By Betty Berry Wednesday, January 28, 2009  Q: I am planning to bring my mother here to Thousand Oaks and beginning to look at various types of housing and frankly I am most confused. Is there any one place I can go to get this information?

A: Housing is a very complex subject. It is more than a place to live. Consideration must be given to cost as well as whether the person seeking housing can live independently or if some type of assistance is needed.

There are several organizations that work with housing needs, but each is geared to a particular type of housing.

To get a good bird’s-eye view, I think you might want to mark your calendar for the next Solving the Aging Puzzle seminar offered by Senior Concerns.

The presentation Housing — Knowing Your Options is scheduled from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 10 at Senior Concerns Adult Day Center, 401 Hodencamp Road, Thousand Oaks.

This will be a panel presentation with Doug Tapking, executive director of the Area Housing Authority,...

By Betty Berry Wednesday, January 21, 2009 

Q: My friends and I have been discussing long-term-care insurance and have differing views as to whether we should or should not purchase such coverage. We don’t feel informed enough about other options or the selections needed to be made to purchase a policy. Can you provide some basic information?

A: The decision to purchase long-term-care insurance is very important and one that shouldn’t be made in a hurry. There is no right or wrong answer. Each person’s situation is different and your comfort level is part of that decision-making process.

Before you shop for long-term-care insurance, you should investigate not only different insurance companies but also learn about what long-term care encompasses. Check to see what services are available, what type of facilities are available, what type of facilities provide such care and the cost of that care.

To pay long-term-care costs you have four choices: You can “self-insure” by paying for all...

By Betty Berry Wednesday, January 14, 2009   Q: My husband was considered disabled by his employer yet when he applied for Social Security disability he was turned down. Can you provide an explanation?

A: It is not unusual for a person to be turned down when first applying for Social Security disability. Perhaps Social Security just needs some additional information. I always suggest appealing the decision. You have 60 days from the time you receive the letter.

Not all disability programs are alike, and eligibility for various programs depends on that program’s definition of “disability.” Some programs will pay for partial disability or short-term disability. Social Security does not.

Social Security has a very strict definition for disability. Under Social Security disability is based on the inability to work. Applicants will be considered disabled if they cannot perform the work they did before the illnesses or accidents that caused the disabilities and if Social Security determines...

By Betty Berry Wednesday, January 7, 2009  

Q: I have read that many health problems and trips to the hospital are the result of incorrect handling or taking of medications. Could you address the importance of understanding how to handle and take medicines?

A: Now might be the perfect time to address this subject because most seniors have just completed an annual review of their medications to determine if they needed to change insurance carriers for Medicare Part D prescription coverage.

This is a good time to review those prescriptions with a physician to make sure you understand why they have been prescribed and any special rules associated with them.

I checked with a friend who is a pharmacist to see if there were any particular areas that could cause a potential problem and was surprised at some of what I learned.

It all starts with making sure your doctor or doctors know what other herbs, vitamins, supplements or over-the-counter medications you are taking. The combination...

By Betty Berry Wednesday, December 31, 2008 

Q: Each year there are changes in Medicare deductibles and co-insurance. Could you recap these changes for 2009 so I have them all in one place?

A: I would be happy to. These changes take effect tomorrow, Thursday, Jan. 1.

First let’s mention the Social Security cost-of-living increase in your January check. The increase is 5.8 percent and the largest in many, many years. The average increase will be $63.

In 2009, the monthly premium for Medicare Part B (medical coverage) that is deducted from your Social Security check will again be based on your adjusted gross income taken from your 2007 income tax return.

Basic monthly premium for singles earning $85,000 or less and for married couples earning $170,000 or less will remain at $96.40, the same as in 2008.

For single individuals earning between $85,001 and $107,000, the premium will be $134.90; between $107,001 and $160,000, it will be $192.70; between $160,001 and $213,000,...

By Betty Berry Wednesday, December 24, 2008 

Q: My mother is considering moving to California from another state, and I will be helping her make that move. I need to know what steps I should take to make sure her Social Security benefits will be properly transferred.

A: Prompt notification of a change of address always helps make a smooth transition, and notifying Social Security of a change is basically no different.

You didn't indicate whether your mother receives her Social Security benefits in check form or if she has selected the easy and safe option of automatic deposit.

If she receives her benefits in check form all she needs to do is notify Social Security of the new address. However, since it will take at least 30 days for the change to take effect, you want to make sure you provide the post office with her change of address information so that if a check is mailed to her former address it can be forwarded to her new location.

This might also be a good time to consider...

By Betty Berry Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Q: I am attempting to help an elderly relative select healthcare coverage. I am so confused and I can't believe a senior is required to understand all of the options available. I have run into Medicare, MediCal, Medicad, Medi/Medi, Medigap and Managed Care. Everything starts with "m" and they all sound alike. Can you help a nonsenior make sense of this?

A: At first glance, this may seem to be overwhelming, but I think that I can provide some definitions that will help clear up this confusion. Sorry about everything starting with "m"; however, all plans mentioned are related to Medicare coverage, the main healthcare coverage for seniors, and "m" seems to be the common denominator.

Let's take the items you mentioned in order and start with Medicare. Medicare is a nationwide, federally financed health insurance plan for the senior population (65 and older), the disabled (those eligible for Social Security Disability benefits) and those on dialysis...

By Betty Berry Wednesday, December 10, 2008   Q: It seems like I've been renewing my license by mail forever and now I have a notice telling me the current renewal must be at the DMV office. I'm wondering, why? Also, I'm sure I'll be required to take a written test and, to say the least, I'm nervous. Any suggestions for success?

A: Very few people look forward to taking any kind of test so you are not alone in your concerns. You've asked two very good questions that I'll try to answer.

Many of us have enjoyed the luxury of renewing our license by mail. However, according to the DMV there are several conditions that preclude a person from having that opportunity.

If you have a probationary license or if you have a "failure to appear" on your record within the past two years you will not be issued a renewal by mail. Also if you have been suspended from driving because of an illegal blood-alcohol content level within the past two years or if your record has a total violation point count greater than one you'll be invited to the DMV office for renewal of your license.

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Q: There is a chance my dad will need to go into a skilled nursing facility, and I've been told that Medicare might pay the costs. Do you know under what conditions this would occur?

A: The reason for your dad's stay in a skilled nursing facility will determine whether or not Medicare will cover the cost. There are three types of care an individual can receive in a skilled nursing facility. They are skilled nursing care, rehabilitation therapy and custodial care. Medicare coverage applies only to skilled care or therapy.

If your dad needs custodial care, Medicare will not cover any of the costs. However, if your dad needs continued skilled care or therapy after having been in an acute care hospital for at least three days, then Medicare coverage is available for a limited period of time. You may have some questions about what constitutes custodial care as compared to skilled nursing care. Custodial care does not require the skills or knowledge of a doctor or registered health personnel. Custodial...

Q: My dilemma has to do with when you should enroll in Medicare. My friends have their own interpretations of when you must enroll. Some say it's 65, others say when you reach full retirement age and others say you don't have to sign up as long as you continue to work. Is there a right answer?

A: Let me assure you that this particular question causes a dilemma for many, and friends and relatives mean well when they answer your questions based on when they were required to enroll in Medicare.

To address your question — "Is there a right answer?" — the answer is there is no "one" right answer because when to enroll in Medicare depends on each person's unique situation.

Currently there are four parts to Medicare coverage. Medicare Part A is your hospital insurance; Medicare Part B is your coverage for medical expenses; Medicare Part C covers Senior Advantage Plans, i.e. HMOs, PPOs; and Medicare Part D covers prescription drugs.

For ease of answering your question I am not going to address...