Are you on the path to aging well? What factors lead to healthy, happy aging? What do great examples of aging well have to teach us?

Take the Aging Wisely quiz to gauge how you’re doing on aging well.

Aging Well and Wisely Quiz

Do you regularly get recommended health screenings?          ◊ YES     ◊NO

Do you have a primary care physician?                                       ◊YES      ◊NO

Do you get some form of exercise, at least 3 times/week for 30 minutes or more?

◊YES      ◊NO

Are you a non-smoker and do you drink fewer than 2 alcoholic beverages/day?  ◊YES     ◊NO

Do you eat vegetables and fruit every day/have a primarily plant-based diet? ◊YES      ◊NO

Do you limit intake of processed foods (no more than a few servings/week)?  ◊YES      ◊NO

Do you have a technique/activity that helps you reduce stress? ◊YES      ◊NO

Have you read a book or watched a film in the last month?    ◊ YES     ◊NO

Do you volunteer in the community or participate in church/civic activities? ◊ YES     ◊NO

Do you smile or laugh at least 3 times/day? ◊ YES     ◊NO

Do you have a close companion to share your life with or do you see friends or family daily?

◊ YES     ◊NO

Have you completed the following documents?

Healthcare Surrogate ◊ YES     ◊NO

Durable Power of Attorney ◊ YES     ◊NO

Living Will ◊ YES     ◊NO

Trust/Will ◊ YES     ◊NO

If you get sick and are unable to care for yourself, do you know how you would like to have care provided?*                   ◊ YES     ◊NO

If you need long-term care, do you know how you will pay for it?* ◊ YES     ◊NO

Score your quiz. Are you aging well?

Tally the # of questions for which you answered “yes”.

13 or more: You are a master of aging wisely! You have done some preparation and you live out your day-to-day life in a way that supports longevity and quality of life.

9-12: You are aging well, but could take a few extra steps to ensure the best quality of life as you get older.

Less than 9: There’s always time to implement changes to age well! Commit to make some small changes or do some prep work this year.

We will be expanding and updating our Aging Wisely quiz in 2016 so make sure to check back for more! Throughout this year, we’ll be sharing our experts’ advice on aging well along with the latest research, technological advances and interviews with expert specialists. Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest updates.

*For more information about paying for long-term care, check out The Costs of Long Term Care and Paying for Home Care. We will be providing the updated figures on long-term care costs in an upcoming post. For help with care options, we recommend a care consultation with one of our aging life care professionals.

Want to stay healthy in 2016? Of course you do! But, those healthy new year’s resolutions go by the wayside very quickly. Preventative medicine is one of the easiest ways to stay healthy and know where to focus your efforts. Fortunately for older adults, Medicare pays for a great deal of preventative medicine.

Let’s start the new year with two simple actions you can take to make being healthier in 2016 easier!

Preventative Medicine Covered by Medicare

Check out Medicare’s full listing of preventative medicine and screenings covered in 2016. Your Medicare Part B will pay for these services with no cost to you!

When you first join Medicare, you are covered for a Welcome to Medicare visit (eligible for the first 12 months you’re covered). The preventative care visit includes a review of your medical and social history, basic screenings (BMI; height, weight and blood pressure; simple vision test; safety and depression screening), an opportunity to talk about advance directives; education about preventative services; and a written plan for screenings, shots and preventative medicine (as well as referrals to other medical care, if needed).

Thereafter, you are eligible for an annual wellness visit. You will fill out a health questionnaire to help your doctor create a personal prevention plan for you. The annual visit includes: a review of your medical history; pulling together (or updating) a list of current providers and medications; height, weight, blood pressure, and other key measurements; cognitive impairment screening; personalized health advice (risk factors and treatment options, along with a screening schedule of the preventative medicine you need).

We advise you to take advantage of this vital preventative care and put together a plan with your primary care physician. Action for good health in 2016: Take a look at when you last did a wellness visit, and contact your doctor’s office to schedule for this year (it’s covered as long as 11+ months have passed).

Care Coordination in Preventative Medicine

Speaking of which, do you have a primary care physician who serves as a good partner for your health? This is essential in managing your health. If you do not currently have a primary physician looking after your health (or are not happy with your current provider), contact our team for recommendations. Older adults may want to consider a gerontologist, specially trained to meet your needs (though they are in short supply in many areas).

Action for good health in 2016: We recommend a patient advocate consultation to ensure your records are organized (and available) and to identify any gaps in care coordination. Our patient advocates can make the task of getting organized super easy and can reduce the stress of navigating your healthcare. We have simple tips and resources to improve coordination of care and get you better results.

Throughout the year, our patient advocates will continue to share actionable advice and excellent resources so that you can age wisely and well. Linda Chamberlain also shares insight, personal stories and a wealth of knowledge (over 25 years in elder law, social services and healthcare) in Linda’s Journal. Don’t miss anything…sign up for our newsletter!

Linda’s Words of Wisdom blog

I can’t plan for 2016 but……I can get organized.

There is no way I could have predicted, thank goodness, the major events in my life over the last five years.  My mother passed away with ovarian cancer, two of my sons got married, we had our first grandchild, my 91 year old Dad got remarried and moved, and one of my best friends died.

I keep a crystal ball in my office.  I often tell clients I meet with it’s not working today.  We will quickly look over at it and see right through it, it tells us nothing.  I’m actually glad about that because there are many events you simply cannot plan for and the anxiety of worrying about them happening is often worse than the actual event.

What I have realized over the last five years is that I can be more organized, and need to be more organized, to be prepared for what life brings my way.  I am tackling the piles of paperwork, documenting the many passwords and websites I use, and physically and electronically filing my documents and paperwork.  This is not a task that is complete in a day or week, and to be honest I am still working on it.

When my friend died I was truly amazed with the time he had taken getting organized and planning for his death.  While many of us glibly will state we are doing it and that we are prepared, in reality I find most people will not complete what is required while they are living. Many of us prefer instead to avoid thinking about it and leave many required tasks to our surviving loved ones.  It is easy to say “if” I die when there’s no doubt about it, it’s really “when” I die.

Getting Organized

Aging Wisely has developed a simple tool to help you start organizing your exit strategy.  We call it our questionnaire.  We have found clients appreciate our help completing and getting their information together.  The questionnaire takes you step by step through your personal information.  It helps you start thinking about “who” may help you. It reminds you of assets you may have to manage, and helps you evaluate your monthly income and expenses, so you will know what you have to spend on a monthly basis.  All information you need to get organized for your future as well as illness or your death.

Exit Strategy

I have to admit, I get tired of hearing about planning for my death.  I do like the idea of organizing my Exit Strategy – something about saying that makes me sort of smile.  I am going to tackle my Exit Strategy this year and get organized.  It will be useful for living and eliminate much stress I bring upon myself not being able to find things when I need them.  There will be many tips to share through the process, stay tuned.  I look forward to hearing your suggestions and comments regarding getting organized at Linda@agingwisely.com.  

Exit Strategy Workshop (aka What You Should Do Before You Get Sick)

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

1:00pm – 2:30pm

Aging Wisely office, 1180 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33756

RSVP: 727.447.5845

Please join us for a free workshop focused on organizing your affairs, what decisions you need to make and how you may want to make them, categorizing and documenting your wishes, and tips and tricks on “really” getting it done.  A free organizational tool will be provided to all attendees. You will not want to miss it!  Limited to first 20 attendees.   

I look forward to you joining me on this journey throughout 2016.    Please stop back and check out my blog (you can sign up for our newsletter to get regular updates!) and as always, feel free to email me at Linda@agingwisely.com.

Florida Healthcare Surrogate Designation Changes

by Linda Chamberlain

You can now authorize your health care surrogate designee to receive your protected health information (PHI) and/or delegate decision making authority even if you are not incapacitated. This provides your surrogate immediate access to your health care information and allows them to assist you with your health care decisions.

If you have been to the hospital in the last year you know that most of the time your primary care physician no longer comes to the hospital to see you. Most hospitals have “hospitalists” on their staff. A hospitalist is a dedicated in-patient physician who works exclusively in a hospital, and the hospitalist sees you daily while you are a patient admitted to the hospital.

The hospitalist does not know you, may not have easy access to your medical records or advance directives (Health Care Surrogate Designation and Living Will), and may not realize they are allowed to speak with your spouse, child, family member or friend about your medical circumstances. This often leads to frustration when your surrogate hears repeatedly, “No, we are unable to disclose this information.”

The new Florida Health Care Surrogate Designation provides authorization for your surrogate to access medical information immediately. Previously, you, as the patient, had to be determined incapacitated by two doctors before your surrogate could access any health information or help you make your medical decisions.

Will the new Florida Healthcare Surrogate Designation be available free at the hospital?

Please note the Advance Directives provided to you to sign upon admission to the hospital do not provide this authorization (yet). All the “free” health care surrogate documents I could find online still require a determination of incapacity prior to authorizing the surrogate access to medical information. You will need to contact your attorney to update your Health Care Surrogate Designation.

Is it worth the $$$ to get an up-to-date Florida Health Care Surrogate Designation?

The simple answer is “Yes!” Many of us have several doctors examining us, making diagnoses, and taking care of us.  Keeping track of your medical records, test results, etc. is your responsibility (NOT your doctors’). When you’re not feeling well it is often difficult to remember to keep all of your information organized and to collect your medical documentation. With the new Health Care Surrogate Designation, your surrogate can now assist you with these tasks as well as make the telephone calls to obtain necessary information and updates, coordinate the information between your health care providers, and access your protected health care information.

***For those of you with minor children the new Florida legislation provides parents and/or legal guardians the authority to designate a person in advance of their absence to consent to essential as well as non-emergency treatment of the minor.

For the latest updates for aging wisely and well, sign up for our newsletter! If you have specific questions or want to learn more about healthcare advocacy services contact us online or at 727-447-5845.

In case you missed them, here are some of our top Aging Wisely advice posts from the past year. As always, we covered an array of news related to caregiving, Medicare and eldercare issues as well as general aging wisely advice and resources. We try to answer questions clients and families frequently ask, and share the wisdom of our expert Aging Life Care Professionals™. In the coming year, we plan to bring you the best aging wisely advice and tips to help take more control of your health and well-being!

What do you want to know in 2016? Please leave us a comment here or on our Facebook page! The Aging Wisely site is for you!

Finding the Right Gifts for Older Loved Ones

Our most read page for 2015 is our Gifts for Seniors page. This page has been consistently popular for many years, and we’ve updated it and added a special gift coupon for our users. We also do seasonal and special needs posts to cover a whole range of options. Linda’s Holiday Gift Ideas have already been incredibly popular…they’re the Oprah’s picks for your older friends (and really good for most any age)! Other popular gift posts include: Gifts for Caregivers and People Facing Illness, Mother’s Day Gift Ideas and Gifts for Older Fathers.

Respite Care: Breaks for Caregivers

“What Will Respite Care Cost?” was our second most popular post in 2015. This is great news to us as we strive to support caregivers and ensure they get the help they need. Another popular post was “Caregiver Breaks: Do You Know Your Options for Respite?“. If this topic interests you, our EasyLiving team has put together a great checklist to help caregivers prepare for respite care. Use this checklist for a successful respite care experience.

Aging Wisely Advice on Hospital Discharge Planning

There’s been a lot of focus in the medical community about the problem of hospital readmissions for the elderly. Older adults tend to have multiple medical conditions and medications and are prone to complications after hospitalizations or surgeries. Therefore, a post-discharge plan for an older adult needs to be more comprehensive than a simple list of what to take and what to avoid. Many families still find the hospitalization and discharge process overwhelming. Two popular tools we created to help families with the transition are: the Hospital Discharge Planning Checklist for Families and Stroke Rehabilitation and Planning.

Other Popular Resources and Aging Wisely Advice

Eldercare Tools: The Florida Durable Power of Attorney

Sundowner’s Syndrome in Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias

A Daughter’s Experiences in Eldercare: Detailing a client’s two very different experiences caring for aging parents

What is Medicare 2016 Going to Cost Me?

To get the latest and greatest from our experts on these topics and more, sign up for our monthly newsletter!

Gifts for People in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities

It can be especially tough to think of gifts for people in nursing homes, since their space is limited and much of their activity may be limited to the nursing home setting. A person who has moved to an assisted living facility often just downsized, so you want to get something that will really be used. Our expert team is here to help with ideas for gifts for people in nursing homes and assisted living!

As an added bonus, we have an exclusive coupon code for Silverts.com, which offers adaptive clothing, socks, shoes and many items specially designed for someone living in a nursing home:
Get My Senior Gifts Coupon

Here are our top 5 categories of gifts for people in nursing homes or assisted living:

1. The gift of time: one of the most appreciated gifts for people in nursing homes is the gift of your time and attention. Take time for special visits (ideal if you can make it a routine thing, as this can become something your loved one really looks forward to) or plan an outing. This holiday season, check with the person’s community church about special services or find a holiday concert or play.
2. Comforting items: soothing/favorite music, audiobooks, inspirational books, puzzle/activity books (coloring books made specifically for adults are an enjoyable stress reducer!), movies, favorite snacks/treats (check for diet restrictions and be aware that storage for food items may be limited in a nursing home), etc. Help make it convenient for your loved one to access comforting activities (i.e. give an iPod, pad or other device and load it with music, audiobooks or their favorite church’s podcast; buy a small TV with DVD player and a stack of favorite movies; install a mini-fridge by the bed so your loved one can have his/her favorite cold snack or drink). Just check with nursing home staff about space issues, any restrictions or recommendations. Check out Linda’s Holiday Gift Ideas for more comfort-related gifts.
3. Decorations for the room: you could simply buy inexpensive holiday decorations (dollar stores are great!) and surprise them by decorating their space, or you could buy 1-2 nice items (seasonal or not) to make their space special.
4. Homemade, personalized items: examples include homebaked goodies, art work from the grandkids, a scrapbook/collage or framed photo, or a handknit blanket or sweater (or buy one and get their name or initials embroidered on it).
5. Unique gifts designed for seniors or for specific needs, such as our gifts for people with Alzheimer’s. Other useful items might be adaptive clothing, shoes designed for specific conditions or health technologies.

Unfortunately, there are many seniors in our community (particularly in nursing homes) who don’t have anyone to buy them gifts or spend special time with them. For this reason, our team has participated in Elves for Elders for many years, assisting with various aspects such as organizing, serving as a gift drop-off site and promoting the project. If you’d like to help out buying gifts for people in nursing homes in Pinellas County, check out Elves for Elders to learn more.

Gift giving is fun for me!  When I do have time to go shopping I’m on the lookout for items my family or friends may enjoy.  Ideas for gifts come from all different directions.  I find listening closely to the person helps me identify gifts for them that will be useful and often become items they love.

The recommended gifts below are all gifts I have personally used or have given to someone who has loved it!

I have organized the gifts under headings to help you sort through easily and perhaps find just the perfect gift! Click on each picture to be linked directly to the product page for purchase and more info.

Tech and Gadgets

Sony Wireless Headphones: This is the gift that saved my marriage. As the years have gone by (all 35 of them), my husband keeps going to bed earlier and while I try to go to sleep earlier, I seem to be a night owl. The Sony Wireless Headphones allow you to watch TV with the volume on mute on the actual TV, allowing others in the room to enjoy their peace and quiet while you get to enjoy watching TV. And… just in case the person you are with doesn’t need the volume as loud as you do to catch every word, the headphones also work with the volume on. You do not miss a word of dialogue with these headphones, they are fantastic. Perfect for those with some hearing loss, for those sharing a room, and those wanting to enjoy the uninterrupted pleasure of a TV show, movie, or music.

iPad: Even if your loved one does not use a cell phone, an iPad may win them over to the digital world. Take the time and set the iPad up before you give it to them.  Set your loved one up with a Gmail email address and an iTunes account – and give the gift that keeps on giving. I recommend using an iTunes gift card to access paid apps, movies, etc… to avoid the problem of potential credit card fraud. The next holiday you can pay to reload the gift card.

Load up favorite photos and videos onto the iPad for them to look at over and over, and each time you go to visit you can assist them with saving the new ones or accessing the cloud to get the most up to date photos available. This keeps them with you no matter where you are. Be sure to include photos of them from their younger years with you – allowing them to think back through the decades. I also downloaded some favorite game apps, solitaire, candy crush, and of course a variety of Las Vegas style slot machine apps. This can provide hours of enjoyment for those with limited mobility. As they get used to the iPad they may learn to explore apps available on their own, or recommendations by their friends. Read more…

Open It: Each year my book club celebrates the holidays with a white elephant gift exchange. The goal of the gift is to bring your favorite “find” of the year. This year my gift will be the Open It!

I can’t remember when I first found the “Open It”, but I sure am glad I did. It seems like so many packages today are so hard to open. One of things I’ve noticed is that my hand strength is not what it used to be, or should I say the using the strength in my hands sometimes hurts. The Open It tool prevents any pain from happening. It includes a very stiff scissor function that cuts through fairly thick plastic, cardboard, all sorts of things. The Open It also includes a Utility Knife, which is great for opening packages and a screwdriver when you need it.

The Mommy Hook: Have you heard of the term “milk drunk?” I never had either until my first grandchild came into the world this year. It appears to be a state of almost asleep after they have just eaten, they are very cute in this stage. The terms used to describe babies and their supplies are totally different since my children were young. One of the most useful gifts my daughter-in-law received was a Mommy Hook. This hook is sold to be used on strollers, however the first thought on my mind was to use the hook on walkers or wheelchairs. This hook is strong enough to carry several bags, a purse, and other miscellaneous items. Or handy just to keep your purse right by you.

Self-Improvement Gift Ideas

Tweezerman Tweezers and 10x Magnifying Mirror: Every woman I know worries about the weird eyebrow hair, the random black hair that sometimes shows up on her chin, and whether she has her lipstick just on her lips! The 10x mirror, lighted or not, with Tweezerman tweezers allows you to find even the smallest gray hairs and pluck them when you need to. This 10x mirror helps you not miss a one. This set keeps you pretty and confident.

Clarins Restorative Wake-up Lotion: A few years ago I was walking through Bloomingdale’s and a sales person at a makeup counter called me over and said would you like to have your face perk up and have a younger looking skin tone.  Well it only took about 5 seconds to answer that question.  I’m not sure what the active ingredient is in this lotion, but it definitely wakes up your skin in the morning and brings some light to your face.  The lotion is easy to apply, absorbs quickly and just the perfect moisturizer for under your tinted moisturizer or foundation.

Eminence Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant: While at the Spa of the Rockies in Glenwood Springs Colorado I had the most amazing facial leaving my skin glowing and feeling very clean.  The product they used was an exfoliator you can use daily to clean your pores and over time the pores get smaller.  I have started using this every morning and am amazed how smooth my face feels after I use it.  It only takes a dime size amount so this one container will last a very long time. 

I typically use it with my Clarisonic Facial Cleansing System each morning in the shower.  While it takes a minute, which actually feels like a long time in the shower, the smoothness you feel on your face is worth it.

Comforting Holiday Gifts for Seniors

Faux Fur Blanket: I love my faux fur blanket with its fleece backing on the other side.  I love crawling into a cool crisp bed at night, the temperature low so I can breathe well and don’t stay awake half the night.  This fur blanket keeps me warm, not too hot, and the softness of the fur on my hands and up around my face when I sleep feels great.  This blanket is so pretty it can be used on your bed, on your lap wherever you are sitting, or around your shoulders while enjoying an outside fire-pit.

Anti-fatigue Kitchen Mat: I love to chop, mix and cook – especially around the holidays.  However, on Thanksgiving Day I typically have a backache well before the festivities get started from being on my feet all morning cooking.  This Anti-fatigue Kitchen Mat from Frontgate has helped tremendously in decreasing the pain from standing and often eliminates the pain from starting all together.  The mat is attractive in the kitchen and provides nice padding to stand on, therefore giving your back a break and less chance for pain to develop.  I can’t imagine anyone having to stand in the kitchen not being thankful for this mat.

Dearform Slipper Clogs: There is nothing better than coming home from work, especially if it was a day I had to wear high heels and slipping on my Dearfoam Clogs.  They bring immediately relief to sore, tired feet and feel so comfy.  The padding is thick in the slipper and feels great to walk on as well as very soft to the skin.  Ah…. They feel so good!

Gifts for Health and Wellness

PowerBeats Ear Headphones: As you will figure out by the time you get to the end of my list I have some hearing impairment.  My next recommendation allows me to work out and listen to my music or my favorite podcast wherever I am without the earbuds falling out of ears.  What I love about these headphones is that they never fall out of my ear and I do not have to push them in very far (which typically irritates my ear canal).  The sound quality is great too, allowing me to thoroughly enjoy whatever I’m listening to and not miss a beat!  And the over the ear hook does not hurt.

Bose Bluetooth Speaker: My Bluetooth speaker is a gift I use every day.  I love listening to podcasts and my favorite music on Pandora.  The Bluetooth speaker allows me to take my shower and get ready for the day with all my favorites loud enough for me to hear and keep on moving and getting ready for the day.  So instead of having TV on in a different room, straining to hear what it is saying, the blue tooth speaker moves with me from room to room, while I make the bed, prepare our smoothies, and clean the kitchen without missing a word.

The NiINJA Mega System: Speaking of smoothies, the NINJA has made a huge difference in our diet.  I have to admit, the NINJA mega system is the first item I have ever purchased from watching an infomercial.  And wow, I’m so glad I did.  From making individual smoothies to making coleslaw and macaroni and cheese from scratch – it is an amazing machine, easy to use and best of all easy to clean.

Read more….

Olly Restful Sleep Blackberry Zen Vitamin Gummies: Are you always hoping for a great night’s sleep – well look no further!  I found Olly Blackberry Restful Sleep gummies earlier this year and they have been a game changer.  As many of you know as we get older our sleep patterns change and well…. There are some nights where it alludes us all together.  We wake up or get up more tired than when we went to bed.  These gummies have made all the difference for me.  If I have a lot on my mind and can kind of predict getting to sleep is going to be tough I will chew two gummies – especially if I don’t have to set my alarm for the next morning.  However, when I have to get up in the AM to go to work or for an appointment I will only chew one gummy so I don’t feel like I’m having to fight myself to get awake!

The Chill Pal: This is an awesome gift for the exercise person in your life.  I have given this to many of my friends and family, it is perfect in the heat.  You can make the Chill Pal cloth wet with cold water, snap to the extra water out and wrap it around your neck to bring you immediate coolness.  This is perfect for when you are outside exercising in heat or at the gym.  This will help you avoid the excuse of saying it is “too hot” to exercise.

The Foam Roller: I can’t believe how stiff and sometimes inflexible my body has gotten over the years.  My trainer has turned me on to slowly stretching in the morning and utilizing the foam roller to help with that process.  I can’t believe what a difference it has made to my body and how much better I feel after rolling my muscles with the foam roller.

The Kozy Kollar: I love my large Kozy Kollar and use it almost every night.  I prefer the unscented Kozy Kollar and love that I can heat it up to my preferred temperature in my microwave.  I like the large Kozy Kollar as I typically start it on my neck, move it down to my lower back and go to sleep with it on my stomach.  It relieves what ails me and helps me go to sleep.  I have a lot of little aches and pains and prefer not to take any medication, the Kozy Kollar brings me pain relief through the heat it provides to my body.

Gifts for Foodies

Pure Inventions Pomegranate + Acai Berry Antioxidant Fruit Extract: A few years ago I was visiting the Spa of the Rockies with the natural hot springs.  I can’t tell you how amazing the hot springs are.  One step into the hot springs and any aches and pains you have start to disappear.  I absolutely love going to the hot springs.  Next to the springs is the spa, and while visiting I decided to have a massage.  In the waiting area was a selection of beverages, including a pomegranate flavored water, it was excellent and very refreshing.  Absolutely no bad after taste.  I was so excited to find something to flavor water that I actually liked. Read more…

Cashew Cranberry Cherry Jubilee: While at the Spa of the Rockies they also provided complimentary trail mix, wow was it yummy.  I’m not quite sure how many times I refilled my little two ounce cup!  I have become hooked on this trail mix for my mid-morning and after-noon snack.  It is a yummy combo of cinnamon toffee peanuts, almonds, pecans, walnuts, cashews, cranberries, cherries, and dried apples. The combination is delicious and it is a very filling and nutritious snack keeping me away from the gummy bears that often tempt me.  This trail mix can be purchased in small or large size for a very reasonable price.

Biscoff Cookies: I remember flying Delta Airlines when I was young and getting to try Biscoff Lotus cookies for the first time.  The light texture and light cinnamon flavor make these cookies delicious.  I love that the cookies are packaged with two cookies packaged together.  This keeps them fresh and crisp and also helps me not eat too many at one time.  It is extremely enjoyable to curl up with a good book, sip some hot tea and snack on my Biscoff cookies.  It makes for a great afternoon.

You can order online and have these shipped to a destination of your choosing.  I promise you will make someone very happy when they open the package and try one.

Killer Brownies: My in-laws live in a little town in Ohio called Lebanon.  The Golden Lamb Restaurant/Hotel is the oldest in Ohio and has hosted 12 presidents.  Not too far from Lebanon, in Dayton, Ohio you will find an incredible grocery story, Dorothy Lane Market.  Their baked goods are amazing.  One of my favorites is their Killer Brownies which you can order and have delivered wherever you would like.  As far as I know these Killer Brownies have never killed anyone, but there may be a few fights in the house over who is going to get to eat the last one!  You can choose the Killer Brownie you might like best, the original chocolate caramel, peanut butter, cream cheese, Blonde Ambition, Brookie Killer, German Chocolate, PB&J, and Not a Nutter, or better yet, try them all.  I haven’t’ tried one yet that I haven’t loved.  You can ship these Killer Brownies anywhere and may want to add a few cookies too!

I love receiving and giving Edible Arrangements.  I have received several arrangements and have sent out many throughout the year.  The fruit has always had a great flavor, not too ripe but not under ripe either, and always very creatively arranged.  I like sending the fruit arrangements when I know someone is working hard to eat healthy and maintain their weight.  It is a nice surprise without them feeling like they are eating something they shouldn’t.  I also love the fact that you can order a variety of size of arrangement, allowing the recipient not to feel like they are going to let part of the arrangement go to waste.  This is a great gift for young or old, especially when it is difficult for them to have time to cut up and prepare fresh fruit.

Truffle Salt was one of my favorite things I found about three years ago.  When I first purchased it my idea was to use the salt on fish and I can tell you it is perfect with fish and the flavor is not too heavy.  Now that I have acquired the love of truffle flavor I have found myself using the salt in a variety of dishes.  One of my favorites is trying to make a Gnocchi Salad I first experienced at Town Restaurant in Carbondale, CO*.  This salad is delicious with a light truffle flavor.  My take on this salad is sort of like this, I usually sauté yellow butternut squash in a skillet with a little truffle oil, once I have crisped the outside of the squash I will add a few sliced mushrooms and gnocchi to the skillet to quickly brown, then pour the mixture on top of a bed of spinach and sprinkle with parmigiano cheese and truffle salt – it is to die for!  Add a grilled chicken breast and you now have a great dinner.

*If you get the chance to visit Carbondale, CO, try Town Restaurant. I haven’t found a bad dish on the menu!

I hope you have fun shopping this year and that this list helps you make some folks happy on your list.   This list is a new experiment for us, we are trying affiliate marketing, which means we may get paid a commission on items you purchase through our links.  I’m excited to see if you like any of the ideas and welcome any comments or questions.  Next month, gifts to start the New Year right!  Happy Shopping!

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I have been working very hard to increase my water intake throughout the day and to stop drinking so much Diet Coke.  A few drops of Pure, currently I’m drinking the Pomegranate flavor, makes my water very appetizing and before I know it I have drank a full 8- 12 ounces.  You can control the amount of flavor by the number of the drops of Pure you put into your water.

I enjoy many of the other flavors of Pure, including the vanilla and the tropical flavor.  This is a great gift for anyone needing or wanting to drink more water and very easy to use, whether at home, on the go, or at the assisted living facility.

Not having to chop for hours, being able to blend and mix recipes, and shredding cheese, vegetables, etc… has expanded our menu at home as well as saved my fingers and back.  We love making the individual smoothies in the morning, this allows my husband and I have to have two different flavors, different proportions and calories, and keeps us both getting our daily nutrients.

The NINJA can be purchased with just the individual smoothie container, or you can order the entire system with a variety of blades, etc…like I did.  Only you know how much cooking you do.  I promise you that I am cooking more, healthier and different things now that I have the NINJA as it has made my life easier.

iPad (Black)

…Be sure to document all the passwords, usernames, etc… several places for your loved one so anyone can help them access their iPad.

As time goes by you can get them acquainted with FaceTime and messaging allowing them to keep up with others. We bought the monthly wireless internet package through AT&T for one set of parents who have no interest in cable, streaming or in-home wi-fi. For my 91 year old Dad who has wi-fi in his home we have set up Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu allowing him to enjoy the freedom to watch what he wants when he wants – however at the end of the day it is the Las Vegas style slots that he loves playing the best.

For my Dad who likes to play games and watch movies we got the larger memory iPad. For our parents who only use for pictures and random internet surfing we got them the 16 GB instead of the 64GB.

Regardless, the main tip here is to fully set up the iPad. When you are not tech savvy the thought of setting up the iPad to be useful can be overwhelming which often means the iPad is left in the box or on the counter. Make it a fun experience for the loved one in your life.

The Medicare 2016 costs are out! We’ve updated our Medicare fact sheet to reflect the new numbers, and we invite you to download it and share (link below).

Medicare 2016 Costs

This is a breakdown of the Medicare 2016 costs, and the related comparison costs for 2015:

*If you were not previously enrolled in Medicare Part B, do not receive Social Security or are dual-eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, the standard benefit for 2016 is $121.80 (dual-eligibles’ costs are picked up by the state’s Medicaid program, however). Higher income individuals ($85,000 for individuals, $170,000 for couples, based on your tax return from two years ago) pay an adjusted amount, up to $335.70.

When eligible for Part A Skilled Nursing Facility coverage following a qualifying hospital stay, the co-pays are as follows:

• Days 1–20: $0 for each benefit period.
• Days 21–100: $161 coinsurance per day of each benefit period ($157.50 in 2016).

To read more about Medicare costs 2016 and get a concise overview of Medicare’s parts and coverage, download our free 2016 Medicare fact sheet.

Contact our healthcare advocates at 727-447-5845 for personalized Medicare advice today! Time’s running out for the open enrollment period to analyze how you might save money on Medicare costs in 2016 and make change.

We’re here to help you and your family age wisely and well.

As advocates for our elder loved ones, we need to be particularly aware of the potential risks they face during and after a hospitalization. More attention is being paid to discharge planning and hospital readmissions in recent years and efforts are being made to improve care coordination and discharge planning.

Thanks to Elizabeth E. Hogue, Esq.* who recently shared this news on proposed changes to discharge planning regulations (published November 3, 2015).

Unfortunately, elders are the targets of many scammers who see them as easy targets and know they often have money in the bank. For more information and tips on protecting your elder loved ones from scams, check out Top 10 Scams Against the Elderly and Tips for Fraud Prevention. There are some scams specifically targeted to or related to veterans, so today we bring you some top scams targeting veterans to watch for as well as tips about what to do to try and avoid being scammed. We encourage you to share these with your loved ones who are veterans (and share our gratitude for their service!).

Top Scams Targeting Veterans

1. Fake discounts for veterans. Obviously, some organizations offer genuine veterans’ discounts and specials, but others will offer false deals which may cause a veteran more money or serve to build trust so the vet leaves his/her guard down. Check carefully and comparison shop offers with and without special discounts.
2. Phishing. This is one of the most common scams targeting veterans and many other groups. This is a way for someone to get personal information to steal your identity or perpetrate fraud against you, by making you believe it is a legitimate request for information. People may have experienced this when a scammer posed as a financial institution or government organization. In the case of phishing scams targeting veterans, the person (or email) may claim to be from the Veteran’s Administration needing to update records. Never give out personal information to someone who reaches out to you. You can always contact the organization directly to find out if they need something.
3. Requiring payment for military records. This involves veterans being tricked into paying for access to documents that they can get for free. Once again, check directly with the VA if you need documents or have questions to find out about what’s available and charges. For our Florida veterans, we highly recommend the county Veterans Services Office where employees are available to answer your questions and assist you in navigating the Veterans Administration and benefits. Contact our team for help with this and other resources!
4. Bad investment advice or frauds related to investment. Investment advisors may target veterans, saying that they specialize in helping Vets or even calling themselves “Veterans Advocates”. This can be legitimate, but others may offer inappropriate investment vehicles for you or even may flat out try to steal from the person. Similarly, others offer “free help” with applying for veteran’s benefits, usually targeting selling you investments that may not be in your best interests (and might disqualify you for other benefits such as Medicaid, even in the future).  If you have a trusted investment advisor, talk to them before making changes. Regardless, do your research into any investment assistance or advice you receive.

Scams Related to Veterans

1. Charity Scams. False charities (or very poorly managed charities with high overhead going to salaries and perks for those involved) may solicity money from you. Those related to veterans may be especially busy around key times like Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day, etc. Check CharityNavigator.org.
2. Fraudsters posing as servicemen/veterans. The Nigerian email scams in which someone tries to get money from the individual with false claims such as lottery winnings or a relative in need are fairly well known (but remain successful) but now scammers also pose as a lonely serviceman looking for love or a veteran in need of assistance. Never wire money to anyone you don’t know and ignore unverified emails/requests.

For more information and resources:

Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force information for servicemen/Veterans
Consumer Protection Bureau

As we shared in our recent post, some Medicare beneficiaries could be facing a steep hike in their 2016 Medicare premiums. Part B premium increases are tied to Social Security COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment), and since there will be no COLA in 2016 (announced October 15^th) most (about 70%) of Medicare recipients fall under the “hold harmless” protection and will not pay more. However, the remaining 30% (those not receiving Social Security, new Medicare enrollees, and high income individuals) could be facing a base rate increase of 52% (from $104.90 to $159.30) on their 2016 Medicare B premium. The premium scales higher based on 2014 income (up to $509.80).

The potentially good news is that a bipartisan budget proposal which recently passed in the House of Representatives would offer relief for these 30% of Medicare recipients*. Under this budget, the 2016 Medicare premium increase would be reduced to about a 14% increase. In this proposal, the costs for Part B would be covered by a treasury loan, gradually paid back by incremental Medicare premium increases.

There are some other provisions in this budget that might affect you or your loved ones. First, on a positive note, it addresses potential cuts to Social Security disability payments, by reallocating some of the payroll taxes to this program. On a less positive note, some households may be losing Social Security benefits (those receiving benefits under a spouse, ex-spouse or parent’s work record…if that person has suspended his/her benefits).

Get all your 2016 Medicare News!

We will keep you updated on the progress of this bill and other 2016 Medicare news. We invite you to sign up to be one of the first to receive our 2016 Medicare fact sheet, as well as our monthly insider tips.

You may want to read our article about Medicare 2016 open enrollment as well.

*Update: The bill was passed in the Senate.

Our experts help with your frequently asked eldercare questions. With the holidays coming up this is an especially timely topic: handling holiday (and other) visits when your loved one lives in a nursing home.

Can I take my loved one out of his/her nursing home for an outing or holiday visit?

Yes, residents of nursing homes can definitely leave the nursing home for outings and visits with family. Of course, the nursing home is regulated tightly and residents are considered to be under medical care while there, so it is necessary to follow certain procedures.

You should talk to your loved one’s nursing staff about outings, to ensure the person’s safety and well-being. The staff can also prepare you for what might be needed during the trip, such as equipment and care needs. If you have not personally taken care of your loved one alone in some time, it is important to understand their needs before planning a nursing home outing.

Typically, you will need to “sign out” a nursing home resident and talk to the care staff about the plan and timing of the visit. It is important to let them know the intended length of the visit and keep in touch if anything changes, so they can plan accordingly. There are also financial implications for overnight/longer visits.

Florida Medicaid Rules for Holding Nursing Home Beds

In addition to whether or not you can leave a nursing home and what type of visits are advisable, costs are an important factor to consider. If a resident leaves a nursing home overnight, they (or some payment source such as Medicaid) would need to continue to pay the cost to hold their spot. For a private pay resident, monthly payment would simply be as usual and then the bed would be held (for longer stays away from the nursing home–even hospital stays, the resident/family would have to determine if they wish to pay to hold the bed).

This is known as a “bed hold” in Medicaid terminology and the policies vary by state. For what is known as “therapeutic leave”, Medicaid in Florida pays the nursing facility to reserve a resident’s bed a maximum of 16 days per fiscal year (July 1-June 30). Therapeutic leave means the resident leaves the facility to go to a family-type setting (not another nursing home or hospital). Each night away counts as one day.

However, the nursing home must have at least 95% of its Medicaid-eligible beds filled in order to bill the state for bed hold days (presumably, if not, there would be sufficient open beds for the person to return). If a resident exceeds the yearly allowed days, the resident or family could also pay privately to hold the bed. If they do not wish to do so, the nursing home may discharge the person but must readmit them in the 1st available Medicaid semi-private bed (of course, it does not have to be the same room as before).

The nursing home should provide this policy in writing, at admission and again when you go on any therapeutic leave. For a complete list of Medicaid bed hold policies by state click here (check with your state to see if the policies have changed since this was updated).

Medicare Skilled Nursing Coverage and Leaving the Nursing Home

Medicare only covers short-term skilled nursing care, so this isn’t an issue for most nursing home residents. However, if you are in a skilled nursing facility receiving treatment under Medicare and wish to leave to visit loved ones for the holidays, can you?

Despite what you are sometimes told, Medicare does not necessarily consider a family visit to mean you don’t need skilled care. You can be gone during the day (attending an outing, but back by midnight that day) and the facility can still bill Medicare for the day. If you stay away overnight, the facility typically can’t bill Medicare for that day. You can talk to the facility about their bed hold policy, and you may be able to privately pay to hold the bed if you wish.

Remember, however, that missing out on therapy services, in particular, may slow your recovery process and you may benefit less from your time in the skilled nursing facility. It is best to discuss your needs and scheduling of any visits with your care team.

The Logistics of a Nursing Home Outing

We have many clients who we arrange regular outings for, often with the help of a nursing assistant. We would never want our clients to feel that the nursing home is like a prison, but we also want to make arrangements to make any visit safe and comfortable.

Talk with care staff about the details beforehand and consider whether some assistance might be needed. You can arrange special transportation or an aide to go along with the person, to assist with transferring, going to the bathroom and other needs that may arise.

Our senior caregivers have shared tips and information about traveling with someone with dementia and they offer senior concierge services to plan events/outings and escort the person (even on long-distance trips to visit family).

We can also help with creative ideas for making the holidays special for your loved one residing in a nursing home or assisted living. Contact us for ideas or help with nursing home visits, concierge services, patient advocacy and more.

Also, don’t forget to check out our Senior Gift Guide!