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Last Modified 07/22/04
Northwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging News
Serving 18 counties in Northwest Kansas
Fall 2009
You May Qualify for a Medicare Program That
Lets You Pay as Little as $2.40 for Prescription Drugs
For years you did your part by paying into Medicare. Now it's your turn to get the most out of the benefits you've earned. If you have limited income and resources, there's a Medicare program where you pay no more than $2.40 for each generic drug and $6 for each brand name drug.
If you qualify, this program helps you pay your prescription copayments plus your other drug costs like monthly premiums and annual deductibles. Many people qualify and don't even know it.
Individuals who make less than $16,245 and married couples who make less than $21,855 may qualify to have lower Medicare prescription drug premiums, copayments, and deductibles. To qualify, these individuals' resources must be limited to $12,510 or $25,010 for married couples. Resources include things like bank accounts, stocks and bonds, but not your house or car.
Applying for this program is free. Apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask for the Application for Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs. All information provided in the application is confidential.
If you have limited income, you know that sometimes making ends meet means making tough decisions. That shouldn't mean going without your medications. Apply now to make sure you have the prescription drugs you need to stay healthy and keep doing what you love.
Article provided by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Northwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging Providing Meal Service for Over 35 Years
By Michelle Morgan, HOMESTEAD
Nutrition Project Director
Have you been to one of our nutrition sites? If you haven't, you're missing out on a lot of good food, fellowship and fun. The Northwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging has provided nutrition services through the HOMESTEAD Nutrition Project for over 35 years in the 18 counties of northwest Kansas. Our first meal sites opened in February of 1974.
The congregate meal program at the nutrition sites is designed to bring people age 60 and over together to share a hot nutritious meal, fun and friendship. The purpose is to enrich the lives of older Kansans by providing nutrition education, promoting better health through daily well-balanced meals and better mental health by providing a place for fellowship with others. Often site programming includes: exercises, computer classes, education, blood pressure clinics, cards, painting, quilting, and local entertainment to name a few. Noon meals are served Monday through Friday at 28 different locations. Everyone, regardless of age, is welcome to join us for lunch. To make a meal reservation please call your local nutrition site by noon the day before.
For individuals unable to attend the nutrition site, home delivered meals are available and delivered by volunteers. The home delivered meals program is designed to provide meals to those who are unable to shop, prepare meals for themselves, and unable to go to the nutrition site. Our goal is to enable seniors to remain in their own homes and improve their health through proper diet and good nutrition information. For information on eligibility or how to receive a home delivered meal, you may call our Hays office at 1-800-432-7422. If you would like to view our monthly menu or look up nutrition site information, we can also be reached at www.nwkaaa.com.
How do I volunteer for the nutrition program?
Without volunteers, the nutrition sites would not be able to operate. The need for volunteers and the types of services that volunteers perform vary greatly from community to community. If you are interested in volunteering at your local nutrition site, the best thing to do is to contact the nutrition site directly or contact HOMESTEAD Nutrition Project at 1-800-432-7422.
Caregiving Across the Ages
The 3rd Annual Caregiving Across the Ages Conference will be held at the Topeka Ramada on October 21 & 22, 2009. The conference, entitled "Working Toward a Better Tomorrow," is sponsored by the Kansas Area Agencies on Aging Association.
The purpose of the conference is to allow caregivers and professionals the opportunity to network with peers and exchange ideas on how to meet the challenges of caring for our nation's older population and disabled adults and children. Featured speakers include Maria M. Meyer, founder of CareTrust Publications and co-author of a caregiver guide series and Lyn L. Hester, founder of the International Center for Humor and Health. Three will be breakout sessions on various topics related to Caregiving.
To register for the conference on-line, go to www.k4a.org. For more information, call the Area Agency on Aging, 1-800-432-7422 or 628-8204.
Full Circle...an Aging Expo
The Area Agency on Aging is one of the sponsors for the Full Circle...an Aging Expo to be held November 6, 2009, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Stenberg Museum in Hays. "Growing Older...but Not Old!" will feature Dr. Tana Goering, M.D., KSN TV personality. She will discuss how to be proactive with your doctor and be an informed partner in your health care decisions.
Breakout sessions include: Elder Law; Vitamin D; When a Loved One Passes; Keeping Up with the Grandkids; Nursing Homes: The Cruise Ships of the Future; Drug Interaction; Seniors As Assets; Mind Aerobics; Enjoying Beautiful Sight-Eye Health; Affordable Kansas Travel and Self Defense for Seniors.
Cost of the conference is $25 per person or $40 for two family members. Paid participants will receive a reduced rate to tour the museum! For a registration form or more information, contact the Area Agency on Aging, 1-800-432-7422 or 628-8204, or your local County Extension Office. Registration deadline is Monday, October 26.
Medicare
Glenna Clingingsmith, SHICK Program Coordinator
Prescription Drug Plans - Medicare beneficiaries have the opportunity to change drug plans every year during the open enrollment period between November 15 and December 31. If your current drug plan doesn't cover some new medications or if you'd just like to see if you could save a little money, now is the time to check things out.
Call the Area Agency on Aging, 1-800-432-7422 or 785-628-8204, after October 15 and we will do a cost comparison that can help you make a decision on a drug plan. We can also help you enroll in your new plan. Appointments are required if you want to come to the office for face-to-face help.
A list of prescription drug plans for 2010 will be printed in the Medicare & You book that every Medicare beneficiary receives in October. If you like to use the Internet, the Medicare website -- www.medicare.gov -- will be updated with the new plans, premiums and co-pays after October 15.
MyMedicare.gov - If you like to use the Internet, you can register at this website to track you healthcare claims, order a duplicate Medicare Summary Notice (MSN), check your Part B deductible status, track preventive services, order a replacement Medicare card and access online forms or publications. All new beneficiaries are now being registered automatically. If you'd like additional information, call our office.
Survey
Enclosed in the newsletter your will find a needs assessment survey. If you would please take the time to answer the questions and return this page to us it would be greatly appreciated.
The information provided by the survey will help the Area Agency prioritize its services that are available to those age 60 and over in your county.
If you have questions about the survey, please call our office and ask for Glenna or Greg.
CARE Program
Tammy Gerhardt, Program Coordinator
Choosing to enter a nursing facility (or help a loved one enter a nursing facility) is one of life's most difficult decisions. Effective communication can make the process less traumatic. The nursing facility's admissions person is well informed and can tell you what to expect next. Be sure to ask lots of questions!
One of the first things you will be instructed to do is call the Area Agency on Aging to request a CARE assessment. Everyone who enters a Medicaid-certified nursing facility must have a valid PASRR. In Kansas the CARE assessment is proof of PASRR and is valid for one year.
When you call the Area Agency on Aging we will do a short intake - name, address, phone number, social security number, date of birth, history of mental illness or retardation (if applicable), reason for admission - and assign a community-based assessor to complete the assessment.
Speaking with your loved one about the possibility of nursing facility placement before the assessor arrives will allow the assessment to go smoothly. The CARE assessor should not be the first person informing the client of possibly moving to a nursing facility. In addition, having a CARE assessment completed does not mean nursing facility placement is required.
Even if the client has dementia or other difficulties understanding information, you should try to keep them involved in the process. Communication techniques that may help you include:
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Communicate 7 words, and then wait 7 seconds for the person to understand the information.
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Speak slowly and enunciate.
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Use positive responses.
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Use language familiar to the person.
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Make eye contact.
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Speak in a quiet place, free of distractions.
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Use visual cues and gestures.
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Include humor - laughing at yourself is best!
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Never argue, debate, or correct - no matter how tempting it is!
We're here to help you make your long term care decisions easier. If you have any questions, please give us a call at 1-800-432-7422 or 785-625-2037.
Senior Care Act Program
Bernie Smith, Program Manager
The Senior Care Act program is a state and locally
funded program for Kansas senior citizens age 60 years and older.
The program can help provide necessary in-home services to
individuals which will enable them to remain independent and continue to
live in their own home. Any
Kansas resident age 60 years or older that has physical or mental
limitations may be eligible for services.
The Senior Care Act program provides supervision and
assists with bathing and dressing for attendant care services.
Homemaker services provide assistance with laundry, light
housework, and meal preparation. The worker can take a list and shop for groceries and personal items for the customer.
The worker cannot and will not transport the customer.
The cost of services through the program is based upon a sliding fee scale. The sliding fee scale is set by the Kansas Legislature and revised annually to reflect the changes in the poverty level. The customer will be billed from donation to 100% of the total cost based on the customer’s monthly income and total liquid assets. The remaining portion of the total cost is paid with state and local funds. Monthly expenses cannot be deducted.
New referrals with a 100% obligation on the sliding fee scale will not be able to receive NWKAAA services. Staff will give information on the providers available in the area. The individuals can contact the providers and arrange for private pay in-home services.
There is a limit to the customer’s in-home service
hours due to budget constraints. The
Case Manager will complete the assessment and notify the provider or
payroll agent chosen by the customer.
The in-home workers are hired by the providers.
Another service available is the personal emergency response monitors (lifelines). The emergency alert devices will be installed for new customers on a limited basis, as the budget allows. The budget is evaluated monthly. The current customers will be able to keep their personal emergency monitors. The cost of this service is figured on their percent on the sliding fee scale.
The customer is billed from the Area Agency on Aging once a month. The customer does not pay the worker. All services are based upon availability of funds and the provider’s staffing. Please call our Agency if assistance is needed. We want to thank everyone for contacting the legislators concerning the proposed budget cuts for the program in January, February, March, and April.
Home and Community Based Services
Tammy Deterding, Program Manager
Are you eligible for Home and Community Based Services (HCBS)? You may be if:
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You are 65 or older and in frail health;
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Your assets do not exceed $2,000, (a home and vehicle are exempt);
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A case manager assesses and determines your need for services; and
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You may be required to pay a monthly client obligation (which is determined by SRS) if your income is more than $716 per month depending on the amount of other applicable expenses.
You may be eligible for assistance with attendant
care services, personal emergency response system, medication reminder,
sleep cycle support, wellness monitoring and assistive technology (items
that improve or assist with functional capabilities in the home).
Money Follows the Person is a federal grant that is available to assist residents of qualified institutional settings to move back into the communities to live if adequate services are available to ensure the safety and welfare of the client. To date, the Case Managers from the Northwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging have had three successful cases of moving a client back into the community.
If you think you may qualify for Medicaid benefits, contact the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS). The number for the 18-county area the Northwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging covers is 785-628-1066 or 1-888-369-4777, or you may call the Northwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-432-7422.
The Northwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging's website is up and running. Check it out!
www.nwkaaa.com
Publications
This information is available at no cost to you. Mark the items you would like and mail it to us at:
NWKAAA
PO Box 610
Hays, KS 67601-0610
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Explore Your Options
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Kansas Caregiver Guide
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Agency program brochures
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Division of Assets, Spousal Impoverishment
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Benefits for Seniors
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Mental Health Guides
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Your Medicare Benefits
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Long Term Care Insurance Shoppers' Guide
Agency on Aging News is published yearly by the NWKAAA. This agency complies with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This means no persons should be excluded from participation, denied any benefits, or subjected to any form of discrimination because of his race, religion, color, sex, national origin, ancestry, handicap or political affiliation. If you feel you have been discriminated against, you have the right to file a complaint with the Northwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-432-7422, TDD 1-800-766-3777.