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Get a Grip:
Sneakers Reduce Fall Risk
Those sneakers may be more useful than for helping you up a slippery path or avoiding a foot fault in that next game of friendly doubles. According to a recent study in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society, wearing something other than sneakers can increase your risk of falling by nearly 30%.
The study, which monitored 1,371 participants over age 65, examined several categories of footwear -- sneakers, loafers, heels, lace-up oxfords, and flats. Enjoy going barefoot? Your chances of taking a spill increase even more dramatically; subjects who went shoeless fell 10 times more often. Researchers concluded that a sneaker's wider, softer sole prevents slipping as well as tipping on uneven ground.
(The Cleveland Clinic Arthritis Advisor
March 2005)
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Beginning in January, 2006, people with Medicare will have the option to enroll in a plan that covers prescription drugs. People must enroll in a plan to get Medicare prescription drug coverage.
The plans will be sold by private companies. Vermont will have at least two plans, possibly more.
All people with Medicare need to decide if they want or need Part D because, in some circumstances, there will be penalties for late enrollment.
If a person decides they want part D, they will have to choose a plan. The plans will have a list of covered drugs. People will want to choose a plan that covers the drugs that they take.
People who have Medicare and Medicaid will no longer have drug coverage from Medicaid as of 1/1/06, but will instead have drug coverage under Medicare Part D.
Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs) must offer a basic drug coverage that is called a "standard benefit". These plans can vary, however, in design. There will be a monthly premium (probably around $37, maybe less), plus a yearly deductible. After the deductible has been met, you will pay about 25% of the total costs up to $2,250 (yours + Medicare's), then you will pay 100% of the next $2,850 in drug costs. After you have paid a total of $3,600 out of your
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own pocket ($250 deductible, $500 co-insurance, plus $2,800), "catastrophic coverage" will pay up to 95% of the drug costs for the remainder of the year.
If a person has limited income and resources, he/she may be eligible for extra help with the premium and cost sharing under the Medicare Part D. People who automatically qualify for this assistance will get a notification from Medicare in May.
Starting in May, Social Security will mail applications to people who may qualify for assistance but who are not already in the system. The financial guidelines at the present time are $1190/mo. for an individual; $1598/mo. for a couple, with limited resources.
The Initial Enrollment Period for signing up for a plan is from Nov. 15, 2005 to May 15, 2006. To get drug coverage as early as Jan. 1, 2006, people need to sign up before the end of 2005. In 2006 and after, the enrollment period will be from Nov. 15th to Dec. 31st of each year but there may be a substantial penalty for delaying enrollment past one's first opportunity.
This may all seem very confusing but Melanie at the Bugbee Senior Center will be happy to try to help you figure out what will work for you.
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