The Savvy Senior

  • Robert Goodman, MSW
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Pitfalls of Traveling
Pitfalls of Traveling 150 150 Robert Goodman, MSW

Pitfalls of Traveling
The Savvy Senior
By Robert Goodman, MSW
I have written many columns on fall prevention and the consequences of a fall. Now I can speak from experience. I had many falls this past summer and am now using a walker. My worst fall was on a cruise where I broke my ankle.
Falls are a major issue for older adults and can be prevented. While most falls occur at home, some occur when traveling.
Falls can lead to fractures, trauma, and death.
1.  Over 13 million older adults fall every year; 1 of 3 if over 65, and 1 of 2 if over 80 years old.
 2.  2.8 million older adults are treated in the ER for falls. 800,000 are hospitalized.
 3.  40% of nursing home admissions are fall related. 
4. About 27,000 older adults died from unintentional fall injuries.
There are a number of causes of falls among the elderly. They include:

  • Lack of physical activity and muscle weakness
  • Balance and gait problems
  • Visual impairment
  • Mobility impairment
  • Cognitive impairment
  • Drop in blood pressure when standing up
  • Fear of falling
  • Alcohol abuse
  • Inappropriate footwear
  • Dehydration
  • Talking on cell phones and texting while walking

This is time of year when people travel and take cruises. You have to be careful when going into a new environment. Look for any obstacles that may make the area unsafe. Be sure areas are free of clutter, aisles are wide if you use a wheelchair or walker. Check for steps, slippery areas and other hazards. Be sure there is adequate lighting and grab bars. Look for obstacles in on sidewalks or in parking areas. When traveling in places such as Amsterdam or London, be sure to be aware of traffic patterns (driving on the left) and bike paths.
If you use a walker or wheelchair ask for a handicapped accessible
room or cabin. If you have a visual disability ask for information in large print and a well-lit room or cabin. When touring, explain to the tour guide any special needs you may have.
Limit the amount of alcohol you drink. Even a small amount can affect your balance and reflexes. Choose safe footwear. Lastly, drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
There are a number of devices that can help prevent falls, but one must remember to use them. They include: canes, walkers, reachers, and emergency medical alerts. There are new types of medical alerts that can be used when traveling.

  • Robert Goodman, MSW
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Medicare 2012
Medicare 2012 150 150 Robert Goodman, MSW

The Savvy Senior

By Robert Goodman, MSW
The time has come to evaluate your Medicare coverage for 2012. From October 15 to December 7 you will have the option of joining or changing your Medicare Advantage Plan. You have several choices.
You can stay with original Medicare and/or buy a supplemental (Medigap) policy. If you want prescription drug coverage, you must also join with a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D).
You can choose to join a Medicare Advantage Plan  Medicare Advantage Plans are a type of Medicare health plan offered by a private company that contracts with Medicare to provide you with all your Medicare Part A and Part B benefits. Medicare Advantage Plans include Health Maintenance Organizations, Preferred Provider Organizations, Private Fee-for-Service Plans, Special Needs Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans.
If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, Medicare services are covered through the plan and aren’t paid for under Original Medicare. Most Medicare Advantage Plans offer prescription drug coverage. You must take the drug coverage that comes with the Medicare Advantage Plan. Some plans offer additional benefits, such as vision and hearing screenings, disease management, and other services not covered under Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage Plans must offer emergency coverage outside of the plan’s service area (but not outside the U.S.).
A Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan is a health care plan in which you generally must get your care and services from doctors or hospitals in the plan’s network, and you may need a referral to see a specialist.
A Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan you can generally obtain health care from any doctor or hospital you want within their network. You have the flexibility to go to any doctors, specialists, or hospitals that aren’t in the network, but it will usually cost more. Monthly premiums and how much you pay for services vary depending on the plan.

Questions to ask Medicare Advantage Providers
1.    Is there a monthly premium and how much is it?
2.    What doctors can I see and how much it will cost me to see a doctor.
3.    What hospitals can I use and how much it will cost me to use a
hospital (either as inpatient or in an emergency).
4.    What happens if I am traveling and need to see a doctor?
5.    How much it will cost me for outpatient procedures.
6.    Is there a monthly drug premium and how much is it?
7.    How much it will cost me for your medicines over the course of a year.

Medicare beneficiaries can qualify for Extra Help with their Medicare prescription drug plan costs. The Extra Help is estimated to be worth about $4,000 per year. To qualify for the Extra Help, a person must be receiving Medicare, have limited resources and income, and reside in one of the 50 States. For information go to http://ssa.gov/prescriptionhelp.
Temple Beth Shalom is sponsoring a program on November 10th from 9 AM-12:30 PM where you will be able to meet with representatives of various Medicare Advantage Plans and learn more about the benefits they offer.
The source for much of the information in this article is from www.Medicare.gov. You can find information on Medicare; look for a Medicare plan in your area, or compare Medicare Advantage Plans.

  • Robert Goodman, MSW
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The Birds and the Bees
The Birds and the Bees 150 150 Robert Goodman, MSW

The Savvy Senior

By Robert Goodman, MSW
Several years ago a friend decided to start dating after the death of her husband. Before she started dating again I told her I wanted to talk to her about something. She said, “You’re not going to talk to me about the birds and the bees are you?” I said I was and proceeded to talk about sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV and AIDS. She was shocked by both my bringing up the subject and by the statistics. But this is a conversation that everyone must have.
The availability of erectile dysfunction medications has resulted in increased sexual activity among the elderly. Older adults continue to be sexually active. They also are less likely to use protection because pregnancy is not an issue after menopause. The Centers for Disease Control explains that seniors might be less knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS and therefore less likely to protect themselves with condoms or seek testing.
Heterosexual adults over age 50 account for an increasing proportion of persons living with HIV/AIDS. Statistics compiled by the New York City Department of Aging (DFTA) report that 14% of all reported HIV/AIDS cases in the United States in 2004 were among people over age 50. The HIV/AIDS issue has moved from a problem in the gay and white communities to a problem faced by minorities and the elderly. In 2003, 52% of older Americans living with HIV/AIDS were either Black or Hispanic. In addition, people who were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS at a younger age are living longer as a result of new medications.
The NYCDFTA also found that:

  • Older adults who are exposed to HIV are at greater risk than younger people because of weakened immune systems.
  • Health providers may not screen older adults for sexually transmitted diseases because of lack of training or ageist attitudes.
  • Older adults are not diagnosed properly as having HIV/AIDS

because many of the symptoms resemble the symptoms of old age.
In 2009, nearly 20 percent of all new HIV and 25 percent of all AIDS diagnoses in Florida were in those older than 50. More than half of the cases were among those who live in South Florida, according to the Broward County Health Department.
Some state projections say that the majority of people with the disease will be seniors by the year 2015.
Susan Mintz has been aware of this subject for 30 years since her husband was diagnosed with HIV. She explains that the baby boomers who are now aging live with a 60s mentality that we are as invincible now as when we were teenagers. She states  “ that we are now playing Russian roulette with a loaded gun.” Many baby boomers continue to use drugs and are increasingly exposed to this disease as they start dating after the loss of a spouse.
Educating older adults about HIV/AIDS has become her passion and priority. Her goal is to prevent the spread of this disease. She facilitates a support group to educate older adults about sexually transmitted diseases in our clubhouse in her quest to reach this goal. “We need to talk about it.” She explains, “this issue is not necessarily about you, but about the ones around you. We need to be concerned about our friends, acquaintances, and family members.”
The HIV/AIDS support group, which she calls “I love my life” meets on the first Monday of each month in Room G in the clubhouse at 4 PM. To learn more about the support group contact Susan at 561.271.1879.
You can also learn more about her experience with HIV/AIDS by visiting her website: www.susanmintz.com. For more information on STDs and older adults log onto www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/population/elderly.asp

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