By Betty Berry, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011 QUESTION: I retired before age 65 and have health care benefits from my employer. Will this coverage be considered a Medicare supplement when I go on Medicare? ANSWER: Since you are not yet age 65, your employer-provided health care benefit remains your primary coverage. When you reach age [...]
For the past eight years Shirley, age 77, has been handling the family finances for herself and her husband Joe. A former CPA, Joe had handled the couple’s money, but the tremors from his Parkinson’s restricted his ability to write checks or use online banking and the mild dementia Joe experiences left him confused with [...]
By Betty Berry, Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011 Q: My dad will be coming to live with me in my home. He has some problems with mobility and I want to make the house as free from potential falls as possible. Do you have any suggestions on what I can do? A: One of the added [...]
By Betty Berry, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011 Q: I just received a letter from Social Security telling me I have been overpaid and must repay. I don't understand how this could have happened and don't think I have been overpaid. I don't know how to handle this problem. Can you help? A: Overpayment can occur [...]
By Betty Berry, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011 Q: My friends range in age from the early 50s to the mid-70s. When we talk about retirement, we have many conflicting beliefs. Is there somewhere we could go as a group to hear facts about Social Security and Medicare? Hearing the same thing together would help. A: [...]
By Betty Berry, Tuesday, Oct. 11 QUESTION: As we grow older, many of us have what we jokingly refer to as "senior moments." However, I think that when these senior moments occur, we are all a little worried that we are starting to have a memory-loss problem. Can you shed any light on this? ANSWER: [...]
By Betty Berry, Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011 QUESTION: I've heard horrible stories about poor care and conditions encountered by patients in some hospitals. I'm wondering whether Medicare has any say in the standards hospitals must meet. Also, who reviews hospitals to determine whether standards are being met? ANSWER: For a hospital to participate in the [...]
By Betty Berry, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011 QUESTION: A few weeks ago, you wrote about the Senior Concerns 2011-12 presentation series. Can you provide information on the November presentation? ANSWER: The next seminar will address problems and challenges of caregivers during the holidays and on other special occasions that occur every year. The next seminar, [...]
By Betty Berry, Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011 QUESTION: During the holidays, I will be spending some time with my father, who lives out of state. For some time, I have been concerned about him living alone. What signs might indicate that it may be time to seek assistance for him? ANSWER: A number of activities [...]
It seemed to happen overnight. Andrea entered the assisted living facility to join her 94-year-old mother for casino night. Unable to find her at the event, Andrea went to her mother’s room. She was shocked by what she saw. Her mom was sitting on her bed wearing half her wardrobe— two summer dresses, pants, multiple [...]
