Elder Care ABC

Finding a doctor who accepts Medicare or Medicaid is not hard to find but you need to call around and check who accepts it. Because of restrictions some doctors do not accept it anymore. It is crucial that you have a physician that will accept your insurance or it may cost you a lot of [...]

There are two main programs administered by the government that offer benefits to senior citizens – Medicare and Medicaid.  Medicare is available for all senior citizens age 65 or older.  Those under age 65 with certain disabilities may also be eligible for Medicare.  If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must have entered the [...]

by Mary Beth Sammons Always looking for “the meaning” of what life presents, I found a great book I would like to recommend to caregivers: Here If You Need Me: A True Story (Little, Brown and Company, 2007) by Kate Braestrup. The theme that I found most useful for caregivers is the idea of “the [...]

by Joy Loverde You better be nice to Fluffy and Fido.  Your aging parents’ pets may play more of an important role in their lives than you think. Besides, the natural bond between your parent and his or her pet can help ease your load as the family caregiver. Who else can give them this [...]

This week’s carnvial is taking a different turn as our listing that requests submissions got lost in cyberspace.  Instead of submissions, this week we are going to become a traveling carnival and visit some great eldercare blogs around the Internet. Next week, we hope you will join us with your eldercare blogs and if you [...]

by Joy Loverde Will there ever come a day when I read the blogs and articles about caring for aging parents when someone does not make the statement “parenting your parents?” And will there come a time when people stop making reference to the term “role reversal?” Who made this up? Who thought of this [...]

by Mary Jane Stern It has been reported there will be no COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) for 2010 and you would hope there would no increases in other areas of Medicare premiums for your healthcare.  But, in a press release from CMS, August 14, 2009, premiums for Part D will rise in 2010. What [...]

Before you embark on building a wheelchair ramp, it is advisable that you understand the requirement standards prescribed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). According to the ADA construction standards, a wheelchair ramp should not have a slope greater than one inch rise for every 12 inches of run. In other words, if the [...]