Betty Berry - Senior Advocate

By Betty Berry, Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010  Q: My brother, who is the caretaker for my 99-year-old mother, told me recently that my mother was eligible for Medicare’s hospice benefit. I thought Medicare did not pay for “custodial” care. Where can I get more information about this?

A: You are right — Medicare does not pay for custodial care. However, hospice care is much different from custodial care, and it is covered under Medicare Part A benefits.

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By Betty Berry, Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010  Q: I am a caregiver for a relative who is in the beginning stages of dementia. I also hold down a full-time job. I would very much like to attend a support group but have not found one that meets in the evening. Do you know of one that does?

A: Yes, I know of two caregiver support groups that hold their meetings in the evening, including a new one offered by the Central Coast chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

This new support group will hold its meetings...

By Betty Berry, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010  Q: I keep hearing about the need for seniors to include physical activity in their daily activities, but I never seem to have the time or interest. How can I get started?

A: I am always excited to report on a new program or activity for seniors. Senior Concerns and the SCAN Senior Resource Center, in cooperation with California Lutheran University’s exercise science department,...

By Betty Berry, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2010  Q: A group of us were out the other night when one person needed to use an ATM. When she returned to the table a discussion about ATMs and scams took place. It seemed we all had different ideas about how it happens and how to protect against it. Do you have any suggestions?

A: Modern technology is wonderful, but with convenience comes risk. When using an ATM you need to be alert to a number of things to protect yourself from theft.

First you need to be alert...

By Betty Berry, Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2010  Q: All the talk about healthcare reform has led me to think about my Medicare coverage and whether I really understand all the parts and rules. Is there somewhere I could go for a refresher course?

A: Understanding Medicare isn’t easy. A review of the numerous parts and rules can’t hurt. Every year there are changes, and you need to keep up to date on your coverage to determine if and how those changes might...

By Betty Berry, Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2010  Q: I received a letter from a company saying that the state was holding some money that belonged to me and for a fee this company would collect that money and forward it to me. Is this on the up and up or is it some type of scam?

A: This is an excellent question and you are to be congratulated on being so observant. We can never be too careful.

The letter you received in all likelihood is an honest offer. There are companies whose sole purpose is to search...

By Betty Berry, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010  Q: I am a full-time caregiver and at my wits’ end. I am totally worn out and need a break. Placing my loved one in a long-term care facility is not an option at this time and having someone come into my home will not provide me the peace and quiet that I need. Is there an option I am not aware of?

A: First, I want to commend you for reaching out. Many caregivers, for a variety of reasons, resist the need to ask for help.

Now, to answer your question about...

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...

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...

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...