas Assurance Care
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01/15/13 (Wed) 12 p.m.:
"Spousal Impoverishment Protection Under Medicaid" with Janice Quertermous
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01/24/13 (Thurs) 7 p.m.:
"Medicare and Long-Term Care: Maximizing Your Benefits" with Evalyn Greb, LCSW
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01/29/13 (Tues) 12 p.m.:
"There's No Place Like Home: Using a Reverse Mortgage to Age in Place" with Annemieke Pike-Luckey
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Sign Up By Phone,
Email or Online:
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Register for any scheduled
TeleLearning Sessions above by phone: San Antonio Area -- 871- 7SOS (7767) or 1 (866) 390-6491 (toll-free) (Mon.- Fri., 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.); by email, or go to our website.
The hour long, free phone- based sessions are designed to help enhance the quality of life for caregivers by providing needed emotional, educational and social support.
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Spanish Newsletter
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| Social Media | 
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Join Our List
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(You may select multiple lists.)
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Carol's Column
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T hrough our radio program, Caregiver SOS: On Air,  I've had the opportunity to interview some amazing people - doctors, lawyers, authors, caregiver advocates, etc. (By the way, you can listen to the radio show on podcast anytime at www.caregiversos.org).
Over and over, I'm amazed how caregiving is the great equalizer. It doesn't matter if someone is a professional with tremendous resources at their disposal, navigating the caregiving journey is still difficult.
It's still just as hard to figure out what questions to ask and where to find help. Over and over again, I hear people say," If I had only known then, what I know now."
So even though making New Year's resolutions is very clich�, I have one to add to the list. Many family caregivers, just like you, are indeed the experts with valuable information to share.
Even though you may feel as if you're the only one going through this situation, there are other people taking care of a family member or friend - and they need you, too.
They need you to share what you know. Perhaps you know some tricks to working with someone who has Alzheimer's and is refusing to take their medications.
Perhaps you know about the local area agency on aging and the kinds of help they provide. Perhaps you know that sometimes you have to place a loved one in a care facility, and how to talk someone through that process.
My New Year's resolution is to share what I know about caregiving and to create opportunities for caregivers to share what they know with others.
You can share by joining our Caregiver Teleconnection - a free, confidential telephone program where you can talk to other caregivers anonymously.
You can share by writing to us here at Signals to tell us something you learned, and you want us to get the word out.
You can share by going to your local support group for stroke victims, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's etc. and talking to the other families who are there.
There are so many ways we can build a supportive community. It doesn't necessarily have to be in person or even in the same town. There are many others out there who are struggling, lost and angry about their situation in caring for someone else. We can all lighten that load if we work together.
Here's to a great partnership. Happy New Year!
Carol Zernial Executive Director |
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Join the Conversation
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Individuals, non-profits and organizations, along with state, regional, and local agencies are encouraged to submit for consideration their information on meetings, educational sessions, or resources for caregivers (of seniors, wounded warriors, and children or adults who have a disability).
Please email details and documents (as a pdf or MS Office document--Word, Publisher, PowerPoint or Excel) promoting the item, along with a contact name, email address, and phone number to: Sue Ellen Lewis, Editor, Caregiver SOS Signals Newsletter/eMail Blasts; email: SueEllenLewis@msn.com: Voice: 210-637-5116.
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Greetings!
APS, WellMed Partner To Target Elder Abuse
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WCF Executive Director Carol Zernial discusses the new grant during a joint press conference.
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The US Department of Health and Human Services has awarded a $907,000 grant to the Texas Department of Family Protective Services, in partnership with the WellMed Charitable Foundation, the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging, and the Elder Justice Coalition.
The grant, announced at a recent press conference, is among the first awarded as part of the Elder Justice Act of 2010. It will fund an elder abuse prevention and intervention initiative at WellMed clinics in five Texas markets.
 | | First Asst. Bexar County DA Cliff Herberg |
This project is one of the largest elder abuse prevention and intervention initiatives ever undertaken by the Department of Family Protective Services' Adult Protective Services (APS) division.
The three-year grant, the first APS has ever received specifically targeting elder abuse prevention, will pay for the addition of two APS Specialists, who will train WellMed clinic staff - with more than 120 physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants - on risk factors for elder abuse
 | | Dr. Carlos Hernandez, President, WellMed Medical Group |
and help develop screening and intervention protocols.
The money also provides educational materials to senior patients at the 47 WellMed primary care clinics in the Austin, Corpus Christi, El Paso, Lower Rio Grande Valley and San Antonio areas. Click here for news release. Click here for the news release in Spanish. Click here for information from the Administration on Aging.
About Elder Abuse - 11% of US seniors experienced abuse or neglect in the past year - American Journal of Public Health study, 2010
- 58,068 of 87,741 reported cases of elder abuse in Texas were confirmed in 2011 - Texas Adult Protective Services annual report
- 4 out of 5 cases of elder abuse go unreported - National Center on Elder Abuse
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HEALTH SAVVY
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Why plan for the second half of life? 
- This is potentially the time of your life where you have more choice, perspective and wisdom to make a meaningful impact on your world.
- With a clear vision and plan, you can project your financial requirements for the life you plan to create.
- Life's inevitable transitions are easier when you have anticipated them and planned for what you want in your life.
- Vision, goals and plans provide you with structure and motivation in your daily life.
- As you pursue your dreams and goals with openness to serendipity, unexpected opportunities appear that enrich your life in ways you might not have imagined.
Click here to read the entire article.
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CONCERNED ABOUT MONEY?
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Medicare and Long-Term Care
(from www.longtermcare.gov)
Medicare
Medicare only covers medically necessary care and focuses on  medical acute care, such as doctor visits, drugs, and hospital stays. Medicare coverage also focuses on short-term services for conditions that are expected to improve, such as physical therapy to help you regain your function after a fall or a stroke.
On this page:
Click here for the complete article.
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LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD
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Medicaid Spousal Impoverishment Rules:
 One of the greatest fears senior couples have is that nursing home care for one of them will take all their available money, leaving the husband or wife who is living at home penniless. Until 1988 this was sometimes the case. Public welfare, or worse, became the lot of some elderly spouses because their husband or wife could no longer be cared for at home. In the last 20 years things have improved.
Paying for nursing home care can cost upwards of $10,000 a month in some places. According to a recent study released by Genworth Financial Services, the average cost of a semi-private bed in a nursing home is $183.25 per day, or almost $66,900 a year, not including the cost of supplies and medicines. Click here for the complete article.
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MIND, BODY, SPIRIT
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Medicaid Estate Recovery Program
(from http://www.dads.state.tx.us)
On March 1, 2005, Texas implemented the Medicaid Estate Recovery Program (MERP) in compliance with federal Medicaid laws. The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) manages the program.
Under this program, the state may file a claim against the estate of a deceased Medicaid recipient, age 55 and older, who applied for certain long-term care services on or after March 1, 2005. Claims include the cost of services, hospital care and prescription drugs supported by Medicaid under the following programs:
- Nursing facility;
- Intermediate care facility for persons with intellectual disability, which includes state supported living centers;
- Medicaid waiver programs including: Click here for the complete article
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WANT TO FEEL BETTER?
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What Is a Reverse Mortgage?
A reverse mortgage is a loan for senior homeowners that uses  a portion of the home's equity as collateral. The loan generally does not have to be repaid until the last surviving homeowner permanently moves out of the property or passes away. At that time, the estate has approximately 6 months to repay the balance of the reverse mortgage or sell the home to pay off the balance.
All remaining equity is inherited by the estate. The estate is not personally liable if the home sells for less than the balance of the reverse mortgage. When you ask the question, what is a reverse mortgage, the following is the type of answer you should expect. Click here for the complete article.
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'Take 10' with Dr. Jamie
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Make a New Year's Resolution in 2013!
Book Quarterly Recharge Weekends Now!
(Jamie Huysman, PsyD, LCSW, CAP, CFT)
What are caregiver recharge weekends? Recharging means to "charge again," similar to reenergizing a storage battery, but this time the battery is your mind, body and spirit. Recharging creates a positive effect for yourself and also has an encouraging and calming effect on loved ones around you. Recharging creates balance between mind, body and spirit, resulting from conscious choices that lead to better health and greater satisfaction. Recharging at the Daytona 500 means the difference between winning or losing the race. Click here for the entire article. Click here for the Spanish version. |
TELECONNECTION SESSION DETAILS
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These hour-long, free phone-based sessions are designed to help enhance the quality of life for caregivers by providing needed emotional, educational and social support.
Register for any TeleLearning Sessions by phone: San Antonio Area--871-7SOS (7767) or 1 (866) 390-6491 (toll-free) (Mon. -Fri., 8:30 a.m.- 4:45 p.m.); by email, or go to our website.
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All January Sessions Focus on Finances01/08/13 (Tues) 2 p.m.:*"Medicaid Estate Recovery (MERP)" with Carlotta VannIn this session, participants will learn why there is a Medicaid Estate Recovery Program (MERP) in Texas, who is affected by the program, which Medicaid programs come under MERP, program exemptions, and claims payment. Join us to get a better understanding of this program that affects so many.
*This telelearning session is FREE and open to all. To register, click here. Flyer for printing/posting _____________________________________
01/10/13 (Thurs) 7 p.m.:*"Planning Time Bombs - the Ugly Truth and the Silver Lining" with Lynn Shank of Texas Assurance Care  Planning for the future is a critical activity, but many put it off until tomorrow...which never comes. In this session learn to identify planning "time bombs," the elements that make up a solid plan, critical legal documents that need to be part of the plan, a look at "new retirement," and how to get started with the planning process. *This telelearning session is FREE and open to all. To register, click here. Flyer for printing/posting _____________________________________ 01/15/13 (Wed) 12 p.m.:*"Spousal Impoverishment Protection Under Medicaid" with Janice Quertermous  In 1989, a Public Law was implemented in Texas to provide for the protection of income for a community-dwelling spouse and certain dependent family members when the other spouse is institutionalized. Join us for this important session to gain an understanding of how the Spousal Impoverishment Law may protect resources for couples when one spouse enters a long term care facility and is covered under Medicaid. *This telelearning session is FREE and open to all. To register, click here. Flyer for printing/posting _____________________________________ 01/24/13 (Thurs) 7 p.m.:*"Medicare and Long-Term Care: Maximizing Your Benefits"with Evalyn Greb, LCSW  Many individuals believe that Medicare will pay for long-term care services. In actuality Medicare pays for limited services in the long-term care arena. Join this session to learn what long-term care is, what Medicare will cover, why it is important for the caregiver to know about these services, and how to find other resources to help with long-term care needs.
*This telelearning session is FREE and open to all. To register, click here. Flyer for printing/posting _____________________________________ 01/29/13 (Tues) 12 p.m.:*"There's No Place Like Home: Using a Reverse Mortgage to Age in Place" with Annemieke Pike-Luckey  This session will provide an overview of the reverse mortgage and its features, its benefits and some disadvantages. It will cover requirements and responsibilities of the borrower, and how much one might be able to borrow and the types of payment plans. Special focus will be given to the importance of things to consider when making decisions about a reverse mortgage *This telelearning session is FREE and open to all. To register, click here. Flyer for printing/posting
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Caregiver SOS: On Air
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Featured Guests in January
(from the WellMed Charitable Foundation)
December 30 - Dr. Robin Eickhoff, WellMed: What Your PCP Needs To Know From The Caregiver
January 6 - Lynn Shank, Texas Assurance Care: Getting Your Stuff In Order -- Financial Planning Guide
January 13 - Jerry Rosson, Eldercare Attorney: Taking Care Of Yourself And Your Surviving Parent - A Legal Point Of View
January 20 - Stephen Morse, Texas ALS: What Every Caregiver Needs to Know About Lou Gehrig's Disease
Caregiver SOS: On Air is an hour-long weekly program
that airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on NewsTalk 930-AM KLUP. The program is sponsored and presented by the WellMed Charitable Foundation. Click here
for past shows on streaming podcasts or download to iTunes.
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Caregiver SOS Resource Centers
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Caregiver SOS Centers
(from the WellMed Charitable Foundation)
With the beginning of the new year, January also marks the beginning on new learning opportunities for caregivers at the the SOS Centers.
New classes starting include: A Matter of Balance, Stress-busters, Diabetes Self Management and Chronic Disease Self Management--along with crafts, movies, health-related events. A resource library is also available. See the Activity Calendars below for the current schedules.
For locations and other information, go to the Caregiver SOS website. The Calendars below can be printed/posted:
San Antonio Center at Northern Hills
San Antonio Lopez Senior Center
Harlingen Senior Center
Hidalgo County
Coastal Bend
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Resources and References
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The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) recently released a report outlining the hazards of adult bedrails including statistics on the numbers of injuries and deaths caused by bedrail accidents. In the report, CPSC estimates about 37,000 people were injured in bedrail accidents and treated in emergency rooms from 2003 through 2011.
 Their research also found that 155 deaths were caused by bedrails (based on death certificate and hospital emergency room reviews). About 126 of those who died were 60 or older and 61 percent occurred at home. Nearly half of those who died had medical problems such as dementia, heart disease and Parkinson's disease. The findings indicate thtat 93% were from rail entrapment. Read the full report.
"After Dozens of Deaths, Inquiry into Bed Rails" published in The New York Times, shares the personal story of one woman's efforts to raise awareness of bedrail hazards.
The Texas State Securities Board, a state agency, is to protect Texas investors. The Investor Education Section promotes wise and safe investing. TSSB has several publications in the senior section of their Investor Education Website, www.TexasInvestorEd.org. Click here for the  publication, The ABCs for APS Professionals, It helps individuals identify and report investment fraud. Click here for another publication, the Elder Investment Fraud Patient Brochure. 2013 Older Americans Month Theme Announced: Every year since 1963, May has been a month to appreciate and celebrate the vitality and aspirations of older adults and  their contributions to our communities. The theme for Older Americans Month 2013, Unleash the Power of Age, has never been more fitting. Older Americans are productive, active and influential members of society, sharing essential talents, wisdom and life experience with families, friends and neighbors. Click here for information from the Administration on Aging.
From the Alzheimer's Association: When it comes to detecting Alzheimer's, an increased number of tests may
better predict the onset of the disease, a new study shows. Researchers found that using more than one diagnostic test could better show which people with mild cognitive impairment  might develop Alzheimer's. The earlier memory loss is discovered, the better, as doctors are then able to determine treatment, and people with Alzheimer's and their caregivers can learn about the disease, plan for the future and participate in research. Read the article >> Learn more about early detection >>
From the Social Security Administration: New Compassionate Allowances Conditions: Fast Track Disability Process Will Now Include 200 Conditions: The SSA announced that 35 additional Compassionate Allowances conditions are in effect, bringing the total number of conditions in the expedited disability process to 200. Compassionate Allowances are a way to quickly identify diseases and other medical conditions that meet Social Security's standards for disability benefits. The program fast-tracks disability decisions so that Americans with the most serious disabilities receive their benefit decisions within days. Click here for complete article.
 mmLearn.org, a program of Morningside Ministries, has an extensive catalog of free videos/webcasts designed for Caregivers.
"NEW" online Spirituality & Aging Caregiver's Conference Available Now at mmLearn.org. The 2012 Spirituality and Aging Caregiver's Conference is once again offered as an online, web-based forum to enable all caregivers to participate in the conference by viewing these exceptional videos at their convenience. Presenters examine the significance of spirituality and aging and the effects on the caregiver. |
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We hope you found this Signals newsletter both useful and informative. Please share it with caregivers that you know, your friends, and colleagues by clicking on 'Forward to a Friend'. (Since Signals is optimized for the Internet, forwarding it through your email system very seriously alters the appearance.)
Sincerely,
Carol Zernial, Executive Director
WellMed Charitable Foundation |
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