Publications at the Social Security Administration Website

02/08/2013

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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
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Inside the Dementia Epidemic: A Daughter's Memoir by Martha Stettinius

11/02/2012

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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
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YIKES! RUNNING PIGS?! TALK TO THE NURSE

02/04/2012

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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  
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