Issue 30
Feature
4.5 million older adults have a
past due medical bill . . .
Caregivers are particularly vulnerable

Tips to deal with medical debt:

Getting medical bills right
If you’re a Qualified Medicare Beneficiary, Medicaid pays for your Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. Doctors, suppliers, and other providers should not bill you for services and items covered by Medicare. If a provider asks you to pay, that bill may be against the law.

Dealing with a debt in collections
Unpaid medical bills are often sent to debt collection and reported to credit reporting companies. If you have a medical debt in collections, learn about your debt collection and credit reporting rights here.

Health insurance counselors can provide free help
Finding insurance coverage that is affordable and meets your needs can help protect you from medical debt moving forward. Health insurance counselors are free, unbiased, experts who can provide free local help.
To find a counselor, visit the State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP) locator at shiphelp.org.

Find more free resources for older adults at consumerfinance.gov/olderamericans.
Be Aware of
Voting Rights Petition Drives
 
No right is more important than the right to vote, yet the right to vote is constantly under attack by petition drives, legislative actions, and countless other efforts to limit access to available avenues to vote. Currently there are three petition drives circulating related to voting. It is imperative that if presented with a petition, we read carefully and stay informed of all the issues.

Do not sign any petition or cast your vote until you have educated yourself. Your right to vote is sacred and needs to be protected and exercised. LEARN MORE.
Scammers Target Donors Trying to Help Ukraine

If you want to help people suffering from the war in Ukraine, there are plenty of worthwhile causes and charities accepting donations. But experts warn that there are also plenty of Ukraine-related scams targeting consumers in fundraising, social media, cryptocurrency and even dating. Learn More
Events & Activities

Swing into Spring with Detroit Area Agency on Aging

A lot has been happening at DAAA as we "Swing into Spring" with education, information and support to caregivers and those who support caregivers. Please see the attached events and feel free to share with your networks. The 3-Part Blood Pressure Management Series is a partnership with the American Heart Association targeted for caregivers, and will end with a CPR training for caregivers (date TBD). The second event will educate attendees on the benefits of Hospice and dispel the myths. 

New from the Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Research Center
How to Prepare for Life’s Challenges As We Age

IN PERSON !!

April 26, 10 am - Noon
Complimentary lunch provided

Presented by Annalise Rahman-Filipiak, Ph.D.,
Assistant Professor
University of Michigan Dept of Psychiatry

University of Michigan Detroit Center
3663 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI

REGISTER by contacting Stephanie Nava at senava@med.umich.edu or 734-615-1755
CALM Conversations
Virtual Sessions

April 28, 1 - 2:30 pm

CALM Conversations is a series of facilitated discussions exploring topics related to change and loss throughout the caregiving journey. The program is designed for family caregivers of adults living with dementia. Recognizing the presence and impact of losses while developing ways to include grieving in well-being practice is integral to connection, healing and growth.

Virtual sessions meet quarterly. Register below and choose one or all sessions.
Universal Dementia Caregivers offers a wide range of dementia training, webinars, support groups, Lunch & Learns, self-care, and other comfortable and convenient ways to connect with people like you who are providing care. Visit their website to see the many ways Universal Dementia Caregivers can help.
Were You Defrauded?

Our SAFE program could help you get a refund

Successful Aging thru Financial Empowerment (SAFE) provides free financial coaching to older adults and caregivers to help them manage money securely and accurately. If you've been a victim of fraud or exploitation let SAFE help you try to recover your money.

Schedule an appointment with Program Director LaToya Hall by phone or computer now: l.hall@wayne.edu or 313-664-2608. Assistance is safe, confidential and free. Brochure

Download SAFE's Free Taking Control of Your Financial Health guides:
Booklets brought to you by our partner
Worried you might be vulnerable to financial exploitation?


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