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The Chronic Disease Self Management Program
(An interview with MVES staff members and CDSM group leaders Emily Goddard (pictured; left), Jessica Hammon (pictured; right), and Dorothy Munroe (CDSM Group Participant))
Editor: What is Chronic Disease Self Management?
The Chronic Disease Self Management Program was developed at Stanford University to give individuals with chronic illness support and tools to help cope with their condition. An underlying belief of the program is that people with chronic conditions must deal not only with their disease, but also with the impact the disease has on their lives and emotions. This program gives people tools to deal proactively with illness and better their overall health.
What is the workshop all about?
This is a six week (meeting once a week for 2 hours), free workshop offered to adults living with persistent health conditions as well as caregivers. People learn from others experiencing similar challenges, such as chronic pain, limited mobility, and decreased energy. Leaders provide strategies to help participants set and reach personal goals, improve communication with their doctor and increase their energy level. Participants gain knowledge about chronic illness as well as simple strategies, such as better breathing, muscle relaxation, and communication skills, to better their lives.
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Medicare Benefit Okay To Keep Elders Stable: Significant Finding for Seniors and Adults with Disabilities
On October 25th, a US District Court Judge in Burlington, VT, District of Vermont ruled in the case of Anderson vs. Sebelius that Medicare should pay for home health services to prevent deterioration in a patient’s condition.
Sandra Anderson began receiving home health services from the Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties (VNA) in 2004. She was 60 years old at the time, and had just returned home after being hospitalized for her second stroke. She suffered from urinary incontinence, "acute, but ill-defined" cerebrovascular disease, hypertension, cognitive impairments including memory deficit, limited physical mobility, slurred speech, and newly diagnosed type II diabetes. Because of her cognitive impairments and immobility, Anderson required 24-hour supervision to remain safe in her home environment.
It’s Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Time Again
Q. I’m not happy with my Medicare drug plan, and my wife recently received notification that her Harvard Pilgrim First Seniority Medicare Advantage Plan will no longer be offered in 2011. Where can we get some help?
A. You and your wife are both eligible for Medicare A and B which also makes you eligible for Medicare Part D drug coverage. You’ve each chosen a different way to accomplish this. You have a standalone drug plan (Part D). Your wife has a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) which provides her with health coverage as well as prescription coverage.
Upholding and Restoring Dignity with Your Help
This is a time of year when many of us gather with family and friends to give thanks for the blessings in our lives. While these are tough economic times for many, we continue to have things in our lives that we can be thankful for.
At Mystic Valley Elder Services, we are thankful for you, our Beacon readers. Your interest and concern regarding our work and efforts on behalf of older adults and adults with disabilities is greatly appreciated. You can help us have an even further reach by letting others know about MVES and the Beacon.
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MVES HONORS SENIOR ARTISTS
Local senior artists submitted a record number of paintings and photographs to Mystic Valley Elder Services’ (MVES) Senior Art Show, which ran from September 23 through October 22 at the agency’s main office in Malden. MVES held an awards reception honoring the artists who submitted the 107 pieces of work on September 23. Awards and prizes were presented to artists at the reception which was attended by over 90 people.
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From Executive Director Dan O'Leary
Much More Than a Number
In late October, the Legislature approved and the Governor signed into law an appropriations bill directing funds to a variety of health and human services programs. The funding came from the federal government to the states to help offset some of the costs associated with the Medicaid (MassHealth) program. Among the key benefits included in the MassHealth program is funding for home and community based services (home care) for at risk elders and adults with disabilities.
This good news was welcome relief for most of the 3,000 people statewide who are eligible for home care service but have been waiting to be fully enrolled in the home care program. In the MVES service area, 163 people have been waiting to hear their number called. And in late October, 137 of the 163 did. As soon as we heard the good news that funding would be released, MVES staff got right to work to contact the most at risk people who have been struggling to remain at home without a helping hand. Now, we can extend that helping hand to most, but sadly not all. Calls are being made, home visits are happening and services are being delivered.
Top Places to Work 2010
Mystic Valley Elder Services has been named one of the Top Places to Work in Massachusetts for the third consecutive year in the third annual employee-based survey project from The Boston Globe. The Top Places to Work 2010 magazine was published in the Sunday Globe on November 7. Online, the report can be found at
www.boston.com/topworkplaces.
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Avoiding the Flu
Question: Getting the flu is just so miserable. Am I at a higher risk of getting the flu this fall because I’m getting older?
Answer: I think we can all agree that the flu is awful! Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people may also have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu and have respiratory symptoms without a fever.
People who are over the age of 65 are at a higher risk of developing complications resulting from the flu than younger, healthy adults. Our human immune defenses become weaker with age, so influenza can be a very serious disease for people 65 and older.
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