By Betty Berry, Tuesday, July 27, 2010  Q: I am helping my sister-in-law deal with my brother, who has dementia but insists that he can still drive.

He is very stubborn, and no matter what we say to him, tells us he is a safe driver. Whenever he can, he sneaks out and “takes a ride.”

What can we do?

A: Explaining anything to a person with dementia can be difficult at best; however, talking about taking away driving privileges is even more difficult because this represents a tremendous loss of independence. Bringing up the issue can trigger anger, denial and grief.

Unfortunately, someone suffering from dementia doesn’t recognize that he or she no longer has the ability to make the split-second decisions required to safely operate a vehicle.

You don’t say whether you have talked with your brother’s doctor, but if you haven’t, that might be a place to start. Often, a person with dementia is more willing to listen to a third party such as a doctor than to a family member.

...

By Betty Berry, Tuesday, July 20, 2010  Q: I just placed a family member in a nursing facility, which mentioned a long-term-care ombudsman. Can you explain what an ombudsman does?

A: I’d be glad to. “Ombudsman” is a Swedish word that means citizen representative. A long-term-care ombudsman is a state-certified community volunteer who is trained to objectively investigate and resolve problems for residents in long-term-care facilities.

The ombudsman’s main goal is to ensure that residents at such facilities are getting the services to which they are entitled. Many of these residents have little or no contact with the outside world. Nor do they have control over their lives. The ombudsman serves as an advocate for residents and helps to improve their quality of life.

At least one experienced and trained ombudsman is assigned to each facility and is required to spend a specified period of time there each month. He or she is available to assist in resolving problems related to residents’ rights,...

By Betty Berry, Tuesday, July 6, 2010  Q: I retired before age 65 and have healthcare benefits from my employer. Will this be considered a Medicare supplement when I go on Medicare?

A: Since you are not yet age 65 your employer-provided healthcare benefit is your primary coverage. When you turn 65 and go on Medicare those benefits become your secondary coverage and may change. They may or may not provide the same benefits as a Medicare medigap policy.

Employer retirement plans are not the same as the state-regulated Medicare medigap plans. They do not necessarily provide the same services, since coverage depends on the contract between the employer and the insurer. Coverage will also vary depending upon whether the plan is a fee-for-service, managed-care HMO or preferred-provider network.

To determine the adequacy of the coverage ask the following questions: What will the plan pay after Medicare has paid? Does the plan pay for services...

By Betty Berry, Tuesday, June 29, 2010  Q: While paying into Social Security I have had several name changes. How can I determine if my earning records are accurate?

A: I asked Social Security to explain the process followed when it receives an earnings report that does not match the name and Social Security number in the files.

The agency goes to great length to find the correct record to which to credit the earnings. It checks for common errors such as use of nicknames, misspellings or transposition of letters or numbers. If these methods don’t work it attempts to contact the worker or employer to resolve the discrepancy.

If earnings remain unassignable they are placed in a “suspense” file; however, investigation continues.

You can help ensure accurate records. When a name change occurs advise Social Security so it can update the records. If you change jobs use the same name with each employer. Avoid using nicknames on your payroll records and review your W-2 form to make sure your...

By Betty Berry, Tuesday, June 22, 2010  Q: We have heard over and over that we, the users of the system, should review our Medicare Summary Notices and report any errors found.

What action can we expect from the Medicare System when we make a fraud complaint? What, if anything, is done to the providers who are found guilty of fraud?

Also, I understand that the healthcare reform that has just been passed will be addressing Medicare fraud — what can we expect?

A: An excellent question. Your question is also very timely as a panel presentation on this very subject is scheduled this month.

“Medicare Fraud — How Does It Happen? — How Is It Detected? — How Is It Investigated?” is scheduled for Monday from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks.

Panel presenters from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare and the Senior Medicare Patrol will discuss how fraud happens, areas in which...

By Betty Berry, Tuesday, June 15, 2010  Q: I’ve been widowed for almost two years and am considering a move. My home and yard are more than I want to continue to take care of. However, I am active and independent. I don’t need to be taken care of but at times am very lonely. I’m considering what they call retirement living. Can you provide any guidance about this?

A: I’d be delighted to tell you what I know about retirement living. It is one of the numerous alternatives the retirement housing industry offers seniors. You’ll find this type of accommodation referred to as a retirement community, a retirement facility, or independent or congregate living. These accommodations are designed for independent senior adults and provide apartmentlike living with 24-hour on-site staff available should a problem occur. Services usually include meals, housekeeping, laundry, social activities (entertaining and educational) and transportation.

Plan visits to all the retirement facilities available in your area...

By Betty Berry, Tuesday, June 8, 2010  Q: My parents are very private about their finances and personal records.

Until now this hasn’t been a problem, but they are beginning to need my assistance and I don’t have the information I need to help them get the care and services they require.

Do you have any suggestions about what I should ask them to provide?

A: Your situation is not uncommon. We are all guilty to some degree of not planning for the future, which includes getting our financial and personal records in order and letting a family member or close friend know where the information is kept.

Although each person’s situation is unique, some basic information and documents should be available.

The following suggestions might help you organize not only your parents’ records but also your own.

First, compile a personal records file that includes the individual’s full legal name, legal residence, date and place of birth, and Social Security number. Without these four...

By Betty Berry, Tue. June 1, 2010  Q: I don’t know if it is because I’m a senior, but I’m tired of receiving poor responses to problems I try to resolve. Can you make any suggestions on how to “get what you pay for?”

A: I’m sure your frustrations are shared by the general public and are not limited to senior citizens. When you find that a service or merchandise is less than acceptable, you have the right to complain.

To be effective, you need to be brief and to the point, and above all else, polite. For a good review on how to complain effectively, you should mark your calendar for the next Senior Issues seminar at the Westlake Village Civic Center.

“How to Right a Wrong — Complain Effectively and Get Results” is scheduled from 1:30-3 p.m June 9 at the Westlake Village Civic Center, 31200 E. Oak Crest Drive, Westlake Village.

The seminar will be facilitated by the senior advocates and will cover the what, why, when, how, where and who of effectively advocating for yourself when something...

By Betty Berry, Tuesday, May 25, 2010  Q: I am trying to educate my parents about identity theft, but I don’t think they believe what I’m saying. Perhaps they would listen more if it came from a third party. Can you address how identify theft happens?

A: I would be glad to. Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information and uses it without your knowledge to commit fraud or crimes. Skilled identity thieves use a variety of methods to get their hands on your personal information. The most common are Dumpster diving, skimming, phishing, changing your address, and just plain stealing.

Dumpster diving is exactly what it sounds like: rummaging through your trash looking for documents that include information such as Social Security numbers, account numbers and birth dates. Always cross-shred documents with this information.

Skimming involves using a special storage device to skim the magnetic strip of your credit or debit card as it is being processed. Never let your credit...

By Betty Berry, Tuesday, May 18, 2010  Q: In the past I have participated in Senior Concerns’ Love Run. It seems that this is about the time of year it usually takes place. Can you give me details for this year’s event?

A: The 17th annual Love Run is scheduled for June 6. Registration and the start of activities will take place at 3011 Townsgate Road (corner of Townsgate and Lakeview Canyon roads) in Westlake Village.

The event offers something for every member of the family. Race-day registration is at 7 a.m., with a 5K run at 8 a.m., 10K run at 8:50 a.m. and one-mile run/walk at 9 a.m. Races will be timed using microchips; the top three male and female finishers will receive awards. Medals will be awarded to all children younger than 11.

Registration is $25 in advance and $30 the day of the event. For more information, visit http://www.seniorconcerns.org and click on the Love Run logo.

The Love Run is a major fundraiser for Senior Concerns’ Meals On Wheels program....