WHO Social Supports Aging In Place

The World Health Organization WHO has listed guidelines for making your city a place where seniors want to grow old. Social participation includes:

Venues for events and activities are conveniently located, accessible, well lit and easily reached by public transport.

Events and public experiences are held at times convenient for elder citizens.

Activities and events can be attended alone or with the help of a companion.

Activities and attractions are affordable, with no hidden or additional participation costs.

Accurate up to date information about activities and events is provided, including details about accessibility of facilities and transportation options for seniors.

A wide variety of activities is offerred to appeal to a diverse population of older citizens.

Gatherings including seniors are held in various local community spots, such as recreation centers, schools, libraries, community parks and more.

There is consistent outreach to support seniors and prevent social isolation.

Home Care Path http://www.homecarepath.com/ is a leading provider of senior care services in south central Wisconsin. Choose from our senior care services:

-in home staffing for elders
-inpatient advocacy for safe successful hospital stays
-transitional counseling when more structured service is needed
-downsizing home contents when stuff matters
-computer fun with facebook the social communication tool

Simply call 608-432-4286 to schedule an in home interview. 2012 rates are 20.00 per hour. Email seniorcare@homecarepath.com Valuing home and human life!

Housing WHO World Health Organization Aging Community

The WHO World Health Organization has listed considerations for making your city a place where seniors want to grow old. An age friendly community. Housing:

Sufficient, affordable housing is available in areas that are safe and close to services and the rest of the community.

Sufficient and affordable home maintenance and support services are available to help seniors remain in their homes.

Housing is well constructed and provides safe comfortable shelter from the weather.

Interior spaces and level surfaces allow freedom of movement in all rooms and passageways.

Housing options accomidate frequent family stays, and pets.

Home modification options and supplies are available and affordable, and providers understand the needs of older adults.

Public and commercial rental housing is clean, well maintained and safe.

The community faciltates the development of private moving, storage service and ongoing advocates with lease mediation.

Sufficient affordable housing for frail and disabled older people, with appropriate stay at home services is provided locally.

The city considering a senior housing project located on the edge of the downtown area, where no side walks yet exist, should list the cost and the desired date of side walk placement in the communication with city residents as part of the long term planning process.

Home Care Path http://www.homecarepath.com/ is a leading senior care provider in south central Wisconsin. Choose from our elder care services:

-in home staffing for seniors
-inpatient advocacy for safe successful hospital stays
-transitional counseling when more structured service is needed
-downsizing home contents when stuff matters
-computer fun with facebook the social communication tool

Simply call 608-432-4286 to schedule an in home interview. 2012 rates are 20.00 per hour. Email us at seniorcare@homecarepath.com Valuing home and human life!

WHO Age Friendly City Transportation

The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed features that can make your city a place where seniors want to grow old. Transportation is seen as an important part of a persons daily life.

Public transportation costs are consistent, clearly displayed, and affordable.

Public transportation is reliable and frequent, including at night, on weekends and holidays.

All city areas and services are accessible by public transport, with good connections and well maintained routes and vehicles.

City planners understand the idea of door to door transport for seniors with extra needs.

Vehicles are clean, well maintained, accessible, not over crowded and have priority seating that is respected.

Specialized transportation is available for disabled persons.

Drivers stop at designated stops and beside the curb to facilitate boarding and wait for passengers to be seated before driving off.

Transport stops and stations are conveniently located, accessible, safe, clean, well lit and well marked, with adequate seating and shelter.

Complete and accessible information is provided to users about routes, schedules and special needs facilities.

A voluntary transport service is available when public transportation is too limited.

Taxis are accessible and affordable, and drivers are courteous and helpful.

Roads are well maintained with covered drains and good lighting.

Traffic flow is well regulated.

Roadways are free of obstructions that block drivers vision.

Traffic signs and intersections are visible and well placed.

Driver education and refresher courses are available at little of no cost for all drivers.

Parking and drop off areas are safe, sufficient in number, and conveniently located.

Priority parking and drop off spots for people with special needs are available and respected.

Home Care Path http://www.homecarepath.com/ is a leading provider of senior care services in south central Wisconsin. Choose from our elder care services:
-in home staffing for seniors
-inpatient advocacy for safe successful hospital stays
-transitional counseling when more structured service is needed
-down sizing home contents when stuff matters
-help to pack and ship with gift giving season
Simply call 608-432-4286 to schedule and in home interview. 2011 rates are 20.00 per hour. Email seniorcare@homecarepath.com Valueing home and human life!

WHO Age Friendly Outdoor Spaces and Buildings

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified essential features for an age friendly city. The essential features for outdoor spaces and buildings include:

Public areas are clean and pleasant

Green spaces and outdoor seating are sufficient in number, well maintained and safe.

Pavements are well maintained, free of obstructions and reserved for pedestrians.

Pavements are non-slip, are wide enough for wheel chairs and have dropped curbs to road level.

Pedestrian crossings are sufficient in number and safe for people with different levels and types of disability, with non-slip markings, visual and audio cues and adequate crossing times.

Drivers give way to pedestrians at intersections and pedestrian crossings.

Cycle paths are separate from pavements and other pedestrian walk ways.

Outdoor safety is promoted by good street lighting, police patrols, and community education.

Services are situated together and accessible.

Special customer service arrangements are provided, such as separate queues (waiting lines) or service counters for older persons.

Buildings are well signed outside and inside, with sufficient seating and toilets, accessible elevators, ramps, railings, stairs and non-slip floors.

Public toilets outdoors and indoors are sufficient in number, clean, well maintained and accessible.

One can see where city money will be invested in a public works staff to help maintain the outdoor spaces and buildings. Older individuals can spend more time per trip to the bathroom. Encouraging private business to provide and maintain adequate bathroom facilites. Seniors take more time crossing the street. Providing adequate stop light time will lengthen a motorists commute time. These features help an aging individual live independently and contribute to the community as long as possible.

Home Care Path http://www.homecarepath.com/ a leading provider of senior care services in south central Wisconsin. Choose from our menu of service:

In home staffing for seniors

Inpatient advocacy for safe successful hospital stays

Transitional counseling when more structured service is needed

Downsizing home contents when stuff matters

Help to pack and ship with gift giving season

Simply call 608-432-4286 to schedule and in home interview. Or email seniorcare@homecarepath.com valueing home and human life!

Arts Culture Leisure Livable Communities MetLife Foundation

Partners for livable communities in cooperation with the MetLife Foundation have identified 11 core components planners can focus on to make their city a place where seniors want to grow old. The 11th core component is Arts, Culture, and Leisure.

Seniors assist planners to facilitate the structure to support museum like experiences.

Cultural organizations provide discounts to older residents.

Art museum organizations support outreach programs to engage older adults.

Art and cultural organizations partner with both public and private providers with the focus on inclusion of community elders.

Art and cultural opportunities provide experiences that include the ethnic diversity of the population.

Museums are accessible and comfortable for older residents.

Communities have a responsibility to connect with the wisdom and experience of older adults. With the maturing of the community expect to see an increase in the number of museum like experiences, that were popular in the 1950's-60's. Home Care Path http://www.homecarepath/ is a leading provider of elder care service in south central Wisconsin. Choose from our senior care services:
-in home staffing for seniors
-inpatient advocacy for safe successful hospital stays
-transitional counseling when more structured service is needed
-downsizing home contents when stuff matters
-help to pack and ship with gift giving season

Simply call 608-432-4286 to schedule an in home interview. Email us at seniorcare@homecarepath.com Valueing home and human life.

Local Leadership Policies MetLife Foundation Livable Communities

Partners for livable communities in cooperation with the MetLife Foundation have identified 11 core components planners can consider to make their town a place where seniors want to grow old. Core component number 10 is Local Leadership and Policies:

Local leadership strives to promote interaction between all generations

Local leadership understands that universal design concepts not only aide a specific demographic, but the community as a whole.

The local government acts as a advocate and catalyst for developing partnerships, new programs and systems to engage older adults

Local leadership actively harnesses the talent, wisdom and experience of older adults to contribute to the community at large.

The focus is consistently on connections. Planning for the maturing of the community involves facilitating the programs that involve both public and private participants in a structure that supports the ability of elders to live independently and contribute to the community for as long as possible.

Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com is a leading senior care provider serving south central Wisconsin. Choose from our elder care services:
-in home staffing for seniors
-inpatient advocacy for safe successful hospital stays
-transitional counseling when more structured service is needed
-downsizing home contents when stuff matters
-help to pack and ship with gift giving season
Simply call 608-432-4286 to schedule and in home interview. 2011 rates are 20.00 per hour. Email seniorcare@homecarepath.com Valueing home and human life!

Design and Planning MetLife Foundation Livable Communities

Partners for livable communities with the cooperation of the MetLife Foundation have identifed 11 core components planners can focus on to make their city a place where seniors want to grow old. Number 9 is Design and Planning.

Zoning requirements, subdivision regulations or building codes promote a variety of senior housing options.

Planners understand how to develop supporting regulation for shared housing, accessorized apartments, assisted living, temporary housing.

Community design and zoning requirements promote development and design standards that facilitate the infrastructure and business model to accomidate a walking population.

Plans are in place to ensure land use patterns, transportation routes, and community facilitities meet the needs of an aging population.

Universal design elements and materials are available for new and upgraded housing.

Home Care Path http://www.homecarepath.com/ coordinates elder home care assistants who help the senior with meals, grocery shopping, bath set up, memory loss, dressing, medication reminders, reading and sorting mail, scheduled toileting, plant care, garbage out, pet care and more. Simply call 608-432-4286 to schedule an in home interview. Email us at seniorcare@homecarepath.com Valueing home and human life!

Aging and Human Services Partners For Livable Communities

Partners for livable communities in cooperation with the MetLife Foundation have identified 11 core components planners can focus on to make their city a place where people want to grow old. The 8th core component is Aging and Human Services. Planners should consider:

A single entry point for access to both public and private services.

There is affordable in home support services (http://www.homecarepath.com/) that enable older adults to live independently.

Independent transitional counseling service is available to come to the seniors home when a more structured service is needed .

An inpatient advocate is available for hospital treaments and procedures that require over night stay.

Local government, public social and health services, and private area aging organizations meet on a regular basis.

Law enforcement and city employees are familiar with available community resources that serve seniors.

Elected officials facilitate business models that assist seniors to live independently and continue to contribute to their community.

Home Care Path http://www.homecarepath.com/ a leading senior care service in south central Wisconsin. Choose from:
In home staffing for elders
Inpatient advocacy for safe successful hospital stays
Transitional counseling when a more structured service is needed
Downsizing home contents when stuff matters
Help to pack and ship with gift giving season
Simply call 608-432-4286 to schedule an in home interview. Valueing home and human life.

Civic Engagement and Volunteer Opportunities Aging In Place

Partners for livable communities in cooperation with the MetLife Foundation have identified 11 core components planners can focus on to make their town a place where seniors want to grow old. Part of the maturing of communities is to create oppportunity for older adults to live independently and contribute to the community as long as possible. The 7th core component is Civic engagement and volunteer opportunites.

Meaningful volunteer opportunities for older adults are available

Area chamber of commerce hosts an elder board who assist with steering and history

Intergenerational volunteer opportunities are available

Seniors serve on city counsel as alder persons

Parade committees host a senior board

Seniors serve on over sight committees created to participate in ongoing city planning

Home Care Path http://www.homecarepath.com/ coordinates staff who come in to the seniors home and help with meals, grocery shopping, medication reminders, bath set up, dressing, scheduled toileting, garbage out, plant care, sorting mail, pet care and more. 2011 rates are 20.00 per hour. Simply call 608-432-4286 to schedule an in home interview. Or email seniorcare@homecarepath.com Valueing home and human life!

MetLife Foundation Partners for Livable Communities Lifelong Learning

Partners for Livable Communities in cooperation with the MetLife Foundation have identified 11 core compenents planners can focus on to make their city a place where seniors would want to grow old. The 6th core component is workforce development and life long learning:

Job retraining opportunities are available and accessible to older adults

Employers offer flexible employment options for older adults

Job banks help connect older adults with appropriate employment

Discounts are available for older adults who wish to take classes at local colleges and universities

Community colleges host the classes that result in degree completion

Bilingual classes are offerred for non English speaking older adults

Home Care Path http://www.homecarepath.com/ is a leading south central Wisconsin provider of senior care services. Choose from our elder care services:

In home staffing for seniors
Inpatient advocacy for safe successful hospital stays
Transitional counseling when more structured service is needed
Downsizing home contents when stuff matters
Help to pack and ship with gift giving season.
Simply call 608-432-4286 to schedule and in home interview. Or email us at seniorcare@homecarepath.com Valueing home and human life!

Finance Services MetLife Foundation Partners For Livable Communities

Partners For Livable Communities in cooperation with the MetLife Foundation have identified 11 core components planners can focus on to make their city a place where people want to grow old. The 5th core component is Finance Service:

Tax relief for older adults with limited incomes

Education and information about financial fraud and predatory lending is provided.

Local counselors are available to advocate on legal issues, an example would be a city is planning to invest in a large senior housing complex and begins condemning neighborhood dwellings to help boost tenant numbers.

Discount options for an array of public services are available.

Consistent legal assistance with denied insurance claims.

Advocacy with procuring money invested in financial vehicles , this allows the senior to receive their money and invest it with local business.

Home Care Path http://www.homecarepath.com/ coordinates elder home care assistants who help the senior with meals, grocery shopping, bath set up, dressing, plant care, medication reminders, garbage out, scheduled toileting, pet care and more. 2011 rates are 20.00 per hour. Simply call 608-432-4286 to schedule an in home interview. Temporary respite care is available to help ease the stress of primary care givers. Email seniorcare@homecarepath.com valueing home and human life!

Housing Partners For Livable Communities MetLife Foundation

Partners For Livable Communities in cooperation with the MetLife Foundation have listing 11 core components planners should consider to make their city a place people want to grow old. Housing is the 4th component:

Studies indicate seniors perfer to live in their own home for as long as possible. Bringing the service to the senior seems to provide the greater quality of life.

A wide variety of housing choices should be available.

Home maintenance and repair assistance is available to seniors.

General services such as trash collection, are modified to better serve seniors.

Subsidized housing facilites are available and accessible.

Flexible housing codes that accomidate the elders needs are promoted.

Community facilitates the inclusion of multiple home maintenance services, such as private lawn care, snow removal, roofing, siding, stair and deck repair.

Home Care Path http://www.homecarepath.com/ coordinates elder in home care staff who assist the senior with meals, grocery shopping, bath set up, dressing, memory loss, medication reminders, plant care, scheduled toileting, laundry, pet care and more. 2011 rates are 20.00 per hour. Simply call 608-432-4286 to schedule an in home interview. Or email seniorcare@homecarepath.com Serving south central Wisconsin. Valueing home and human life.

MetLife Foundation Partners for Livable Communities Public Service

Partners For Livable Communities in cooperation with the MetLife Foundation have identified 11 core components city planners can focus on to create a place where people want to grow old. The third core component is Public Safety and Services. Suggestions include:

Neighborhoods have regular informal contact with police and fire.

Local law enforcement is trained in elder abuse, neglect identification and prevention.

Neighborhood watch programs are in place.

Specialized training to help care for frail elderly is available.

Plans exist for evacuation of older adults in the event of a natural disaster or home land security event.

Local government has knowledge of where older adults reside in order for services to be provided in case of severe weather or other situations that prevents seniors from leaving home.

Partnerships between public services and private providers can facilitate help when needed.

Home Care Path http://www.homecarepath.com/ is a leader in the senior care industry serving south central Wisconsin. Choose from our elder care services:
- in home staffing for seniors
-inpatient advocacy for safe successful hospital stays
-transitional counseling when a more structured service may be needed
-downsizing home contents when stuff matters
Simply call 608-432-4286 to schedule an in home interview. Valueing home and human life.

Transportation and Mobility Livable Community MetLife Foundation

Partners for livable communities in cooperation with the MetLife Foundation have identified core components a city can focus on to create a space where seniors want to grow old. The second core component is transportation and mobility. Areas for planning include:

Public transportation is provided to and from senior centers, adult day services, grocery stores, faith communities, and cultural events.

Discounted taxi cab fares and public transportation are offered for older adults.

Dial a ride and door to door paratransit options are in place.

Road design is tailored to the needs of older drivers, meaning larger signs, left turn lanes, and road markings.

Side walks and street crossings are made safe and accessible, meaning bump outs, extended cross walk countdown, and island in middle of roadways.

Side walks link housing and essential services for walking residents.

Rides are available round the clock.

Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com is a leading provider of senior care services in south central Wisconsin. Choose from our elder care services:
-In Home Staffing For Seniors
-Inpatient Advocacy
-Transitional Counseling
-Downsizing Home Contents
Simply call 608-432-4286 to schedule an in home interview. Email us at seniorcare@homecarepath.com

Health Wellness Recreation Livable Communities

Partners for livable communities in cooperation with the MetLife Foundation have established core components planners can focus on to make the city a place where people want to grow old . The first core component is Health, Wellness and Recreation. This involves:

Seniors have access to health care options that meet a variety of needs. County planners foster the development of services that can support (http://www.homecarepath.com/) the ability of seniors to best utilize the medical system.

Preventive screenings (blood pressure, mammograms) are provided free of charge in accessible locations.

Nutritional classes for specific health related needs are provided.

Informational workshops for insurance and financial services are provided by independent consultants.

Communal events that include food and fun are hosted at recreation or elder centers.

Seniors have access to in home staff who can prepare meals (http://www.homecarepath.com/) or home delivered meals.

Seniors have access to exercise and wellness programs tailored to disease specific needs like heart disease or diabetes.

Local parks and other exercise venues are accessible through multiple modes of transportation.

The reccurring theme is options (several providers of service), access (valid pay source), ability to get there (transportation), and connectedness. Home Care Path http://www.homecarepath.com/ coordinates elder home care assistants who help with meals, grocery shopping, dressing, bath set up, medication reminders, light housekeeping, plant care, scheduled toileting, memory loss, sorting mail, reading books, pet care and more. The focus is on supporting the seniors strengths to maintain independence and keep them safely at home.

MetLife Foundation Partners for Livable Communities

So, they got us living longer but now what? Partners for livable communities in cooperation with the MetLife Foundation have described the core components. This is a list of 11 areas to focus on as a way to accomidate the rapidly aging population in your community. Things communities can look at as a way to make their city a place where people want to grow old.

1. Health, wellness and recreation. Look to options that would meet a variety of needs.

2. Transportation and mobility. Stable, safe transportation throughout the day and night.

3. Public safety and services. Neighborhoods have regular informal meetings with police, fire, and maintenance.

4. Housing. Housing codes accomidate elders needs.

5. Finance services. Tax relief, and accurate information about financial lending.

6. Workforce development, life long learning. Flexible look at job opportunities.

7. Civic engagement and volunteer opportunities. Available intergenerational volunteer opportunities.

8. Aging and human services. projects between area agencies.

9. Design and planning. Universal design is the new buzz word.

10. Local leadership and policies. Leadership promotes interaction between all generations. Connected, supported.

11. Arts and culture. Cultural institutions partner locally to enhance participation.

Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com coordinates elder home care assistants who help with meals, grocery shopping, bath set up, dressing, medication reminders, sorting mail, scheduled toileting, plant care, reading books, light house keeping, pet care and more. Temporary respite care is available to help ease the stress of primary care givers. Staff are available to provide an adult day care like service for your senior while you are working.

The Population Is Aging

Within the next 10 years for the first time in recorded history the number of persons older than 65 in the world will be greater than the number of children age 5 and younger. The baby boomer also called the aging boomer consist of persons born between 1946 and 1964. Since January 2011 approximately 10 thousand baby boomers will turn 65 every day for the next 20 years.

Seniors now live longer. The life expectancy of a person born in 2010 is 78.3 years. A longer life expectancy means a larger number of persons age 65 and older will populate the planet. 2010 reports indicate approximately 131 thousand seniors age 100 and greater reside in the United States.

As of 2010 the largest growing group as a percentage of the total population is age 55 to 64. Wisconsin census figures as of 2010 demonstrate approximately 777, 314 seniors age 65 and over. The number of individuals age 45 to 64 is 1,573,564.

Columbia County Wisconsin in 2005 listed 7,679 seniors age 65 and over. In 2010 Columbia County Wisconsin lists 8,126 seniors age 65 and older. Sauk County Wisconsin in 2005 listed 8,377 seniors age 65 and older. In 2010 Sauk County Wisconsin lists 9,160 seniors age 65 and older.

Recall the baby boomers about 36 percent of the total population began turning 65 as of January 2011. 2011 minus the first year the baby boomers were born 1946 gives us the senior age of 65. This means larger numbers of retired individuals will be populating our communities.

Communities are now being challenged to create a space where people want to grow old. Home Care Path http://www.homecarepath.com/ coordinates elder home care workers who help the senior with meals, grocery shopping, medication reminders, dressing, bath set up, scheduled toileting, plant care, reading and sorting mail, pet care and more.

Halloween Time For Superstition

Superstition has everything to do with a fear of the unknown. The mind is unsettled when confronted with a fear of the unknown. Superstition is simply a fear, an unknown, and a ritual you perform to settle the mind.

The three ingredients to a superstition are the fear, the unknown, and the ritual. I would hate to lose the foot race (fear), lots of good runners participating (unknown), I will take my lucky (ritual) coin. The persons mind feels unsettled because they are unsure of who will win the race. Form (the physical body) follows thought. The lucky coin (ritual) gives the illusion of control resulting in a calming effect. This allows the person to go on and compete in the athletic event.

Disease in the human body has always been a subject of superstition. Many individuals in the community will seek to place blame on the cause for a disease as a way to calm an unsettled mind. The blame a community places on a disease process can usually be broken down to the three pieces of superstition. The fear, the unknown, and the ritual.

The neighbor died (fear), everybody always said he had heart trouble (unknown), pretty sure it is cause his house is by the tall radio station tower (ritual). The person is fearing death themselves. This is natural, as they share the same community, and live a similar life. The person does not understand the complicated matter of a medical heart condition. To compensate the person decides to label the tall radio station tower as the culprit. The unknown is now made known and the person has a good, safe, state of mind. Because the mind communicates good, safe thoughts to the body, the person has an I am on the right track sense of themselves. Both mind and body are in unison and the benefit is a good, safe feeling.

The neighbor died (fear), everybody said they had multiple sclerosis (unknown), positive it is from all those years of working at the filling station and eating out of the vending machine (ritual). The person is fearing death themselves. The person does not understand the complicated matter of a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. To compensate the person decides to label employment at the filling station and eating from a vending machine as the culprit. The unknown is now made known and the person has a good, safe state of mind.

Try using this formula on some of your conversations related to health. See if you can identify a fear, an unknown, and a ritual. The anatomy of a superstition. Home Care Path http://www.homecarepath.com/ encourages seniors and family to consult with their primary doctor to clarify any health related questions.

When Your Elder Is Hospitalized

Understand that with being in the hospital feelings of fear and confusion are normal. Privacy laws and regulations that reward high speed can cause the hospital stay to be traumatic for the whole family. Emotions can run loud, and their is a constant need to remind yourself to stick to the facts of the situation.

For admission if available have copies of the seniors proof of insurance, living will, durable power of attorney, and durable power of attorney for health care. Hospital staff will attach copies to the elders medical chart.

Ask the medical staff:
1. Is my family member in an urgent, dangerous condition requiring immediate care?
2. What is the diagnosis, and how to you explain the medical problem?
3. What are the symptoms and short term effects related to the need for hospitalization?
4. What are the long term consequences to delaying treatment?
5. Will my family member be staying over night in this hospital?
6. What new medications are being adminsitered and prescribed?

Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com encourages family and friends to spend time with the senior during the hospitalization. Family support brings physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual sustenance to help insure a healthful discharge back to the home setting.

When the senior is being sent home from the hospital ask the medical staff if assistance in the home will be needed. Ask what type of help, and for how long. Ask where the help will come from. Try to understand the elders disease process and determine a recovery time.

Reedsburg Fermentation Fest Food Art Farm Fun

From October 7 to October 16 Reedsburg Wisconsin will host visitors for the Fermentation Fest a food and farming festival. Traditions evolve to display functional means to an appreciated quality of life. Modern day art coexists with a rural life style producing a sum much greater than the individual parts.

Family sustaining practises of growing, cooking, canning, compliments an active community of art and poetry. Big art installed for the viewers access in local woodland fields. Natural material that forms the beautiful Sauk County landscape is incorporated in to the artistic displays.

Sale of fresh produce is accompanied by varied live performance's in local pastures. Rural sages reveal strategies for supporting the natural area in a way that helps feed the community. Scheduled during the fall color change, makes it a photographers dream come true.

Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com encourages readers to check out the Farm Art D Tour !

Fear The Deer Its Mating Season

October through December in Wisconsin is deer mating season. The secretive white tail buck is no longer cautious during the mating season. A buck will chase a doe across a Wisconsin road way seemingly unaware of the speeding motorist.

The deer population has sustained its numbers and adapted to the expansion of small town settings. it is not uncommon to see a deer running through the streets in town. Motorists can expect to see a deer alomost anywhere in Wisconsin.

Don't be tricked. Motorsists often brake and successfully dodge the doe only to strike the following buck. Sometimes the deer hits the side of the vehicle, seemingly unaware of the cars presence.

Once darkness falls, the deer have eyes that reflect the head light beam of light. Pairs of shining eyes in the Wisconsin night signal slow down. Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com encourages families to be extra observant on the roadway during the next few months.

Assembly Bill 90 Small Business Credit Now

Wisconsin law makers will be discussing legislation (Assembly Bill 90) designed to assist small business owners to compensate for ongoing problems obtaining financing in current tight credit markets. Assembly Bill 90 facilitates financing by allowing small business to use existing State economic tax credits up front as equity in the financing package.

Assembly Bill 90 was introduced on 04/12/11 by representatives Clark, Barca, Hintz, Fields, Roys, Bewley, Staskunas and is co-sponsored by senators Lassa, Schultz, Holperin, Taylor. Assembly Bill 90 allows the department of commerce to award a grant to a business who wishes to secure financing to make expenditiures that would qualify for eligible tax credits. Businesses who receive a grant to secure financing for making an expenditure that would qualify for a tax credit, may not claim a credit for that expenditure.

The public hearing to discuss Assembly Bill 90 is scheduled at 10am on Tuesday October 4, 2011 in room 328 NW in the Wisconsin State Capitol. The Wisconsin State Capitol is located on 2 E Main Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53702. Attending business owners could provide testimony to the committee encouraging the passage of Assembly Bill 90.

What Is Second To Die Insurance

Second to die insurance is a phrase heard often when estate planning involves a married couple. Second to die is a form of insurance that pays a death benefit only upon the death of the last surviving injured person. Nothing is paid until both the insured, usually a married couple, die.

When one in the married couple dies, the assets that make up the estate pass to the surviving spouse. The transfer of assets to the surviving spouse occurs without any estate tax needing to be paid.

Historically second to die insurance was marketed to families with a business and real estate to help provide some cash assets when both spouses die and the estate tax becomes due. This facilitates the transfer of a family business from one generation to the next.

As the monetary exemption on estate taxes has risen in the past few years, second to die policies have been written less often. Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com encourages seniors to consult with a financial planner prior to purchasing an insurance product.

What Are Trust Properties?

Trust property is wealth producing objects managed by an organization for the benefit of the settlor. The senior (settlor) contracts with an organization who assigns the management of the property to a trustee.

Trust property comes in many differing forms. Some examples of trust property include:
1. real property this is immobile and typically land
2. personal property this is mobile
3. intangible property an example would be securities

The contract (trust) stipulates that the organization (trustee) will be entrusted with the management of the seniors (settlor) property.
The organization contracted with the settlor (senior) to manage the property , has the responsibility of making decisions that will benefit the settlor. Typically the senior will outline the goals and expectations in the contract to help the trustee produce the most favorable results.

Home Care Path http://www.homecarepath.com/ encourages seniors to consult with independent financial legal council prior to entering in to a trust contract.

Care Giving Values Being Kind Over Being Right

Care giving can often mean being kind rather than demonstrating you are right. It is the seniors life and part of that is the thoughts and perceptions being held in the mind. The care giver being right and the senior being wrong does not enhance the quality of the over all experience. Saying the care giver could help them if they would only listen is not productive.

Care giving involves ongoing balance between risk of harm verses the seniors autonomous level of independence. It can seem simpler, and much more efficient to just do everything for the senior. The care giver could impose their will, constantly offer advice, manipulate behavior to better align with your chosen values, and consistently explain your position as an expert on the seniors life. It seems more ethically responsible for a care giver to partner with the senior.

Partnering involves meeting with the senior in communication. The care giver goes past the place of right and wrong to partake in an experience of genuine discussion. Sharing ideas in an atmosphere of trust, that helps support the seniors choices throughout the day. The care giver is better able to understand the seniors sense of loss. The care giver learns ways to support the senior in participating in the things they can do for themselves.

Respecting the seniors unique ability to solve a problem. Being open minded. Listening to what the senior wants. Accompanying the senior with their daily experiences as a way to empower their strengths. It is always easier just to do it your way for the senior. It is always more beneficial to co-create and participate in the events of the day with the senior.

When A Medical Claim Is Denied

You as the patient go to the health care provider for treatment and expect the health insurance you carry to pay their fair share of the expense. The health care provider gives you the needed treatment and submits the bill (claim) to your health insurance plan. The health insurance plan has a department called utilization review that can refuse (denial of claim) to pay the bill your health care provider submitted for the treatment you received. When you receive notification of a medical claim being denied:

1. Immediately submit the paper work of your plan to appeal the denial.

2. Call the insurance plan and ask for a comprehensive reason this claim has been denied.

3. Contact the medical provider explain you are in the appeal process, request an internal review to determine correct coding, proper ID numbers, and the medical providers submission is correct.

4. Call your insurance agent or benefits representative for help in identifying what is needed to complete the claim payment process. Does the health plan need more information. Has the claim been filed by the medical provider in the accepted time period.

5. Following the above steps can help reveal the claims process error and result in the claim being paid. If the claim is still being challenged you should follow through with the formal appeal process.

6. Write your appeal letter talking about how the treatment resides in the policy of the health care plan. Discuss symptoms leading up to treatment and the consequences or probable outcome of no treatment. Ask your medical providers to submit letters on your behalf.

7. Keep copies of all your correspondence and telephone records.

8. Attend the formal appeal process. This reinforces to the review committee you are a human being and not just the stack of papers they have been looking through.

This is a brief list written to give the reader a sense of the medical claims denial appeal process. Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com encourages seniors to consult with independent council specializing in the appeal process.

Bill Of Rights To Regulate Wisconsin Health Insurance Providers

On Wednesday September 7, 2011 Representative Jon Richards Milwaukee and Senator Jon Erpenbach Middleton have introduced a Wisconsin Patient's Bill Of Rights. This bill preserves legislation being challenged at the federal level for residents of the State of Wisconsin.

The law would regulate companies that market health insurance to Wisconsin consumers by guaranteeing a consistent delivery of service with purchase. The list includes:

1. Prohibit health insurance companies from having annual or lifetime caps on benefits
2. Prohibits health insurance companies from denying payment for emergency care
3. Prohibits health insurance companies from charging for preventive care
4. Prohibits health insurance companies from denying payment due to preexisting condition
5. Prohibits health insurance companies from dropping coverage when patient gets sick


By incorporating these protections in to State of Wisconsin law citizens can be assured of an important level of care that is required to effectively preserve health and wellness. Health care providers at the point of service can properly perform the needed tasks, without fearing gaps in coverage. Health insurance products can become more understandable to the consumer.

Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com encourages Wisconsin seniors to follow this legislation as it unfolds.

Variety of Wills

A Will is the legal declaration of a persons mind as to the manner in which the estate should be disposed of upon death. A written guide as to proper distribution of all the persons stuff. This lists some types of wills.
1. Simple Will facilitates distribution of assets in an uncomplicated estate.

2. Testamentary Trust Will establishes one or more trusts for assets upon death.

3. Pourover Will leaves assets to a trust you established before death.

4. Holographic Will is unwittnessed and hand written.

5. Oral Will (nuncupative Will) Only spoken words, not written down.

6. Joint Will one written document for two people, husband and wife.

7. Living Will has force while senior is still alive, does not dispose of property, gives medical staff directions if you should lose consciousness.

This is just a brief list of Wills that can be seen as the deceased persons things are distributed.

Irene And Saffir Simpson Hurricane Scale

Weather reports use the Saffir Simpson Hurricane Scale to communicate the severity of Hurricane Irene to the public. This breifly describes the 5 categories utilized in the Saffir Simpson Hurricane Scale.

1. Category 1 see 74-95 mile per hour winds with storm surge 4-5 feet above normal no building damage noted.

2. Category 2 see 96-110 mile per hour winds with storm surge 6-8 feet above normal minor roof, door and window damage noted.

3. Category 3 see 111-130 mile per hour winds with storm surge 9-12 feet above normal visible damage to smaller residence and out buildings, garages noted.

4. Category 4 see 131-155 mile per hour winds with storm surge 13-18 feet above normal loss of roof on some sizable structures noted.

5. Category 5 see greater than 155 mile per hour winds with storm surge greater than 18 feet above normal loss of roofs and portions of buildings on residential and business structures.

Probate Unsupervised

Probate is the process of settling an estate. The purpose of probate is to transition ownership of the deceased's assets to a living person or institution. Assets are identified to pay debts, taxes, and administrative cost and dispersed to heirs identified in the will.

Unsupervised (independent) probate reduces the courts role and saves the family money. Unsupervised (independent) probate are informal ways to administer a seniors estate without having to follow the specific rigid guidelines of a formal probate.

Unsupervised (independent) probate is appropriate when:
1. There is no problem to resolve among the interested parties
2. There is no ambiguity in the Will that needs clarifying
3. There are no minors or disabled children that may need protection of their share
4. The validity of the Will is not disputed
5. The estate does not involve complex issues such as stocks, or an active business
6. There is no need to transfer the assets any differently than the Will lists

Typically the court must approve unsupervised probate, and the registrar of probate must still list a personal representative. Once the estate has been settled the personal representative would still file an unsupervised personal representatives statement to close the estate with the probate court.

When You File For Guardianship

The family member who wants to be the guardian files a petition (order to show cause) with the probate court for the jurisdiction where the allegedly legally incapacitated senior resides. The petitioner could be family, distant relative, close friend, administrator for a nursing home or health care facility.

The court will appoint (guardian ad litem) a person who will function as the judges eyes and ears. The guardian ad litem interviews the senior and the family to determine the elders capacity to continue to make their own financial and medical decisions. The guardian ad litem will speak with the petitioner, the involved health care providers, and the family of the senior.

If the appointment of a guardian is contested, a trial is scheduled, sworn testimony is given, and the court decides on the appointment. If the appointment is not contested, the court will hold a hearing where witnesses can provide sworn testimony, and with sufficient evidence the guardian will be appointed.

Once the guardian is appointed the judge will issue letters of authority (legal documents) which allow the guardian to act on behalf of the senior.

Alzheimer's and Guardianship

Advanced Alzheimer's disease is a progressive process that can cause the senior to lose the capacity for rational decision making. An incapacitated senior would then need a substitute decision maker. A diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is not sufficient to consider a senior incapacitated.

The definition of an incapacitated senior as specified by the Uniform Probate Code is required. The (UPC) Uniform Probate Code is a uniform act drafted by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws governing inheritence and the decedents estates in the United States. The primary purposes of the act are to streamline the probate process and to standardize and modernize various state laws governing wills, trusts, and intestacy (being or dying without a valid will).

Health counselors encourage seniors to complete a legal document known as a durable power of attorney prior to losing mental function. Special and Health Care Power Of Attorney can be made durable by adding certain text to the document, this allows the document to remain in effect if the senior becomes incompetent.

Health counselors enourage the senior to have
1. Health Care Power Of Attorney - and
2. Durable Power Of Attorney
in place before losing mental function as a way to prevent involuntary guardianship.

If the senior becomes incapacitated and has no power of attorney, the courts may appoint a guardian (sometimes called conservator) of the person and or the estate. A court will only impose guardianship if faced with compelling evidence that the senior cannot care for themselves.

Guardianship is established by asking (petitioning) the court to hold a compentency hearing . Medical information is presented to demonstrate the senior can no longer manage their own affairs. If the court agrees, it appoints a guardian , which is usually the petitioner. Guardianship usually continues until the senior regains the capacity to handle their own affairs, which seldom happens.

The duties and responsibilities of the newly appointed guardian will be listed in the appointment document. Under guardianship the court provides oversight for the seniors money and assets. Decisions involving spending of money or selling assets usually require courts permission.

Medicare Part D 2012 Drug Plan Get Ready

Time for seniors receiving Medicare benefits to prepare for the Part D 2012 annual enrollment period. The annual enrollment period is a time when seniors can add, change, or drop their Medicare Part D prescription drug plan coverage. The upcoming annual enrollment period is scheduled for October 15, thru December 7, 2011 with coverage to begin on January 2012.

Medicare Part D is a federal program that came out of the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003. Medicare Part D Prescription drug coverage began January 1, 2006. Enrollment in Medicare Part D is voluntary.

To enroll in a Medicare Part D drug plan , seniors must have Medicare A and B and live in the service area of the drug plan chosen. Seniors with a home computer can go to http://www.medicare.gov/ and choose the medicare prescription drug plan finder prompt, going in to part d prescription drug plans.

Seniors without computer access can go to the County health office and request assistance of a benefit specialist for the purpose of enrolling in a medicare part D plan. Once you choose a Medicare Part D Drug Plan, you may be able to join by completeing a paper application, calling the plan, enrolling on the plans web site, or on http://www.medicare.gov/ When you are joining you will have to provide your Medicare number and the dates your Part A and Part B coverage started. This information is on the seniors Medicare card.

Home Care Path http://www.homecarepath.com/ coordinates elder home care assistants who help the senior with meals, bath set up, grocery shopping, dressing, medication reminders, errands, pet care and more. Valueing home and human life.

Baraboo Ambulance EMT and St. Clare Hospital Reduce Readmissions

The Patient Protection and Affordability Care Act H.R. 3590 was signed by President Barack Obama in March 2010. Section 2717 describes a process to monitor hospital readmissions and improve patient safety. Section 3025 describes financial incentives to encourage hospitals to reduce readmissions. House H.R. 3962 section 1151 adjusts payments to hospitals to reduce potentially preventable readmissions.

Baraboo District Ambulance Service, St. Clare Hospital, the UW School of Medicine, Sauk County Public Health have joined to develop a community program to help reduce emergency room visits and hospital readmissions.

Financed through grant and foundation funds, partners in education will train paramedics to perform in home health care with the focus on preventing an emergency room visit, or hospital readmission. ER and hospital staff can refer a patient for paramedics to check on when they worry the right instruction needs to be done in the home.

This new pilot program is structured as a five year study , and scheduled to become self supportive. This is partners in health care altering the service structure to best meet the community need and accomidate the public funding source.

The service is not meant to be competition for existing home care providers, but an extra person who can come to the home and help with acute medical needs post hospitalization. Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com helps seniors with chronic long term needs at home in the Baraboo, Wisconsin area.

Now You Want A Dividend Paying Stock

Dividends are cold hard cash. The purpose of dividends is to return wealth back to the share holders. A dividend (cash) is a payment made by a company out of its earnings to investors in the form of an electonic transfer check.

Investors will consider dividend paying stocks as a way to share in the stock markets gain and earn some income. With high unemployment corporations will have reduced labor payroll and more cash on hand. Investors can look at more than the size of the last dividend the stock paid out.

Look at the cash history of the company you are considering. Has the company maintained an adequate cash reserve. Cash reserve helps reduce investor risk. Cash reserve can indicate a company is spending less than it earns. Investors like the cash reserve.

How has the company hsitorically spent its money. Is money invested in research and product development. Are salaries paid adequate to support a stable level of staff. Money flowing in to product development and staff can demonstrate a long term management approach. Reinvesting and developing can improve future success of the company.

Cash history can help an investor understand how long the company can keep dividends at an attractive level. A company with cash available (cash reserve) can usually keep paying a dividend. When the stock market experiences a down cycle, a company with cash is less likely to stop paying the investor dividend.

As the cash reserve (increased risk) lessens the investor can anticipate the company will stop the dividend payment to shareholders to compensate for the loss. Home Care Path encourages seniors to speak with a qualified investment counselor prior to buying or selling a stock.

Does An Elder Family Member Need Extra Help

Aging can involve mental and physical changes that indicate the senior could benefit from some additional assistance. Things to look for include:

DAILY STUFF- difficulty walking, dressing, talking, eating, cooking, climbing steps, or taking medications.

CLEANING UP- infrequent bathing, sloppy appearance, foul body odor, bad breath.

BOOK WORK- unopened mail, papers piled up, unreadable check book, appearance of bank overdraft notices, no returned phone calls, unfilled prescriptions.

WELL BEING- visible weight loss, hearing loss, incontinence, excessive sleep, overly tired, bruises from falling.

SHUT IN- reduced interest in outside friendships, activities or hobbies. Lives alone.

EMOTIONAL CHANGES- sadness, reduced communication with family and friends, increased use of alcohol, sobbing.

THINKING- Consistent forgetfulness, losing train of thought, lost in familiar surroundings.

Home Care Path http://www.homecarepath.com/ coordinates elder in home assistants to help seniors with the day to day chores. Help with meals, grocery shopping, errands, pet care and more. 2011 rates are 20.00 per hour. Simply call 608-432-4286 to schedule a confidential (no cost) in home interview.

Wisconsin Has Capped Enrollment Family Care Partnership PACE IRIS

Wisconsin's 2011-13 State Budget legislates a cap on enrollment in the Family Care, Partnership, PACE, and IRIS programs. The cap limits the number of people who can be enrolled in to managed care programs. The programs were created to reduce the waiting lists for long term care in Wisconsin. By limiting access, the waiting lists will continue to exist.

Managed care programs provide in home services to seniors and individuals with a disability. The programs also provide funding in assisted living facilities for those individuals who are in need of long term placement.

The 2011-13 biennial budget provides 12.6 million dollars each year for meeting urgent needs. The Department of Health Services (DHS) is working on a plan to implement the enrollment cap and determine how individuals on wait lists who are in urgent need of long term care services can be served using the 12.6 million.

Services will continue to be administrated from the Aging and disability resource center( ADRC), seniors are encouraged to continue to be evaluated for eligibility in to long term care publicly funded programs.

Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com coordinate elder home care assistants to seniors needing help in south central Wisconsin.

Susan G. Komen Madison Wisconsin Expand and Change Name

The Komen Madison Wisconsin affiliate started with a race called the Susan G. Komen Madison Race For The Cure in 1998. The Susan G. Komen Madison affiliate is part of a well organized global breast cancer movement. Susan G. Komen affiliates help educate the community, assure quality care is available, and support on going breast cancer research.

The Komen Madison Wisconsin affiliate is located on 8030 Excelsior Drive, Suite 306, Madison Wisconsin 53717. This organization is now known as the South Central Wisconsin Affiliate of Susan G. Komen For The Cure. The name change includes an expansion to the seven counties surrounding Madison Wisconsin.

The South Central Wisconsin Affiliate of Susan G. Komen For The Cure will expand to serve the counties of Rock, Sauk, Dodge, Iowa, Columbia, Green, and Jefferson . This will be a welcome participant in the care and treatment of families effected by the medical disease.

Study Reveals Medicare Part D Keeps Seniors Out Of Nursing Home

Medicare Part D is a federal program that came out of the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003. Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage began January 1, 2006. Enrollment in Medicare Part D is voluntary.

J. Michael McWilliams, Alan M. Zaslavsky, and Haiden A. Huskamp conducted a study (Implementation of Medicare Part D and Nondrug Medical Spending for Elderly Adults With Limited Prior Drug Coverage) that reveals Medicare Part D has contributed to a decrease in spending for nursing home service.

Medicare Part D often called drug coverage reduces out of pocket expenses and encourages seniors to continue to take essential medications. Doctors have been better able to treat seniors on an outpatient basis for conditions that previously required an inpatient stay in order to be covered by Medicare.

Avoiding the nursing home can indicate seniors are healthier and enjoy a better quality of life. Access to needed medications can help seniors avoid a nursing home stay. The cost of having the senior receive medication in the home is far less than having a nursing facility administer the medication. This translates to saving a large sum of public money.

When assessing the value of the Medicare Part D program it will be important to factor in the reduced public money spent on hospitalization and nursing home stays. With the support of Medicare Part D seniors are able to manage serious health conditions through medication and prevent complications that could result in an extended nursing home stay.

Home Care Path http://www.homecarepath.com/ encourages seniors to follow the legislative process related to the Medicare Part D Program.

Brand Name Drugs Go Generic Means Competition

Many brand name drugs are scheduled to go generic in the next year. Newly developed drugs apply for a patent that protects the company's product from competition for a set time. In the United States a patent filed on a drug lasts for 20 years.

Once the drug patent expires, other companies produce the drug using the same ingredients, and sell it at a much lower price. The population needing the drug now benefits from marketplace competition. Below is a list of brand names drugs about to get competition from generics.

October 2011 Zyprexa olanzapine

November 2011 Lipitor atorvastatin

March 2012 Lexapro excitalopram

March 2012 Seroquel quetiapine

March 2012 Avapro Avalide irbesartan

April 2012 Provigil modafinil

May 2012 Plavix clopidogrel

July 2012 Tricor fenofibrate

August 2012 Singulair montelukast

August 2012 Actos pioglitrazone

September 2012 Diovan valsartan

September 2012 Geodon ziprasidone

November 2012 Lidoderm lidocaine patch

December 2012 Atacand candesartan

March 2013 Lovaza omega 3

August 2013 Temodar temozolomide

Trying the generic version of the brand name drug typically saves the consumer out of pocket money. Home Care Path http://www.homecarepath.com/ in home staff assist seniors with medication reminders.

By Passing Experts To Save The Household Money

Seniors can become frustrated and call in a trade professional to fix a house hold problem. Often the problem has a simple solution and an extra pair of hands will correct it. Reducing service calls to trade professionals can keep more money in the household.

The senior becomes frustrated with water backing up in to the kitchen sink. The drain has been slow for a few weeks. The senior would like to call a plumber in to correct this today. Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com staff discuss the way liquid plumber gel can unclog a sink. The senior agrees to try the unclogging gel. Staff retrieve the liquid plumber from the store and apply to the clog. The drain flows and the kitchen sick does not collect water anymore.

The senior becomes frustrated because the over the kitchen table flourscent light is out despite getting new bulbs. The bulbs are about three feet long, and awkward to place in the connecting rings on the end. The senior would like to call and electrician right now, cause the light is inoperable. Staff place the flourscent tube near the bracket ends and gently turn until the flourscent tube lights up. The kitchen table area is now receiving light from the flourscent bulbs.

The phones do not have a dial tone. The senior would like to have the company send a service technician over right away. The Home Care Path staff open the phone box on the exterior of the house and plug in one of the phones and get a dial tone. This indicates the house is getting phone service and the problem is with one of the phones. The staff unplug all the phones in the home from thier wall jacks. The staff systematically plug the phones back in checking for dial tones. Once the phone that prevents all from having a dial tone is discovered, it is discarded as the broken phone. The rest of the phones are plugged back in to the wall jacks and the phone system works.

These three brief examples indicate how Home Care Path staff can help reduce the addition of unnecessary expense to the house hold.

Even Walter Reed Needs Support With Transition

Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) will transition to The National Navy Medical Center at Bethesda Md and a Community Army Hospital at Fort Belvoir Va in approximately 52 days. Walter Reed Army Medical Center was founded in 1909 and celebrated 100 years of serving military staff in 2009.

Moving a huge medical provider like the Walter Reed Army Medical Center requires outside support. Dynamics Research Corporation (DRC) headquartered in Andover Massachusetts will be helping with the move. Dynamics Research Corporation (DRC) specializes in management of information technology.

Families in Wisconsin often read newspaper stories of Generals and United States Presidents being treated in the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. This Army flagship hospital had a long history of caring for wounded active duty military employees. Once the move is completed The State Department and The District of Columbia will take possession of the vacated land.

Home Care Path http://www.homecarepath.com/ helps seniors in south central Wisconsin with transitions as their need for assistance changes.

Express Scripts Plus Medco Equals Advanced Pharmacy Service

In a completely unexpected move, Express Scripts has agreed to buy Medco Health Solutions. The merger is being reviewed by the (FTC) Federal Trade Commission. Both companies believe they can successfully work through the regulatory approval process.

Both companies market specialized management strategies to enhance the ability of pharmaceutical providers to sell drugs to grouped individuals. Services include retail network pharmacy management, retail drug card programs, home delivered pharmaceuticals, specialty pharmacy service, patient care contact stations, benefit plan design and consultation, drug formulary management, electronic claims processing, and more.

The companies help individuals in groups formed by health management organizations, health insurers, third party administrators, employers, union sponsored benefit plans, workers compensation plans, and government health programs, to get their prescriptions filled.

Express Scripts is headquartered in St. Louis Missouri. Medco Health Solutions is located in Franklin Lakes New Jersey. Large scale in the pharmacy management industry translates to increased revenues. Both companies have a history of enhancing consumer access to medications and providing real choices.

DRA and Transfer Of Assets Penalty

DRA is the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, signed in to law by President Bush on February 8, 2006. This legislation effects the assets transfer provisions for seniors seeking to qualify for Medicaid coverage. This is written to give the reader a frame work for the transfer of assets penalty.

The transfer of assets penalty is a period of time during which the senior transferring the assets will be ineligible for medicaid. The formula is the amount transferred devided by the monthly nursing home cost. So if the senior transfers 50 thousand dollars and the average monthly private pay cost is 5 thousand dollars , 50k devided by 5k equals a period of 10 months in which the senior would be ineligible for Medicaid.

Secondly it is important to understand when the penalty created by the transfer begins. Under the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005 the 10 month penalty period will not begin until (A) the senior has moved to a nursing home (B) the senior has spent down to the asset limit for Medicaid eligibility (C) the senior has applied for medicaid coverage (D) the senior has been approved for Medicaid coverage, but for the transfer.

So if the senior transfers 50k on January 1, 2010, and then moves in to a nursing home on January 1, 2011, and spends down to Medicaid eligibility on January 1, 2012, that is when the 10 month penalty period will begin, and it will not end until December 1, 2012.

This is written to give readers a sense of the way the (DRA) Deficit Reduction Act effects the transfer of assets penalty. Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com encourages seniors to consult with an Elder Law Professional prior to transferring assets.

Sapphron Marc La Mere Trio Rock House Of Embers

On Saturday July 16, 2011 Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com staff enjoyed delicious food and live entertainment at the House Of Embers www.houseofembers.com 935 Wisconsin Dells Parkway. So much more than a great meal.

The busy outdoor patio over looks the excitement on the Wisconsin Dells parkway giving it a real Las Vegas feel. Famous saxaphone player (international) Sapphron joined the locals favorite Marc La Mere Trio for a rich spell casting evening of music and fun.

The outdoor bar hustles with an energetic atmosphere that facilitates networking in a productive informal setting. The active outdoor deck with night lit torches provide an attraction to behold for vehicles on the Wisconsin Dells Parkway.

Sapphron a versatile performer with an inspiring command of her saxaphone weaves playfully through the crowd. Family friendly as a child under the age of 5 dances among the band while playing music.

The House Of Embers is family operated since 1959, serves great food, has an attentive staff, and offers live entertainment. WOW!

Wisconsin Health Secretary Dennis Smith Writes Letters Support Federal Grant Apps

On Thursday July 14, 2011 Wisconsin Department Of Health Services Secretary Dennis Smith agreed to write letters to support federal grants to prevent chronic disease. A letter of support insures consideration of the grant application by the United States Department Of Health And Human Services. Kathleen Sebelius is the 21st United States Health and Human Services Secretary.

Wisconsin Clearing House is a part of University Health Services located in 333 East Campus Mall, Madison Wisconsin. Wisconsin Clearing House has applied for 23 million dollars of the federal grant money made available though the Health Care Reform Law. The support provided by The Wisconsin Department of Health Services does not involve an administrative or financial obligation.

Home Care Path views prevention as an important strategy in helping to control rising health care costs.

Wisconsin Senate Election July 12, 2011 Tuesday

On Tuesday July 12, 2011 Wisconsin will conduct a primary election. The scheduled election is due to voter concern related to the manner in which policy is being legislated in the State of Wisconsin.

The focus of the election is State of Wisconsin Senate seats. Recall that the Senate is the upper house in the Legislature of the United States, and is apportioned according to population. A State Senators job is to represent the people at a higher level than a State Representative.

The election challenges the incumbent which is the person who currently holds the Senate seat. The risk to the Senator (incumbent) is the loss of a job. To help manage this risk an extra (fake) Democrat was listed on the ballot. The addition of the fake Democrat to the ballot is a strategy to add 30 days to the election process which gives the Senator (incumbent) prescious time to organize a voting population.

Adding an extra (fake) Democrat to the ballot results in a primary election on July 12, 2011 to determine the Democratic candidate to face the Senator (incumbent) on August 9, 2011. This strategy affords the Senator (incumbent) an extra 30 days to try to save their job.

Below is a list of participants in the Wisconsin primary election scheduled for July 12, 2011.

District 2
Robert Cowles Republican currently has Senate seat (incumbent)
Nancy Nussbaum Democrat
Otto Junkerman Fake democrat placed on ballot to add time to process

District 8
Alberta Darling Republican currently has Senate seat (incumbent)
Sandra Pasch Democrat
Gladys Huber Fake democrat placed on ballot to add time to process

District 10
Sheila Harsdorf Republican currently has Senate seat (incumbent)
Shelly Moore Democrat
Isaac Weix Fake democrat placed on ballot to add time to process

District 14
Luther Olson Republican currently has Senate seat (incumbent)
Fred Clark Democrat
Rol Church Fake democrat placed on ballot to add time to process

District 18
Randy Hopper Republican currently has Senate seat (incumbent)
Jessica King Democrat
John Buckstaff Fake democrat placed on ballot to add time to process

District 32
Dan Kapanke Republican currently has Senate seat (incumbent)
Jennifer Shilling Democrat
James Smith Fake democrat placed on ballot to add time to process

Besides adding time to the election process, the exta (FAKE) Democrat on the ballot may add some confusion. Hopefully this will help the reader better understand the choices being offerred in the Wisconsin July 12, 2011 primary election. Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com encourages all seniors to vote.

Estrogen Patch Helps Prevent Alzheimer's Madison Wisconsin

The University of Wisconsin Madison has published the results of a study using an estradiol patch on post meno pausal women. After 90 days of wearing the patch, the women performed better in memory testing.

Estradiol is a hormone, the most potent naturally occurring estrogen. Estrogen is a group of hormones that promote the development and maintenance of the female characteristics of the human body. The patch containing estradiol is worn on the womans body and delivers the estradiol through the skin.

Lab results suggest estrodiol helps break down Alzheimer's disease related amyloid plaques in the brain. Reducing the Alzheimer's ability to form the changes in the body needed for the disease is a form of prevention. Because estradiol is naturally occurring in the body its use to change brain mechanisms is well received.

The women participating in the study were diagnosed with mild to moderate symptoms of the Alzheimer's disease process. Note the study report is for a 90 day period. This is a short time and would not reveal any long term effect.

Home Care Path http://www.homecarepath.com/ encourages readers to follow the estradiol patch as its use for treating Alzheimer's disease unfolds.

Home Health Budget Constraints and Conflict Of Interest

In challenging budgetary times, expect publicly (Medicare, Medicaid) funded home health services to be tightly constrained. Expect home health agencies to provide as evidence for being good stewards of public money company policies that closely adhere to tight service guidelines. To the community this may appear to be reduced time per household and a faster discharge from service.

Home health agencies typically serve the acute needs of a population. The home health visit is usually a defined period of time with the focus on a specific task. An example would be a nurse coming to do dressing changes till the open skin has closed and is intact. The home health agency will require some basic things to serve the senior.
1. An order from a medical doctor
2. A valid pay source (private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid)
3. The patient must be unable to leave the home (homebound status)
4. The medical need must be improving (demonstrate progress)

With budget constraints the need for the patient to be home bound can be followed completely. So, if the senior can get out for church or to go to the food pantry, they are not completely homebound. The home health agency could discharge the senior with instructions to have the needs met with clinic visits. Remember in times of budget constraints anticipate the home health agency may adhere tightly to the above guidelines.

The senior may have several needs that have been determined to be related to a chronic medical condition. Chronic conditions tend to be ongoing and not corrected in a few home health agency visits. Often the home health agency will instruct the family to have the seniors needs met by an organization that can provide a custodial type care, a personal care maintenance service. Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com provides a service to meet the chronic needs of seniors who choose to live at home.

Home Care Path accepts private pay from the family (2011 rates are 20.00 per hour) for helping the senior with meals, bathing, dressing, shopping, medication reminders, scheduled toileting, pet care and more. Because Home Care Path is not reimbursed by Medicare or Medicaid funds, staff can serve the senior at the same time the home health agency is coming in. Having both the home health agency and Home Care Path help the senior is acceptable because only the home health agency is reimbursed through public funds. There is not a duplication of service.

Once the home health agency has met the acute need of the senior, discharge occurs. Because the case manager for the home health agency is telling the senior the needs have been met it could be a conflict of interest to encourage the family to start to privately pay for additional service. The home health agency has met the need, adhering to the guideline, the senior is discharged from service.

Yet the family may recognize the senior has needs that are not being met. Simple things like eating regular meals daily. Discarding expired food. Changing the cat litter box. Bathing and wearing freshly laundered clothes. Taking medication as provider ordered. Organizing and reading mail. Getting shoes on. Doing laundry. Getting grocery shopping and errands done. Home Care Path can come in to the seniors home and help with these needs.

As the budget constraints begin to change the service in the communities Home Care Path encourages seniors to explore strategies to meet ongoing needs.

Cincinnati Ohio Federal Appeals Court Rules Health Care Reform Is Constitutional

On Wednesday June 29, 2011 The United States 6th District Court Of Appeals in Cincinnati Ohio rules the U.S. Congress does have the authority to require all U.S. citizens to have health insurance. The initial summary stated "We find that the minimum coverage provision is a valid exercise of legal power by Congress under the Commerce Clause".

The Provision (Congress has the authority to require Americans to obtain health insurance starting 2014) is central to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, passed in 2010.

The part of the new health care law being challenged involves an amendment to the internal revenue code that taxes citizens who do not have a valid pay source (health insurance) for being treated by a medical doctor in a clinic, hospital, or nursing home.

The argument against states the United States Government cannot declare a citizen as a user of health care service (clinic, hospital, nursing home) just to regulate behavior through a commerce clause. By not participating (economic inactivity) Congress does not have the power to regulate under a commerce clause. A person should be able to purchase health care service only when needed.

A similar example is auto owners are required to pay for auto insurance. Not all auto owners will have vehicle damage requiring repair. Auto owners who suffer an unfortunate accident should be the only ones who pay money to the garage body shop and mechanics.

The argument for states everyone will need medical services at some point in their lives and therefore is either a current or future participant in the health care delivery system market and therefore subject to taxation. The citizen with no valid pay source cannot be left to die on the hospital entrance.

The U.S. 6th Circuit Court Of Appeals in Cincinnati Ohio stated far from inactivity, the minimum coverage provision regulates individuals who are in the aggregate, active in the health care market, because of two unique characteristics of the market. One virtually everyone requires health care services at some unpredictable point. Two individuals receive health care services regardless of ability to pay.

This legal ruling puts the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on a forward moving path to serve the citizens of the United States. Home Care Path encourages readers to follow this legislation as it unfolds.

Contacting Elected Officials

This is a breif blurb on contacting your elected officials in Wisconsin.

To contact legislature, send mail for senators to P.O. Box 7882, Madison WI 53707-7882.

Ship mail for representatives with last names beginning with A-L to P.O. Box 8952, Madison WI 53708-8952.

Send mail for representatives with last names beginning with M-Z to P.O. Box 8953, Madison WI 53708-8953.

For email addresses visit the Legislatures web site at www.legis.state.wi.us or call 800-362-9472

To contact the State Supreme Court, 110 East Main Street, Suite 215, Madison WI 53703 or phone 608-266-1880

For the 4th District Court Of Appeals, 10 E. Doty Street, 7th floor, Madison WI 53703 or call 608-266-9361

Computer users can check out The Wisconsin State Government at www.wisgov.state.wi.us

Please remember to be respectful of the law makers time by having your thoughts written out on paper prior to contact. Try to express your concern on a specific individual topic to enhance the communication process.
Contact elder home care assistants in Baraboo Wisconsin www.homecarepath.com

Taking A Seniors Drivers License Away

Losing the opportunity to drive in today's busy society is an emotional loss for anyone. When seniors stop driving they have fewer social contacts and become increasingly dependent on others. Seniors will not willingly surrender their driving privileges.

Do not expect help from the seniors friends when trying to take the driving license away. The friends may be struggling with this same issue. The senior may be transportation for some of the friends now.

If the senior is experiencing a cognitive deficit related to dementia, memory loss, Alzheimer's disease, reasoning may be of no value. Explaining your concern to a senior and getting them to agree to surrender their license, only to have the senior forget the conversation later is not helpful.

It can become more complicated if the senior has some physical loss and some cognitive deficit. So a stroke that results in some loss of voluntary movement in the left leg and arm accompanied by some memory changes. The need to stop driving may be immediate.

Seniors who reside in rural settings may be totally dependent upon a drivers license for food and necessities. Some community programs have seen elders who reside out in the country as more independent and less social. This translates to less likely to accept help of others.

There are no national standards or completely accepted systems to identify older drivers who have critical impairments. Society has the hope that the senior will decide on their own not to drive anymore.

When you have been confronted with an obvious need to take away a senior family members driving privileges these two strategies seem to be the most consistent.
1. Bring in a recognized authority to help with the process. So with memory loss you would use a letter signed by the clinic staff or the department of transportation. Keep the copy of the letter that encourages the senior to stop driving in the residence.
2. Write out a plan for alternative transportation. So start scheduled rides for the senior. Provide a phone number for getting a ride.

The two seem simple , but they are very breif. The actual process for taking away the drivers license may be lengthy and difficult. The negotiation process can touch on many emotions and be an energy drain. Remember to support yourself during the removal process. With persistence the driving will stop.

Walgreens Not Plan To Renew 2012 Contract With Express Scripts

Members of drug card programs managed by Express Scripts will be shocked to discover in 2012 they can no longer use Walgreens to get prescriptions filled. Walgreen's will not be part of Express Scripts pharmacy provider network, effective January 1, 2012.

Express Scripts was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. Express scripts markets specialized management strategies to enhance the ability of pharmaceutical providers to sell drugs to grouped individuals. Express Scripts provides retail network pharmacy management, retail drug card programs, home delivery pharmacy service, specialty pharmacy service, patient care contact centers, benefit plan design and consultation, drug formulary management, electronic claims processing, and more.

Express Scripts helps individuals in groups formed by health management organizations, health insurers, third party administrators, employers, union sponsored benefit plans, workers compensation plans, and government health programs to get their prescriptions filled.

Walgreen's is the biggest drug store chain in the United States. Large plans that can contract with Walgreen's receive a proven, consistent service at convenient locations. No contract leaves patients served by Express Mart scrambling to find a local pharmacy to replace the service Walgreens corner retail store has been providing.

Home Care Path encourages user's of Express Script managed plans to be aware of this approaching change.

Social Security Under Pays Seniors In 2009

Patrick O'Carroll has reported Social Security made almost 1.5 billion dollars in under payments in the 2009 budget year. Patrick O'Carroll currently serves as the 3rd inspector general (IG) for the Social Security Administration (SSA), having been appointed to that position on November 24, 2004.

An under payment is an amount that is owed to a person that has not yet been paid. Underpayments usually result from unpaid benefits that have accumulated, or checks that have not been cashed.

The Social Security Administration's Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program made an estimated 800 million dollars in under payments. The Social Security Administration's Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (RSDI) Program made an estimated 600 million dollars in under payments. Patrick O'Connell indicates about 99.5 percent of all retirement and disability payments were accurate in 2009.

The lack of workers seems to contribute the most to the under payments. The Social Security Adminstration is being challenged to serve more people with less money. Reduced money for labor salaries, means a lower level of service.

The President has mandated frequent reporting guidelines to enhance transparency of transactions. This includes an aggressive plan of action to reduce improper payments and improve payment accuracy throughout the Federal Government. Faster identification of fiscal errors can result in a quicker search for solutions.

Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com encourages seniors to apply for earned benefits when eligible.

How Could Stock Market Performance Be Tied To Medical Insurance

Medical Insurance in the United States is employment based. Employers receive a tax deduction that can help offset the cost of employment based medical insurance. The difficulty with employment based medical insurance is that it is only temporary. The persons medical insurance is tied to a particular job in a particular company, and it is lost with that job. The loss of a persons job is the loss of their medical insurance.

With job loss companies that derive their revenue from an employed person can struggle. Companies like large domestic clinical labs listed on the stock exchange. The clinical lab depends on a large number of persons making regular doctor visits. Persons without employment lack a valid pay source for medical doctor ordered clinical lab tests.

Without employment based insurance , less persons are using the diagnostic services of a large clinical lab. The stock value is dependent upon increasing levels of revenue. Business being depressed, the stock value is reduced. So less employed persons, means less doctor visits, and less money to pay for lab services.

Remember stock purchases are about buying earned returns for the least amount of money. Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com encourages seniors to consult with a certified financial representative prior to a stock investment.

WiscNet Loss Mean Medical Consumers Loss?

WiscNet is a nonprofit organization chartered to foster education, research, and public service among public and private organizations in Wisconsin. WiscNet provides high speed digital communications, which includes network access and supporting services. WiscNet is a nonprofit network cooperative, which traditionally results in lower user investment.

WiscNet start up funding included a three hundred thousand dollar grant from (NSF) the national science foundation. This three hundred thousand is directed toward connecting hospitals. WiscNet has been a leader in the growth of rural health care providers leverage of advanced network infrastructure to support medical information exchange and telehealth. This allows rural hospitals access to usable information technology better suited to meet the changing needs of todays population. The advanced support WiscNet provides to rural health providers translates to improved service at the doctor-patient visit.

On June 3, 2011 the state legislatures joint committee on finance passed motion 489 which contained language to eliminate WiscNet. Language specified that WiscNet could no longer be a department or office within the UW Madison Division of Information Technology beginning on July 1, 2012. Requiring the legislative audit bureau to conduct a program audit and a financial audit of the board of regents use of telecommunication services and relationship with WiscNet.
University of Wisconsin institutions (UW Hospital Teaching Research Facility) will be required to withdraw from WiscNet.

This legislation (motion 489) captures public funding awarded to WiscNet for continuation of service. This will remove WiscNets ability to function as a leader in high level communications across Wisconsin.

Home Care Path www.homecarepath.com encourages seniors to continue to follow this legislation as it unfolds.

Heat Can Cause Dehydration And The Risk Is Confusion Memory Loss

With increased temperatures (hot outside) over and extended period of time, seniors are at risk of dehydration. The best way to prevent dehydration is with frequent drinks of cool fluid throughout the day.

The symptoms of dehydration include dry mouth, decreased tears made by eyes, little or no sweating, muscle cramps, confusion, memory loss, weakness, nausea, vomit, light headed especially with standing, poor skin turgor.

Reasons for not drinking enough fluid can include:
Older adults often do not have the thirst mechanism (diminished over time) where the body alarms the person to search for water that a younger person has.
Hard to hold a glass of fluid to the mouth.
Painful to get up from chair.
Choose not to due to inability to control bladder (incontinence).
Too exhausting to make extra trips to the bathroom.

Medications may contribute to fluid loss. Taking medications to increase the amount and frequency of urine (diuretics, water pills). Caffeine has the effect of a water pill to increase urine output. Some cardiac medications can decrease the circulatory systems ability to compensate for excessive fluid loss.

Preventing dehydration involves fluid replacement. The key is to have frequent cool drinks throughout the day. Carry a water bottle with you throughout the warmer days. Persons experiencing symptoms should contact their medical clinic for proper information and treatment.

Home Care Path coordinates elder home care assistants in Baraboo Wisconsin http://www.homecarepath.com/

Vemurafenib To Treat Skin Cancer

Vemurafenib performed well as PLX4032 in recent clinical trial. Vemurafenib is an investigational medication that can be taken by the mouth.

Melanoma is skin cancer. Skin cancer becomes deadliest when it spreads to other parts of the body. Researchers for Roche a research focused biotech company located in Basel Switzerland are looking for ways to stop the ability of the cancer to grow and spread.

BRAF protein is a protein involved in sending signals to cells with cell growth. In cases where cancer is being spread by the help of BRAF protein, Vemurafenib acts to inhibit BRAF protein signals, and stop growth. Use of Vemurafenib to stop the cancer causing mutated form of BRAF protein led to significant tumor shrinkage. This translates to reduced risk of disease worsening, a progression free survival.

A Roche Genentech developed product, Vemurafenib has a safety profile consistent with previous clinical studies. Expect this drug to apply for market approval with the FDA.

Connect with elder home care assistants in Baraboo Wisconsin www.homecarepath.com a free access site.

Sun Primary Source UV Radiation

The sun is the primary source of UV radiation. UV stands for ultra violet. The sun emits energy over wave lengths called ultra violet radiation that you cannot see or feel . Ultra violet radiation has a shorter wave length and a higher energy than visible light.

A small dose of UV radiation can generate vitamin D, something the body needs. Over exposure can result in sun burn, something the body does not need. Ultra violet radiation, from the sun and tanning beds, is classified as a human carcinogen, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the World Health Organization.

A human carcinogen is a substance capable of causing cancer. Besides premature aging of the skin, you risk cancer with an over exposure to the sun. Cancer is a disease caused by an uncontrolled division (growth tumor) of abnormal cells in a part of the body.

Since the benefits of sun light (vitamin d) cannot be separated from its damaging (premature aging, cancer) effects it is important to take some precautions to protect yourself. Consider staying indoors when the sun is most evident. Wearing a cap, and sunglasses on trips out doors. Wearing topical sun screen when out in the sun. The weather reporter reminds us it is possible to get sun burn on a cloudy day, even if it does not feel warm.

Home Care Path www.homecarepath reminds seniors to protect their skin with trips out doors.

Wisconsin Building More Hospitals

Wisconsin is building new hospitals. Federal medical insurance regulations will provide a valid pay source for every individual in the community. More participation means more choice and increased convenience. Below is a list of staffed hospital beds for the bigger providers in the Madison , Wisconsin area.

University of Wisconsin Hospital lists 503 staffed beds

Saint Mary's Hospital lists 361 staffed beds

Meriter Hospital lists 336 staffed beds

New construction includes plans for adequate parking, larger room size, and an expanded menu of services. This will improve access for alternative therapies. Communites will have the medical infrastructure to assure quality care is available to meet the needs of a changing population. Connect with elder home care assistants in Baraboo Wisconsin www.homecarepath.com

List Of Documents To Help With Estate Planning

A large part of estate planning is organizing and storing documents where they can be located and reviewed on a regular basis. The following is a brief list of documents helpful in the estate planning process.
1. Last will and testament
2. Revocable living trust
3. Advance medical directive
4. Durable power of attorney for health care
5. Living will
6. Durable power of attorney (financial)
7. Personal property memorandum
8. Memorial instructions
9. Birth certificate
10. Death certificate
11. Marriage certificate
12. Divorce, seperation agreements
13. Adoption papers
14. Citizenship documents
15. Military records
16. Drivers license
17. Social security card
18. Health insurance
19. Medicare acrd
20. Organ donor card
21. Prenuptial agreement
22. Postnuptial agreement
23. Employment agreements
24. Corporation and LLC documents
25. Leases
26. Partnership agreements
27. Bank and investment account statements
28. Life insurance policies with benficiary designations
29. Stock and bond certificates
30. U.S. Savings bonds
31. Property deeds
32. Mortgages
33. Title insurance policies
34. Home owner, business, and umbrella insurance policies
35. IRA's
36. 401k's
37. Pension plans
38. Annuities
39. Social Security benefits
40. Title and insurance for all vehicles, boats, motorcycles, planes
41. Credit card statements
42. Copies of tax returns
43. Safe deposit box contents, key
44. Art
45. Antiques

Estate planning is about organizing documents for easy access. Simple activities like liquidating houshold contents upon death may require coordination of several organizations that work in the local community. Having the documents to support the household contents can make the process unfold in a smooth manner for the family.