Alzheimer's Awareness

NOVEMBER IS ALZHEIMER’S AWARENESS MONTH

Every 70 seconds, another American family is affected by Alzheimer’s

*REPOST* https://www.alzinfo.org/articles/november-is-alzheimers-awareness-month/

Alzheimer’s is a complex neurological disease that is the most common form of dementia.  More than 5 million people in the United States have Alzheimer’s and more than 10 million are caring for a loved one with the disease.

Many of us here at Fisher Center Foundation know the devastation of Alzheimer’s firsthand.  Our families, like yours, have had to make so many difficult decisions about a loved one’s long-term care, financial assets and both physical and mental health.  Dealing with Alzheimer’s is not an easy task and, because Alzheimer’s affects each sufferer and caregiver differently, there is never one right way to cope.

As we honor our loved ones this November, Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, we would like to offer you the opportunity to arm yourself with the best information on Alzheimer’s disease.  A better understanding of the disease can prepare you for the road ahead.  We have also revised our Caregivers Corner to include up to date information that will help if you are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s.  We hope that you find the information useful and that you gain a better understanding of this disease.

A great way to honor those you love during Alzheimer’s Awareness Month is to make a donation in their name.  Donate Online to make Alzheimer’s nothing but a memory for everyone.

Thank you for visiting ALZinfo.org and we hope that you have a happy and healthy November.

Alzheimer’s 101:

• Clinical Stages
• 10 Signs and Symptoms
• Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
• Drug Treatment & Research

Caregiving & Resources:

• Family Caregiving
• Caregivers Corner
• www.ALZTalk.org – the free online social network for Alzheimer’s and dementia
• Connect on Facebook and join the cause

Sign up to receive expert reviewed Alzheimer’s information in your inbox – FREE!

How To Get Prescription Drugs During A Disaster

How to Get Your Prescription Drugs During a Disaster

Medical stations are open in Houston and Dallas — and soon in Baton Rouge

by Victoria Sackett, AARP, August 31, 2017|Comments: 0

Repost: AARP http://www.aarp.org/health/drugs-supplements/info-2017/emergency-prescriptions-hurricane-harvey-fd.html?cmp=SNO-ICM-FB-AO-EV&socialid=1056705924

MICHAEL CIAGLO/HOUSTON CHRONICLE VIA AP

Even for people who were able to gather their medicines before evacuating their homes, there’s concern about drugs that require refrigeration.

Thousands of people rescued from rooftops and plucked from rising water during Hurricane Harvey had to leave everything behind. For many, prescription drugs were among the items they abandoned.

Missing days of essential medicine can pose a health threat and adds to the sense of panic people feel during such emergencies — especially natural disasters. Fortunately, disaster response teams and medical units have been set up across the ravaged Texas counties. Those teams are helping provide access to prescription refills and vital medical care.

“This is a horrible, devastating time, but people should realize that continuing to take their medicines will help them meet the challenges,” said Barbara Young of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

For example, the more than 10,000 evacuees taking shelter at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston have an on-site medical facility — established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Additional medical stations have opened in Dallas and are ready to be deployed in Baton Rouge, La.

Texas state law allows pharmacists to dispense as much as a 30-day supply of a prescription drug during a natural disaster without a doctor’s authorization. American Red Cross volunteers also are authorized to help with refilling prescriptions in an emergency.

Even for people who were able to gather their medicines before evacuating their homes, there’s a concern about drugs that require refrigeration. It’s important to check with medical experts or a pharmacist for advice. Any drugs that have been exposed to flood water or unsafe tap water should be discarded, as they might be contaminated.

Government and charitable organizations have some tips for individuals and their families who require medicine or need places to receive treatments, such as drug infusions and kidney dialysis. Here is a sampling of available resources.

• To find an open pharmacy, go to RxOpen.org, which maps open and closed pharmacies during disasters. The site also has locations of American Red Cross shelters and infusion centers in the affected communities.
• Low-income patients can go to community health centers or clinics where the charity Direct Relief (directrelief.org) provides free prescription drugs and medical supplies.
• For those with a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, medicare.gov recommends contacting the plan to find the nearest network pharmacy that is open. If one is unavailable, the plan can connect evacuees with an out-of-network pharmacy. People might have to pay full price, but may be eligible for a refund. Call your plan for more details and instructions. To find your plan’s phone number, call 1-800-MEDICARE.
• Medicare recipients who need dialysis treatments should contact their End-Stage Renal Disease Network (ESRD) or call 800-MEDICARE to get ESRD Network contact information. Those who have a Medicare Advantage Plan should contact their provider to find out how they can get supplies, transportation to dialysis services and other information about dialysis treatments.
• For people who need chemotherapy or other cancer treatments, the National Cancer Institute (800-4CANCER) can help locate cancer care providers.

More on Hurricane Harvey

• Financial impact of Harvey will affect everyone
• Medical red tape cut for Hurricane Harvey victims
• WATCH: Disaster preparedness tips from AARP live

Join the Discussion

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Apply for Social Security

1. WORK & JOBS

Social Security

How to Apply for Social Security

Here's how to make sure you're maximizing your benefits

by AARP, October 2016|Comments: 4

If you know what to expect, applying for Social Security can be a smooth experience. — Istock

Applying for Social Security benefits is a big step, but it can be a smooth one if you know what to expect and have the right information at your fingertips.

Depending on the benefit you want, you may have the option of applying in person, by phone or online.

• Applying in person. This can be easy but it might take time. Tip: Call 800-772-1213 to make an appointment at the Social Security Administration (SSA) office nearest you (and call when phone lines are least busy — typically later in the day, later in the week and later in the month). You can find the nearest office by going online to ssa.gov. Click on Search, type in "find an office," and when the office locator pops up, enter your zip code.

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• Applying by phone. You can call the SSA toll-free at 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. ET to 7 p.m. ET. If you call outside those hours, you can still get some information about benefits, eligibility and online services.
• Applying online. You can apply online for some, but not all, Social Security benefits. In some cases, you may begin your application process online but will complete it in person or over the phone. Go to ssa.gov/applyonline to get started. The online application system is available Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. ET to 1 a.m. ET; Saturday, 5 a.m ET. to 11 p.m. ET; and Sunday, 8 a.m. ET to 11:30 p.m ET. On federal holidays, the system is available on the usual hours for that day of the week.

See also: How to Start the Social Security Benefits Flowing

Here are some basic guidelines on applying for widely sought benefits.

• Retirement benefits. You'll need to gather information about your recent earnings, marital history, military background, whether you qualify for a federal pension, and possible eligibility of any family members for Social Security benefits based on your own work record.

Required materials include your Social Security number; birth certificate (original or certified copy) or a religious record of your birth, such as a baptismal certificate before you were age 5; Form W-2 earnings statements from each of your employers or your tax return from the prior year if self-employed; military discharge papers; and proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status.

Where to file. File in person, by phone or online.

• Survivor benefits. Get hold of the Social Security number of the deceased, your own Social Security number and those of any dependent children, your birth certificate or acceptable religious record, Form W-2 earnings statement or tax return if self-employed, death certificate of the deceased, and your marriage certificate or divorce papers.

Where to file. File in person or by phone (as early as the month the covered worker or retiree dies).

• Disability benefits. You may file for disability benefits as soon as you become disabled (and be aware that it can take a while to make your case). Dependent family members may file for auxiliary benefits based on the record of a disabled worker.You generally will need the following information and documents: your Social Security number and the Social Security numbers of your spouse and minor children, birth certificate or an acceptable religious record, contact information for your medical providers, dates of your health care appointments related to your condition, your prescription information, medical records related to this condition, a summary of your work history, your most recent Form W-2 earnings statements or tax return if self-employed, military discharge papers, and information on other disability claims filed with insurance or workers' compensation.

Where to file. File in person, by phone or online.

• Supplemental Security Income. File for these benefits as soon as you need them. Requirements may vary depending on the specific SSI benefit. You may be asked for your Social Security number, your birth certificate or religious record of your birth or other proof of age, documentation on where you live (such as a lease or utility bill with your name on it), financial records including payroll slips and bank statements, details of assets you own (such as property and vehicles), and proof of citizenship or legal residency, possibly including documents from the Department of Homeland Security.
Where to file. File in person or by phone.
For more details on applying for Social Security benefits, go to ssa.gov/forms/apply-for-benefits.html.

Social Security - Surprising Facts

10 Surprising Facts About Social Security

Check out these little-known facts about one of America's best-loved programs

*repost* by Eileen Ambrose, AARP, September 2016|Comments: 9

read more: 

http://www.aarp.org/work/social-security/info-2016/10-surprising-facts-about-social-security.html?cmp=SNO-ICM-FB-SS-ADV&socialid=594650732

1. Kids get benefits, too.

Your unmarried children under age 18 — or 19 if still in high school — can receive benefits based on your work record if you're collecting Social Security retirement or disability benefits. Grandchildren also are eligible for benefits on a grandparent's record if they are dependents and receive no financial support from a parent.

2. In some cases, so do parents.

Moms and dads who rely on an adult child for at least half of their financial support can receive survivor benefits if that child dies.

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3. You've got time to fix errors.

Mistakes in your earnings record could lead to reduced future benefits. Typically, you have three years, three months and 15 days after the year in which you earned the wages to fix mistakes. Social Security makes exceptions if, say, you have documentation of earnings or the error is obvious.

4. Chances of owing taxes are increasing.

Up to 85 percent of your benefits could be taxed, depending on your income. Because these income limits haven't changed for decades despite rising wages, the chances you'll owe taxes on benefits also have increased. Less than 10 percent of beneficiaries paid federal income tax on their benefits in 1984, the first year benefits were taxed. Now about 40 percent do, and, under current law, that's expected to climb to more than half in three decades.

See also: How to Start the Social Security Benefits Flowing

5. You can change your mind.

Regret taking early — and reduced — benefits at 62? No problem. You have 12 months after starting benefits to withdraw your application — provided you repay all the money received so far. Miss the deadline? Don't worry, you get another chance for a do-over. Continue receiving benefits until your full retirement age, then suspend benefits without having to repay those you already received. Benefits will grow 8 percent annually until age 70, when you can restart benefits to get the maximum payout.

6. Most creditors can't touch.

Your benefits are protected from private creditors. But Uncle Sam can garnish monthly benefits to repay debts such as back alimony, child support, restitution, federal taxes and federal student loans. Be aware, if your Social Security benefits are deposited in an account with other money, the bank must protect two months' worth of benefits from creditors. The bank can freeze the rest of the money, leaving it up to a court to decide whether creditors get the cash.

7. Newlyweds may not qualify.

You generally must be married for at least nine months to qualify for survivor benefits if your spouse dies. Among the exceptions: The spouse died in an accident or in the line of duty while in a uniformed service.

8. You can get a new number.

Under very limited circumstances — if, say, you're a victim of domestic violence or identity theft — you may be able to get a new Social Security number.

9. Your ID is unique to you.

Once a Social Security number is used, it's never assigned again — even if the original owner died. Social Security, which has issued more than 453 million so far, says it has enough numbers to last several more generations without changes to the system

10. Forwarding services have stopped.

For decades, Social Security was the Pony Express for missing persons. The agency would forward letters to people who couldn't be located. Letters could be from relatives notifying the missing person about a death in the family or news of unclaimed property. The service was free if the cause was humanitarian, but cost $35 if it was notifying a person of unclaimed property. Social Security stopped the service in May 2014, though, because of so many locator resources now available for free online.

Eileen Ambrose is a senior editor and writer for the Money Team. She previously was a personal finance columnist with the Baltimore Sun.

Why Life Insurance?

*Re-post* Brought to you by: Life Happens

http://www.lifehappens.org/insurance-overview/life-insurance/

Too many people are taking an unnecessary risk by not protecting their loved ones with life insurance.

Each September, Life Happens coordinates Life Insurance Awareness Month. This industry-wide campaign is aimed at educating Americans about the importance of life insurance and helping them get the coverage they need.

‘‘Driving race cars for a living means going 200 miles an hour around a track with concrete walls. I know the risks, which is why I’ve had life insurance since the start of my career. But that’s not the only reason I own it,” says Danica Patrick.

It’s true. Most of us aren’t in risky professions, but like Danica, we do have loved ones that we care for, and we want to make sure they’d be OK financially if something happened to us. 

No one really wants to think about life insurance. But if someone depends on you financially, it’s a topic you can’t avoid. In the event of a tragedy, life insurance proceeds can:

• Pay for funeral costs
• Help pay the bills and meet ongoing living expenses
• Pay off outstanding debt, including credit cards and the mortgage
• Continue a family business
• Finance future needs like your children’s education
• Protect a spouse’s retirement plans

Getting life insurance doesn’t have to be hard (or boring). We have some easy steps for you to walk through to see if life insurance is right for you. You’ll also find information and interactive tools to help you get a sense of how much and what kind to buy, plus information about how different life events—such as having children or buying a home—can affect your insurance needs. So why not get started!