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Greetings,
Spring is a busy time at MVES. We have a series of
open houses over the next several months that will
help residents see the many aspects of MVES.
Professionals who make referrals to MVES will have a
chance to win great prizes in a new contest lasting
throughout the summer. And, you've probably seen ads
about the new discount drug cards--read the featured
column to make sense of this confusing benefit.
It's also important to stop and appreciate the people
we
serve. We think you'll smile when you read about the
profiled newlyweds. Have a good month.
| Marriage For The Elder Set |
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"We ran away without our parents' consent," joked Orin
Hood of Malden when asked about his March wedding
to Florence Doone. Mr. Hood is 95 and his wife is 85,
but age didn't stop their wish to marry and celebrate
their feelings for one another.
The two were engaged for a year and a half before
they married. They originally met at the Malden Guild of
Artists about 12 years ago. Mr. Hood says he
especially "enjoys painting sand dunes" in oils and Mrs.
Hood is an accomplished artist and photographer who
focuses on "whatever is different." But, it wasn't until
two years ago, when they both served as board
members for the Guild, that they became friends.
Read more... »
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| MVES Begins Series Of Open Houses |
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Mystic Valley Elder Services has a tremendous offering
of services. The agency, which has been in business
for 29 years, serves people of all income levels and
backgrounds. Here are just a few examples of the
types of people--and their need--that MVES can help:
--A 50-year-old woman who needs to find daytime
social activities for her father who has Alzheimer's
disease
--A 65-year-old man who has difficulty preparing a
meal and misses socializing with others
--A 40-year-old woman and her husband who are worn
out from taking care of the woman's mother
Read more... »
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| Contest For Referral Sources! |
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At MVES, our objective is to serve as many elders as
possible. We are fortunate to have health care
professionals (VNAs, physicians, social workers, service
providers, etc.) who often think to refer clients to
MVES for appropriate services. To thank these
professional referral sources and to encourage future
referrals, MVES will begin a contest on May 18. Any
person (with the exception of MVES employees) who
makes a referral during the contest time will
automatically be entered.
The prizes? They include a stay in Hyannis, an evening
at Foxwoods, and a night in downtown Boston. All
three include accommodations and dinner for two.
These gifts were thoughtfully donated by sponsors.
Read more... »
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| Making Decisions For Elderly Parents |
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Question: My father has been deteriorating
physically and mentally over the last year. He is making
poor choices, refuses all outside assistance, and should
not be living alone. I was shocked when I was told I
couldn't legally make the decision to put him in a
nursing facility. He certainly can't determine the right
thing so why can't I do that for him?
Answer: There are several answers to your question.
They range from a philosophical point of view to a
strict legal interpretation along with some ideas that
may help provide the support your father needs now
and in the near future. Most of us strongly believe the
right of self-determination and freedom of choice
should be protected, particularly when it involves us. It
can become less clear when the issue of decision
making and self-determination involves a loved one,
often a parent. However, the law states that adults
should be able to make decisions about their own
lifestyle as long as they are not endangering others or
putting themselves in grave, imminent risk. The
question is what is grave, imminent risk and who
determines that fact?
Read more... »
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| New Medicare $600 Drug Benefit Is Hard To Grasp |
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Saving money can be a tough thing. The recently
passed Medicare modernization law helps certain elders
save money, but the law is confusing and difficult to
understand. The money-savings involve two related
parts: The Transitional Assistance Program (TA) and
temporary discount drug cards. With the TA benefit,
Medicare will provide a $600 drug credit in 2004 for a
single person with an annual income up to $12,569
($16,862 for a couple). If your income is at the poverty
level ($9,310 for one person, $12,490 for a couple),
you will receive the $600 credit but you will only have
to pay a 5 percent co-payment for your medications. If
your income is above the poverty level, but still
qualifies you for TA, you will have a 10 percent co-
payment for medications and the $600 credit. However,
to receive the $600 benefit at either income level, you
must have a Medicare-Approved Drug Discount Card.
Confusing? It continues! To qualify for the $600
benefit, you must not receive drug coverage from other
sources, including Medicaid or group health insurance-
except if your drug coverage is through a Medicare
HMO plan or a Medigap supplement plan. You must sign
up for a discount drug card and the $600 credit at the
same time. Be prepared to submit income, retirement,
and health benefits information.
Read more...
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