Home Helpers Community Health Care Outreach Blog

Medicare Check-Up Days 2007 | Medicare and Part D Workshops

2007-11-01T09:52:00.000-04:00

Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) is providing you the opportunity to get all the answers you need this fall with Medicare Check-Up Days. Get the accurate, unbiased information about Medicare and the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit, that you need to make the proper informed decisions. Bring your son, daughter, or caregiver to help you take any necessary notes or gather the information. This is very important as things change with your benefits. If you have any problems or questions, maybe you cannot get out to attend a program presentation...You can contact Home Helpers at (330) 839-8800 or contact OSHIIP directly at 1-800-686-1578 (email oshiipmail@ins.state.oh.us). Let no one be left behind, tell your neighbors and friends.

On-site enrollment is offered at most of the events starting November 15, 2007, unless otherwise noted. View the location, dates and venue for the presentations in your county / area here.

Call Home Helpers Inc. at (330)839-8800 for Further Information, or Contact us by email here.

Be ready and be prepared..
--Melanie Prough

Stow Sunshiners - Senior Adults 55+

2007-09-07T11:20:00.000-04:00

The Stow Sunshiners is a group of Seniors overseen by Stow Parks and Recreation. They offer a great many things for Seniors to do and take part in. Aside from the obvious social value, Seniors get involved in volunteering in their community, exercise, catered luncheons, and even bowling! They even plan 4 larger social events every year.

The dues to join the sunshiners are $5.00 and you must be 55 years of age or older and live in Stow or a contiguous city. What a great bunch of Seniors making a difference in their community....Home Helpers salutes you!

If you would like to receive the Sunshiner Newsletter just call Thelma at (330) 688-8673 and she will get you added. So if you are unsure, maybe you can check out the newsletter for a while and see what you might be missing.

You can visit the Stow Sunshiners HERE...To join or get more information.

Seniors can make a difference...
Melanie Prough

Please Visit our Web Site or Call us at (330)633-6558 for Further Information.

Google Health | Google’s Planned Health Information Storage Program

2007-08-15T11:58:00.000-04:00

Posted on the Official Google Blog by Adam Bosworth, Vice President is the information for Google's plans for addressing the public's need for health information and specifically Universal Medical Record Storage. The big one here is record storage, I know from my own experience it is sometimes impossible to remember all the medications and health information...That may be crucial for me to receive proper treatment. What if you could translate your health records in to a private online database supplied by Google. I would suspect like almost entirely all of Google's public services, it would be free.

It is believed that right now at least 20% of all medical records are stored in a computer. This number will only grow. Patients who have trouble recalling information, or move to a different state, or a new doctor would be able to allow any caregiver of choice to access their online file. This seriously reduces the opportunity for mistakes and keeps a real time valid health record that is used by ALL caregivers and agencies involved as opposed to a patient picking up and delivering chart copies and such.

At Home Helpers, we beat Google to the punch for our clients. Our clients, their families, involved agencies, and other caregivers have access to selected care information via our own unique and privately constructed CareSoft™ Client Resource Management Software. We had this software developed because we realized early on there was a definite need. Client's information can change rapidly, and all care giving parties need to know. Client's families who are perhaps out of state can be given access to "check up" on their loved one. The information is accessible thought the Internet in any location worldwide, so it is always on hand. Not to worry, we always have the same information under lock and key in a hard copy form...Should it ever be needed.

Cheers to Google for working to develop such usable and necessary applications!

Have a GREAT Day,

Melanie

Please Visit our Web Site or Call us at (330)633-6558 for Furthur Information.

Home Helpers - Here we GROW, Again!

2007-08-10T11:07:00.000-04:00

Home Helpers and Direct Link Inc. is very proud to announce the pending opening of our new office in Ravenna, Ohio. This new office in the Family and Community Services building will bring us closer to Portage County residents who need services and outreach. We are very happy to bring this new location to Portage County residents.

Please Visit our Web Site or Call us at (330)633-6558 for Furthur Information.

Thanks,

Melanie

Mosquito Season and the West Nile Factor

2007-07-24T00:57:00.001-04:00

Its that time of year again, soon the mosquitoes will be hitting the air in full force. Prevention and protection are the keys.

Prevention:

Disperse pooled water in your yards.
Clean pools, ponds, and birdbaths so they are free of debris...especially leaves.
Dispose of lawn waste properly, not in the curbs and storm drains.
If your yard is usually a bad mosquito area, then consider spraying.
Do not touch any dead birds you discover, call the health dept. to get it.

Protection:

Use repellent that contains DEET, Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Reapply as directed.
Cover up, long sleeves and long pants.
Wear dark colored clothing.
Avoid outside time at sun up and sundown, notably heavy mosquito periods.
Avoid heavily scented deodorants and perfumes.
Repair torn or misfitted screens in your home.

Remember elderly, ill, and young children are most often affected by the virus very severe illness related to the virus.

http://www.cdc.gov/ http://www.epa.gov/

Cover up and be safe,

Baby

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The Best Social Security News in Years

2007-06-26T10:25:00.000-04:00

Virtual Hold Technology located in Akron, Ohio has announced that it will begin providing its patented queuing solutions to the Social Security Administration in its customer contact centers. Social Security is handling about forty to fifty million calls per year regarding Social Security Retirement, Survivor, Supplemental and Disability Benefits.

In order to properly execute this monumental task Virtual Hold will team up with Verizon Business. Virtual Hold Technology is a leading developer of virtual queuing solutions. Developing and implementing systems for clients such as Wells Fargo, Dominion, T-Mobile, Amerigroup, AT&T, Time Warner Cable, Ticketmaster and Avon since 1995.

What will happen when I call in to the Social Security line (1-800-772-1213)? You will be prompted exactly the same as you are now. When you get to the end and are usually told the volume is too high and the system hangs up on you, that's where the changes will be implemented. Now you will be informed of the estimated hold time and given a choice of hanging up, and keeping your place in line....instead of getting hung up on!! Then the new Virtual Hold system will call you back when it's your turn.

Kudos to Social Security, let me tell you why. Social Security is the first governmental agency to implement an alternative to waiting on hold. Increasing customer service is the main objective for using the technology, they also are projecting a savings of $1.7 million on their phone bill in the first year alone with this new technology. Great Job Social Security!

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Medicare Part D Prescription Coverage, What you Should Know

2007-06-21T11:14:00.000-04:00

Almost 23 million of the 43.9 million eligible Medicare participants have the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit coverage. Most began choosing a plan in November of 2005. Medicare provides the "Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder", and I can personally vouch for the effectiveness of the tool. You can also access this tool on the phone by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.

The current problem with the program seems to be the variety. There are 1,875 individual plans this year having grown from 1,429 last year. Many states have more than 50 Part D plans. There are so many different programs, that the doctors don't know how to prescribe properly and within the current formulary structure for every plan. Pharmacies frequently have to call and have the prescription changed because , generic wasn't allowed, or the script requires a higher tier co-pay, or its not in the formulary at all.

What can you do to make you trips to the pharmacy quicker?

Use the same pharmacy every time, they will access your records faster.
Make certain your doctor only puts one medicine per script.
Let the pharmacy know to call you with any problems if you drop off, so you don't find there was a problem when you pick up hours later and the doctors office is closed.
Take your formulary and basic prescribing instructions to the doctor, he can even make a copy for your chart. Discuss your feelings about higher co-pays and non formulary medications with the doctor.
If there are changes to your insurance, read them and call the insurance company if you don't understand them. Update the doctors and the pharmacy.
If your insurance company offers 3 month supplies at a lower mail in cost, by all means do this for any normal maintenance medications.

Be aware, advised, and educated to save money on your prescriptions and stay safer too. Using the same pharmacy every time goes a long distance to avoiding medication conflicts, and allergies.

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Don't Get Scammed!

2007-06-18T12:36:00.000-04:00

This is a must see site for everyone, not just seniors. Check out this frequently updated and helpful service from the Philadelphia Council for Aging. I read through this whole site and I want to share a few things with you. First of all this site has a .org extension, so it is non profit. It provides, awareness education, alerts, news, resources, testimonials from others who were scammed, places to go for help, articles, and the opportunity for users to share their own experiences. The site has no nasty cookies, pop ups, ads, Java, or Active X. I encourage everyone to check it out, you don't have to be a senior to get scammed. These are their top 5 things to remember:

1. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

2. When it comes to a "now or never" opportunity, choose "never."

3. Keep account numbers, codes and passwords private.

4. Shred bills, junk mail and receipts when discarding them.

5. Don't be afraid to report your experiences. If you feel uncomfortable, tell someone.

Bravo, great community resource...I will add this one to useful links!

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Why Choose Home Health Care?

2007-06-15T09:29:00.000-04:00

Home Health Care is becoming a popular way to receive medical and non medical care. It allows the elder, injured, or disabled to remain independent, and at home and comfortable in their community. The difference between the use of medical and non medical care is cost and services offered. For example a bedridden colon cancer patient may only have need for a home medical care provider. Whereas a semi mobile diabetic woman recovering from a stoke could benefit from both medical and non medical home services. In fact some people just need a few non medical services a couple of times a week to help them to remain at home. The value in home care is not only the dignity and independence the client achieves, but a financial savings as well. Both medical and Non Medical Home Health Care provide huge savings over rehab, in patient hospital, and assisted living care. Additionally, patients at home recover faster, have lower blood pressure, longer life expectancy, follow medical and prescription regiments better, and have less depression. It is important to note the difference between Medical Home Care Providers and Non Medical Home Care Providers.

Medical Home Care Providers provide skilled services that cannot be performed safely and effectively by non medically trained personnel. Including but not limited to:

injections

intravenous therapy

wound care

education on disease treatment and prevention

patient assessments

administration of medications

Standard Home Care Providers will provide non medical personal care, house keeping, and companion services. Generally including but not limited to:

assisting clients getting out of bed

assisting clients walking

assisting clients rising from a chair

personal care (bathing, toileting, dressing, and other hygiene)

light household duties

laundry

meal planning and preparation

general housekeeping

grocery shopping, prescription retrieval, other errands

transportation to appointments

companionship and comfort

daily phone check ins

emergency home monitoring devices

As you can see the differences are quite diverse, not the same services as you may once have imagined. The financial end of this is matching the services needed to the client. Why would insurance, Medicare, PASSPORT, or families pay for a hospice nurse when all they require is a Home Helper (Non Medical Home Care Provider). The cost for a hospice or respite nurse for example is $32.00 to $55.00 per hour or some use a flat fee of $100.00 to $120.00 for a 2-3 hour visit, this is fine IF you need medical services. The rates for Non Medical Home Care, dependent on the type of service range nationally from $14.00 to $28.00. The trick is to get what you need, even if it is a little of both. Your Medicare benefits specialist can help coordinate those services for you, as would and private insurance I would think. If you are private pay, a social worker at the local hospital or the AARP will be able to help you coordinate this effort. The savings to the consumer and the insurance companies is profound. Over 132 Million in last 5 years. Savings like that could put a dent in the Social Security / Medicare deficit!

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Ravenna youth council holds first meeting

2007-06-12T10:48:00.000-04:00

Several Ravenna youth have organized and formed the new "Ravenna Youth Council", who held their very first meeting last night. These young men and women were brought together by Ravenna Councilman Scott Rainone this year. Rainone will mentor the fledgling group for a few months as they begin to develop structure and identity. Rainone has no intention of remaining at the helm, however.

Alyssa Mauser the Youth Council's president said "Our goals should be geared toward citizens' interest". "Our job should be to help the city progress and have an impact that will start a change, and then continue that change so we'll be better prepared for the future", said Mauser, a junior at RHS.

The group has a direct connection to Ravenna City government, and can be highly effective. They intend to direct attention to public safety, youth involvement, education and recreation, and community events and publicity.

Ravenna Youth Council plans to meet at 6 pm on the first Mon. every month at city hall.

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ConsumerAffairs Video Senior Scam Alert - Identity Theft

2007-06-11T19:55:00.000-04:00

The tips given in this video are very good things to do. This video is original from Consumer Affairs and you can visit the site for more help here.

Home Helpers goes above and beyond the State of Ohio mandates in protecting it's client's, and employee's personal information. You can read the Home Helpers and Direct Link Privacy Summary Here. Be Safe, be smart, and stay up to date with Home Helpers.

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AARP Report "Life for Ohioans Over 50"

2007-06-07T11:14:00.000-04:00

The AARP has published the research results from 2006 data collected from Ohioans 50 and over. I would like to point out a few commanding statistics below.

One in three (36%) Ohioans age 50+ are providing in-home care for family members with health problems; more than half of those who regularly help older relatives with daily activities are between the ages of 50 and 64. Seven in 10 (66%) Ohioans age 50 to 64 are employed.
One in five (20.3%) Ohioans age 65 to 74 are still in the labor force, with one in 10 (11%) providing care in their home for another adult with health problems.
Among Ohioans age 75+, one in 10 (9.2%) are caring for another adult.

I think those are vastly impacting factors in our view on retirement and what it "should" be.

"Our data indicates that if we want to help older adults avoid institutional
care, we must prepare to offer stronger support to caregivers," suggests AARP Ohio President Joanne Limbach. "Caregiving has become a way of life for many Ohioans."

That is a hugely accurate statement, caregivers both professional and personal need the communities support and guidance. Home Helpers is targeting exactly that ideology, help seniors stay and home, remain independent, retain community ties, and preserve their dignity. We are going out in to our areas of operation, and even extending our resources to the Internet in an effort to deliver the help these seniors need to get the provisions and resources to stay at home. We have a database of phone numbers, addresses, and emails for a plethora of issues and resources; federal and local alike. This resource was developed in response to need. If you need help feel free to contact us.

"Having PASSPORT is the only way we could stay at home," says a 92-year-old who shares her house with her 86-year-old sister. "I can't imagine what we would do if we didn't have PASSPORT."

What is PASSPORT?

Well, PASSORT is Ohio's "Home First" Waiver program funding seniors to stay at home through Medicaid resources. While presently it is servicing approximately 26,000 clients there are still over 1,500 on the waiting list. Very wise of Ohio to recognize the social, employment, dignity, and financial savings value of this program. "Four people can be served on PASSPORT at the cost of one person receiving nursing home care." So it creates job, helps seniors stay home, helps seniors remain a part of their communities, and saves 75% over nursing home care.

In closing I think Ohio has taken a appropriate and valuable step in the long term care of it's residents without forsaking all of the inherent costs of such a program to the communities. It may not be perfect, but in my research I found Ohio to be a front runner among other states in dealing with senior care.

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Revolution at ground zero

2007-06-06T10:23:00.000-04:00

Agency to help troubled teens opens near Akron sites where AA started

By Paula Schleis
Beacon Journal business writer

``The revolution starts today,'' Raynard Packard said, again and
again, to supporters who showed up for opening day of the Packard Institute this month. And a revolution is exactly how Packard sees his new nonprofit agency, which is reaching out to emotionally troubled youngsters for whom traditional counseling is not enough.
``It's time we rethink how we treat these kids,'' said Packard, who has spent the last 14 years working with abused and addicted teens as a counselor with the Akron Health Department. The institute is tucked into the ground floor of the Highland Square Apartments and Offices building west of downtown Akron. It's a location that Packard says is appropriate for a mission he considers ``utterly sacred'' -- within a triangle formed by the Ardmore Avenue home of Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder Bob Smith, Dr. Bob's grave site at Mount Peace Cemetery and the Stan Hywet cottage where AA was founded.
``We're at ground zero,'' he said. The institute is reaching out to ages 13-18, with clients invited to explore everything from yoga and tai chi to art, dance and music therapy. There's even pet therapy by way of Isadora and Duncan, a pair of Bengal cats that roam the rooms looking for a lap to sit on and a soul to work on. ``We're offering a whole range of mind/body therapeutic tools that kids can integrate into their lives,'' Packard explained. The Packard Institutes's style of treatment might seem unorthodox, but it's already popular in other areas of the country. Ohio ``is about 15 years behind the times in terms of providing the most effective and enlightened treatment services,'' Packard said.
The institute officially opened for business at 5 p.m. May 1, just hours after the furniture had been delivered and before the phones were even operational. But Packard was determined to stay on schedule and was rewarded by a steady stream of friends, family and colleagues who turned out to wish him well. ``What also was really edifying for me was how many of my former clients who are now adults showed up and affirmed what we we're doing,'' he said. The ``we're'' in his statement is a team of about 30 volunteers Packard has assembled, most of whom have addiction in their own backgrounds. ``I've brought together what I consider the most passionate, enlightened, talented group of treatment professionals that I'm aware of,'' he said.
Until revenue starts coming in, the unpaid ``adjunct faculty'' has been donating ``tens of thousands of dollars of clock hours,'' Packard said. He can't hide some anxiousness about the new organization's finances. About $10,000 in start-up money came from his own pocket and he has a two-year lease in his name. ``I'm in this for keeps. No surrender, no retreat,'' he said. He's looking for an experienced grant writer to seek local, county and foundation support. And some money will come from the clients, who will be charged based on their ability to pay, as well as from those who simply want to participate in some of the institutes's classes.

``We will not turn anyone away, but we insist that everyone be invested in their healing commensurate to their income,'' Packard said. But he's been told the institute will have to go without state support for two years, having missed the biennial budget. Still, the timing feels right, he said. His dreams were on slow simmer for more than a decade until earlier this year, when things started falling into place, ``as if the planets aligned,'' he said. ``The players are showing up, serendipitous, beautiful and timely.'' So far, the clients have been trickling in through referrals from sources Packard has collected throughout his career: probation officers, children's services workers, halfway houses, ministers.
``I always felt in my heart that if we built it, they would come,'' Packard said. That's because Packard knows what worked for him. A self-described ``wild, purple haired, rockin', rollin' misfit kid,'' he grew up in Akron and then Los Angeles, where he began experimenting with drugs in his early teens. At 22, he tried to turn his life around by joining the Army and becoming a paratrooper. He left the 18Th Airborne Corps and became a member of the Army Reserves, but was booted out in 1990 for drinking. At 29, he checked into the Veterans Administration hospital in Brecksville and began his climb up from rock bottom. Packard went on to earn a master's degree in counseling and dedicated himself to helping kids who are battling the same demons that once haunted him.

``Adolescence is a painful place to be for the most well-adjusted among us,'' Packard said. ``For kids who are susceptible to abuse disorders and those who come from families who know this soul-numbing trauma and pathology, they're in even more need of just growing into their skin and feeling OK on a chemical level.'' But he also learned that there is more to recovery than talking. There is doing. His personal magic came from running. He's a regular on the marathon circuit and in 2001, he was among a handful of local residents selected to carry the Olympic torch on its way to Salt Lake City. At the institute, teens will have a variety of interests to choose from, ranging from martial arts to massotherapy. Brandi, a 17-year-old from Akron, said expressing herself through jewelry-making helped in her recovery from drug addiction. ``Talking is great, but sometimes you don't have someone to talk to,'' she said, remembering how she made 40 bracelets a day while in rehab. ``It was so relaxing; it keeps your mind and body occupied.'' And that's why she predicts success for the Packard Institute, where she recently participated in a yoga class.

``All the things the institute offers is just stuff that gets you centered with the person you used to be,'' said Brandi, who asked that her last name not be used. ``It brings you back to who you are.'' Keir Ulrich, who will be holding a weekly yoga class, said it didn't take much for Packard to convince him that yoga would be helpful to the institutes's clients. ``It's all about harmony, uniting mind, body and spirit,'' he said. And it's a practical way for young people to learn about limits, because ``you have to find your limits in poses, just as you accept there are limits in life.''

Paula Schleis can be reached at
330-996-3741 or pschleis@thebeaconjournal.com

Tomorrow begins with today's youth. This is a very positive step for Akron, I for one am very pleased. The link in the title line for the Akron Beacon Journal, won't stay live forever...they remove them. When they do I will remove that one also.

Official Social Security Announcement 6/1/2007

2007-06-05T12:24:00.000-04:00

Help us find Medicare beneficiaries who might qualify for extra help with their Medicare prescription drug plan costs. For Father's Day, we are asking family members, caregivers and third parties to help anyone who might qualify apply for the extra help. If you know a Medicare beneficiary who might qualify or if you think you might qualify yourself, visit our Father's Day page. (En Español).

HomeHelpers247 Home Care Blog is Born

2007-06-02T22:52:00.000-04:00

Hello and good evening to everyone. My name is Melanie, I work for Home Helpers. The goal of this Blog is to bring issues, news, information, resources, and help to those in need. Home Helpers is a non-medical in home cargiving service. Felix and Karen the owners of Home Helpers are strong proponents in the community. Together we have spearheaded this initiative of providing information and resources to seniors and other community members. Today we bring this drive to the Internet.

We welcome you to visit our website to contact us, request a consultation, or inquire about employment.

HomeHelpers247.com