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Caregiver Topic Highlights

Medicare Helps Manage Diabetes

Medicare helps cover diabetes services and supplies, including:

Diabetes self-management training
Medical Nutrition Therapy
Hemoglobin A1c tests
Glucose monitors, test strips, lancets, insulin, some insulin pumps
Glaucoma & other eye tests
Foot exams and treatment; therapeutic shoes

Get a FREE copy of "Medicare Coverage of Diabetes Supplies and Services" at www.medicare.govor visit the National Diabetes Education Program at www.ndep.nih.gov

Plan Now for Flu Season

Medicare now covers vaccines for both the H1N1 flu and seasonal flu. Symptoms of both flu types are similar, and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chill and fatigue.

Here's what you can do to prepare:

Get a seasonal flu shot
Wash your hands often
Ask if you need a pneumonia shot
Ask someone now to help with caregiver responsibilities if you're sick
Watch for recommendations on getting vaccinated for H1N1

For more information on flu symptoms and precautions, visit www.flu.govor www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu

Past Caregiver Topic Highlights

Highlight Benefits of Hospice

Hospice care is a program that provides care and support for the terminally ill focusing on comfort, not on curing an illness. Here is a document that can answer a few questions regarding hospice benefits and Medicare.

Important facts about hospice care
What is covered
What do I pay
Know your rights
Where to get more information

Hospice Benefits and Medicare

Spotlight on Getting the Most from Doctor's Visits

Before your loved one's next appointment, take time to write down:

Details of any symptoms
list of any medications and dietary supplements
Questions to ask the doctor

Consider going along with your loved one to listen and write down what the doctor says. For more tips on getting the most from doctor visits, visit: http://nihseniorhealth.gov/talkingwithyourdoctor/toc.html

7 Questions to Ask About Medicine

The American Academy of Family Physicians list 7 questions you should ALWAYS ask the doctor about any new medicine:

What does the medicine do?
When and how should I take the medicine?
What side effects could I have?
What should I do if I forget to take the medicine?
How will I know whether the medicine is working?
Will the medicine react to any other medicines, foods or drinks?
Should I avoid any activities while taking the medicine?

Visit http://www.familydoctor.org for more information on healthy living.

Spotlight on Spring Cleaning

Advance directives often include:

A living will (states which medical treatment your loved one would accept or refuse if his or her life is threatened)
A health care proxy, also called a durable power of attorney (the person who makes the decisions for your loved one if he or she isn't able)
After-death wishes such as organ and tissue donation

Make sure you know where your loved one keeps these documents, and give copies to your loved one's doctors and proxy. If you need help, contact your local office on aging, your state health department or an attorney.

Spotlight on Nursing Home Compare

How can you best choose the nursing home that is right for you or a loved one? Where can you find the most skilled nursing care? There is a new Web site that may help. It provides quality ratings for each of the nation's 16,000 nursing homes, with each facility rated from a low of one star to a high of five based on quality of care measures. The ratings were created by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and are posted on the agency's Nursing Home Compare Web site at www.medicare.gov/NHCompare.

Spotlight on Open Enrollment November 15 – December 31

Medicare coverage and costs can change from year to year, so it's worth taking the time to see if your plan still works for you. Here's what to do: Compare plans online at medicare.gov, call different plans in your area to compare, see the list of plans in Medicare & You 2009, and Contact a local Medicare counselor for free counseling.

Spotlight on Part B rates:

Did you know the Medicare Part B premium is staying the same for most people in 2009? The standard 2009 Medicare Part B premium is holding steady at $96.40. Visit this link to learn more about Medicare's premiums and other rates in 2009.

Spotlight on e-prescribing

Tired of long waits at the pharmacy? Electronic prescribing can save you time at the pharmacy, reduce the chance of your loved one getting the wrong medication or dose, and save money. When you take your loved one to the doctor, ask "Do you e-prescribe?"