Category Archives: Senior Living

Trump administration ends pharmacy coupons when patients need them most

by Peter J. Pitts, former FDA associate commissioner, is president of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest.

For chronically ill Americans, the economic damage from COVID-19 could be nearly as life-threatening as the virus itself. More than 40 million workers have filed for unemployment since the beginning of the outbreak. For many, the financial challenges of joblessness have made it harder than ever to afford their insurance companies’ medication copays.

That’s why a new decision from the Trump administration couldn’t have come at a worse time. The rule, which was finalized in May, enables insurers to artificially inflate patients’ out-of-pocket drug costs. In so doing, it creates unnecessary challenges for Americans who are already struggling to stay healthy.

For many patients, high pharmacy bills were a heavy burden even before COVID-19. A November Kaiser Family Foundation survey found that half of patients in poor health had difficulty paying for their medications. Three in ten reported skipping doses for financial reasons.

This “non-adherence” causes 125,000 deaths each year and as many as a quarter of hospitalizations. It also inflates U.S. healthcare spending by up to $289 billion annually.

Now that coronavirus lockdowns have sent our economy into a tailspin, drug adherence rates are likely to plummet further as Americans look for new ways to make ends meet.

Consider that a quarter of the country has dipped into savings in recent weeks, while 14 percent have borrowed money from friends or family, per Northwestern Mutual. It’s only a matter of time before large numbers of Americans stop filling the prescription medicines they need.

In times like these, helping the hardest-hit patients take their medications ought to be a top priority. Yet the Trump administration has done precisely the opposite. The new rule from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) would help insurance companies nullify the prescription drug coupons that make medicines affordable for millions of Americans.

In many health plans, patients pay for their own drugs up to a certain limit, known as a deductible, after which they are responsible for a smaller copay. The patient remains on the hook for those copays until he or she reaches the federally mandated out-of-pocket limit, which in 2020 was $16,300 for families.

To help defray out-of-pocket costs, drug firms usually offer generous coupons on brand-name medications.

For cash-strapped patients, these discounts can be life-changing. About a fifth of commercially insured patients use coupons to lower their pharmacy costs. These coupons cut out-of-pocket drug spending by $13 billion in 2018. Just as important, drug coupons have been shown to increase adherence for everything from cholesterol medication to anti-inflammatory drugs.

These coupons only benefit patients if they count towards the out-of-pocket limit. Otherwise, patients would still be on the hook for huge pharmacy bills.

Unfortunately, the new CMS rule allows insurers to stop counting coupons towards the out-of-pocket cap. That means insurance giants will extract more money out of struggling Americans’ pockets.

Officials in states like Virginia, West Virginia, Illinois, and Arizona have already banned this practice. Unless other states follow suit — or Congress intervenes and passes legislation nullifying the rule — millions of Americans could face higher pharmacy bills while battling the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.

Barring intervention, America could face a pandemic of non-adherence that puts millions of lives at risk. Unlike COVID-19, this new public health emergency won’t be caused by a wily virus, but by the callousness of Washington policymakers.

VCAAA Wins National and State Awards

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging is the recipient of two National Mature Media Awards and a California Association of Public Information Officers (CAPIO) award. Projects that received acknowledgement include LIVEWell and the Navigating Medicare Enrollment video production, both of which are being recognized among the state and nation’s best marketing, communications, and educational materials produced for older adults.

LIVEWell, which won a CAPIO Award of Distinction and a Silver Award from the National Mature Media Awards, is the premier resource guide for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers in Ventura County. LIVEWell is published annually with content available in English and Spanish. Click here to view the 2020 issue of LIVEWell.

Navigating Medicare Enrollment received a Silver Award from the National Mature Media Awards and was produced as part of the VCAAA’s Health Insurance and Advocacy Program (HICAP) with a goal to assist people who are new to, or have questions regarding, Medicare enrollment. Click here to view the video.

“The VCAAA is honored to receive this recognition and is proud of the impact our marketing and communication efforts have had on the community,” said Victoria Jump, Director of the VCAAA. “We take pride in the work we produce and strive to find new ways to strengthen our methods of communication so that we can continue to empower Ventura County residents to age optimally.”

For more information, visit www.vcaaa.org or call (805) 477-7300.

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, an agency of the County of Ventura, is the principal agency in Ventura County charged with the responsibility to promote the development and implementation of a comprehensive coordinated system of care that enables older individuals, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities to live in a community-based setting and to advocate for the needs of those 60 years of age and older in the county, providing leadership and promoting citizen involvement in the planning process as well as in the delivery of services.

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

The most common type of dementia.
A progressive disease beginning with mild memory loss possibly leading to loss of the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to the environment.
Involves parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language.
Can seriously affect a person’s ability to carry out daily activities.

The symptoms of the disease can first appear after age 60 and the risk increases with age.
Younger people may get Alzheimer’s disease, but it is less common.
The number of people living with the disease doubles every 5 years beyond age 65.
This number is projected to nearly triple to 14 million people by 2060.1
What is known about Alzheimer’s Disease?
Scientists do not yet fully understand what causes Alzheimer’s disease. There probably is not one single cause, but several factors that affect each person differently.

Family history—researchers believe that genetics may play a role in developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Changes in the brain can begin years before the first symptoms appear.
Researchers are studying whether education, diet, and environment play a role in developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Scientists are finding more evidence that some of the risk factors for heart disease and stroke, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol may also increase the risk of Alzheimer’sA man and a woman standing. The middle-aged man is in the foreground, looking into camera. The woman is standing behind him with her hands on his shoulder, smiling and also looking into the camera.
disease.

There is growing evidence that physical, mental, and social activities may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

According to the National Institute on Aging, in addition to memory problems, someone with Alzheimer’s disease may experience one or more of the following signs:

Memory loss that disrupts daily life, such as getting lost in a familiar place or repeating questions.
Trouble handling money and paying bills.
Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure.
Decreased or poor judgment.
Misplaces things and being unable to retrace steps to find them.
Changes in mood, personality, or behavioral.

Some causes for symptoms, such as depression and drug interactions, are reversible. However, they can be serious and should be identified and treated by a health care provider as soon as possible.
Early and accurate diagnosis provides opportunities for you and your family to consider or review financial planning, develop advance directives, enroll in clinical trials, and anticipate care needs.
How is Alzheimer’s disease treated?
A middle-aged man and woman sitting. Both are smiling into the camera. The woman is leaning onto the man with her head on his shoulder.
Medical management can improve the quality of life for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. There is currently no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease.

Caregiving can have positive aspects for the caregiver as well as the person being cared for. It may bring personal fulfillment to the caregiver, such as satisfaction from helping a family member or friend, and lead to the development of new skills and improved family relationships.

Although most people willingly provide care to their loved ones and friends, caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease at home can be a difficult task and might become overwhelming at times. Each day brings new challenges as the caregiver copes with changing levels of ability and new patterns of behavior. As the disease gets worse, people living with Alzheimer’s disease often need more intensive care.

Estate Planning in a Pandemic

You may sleep better at night if you have made the effort to secure your estate properly.

by Jayson Cohen American Legacy Solutions

The ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic has disrupted life in countless ways. The health crisis has led many people to examine their own mortality and realize that they are not prepared for the end of life situations. As the crisis continues to rage on, it is more important than ever to make sure that your will and other important estate planning directives are in place.

According to Caring.com, 52% of people over the age of 55 do not have a will or other vital estate planning documents in place. While it can be a bit more challenging to get these directives signed and notarized during a pandemic, it is still possible to get it done. Here five things that you need to include in your estate planning document.

Will: The backbone of any estate planning document is the will. This legal document governs the distribution of assets and wealth after your death. This document can also be used to appoint guardians for minor children.

Advanced Care Directive: In today’s uncertain times, an advanced care directive is an essential piece of your estate planning process. Also called a living will, this document lays out what type of medical care you wish to receive should you become terminally ill. In this document, you can outline plans for life-support directives and organ donation wishes. Having a living will in place will take a substantial amount of pressure off of your loved ones if you are unable to make your own medical care decisions.

HIPPA Authorization: While combing through all of your healthcare directives, be sure to devote time to declaring a HIPPA authorization. The federal Health Insurance Affordability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) legislates privacy rules for medical records. A HIPPA authorization allows you to release your medical records to designated individuals. Most people give this authority to their spouse, children, and other close family members. This allows others to effectively communicate with healthcare providers about your condition if you are hospitalized.

Health Care Power of Attorney: In addition to an advanced care directive, a health care power of attorney will ensure that your medical care future is secured. This legally binding power of attorney will allow you to name a trusted individual to make health care decisions on your behalf if you are not able to do so yourself.

Financial Power of Attorney: Lastly, it is important to give a specified person the authority to direct your financial transactions if you are not able to do so. Depending on your state’s rules, you may need witnesses to sign this power of attorney to make it legally binding.

Considerations to Make in Light of COVID-19: With many states still in various

stages of closure, it can be challenging to procure the necessary witnesses and notarizations of signatures needed to legalize your estate planning documents. Be sure to talk with your estate planner about possible options for you to finalize these papers. Before the pandemic, there had already been 23 states that had passed legislation that enabled remote online notarization using two-way audiovisual communication. Because of the crisis, Arizona, Iowa, and Pennsylvania have also permitted online polarization. In addition, other states have passed legislation or issued executive orders that allows for remote witnessing.

Build exercise into your daily routine

There are lots of fun and simple ways to build exercise into your daily routine. Find ideas for activities to do with your family and ways to stay active in all four seasons.

Being physically active with your family is a great way to stay healthy and make exercise fun. Whether you play team sports with the entire family or take brisk walks with your spouse, child, or grandchild, you’ll be rewarded with improved health and time spent together.

Here are a few activity ideas for you to do with your grandchildren:

Infants and Toddlers
Take them for walks in the stroller and rides on your bike. Don’t forget your helmets.
Sign up for baby yoga or exercise classes.
Try baby-friendly swimming classes.
School-Aged Children
Walk to the park and push their swing.
Jump rope together.
Build a fort—indoors or out.
Play catch, kickball, basketball, or soccer.
Go swimming or biking together.
Play a video fitness game together and see who wins!
Teens and Young Adults
Participate in activities that interest them. Try hiking, skating, or tennis.
Go golfing or swimming. Invite them to join you in physical activities that require two people, such as tennis or ping pong.
Ask them to help you in the garden or with heavy-duty household chores.
Search for Move Your Way: Tips for Getting Active as a Family on YouTube for more tips on getting active with your family.

Be Physically Active Without Spending a Dime!
You don’t need to spend a fortune to be physically active. In fact, you can be active in many ways without spending any money. You don’t need special exercise equipment other than comfortable walking shoes. Here are a few ideas to help get you moving for free:

Make your own weights from household items such as soup cans or bottles of water.
Try out free demonstration exercises classes at your local senior center or fitness center.
Go for a hike in a park.
Participate in community-sponsored fun runs or walks.
Yard work such as raking, digging, and planting can keep you active.
Make sure to drink water or juice after exercise.
Share this infographic and help spread the word about how to get fit for free.

Being creative about your physical activity plans and trying new forms of exercise can keep you motivated by preventing boredom. A change in seasons is an excellent time to be creative about your exercise routine and try something new. There are many ways to be active throughout the year.

As the temperatures start to get warm, get your garden ready for spring and summer. The lifting and bending you do when gardening are great for strength and flexibility.
A bike ride is a great way to enjoy the warmer temperatures.
Anything can be fun with upbeat music, including spring cleaning!

Summer
Swim laps or take a water aerobics class. These are both refreshing once the weather gets steamy.
Walking in the mall is a cool way to beat the heat.
Now that the grandchildren are out of school for the summer, ask them to teach you their favorite sport or physical activity.

Help fight Medicare fraud

“I’m sure it’s safe to give my Medicare information to you!”

Stay alert for fraud during the coronavirus national emergency. Con artists like to take advantage of people when they’re distracted.

Con artists may try to get your Medicare Number or personal information so they can steal your identity and commit Medicare fraud. Medicare fraud results in higher health care costs and taxes for everyone.

Protect yourself from Medicare fraud. Guard your Medicare card like it’s a credit card. Remember:

Medicare will never contact you for your Medicare Number or other personal information unless you’ve given them permission in advance.
Medicare will never call you to sell you anything.
You may get calls from people promising you things if you give them a Medicare Number. Don’t do it.
Medicare will never visit you at your home.
Medicare can’t enroll you over the phone unless you called first.

Review your Medicare Summary Notices for errors and report anything suspicious to Medicare.

Compare the dates and services on your calendar with the statements you get from Medicare to make sure you got each service listed and that all the details are correct.
These include the “Medicare Summary Notice” (MSN) if you have Original Medicare , or similar statements from your plan if you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan. They list the services you got or prescriptions you filled.
Check your claims early—the sooner you see and report errors, the sooner you can help stop fraud. Log into MyMedicare.gov to view your Original Medicare claims as soon as they’re processed, or call us at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Check the receipts and statements you get from providers for mistakes.

If you think a charge is incorrect and you know the provider, you may want to call their office to ask about it. The person you speak to may help you better understand the services or supplies you got, or they may realize a billing error was made.

If you’ve contacted the provider and you suspect that Medicare is being charged for health care you didn’t get, or you don’t know the provider on the claim, find out how to report fraud.

Check regularly for Medicare billing fraud. Review your Medicare claims and Medicare Summary Notices for any services billed to your Medicare Number you don’t recognize.

Learn more about how to spot fraud.

Report anything suspicious to Medicare.
How to report Medicare fraud
Calling us at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
If you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan, call the Medicare Drug Integrity Contractor (MEDIC) at 1-877-7SAFERX (1-877-772-3379).

Have this information before you report fraud:

Your name and Medicare Number.
The provider’s name and any identifying information you may have.
The service or item you’re questioning and when it was supposedly given or delivered.
The payment amount approved and paid by Medicare.
The date on your Medicare Summary Notice or claim.

Being physically active can be one of the best things you can do

“On your mark, get set, go.”

by the National Institute of Health (NIH)

Deciding to become physically active can be one of the best things you can do for your health. Exercise and physical activity are not only great for your mental and physical health, but they can help keep you independent as you age. Now, let’s talk about getting started.

How Much Activity Do Older Adults Need?

According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (PDF, 14.5M) you should do at least 150 minutes (2 ½ hours) a week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, like brisk walking or fast dancing. Being active at least 3 days a week is best, but doing anything is better than doing nothing at all. You should also do muscle-strengthening activities, like lifting weights or doing sit-ups, at least 2 days a week. The Physical Activity Guidelines also recommend that as part of your weekly physical activity you combine multiple components of exercises. For example, try balance training as well as aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities. If you prefer vigorous-intensity aerobic activity (like running), aim for at least 75 minutes a week.

How Older Adults Can Get Started with Exercise

Exercise and physical activity are great for your mental and physical health and help keep you independent as you age. Here are a few things you may want to keep in mind when beginning to exercise.

Start Slowly When Beginning Exercise

The key to being successful and safe when beginning a physical activity routine is to build slowly from your current fitness level. Over-exercising can cause injury, which may lead to quitting. A steady rate of progress is the best approach.

To play it safe and reduce your risk of injury:

Begin your exercise program slowly with low-intensity exercises.

Warm up before exercising and cool down afterward.

Pay attention to your surroundings when exercising outdoors.

Drink water before, during, and after your workout session, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Play catch, kickball, basketball, or soccer.

Wear appropriate fitness clothes and shoes for your activity.

If you have specific health conditions, discuss your exercise and physical activity plan with your health care provider.

Download and fill out the Find Your Starting Point Activity Log to document your starting point. You’ll find space to track your normal activity levels for a few days—try and choose a few weekdays and one weekend day.

Don’t forget to test your current fitness level for all 4 types of exercise—endurance, balance, flexibility, and strength. You may be in shape for running, but if you’re not stretching, you’re not getting the maximum benefit from your exercise. Write down your results so you can track your progress as you continue to exercise.

Make notes about how these test exercises feel. If the exercises were hard, do what’s comfortable and slowly build up. If they were easy, you know your level of fitness is higher. You can be more ambitious and challenge yourself.

Once you start exercising, use the Monthly Progress Test to check in and see how you are improving, and celebrate your successes!

Aging without Injury

One in four older adults who are 65 years of age will live into their 90s. Although risk of injury increases as we age, aging without injury is possible. Older adults can take specific steps to help keep themselves and their loved ones safe from injury.

The month of May was designated as Older Americans Month to celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of older Americans in every community.

Age Safely

People age 65 and older are at higher risk for injury. Common injuries include:

Falls―the leading cause of injury and injury death among adults 65 years of age and older.

Motor vehicle crashes―the second leading cause of injury death for older adults.

Traumatic brain injury and concussion―commonly result from falls and motor vehicle crashes. Older adults age 75+ are at greatest risk.

Older women using stretch bands

Keep moving as you age.

Safety Tips for Older Adults

Every older adult can take steps to stay safe from injury and remain independent longer. Caregivers can help encourage these steps or assist in carrying them out:

Speak up and talk to your doctor about fall risk. Discuss whether you have fallen, worry about falling, or feel unsteady when standing or walking.

Keep moving and engage in activities that improve balance and strengthen legs (such as Tai Chi) that can help prevent falls.

Have an annual wellness and eye exam. Annual wellness visits are important to maintain health and to prevent future problems.

Have your medications checked by your doctor or pharmacist. Medicines may have side effects that cause sleepiness or dizziness which increase the risk of car crashes and falling.

Use the Medicines Risk Fact Sheetpdf icon to see if any of the medicines you or your loved ones currently take are creating greater risk for injury.

Check your home for safety. Most falls happen at home.

Use the Check for Safetypdf icon checklist to find and fix potential hazards in the home―both inside and out.

Create a personalized MyMobility Plan to help with the challenges that may come with age. Older adults who make a plan are more likely to take action to maintain their mobility and independence as they age.

Celebrate the older Americans in your life by sharing these tips and suggestions to stay injury-free, safe, mobile, and independent longer.

Staying hydrated

Drinking lots of water during hot days is very important.

by National Institute on Aging (NIA)

With summer here and temperatures rising, it is important to understand the health risks of excessive heat and recognize the signs of heat-related illness. Being hot for too long can be a problem. It can cause several illnesses, all grouped under the name hyperthermia.

These factors can increase your risk of hyperthermia:

Not drinking enough fluids.

Reduced sweating caused by medications such as diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers, and certain heart and blood pressure drugs.

High blood pressure or other health conditions that require changes in diet. People on salt-restricted diets may be at increased risk; however, salt pills should not be used without first consulting a doctor.

Use of multiple medications. It is important, however, to continue to take prescribed medication and discuss possible problems with a physician.

Age-related changes to the skin, such as poor blood circulation and inefficient sweat production.

Heart, lung, and kidney diseases, as well as any illness that causes general weakness or fever.

Being substantially overweight or underweight.

Lack of mobility and access to transportation.

Living in housing without air conditioning.

Overdressing, especially in synthetic materials.

Understanding how to respond to hot weather conditions can help lower your risk of hyperthermia. Learn more about hot weather safety for older adults on NIA’s webpage

Risk Tolerance Vs Risk Capacity: Knowing the Difference

Don’t be overly fearful because of the situation that exists today.

by Jayson Cohen American Legacy Solutions

The economy that we all wake up in each day under COVID-19 looks a lot different from the one that existed before the virus took hold in the United States and around the world. It has been a major point of reflection for people all around the world. Many are reviewing how they have ran their personal financial life up to this point and reconsidering some of the steps that they have taken. As such, one of the items that some have looked at is their risk tolerance versus their risk capacity. The two are different, and we want to explore why that is.

Risk Tolerance

The amount of risk that a trader is comfortable with taking on is a personal choice and something that each person has to decide on their own. People have different risk tolerance levels often based on factors such as their age, income, and goals. All of these factors can determine how much they want to put on the table because they are constantly doing mental calculations about how much they need that money and how much they seek to earn.

Getting the right risk tolerance level for an individual can help that person avoid some sleepless nights as they don’t have to stress staying up day and night worrying about their portfolio.

Risk Capacity

This is a bit different from risk tolerance in that it is the number that an investor has to put at stake in order to reach their financial goals. This number can certainly different from risk tolerance in a lot of ways. After all, one may not feel completely comfortable with how much money they have to put at risk in order to get to their goals, but that does not mean that the number is inaccurate.

The risk capacity number is determined by a time frame that someone has to actually reach their goals as well as what the exact number of dollars that someone needs to reach the goals that they do have. Knowing this number is important because an investor can take their risk capacity number and try to use it to make themselves feel more comfortable with their risk tolerance number. It is a psychological game that we all have to play with ourselves, but just knowing this number alone can be extremely helpful.

Getting The Balance Right

People fall either on the too conservative or too aggressive side of their risk tolerance. They can review those numbers and see which side of the ledger they happen to fall on. A lot of people need to tone down how much risk they are taking on and realize that they do not have to earn their entire retirement all at once. However, there are also some individuals who need to be told to pick it up a little.

Everyone has different goals and a different length of time to reach them. COVID-19 has put a lot of fear into the market, and many investors are getting too conservative in their approach at this time. This is the wrong move to make. The pandemic does not know when you are set to retire, and it does

not know what your objectives are. You have to review all of that information for yourself and make the wisest choices based on your current state in life and what your plans are going forward.

Consider the way that the world has changed, but understand that you should not be overly fearful because of the situation that exists today.