Avoid Medicare Marketing Scams

It is no secret that health care services for the elderly have remained lucrative despite the current economic crisis.  Not only are legitimate service providers continuing to grow, but scam artists are also on the rise.

Medicare scams are growing.  Coupled with legitimate senior service marketing are scams that defraud Medicare, overcharge seniors, and even scams that use false Medicare marketing to commit identity theft.

There are some common red flags that may indicate a Medicare scam.

• Charged co-payments on clinical laboratory tests, and on Medicare covered preventive services such as PAP smears, prostate specific antigen (PSA) tests, or flu and pneumonia shots.
• Routinely waived co-payments on any services, other than those previously mentioned, without checking your ability to pay.
• Advertised “free” consultations to People with Medicare.
• Claimed they represent Medicare.
• Used pressure or scare tactics to sell you high priced medical services or diagnostic tests.

It is also prohibited for Medicare marketers to approach your senior in any of the following situations:

• Door to door solicitation – coming to your home without an invite
• Approaching you in a parking lot, hallway, lobby, etc.
• Unsolicited telephone contact
• Unsolicited emails (unless you have given out your email address)

Direct Mail Marketing is legal.  Legitimate Medicare marketers will use the following language in their printed promotional material.

• Advertising pieces – “This is an advertisement;”
• Plan information – “Important plan information about your enrollment”
• Health – “Health or wellness or prevention information”

If you or anyone you know feels they have suspicions of fraud they can contact the Medicare’s Customer Service Center at  1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)

On December 17, 2010, the Management Staff of Seniors Choosing To Live at Home recognized four individuals for their service to our Members and Company.

Patty King, has been with the company for over two years and she has demonstrated tremendous love and compassion to our members!  Patty, has been loved by all that have had the opportunity to work with her.  Thank you Patty for your continued service to the company!

Sabra Moore, has also been with the company for over two years.  Sabra, came to us with little experience regarding Seniors, but her ability to adapt, natural caregiving skills and sweet disposition have made her very successful with our members.  She is an excellent chef and have pleased many pallets with her cuisines.  We want to thank you Sabra for her continued Service with our company!

Barbara Stocio, has been with our company for over 3 years!  Through her life experiences, calm nature and people skills she is responsible for improving everyones disposition that she encounters.  We have been very lucky to have Barbara, as a part of our company! Thank you Barbara!

Teresa Banks, has been employed with us for under a year.  She has demonstrated ALL of the qualities that we find neccessary for success with Seniors.  Two tragic experiences in Teresa’s life are what lead her to our company and her desire to give back to the community.  Thank you Teresa and we look forward to a long working relationship with you!

Do you think of Alzheimer’s as a woman’s disease? You would be correct.  Of the 5.3 million Americans who have it, nearly 70 percent are woman. That’s because the risk of the brain disease doubles every five years after the age 65 – and women live longer than men.  Alzheimer’s not only strikes us more, but it affects us more because women take on a greater caretaking role than men do.  The majority of those caring for affected parents, parents-in-law, grandparents or other relatives are women, and 34 percent of them have children under the age 18 living at home, too.  The good news, thanks to a wave of breakthrough studies and a landmark report produced by the Alzheimer’s Association.  The most exciting development?  Mounting evidence suggests you may be able to dodge the bullet of Alzheimer’s, or at least delay its onset by years, with healthy lifestyle changes. 

Is the thinking “use it or lose it”?

Yes.  Experts believe excercise keeps dementia at a distance by promoting blood flow to the brain and helping to flush away damaging proteins. 

What kinds of mental activities might really work to protect you?

Anything that gives your brain a good workout, Scrabble, mastering a new musical instrument or reading difficult books. 

Why does socializing matter?

The best answer investigators can come up with is that it keeps the brain’s communication and memory skills in good shape.  What seems to be important is regular contact with friends and family, since studies show people who feel isolated and lonely are far more likely to experience cognitive decline.

Eating a Mediterranean-type diet can cut your chances of Alzheimer’s by 38 percent, says a recent study.  You must follow the whole plan to keep your memory sharp.

When visiting your loved ones this holiday season, try and make time to assess whether home care is needed. Determining whether it is time for intervention is very difficult for families to recognize.  We have provided the following 4 scenarios to help with this very difficult situation.

1. Easiest to recognize – sudden onset of an illness.
2. Your loved one may let you know that they need help.  They may have difficulty getting certain things done.
3. You receive a phone call from a concerned neighbor or medical professional, letting you know there are issues that need to be addressed.
4. On a visit you start to notice signs that things just are not right.

During your next visit look at the typical areas of concern:

• Medical conditions
• Home safety
• Mood and attitude
• Signs of abuse or self neglect
• Driving abilities

Not sure how to fill your visits to a loved one with Alzheimer’s?  Take the reins and lead her/him somewhere you’ll both enjoy going.  Staying mentally engaged is known to slow down the disease process and ease the frustration and boredom that can lead to worsened behavioral symptoms (like aggression, wandering, and rummaging).

If an activity seems to stress or frustrate her, stop.  shared activities should feel like a pleasure, not a test.

• Keep expectations realistic: Consider what she/he can do, rather than what she used to do.
• Stick to short, simple plans.  Avoid elaborate, multistep projects
• Keep your comments positive and encouraging.
• Avoid treating her/him like a child ( talking down to her, hovering, taking something out of her hands to complete).
• Watch for cues — such as increased distraction or agitation — that indicate that they are confused, tired, or otherwise uncomfortable.  This signals it’s time to stop.
• Make the most of the skills and interests she retains.
• Take your time and be patient.

Alzheimer’s disease – often called “the long goodbye”  is the most common form of dementia, causing gradually increasing problems with memory, judgement and thinking.

On July 29, 2010 over 37 members, 21 employees, 56 professionals and many friends walked through the doors of Seniors Choosing To Live at Home, LLC to help us celebrate. Our guests enjoyed homemade lasagna, an assortment of fresh bread, chicken and broccoli casserole and miniature cupcakes. The Village Butcher and Kitty’s Cakes were the caterers for the event.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our staff, members, professionals and friends that attended the event! It meant so much to Rod and me to have so many people attend! Thank you all!!

Our concept is simple. What does it take for a Senior to stay in control? Our company was founded on the belief that we are that company that will perform outside of the box if needed! We have a maintenance crew, lawn care, nurses, care staff, housekeepers, cooks and much more. We are more than a Licensed Home Care Agency, we are your surrogote children down the street! You can call on us for anything!