Independence

July 2022

Spotlight on Volunteers

Hello all, meet Meta who turned 100 years old on April 27^th and IS still counting…

Meta was born in Yonkers, NY in 1922. Wow, doesn’t she look great in this picture taken on her birthday? Meta and Joe had 5 children and she ran a tight ship of in the home. Her children state that Meta’s sense of humor seems to grow each year. She is full of life and laughter every day and she loves to tell stories of long ago which causes belly laughter. Meta is said to have been a great cook, a seamstress and a great poetry writer back in her younger years.

Meta has been enjoying the friendship of a volunteer through AOASCC’S Senior Companion Program for five years.   Meta loves being outside, so she goes on walks with Jane, who has been a Senior Companion volunteer for over 10 years. Meta’s family sent a shout out to Jane for her integrity (when nobody is looking) which causes priceless joy. It is reported that Jane treats Meta with powerful love and attentiveness from the heart and she is a golden part of the family now. Great job Jane!  

Well, Meta you are the oldest member of the SCP family, and we salute you on your 100^th birthday. May your days be grand as you share laughter each day with our volunteer and your family.

Did You Know?

• As advancements in technology and medical research have skyrocketed, so have life expectancy figures in the U.S. Life expectancy rose from around 53 in 1921 to just over 78 years in 2021.
• Between 1980 and 2019, the centenarian population experienced a larger percentage increase than did the total population. There were 100,322 persons age 100 and older in 2019—more than triple the 1980 figure of 32,194.
• Japan has 4.8 centenarians per 10,000, Italy 4.1 and the U.S. has 2.2 centenarians per 10,000 people.
• Research indicates that longevity is a mix of genetics and healthy lifestyle. Studies also found that an ability to handle stress well was a common trait among centenarians.

Caregiver Corner - Caregiver Traits

There are more than 65 million people in the United States who are family care givers. The value of the care they provide is incalculable: financial value and contribution to the quality of life. Where would we be without family caregivers?

I am often asked why in every family one person becomes the family caregiver. Ask a care recipient who their caregiver is and there’s usually just one person named, although often, there’s an afterthought saying something like “they all help the best they can”.

What I have observed over the years is that there are specific traits in almost all long-term caregivers. They may have wildly different personalities and relationships with their loved ones but there is a constellation of traits that are always present.

• The long-term caregiver has to have the capacity to be patient. They may not be patient with themselves or with others, but they recognize the need to be patient with the person they’re caring for.
• They need to feel compassion for the person they care for. They need to truly be able to imagine what it feels like to need a caregiver and that intimate understanding bolsters them in tough times when caregiving gets rough.
• They have to be attentive to details. They often become the eyes and ears of the person they care for and the entire extended family.
• They need to be trustworthy. Whether it’s trust handling finances or trust sharing confidences or trust that embarrassing stories won’t be widely shared. The care recipient needs to know they can trust them with their life.
• Lastly, they have to be dependable. The care recipient needs to know that no matter what happens, their caregiver will be there when they need them.

If you possess these traits, you may be selected to become someone’s caregiver.

CHOICES - Heat and Older Adults

Older people can have a tough time dealing with heat and humidity. The temperature inside or outside does not have to reach 100°F to put them at risk for a heat-related illness.

If the temperature or humidity is going up or an air pollution alert is in effect, you are at increased risk for a heat-related illness. Play it safe by checking the weather report before going outside.

To keep heat-related illnesses from becoming a dangerous heat stroke, remember to:

• Get out of the sun and into a cool place—air-conditioning is best.
• Drink fluids, but avoid alcohol and caffeine. Water and fruit or vegetable juices are good choices.
• Shower, bathe, or sponge off with cool water.
• Lie down and rest in a cool place.
• Visit your doctor or go to an emergency room if you don’t cool down quickly.

Symptoms to watch for in hot weather:

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Chest Pain
• Rapid Heartbeat
• Breathing Complications
•  Fainting

If your home doesn’t have air conditioning and fans aren’t helping you keep cool, call the CHOICES program and ask for information about cooling centers. In each town locations have been established where older adults can go spend time and cool down until the temperature drops.

You can reach CHOICES at 800-994-9422

CHOICES provides unbiased support to Medicare beneficiaries and their families so they can make informed decisions about their care and benefits .CHOICES is a CT program, administered in CT, by the State Unit on Aging, It is part of the larger, national SHIP (State Health Insurance Programs). Each area Agency on Aging in CT hosts the CHOICES program.

Prevent, detect, and report DME fraud, errors or abuse

Click here for examples of DME fraud and abuse.

Remember that Medicare should not cover DME unless your doctor has certified that you need it. Be aware of aggressive marketing that tries to offer you free equipment or persuade you to change DME suppliers. Be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true, and do not give any personal information to someone who calls offering DME that you did not ask for. If you see any suspicious charges on your MSNs or EOBs, call your provider to see if they have made a billing error. If you still suspect a health care provider of DME fraud, contact your local CT Senior Medicare Patrol through the state-wide CHOICES number 800-994-9422.