Options For Elder Care

Is mom a little forgetful or does she have Altzheimer's Disease?

She is a little forgetful but….

“My mom repeats the same story over and over again, but she never forgets to go to Sunday services.”
“Dad misplaces things all the time but is still walking a mile every day.”
This is frequently how adult children will express their concerns that their parent could have some type of memory issue when contacting my Geriatric Case Management firm for assistance. Families seem to readily acknowledge and respond appropriately to physical illnesses but frequently fail to respond to the signs of dementia. Busy primary care practitioners (PCP) fail to recognize the early signs of cognitive decline in their 15 minute office visit, particularly as many patients conceal symptoms or deny their existence.
More than a third of people over age 70 have some form of memory loss, according to a national study by a team of researchers at Duke University Medical Center, the University of Michigan, the University of Iowa, the University of Southern California and the RAND Corporation. The group performed the first population-based study to determine the number of people who have some form of cognitive impairment, with and without dementia. These findings illustrate that nearly every family will be faced with caring for a family member that has some type of memory impairment. As a case manager we need to assist families in improving the quality of life for this growing population.
Many people mistakenly use Dementia as a synonym for Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia is an umbrella-like term that can be described as any brain syndrome that causes multiple cognitive deficits, similar as saying when someone fever and you do not know the cause. We will concentrate on the dementia's most common in the elderly.
• Alzheimer’s Disease which accounts for 50-70% of all dementia cases
• Vascular Disease, which accounts for 15-20% of dementia cases and includes anything diagnosis that disrupts blood high to the brain
• Lewy Body Disease, which accounts for up to 20% of dementia cases

                                                   Family Warning Signs of Dementia
Families need to differentiate Normal Aging from Dementia. Changes in ordinary capability and attitude among the elderly are among the best warning signals that further cognitive screening should be performed. Below is a list of signs of dementia.
• increased difficulty carrying out ordinary daily activities – initiation of getting dressed or preparing a meal from scratch
• poor or declining cognitive function
• deterioration in hygiene - no longer showering or changing clothes on a routine basis
• inability to fulfill normal responsibilities – leaving unopened mail, paying bills
• health changes - weight loss, incontinence, appetite changes, bruises suggesting a fall
• increased isolation
• loss of ordinary interest in social contacts, activities or hobbies,
• attitude changes including abuse of alcohol or drugs, reporting depression, unusual argumentativeness or suspiciousness
                                                             Diagnosing Dementia
According to the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria assessment for dementia a patient must have:
Memory Loss – inability to learn new information or to recall previously learned information
And two or more of the following:
1. Aphasia: language disturbances
2. Apraxia: motor activity impairment although intact function
3. Agnosia: failure to recognize/identify items despite intact sensory functioning
4. Disturbances in Executive Functioning: planning, organizing, sequencing, initiation of tasks
5. Inability to function in a social or occupational setting

There are many psychological tests to measure cognitive function. I use a combination of three tests as a concrete justification of the presumed diagnosis based upon observation and family history.
1. MMSE: The Mini-Mental State Exam is the most commonly used test for complaints of memory problems or when a diagnosis of dementia is being considered. It also serves as a base line for further testing. The MMSE test includes simple questions and problems in a number of areas: the time and place of the test, repeating lists of words, calculations such as spelling WORLD backwards, language use and comprehension, and basic motor skills. It is the standard test used to measure cognition. The MMSE is primarily used to determine if an older person has dementia of varying nature. I have found this test is not as accurate in assessment of the initial stages of dementia for people with a high intellectual ability.
2. CLOCK TEST: The clock test is given to pick up on memory issues that are frequently missed with the MMSE. I personally find it a more reliable instrument as it can pick up executive function abnormalities. Executive cognitive dysfunction can precede the memory disturbances of dementia. People with executive cognitive dysfunction can have a normal Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score but still have severe functional limitations. The clock test is a moderately sensitive and specific adjunct for detecting executive cognitive dysfunction. Such disturbances result in difficulties with instrumental activities of daily living (e.g., bathing, dressing, cooking, shopping, driving and taking medications). They produce dissociation between volition and action; for example, patients do not lose their ability to dress but, rather, are unable to initiate these tasks or choose weather-appropriate clothes.
Executive function involves the ability to think abstractly, and to plan, initiate, sequence, monitor and stop complex behavior. People with executive dysfunction have difficulty with managing the household finances, taking their medications with reminders, cooking a meal, and performing their ADL’s independently. Detection is critical to the client’s safety and ability to remain living independently.
3. THE TRAIL MAKING TEST: The trail making test (TMT) is a short and convenient estimate of cognitive functions, principally attention and working memory. There are a part A to the test and a part B. I usually just administer the Part B in either oral or written form. The patient is asked to complete draw a line alternation between serial sequences of letters and numbers. The TMT is thought to require executive control, specifically, flexibility of thinking and greater demand for working memory.

Cognitive testing seems to provide concrete evidence to families that the person does indeed have the cognitive issues they were identifying as concerning. If the family desires further cognitive testing, I recommend a neuropsychological evaluation.

                                                               Treatment
Once the dementia is identified I work with the family to determine the best plan of care for the client.
1. Assure that medical issues such as thyroid disorders, B12 deficiency, uncontrolled hypertension, depression, are not contributing to the dementia by assuring testing has been done by the PCP to rule out these underlying medical/psychological concerns.
2. Create a supportive environment:
• Conduct a home safety evaluation that looks at environmental factors that could put the person with cognitive impairment at risk, such as poor lighting, uneven surfaces, hand rails on steps, grab rails in bathrooms, removal of dangerous/poisonous substances, heating and electrical.
• Development of a medication distribution system that will assure proper adherence to prescribed medications.
• The kitchen can be a potentially dangerous place for someone who is not able to recognize the danger of a sharp knife or a gas stove left on. Remove sharp instruments and if needed, remove the knobs to a gas oven.
• Create an environment with routine and structure as this assists in orientation and the feeling that they are safe and secure.
• Ensure that helpful information is accessible to the client. A large white board with a calendar of daily/weekly events can help reassure the person. Posting of emergency numbers or setting the phone to pre-dialed numbers is also helpful.
• Physical activity is important as it helps prevent disruptive behavior or agitation.
• Avoid excessive stimulation but not to the point of isolation. Continued mental activity including hobbies and current events should be encouraged.
3. Help with managing finances:
This is the time for the Durable POA to assume responsibility for managing the person with dementias finances. Direct debits, direct deposits of income and on-line checking helps the job of the POA not be overwhelming. The POA may want to have the mail forwarded to their address to avoid the mail getting lost or misplaced in the home of the person with dementia. It is recommended to keep a detailed record of all financial transactions completed when acting as the POA and to share this information with another family member to avoid any potential problems with family members or the person with dementia may feel people are stealing from them.
4. Outside Help:
Most persons with dementia will resist in home help as they do not have the insight into their disability. I recommend starting with a slow introduction of a medically supervised caretaker into the home that a registered nurse has developed a plan of care for the caretaker to follow. Never hire someone directly without direct supervision for a client with dementia. If the caretaker was a good match, they will develop a relationship so that the person with dementia looks forward to the visits and assistance. The caretaker can assist with personal needs, light housework, meal preparation, laundry, providing meaningful activities, taking the person out, assuring the client takes their medication as scheduled; all dependent on the individual needs of the client. Health Insurance does not cover the cost for in-home care so if the client is low income, there are entitlement programs that may pay for their services.
5. Security:
The person with dementia could wonder outside and forget to close the door, may have problems finding their way home, or lock themselves out and become confused and afraid.
• Medical Alert Bracelets can be inscribed with the diagnosis of dementia and have a number to call for emergencies
• Good to have a space set of keys at the neighbors
• Advise the local police that the person has dementia and if there is a sutable window or door which can be opened from the outside
• There are alerts which can be purchased to alarm when a door or window is being opened
• Although persons with dementia frequently cannot utilize a cell phone, it is a good device to track the wear location of a person using the Google map tool or other method.
• The alarms that require pushing a button on a necklace or arm bracelet are of little help with a person with dementia as the person does not remember how to use it.
6. Medications:
Treatment with both a cholinesterase inhibitor such as Aricept and a NMDA receptor antagonist, Namanda, has shown promising results in slowing down the loss of performance of activities of daily living.
Antipsychotics such as haloperidol, and resperidone can be used to control severe agitation in the advanced stages of dementia.
Current research is being conducted on many other dietary supplements with promising results as a memory enhancer such as adding omega 3 fatty acids and Vit B supplements.

                                                  Planning for the Future
Because dementia is usually progressive it is essential to plan for the future. Decisions determining when it is time to move out of the home to a more supportive environment needs to be made by a professional who has expertise in dementia care. This decision depends on many factors such as severity of the disease, behavioral issues, finances, home environment, family availability, and presence of other physical or psychological disorders impacting on the dementia. The final stages of dementia are one of the most difficult to manage in a home environment, especially with associated behavioral issues.
When the home is no longer a safe place for the patient with dementia or care cannot be managed effectively the next step would be to look for an assisted living that specializes in the care of those with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or dementia. The dementia specific units are equip to handle all the physical, environmental, behavioral and psychological issues associated with end stages of dementia using primarily behavioral measures vs. only medication management seen in other settings.
End of Life Issues need to be addressed early on when a diagnosis of Alzheimers disease or dementia is determined. Families need to determine a long range plan including how they will manage the final stages of the disease. Treatment needs to be geared towards maintaining comfort rather than prolonging life. Hospice should be consulted early on to assist in the management of this life limiting illness to provide support to the family and assure the final stages of this disease are managed with dignity for the client and family.

Barbara (Bobbi) Kolonay RN BSN MS CCM
Geriatric Care Manager
CEO Options For Elder Care
Pittsburgh PA
P: 412-443-1365
F: 724-443-6051
Web: www.optionsforeldercare.com
Professional Management of the Geriatric Client in Western PA

STEADY RISE IN NURSING HOME AND ASSISTED LIVING RATES CONTINUES IN 2010 ACCORDING TO ANNUAL METLIFE MARKET SURVEY

Nursing home and assisted living rates rose significantly from 2009 to 2010, according to the Market Survey of Long-Term Care Costs. Private room nursing home rates rose 4.6% to $229 per day or $83,585 per year, while assisted living rose 5.2% on average to $3,293 per month, or $39,516 per year. These increases come on top of increases from 2008 to 2009 when both nursing home and assisted living costs were up 3.3%.

Costs for home health aides and adult day services were unchanged in the past year. Home health aide costs remain at an average price of $21 per hour, while adult day services costs are still $67 per day.

The market survey, which includes state and major area details, can be downloaded via: www.MatureMarketInstitute.com.

Health Care Reform Needed for Older Adults on Medicare in 2010

Both the House and Senate passed far-reaching health care reform bills last year, but the election of Massachusetts Republican senator Scott Brown this week makes it more difficult—but not impossible—to pass final legislation that reconciles the differences between the House and Senate bills. There are a number of procedural options for passing a health reform bill that has the support of a majority in both the House and the Senate and that President Obama would sign. What should not be an option is giving up on health care reform.
Older adults and people with disabilities in particular will lose if the Medicare improvements in health reform are not implemented.
People with Medicare now face a gap, or “doughnut hole,” in their drug coverage, when their benefits stop and they must pay the full price for their drugs in addition to the premiums for drug coverage. In 2010, people must spend nearly $4,000 out of pocket to get out of the gap; most never get out and many split pills or stop taking their medicine instead. If we give up on health reform, that coverage gap will grow to more than $7,000 by 2019. Senate leaders and President Obama have promised that the final bill will include a phase-out of the coverage gap by 2019, which is already part of the House health reform bill.
Medicare provides coverage for the treatment of illness and injury, but it falls short in providing affordable coverage of preventive care. Both the House and Senate bills eliminate deductibles and coinsurance for preventive benefits, and the Senate bill would provide 100 percent coverage for an annual health assessment.
One in five people with Medicare who are discharged from the hospital are readmitted within 30 days. Preventable readmissions cost Medicare $12 billion every year. Both the House and Senate bills provide incentives to hospitals to improve care after discharge and for specialists and primary care doctors to improve the coordination of care.
People with Medicare aren’t the biggest losers if Congress gives up on health reform. Over 20,000 people in the U.S. die each year because they lack health insurance, according to the Urban Institute. There are now 50 million people with no health insurance in our country. If we give up on health reform, that number will grow to 54 million in ten years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Both the House and Senate bills would cover more than 90 percent of U.S. residents.
People who can’t get health benefits through their jobs, or who lose their insurance when they lose their jobs, can now be denied coverage if they have a pre-existing condition. Both the House and Senate bills would make this practice illegal. If we give up on health reform, insurance companies will be able to continue to deny coverage to the people who need it most—those with illnesses needing treatment.
These are the essential elements of health reform: covering the uninsured, prohibiting unfair insurance company practices and improving Medicare. We can’t give up now. We have too much to lose.

Medications to Avoid in the Elderly

Forty-eight medications or classes of medications to avoid in adults age 65 or older have been identified by a national expert panel charged with updating widely used criteria for potentially harmful medications in older adults.

Estrogen in older women and the popular over-the-counter antihistamine, Benadryl, were among those on the list to avoid in the update of the 1997 Beers Criteria, published in the Dec. 8 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents such as Motrin® and Advil®, or ibuprofen, made a second list of medications to avoid in older adults with certain medical conditions; nonsteroidals and aspirin, known to increase the risk of bleeding, were listed as potentially inappropriate for people with gastric or duodenal ulcers. Researchers also added to this list of conditions that increase patients' risk for adverse drug events; additions included cognitive impairment, depression, Parkinson's disease, anorexia, malnutrition and obesity.
Another reason for these increased adverse events is how drugs affect people may change as they age. "As we age, we have more subcutaneous fat, less lean body mass, less total body water; all those things conspire together to lead to increased drug toxicity and overdose," Dr. Fick said.

"The issue that you worry about in older people is changes in the pharmacokinetics of the drugs; how the body actually uses the drug, what the body does to the drug," said Dr. William E. Wade, University of Georgia pharmacist and associate department head for the Department of Clinical and Administrative Pharmacy in the College of Pharmacy. "Renal function changes, which can affect how drugs are cleared from the body. The metabolism can slow down. Often the half-life, or how long the drug stays in the body, changes because of that," said Dr. Wade, a study co-author. That means drugs that were well tolerated for years, may cause problems as people age.

"The single most common problem that I see in my practice comes from the benzodiazepine group of tranquilizers (such as the anti-anxiety medications, Valium and Xanax)," said Dr. Tom W. Jackson, MCG geriatrician and a member of the expert panel that updated the Beers Criteria. "These drugs tend to calm people down and relax them but they also dis-inhibit them. The effects are much like alcohol," said Dr. Jackson, who is on the American Geriatrics Society Board of Directors. "Folks who are on these medications are also much more likely to fall … they are actually four times more likely to fall and break their hip than people who are not on these medications." Dr. Jackson opted to participate in the panel because of the enormous problems he sees in seniors with drugs and drug interactions.

Part of the reason the Beers Criteria was needed was, despite the growing number of people reaching senior status, there are not enough practitioners, such as Dr. Jackson, who specialize in geriatrics and are knowledgeable about the problems, Dr. Fick said. Also, many drug studies do not include older adults and only recently did the body of published work exploring drug use and appropriateness in those adults begin to grow. "There was not enough evidence out there that we could pull and analyze," she said. So Dr. Fick used methodology similar to that used by Dr. Mark H. Beers, editor-in-chief of the "Merck Manual for Geriatrics" and a co-author on the update, to develop the first set of criteria.

She put together a geographically diverse panel of 12 experts, including pharmacists, geriatricians and geriatric psychiatrists, who were familiar with the latest medical literature on the topic and brought their own experience with patients and drugs to the review as well.

The criteria will require continual updating because health care is changing daily, with new medicines, new findings about old medicines and disease, old medicines being discontinued and more, she said.

Some of those discontinued medicines made the list of 15 medications or medication

Beers Criteria:

http://seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Eldercare/5-01-06BeersCriteria03-Tb1.htm

Hiring In Home Caregivers for Older Adults in Pittsburgh

When your parents start having difficulty with every day tasks, most families feel the solution is to bring in someone to assist in caring for your parent in the home. This may not always be the best course of action as there are numerous medical, environmental, psychosocial and financial issues that have to be considered to assure in-home care is the best option. Options For Elder Care has the expertise to complete this evaluation to assure the best long term decision is made www.optionsforeldercare.com.

A qualified caregiver overseen by a RN who has the clinical knowledge to establishing a professional plan of care and offer direction to the caretaker would be in the best interest of the older adult.

CARETAKER QUALIFICATIONS:

You will see several terms utilized to describe In Home care providers and you may see the job descriptions overlap. Caretakers of all types do not have the education to function independently without over-site by a qualified professional.

1. Certified Nursing Aides (CNA): Have medical training and must pass an exam to get certified. CNA's can check vital signs, care for wounds, transfer techniques, and help with activities of daily living (ADL's) like bathing and dressing. CNA's typically received training under a registered nurse. When working in the home most are agreeable to assisting with household tasks and meal preparation.

2. Home Health Aides: May have some formal training provided by aemployer or can be "self taught" with experience. Typically Home Health Aides can assist with ADL's but did not receive formal training on medical issues. They can also assist with household chores and meal preparation.

3. Personal Care Attendants/Companions: Usually will not provide direct patient care but rather companionship. They can assist with cooking, cleaning, and shopping.

OPTIONS IN CARETAKER FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS:

• Hiring a Caregiver directly: Hiring a home care aide through word of mouth or through the classified is usually the least expensive option and the one families think will solve all their problems.  This arrangement can creates legal liabilities for the family which becomes the employer. For instance, you can be held liable for any injury that happens on the job including medical and disability. If you choose to hire them as a contractor you will need to file a 1099 on any wages you pay over $600. You will need to conduct a background check, check prior employment history, complete drug testing, and most importantly, arrangements of this nature may not be the long term solution you are looking for. If you treat them as an employee you will be responsible for paying taxes and benefits such as Social Security and Medicare, income tax withholding, and unemployment tax.This industry has a high turnover rate and there is not a back up should this person leave unexpectedly or become ill. There are always bad apples who will take advantage of vulnerable clients - so make sure you do not unwittingly hire one! It is a good idea to make sure the individual you are hiring is a CNA so you know a registered nurse has trained the person in the basics of care. With that said, hiring someone on your own can be a good idea if you have the time to be the employer, medical education to over see the caretaker, and strong endorsement from someone you know who has used their service.
• Agency Caretakers: The rate an agency charges for staff tends to be higher but agencies will pay for the FICA taxes, cover worker's compensation insurance and screen potential employees backgrounds. You want to make sure the agency bonds and insures their caretakers and that their caretakers have received training on CPR and first aid skills. Most agencies have a large number of caretakers so you may be able to "try out" a few to find a good match. Additionally, the agency should offer you a guarantee of a substitute caregiver if your primary one is sick or on vacation. A quality agency will have a RN who follows up on the care plan, oversees and offers advice to the caregiver.

SETTING CLEAR EXPECTATIONS:

Caretakers are employees, do not try to make them your friends - keep it professional. If your employee thinks of herself as your pal, she may likely take liberties of a friend, not an employee of vulnerable adults.

Set clear expectations as to what she should be doing every moment she is working for you.

• Use a notebook all can write in regarding the care provided for a client
• Have a RN develop a plan of care and assure there is a method for the caretaker to record that she is following the plan of care.
• Should the caretaker bring their own lunch, should they remain 100% awake when working the night shift, run errands, shop, clean, cook?
• What personal care should they provide and using what methods.

As RN Geriatric Care Manager the most common call I receive is from adult children who have concerns about their parent's safety and are looking for in home care to solve this concern. The adult children want to know how much care their parents need and how they can get their parent to accept it. Most of these calls are precipitated following a crisis such as a fall or hospitalization.

In most instances, a parent will not acknowledge they need nor accept the idea of a "stranger in their home." Adult children frequently try to convince their parents they need in home care, resulting in a frustrating experience. In many cases Geriatric Care managers must mediate between the older adults desire to remain independent and their adult children concern for their safety. Through my 35 years of experience I have learned how to work with older adults in ways that respect their need to feel in control of their lives along with helping them recognize that accepting help actually allows them to maintain independence.

To find out more about  how Options For Elder Care can assist you with the in home care of your parent please refer to our web site: www.OptionsForElderCare.com  or          Phone: 412-443-1365

One in Three People Over 70 Have Memory Impairment

Duke University Medical Center

 

 

    
                                                                         

New study illustrates that nearly every family will be faced with the challenges of caring for a family member with some form of memory impairment.

______________________

 

 

More than a third of people over age 70 have some form of memory loss, according to a national study by a team of researchers at Duke University Medical Center, the University of Michigan, the University of Iowa, the University of Southern California and the RAND Corporation. The group performed the first population-based study to determine the number of people who have some form of cognitive impairment, with and without dementia.

 

While an estimated 3.4 million Americans have dementia, defined as a loss of the ability to function independently, the researchers estimate that another 5.4 million over age 70 have memory loss that disrupts their regular routine but is not severe enough to affect their ability to complete the activities of daily living (ADLs).

 

"These findings illustrate that nearly every family will be faced with the challenges of caring for a family member with some form of memory impairment," said Brenda Plassman, Ph.D., associate research professor of psychiatry at Duke and the study's lead author. "Among the people aged 71-79, a sizeable number had cognitive impairment. This is an age at which most people expect to have many productive years ahead."

 

The frequency of memory loss without dementia increased with advancing age and with fewer years of education—similar to the trends seen in dementia.

 

Plassman explained that throughout the course of the study, individuals with cognitive impairment without dementia progressed to dementia at a rate of about 12 percent per year. On average, the mortality rate for the study group was 8 percent annually, but varied across the subtypes of cognitive impairment without dementia. Said Plassman, “While the overall rate of progression to dementia is in line with findings from other studies, the surprising finding here is that some subtypes of cognitive impairment without dementia progressed to dementia at much higher rates, around 20 percent, within one year."

 

Chronic Illnesses Named as Cause

 

Nearly a quarter of those with memory loss without dementia also had a chronic medical condition, such as diabetes or heart disease, that appeared to be the cause of the cognitive impairment. The researchers speculate that this group is one of the most underdiagnosed subtypes of cognitive impairment because doctors are likely focusing on the primary health issue.

 

"Given how common cognitive impairment without dementia is, physicians should be alert to this problem as they evaluate and treat the patient for other medical problems," said Robert B. Wallace, M.D., the study's senior author from the University of Iowa. "This may have significant ramifications because it means that patients may not be able to accurately portray their symptoms and may not retain important information about their treatment."

 

The data, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, is from the Aging, Demographics and Memory Study, which is part of the larger Health and Retirement Study conducted by the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research and funded by the National Institute on Aging.

 

"As the population ages and works longer, understanding the extent of cognitive impairment in the older population is critically important," notes Richard Suzman, Ph.D., director of the NIA's Behavioral and Social Research Program. "Research is now beginning to suggest that interventions—such as controlling hypertension and diabetes or perhaps cognitive training—might help maintain or improve mental abilities with age. As such interventions are tested and widely applied, we should be able to track their impact through this type of research."

 

"With such a sizable number of Americans with some form of cognitive impairment, many of whom will get dementia, it's imperative to increase research funding that could lead to breakthroughs in Alzheimer's diagnosis, prevention and treatment," said William Thies, Ph.D., vice president of Medical and Scientific Relations for the Alzheimer's Association.

 

Co-authors on the study include Kenneth M. Langa, Gwenith C. Fisher, Steven C. Heeringa, David R. Weir, Mary Beth Ofstedal, James R. Burke, Michael D. Hurd, Guy C. Potter, Willard L. Rodgers, David C. Steffens, John McArdle and Robert J. Willis.

Pittsburgh Registered Nurse Geriatric Care Manager Offers Advice on Older Adults and Driving

Pittsburgh Registered Nurse Geriatric Care Manager Offers Advice on Older Adults and Driving

By Barbara (Bobbi) Kolonay RN, BSN, MS, CCM

Elder drivers are more likely to get into multiple vehicle accidents than younger drivers and suffer more serious injuries. As we age, our ability to drive safely can be limited by many factors, including visual decline, loss of hearing, mental functioning, limited mobility, and medication side effects.  Frequently family members recognize the older adults limitations before they do and it is important that the adult children and family members carefully monitor the situation and driving limitations. The below information should help you determine whether you should take steps to encourage the senior to stop driving.

Risk Factors

1. Visual Decline: Vision declines with age, which includes one’s ability to focus on objects, shift focus quickly, focus on fine detail, reduced peripheral vision, and decreased depth perception, all necessary to drive safely. You will frequently hear older adults complain of poor night vision and sensitivity to glare, as a result of their eyes loosing the ability to process light.
2. Hearing Loss: Over one-half of older adults over the age of 65 have some type of hearing impairment and this increases with age. Loss of hearing happens gradually and the older person may not realize they are not hearing well. Older adults that are hearing impaired can be inattentive to their surroundings, and are not hearing important cues when they are driving. The first sign of hearing loss is one’s ability to higher pitched sounds, such as a horn, a car turn signal and emergency siren.
3. Limited Mobility: Numerous diseases including but not limited to arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes and heart disease can affect ones ability to drive safely. One needs to be able to grip a steering wheel, move ones feet from the gas to the break, and look completely over your shoulder. A full range of motion is critical on the road. Additionally, most older adults drive sedans that are the most difficult to get in and out of and control on the road. 
4. Medications: Certain medications, as well as combinations of medications, can increase driving risk. Analgesics (pain relievers), antihistamines, antiarrhythmics (irregular heart beat), and antihypertensive drugs all have the potential to affect driving ability. The main factors in collisions involving older drivers are slow response, not seeing a sign, car, or pedestrian, and interaction with other drivers. Medications can make a driver more susceptible to any of these factors - and those over age 65 take an average of nine medications daily, including prescription, over-the-counter and herbal.
5. Mental Functioning: By the age of 85 close to 50% of older adults have some type of dementia. Those with dementia are 5 times as likely to be in a accident than their noncognitive impaired aged-matched individuals. Dementia can be defined as “an acquired persistent impairment of intellectual function with compromise in at least three of the following spheres of mental activity: language, memory, visual-spatial skills, emotion or personality and cognition. Impairments in the above areas may cause delayed reaction to sudden or confusing situations on the road or in dealing with complex, confusing intersections.                                           Memory can be divided into short-term and long-term. Decreased mental functioning is initially seen in the short-term memory. Older adults call upon their long term memory to recall such skills as how to start a car, driving a familiar route from point A to point B, and where the stop signs are along the route. On the other hand, you call upon your short-term memory while driving in unfamiliar territory, confronting a detour, or finding your car in a parking lot. This requires holding on to short-term information, which can be difficult in the early stages of dementia.     Visual-spatial skills include a component of memory as well as depth perception; the ability to judge distance and speed, the ability to stay in ones lane, along with the concept of sense of direction. Cognitive impaired individuals also are at particular risk for accidents while making left turns across traffic, a maneuver that requires one to quickly process large amounts of rapidly changing spatial information. Those with early stage dementia lack insight to realize they are driving poorly.  It is these individuals who need to stop driving that have the least personal awareness that they are incapable drivers.

                                                                              

Warning Signs Of Unsafe Driving

• Unexplained dents, dings and scratches on the car. These can be a sign of more serious accidents waiting to happen
• Car paint on mailboxes, sides of garage door, curbs, etc.
• Failing to use turn signals or keeping the signal on without turning
• Abruptly changing lanes, breaking or acceleration
• Trouble reading signs or navigating directions
• Range-of- motion issues – looking over the shoulder, holding on to the steering wheel, moving the feet or hands
• Increased nervousness with driving, fear while driving, or feeling of exhaustion after driving
• Other drivers honking; oblivious to the frustration of other drivers, not understanding why they are honking
• Reluctance of other to be in the car with the senior driver
• Getting lost more often
• Slow reaction to changes in the driving environment

Steps To Take If You Are Concerned About The Safety Of A Senior Driver

Most older drivers when intelligently engaged on the issue will lessen, self-monitor or stop driving when it is time to do so--but some may require more persuasion than others. It is important to keep in mind that resistance has a positive side. It indicates that an older driver is determined to be self-reliant, and wishes to demonstrate their ability to run their own lives. In few instances, however, an older driver will refuse to stop or alter driving practices even when they are becoming dangerous. Below is a list of recommendations to consider when dealing with a reluctant individual:

• Improve existing skills by taking a refresher course offered by AARP or their insurance company
• Go to the state Department of Transportation (DOT) for testing
• Appeal to an authority figure such as the older adults family physician
• Get an independent evaluation from a healthcare provider. Most rehabilitation facilities have occupational therapists that conduct driving testing for those believed to be impaired. You will need a physician order for this testing.
• Focus on the money they will save by using public transportation, car-pooling, or taxi services. You want to look at the cost of gas, insurance, car payments and repairs when calculating the cost of a car.
• Explore ways to reduce driving, such as making purchases through catalogues or on-line. There are many services available now that offer home delivery of groceries also.
• There are numerous alternative transportation systems for older adults through your local area on aging. Some may offer reduced taxi service, reduced van services, and free public transportation.
• Offer rides and find others who can offer rides. Ask family members to commit to one day a week to drive their parents/relative.
• If family isn’t available, consider hiring outside caretakers to drive your loved one to places like the doctors office, grocery store, or mall. Chances are if they are having problems with driving, they may also be having problems navigating the confusion of these areas and these individuals can help.
• In the worst-case scenario, take away the keys, disable the car, or remove the car from the premises. 

Most adults view their car as a powerful source of independence and mobility that they do not want to loose. But as we age changes can take place that make this source of independence potentially dangerous for the older adult and those on the road. It is important to recognize those factors that limit an older adults ability to drive safely and minimize them before an accident occurs. Family members and friends may be the first to be aware of these limitations, so it is important to listen to them voice concern for the older adults safety and assist with finding alternatives to maintain that sense of independence.

Barbara Kolonay RN, BSN, MHRM, CCM is the owner of Options For Elder Care, a Geriatric Care Management firm that assists families in managing the entire spectrum of care for their aging relative. For more information visit her web site: www.OptionsForElderCare.com

40% LOWER PRICES FOR MEDICARE PART D FOR 2008. WILL THE PITTSBURGH INSURNACE CARRIERS (BLUE CROSS AND UPMC) PASS THIS SAVINGS ON TO THEIR CLIENT'S????

Medicare Expects to Recover $4 Billion from Part D Plans Following 2006 Plan Reconciliation

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced today that the agency will collect $4 billion from Part D drug plan sponsors due to lower-than-expected drug costs in 2006, the first year of the Medicare drug program. This collection results from the payment reconciliation that CMS has completed for 2006, including the application of risk sharing created under the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA).

For the 2006 contracting year, Medicare will be collecting funds from plans due to the fact that actual drug costs for almost all Part D plans were below expected levels in their 2006 bids. A number of factors led to this lower spending, including the fact that 2006 marked the first time that plans were bidding on the new Part D program and the fact

there are higher levels of generic drug utilization in Part D than anticipated. Plans submitted their bids for the 2006 contracting year in June 2005. At the time, there was limited information available with respect to the costs associated with beneficiary utilization in the new prescription drug benefit or the number of beneficiaries who would enroll. The 2006 bids, despite being developed based on the plans' best expectations and having been extensively reviewed by the CMS Office of the Actuary, were nevertheless somewhat uncertain predictions of what would actually happen when the drug benefit began in 2006.

Part D payments to plans are designed to be adjusted for the actual experience of the Part D program. Under the MMA, CMS is required to pay the plan sponsors prospectively based on their bids, and can only complete a final reconciliation of accounts after the end of the calendar year. Final payment reconciliation involves several different activities. For example, monthly subsidies paid by Medicare for low-income beneficiaries and for individuals who incur catastrophic spending are paid on a prospective basis based on estimates in each plan's bid. After the end of the contracting year, when all the claims data are available, the prospective payments are compared to actual incurred costs and other related data, and appropriate adjustments are made to the plan payments. In addition, monthly premium subsidy payments to the plans are adjusted at the end of the year to reflect updated data about beneficiary health status and enrollment.

By statute, risk sharing limits the unanticipated losses or unexpected gains by Part D plans. For the first two years of the Part D program, if a plan's drug spending is 2.5 percent or more higher than projected, Medicare makes additional payments to cover a portion of the unanticipated costs. If drug spending is 2.5 percent or more below the levels projected in a Part D plan's bid, Medicare recoups a portion of the unanticipated cost savings. These risk corridors, which apply during the first two years of the Part D program, reflect the intent to not only mitigate plan risk through additional reinsurance, but also to assure that during the initial years of starting the new benefit, taxpayers would share more fully in any unanticipated savings.

Plans can appeal the final reconciliation calculation by contacting Strategic Health Solutions (SHS) by October 22, 2007. SHS will perform follow-up analysis of any disputed matters; the final decision on reconciliation issues will be made by CMS.

CMS expects that, as plans have further experience with the Part D program, their bid submissions will in future years will more accurately anticipate their actual costs to provide prescription drug coverage. In fact, the 2007 bid submissions were significantly lower than those submitted in 2006 and were a reflection of the actual 2006 Part D drug program experience. Accordingly, CMS anticipates that amounts collected from or paid to plans in future years as a result of final reconciliation and risk sharing will be significantly lower than the reconciliation for the 2006 plan year.

Beneficiaries in the Part D program continue to enjoy excellent value and consumer choice, due in large part to strong competitive bidding by plans. As previously reported, the actual average premium paid by beneficiaries for standard Part D coverage in 2008 is expected to be nearly 40 percent lower than originally projected when the benefit was established in 2003. Further, the program is 30 percent less expensive overall for the first 10 years than originally estimated.

CMS recently launched the 2008 national enrollment campaign. Working with State health insurance assistance programs (SHIPs) and other partners, this year's campaign is targeted toward beneficiaries with limited means who are eligible for additional assistance. The 2006 plan reconciliation, the 2008 enrollment campaign, and all other parts of the agency's efforts related to Part D are focused on fine-tuning the program to assure that it continues to deliver high value and lower costs to seniors and taxpayers.

Choosing a Medicare Insurance Program

My first stop in the older adult Continuum of Care is Health Insurance; probably the first and one of the most important decisions you will make when become eligible for Medicare at age 65.

                                                              Medicare Part A

Most people do not pay a monthly Part A premium because they or a spouse has 40 or more quarters in which they paid Medicare taxes while working.  Medicare part A covers inpatient care in hospitals,  skilled nursing facility, home health and hospice care

                                                              Medicare Part B

Most people pay a standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B. However, some people may pay a higher premium based upon their modified adjusted income. Most elect to have this premium taken directly from their social security check. For most items and services covered under Part B, you must also pay a COPAY, COINSURANCE, and a DEDUCTIBLE. Part B covers those services not covered under Part A such as outpatient services, doctor services, emergency room services, and office visits.

                                                           Medigap Policy

Medigap policies are designed to "fill in the gap" to pay for COPAY, COINSURANCE, and the DEDUCTIBLE and with some policies, services not covered by Part A & B. Medigap policies typically do NOT cover prescription drugs. The positive implication of purchasing a medigap plan is you have total freedom of choice, you can receive care anywhere you want as long as the provider accepts Medicare. You also do not have a "Managed Care Agency" monitoring your usage of coverage from hospital length of stay, to durable medical equipment. The most common medigap policy in Pittsburgh is offered by Western PA BC/BS. You do not need to purchase a medigap policy if you have a Medicare Advantage Plan. RECOMMENDATIONS: I believe the negative of extremely high cost for the medigap policy, less coverage for Skilled Care, along with with the need to purchase a part D supplement far out-weights the benefit of freedom of choice in the Pittsburgh area where we have excellent Medicare Advantage Networks with two large providers.

                                               Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C)

Medicare Advantage Plans are private insurance companies approved by Medicare to provide this coverage. When you join one of these, you are still in Medicare. Medicare Advantage Plans provide all the coverage of Part A & Part B and generally offer extra benefits that may include Part D drug coverage. These plans have networks, which means you need to see doctors in the plan and go to hospitals in the network for care. In many cases, the cost for these plans can be lower than the original Medicare Part B premium. Recommendations: Make sure you live in a service area of the plan you join and that the plan has a large established network. You can't go wrong if you live in Allegheny County and choose one of the two largest providers in Pittsburgh - UPMC Health Plan (UPMC for Life)or Highmark (Security Blue HMO or Freedom Blue PPO)...more about these plans below:

HMO -  Health Maintenance Organization - a type of health plan where you you can only go to doctors and hospitals in the plans network to receive coverage, with the exception of an emergency. If you choose the UPMC for Life coverage you can only receive care with UPMC providers or facilities. (you cannot receive care in the West Penn/Allegheny Health System) Security Blue's Network also includes the West Penn/Allegheny Health System along with UPMC facilities.

PPO -Preferred Provider Organizations - with this type of plan you have the choice of using hospitals and providers in the network or can choose to go outside of the network for additional costs. freedom Blue is an example of this type of PPO in Pittsburgh.

Final words: I have worked for both major and some minor providers of health care in Pittsburgh. As a previous insider, my recommendation is the Medicare Advantage plans. If a decision regarding care is ever made that you disagree with, you have the ability to appeal this decision immediately in most cases.

If you need assistance in determining the best Medicare plan to meet your individual needs, Options For Elder Care would be glad to assist. 412-443-1365 web:  www.optionsforeldercare.com or e-mail: info@optionsforeldercare.com

Lets tackle Medicare Part D next time!

my Best,

Bobbi

The Vision of a Geriatric Care Manager

I am a runner. That is how I solve my day to day problems. I find the solution for everything when I am on my five mile run at North Park.

After dropping my nine year old off at school I head for Panera's for my morning coffee. There is always a group to welcome me as I enter. The first hello is usually from John who had bypass surgery a few years back and is caring for his mother who is residing in a personal care home. Teddy is having problems with his right knee and will probably need a another knee replacement. There are other's, one caring for a wife with MS, another who's wife was just diagnosed with breast cancer. They all appreciate the advise of a RN Geriatric Care Manager.

After getting my caffeine boost, I am ready for my run and stretching in the parking lot by the boy scout house. There are the "regulars" like Bob and his wife who have been dealing with managing the care of their aging mother on their own for almost a year and Mark who is 90 with rheumatoid arthritis, but still walks 3 miles 5 times a week. As I make the five mile loop, I am stopped several times by the "regulars" for advice on medical or elder care concerns. I am not only assisting them with their concerns but solving my problems in this hour of running. After my run when I am cooling down in the parking lot there is  poor Paul. He  has a tiny dog, Buddy, who appears to have a very enlarged liver and extreme difficulty breathing. Paul and Buddy  are "regulars" to North Park. Buddy hangs out in the car until Paul is done running. Paul and I discuss Buddy regarding aggressive therapy vs palliative therapy. Buddy is in the geriatrics of his life and Paul comes to the decision he will do anything to make Buddy comfortable, but does not want to inflict any treatment that would cause pain or suffering. He also decides that he will not keep Buddy alive for his own personal need to have a companion, but try to make all decisions with what would be best for Buddy. We part on those words.

As I drive home I see a vision of Geriatric Care Management across the Continuum, but I wonder where does it start and when does it end? Let me think about this on my next run.

Until next time, my best,

Bobbi