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Medicare the new rules and time to enroll.

Medicare and our healthcare system are going through changes.

The baby boomers have arrived. Who ever thought when I'm 65 would come so soon.  Welcome to seniorville.  If they are already enrolled in Medicare, starting in 2011 they will be entitled to a free annual physical, as well as other preventive services.

Annual enrollment for Medicare for those already enrolled is from November 15^th through December 31.  Give yourself or your loved one plenty of time to review the new Medicare changes.  You can go to Medicare.gov to keep up with what is happening.  The new handbook is not listed on their site yet, however it will be sent out soon with a list of Evidence of Coverage listing their current plan coverage and what it costs and the Annual Notice of Change which lists changes to the plan for the coming year, beginning January 1, 2011. Seniors really need to pay attention to this as the ability to change plans when ever they please is not an option.

Hospital Infections, are they on the rise? My personal experience in Brooklyn NY

Hospital Infections may be declining with some infections while a large increase is occuring with others.  Just a few months back I was having a conversation with a couple of colleagues.  We were discussing a new infection that is rapidly spreading, called Clostridium difficile aka C-diff.  It is passed through wounds, intravenous lines, and other means.  If you are taking antibiots and you come in contact with it you may be more suseptable since the antibiots kill good and bad bacteria at the same time.  Thanks to colleages, Caryn Isaacs, Patient Advocate, and Ann Hanna, I was made aware of this.  After ending up in the hospital myself this weekend I was horrified to find out that the women sharing the room with me had C-diff.  I immediately asked for a discharge since I could continue the medications at home.  They were allowing this patient to walk the halls.  C-diff is spread by touching things, thus leaving bacteria that others can pick up.  When I quickly left my room to let them know I wanted to be discharged, I had turned to notice a sign outside my shared room that read, caution etc.  point being something in my room was contagious and I was told I was not.  Once you get what you need in the hospital get out as fast as you can.  I actually had nurses and assistants that were not changing their gloves between patients, and who were not sanitizing their hands between glove changes.  It was a breeding ground for germs.  OK some are saying maybe I'm getting paranoid, however if you don't control your own destiny to some degree you may loose control.  I also do not think patients should wait in a doctors office to be seen.  I bring my own pen for sign in and let them know my tel # so they can let me know when to come in from my car, parked in the area.  I also carry hand sanitizer with me.  Think about how many people go to the doctor because they are sick.  I certainly do not need anything I do not already have.  Touch nothing.  When using the rest room remember to turn the water on and off with paper towels.  Use a paper towel to open the door, if hand use is at all necessary.  This is seriously deadly stuff.  I hope this will keep you out of germs way.  I'm still trying to get the real low down on whether people with C-diff can be admitted to nursing homes and or assisted living vacilities.  It seems to me they would need a seperate building or everyone will end up infected.

Rita Cosby book signing, Quiet Hero Secrets from My Father's Past

I recently attended a wonderful event, cosponsored by Sunrise Senior Living, Nancy Waldman, Director of Community Relations Sunrise Senior Living of Mill Basin and SUN-B, Senior Umbrella Network of Brooklyn, Chaired by Miss Vicki Ellner. We enjoyed the company of friends, colleagues, Sunrise residents, while being serenaded by a violinist, and greeted by Miss Rita Cosby.  All of this took place in the lovely Sunrise Senior Living residence.  Wow, what a wonderful place to retire in. Of the many facilities I have visited, I can honestly say this one is top notch.  At this assisted living residence you feel like you are on vacation.  The residence is situated on the waters edge in Mill Basin, Brooklyn, the dining room is immaculate and looks better dressed than a fine restaurant.

Journalist Rita Cosby was all too happy to share her new book with us,  Quiet Hero Secrets from My Father's Past.  The book shares the experience hidden behind the glaze in her father's eyes.

Many of us have members in our own families, who have never shared the extremely painful things they have experienced in their lives.  Don't let time fade away before getting the chance to thank our family members and friends for the freedom we have.  As Rita says "Freedom is not Free". 

Ten percent of Rita's book proceeds go to Operation Enduring Care. Click here to learn more about the program to help injured veterans. 

© Golden Maturity, Inc. 2010.  All materials posted on GoldenMaturity.com are protected by United States copyright law. We would like to politely remind our readers, proper posting etiquette is not to post this entire article on your blog or website.  Most blogs post only 20-40 words and then link to the balance of the story.  Doing things this way helps to increase clicks rates for everyone.  This will keep copyright issues to a minimum.  Thank you, Annette Fisher

Please enjoy the photos

 

Photo by Annette Fisher

 

Photo by Annette Fisher

Photo by Annette Fisher

Photo by Annette Fisher

Photo by Annette Fisher

 

Photo by Annette Fisher

 

Photo by Annette Fisher

 

Photo by Annette Fisher

Be Well

Annette Fisher

Certified Senior Advisor

Golden Maturity, Inc.

 

 

 
 
 

In Case of Emergency - ICE

Are you prepared if there is an emergency?  We sometimes take for granted the things around us.

We need to be prepared if a disaster strikes.  Within the next 30 days you will be able to download an ICE, In Case of Emergency card by coming back to Golden Maturity, Inc.   ICE in your wallet may save your life.  In addition you can find lots of helpful information with this link, just click here.

SUN-B Senior Umbrella Network of Brooklyn celebrates at their annual breakfast.

SUN-B, Senior Umbrella Network of Brooklyn held their Annual breakfast meeting this past February 23, 2010 at the Bay Ridge Manor. The keynote speaker for the event was Rita Cosby. At the breakfast awards were presented, and the winners of the SUN-B World awards were Debra Diamantos, Caryn Isaacs, Sister Fran Picone, Rabbi Yeruchim Silber.  Many folks brought raffle prizes, and we all had a chance to win a raffle. In addition raffles were sold to raise money for AmericanHeart.org and or Women's Heart Disease. A fantastic time was had by all.  To see photos of the event please click on this link http://goldenmaturity.typepad.com/photos/sunb/

Loving our parents and loving ourselves

Many times the stress of taking care of a family member can become overwhelming.  There are services available to help with the challenge of taking care of our senior parents.  After a while no matter how much we may love our parents, the daily responsibility of taking care of a parent in need can really use up ones energy.  Many folks are taking care of a parent and at the same time taking care of their own family and household.  I just received a newsletter, Senior Connection, from Sunrise Senior Living.  In the newsletter there was an article titled Take a Break with short term stays, summer is ending soon. 

Balancing life’s priorities is not easy.  Summer is ending soon and you deserve a break before fall and holiday activities pick up.  Our Short-term Respite Stays are a perfect option for families needing temporary assistance with the care of a senior loved one.

Our short-term stays are perfect when family members are away on a vacation or business trip or require a short break from caring for the senior in their life. Short-term stays are..... to read the rest of this article please follow this link http://www.sunriseseniorliving.com/respite