Page 15 - Senior Times South Central Michigan April 2021 - 28-04

Allowing Home Health Aides to Return to Your Home After the Pandemic
By: Paulette Porter, Program Manager, Special Initiatives, CareWell Services SW
My Medicare Matters - Medicare Eligibility and Costs
“I’ve lived here 40 years; no other place will seem like home.” “Since my wife died, I don’t
available to help you. Maybe you do not need help right now, but you live with a spouse or family member who does and you need help caring for them. Everyone’s situation is different.
that if you qualify, you may also be able to obtain low or no cost assistance with caregiving like meals, household chore services, and personal care through a program called MI Choice Waiver.
cook and only eat cheese and crackers.”
Senior Times - April 2021
Page 15
Home health aides have long provided the hands-on support and companionship to allow many older adults to remain
diabetes, COPD, and dementia, are more likely to be harmed by COVID-19 if they are infected with it. Those who had had their COVID- 19 vaccinations are at lower risk. Talk with
in their homes. But during the pandemic, fear of the COVID-19 virus and its potentially harmful effects has led some of these adults and their children to decide to put home care services on hold. Instead, they have had the adult children take on more of
By: Karen Courtney, MMAP Counselor, CareWell Services SW
Who is eligible for Medicare Federal Health insurance?
• Persons age 65 or older, or
younger persons who might qualify due to disability of at least 24 months
• U.S. Citizens or permanent legal residents who have lived in the United States for at least five continuous years. Undocumented immigrants are not able to get Medicare. An immigrant with a green card who has lived in the U.S. at least five years and is
of eligible age may qualify for Medicare.
Medicare for immigrants
may cost more than it does for U.S. citizens. Most U.S. citizen beneficiaries receive premium-free Medicare Part A because they paid Medicare taxes while working
for about 10 years or longer. All persons without qualifying work history, as determined by the Social Security Administration, have to pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part A. The amount varies depending upon the number of work years you paid into the system. Medicare Part B Medical coverage, Part D prescription coverage, and private Medigap secondary insurance plans may also charge monthly premiums.
In 2021, Medicare Part A premiums can cost up to $471 per month. The standard Part B premium is $148.50 per month in 2021, and Part D premiums vary by plan.
The Medicare Medicaid Assistance Program, known
as MMAP, is the State Health Insurance Information Program, or “SHIP”, in the State of Michigan. MMAP benefits counselors are certified and trained to assist Medicare eligible beneficiaries
as they navigate the ins and outs of Medicare. A MMAP counselor can help you understand your Medicare costs, savings and coverage options. Contact MMAP by calling 1-800-803-7174. Benefits Counseling is funded
in part by the Calhoun County Senior Millage.
the caregiving responsibilities. It hasn’t been easy for the adult childr.en, but it has been bearable—at least temporarily.
a primary care
provider about your loved one’s risks at this time and ask for an opinion about the likelihood that home health aides could pose any danger.
levels of the infection; home health aides are therefore more likely to contract and spread it. Others have the virus largely in check. Your county’s Department of Public Health regularly assesses local conditions and can tell you the level of general risk.
Now that many Americans are getting vaccinated against the virus and the end of the pandemic is imaginable, those older adults and adult children are beginning to consider what to do about the home health aides. Some have found they do fine without them and will probably never bring them back into their homes. Others can’t wait to do so but want to make sure it is safe. There is no clear-cut answer that applies to everyone. But here are some ideas for how to make this decision about whether the time is right for your family:
Consider the home health aide and agency – Not all aides are alike. Some are more reliable than others; you are sure they would take every precaution
to keep themselves and their clients safe. Most aides work for home care agencies, which can also vary greatly. Some provide adequate safety training and equipment for their aides; others do not. Think about whether
you can trust the specific aides and agency that you have been employing to use the most up-to- date and effective practices for preventing the spread of the virus.
If your loved one is not in a high risk health category, if you have full trust in your aide and agency, and if infection rates in your area are rapidly decreasing, then now may be the right time
to re-start home care services. But do it only if you believe the benefits of having greater home support for caregiving outweigh whatever health risks remain as the pandemic finally winds down.
Consider the health and situation of your loved ones – Not everyone’s level of health risk is the same. Those with chronic conditions, such as
Consider the place and timing – Not every community is the same. Some still have high
For more information like this, sign up to receive CareWell’s Daily Active Living Newsletter at https://carewellservices. dailylivingadvice.com/.
Stay in Your Home Longer with Support from MI Choice Waiver
By: Paulette Porter, Program Manager, Special Initiatives, CareWell Services SW
These are common issues for older people. You may share the often-heard wish, "I want to stay in my own home!" The good news is that with the right help you might be able to do just that.
Aging in place allows older adults to stay in a familiar
and cherished space. This is a critical and underrated factor in maintaining quality of life as we age.
Whether fee-based, low cost, or no cost, CareWell Services, your local Area Agency on Aging, can help you navigate the options and get more information on the many services available throughout our community. Call us at (269) 441- 0930 or visit us online at www. carewellservices.org.
Staying in your own home as you get older is called "aging
in place." Many people want to maintain their independence for as long as possible by remaining in their home with help. Maybe you live alone, so there is no one living in your home who is
You may be wondering what support is available to you as you or a loved one gets older and wants to stay at home. You can get almost any type of help you want in your home – often for a cost. But it is important to know
We’re here to help!
PROMOTING HEALTH INDEPENDENCE CHOICE