 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
 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
 Hooray for the first signs of spring!
Spring makes you excited to breathe fresh air, look at blooming flowers and try new ideas out again. It is kind of a renewing time. Just like the fresh start of a New Year when you think about a New Year's resolution.
Maybe you tried a New Year’s resolution and are still working on that idea. Maybe you are looking for a different idea that will renew your energy to appreciate the Spring!
I recently read a blog post that was helpful in thinking how we might renew our Spring wellness or feel re-ignited to stay with that New Year's Resolution! The blog post is written by Lisa Kendall, a licensed clinical social worker, titled:
New Year’s Resolutions: Move from a “to do” list to a “to be” list
She wrote about her fresh perspective after attended a motivating workshop that offered her new ideas about putting her wellness into action! With Ms. Kendall's permission, we provided the link so you can enjoy reading her insightful thoughts. Just click on the title to link to her blog entry.
copyright 2012 Kim Kozina Evanoski, MPA, LMSW - Care Manage For All
 I was driving one of those back roads home one day. Suddenly this good-sized pig comes running down the dirt road. Wow! That was one surprising sight. I could not believe what I saw for days.
So, why am I telling you this story?
Because my pig story reminds me of a few doctor visits I have had in my life!
No, I did not see a pig in the office. However, I did get a surprise.
At the doctor's office, we hear health news that surprises us. We see photos about our health that are a bit scary too. Moreover, at first, we may not really believe the health news said to us during that doctor's visit.
How can we listen to more instructions given by the health provider when we are trying to figure out what was just said to us?
This kind of visit can and does happen to many people.
I think my reaction is how others may have felt during their own doctor's visit.
Getting startling news needs "thinking" time.
"Thinking" time is letting yourself take news in and understand what the nurse or doctor said to you. Sometimes it takes lots of time to think and accept news said to us.
Thinking time and taking the time to adjust to news is ok!
However, if you are unsure about all the news given earlier, what do you do?
Do these three helpful steps:
1. Call the doctor's office.
2. Talk to the nurse about your last visit.
3. With a pen and paper right near you, ask these questions:
a. What did the doctor say about my health during my last visit? Write it down.
b. Ask the nurse to spell and explain any new medical terms. Write it down.
c. Ask the nurse what you need to do before the next doctor's visit. Write down the tasks. If the list is long, ask the nurse to send you the list in the mail.
Before the next doctor's visit:
1. Review or look up medical news and write down questions you may have for the doctor or nurse. Remember to ask those questions in the beginning of your visit.
2. Do the tasks asked by the doctor. Go over important results from the tasks with the doctor.
3. Bring a close friend or family member to listen and write down medical news during your next visit. Afterwards, you can sit together and talk about what each heard during the visit. A friend or family member would be happy to do this valuable and supportive task for you.
Reference/Resource: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/talkingwithyourdoctor.html
copyright 2012 Kim Kozina Evanoski, MPA, LMSW - Care Manage For All
 Attending and participating in a support group can offer many challenges as well as benefits. Our top tips can be used as a guide in helping you get the most out of attending one or many support groups.- Realize you may feel nervous the first few times you attend the support group. It is natural to feel that way. You are trying something new and meeting new people.
- If you can talk to the support group facilitator before going to the support group meeting -- by all means do it! Express any concerns and questions how the support group functions and how you feel about attending. Getting information will help to know in advance what to expect. The facilitator wants you to have a useful experience and can work towards making you more comfortable at the first meeting.
- If you can, go to the support group at least three time to get a clear, consistent picture of how it may or may not be a "fit" for you. Support group dynamics change slightly by group member participation and by the group's discussion that day.
- If you decide to be a participant in a support group, do try to attend on a regular basis. The benefit? Participants state feeling a marked improvement in their daily stress. Also, you may find commonality, support, new ideas to use, and friendship by getting to know other participants.
- Understand, even after attending the support group over some time, that you may have many mixed emotions when you attend. Sometimes a discussion starts making uncomfortable feelings pop up even when you feel attending the support group is helpful to you. This is normal and can mean you are emotionally working on some areas that are a concern for you. You should feel free to talk to the facilitator or group about this topic at any time.
- Know that a support group is a way to provide a little extra boost of caring and sharing! It is there to help reduce stress and offer support to people who feel they are in similar situations. It does not, though, replace the need for personal counseling or other means of self-care. Participants must be kind to themselves and fair to the support group by following through with their own individual self-care. You should feel free to talk to the facilitator about any concerns you may have on this topic.
- Lastly, not all support groups are for everyone. Try a couple of groups to find your "fit". Expect you may have to shop around. Some individuals find participating in two support groups gives variety and helps meet their personal specific needs better (ie., attending a general caregiver support group and a disease specific support group).
copyright 2012 Kim Kozina Evanoski, MPA, LMSW - Care Manage For All
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