PASSPORT Program For Home and Community Based Services For Older Adults Now Enrolling Older Adults
PASSPORT is a Medicaid waiver program designed by the State of Ohio to provide services to the elderly at home.
Many seniors, and their families, are unaware that help is available for those who qualify. Brethren Retirement Community and Spirit Medical Transport are collaborating to provide two meetings in July to provide experts who will address the PASSPORT program and the requirements to participate. The services offered are: Case management, personal care aides, home delivered meals, emergency response system, respite care, adult day care, medical equipment and supplies, chore service, minor home modifications, medical transportation, social work counseling, and Assisted Living.
This program provides a cost-effective way to support older, low income Ohioans who prefer to live independently in their own homes or in a certified Assisted Living facility but need financial assistance along the way.
The PASSPORT/Assisted Living enrollment is now open and available to assist seniors who meet eligibility requirements for home care or Assisted Living assistance. PASSPORT is funded by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and the Ohio Department of Aging, Catholic Social Services is the Administrative Agency responsible for operating PASSPORT and the Assisted Living Program in Champaign, Darke, Logan, Miami, Preble and Shelby counties.
PASSPORT provides assessments by an RN or licensed social worker at no cost to the individual.
State and federal funds are available and earmarked to assist all seniors eligible for home and community based care without a wait according to Lucretia Vonderheide, Director of Catholic Social Services /Northern Counties.
Individuals interested in learning more about PASSPORT or enrolling in the program can call Catholic Social Services 1-800-521-6419
Additionally, they and/or their caregiver, can plan to attend one of the two sessions co-sponsored by Brethren Retirement Community – on July 13 or July 15 – to attend one of these sessions please RSVP to Jan Teaford, 937-547-7628 or jan.teaford@bhrc.org.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Make Meals Easier and More Enjoyable with Disability Plates
For most of us, food is one of our favorite pleasures... and sharing conversation over a meal increases that enjoyment. But for those who have lost dexterity or muscle strength in their hands and arms, manipulating a knife and fork can be very difficult, especially with a regular plate and utensils.
If you are a new caregiver or struggling with a new disabilty, you may not be aware of the wide range of items designed to make mealtime easier. .. items such as a Food Guard that can be fitted to an ordinary plate, can make it easy to get food on a fork - its inward sloping face helps with food collection and prevents spillage off the edge of the plate.
These special aids are designed specifically to make life easier and safer for individuals whose medical conditions and injuries have made mealtime difficult - additionally, they make it considerably easier to dine out.
Click here to view products
If you are a new caregiver or struggling with a new disabilty, you may not be aware of the wide range of items designed to make mealtime easier. .. items such as a Food Guard that can be fitted to an ordinary plate, can make it easy to get food on a fork - its inward sloping face helps with food collection and prevents spillage off the edge of the plate.
These special aids are designed specifically to make life easier and safer for individuals whose medical conditions and injuries have made mealtime difficult - additionally, they make it considerably easier to dine out.
Click here to view products
Tips for those who have health challenges
The Empowered Living Website offers helpful tips for individuals dealing with physical, hearing or visual challenges. It will also help to connect you with products to overcome barriers and make life easier.
On this site you will find a forum to ask for help or and to help others.
Click here
On this site you will find a forum to ask for help or and to help others.
Click here
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Non-Medical Homecare - How we can help
Most seniors prefer to "age in-place", in the home they love. Yet, as they age, most require some additional help to stay in their home - for some it is only for a short time while they are recovering from surgery or it may be only for for a few hours once or twice a week. For others, they may need help every day while their loved one is at work or ongoing care, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For each of the above scenarios, Brethren Home Community Services can provide caregivers to meet each individual's care needs.
Caregivers play a crucial role in improving the quality of life for those who are not chronically ill, yet require some type of supervision and assistance.
As American ages, a vast majority of adult children now live over a hundred miles away from their parents, which makes it very difficult for them to provide assistance to their parents.
Brethren Retirement Community has been serving older adults for over 108 years and has earned the trust and respect of the residents in Darke County and surrounding counties.
If you or a loved one needs some additional care, please give us a call at 937-547-7600
When you're not able to be there, we are.
For each of the above scenarios, Brethren Home Community Services can provide caregivers to meet each individual's care needs.
Caregivers play a crucial role in improving the quality of life for those who are not chronically ill, yet require some type of supervision and assistance.
As American ages, a vast majority of adult children now live over a hundred miles away from their parents, which makes it very difficult for them to provide assistance to their parents.
Brethren Retirement Community has been serving older adults for over 108 years and has earned the trust and respect of the residents in Darke County and surrounding counties.
If you or a loved one needs some additional care, please give us a call at 937-547-7600
When you're not able to be there, we are.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Parkinson Facts
The words, "You have Parkinson's Disease" are frightening. You know your life will be changed forever and you're unaware of what the future holds.
Parkinson’s is an extremely individual syndrome. You have a great deal of power to decide how your life will unfold. Yes, it is still possible to live your best life.
The information on the http://www.parkinson.org/ website is intended to educate you and increase your knowledge, understanding, and power and it is intended to enable you to take an active role in your healthcare and give you the tools to live to the fullest with Parkinson's.
Get solid, easy-to-understand information in "Parkinson Facts." "Patient/Caregiver Resources" includes Web links, videos, books and helpful products.
You can order NPF publications or read them online. Click here
Parkinson’s is an extremely individual syndrome. You have a great deal of power to decide how your life will unfold. Yes, it is still possible to live your best life.
The information on the http://www.parkinson.org/ website is intended to educate you and increase your knowledge, understanding, and power and it is intended to enable you to take an active role in your healthcare and give you the tools to live to the fullest with Parkinson's.
Get solid, easy-to-understand information in "Parkinson Facts." "Patient/Caregiver Resources" includes Web links, videos, books and helpful products.
You can order NPF publications or read them online. Click here
Medical ID Theft
What is medical ID theft, and how is it different from any other identity theft?
Healthcare faud is growing at an alarming rate. Estimates put the loss at $65 billion a year to Medicare alone. Government agencies are working hard to catch these crooks—and you can help by protecting yourself and loved ones against medical identity theft.
How does Medical ID Theft happen?
Medical identity theft happens when a scammer steals your personal information (such as your name, Social Security number and medical insurance policy and/or Medicare number) and uses it to commit healthcare fraud by seeking healthcare using YOUR information.
Once crooks have your personal information, a thief could walk into a hospital and use your name and identity to obtain medical treatment or drugs or a dishonest employee of an honest provider could file fraudulent charges in your name. Criminals have even formed phony "clinics" using post office boxes to cheat insurance companies by filing fraudulent medical claims.
Medical ID theft could be dangerous if the criminal's information (blood type, medical history, medications, allergies, etc.)were to be entered in your medical records. And if a thief uses up your insurance benefit cap, you could be denied coverage for treatment when you need it, or even lose your coverage.
And beyond the personal level, medical ID theft hurts us all by helping to drive up medical costs across the nation.
CATCH MEDICAL ID THEFT EARLY
Catch medical identity theft early on. First, read every “Explanation of Benefits” statement you get from your health insurer. Follow up on any item you don’t recognize. At least once a year, ask the health insurers you’ve been involved with for a list of the benefits they paid in your name.
If you think you may be a victim of medical identity theft, ask your health care provider or hospital for your medical records. You have a right to get copies of your current medical files from each health care provider, though you may have to pay for them. You also have a right to have inaccurate or incomplete information removed. Learn more about your rights under federal law at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) website.
For more information on protecting personal information, visit the FTC website.
www.ftc.gov/idtheft
1-877-382-4357
Healthcare faud is growing at an alarming rate. Estimates put the loss at $65 billion a year to Medicare alone. Government agencies are working hard to catch these crooks—and you can help by protecting yourself and loved ones against medical identity theft.
How does Medical ID Theft happen?
Medical identity theft happens when a scammer steals your personal information (such as your name, Social Security number and medical insurance policy and/or Medicare number) and uses it to commit healthcare fraud by seeking healthcare using YOUR information.
Once crooks have your personal information, a thief could walk into a hospital and use your name and identity to obtain medical treatment or drugs or a dishonest employee of an honest provider could file fraudulent charges in your name. Criminals have even formed phony "clinics" using post office boxes to cheat insurance companies by filing fraudulent medical claims.
Medical ID theft could be dangerous if the criminal's information (blood type, medical history, medications, allergies, etc.)were to be entered in your medical records. And if a thief uses up your insurance benefit cap, you could be denied coverage for treatment when you need it, or even lose your coverage.
And beyond the personal level, medical ID theft hurts us all by helping to drive up medical costs across the nation.
CATCH MEDICAL ID THEFT EARLY
Catch medical identity theft early on. First, read every “Explanation of Benefits” statement you get from your health insurer. Follow up on any item you don’t recognize. At least once a year, ask the health insurers you’ve been involved with for a list of the benefits they paid in your name.
If you think you may be a victim of medical identity theft, ask your health care provider or hospital for your medical records. You have a right to get copies of your current medical files from each health care provider, though you may have to pay for them. You also have a right to have inaccurate or incomplete information removed. Learn more about your rights under federal law at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) website.
For more information on protecting personal information, visit the FTC website.
www.ftc.gov/idtheft
1-877-382-4357
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Spotlight on Hearing Loss as seen on National Public TV
Most people think only the elderly have hearing loss. The facts are that people of all ages suffer from a loss of hearing. Sadly, many people affected with hearing loss are reluctant to seek help. Untreated hearing loss poses considerable negative social, psychological, cognitive and health effects. Watch the video below that addresses hearing loss and see why it is so important to Hear What You've Been Missing!
Signs of Hearing Loss
There are a number of indications signifying hearing loss. Impaired hearing affects one socially, emotionally, and medically. Symptoms can be subtle or obvious.
Click the link below to watch the video
http://www.scrld.org/ElectronicResources/senior.htm
Signs of Hearing Loss
There are a number of indications signifying hearing loss. Impaired hearing affects one socially, emotionally, and medically. Symptoms can be subtle or obvious.
Click the link below to watch the video
http://www.scrld.org/ElectronicResources/senior.htm
Sunday, June 13, 2010
When Your Needs Change - Our non-medical home care is here to help
Retirement - The GOLDEN YEARS – is about living your life YOUR WAY. It’s about maintaining your independence. It’s also about knowing what your options are should your health needs change.
Life can change in the blink of an eye. Accidents happen. Surgeries may be planned or unexpected. It may be that you're just feeling under the weather and need some additional help. We know your desire is to return to your own home as quickly and as independently as possible. We assist you every step of the way – from deciding on the service or caregiver that will assist you with your needs is always your decision. You may need help a few hours per day, per week or live-in care, we assist you to match your lifestyle so you can remain as independent as possible in your own care. Our non-medical homecare services are available to you 24/7 in your home as well as in your assisted living or nursing home facility.
Brethren Home Community Services can help you remain in your own home, in your community – close to family and friends. We understand the challenges that come with managing your own care or that of a loved one when a change of health occurs. When health concerns or illness start to pose a problem with your activities of daily living, we are here to help you maintain your independence and remain in the comfort of your own home.
We know that your health impacts your quality of life. Our caregivers are also available to transport and escort you to your medical appointments to help you maintain your health and well-being or run errands for you so you don’t have to. These extra services make the greatest difference in the quality of your daily life. Best of all, your services are provided at your convenience and coordinated around your lifestyle.
Invest in yourself.
Invest in your quality of life.
Invest in your peace of mind.
Continue living life independently with the assistance you need, provided by professionals in their field.
Call Brethren Home Community Services today to request more information or to talk to a manager about your care needs.
937-547-7600
Life can change in the blink of an eye. Accidents happen. Surgeries may be planned or unexpected. It may be that you're just feeling under the weather and need some additional help. We know your desire is to return to your own home as quickly and as independently as possible. We assist you every step of the way – from deciding on the service or caregiver that will assist you with your needs is always your decision. You may need help a few hours per day, per week or live-in care, we assist you to match your lifestyle so you can remain as independent as possible in your own care. Our non-medical homecare services are available to you 24/7 in your home as well as in your assisted living or nursing home facility.
Brethren Home Community Services can help you remain in your own home, in your community – close to family and friends. We understand the challenges that come with managing your own care or that of a loved one when a change of health occurs. When health concerns or illness start to pose a problem with your activities of daily living, we are here to help you maintain your independence and remain in the comfort of your own home.
We know that your health impacts your quality of life. Our caregivers are also available to transport and escort you to your medical appointments to help you maintain your health and well-being or run errands for you so you don’t have to. These extra services make the greatest difference in the quality of your daily life. Best of all, your services are provided at your convenience and coordinated around your lifestyle.
Invest in yourself.
Invest in your quality of life.
Invest in your peace of mind.
Continue living life independently with the assistance you need, provided by professionals in their field.
Call Brethren Home Community Services today to request more information or to talk to a manager about your care needs.
937-547-7600
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Caregivers Need a Back-up Plan for Emergencies and Vacations
As caregivers, we often think we can do it all, 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. But how many of us ever stop to think about what would happen if we got sick or were injured or needed a respite break to recharge our energy? Who would care for our loved one?
In a perfect world, caregivers never grow old or get sick. They are always available. Very few people realize that almost all of us will have a period in our adult life in which we are responsible for the car of an older relative who can not live independently. For some, this period of time could be a short time, for others, it could be years. At any one time, one in four American households is providing unpaid care to an older relative or to a loved one for a substantial period of time. It is a rare person who is not touched by this experience.
Caregivers need to have a back-up plan. Accidents and medical emergencies do happen and caregivers get exhausted and need a break or may want to take a vacation to visit another family member. Who would take care of your loved one if you could not take care of them?
The best time form your back-up plan is before you need it. Plan ahead, you will need to schedule an appointment for an assessment and/or a physical. Often the assessments are free and help you make an informed decision should you need to activate your emergency plan.
Adult Day services are provided in centers and allow the caregiver to have some respite time – which may be all the additional they need for their back-up plan.
Brethren Home Community Services provides non-medical home care where your loved one lives. This service could be in their home, your home, or in an assisted living facility and is available in increments that range from 2 hours to 24 hours a day on the days you need help. Shuff Adult Day Center is located on our campus and is open 5 days a week, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. If you need help with transportation, we can help you make those arrangements.
Do you know what resources are in YOUR community?
In a perfect world, caregivers never grow old or get sick. They are always available. Very few people realize that almost all of us will have a period in our adult life in which we are responsible for the car of an older relative who can not live independently. For some, this period of time could be a short time, for others, it could be years. At any one time, one in four American households is providing unpaid care to an older relative or to a loved one for a substantial period of time. It is a rare person who is not touched by this experience.
Caregivers need to have a back-up plan. Accidents and medical emergencies do happen and caregivers get exhausted and need a break or may want to take a vacation to visit another family member. Who would take care of your loved one if you could not take care of them?
The best time form your back-up plan is before you need it. Plan ahead, you will need to schedule an appointment for an assessment and/or a physical. Often the assessments are free and help you make an informed decision should you need to activate your emergency plan.
Adult Day services are provided in centers and allow the caregiver to have some respite time – which may be all the additional they need for their back-up plan.
Brethren Home Community Services provides non-medical home care where your loved one lives. This service could be in their home, your home, or in an assisted living facility and is available in increments that range from 2 hours to 24 hours a day on the days you need help. Shuff Adult Day Center is located on our campus and is open 5 days a week, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. If you need help with transportation, we can help you make those arrangements.
Do you know what resources are in YOUR community?
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Is it Wii-Fun or Wii-Therapy?
We will soon have our own video camera to show our residents and day center members enjoying wii bowling.
Not only is it great fun for those who play, it is also a way to do therapy and make new friendships. Allieviating loneliness is just as important as therapy.
If you have a loved one who is able to play Wii bowling, by all means "sign them up" and teach them how to play, you will be surprised how quickly they learn wii techniques to improve their bowling scores.
Some of the staff at Brethren Retirement Community recently challenged our residents to a Wii bowling tournament. Who do you think won?
Let's just say, the staff didn't stand a chance of beating them... we all had a lot of fun. I even picked up a few tips from some of our "pros".... I think they took mercy on me since I had the second lowest score!
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