A recent letter to the editor of the Leelanau Enterprise from a SC member sang our praises, stating that she has been a member of SC since the early years, but recently was a beneficiary of this wonderful organization. The letter talked about some of the services we offer our members, and finally encouraged readers to find out more about us. We truly appreciated her kind words, and encourage others who have received our services to write to the editor. Your word of mouth is our best advertising tool!

	Alzheimer’s Support Group
	(935-6380) 1st Wednesday of each month at Tendercare (Suttons Bay) at 2:00PM.
	GT Area Parkinson's Support Group (922-4911) 4th Wednesday of each month at the TC Senior Center at 10:00AM.
	GT Bay Area Stroke Club (935-6380) 2nd Wed. of each month from 2:30-4:30.
	Information on Foot Care, Outdoor Home Chore, and Dining vouchers.
	Article on the Legal Mistakes Seniors Make

Call the Commission On Aging (256-8121) or click here for more info.

I want to report to you today that ShareCare is thriving. Anne and Deb are going strong, and daily making a huge difference in everyone’s lives, But, ShareCare wants to keep on improving. For that reason, we are launching a significant and ambitious Strategic Plan. Our primary goals are: Increasing the Visibility of ShareCare in the county, Improving our capacity for Fundraising, Increasing our Membership, and Expanding and Improving our Volunteer Opportunities. The Board is making the plans, but we need you to help us carry them out.

We need you to think about your talents and needs. Our driver-of-the-day program works wonderfully for our members, but we would like to expand our volunteer program a little further. Not only are we hoping to include many more at-large members on committees this year, we’re aiming to increase volunteer opportunities to better serve our members.

Are you someone who likes to entertain or plan events? We will have a place for you. Would you like to have an event at your home, but not want to plan it? Or, would you like to plan an event, but not have it at your home? Do you like building relationships? We need ambassadors. Do you like playing cards or cribbage or backgammon? We know some people you could visit or who could come visit you and do that. Are you a good salesperson? We need a speakers bureau. Do you like to write? We have a column to fill. Do you like to fix things? Do you enjoy working in the yard? We have handyman (and woman) jobs for you. Are you a retired nurse or social worker? You can help Anne do her rounds. Do you enjoy working in an office? We often need help for Deb.

Conversely, would you like a visit from a neighbor in ShareCare every so often? Would you like a small group to come to your home and play cards or Scrabble? Do you need help in your home moving furniture, cleaning out extra “stuff”, or doing small handyman jobs? Again, if you need neighborly help in any way, it is only a phone call away! With “Neighbors helping neighbors” as our motto, our goal is to have those who you visit (if you are a volunteer) to be in your immediate vicinity, and those who come to your home to help you will be people that you know. Keep in mind that if you help someone today, and they will be the first in line to help you tomorrow! It’s not as hard to ask for help if you have already given it yourself! And we are all going to need it sooner or later!

Finally, do you want to know you are making a real difference with your financial donations? Ninety percent of our budget is dedicated to paying two fantastic people who spend their entire days making all our lives easier. Anne has been named an official Leelanau County Treasure. Deb is constantly and patiently helping you and me, and we need to be able to pay them what they are worth. Also, we need to reinstate our weekend on-call nurses program for you, and we need to provide more preventative types of activities for our members by being on the cutting edge of the new technology that is coming out daily to improve in-home care. It takes money to do all of that, so we need your financial support. We want to keep you in your own home comfortably and safely for as long as possible, but we all need to Share and Care to do that!

We all need to have someone there in the pinch.....and as we get older we feel that pinch more and more! We, at ShareCare, are glad to be your support in a pinch!

Anne and Deb had the opportunity
to meet and tour the 9-1-1 center with Tom Skowronski, Director of Emergency Management..

Many people are reluctant to call 911, but it may be good for you to know that not EVERY response results in an ambulance trip to the hospital. Mr. Skowronski emphasized that calling 9-1-1 is always the best option in the event of an emergency (or suspected emergency), and that the emergency response team that arrives at your house will determine the proper course of action. To clarify this even further, he specifically said that it’s good to call when you’re not sure if you’re having an emergency—that’s what they are there for.

Dispatchers:
Since dispatchers are generally the first contact made during an emergency, they are considered a critical link between the public and Emergency Services. Leelanau County Dispatchers are highly trained in the latest technology, which allows them to offer the best possible service to the residents of our area. Keep in mind that the more information you can give the dispatcher, the easier it is for him/her to know how to respond to your needs.

The dispatcher will ask some basic questions which steps them through a series of programmed questions to determine the level of emergency you’re experiencing.

Handling Medical Emergencies:
Your answers to a few short questions from the dispatchers will determine the level of service that will be provided.
Dispatchers will ask you what the injury or illness is, if the person is conscious, and what their age is?
All dispatchers are Emergency Medical Dispatchers!  They will stay on the line with the caller and help while the caller is waiting for medical emergency help to arrive.
Dispatchers can give instructions to those administering CPR, treating minor injuries etc.

Helpful tips:
Post your address at the end of your driveway.
Have your address and phone number by the phone (fill out and post the enclosed card).
Have ready a list of current medications.
Remain calm!

For more info on the 9-1-1 system, contact Tom Skowronski at 231-256-8875.

The best way for me to advocate for you or coordinate your care if you’re coming home from the hospital, is to for me to communicate with your care providers (doctors, nurses, or discharge planners).

The easiest, and sometimes only, way to do that with your permission, is by means of a signed “Authorization for Release of Information” form. Signed forms are on file for most of our members, but if it happens to be missing from your chart, I will ask you to sign one and have it witnessed by a neighbor, spouse, or friend. Having it on file saves time when we unexpectedly need the form and it allows me to do a better job of helping you!

Also, please keep in mind that if you have questions about your health, medications, or any other care issues, I’m just a phone call away (231-386-0028). It’s what I do as the Care Coordinator for ShareCare and I am glad for the opportunity to work with you.
 

	Your Primary Care Provider. Call him/her for info.
	The Infectious Disease Clinic (935-5000), with a prescription and an appointment. Cost: $173. If you have Medicare Part D it is covered. If you have Medicare and a second carrier, check with the second carrier for requirements.
	The Rite Aid Pharmacies in TC (on Bayshore Dr. and at Chums Corners), with a prescription. Cost: around $220. Medicare Part D helps pay for the vaccine, but no other prescription plans do.

Once you’ve had the shingles vaccine, you must avoid contact with infants and people receiving chemotherapy for 14 days. Also, for more information go to The Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
 

Every month I receive an Email newsletter from the Medicare Rights Center, and with each newsletter I’m amazed by the amount of information they make available regarding Medicare. An article in the Jan-Feb ‘08 issue of The Medicare Counselor deals with “Getting the Most Out of Your Private Drug Plan”. I don’t pretend to be an expert on Medicare, but I want to pass on enough information about reducing the cost of your medications so that you can approach a Medicare expert for more guidance if you are having trouble in that area.

Ways to lower your prescription drug costs:
Check with your doctor to see if there are generic alternatives to brand name drugs.
If your assets and income are low, you may qualify for help paying for your Medicare drug coverage with a program called Extra Help*.
If you are taking a drug that requires a higher co-payment, but your doctor thinks it’s the best medicine for the job, as an exception, your drug plan may grant a lower co-pay.
Check with your doctor for samples. This offers a temporary solution, but it can’t hurt to ask.

*Extra Help is a federal program that may help pay for your monthly drug plan premium, deductibles and co-pays. To qualify, your monthly income must be less than $1,276 a month ($1,711 for a couple) and your assets are low. Extra Help also covers the “gap” in your drug plan. (Note: Extra Help income limits change in February or March.)

The article discusses how to apply for the Extra Help program and how to appeal a decision if you are denied. The Jan-Feb ‘08 issue also included information on vaccinations and eye care coverage. If you’d like a copy, please call the Office. —Deb (386-2273)
 

A ShareCare member shared with me a Letter to the Editor, written by Mr. Dick Kennedy and published by local newspapers. In case some of you don’t get the papers, I want to pass it on to you. —DJW

Mr. Kennedy wrote:
“Recently, two homes have exploded because of a propane gas leak. My own house developed a leak that we fortunately detected in time. This should be a major concern for the thousands of propane users in the area. The amazing thing is that there is such a thing as a propane gas leak detector.....but few people even know that such a life-saving product exists. Propane sellers know about them, but don't carry them. Home centers, hardware stores and insurance agents know little or nothing about them.  There is a huge potential risk here that most of the thousands of users don't appreciate. Maybe you can help make them more aware. I can't think
of a better public service.”

The member who shared the article with me wrote:
"We purchased a detector over the Internet at a cost of about $70, which is about the same cost as three or four smoke detectors. It protects against a devastating explosion which could destroy our house and all of its occupants. It protects us against two explosive gases (methane and propane) and one toxic gas (carbon monoxide). We found this product on the Internet at Family Safety Products: www.familysafetyproductsinc.com or 616-530-6540. Northern Fire and Safety in Traverse City offers expert advice, and will order a detector for you (947-6305).”

	LePore PR. When You Are Concerned: A Handbook for Families, Friends, and Caregivers Worried About the Safety of an Aging Driver. Albany NY: New York State Office for the Aging; 2000.
	Is it time to get off the road? Harvard Health Letter 2002; 27(8): p 1-3
	R. Sherer. Older drivers on the road: how can we insure their safety? Geriatric Times Website. www.geriatrictimes.com/g001204.html.Accessed January 24, 2007
	AARP Driver Safety. www.aarp.org/families/driver_safety
	National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/olddrive/booklet.html
	Automobile Association of America (AAA).www.seniordrivers.org/home
	Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists www.driver-ed.org
	The Alzheimer’s Association. www.alz.org

We have some of the articles in the office, and some can be found on the Internet, but please don’t hesitate to give us a call for help with this issue. —Anne Kelly

Are you having difficulty or pain when opening doors or turning on faucets?

Deb stumbled on to a product that might be just what you need. A company called Great Grips, has soft, nubby faucet and round door knob grips. They slide over your door knobs and faucets and make opening doors and turning water on and off a simple task. The grips are available in blue/red for cold/hot faucets and glow-in-the dark so you can see exit doors at night.

To order call 1-800-346-5662 or visit the Great Grips web site at www.greatgrips.com. If you need more information, but don’t have access to the Internet, give Deb a call (386-2273) and she’ll send it to you in the mail.

Note: Great grips sent a few samples, so if you’d like to give them a try, give Deb a call.

A newly-formed cancer support group will hold its meetings on the first Monday of every month from 5:15PM to 6:45PM, in rooms 148-149 at the Northport Public School (enter from the main lobby and follow the signs).

Anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer at any time in life is welcomed. The group is facilitated by Terry Gremel, R.N., M.S.N.. Terry has over 20 years of experience in Oncology and co-facilitated the Cancer Support Group at Munson Medical Center for 15 years. Please call Terry at 386-7715 for more information.
 

FIVE WISHES is a document that, once filled out and signed, directs how you wish to be treated in the face of a serious illness. It also lets you list who you wish to designate as your patient advocate. If you would like help filling out a FIVE WISHES document, you can call the Advance Care Planning Department at Munson: 231-935-6176. They will send you a copy of the Five Wishes Document if you don’t already have one. Also, Anne Kelly, RN is able to help if you have questions while filling out your FIVE WISHES.

	Do you prefer a male or female physician?
	Is s/he Board Certified?
	Is s/he a “Family Practice” or “Internal Medicine” specialist?
	Is s/he an M.D. or  a D.O.?
	Will s/he visit me if I’m admitted to Munson, or will I be seen by the Hospitalists?

The Physician’s Referral office told me that all the doctors in the area can see their own patients if admitted to Munson, but most choose not to (for time-savings I suspect).  Two who do follow their own are Dr. Mary Clifton, MD (internal medicine, Board Certified), and Dr. Carl Anders, MD (also internal medicine and Board Certified).  The Physician’s Referral service depends on the doctors in the area to submit information for listing, so their list is not comprehensive.