 Benefit information changes often so finding current reliable sources are important. Recently the Social Security Administration updated some of its website information and publications. Available to everyone is the "Get a Publication" webpage on the Social Security Administration [SSA] website at http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/ . There are many publications you can look at and order. A prompt called "Topic" is where you can use a pull-down menu to select the information you want to retrieve. The "Topic" prompt is on the top left side of the page as shown above. As a caregiver with limited time, this site is easy to navigate and helpful. There are many ways to get information such as reading, listening, ordering it, or using a tool; also, you can print out information and apply for benefits online. On the front page - right side bar, the SSA website has a Frequently Asked Questions box that you can click on to ask a question or see what others have asked.
At http://www.ssa.gov/pgm/retirement.htm you can learn about retirement benefits and use the retirement planner tools available to get estimates about your social security and other possible benefits prior to when you decide to retire.
It is worthwhile to take some time to explore the updated Social Security Administration [SSA] website to understand your current or future benefits. The SSA website offers helpful information for the whole family to use.
copyright 2013 Kim Kozina Evanoski, MPA, LMSW - Care Manage For All LLC
 Here is a book that seems intriguing to me; I have put it on my "things to read" list. The reason is two-fold: In the sample chapters, I like the honesty of the author about her not "being superwoman". And I like hearing that this author explored ways to find positive meaning in a difficult and changing relationship. A relationship that is changed by memory and functional losses. From what I had an opportunity to preview, I found reading about this "hopefulness" exciting because it changes our view of care partnerships. Hopefulness is an important component of sustaining a meaningful care-fulfilling experience. As a professional, it is watching the ever-startling resilience of constant and dedicated caring that provides hopeful guidance to our next generations who will care. This hopefulness must focus on the good days or good moments first while allowing validation to the many harder days that come with providing care. It is about the magnificent way we can allow our lens to see relationships transformed and accepted, even in human decline. It is about being present in the relationship as it unfolds. Care partnerships can model the best in human kindness and patience. It may teach us to try harder to look beyond the losses that come with being human. Reading this book may support our entire community in reflecting deeply on who and what we want to be as a society who provides compassionate care for others.
copyright 2012 Kim Kozina Evanoski, MPA, LMSW - Care Manage For All LLC
 Ever feel like you are swimming in a rough sea of healthcare information but not quite knowing if the information is what you want, need, or trust? How can we form good questions to ask our healthcare professionals? We view so much information on topics in healthcare that it is sometimes overwhelming. We want to look for quality in our care. We want to ask the most important questions that relate to our health situations. As a Care Manager, a big part of helping a care partner is finding valuable information and resources that can be used and understood. Here is a website "Questions are the Answer" at http://www.ahrq.gov/questions/ to view as it may offer ways to teach us "how to ask" for information we may find valuable. There is also the "Speak Up Initiative" at http://www.jointcommission.org/speakup.aspx where you can find helpful information and brochures to download on a variety of topics.
Learning where to search in this great big sea of information is a big challenge! But there are ways to start that search and successfully find what we need. The Medical Library Association {MLA} has a valuable resource called "A User's Guide to Finding and Evaluating Health Information on the Web" at http://www.mlanet.org/resources/userguide.html where you can get started on your search with sources they think are reliable. The MLA talks about sites called Medline Plus at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ and Healthfinder at http://www.healthfinder.gov/ . The MLA also lists helpful consumer health sites that have shown consistent dedication in providing up-to-date and relevant consumer resources. One example that seems helpful is NOAH or New York Online Access to Health at http://www.noah-health.org/en/ebm/ . On its site, it lists information related to "Understanding Medical Information" as its own topic. On another MLA consumer resource page at http://www.mlanet.org/resources/consumr_index.html , you can find multiple topics like finding a medical library, understanding information about hospital quality, and access to a series of MLA Senior seminars and resource that can be downloaded and printed.
Lastly, as healthcare consumers, openly ask your healthcare providers what information and sites they have used and found reliable that you would find helpful. It could be one of the best questions you could ask! copyright 2012 Kim Kozina Evanoski, MPA, LMSW - Care Manage For All LLC
 Want to know what makes a care manager's wish come true? A care partner who is planning and goal setting their life stages so he/she makes, as best as possible, the perfect "happily-ever-after" scenario!
The National Institutes of Health [NIH] recently released some helpful videos that you can use to think about your future. These videos can help you consider planning more actively for how you will want to see your life further down the road. Enjoy taking some time to view and think about your options when there is no stress or pressure to make any immediate decisions. Here is the link to the long term care videos: http://nihseniorhealth.gov/videolist.html#longtermcare .
Another area to explore on the NIH site is the "Planning for Long Term Care" page where you can read about ways you can plan out your decisions in important areas of health, legal and financial. The information is broken down in an easy to follow format. Here is the link: http://nihseniorhealth.gov/longtermcare/planningforlongtermcare/01.html .
Lastly, on many of the NIH pages, there are other helpful resources available to answer frequently asked questions or give you opportunities to further explore a topic. Happy Planning!
copyright 2012 Kim Kozina Evanoski, MPA, LMSW - Care Manage For All
 Are you considering adding exercise to your daily routine? Or do you want to increase your exercise level significantly? There’s a safe way for almost everyone to be more active. Even if you have a health condition, there are exercises you can do that offer great health benefits.
One way to get started is to talk with your doctor about the exercises and physical activities that are best for you. If you have a specific health issue that you are concerned about, ask your doctor for some tips to help you exercise safely. Here are some questions to consider:
1. Are there any exercises or activities I should avoid?
Your doctor can make recommendations based on your health history, keeping in mind any recent surgeries and ongoing health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, or heart disease.
This would be a great time to check with your doctor about any unexplained symptoms you’ve been experiencing, such as chest pain or pressure, joint pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath. Your doctor may recommend postponing exercise until the problem is diagnosed and treated.
2. Is my preventive care up to date?
Your doctor can tell you if there are any tests you might need. For example, women over age 65 should be checked regularly for osteoporosis.
3. How does my health condition affect my ability to exercise?
Some health conditions can affect your exercise routine. For example, people with arthritis may need to avoid some types of activity, especially when joints are swollen or inflamed. Those with diabetes may need to adjust their daily schedule, meal plan, or medications when planning their activities. Your doctor can talk to you about any adjustments you need to make to ensure that you get the most out of your new exercise routine.
To find out more about how to exercise safely, visit the Go4Life® website at www.nia.nih.gov/Go4Life. Go4Life is an exercise and physical activity campaign from the National Institute on Aging at NIH. It has exercises, success stories, and free materials to help you get ready, start exercising, and keep going.
 Find a virtual vacation spot to refresh yourself! Have you ever gone to a place where you found a whole bunch of valuable information? Or found all the items you were looking for at the right place or at the right time? And it became an "oasis" for you.
Well this week, I feel I found an "oasis" of caregiver information. "Oasis" meaning a pleasant or peaceful area or period in the midst of a difficult, troubled, or hectic place or situation, as defined by Dictionary.com .
Where, you ask, did I find this helpful caregiver information? At the American Heart Association's Caregiver Resources site!
What I really enjoy about the American Heart Association site is the variety of helpful caregiver topics. A caregiver can explore many different interesting areas to work on their wellness or just feel supported in their care-giving work!
So enjoy this oasis of helpful caregiver information this week. Or find and use another supportive online site that can be your oasis.
Here are a few areas on the American Heart Association's Caregiver Resources site that I explored and found helpful:1. Refresh yourself ideas!
2. Helpful cooking tips!
3. Get motivated to get moving!
copyright 2012 Kim Kozina Evanoski, MPA, LMSW - Care Manage For All
 Artwork by Rita Loyd. Be inspired at http://www.nurturingart.com/ It is inspiring when others give you the courage to think about making an important step towards your wellness. Whether taking a small or large step, planning care for "you" is a positive route!
In the free publication care ADvantage by the Alzheimer's Foundation of America [here is the link where you can read wellness information: http://www.afacareadvantage.org/issues/ca_winter12.pdf ], you can be inspired and enjoy the wonderful story about the caregiver Rita Loyd whose stunning artwork helps her find an outlet of managing her caregiver stress.Another article "Go For It! Self-Care is Not Selfish" by Jane Meier Hamilton, MSN, RN talks about her care-giving journey where she discovers "practicing" is the art of taking care of herself. She shares many ideas and tips that help her. Her words may further inspire or validate your next steps forward in self-care. Eboni Green, Ph.D., RN has a thoughtful and practical "Take a Look at 'U'" model where you answer questions about your level of wellness. In her article "Caregiver Wellness: It's Up to 'U'" , Dr. Green defines the wellness levels. She expresses wellness as "a work in progress" and encourages readers to understand wellness as a changing process that needs re-evaluation. Balancing care-giving is challenging. Taking your wellness to the next level is even more challenging! If care-giving is overwhelming right now, start slowly taking one small step towards your self-care. Try one idea suggested in the above articles that interests you and stick with it. After trying it for a while, ask yourself if you like it and find it benefits your wellness. Caregivers are important. You are important! Every day when you do something good for yourself, you help maintain your ability to continue your care for others. Cheers to your wellness!
Further helpful online resources: http://www.alzfdn.org/ and http://www.inspire.com/groups/alzheimers-foundation-of-america/
copyright 2012 Kim Kozina Evanoski, MPA, LMSW - Care Manage For All
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