
ShareCare's newsletter, the Connector, is published
every other month. Below are
articles from recent publications. If you'd like to read complete
newsletters,
click on the links below. (Note: You'll need Adobe Reader to
open the newsletters. Click here
for their web site--it's a free download.)
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Bravo! For Aid—A letter to the Editor
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! |
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If you don’t already receive The Commission on Aging’s monthly
newsletter, be sure to call them to have your name added to the mailing
list. Each issue provides important information for older adults living
in Leelanau County. For example, in this month’s newsletter they
provided the following information:
 | 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. |
Annual Meeting Address to the Membership —Betsy Wilson, SC President
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! |
9-1-1
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. |
Personal Expo—Simple as ABC
This interesting concept came from one of our members—it’s worth
passing on! Have your own personal Expo. It is as simple as ABC!
A. Pick
a day for your annual Expo. It can be your birthday, anniversary,
child’s birthday, or any day you will remember annually. The important
thing is to select a regular time.
B. Do
or arrange for the following:
 | Review your medications and allergies. Call or email any changes
to Anne Kelly at SC. It’s a valuable source of information in case
of accident or medical emergency. |
 | Update the list of medications and emergency information you
carry in your wallet. Put one in your glove compartment. Give one to
your family members or close friends who might be called to help in
emergencies until family arrives. |
 | Check your medicine cabinet and discard any outdated or
discontinued medications. |
 | Call for your yearly appointments: doctors, dentist, mammogram,
flu shot, etc. If your Expo day isn’t right for fall flu shots, mark
a reminder on your calendar for October. |
C.
Document what you’ve done.
You can also use this day for other important
things to review and perhaps change for piece of mind, which is part of
your physical well being.
 | Update your will to reflect changes in family or your wishes. Is
it still kept where your family thinks it is? |
 | Check beneficiaries on insurance and other important papers. |
 | Check your medical directive statement. Do you want to change
anything? |
 | Check the contents of your safety deposit box. A list of
important items (titles to cars, cemetery lot, titles to house
and/or cottages, insurance policies, etc.) in it would be good to
give to your beneficiaries, next of kin, etc. |
 | Check expiration dates on your driver license and passport. |
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Care Coordination, Anne Kelly, RN, BSN
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.
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Shingles Vaccine
Thank you to one of our members for sharing information on the
Shingles vaccine.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends the shingles vaccine for
anyone over the age of 60— even those who have already had shingles.
The vaccine may be obtained from:
 | 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.
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Medicare Rights Center
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)
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Important Safety Issue
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).” |
Resources for Older Drivers
Some of you may have parents or friends whose driving worries you. If
so, it would be helpful for you read an article we have in the office
from The Summer 2007 issue of the Nursing Spectrum and NurseWeek
Specialty Guide. In the article written by Patricia Russo-Meck, RN and
Arlen Orhon Jech, RN they give suggestions such as, planning activities
during daylight hours, not taking long trips, and finding alternate
types of transportation. Below are some references listed in the
article:
 | 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 |
Door Prize
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. |
Cancer Support Group
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.
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Why Can’t I Remember My Address?
Do you ever wonder if something you just did or said is a normal part
of ageing, or if it might be related to early stages dementia? Perhaps
you’ve already discussed this with your doctor, but you would like a
second, more in depth, opinion. There are two clinics in Traverse City
that deal with ageing issues, and while ShareCare does not endorse
either clinic, we can say that our members have had positive experiences
with both. Anne Kelly RN, BSN can guide you through the process of
finding help, but please note that both clinics require a referral from
your primary care provider. Do you ever wonder if something you just did
or said is a normal part of ageing, or if it might be related to early
stages dementia? Perhaps you’ve already discussed this with your doctor,
but you would like a second, more in depth, opinion. There are two
clinics in Traverse City that deal with ageing issues, and while
ShareCare does not endorse either clinic, we can say that our members
have had positive experiences with both. Anne Kelly RN, BSN can guide
you through the process of finding help, but please note that both
clinics require a referral from your primary care provider.
The Geriatric Assessment Clinic (106 S. Madison Street,
Traverse City) attempts to improve the quality of life for older adults
and keep them independent for as long as possible. They address the
following: The Geriatric Assessment Clinic (106 S. Madison Street,
Traverse City) attempts to improve the quality of life for older adults
and keep them independent for as long as possible. They address the
following: home safety and living; placement guidance, patient and caregiver education;
family/caregiver stress level; driving issues; prescription medication assistance;
competency; depression and mental health; dementia; falling; polypharmacy;
diet.
During your visit you will meet with health care professionals who
are trained in the special needs of older adults. The team includes: Medical Director (team leader, certified in gerontology); Certified Gerontology Nurse (conducts a home visit; assesses
self-care skills); Social Worker (psychosocial assessments); Pharmacist (completes a medication profile and reviews for
appropriateness). For more information call the Geriatric Assessment Clinic at
231-935-8127 or 231-935-6650.
The Memory and Movement Disorder Clinic (1213 W. Front
Street, Traverse City) provides an interdisciplinary team assessment for
anyone experiencing memory concerns, symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and
other movement disorders. The clinic offers the following: a comprehensive neurological assessment, with additional
testing, if indicated; assessment of caregiver knowledge and needs;
information and recommendations regarding community support
services; assistance with management of the dementia or movement disorder,
as indicated.
This clinic’s team includes the following professionals: Neurologist who performs a comprehensive neurological evaluation; R.N. who performs a nursing assessment and assesses activities
of daily living and self-care skills; Social Worker who assesses family support and financial needs;
performs a geriatric depression screening test, evaluates caregiver
stress. For more information call the Memory and Movement Disorder Clinic
231-935- 0386. |
Recognizing a Stroke
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify, and
unfortunately, the lack of awareness can spell disaster. A stroke victim
may suffer brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the
symptoms of a stroke. Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke
by asking three simple questions:
 | S Ask the individual to SMILE. |
 | T Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE. |
 | R Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS. |
 | T Ask him to STICK OUT HIS TONGUE. If' it's crooked
or pulls to one side, that's an indicator. |
If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call 9-1-1
immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
After discovering that a group of non-medical volunteers could
identify facial weakness, arm weakness and speech
problems, researchers urged the general public to learn to ask the
three questions. Widespread use of this test could result in prompt
diagnosis and treatment of the stroke and prevent brain damage.
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FIVE WISHES
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. |
Choosing a Physician
For those of you looking for a physician to replace
Dr. Stafford, here are some questions you may want to ask yourself and
the doctors’ offices you may be considering:
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Do you prefer a male or female physician? |
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Is s/he Board Certified? |
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Is s/he a “Family Practice” or “Internal
Medicine” specialist? |
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Is s/he an M.D. or
a D.O.? |
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Will s/he visit me if I’m admitted to Munson,
or will I be seen by the
Hospitalists? |
Does s/he participate in Medicare? If not, you will pay the bill before leaving the doctor’s
office and mail it into Medicare for partial reimbursement. Participation means that doctor accepts what Medicare is
willing to pay for that visit.
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. |

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