Taking care of others starts with taking care of yourself

When taking care of an aging parent it's important to remember to take care of yourself It may seem like heresy to do things for yourself when your parent needs help, but it's a crucial part of the job. The fact is, you'll be of little use to your parent if you are exhausted, resentful, depressed or sick — and all too many caregivers are exactly that. Define the job. As much as you may want to, you cannot do it all. So decide what you are willing to do. Then make a list and stick with it. Don't keep trying to do more. Accept help. This is a big job and most of us cannot do it without loads of helpers. Sign up for community services (meal delivery, homemaker programs, adult daycare, in-home health care, etc.). Recruit other relatives to help and see if neighbors or your parent's friends might take on some small tasks. Take breaks. If your parent's care consumes a significant chunk of your life, get away from the task occasionally. Find someone who can step in for you or see if there aren't respite services in your parent's community. Go out for dinner with a mate, have a bath, or take a vacation. Do something else, think about something else. Your parent will survive and you will be a better caregiver. Spend time with friends. Studies show that caregivers who have social supports (friends, family, support groups) experience less depression and illness. Coffee with a pal may feel like a luxury, but it's a necessity. Laugh. Laughter makes the world more sane (or at least it makes the insanity more fun). And scientists have shown that it actually improves one's immune system and circulation, not to mention one's outlook on life and ability to cope with the impossible. No comparisons, please. Don't listen to other's opinions of what you're doing and never compare yourself to other caregivers. Every situation is different. You may have a more stressful relationship with your parent, fewer supports, a more demanding job, or just different priorities and makeup. Trust in yourself to find the balance that is right for you. Source: How To Care for Aging Parents The complete Guide

Rollator- offering patient support and mobility freedom

There are various reasons why a person may need a rollator to assist them with mobilizing. A rollator is a device that supports a person who is walking. The rollator is pushed by its user while they are walking. The user keeps their hands on the rollator at all times while they walk so that they do not lose their support.

A wheelchair is a device for someone who cannot use their legs, while a rollator helps someone who can use their legs but needs support. People use a rollator for various reasons. Depending on the type of comfort a user seeks, if a person can walk, a rollator serves as a great device to assist them. Some people who have had strokes or other debilitating events happen to their bodies may find a rollator offers the support they need to assit them while walking. Not everyone who uses a rollator needs to have a handicap that prevents them from walking.

A rollator is also built in several different variations to accommodate the different users it may need to assist. Visit HMEprovider.com or contact us at 800-951-1213 to help get connected with a knowledgable equipment provider in your local area.

Souce: rolator.org

Fraud Target: Senior Citizens

Why should Senior Citizens be concerned? It has been the experience of the FBI that the elderly are targeted for fraud for several reasons:

1) Older American citizens are most likely to have a "nest egg," own their home and/or have excellent credit all of which the con-man will try to tap into. The fraudster will focus his/her efforts on the segment of the population most likely to be in a financial position to buy something. 2) Individuals who grew up in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s were generally raised to be polite and trusting. Two very important and positive personality traits, except when it comes to dealing with a con-man. The con-man will exploit these traits knowing that it is difficult or impossible for these individuals to say "no" or just hang up the phone. 3) Older Americans are less likely to report a fraud because they don't know who to report it to, are too ashamed at having been scammed, or do not know they have been scammed. In some cases, an elderly victim may not report the crime because he or she is concerned that relatives may come to the conclusion that the victim no longer has the mental capacity to take care of his or her own financial affairs. 4) When an elderly victim does report the crime, they often make poor witnesses. The con-man knows the effects of age on memory and he/she is counting on the fact that the elderly victim will not be able to supply enough detailed information to investigators such as: How many times did the fraudster call? What time of day did he/she call? Did he provide a call back number or address? Was it always the same person? Did you meet in person? What did the fraudster look like? Did he/she have any recognizable accent? Where did you send the money? What did you receive if anything and how was it delivered? What promises were made and when? Did you keep any notes of your conversations? The victims' realization that they have been victimized may take weeks or, more likely, months after contact with the con-man. This extended time frame will test the memory of almost anyone. 5) Lastly, when it comes to products that promise increased cognitive function, virility, physical conditioning, anti-cancer properties and so on, older Americans make up the segment of the population most concerned about these issues. In a country where new cures and vaccinations for old diseases have given every American hope for a long and fruitful life, it is not so unbelievable that the products offered by these con-men can do what they say they can do.

What to Look For and How to Protect Yourself and Your Family--

Health Insurance Frauds:

Medical Equipment Fraud:

Equipment manufacturers offer "free" products to individuals. Insurers are then charged for products that were not needed and/or may not have been delivered.

"Rolling Lab" Schemes:

Unnecessary and sometimes fake tests are given to individuals at health clubs, retirement homes, or shopping malls and billed to insurance companies or Medicare.

Services Not Performed:

Customers or providers bill insurers for services never rendered by changing bills or submitting fake ones.

Medicare Fraud:

Medicare fraud can take the form of any of the health insurance frauds described above. Senior citizens are frequent targets of Medicare schemes, especially by medical equipment manufacturers who offer seniors free medical products in exchange for their Medicare numbers. Because a physician has to sign a form certifying that equipment or testing is needed before Medicare pays for it, con-artists fake signatures or bribe corrupt doctors to sign the forms. Once a signature is in place, the manufacturers bill Medicare for merchandise or service that was not needed or was not ordered.

Some Tips to Avoiding Health Insurance Frauds

• Never sign blank insurance claim forms.
  
• Never give blanket authorization to a medical provider to bill for services rendered.
  
• Ask your medical providers what they will charge and what you will be expected to pay out-of-pocket.
  
• Carefully review your insurer's explanation of the benefits statement. Call your insurer and provider if you have questions.
  
• Do not do business with door-to-door or telephone salespeople who tell you that services of medical equipment are free.
  
• Give your insurance/Medicare identification only to those who have provided you with medical services.
  
• Keep accurate records of all health care appointments.
  
• Know if your physician ordered equipment for you
  

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation www.fbi.gov

EverGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator- Frequently Asked Consumer Questions

What is a "POC"? Is this type of oxygen therapy right for me? How can I fly given my current oxygen needs? Consumers most frequently asked questions brought to you by Respironics, the makers of the EverGo Portable Oxygen Concentrator. How does the EverGo portable concentrator work (produce oxygen)? The Respironics EverGo portable concentrator separates oxygen from room air and delivers it through a single lumen cannula. Room air contains approximately 21 percent oxygen and 79 percent nitrogen. By passing the air through a series of molecular, bacterial and dust filters, EverGo removes nitrogen and stores nearly pure (therapeutic) oxygen. Is the EverGo portable concentrator right for me? Only you and your doctor can determine if EverGo is the right oxygen concentrator for you. If you are active and require a highly portable source of oxygen, EverGo is ideal. What does the EverGo portable oxygen concentrator weigh? 9.9 lbs (4.5 kg) with 2 batteries and carrying case 8.5 lbs (3.8 kg) with 1 battery and carrying case How long can EverGo operate on battery power? Its two rechargeable batteries provide up to 8 hours of oxygen while operating at a typical patient setting of two (20 breaths per minute). See the chart below.

Flow Setting	Rate of 20 BPM
1	12 hours
2	8 hours
3	6 hours
4	4 hours
5	4 hours
6	4 hours

What is EverGo's oxygen producing capability? EverGo can deliver a maximum of 1050 ml/min. That is more oxygen per minute than any other portable concentrator available. What size is EverGo? It is about the size of a camera bag or small carry-on bag. 12" L x 6" W x 8.5" H (30.5 cm L x 15.25 cm W x 21.6 cm H) Can I use the EverGo while I sleep? Your doctor can determine whether or not the EverGo portable concentrator is appropriate for you while you sleep. An overnight pulse oximetry test may be necessary to measure your oxygen saturation level while using EverGo at night. Can I use the EverGo portable concentrator when I travel? EverGo is ideal for people who enjoy traveling and rely upon oxygen therapy. EverGo operates from a wall outlet (AC power), an automobile charger (DC power), or its internal rechargeable batteries, two lithium ion batteries similar to the type used in laptop computers. The device has been cleared for air travel by the FAA. Because airline policies for traveling with an oxygen concentrator vary, you need to check with your airline before flying with EverGo. Which airlines permit the use of the EverGo portable oxygen concentrator? The list of commercial air carriers allowing the use of EverGo during flight is growing monthly. Check the current list of carriers that have cleared EverGo for air travel.