Frequently Asked Questions

In our work with Jewish seniors and those that care for them, we often hear the same types of questions. In this Frequently Asked Questions section, we have compiled the questions and answers for you to browse. If you don’t see your question here, please submit it to us via email or the form on this page. Of course, you can also call us. We will be happy to answer your question via email or have a lengthier conversation by phone.

Please click on a question to scroll down to the answer.

Questions

• My Aunt's brother died recently. She is not interested in grief counseling. He was the primary source of socialization for my aunt. How could she find socialization at this point?
• My family would like to donate a gently used rolling walker. Do you know of an organization that could use it?
• Is there a website to look up what questions to ask a medical professional?
• What is the difference between Medicaid and Medicare?
• Can Medicare help me evaluate the different Medicare Part D Stand-Alone Prescription Drug Plans which takes into account my medications and doses?
• When can I change my Medicare health plan in 2007?
• I want to sign up for a stand alone Prescription Part D Plan. Do I need to wait for the November 15th enrollment date?
• My parents have been ordering their prescriptions drugs online from a company in Canada. Now with Medicare Part D will they be better off buying them in America?
• Is there an interactive Web tool that can help with choosing a Medicare Part D Plan?
• My uncle is looking for affordable senior housing. Where do I start?
• How do I know when it’s time to start thinking about an assisted living facility for my parents?
• My Mother lives with me. I need to go away on a two week business trip. My mother is ok alone during the day. She needs someone to prepare her meals and take care of household chores. I am not comfortable leaving her alone at night. What are my options?
• My 92 year old great aunt is under the medical care of a number of doctors. She has several appointments a week. She receives a huge amount of mail from Medicare and United Health Care (her Medigap insurance). Sometimes they say this is not a bill and other times she needs to pay a fee. She also has some bills that say the services are not covered under Medicare. Who can help us sort out all the mail?
• My parents are elderly but in relatively good health. I have been helping them with errands, shopping and transportation. They pay privately for someone to do cleaning and laundry for them. My husband and I are planning on retiring this year and would like to spend one or two month a year in a warmer climate. I need help making arrangements for my parents when we are away. I would also like to talk to someone about making longer term plans for them. Who should I call?
• My mother isn’t ready to move, but needs more help. How should I proceed?
• My husband’s Alzheimer’s is too much for me to manage on my own. Where can I get help?
• I have been caring for my 90-year old mother for the past 2 years while running my own home and managing a highly stressful job. Often I feel overwhelmed and totally tired? Any advice for me in balancing it all?
• My parents currently live in an assisted living and they are planning to travel with us to a grandchildren's wedding out of state. We want to find help for my parents while traveling.
• My mother lives in another part of the country and I want to find out what low income resources are available to my parent?
• I am in need of going back to work part-time. As a 60 year old women, I do not feel confident with my resume writing skills and would want help finding a job in a convenient location for me to drive to.
• My 85 year old uncle is living solely off his Social Security check. He is just about able to pay his living expenses. What types of programs are available to him?

Q: My Aunt's brother died recently. She is not interested in grief counseling. He was the primary source of socialization for my aunt. How could she find socialization at this point?

Many community organizations or agencies will provide volunteer companions/friendly visitor programs which may be able to offer her some socialization at the elder's home on a weekly basis.  A companion usually visits weekly for an 1 hour or so. Some will accompany the senior on a walk, play cards, or discuss current events. These programs can be accessed by calling your Area Agency on Aging, Senior Center or Jewish Family & Children's Service.

Q: My family would like to donate a gently used rolling walker. Do you know of an organization that could use it?

There is certainly a need for used medical equipment but it usually an issue of finding an organization with sufficient storage and staff to organize the donated items.  MassMatch Demonstration and Device Loan Program may be able to take a small device. In Boston, they can be reached at 866 682-9955.  The other option is to call a local nursing home, hospice or senior center.

Q: Is there a website to look up what questions to ask a medical professional?

The National Caregivers Association www.nfcacares.org offers good resources and information.  In reference to your question, click here to read the "Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Providers".

Q: What is the difference between Medicaid and Medicare?

Medicare is a Federal health insurance program for people 65 years or older and some disabled people under 65 years of age. Medicare was enacted into law in 1965 as part of the Social Security Act and became effective July 1, 1966. The program was the first large Federal health insurance program enacted by the US government. It was part of Lyndon B. Johnson’s Great Society Program.  Visit  http://www.medicare.gov/ for more information.

The Medicaid Program was created in 1965 by Congress. Medicaid is administered by state Medicaid agencies within broad parameters established by federal regulations. Medicaid is a health care program designed to help particular groups of low income individuals with few financial resources. The federal government helps fund each state's Medicaid program. Medicaid is a needs based program. Applicants must prove that their income and financial resources are below certain defined levels in order to qualify for benefits.  Visit  http://www.cms.hhs.gov/home/medicaid.asp for more information.

Q: Can Medicare help me evaluate the different Medicare Part D Stand-Alone Prescription Drug Plans which takes into account my medications and doses?

Yes, You can get personalized help by calling Medicare at 800 633-4227. Follow the instructions to speak to a customer service representative who will help you get your personalized information. You will need to have your list of current medications, doses and the date of your enrollment into Medicare. The enrollment date will be found on your Medicare card. The representative will send you a list of plans and the annual charges, taking into account the donute hole costs.  This service does not evalute the cost differences between Medicare Advantage Plans that offer Prescription Coverage.

Q: When can I change my Medicare health plan in 2007?

    Between January 1 and March 31, the Open Enrollment Period, you can make one change in your Medicare health plan.  People with Medicare can join a Medicare Advantage Plan (such as a Medicare HMO, Medicare PPO, or Medicare PFFS) or switch between plans.  Your new coverage starts the first of the month after you make your selection.  You cannot add nor drop Medicare drug coverage (Part D) during this time. After March 31, your next chance to make a change will be . . .
November 15 through December 31, the Annual Coordinated Election Period.  Your new coverage will start January 1, 2008.  During this period you can change your choice of health coverage, and add, drop or change Medicare drug coverage.  (You can make as many changes as you need during this period, but only your last coverage choice will take effect January 1.  However, to avoid enrollment problems, it is best to make as few changes as possible).
If you are in Prescription Advantage, the state program that helps with the costs of Part D plans, you have one additional chance in 2007 to change prescription drug plans.  If you are on MassHealth, you can change drug plans every month. 
If you are just becoming eligible for Medicare, or if you lose your current health insurance, special rules apply.
If you need help on any aspect of your health insurance, SHINE offers free counseling at your Senior Center.  Call your local COA and ask for a SHINE appointment.  You can reach a SHINE volunteer by phone at 1-800-AGE-INFO.  Once you get the SHINE answering machine, leave your name and number.  A volunteer will call you back, as soon as possible.  Please be patient.  Due to the large volume of calls, you may not hear from us for several days.  SHINE (Serving the Health Information Needs of Elders) is coordinated by the Mass. Executive

Q: I want to sign up for a stand alone Prescription Part D Plan. Do I need to wait for the November 15th enrollment date?

If you are low income and meet the criteria for extra help, then you can apply for Medicare Part D at any time.  The Extra Help program is called “Limited Income Subsidy”.  Income must be less than $15,324 year and resources must be less than $11,710.  If you do not meet the criteria for the LIT than yes you will need to enroll between November 15th through December 31st.
 
If you have Medicare and are also receiving Medicaid (including prescription drug coverage), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or a Medicare Savings Program (QMB, SLMB or QI), you do not need to apply for the extra help - you have already been enrolled.

You can apply for the extra help from Medicare:

* Click here to apply online, or go to: http://www.ssa.gov/i1020apply; or
* Call SSA at (800) 772-1213 to order a paper application.

If you need help completing the application for extra help, call SSA toll-free at 1-800-772-1213. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call SSA's toll-free TTY number at 1-800-325-0778.

Applying for the Extra Help available through the Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage is an important first step. However, in order to get this drug coverage through Medicare, you will also need to join one of the Medicare Prescription Drug Plans available in your area. To compare and/or enroll in a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan available in your area, click here, or go to: http://www.medicare.gov/MPDPF.
For further information about this program:

To apply for the Extra Help, please contact:
Social Security Administration (SSA)
Phone: (800) 772-1213
Web site: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp

To join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, please contact:
Medicare
Phone: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048
Web site: http://www.medicare.gov

Please be prepared to have the following materials available:
(Click on the links below to view examples.)
•  Proof of Income and Resources
•  Documents Showing Medicare Eligibility

Q: My parents have been ordering their prescriptions drugs online from a company in Canada. Now with Medicare Part D will they be better off buying them in America?

This is a difficult question to answer because it specifically depends on what medications your parents are currently taking.  It is best to go to http://www.medicare.gov/ the Official U.S. Government site for People with Medicare and use the tool that they have to tell you the cost of your prescription based on which Medicare Part D plan they take.  Though some medications may be less expensive in Canada you cannot depend on mail order prescriptions if you need a medication right away (antibiotics, eye drops, etc).  It is also important to note that if one does not sign up for a Medicare Plan Part D between November 15, 2005 and May 15, 2006 (and they have no drug coverage) and at a later date they want to join a Part D plan then they will have to pay a higher monthly premium of an additional 1% a month for each month not covered.

Q: Is there an interactive Web tool that can help with choosing a Medicare Part D Plan?

For people who have access to the internet, Medicare has a “drug plan finder” that can help you make an enrollment choice. Go to www.medicare.gov, and click on “Compare Medicare Prescription Drug Plans.” Then click “Find a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.” You will then be able to make a “personalized” search for plans. You will need to enter the 9 digit Medicare Claim Number from your Medicare card, your last name, date of birth, and zip code. You will be asked if you currently have any form of prescription drug coverage, like MassHealth, or a Medigap plan, and if you received a letter from Medicare saying you qualify for financial help.

You will then be asked to choose which kind of Medicare drug plan you are interested in. This could be a stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP), or a Medicare Advantage Plan, which covers both health care and drugs. If you choose a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, and you live, for example, in the Boston area, you will get a list of 45 drug plans to review. They range from the cheapest, the Humana PDP Standard plan, with a monthly premium of $7.32, to the Aetna Medicare Rx Premier plan at $65.58 per month. The cheaper plans usually have a $250 deductible, and offer no “gap coverage”, which refers to the “donut hole” where you pay 100% of the cost of your prescriptions. The “gap” starts after $2,250 in drug costs, and continues for the next $2,850 in drug costs. In the Boston area search, 3 plans were found that provided coverage for generic drugs in the gap, and only one that covered brand name and generics. Plans with no deductible and gap coverage will cost the most.

Before using this Medicare plan finder, you should first price the monthly cost of the drugs you now take as if you had no insurance at all. Most drug stores will give you prices over the phone. If you have very high drug bills, it may make sense for you to consider “gap coverage.” Anyone with drug costs over $190 a month is going to fall into the donut hole area. The Medicare Finder lets you check to see if your drugs are covered by the plan, and what “tier” they fall under. There are 3 tiers, with 3 being the most expensive. What tier your drug will fall into varies from plan to plan. A plan that has your drugs in Tier 2 instead of Tier 3, will save you copayments at the drug store. You can even check which drug stores in your area are participating in each plan.

Once you have used this new Medicare online tool, call 1-800-Age-Info, press “2” and ask to speak with a SHINE counselor. Discuss with the counselor what kind of plan you think you want, and get their advice before enrolling in this complex new insurance. (Answer provided by Bay Path Elder Service Q & A on www.baypath.org , as ASAP in Framingham, Massachusetts from February 2006.)

 

Q: My uncle is looking for affordable senior housing. Where do I start?

There are public and private subsidized housing units for elders throughout our communities. You can access this information by calling the information and referral departments of your Aging Service Access Point. A complete listing of those offices can be found by calling the Executive office of Elder Affairs at 617-727-7750 or on the web at http://www.800ageinfo.com/map/.

You can also call CJP SeniorDirect (800-980-1982) and have an eldercare specialist assist you in this search.

Q: How do I know when it’s time to start thinking about an assisted living facility for my parents?

Here are some guidelines – would your parents would benefit from having three meals a day cooked and served to them? Are they isolated and would they be happier in a social/community setting? If they are now in need of some daily assistance with their personal care, medication reminders, or assistance structuring their day, assisted living may be the answer.

Q: My Mother lives with me. I need to go away on a two week business trip. My mother is ok alone during the day. She needs someone to prepare her meals and take care of household chores. I am not comfortable leaving her alone at night. What are my options?

There are two options for what would be best for your Mother:

1. To hire some help and over night care from a home care agency. Prior to your business trip someone from the agency could come in and help you evaluate how many hours of care your Mother would need.
2. Many area assisted living facilities offer what is called respite care. Respite care is a short term stay in a furnished apartment in an assisted living facility. The length of stay and cost depends of each facility.

If you call us at 1-800-980-1982, Monday to Friday 9 AM to 5 PM, and speak to one of our eldercare specialists we can help you locate a suitable home care or assisted living facility.

Q: My 92 year old great aunt is under the medical care of a number of doctors. She has several appointments a week. She receives a huge amount of mail from Medicare and United Health Care (her Medigap insurance). Sometimes they say this is not a bill and other times she needs to pay a fee. She also has some bills that say the services are not covered under Medicare. Who can help us sort out all the mail?

Most area senior centers have SHINE (Serving the Health Care Needs of Elders) counselors that can help your aunt with most Medicare questions. SHINE counselors are volunteers that have received many hours of training specifically in Medicare and Medicare related issues. 1-800-AGE-INFO is also a very good resource.

If she is overwhelmed by her mail and how to respond she may benefit from a volunteer bill payer from her local Aging services provider using http://www.800ageinfo.com/map/ as a resource. The volunteer would go through her mail with her and help determine what would need follow up and also assist in seeing that necessary bills are paid.

Q: My parents are elderly but in relatively good health. I have been helping them with errands, shopping and transportation. They pay privately for someone to do cleaning and laundry for them. My husband and I are planning on retiring this year and would like to spend one or two month a year in a warmer climate. I need help making arrangements for my parents when we are away. I would also like to talk to someone about making longer term plans for them. Who should I call?

It would be best to start by setting up a meeting with a geriatric care manager. This person would be able to help with both short term care options for while you are on vacation as well as help you with long term planning for your parents. You can visit the website for the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, www.caremanager.org, to learn more about how care managers can help.  In Massachusetts there are 5 different Jewish Family Service agencies that offer geriatric care management services.  They are Jewish Family & Children's Service, www.jfcsboston.org, Jewish Family Service of Metrowest, www.jfsmw.org, Jewish Family Service of the North Shore, www.jfsns.org, Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts, www.jfswm.org, and Jewish Family Service of Worcester, www.jfsworcester.org.  For more contact information about each of the above agencies, visit the Greater Boston Resources section of this website.

Q: My mother isn’t ready to move, but needs more help. How should I proceed?

You and your mother may benefit from an assessment by either a geriatric care manager or a social worker from the local senior center or Council on Aging. As well, many towns have social workers available for assessments and consultations. There are many home based and community programs that are designed to help support elders in their wish to remain at home.

Q: My husband’s Alzheimer’s is too much for me to manage on my own. Where can I get help?

Most people find caring for someone with dementia to be more than a one person job. There are many ways you can get support in caring for someone with dementia/Alzheimer’s.

• Caregiver support groups offer a supportive environment to share your struggles, learn from others different ways of coping, and gather resources available in your community. The Alzheimer's Association, Massachusetts Chapter (311 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472) keeps lists of support groups and provides a helpful starting point. They can be reached at 617-868-6718 or http://www.alzmass.org.
• Respite care can come in different forms. If the caregiver would benefit from a scheduled time off every day or week, home care services can be arranged. If the caregiver would benefit from a much needed vacation, live-in home care or a short stay in a memory impairment unit of assisted living is also a possibility. Often times having a consultation with a geriatric care manager can help sort out the caregiver's and the patient’s needs in order to make plans for present and future care plans.

Q: I have been caring for my 90-year old mother for the past 2 years while running my own home and managing a highly stressful job. Often I feel overwhelmed and totally tired? Any advice for me in balancing it all?

Here are a few things to think about:

• It is not selfish to focus on your own health and desires when you are a caregiver -- it is an important part of the job.
• Reduce personal stress by recognizing warning signs early; acknowledge your feelings, identifying sources of stress, identifying what can and cannot be changed, and take action.
• It is important to ask for and accept help when possible.

Q: My parents currently live in an assisted living and they are planning to travel with us to a grandchildren's wedding out of state. We want to find help for my parents while traveling.

The first step would be to talk to the nurse manager at the Assisted Living to find out what your parent's physical needs are.You may want to hire a personal care attendent  from the location that they are traveling to or from a local agency where your parents live. Some situations warrant the need to reserve a separate room for the personal care atttendant at the hotel. The costs would be based on a your parent's needs, if they need help in the middle of the night, and if there are travel costs involved. The private agency would provide you with these details.

Q: My mother lives in another part of the country and I want to find out what low income resources are available to my parent?

There are two places that you can call  to find out what the resources and eligibility criteria are in your mother's state. One is the local Area Agency of Aging and the other is to call the closest Association of Jewish Family and Children's Agencies for a listing of local offices. State subsidized programs may be offered or a list of agencies and programs would be available. Often, the local Senior Center will have an outreach worker or a staff member who provides resources.  The CJP SeniorDirect, Elder Care Specialist can help determine which is the most appropriate agency to call. 

Q: I am in need of going back to work part-time. As a 60 year old women, I do not feel confident with my resume writing skills and would want help finding a job in a convenient location for me to drive to.

Career Moves at Jewish Vocational Services specializes in programs for those 55 years of age and older. There are workshops offered and individual services available.  The cost is determined by what services will suite your needs. Find out more by going to www.jvs-boston.org or by calling 617 339-3129.

Q: My 85 year old uncle is living solely off his Social Security check. He is just about able to pay his living expenses. What types of programs are available to him?

Your uncle should make an appointment with a social worker at his local Senior Center. Depending on his income and assets he may be eligible for several different programs. Please see the section of this web site called More Elder Info for additional helpful information on senior services.
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