Submitted by Dana Klassen, Director of Marketing, St. John's Community Care

One exciting trend in home technology is its use in helping seniors live independently with greater safety, security and comfort. With the baby boom generation now entering their "golden years" and the average life expectancy in the US continuing to rise (in 1928 it was 58, now it is 78), the number of seniors in the country is greater than ever. However, today's seniors are often living with chronic health conditions that require constant care and attention. Despite that, most seniors want to be able to live independently in their homes as long as possible.

submitted by Dana Klassen, Director of Marketing, St.John's Community Care

Caregiving changes your life! It is either soul enhancing or soul smothering.  Yet Gail Sheehy, author of Passages in Caregiving, Turning Chaos into Confidence, suggests some universal "helps" that can offer refreshing new air during the hard pull of caregiving.

1) Have conversations with your siblings (community members) before a crisis emerges. 

2) Hold a family or community meeting and ask a neutral professional to chair it.          

3) Join a caregivers support group.          

4) Take regular exercise (sweat).

5) Give yourself at least one hour of rest and relaxation every day.

6) Give yourself longer breaks at least every six weeks (a respite or vacation).           

7) Do not fall into the trap of "playing God" by assuming responsibility for everything.

"From studies on caregivers over the last thirty years, the Rosalynn Carter Institute estimates that about a third of family caregivers decline in health and well- being and age prematurely. Another third adapt to the stresses with varying degrees of success. Many do learn new skills and become more empowered in all areas of their lives. And another third say their lives have been enriched by acting as family caregivers."  (Gail Sheehy)

by Dana Klassen, Director of Marketing, St. John's Community Care

The word is out! Adult Day Programs are good for the clients (or “Participants” as we refer to them) and families! 

Just in the last week, I’ve talked to several families squeezed in the middle of the “sandwich generation,” or struggling to care for a loved one while maintaining a job and a busy schedule.  Guess what I told them?  You can’t do it all!  These families are typical of others struggling to care for loved ones. There is so much guilt associated with not being able to “do it all” that people don’t reach out for help.  Even if you’re not the sandwich filling or working outside the home, you still can’t “do it all!”  

Submitted by Dana Klassen, Director of Marketing, St. John's Community Care

Unlike in the "old days," when families lived close to one another and get-togethers were weekly occurrences, Americans today often find the only time they can gather with loved ones is during the holidays. This year, make good use of your visit to review your aging parents' and loved ones' living status. Many holiday traditions tempt the five senses. These senses can also be used to evaluate the status of elderly family members.

By Dana Klassen, St. John's Community Care

There are many beautiful things about winter–the holidays, snow on the trees, and time with family. But along with the sweet comes the sour–cold weather. Take caution this winter and prepare for the cold with these tips:

    

By Dana Klassen, St. John's Community Care

(Excerpts from Straight Talk for Seniors from National Council on Aging)

Fact #1: The law protects your basic Medicare benefits-and it improves some benefits.

• More help with prescription costs.  In 2012 if you enter the coverage gap, you’ll pay only half of what your plan charges for brand-name drugs—a 50% discount, plus a small dispensing fee.  You’ll also get a 14% discount on any generic drugs while you’re in the coverage gap. (Note: By 2020 the coverage gap will be slowly phased out and completely eliminated.  Your out-of-pocket costs will be very low. )

• A free annual wellness visit and prevention plan including health screenings. 

• Better care when you get sick.  The law invests in testing new models of providing better care, better coordination, and more patient-centered services.  

by Kay Curtis, Answers on Aging Specialist

Former Illinois Cares Rx beneficiaries have had to struggle with the unrelenting summer heat and the loss of the state prescription drug plan.               
As you know, starting July 1, 2012, these individuals are now responsible for paying their plan premium and higher  co-pays for their prescriptions at the pharmacy.  Two options currently available to former Illinois Cares Rx members are as follows:
•    File a Low Income Subsidy Application (also known as Extra Help) to see if one may qualify for prescription help from the federal government;
•    Choose a different Medicare Part “D” plan: either a stand-alone plan or a Medicare Advantage plan. Although the summer enrollment ended August 31, 2012, the prescription drug plans for year 2013 will be eligible for viewing the first week of October.
I encourage everyone to schedule a time to review the plans and choose the right plan for your needs.  The fall enrollment period will be from October 15 to December 7 with the new plans becoming effective Jan 1, 2013.                             
For assistance in any way, including all the above options, please feel free to contact me at 344-7788 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

by Dana Klassen, Director of Marketing, St. John's Community Care

It’s tornado season so it’s important to consider preparing the person in your care for such an emergency.

There are many steps to take when setting up an emergency preparedness plan.

· Stay informed..  Caregivers and  seniors can tune into a local TV or radio station.
· Caregivers can also cooperate with the door to door registry that alerts people of danger. For
instance, a person would come to a seniors’ house to check on them after a tornado.

A caregiver can also help a senior citizen prepare a disaster survival kit. This kit can be stored in a bag, suitcase, box, or safe. The kit should include the following items:

by Gail Shaw, submitted by Dana Klassan, St. John's Community Care

Summer will soon be here and St. John’s Community Care is thinking about safety.  As I sit at my desk, I think about the many different ways the St. John’s Home Services Program has helped clients and their families over the years.  The client’s safety is very important to us and it is why many chose St. John’s to help maintain their independence. Seniors or those dealing with disabilities can face many different safety issues. Some issues may involve looking at ways to make a home easier to in which to maneuver (i.e. removing rugs or adding more lighting so one doesn’t trip, use of adaptive equipment in the bathroom or simply putting kitchen items at a height that is easier to reach). At other times, issues are more personal (i.e. using a personal emergency response system, a pill dispenser unit that reminds you to take your medication, or just having someone around when you want to bathe/shower).  Also, senior citizen scams are on the rise and it may bring individuals or families some peace of mind knowing that trained caregivers are in the home and watching out for the clients.  On several occasions, St. John’s caregivers have prevented someone trying to scam our clients out of money either through a phone call or by coming to the house to make false repairs on the roof.

By Patti Haddick, submitted by Dana Klassen, Marketing Director,  St. John's Community Care

Have you or your loved one been a member of the armed forces during a time of war?  Are you or your loved one now in need of assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, or grooming? If you can answer “yes” to both questions you may be eligible for the Veteran’s Aid & Attendance (A&A) Pension.

The A&A Pension is available to veterans and to their surviving spouses.  It can provide up to $1632 per month to a veteran, $1055 per month to a surviving spouse, or $1949 per month to a couple.  This money is used to pay for help in the home such as that provided by St. John’s Community Care’s Home Services.  St. John’s Home Services can assist with activities such as bathing, dressing, toileting, cooking, cleaning, and transportation to   appointments.  We can help someone stay in their own home and live independently with the assistance of our caregivers.

St. John’s can mail the VA Aid & Attendance application and accompanying information to you.  Just call us at 618-344-5008 or go to www.veteranaid.org to print out the forms using your home computer.  If you need assistance filling out the forms, call the local VA offices who will be happy to help you.

For more information,. go to www.veteranaid.org  or call:

· 618-233-8445 (Belleville)

· 618-465-3216 (Alton)

· 618-692-6200 ext. 4554 (Edwardsville)