Senior Advocate: Ultimate Dining 2009 set for Aug. 2
Jul
23
Written by:
7/23/2009 3:31 PM
By Betty Berry
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Q: I have just returned to the Conejo Valley after being gone for five years and am trying to get caught up on activities that take place in the community. If I remember correctly, every summer Senior Concerns had a fundraiser called the Ultimate Dining Experience. Can you tell me if that event still takes place?
A: I am happy to tell you that Ultimate Dining is still an event in the Conejo Valley. This event is a fundraiser that enables Senior Concerns to provide vital services and programs to seniors, caregivers and their families.
Ultimate Dining 2009 is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 2, starting at 5 p.m. It will take place at the Hyatt Westlake Plaza, 880 S. Westlake Blvd., in Westlake Village.
Talented chefs will present gourmet selections featuring their favorite recipes, which will include Mediterranean, Southwestern and French influences.
In addition to fine dining, there will be silent and live auctions. For information or reservations, go to http://www.senior-concerns.org.
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 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 only applies 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, the Medicare coverage is available for a limited period of time.
Custodial care does not require the skills or knowledge of a doctor or registered health personnel. Care is normally provided by an attendant who assists or supervises such activities as walking, bathing, dressing, eating, toileting or moving from bed to chair, etc.
Medicare defines skilled care as a nursing or rehabilitation therapy service that requires the special skills of technical or professional health personnel such as registered nurses, licensed practical or vocational nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists and audiologists.
Skilled services include but are not limited to intravenous feeding, care of catheters, application of dressings involving prescription medications and treatment of bed sores and other widespread skin disorders.
Skilled rehabilitation services include therapeutic exercises or activities, gait evaluation and training, ongoing assessment or rehabilitation needs and potential and maintenance therapy.
Both skilled care and rehabilitation therapy services must be required seven days a week to qualify for Medicare coverage in a skilled nursing facility.
There may be some crossover of coverage. A patient who has need of both skilled or therapy care as well as custodial care will likely be considered a Medicare patient. Also a service that is ordinarily considered custodial may at times qualify as skilled if the overall condition of the patient requires the expertise of skilled personnel.
— Betty Berry is a senior advocate for Senior Concerns. The advocates are at the Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362; or call 495-6250. You are invited to submit questions on senior issues.