Monterey, CA An Interesting New Twist On Alzheimer’s & Dementia Testing

A woman with grey hair sitting in a chair.


A new training tool dubbed the Interview For Decisional Abilities, or IDA, helps to assess whether some seniors can make informed choices about their own care and well being.  Although not specifically a test for Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, it was developed by two geriatricians to help Adult Protective Services (APS) workers decide if seniors have the cognitive ability to make financial and other decisions, even if those fly in the face of what family members want.  It’s also used by hospital discharge planners to assess whether a patient has the capacity to assist on going home instead of going into rehab.  Assisted living facilities may also start using IDA to see if new residents understood the contracts that they were signing.  Regular readers of my blog know that both my grandmother and my father had this terrible disease when they passed away.  There is a great group of people at the Alzheimer’s Association in Ryan Ranch who are there to help you.  They also have a 24-hour hotline at 1-800-272-3900.

Good News For Those On Social Security, Some Medicare Advantage Plans Lowering Prices – By Derek Baine

A table with many different types of pills on it.


Social Security recipients recently got the good news that come January, their cost of living adjustment (COLA) will rise more than it has in decades.  Now more good news as, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the average monthly premium for a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan is projected to drop 11% in 2022 to just $21.22.  The CMS also projected that Medicare enrollees who buy Part D drug coverage will see their premium rise from $31.47 this year to $33 next year (Source AARP Bulletin, November 2021 Issue, page 4).

AARP Gets Centers For Medicare & Medicaid Services To Regulate Nursing Homes More Stringently : By Derek Baine

A building with the capitol in the background.


The AARP Foundation and other advocates agreed to amend a lawsuit against CMS after the agency which regulates nursing facilities, agreed to reinstate the ability to levy steep finds to hold nursing homes accountable for the health and safety of residents.  Previously, nursing homes could be fined only once per violation.  Under the new rules, the CMS can levy fines on a facility for every day they are or were in violation of the rules (Source AARP Bulletin, November 2021 Issue, page 4).

Carmel, CA Family Caregivers May Soon Get A Tax Credit Of Up To $5K

A man and woman posing for the camera.


A bill which is working its way through both houses of Congress would give a much-needed financial break to 48 million family caregivers in America who struggle every day as they care for a loved one.  I know the feeling well, I cared for my grandmother in my own home over five years until she passed away just shy of her 98th birthday.  She had Alzheimer’s disease and was quite a handful.  However, it was very fulfilling personally to be able to be there as she struggled in her final years.  If you face a similar situation, please contact our local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association in Ryan Ranch.  They have some wonderful people and there is also a 24-hour hotline where you can speak to someone compassionate when you are struggling at 800-272-3900.  Thankfully, The Credit for Caring Act which was introduced back in May in the U.S. Senate looks likely to pass, and it will give a tax credit of up to $5K to working family caregivers.  It would give eligible family members a 30% credit for qualified expenses above $2K, paying for things like home care aides, adult day care, respite care and home modifications like ramps and smart technology to make your home safer.

https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/financial-legal/info-2021/new-credit-for-caring-act.html

Medicare Advantage Premiums To Drop 11% In 2020

A nurse is smiling next to an older woman.


According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Medicare Advantage plans are expected to decline by 11% in 2020 to $21 (from $23.63 in 2020).  About 42% of Medicare participants are expected to enroll in the plans, as many of those have added new services.  There are also a wide array of plans available, 47 in 2020 compared to just 39 in 2020.