Independence November 2018

AOASCC News & Notes

In the Community AOASCC is grateful for our many partners who work tirelessly on behalf of older adults, individuals with disabilities and caregivers in our community. At our Annual Meeting on October 24th, we recognized those that have gone above and beyond in this last year. Outstanding CHOICES Partner , Attorney Sheldon Toubman was recognized for his tireless work which has made a crucial difference in the area of health insurance for older adults in this state. Outstanding Service, Pastor Hector Luis Otero showed remarkable leadership in coordinating efforts in response to the devastation in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. Outstanding Stop Ageism Now Partner, Officer Maryhelen McCarthy of has distinguished herself in her activities on behalf of older adults who are victims of elder abuse both as a police officer in Newtown and as part of state-wide coalitions.  Outstanding Community Partner, Abner Oakes, chairman of the Hamden Veterans Commission received this award on behalf of the commission. Through their support of our RSVP Pen Pal Project 45 Veterans were engaged in writing to over 100 students at the Hamden Middle School. Outstanding Municipal Partner, The town of North Branford received this award for going above and beyond in service of older adults. The senior center staff's welcome has enabled us to expand our outreach, bringing information and resources to the community.   Read about what AOASCC has achieved this last year in our Annual Report .

Keynote Attorney Sheldon Toubman encouraged attenders with a message to not give up if the task is necessary and possible, even if it is difficult, encouraged those who attended.

As the holidays approach, keep your neighbors in mind. Did You Know? 17% of adults age 65 and older are isolated There is a 26% increased risk of early death due to subjective feeling of loneliness 46% of women age 75 and older live alone 25% of adults who know most or all of their neighbors are lonely in contrast to 64 percent of those who know none of them Forty-seven percent of those who had lost a spouse or partner in the past five years are lonely Feeling of loneliness can increase during the holiday season. Thirty-one percent of survey respondents indicated that they have felt lonely during the holiday season sometime during the past five year. AARP - Connect2Affect

Volunteering is a great way to fight loneliness - the United Way has many opportunities to make a difference during the holiday season.

CHOICES - Medicare Fraud Every day people who have Medicare are victims of Medicare fraud. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) defines fraud as “the intentional deception or misrepresentation that the individual knows to be false or does not believe to be true,” and that is made “knowing that the deception could result in some unauthorized benefit to himself or herself or some other person. Some common examples of suspected Medicare fraud or abuse are: Billing for services or supplies that were not provided Providing unsolicited supplies to beneficiaries Misrepresenting a diagnosis, a beneficiary’s identity, the service provided, or other facts to justify payment Prescribing or providing excessive or unnecessary tests and services Violating the participating provider agreement with Medicare by refusing to bill Medicare for covered services or items and billing the beneficiary instead Offering or receiving a kickback (bribe) in exchange for a beneficiary’s Medicare number SMP Mission Senior Medicare Patrols (SMPs) empower and assist Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to prevent, detect, and report health care fraud, errors, and abuse through outreach, counseling, and education. SMPs Conduct Outreach and Education, they give presentations to groups, exhibit at events, and work one-on-one with Medicare beneficiaries. SMPS are volunteers who assist Medicare beneficiaries protect their health, finances, and medical identity while saving precious Medicare dollars. SMPs also Receive Beneficiary Complaints. When Medicare beneficiaries, caregivers, and family members bring their complaints to the SMP, the SMP makes a determination about whether or not fraud, errors, or abuse is suspected. When fraud or abuse is suspected, they make referrals to the appropriate state and federal agencies for further investigation.

Please consider becoming an SMP volunteer. Contact Sharon Della Camera at sdellacamera@aoascc.org or through our main number 203-785-8533.

Caregiver Corner - Coping with Brain Injuries Head injury survivors may experience a range of neuro­psychological problems following a traumatic brain injury. Depending on the part of the brain affected and the severity of the injury, the result on any one individual can vary greatly. Personality changes, memory and judgement deficits, lack of impulse control, and poor concentration are all common. Behavioral changes can be stressful for families and caregivers, who must learn to adapt their communication techniques, and established relationships. Even a person who makes a “good” recovery may go through some personality changes. Family members must be careful to avoid always comparing the impaired person with the way he/she “used to be.” Personality changes are often an exaggeration of the person's pre-injury personality, in which personality traits become intensified. Some changes can be quite striking. It may be, for example, that the head injury survivor used to be easygoing, energetic, and thoughtful and now seems easily angered, self-absorbed, and unable to show enthusiasm for anything. Nonetheless, try not to criticize or make fun of the impaired person’s deficits. This is sure to make the person feel frustrated, angry, or embarrassed. After a head injury, a person may lack emotional responses such as smiling, laughing, crying, anger, or enthusiasm, or their responses may be inappropriate. Recognize that this is part of the injury. Try not to take it personally. Encourage the person to recognize your smile at a humorous situation (or tears if you are sad), and to take note of the proper response. There are several traits commonly associated with brain injuries that caregivers should be aware of: Emotional Lability; Self-Centered Attitude; Poor Concentration; Lack of Awareness of Deficits; Inappropriate Sexual Behavior.   Coping with behavior problems after a head injury requires identification and acknowledgment of the impaired individual’s deficits. A comprehensive neuropsychological assessment is recommended. This may help both the survivor and the family to better understand neurological and cognitive deficits. In some cases, it may be easier for the family caregiver to recognize personality changes than to resolve the problem behavior. Targeted strategies may be used to deal with specific behavioral issues. Finally, it is critical that family members seek and receive support (family, friends, support group, counselor) in dealing with their own emotional responses to caring for a head injured loved one. Information and resources about brain injuries can be found at  brain@headinjury.com .

AOASCC is Moving! Watch for details - AOASCC will move its office to North Haven early in 2019!

Need help finding support at home? Care Network Link is a wonderful resource to find trusted providers: Homemaking, Personal Care Assistance, Live-In Caregivers, Wheelchair Ramps, Fall Alert Systems, Hair Stylists that come to your home.  Sign up at CareNetworkLink.org . Membership is FREE and will earn you discounts from the providers you hire. Care Network Link credentials all the providers before allowing them on the network to make sure they are trustworthy businesses to have in your home.

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