Page 16 - Senior Times South Central Michigan - August 2019 - 26-08

Page 16 Senior Times - August 2019
200 West Michigan Avenue Suite 102 Battle Creek, MI 49017
www.region3b.org
My Medicare Matters – Authorization Forms for Caregivers
By: Karen Courtney, Regional MMAP Coordinator, CareWell Services SW
August is National Immunizations Month
By: Kitty Knoll, Senior Center Coordinator, Heritage Commons
Aging and Disability Resource Line: 1-800-626-6719 General Agency Telephone: (269) 966-2450
Do you make insurance decisions for a Medicare or Medicaid beneficiary? Filing proper forms with government agencies will save you lots of frustration!
When most people think of immunizations they think of children, but shots are not just for kids. Immunizations can keep you from developing serious diseases as you age. Every year thousands of older adults contract shingles or pneumonia causing pain and complications. As the old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Pneumococcus causes many infections including pneumonia, meningitis, and infections of the blood, ear, sinuses, or more. This immunization is recommended
For Medicare, you need legal authorization anytime you’re acting on behalf of a beneficiary. You can’t enroll another person
in Medicare, a Prescription Drug Plan, or a Medicare Advantage Plan – even your spouse – unless you have power of attorney, health care proxy or other authorization to make such decisions for the beneficiary.
The Centers of Disease Control (CDC) recommends two vaccines for adults ages 50 and older.
The first recommended vaccine for older adults is the shingles vaccine. The risk of shingles increases with age. Shingles frequently causes breakouts of
for adults age 65
and older, and
for adults under
65 with certain
chronic health conditions.
flu shot information and inoculation sites are near or at local senior centers.
Medicare also has privacy protections that limit access of medical information to people other than the beneficiary. Medicare’s Authorization to Disclose Personal Health Information form can be found on Medicare.gov, under the “Claims and Appeals” section of the main page. Call the customer service number on the back of
your insurance or prescription plan cards to find out what release of information forms they require in order to talk to caregivers.
a painful rash that can last for months. The shingles vaccine protects against the disease and related complications. This immunization is recommended for healthy adults age 50 and older.
Those with compromised immune systems should consult their doctor before scheduling immunizations. Often, seasonal
The second recommended vaccine from the CDC is
the pneumococcal vaccine.
It is also important to get booster shots for Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap)
as we age. The Tdap vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough. Many receive the vaccine as children, but it is important to get boosters to keep immunity.
Health and wellness materials are available at Heritage Commons Senior Enrichment Center. Heritage Commons offers health and wellness presentations and information on county resources. Heritage Commons is located at 13444 Preston Drive in Marshall. Call (269) 558-6150 for information on upcoming health and wellness activities.
Albion Seniors Are Enjoying Fresh Fruits And Vegetables
By: Luann Sommers, Executive Director, Forks Senior Center
The Michigan Department
of Health and Human Services (Medicaid) has its own form, the Michigan DCH 1183. Caregivers need to have this on file in advance of making any enrollment decisions for a Medicaid beneficiary. MMAP recommends you give a fresh
copy of DCH 1183 every time you send in Medicaid Redetermination forms, so DHHS will always have it on file!
At the Forks Senior Center (FSC) in Albion, we know eating a daily diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help reduce the risk of many leading causes of illness and death, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, and obesity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), just one in 10 adults meet federal fruit
or vegetable recommendations.
In an effort to help local older adults have access to fresh fruits and vegetables FSC is working closely with our great community partners to make sure seniors have access to the fresh produce they need.
vendor, shares extra produce
that is at the peak of its selling period with the FCS. A FCS volunteer goes twice a week and picks up items to share. Recently they have enjoyed corn, lettuce, tomatoes, and potatoes.
The forms above can be found on www.carewellservices.org/ mmap.
FSC is a distribution site
for CareWell Services’ Senior Project Fresh Program, with support from the Battle Creek Community Foundation, where eligible older adults receive $20 in coupons to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey. The coupons can be used at local farmer’s markets. To be eligible you must live in Calhoun County, be at least 60 years old, and meet income guidelines.
The medicare.gov website may instruct visitors to consult with their local Michigan’s State Health Insurance Information Program (SHIP). In Michigan, the SHIP program is called MMAP, the Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program. MMAP assists Medicare Beneficiaries, and Medicare beneficiaries who also have Medicaid, with health insurance related concerns. Call MMAP at 800-803-7174. For advance planning documents or legal assistance, please contact an attorney.
At FSC there are eight raised bed gardens that are part of the Albion Community Gardens Project. Local older adults adopt gardening space where they
plant fresh produce. Throughout Albion there are several other community garden locations where community members plant produce which is grown and
given to local residents. Recently older adults at FSC have been enjoying fresh strawberries, raspberries, and lettuce from the local gardens. As more produce ripens they will continue to enjoy these locally grown fresh products.
Coupon books are limited; we have a few left, so if you have not yet received coupons, and think you might be eligible, please call the Forks Senior Center at (517) 629-3842 or CareWell Services Southwest at 1-800-626-6719
for information about other distribution sites.
During the summer, Jolly Green Junction, a local produce
PROMOTING HEALTH
INDEPENDENCE CHOICE