This celebration holds particular space in our hearts – particularly in how we care for our community members in Eagle, Grand, Jackson, Pitkin, Routt, and Summit counties. 

Living in our beautiful mountain communities presents unique challenges and opportunities for long-term care residents, making their voices even more crucial in ensuring quality care that reflects their needs and preferences.

Celebrating Residents’ Rights Through Awareness

One of the key parts of Residents’ Rights Month is raising awareness about the rights and responsibilities of long-term care residents. The 1987 Nursing Home Reform Law established essential rights for long-term care residents, including:

• The right to individualized care
• Freedom to make independent choices
• Privacy and dignity
• The right to receive visitors
• The ability to voice complaints without fear of retaliation

These rights aren’t just legal requirements – they’re fundamental to ensuring our elderly neighbors maintain their dignity and autonomy while receiving the care they need.

Mountain Living and Resident Voices

Here in Colorado’s mountain communities, long-term care residents face distinct challenges. 

Their voices are essential in creating solutions that work for our unique geographic and cultural landscape, from managing transportation during snowy months to maintaining connections with family members who might live hours away.

For example, when a blizzard hits and roads are closed, long-term care facilities must have contingency plans in place to ensure residents receive necessary medical treatment and supplies.

And many elderly residents in our mountain communities may not have family members nearby to visit or advocate for them. This makes it all the more critical for these individuals to have the freedom to make independent choices, whether choosing their preferred daily routines or making decisions about their healthcare.

How You Can Support Residents’ Rights

So, how can you play a part in promoting and protecting the rights of elderly residents in long-term care facilities? Here are a few of the best ways to get involved this month!

Listen Actively

Sometimes, a caring ear is all it takes to make a difference. Whether you’re a family member, caregiver, or community member, take time to truly hear what residents say about their experiences and needs. You never know what you might learn when you actively listen and engage with these individuals.

Advocate for Change

If you notice any issues or concerns regarding resident rights, don’t be afraid to speak up and advocate for change. This could mean bringing attention to inadequate care or treatment, working with facility staff to improve policies and procedures, or even advocating for legislation at the local or national level.

Know the Resources Available

Have a concern but don’t know where to turn? Vintage serves as a bridge between residents and available services. Our Resource Center (970-468-0295) can connect you with:

• Long-term care ombudsman services
• Transportation assistance
• Healthcare advocacy support
• Caregiver resources

Celebrate Success

This month isn’t just about concerns – it’s also about celebrations! Share stories of residents who have successfully advocated for themselves or others. These moments inspire and empower others to use their voices – and make it known that they can make a difference.

Every Voice Matters

As we celebrate Residents’ Rights Month this October, remember that every voice matters in creating positive change. 

Whether you’re a resident, family member, or community supporter, your advocacy helps ensure that long-term care facilities in our mountain communities remain places where dignity, respect, and individual choice are paramount. So, let’s create care communities where every voice matters and where the unique needs of mountain living are understood and addressed.

If you or a loved one needs support understanding or exercising residents’ rights, contact Vintage at (970) 455-1067. Our team is here to help navigate the complex landscape of long-term care while ensuring every resident’s voice is heard and respected.

At Vintage, we believe that respecting residents’ rights isn’t just about following regulations – it’s about building communities where every person can age with dignity, purpose, and the power to shape their own journey.

Learn More & Get Involved

The post The Power of My Voice: Celebrating Residents’ Rights Month 2024 first appeared on Vintage.

For many, simple tasks can become challenging, and accessing the right resources can be difficult. Whether you’re a senior yourself, a caregiver, or simply planning for the future, understanding the role of Area Agencies on Aging is crucial. 

These organizations are a hero of the aging community, working hard to provide a variety of services and support to older adults and their families. But for those who have never heard of them, you may be wondering – what exactly is an Area Agency on Aging and why is it important?

What is an Area Agency on Aging?

An Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is a public or private nonprofit organization designated by the state to address the needs and concerns of older adults at the regional and local levels. These agencies serve as vital connectors between older individuals and the services they need to maintain independence and quality of life.

At Vintage, we’re proud to serve as the AAA for Eagle, Grand, Jackson, Pitkin, Routt, and Summit counties in Northwest Colorado. Our mission is to provide and connect our community with support and services that promote aging with independence and dignity for individuals sixty and older and their caregivers in their community of choice.

Why are Area Agencies on Aging Important?

Comprehensive Support

AAAs offer a wide range of services tailored to the unique needs of older adults in their specific geographic areas. This can include:

• Helping older adults navigate available resources
• Providing personalized support to assess needs and coordinate care
• Offering home-delivered meals and congregate dining options
• Helping older adults get to medical appointments and other essential destinations
• Providing support to help older adults remain in their homes safely
• Offering resources and respite care for family caregivers
• Promoting active aging through evidence-based health initiatives

Local Expertise

AAAs understand the specific needs and resources of their communities. At Vintage, we’re deeply familiar with the unique challenges and opportunities of aging in the Alpine region.

Advocacy

AAAs serve as powerful advocates for older adults at local, state, and federal levels. They work tirelessly to secure funding for vital programs and push for policy changes that benefit older adults and their caregivers.

Aging in Place

By coordinating a network of services, AAAs help prevent unnecessary institutionalization and allow older adults to remain active members of their communities for as long as possible.

Single Point of Contact

Instead of navigating multiple agencies and organizations, older adults and their families can turn to their local AAA as a one-stop shop for information, referrals, and services.

The Growing Importance of AAAs

As our population ages, the role of AAAs becomes increasingly crucial. The U.S. Census Bureau projects that by 2060, nearly one in four Americans will be 65 years old or older. This demographic shift will increase demand for aging services and support systems.

AAAs are leading the charge in preparing for this “silver tsunami.” They’re developing innovative programs, fostering community partnerships, and advocating for policies that will help communities adapt to the needs of an aging population.

How Can You Benefit from Your Local AAA?

Your local AAA can be an invaluable resource if you’re an older adult, a caregiver, or simply planning for the future. Here are a few ways you might benefit:

1. Get information about local services and programs for older adults
2. Receive help understanding and applying for benefits
3. Access nutrition services, including home-delivered meals
4. Find transportation options
5. Get support for caregiving responsibilities
6. Participate in health and wellness programs
7. Connect with volunteer opportunities

At Vintage, we’re more than just an agency – we’re your partners in aging well. We understand that every individual’s needs are unique, and we’re here to help you navigate the journey of aging with confidence and dignity.

Want to learn more about accessing the resources available through your local AAA? Visit our website or visit the local AAA directory for contact information. Our team of experts is here to provide you with the information and support you need!

The post What is an Area Agency on Aging? first appeared on Vintage.

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All About SMART Goals

What does SMART stand for and how can I use it in 2021?

SMART goals are a great way to start off the new year. It is a well established and credible way to help us create and achieve our goals!
SMART stands for:

• Specific (simple, sensible, significant).
• Measurable (meaningful, motivating).
• Achievable (agreed, attainable).
• Relevant (reasonable, realistic, and resourced, results-based).
• Time-bound (time-based, time-limited, time/cost limited, timely, time-sensitive)

By creating SMART goals, you can ensure that you don’t write new years intentions or goals that you will never achieve.

Questions to ask yourself to make sure you are creating a SMART Goal:

• What do I want to accomplish?
• Why is this goal important?
• Where is it located?
• Which resources or limits are involved?
• How can I accomplish this goal?
• How realistic is the goal, based on other constraints, such as financial factors?
• Does this seem worthwhile?
• Is this the right time?
• Does this match our other efforts/needs?
• Am I the right person to reach this goal?
• Is it applicable in the current socio-economic environment?
• When?
• What can I do six months from now?
• What can I do six weeks from now?
• What can I do today?
• How will I know when it is accomplished?

Write Intentions That Matter

Now that you know how to make SMART goals, it is helpful to think of the intention behind them. Intentions are less action-focused and more focused on the present moment. They help you envision and embody the way you want your daily life to work.

Intention Ideas Paired with SMART Goals

• I spend my time giving back to others. SMART GOAL: I will look for places to volunteer from home in January and have an online volunteer opportunity set up starting in February. I will spend 4 hours a month (1 hour a week) volunteering in 2021.
• I live in a clutter-free space. SMART GOAL: I will declutter 1 room of my house every month. I will start in January with my bedroom. I will get rid of unnecessary items and donate them to my local thrift store.
• I am healthy and in shape. SMART GOAL: I will go on one 20-minute walk 3 times a week. I will get yak-tracks so that I can walk on the snow and ice. The goal is to be outside and moving, so the distance isn’t important.
• SMART GOAL: I will eat healthily each week but not deprive myself of the foods that I love. I will write out a meal plan each week and buy heart-healthy foods from the grocery store. I will try not to over-eat.

The post Ways to Set New Years Intentions that stick first appeared on Vintage.

Let’s talk about creating an advance directive in Colorado during COVID-19.

How to have family conversations

Advance Directives in Colorado are imperative documents, also called a living will, that let your medical team know how you would like to be treated in medical situations. They also state personal wishes for end-of-life health preferences.

As of today, 1 in 49 Coloradoans has been diagnosed with COVID-19. And one-third of Coloradoans are 65 or older. That means that more than ever, it is important to stay home and social distance, AND prepare your advance directive with a COVID clause if you are 65+.

Let’s walk through the basics of advance directives and COVID-19, and we will share how to change your advance directive in Colorado with your family and well being in mind. 

What is an advance directive?

According to UC Health, “Also known as a living will, an advance directive is a legal document that lets your healthcare team know your preferences for the medical care you would want to receive in the future.”

It’s good to note that an Advance Directive is not the same as a financial will.

Also, no lawyer is needed to complete your advance directive – all that is required for it to be legal is your signature and two witnesses’ signatures.

How does COVID change my advance directive?

COVID-19 has changed our world in previously unimaginable ways in 2020. From social distancing and not seeing loved ones to the looming stress of potential respiratory illness, COVID-19 arriving has marked a large shift in the healthcare field (and the world).

What are Common Care Treatments for COVID-19

COVID-19 treatments range with the severity of the situation. They can be as simple as staying home with flu-like symptoms to full ICU treatment. OF course, we can all hope we will be lucky enough only to show flu-like symptoms, or solely lose our taste and smell if diagnosed with COVID-19, but that may not be the case, so it’s good to know the next steps.

General care for COVID-19 that is non-emergent but still necessitates a hospital stay includes antiviral drugs, anti-inflammatory medications, and antibodies.

ICU treatment occurs if the patient is seriously ill and is usually lung related due to COVID-19 attacking lung functionality. ICU interventions may include a breathing tube and mechanical ventilator. It’s noted that these interventions supply seven times the volume of the oxygen we get from breathing normally.

In this case, it’s best to consider your feelings about receiving a breathing tube and ventilator. Also, it’s time to consider other extraordinary measures, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

This is where a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) directive comes into play. A CPR is another part of your advance directive and is a medical order, and it instructs providers not to resuscitate if a person’s heart or breathing stops.

This type of advance directive generally applies to the seriously ill and should be discussed at length with your loved ones. Then you and your doctor must sign this form.

The National Institute on Aging recommends that all adults have at least a medical durable power of attorney in place in a CPR directive.

How should I change my advance directive?

We suggest adding a COVID-19 addendum. This special addendum will mark the specific kind of care you want if you contract COVID-19 and are hospitalized.

Questions to consider are:

• If your oxygen levels are dropping, do you want to go to the hospital, or would you prefer to get noninvasive respiratory care at home? 
• If you cannot receive noninvasive respiratory care at home, do you want to go to the hospital? 
• If the care available to you at home can keep you comfortable but cannot save your life, is your preference to stay at home? Or do you want to go to the hospital? 
• When you get to the hospital, do you want healthcare providers to only treat you with noninvasive options that could save your life (such as oxygen through a face mask or nasal mask)? Do you want them to do anything necessary to keep you comfortable and control your symptoms? Or do you want to be put on a ventilator if that becomes necessary to save your life? 
• If your heart stops, do you want to be resuscitated via CPR?
• If you would like to be ventilated, are there any guidelines around how long you want to stay on the ventilator? Is there a length of time that you wish to remain on the ventilator? Days? Weeks? Months
• Do you want your healthcare proxy to have the ability to override any of these orders if he or she believes you have a reasonable chance of living a life consistent with your values and priorities based on the information provided by the doctor? Or, do you want these orders followed no matter what?
• Do you want to be kept out of physical pain with the help of opioids, or would you like to opt-out?
• Do you want any tests whose results would be meaningless, given the potential desire to avoid treatments that might be burdensome, agitating, painful, or prolonging your life or death?

These are just some of the questions we think are important to consider when thinking about a COVID-19 advance care directive and addendum.

Who can help me with my advance directive in Colorado?

How do I talk to my family about my advance directive and COVID-19?

As always, we encourage talking to your loved ones openly and calmly about your needs and wishes. Here at Vintage, we offer our Ombudsman services to guide you through moments like these. You can find resources by contacting the Long-Term Care Ombudsman for Region 12 at 970-513-2980 or tstrang@nwccog.org

The post How to Create an Advance Directive in Colorado During COVID first appeared on Vintage.

The answer to this question is “it depends”. You need to weigh life variables and understand your personal needs. You need to weigh your financial situation, your health history for both you and your family. You need to understand your risk tolerance. Are you able to sleep at night without health insurance? Do you worry about an accident or sudden health issue to appear? Another factor is the number and type of medications you may be taking.

2. How much does Medicare cost?

You will likely pay the Part B premium to Medicare. In 2019 the Part B premium is $135.50 per month. Supplement and Advantage plans prices vary. You will find Part D Prescription Coverage will vary depending on your list of medications and the carrier.

Part C Advantage Plans and Medigap Supplement Plans have premiums to pay.

Part C Advantage Plans tend to be HMOs (in our region are HMO – you have to get medical care in-network). They also may have maximum out-of-pocket amounts made up of deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance. The total amount will depend on the Medicare overage you choose, and the health care services you use.

Medigap Supplement Plans (The Alphabet Plans) are structures to cover a certain percentage for health coverage categories. They have monthly premiums; some have deductible and co-pays. They do not have a maximum out of pocket that needs to be reached.

3. What do I do about Medicare if I work past age 65?

Many people enroll in Part A only when they turn 65 and have employer coverage. The Medicare deductions you see on your payroll over the years has paid for your Part A hospital coverage.  Thusly, your Part A is premium free with enough Medicare credits (40).  If you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years and your income meets the IRMAA levels, you will need to pay an additional premium.

You may be able to delay enrollment in Part B without late enrollment penalties if you are 65, still enrolled in an employer sponsored health plan (through your or your spouse’s health plan) that is deemed creditable coverage.

When you separate from your employer, you will need to enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B, select a drug plan within 63 days of your employer plan ending. You then will have 8 months to add a supplement plan (to cover the 20% Medicare does not cover).

4. How can I get dental and vision coverage with Medicare?

Original Medicare (Parts A & B) do not cover routine dental, hearing, and/or vision care. However, some private Medicare Advantage plans do. Medigap Plan carriers may also provide dental, vision, and additional hearing coverage. Note: Conditions such as glaucoma, retinal degeneration, cataracts, etc. are covered under Part B because it is a medical condition.

5. What’s the difference between Medigap Plans and Medicare Advantage Plans?

Medicare supplement insurance plans are also known as Medigap Plans. We call them the Alphabet Plans around here. See the Medigap Plan section in your Medicare & Your booklet for a chart with the coverage levels offered. Do not confuse Medigap Plans with the Parts of Medicare. The Parts of Medicare are like the Departments of Medicare – Part A: Hospital, part B: Providers, Part D: Drug Coverage, and Part C: Advantage Plans

It’s private insurance you can buy to help pay some costs not paid by Original Medicare (Parts A & B). Medicare Advantage is an alternative to Original Medicare. It’s a different way to get your Medicare benefits. Learn more about Medicare supplement insurance vs. Medicare Advantage.

6. What’s the difference between a Medicare Advantage HMO and a PPO?

A Medicare Advantage HMO plan usually helps pay only for care you receive from providers in the plan network. They have contracted a select group of providers and you have to go to those providers for the carrier to cover the medical care and services received.  A PPO plan contracts with specific providers but also allows you to see providers outside of their contracted providers. They will generally help pay for care received outside their plan network but will likely pay less than for the same care received within the network.

7. Where can I get help paying for Medicare?

Financial assistance programs for people with limited income and assets include Extra Help for prescription drugs, Medicare Savings Programs, and Medicaid, to name a few. Qualifications for each program and the level of help offered vary. Talk with us to help you with eligibility information.

8. How does Medicare automatic renewal work?

Your Medicare coverage choices will stay in place year after year unless you make a change. This ensures that your coverage continues, but plan benefits and costs may change. It’s a good idea to review your Medicare choices every year during Medicare Annual Enrollment, Oct. 15 – Dec. 7, to make sure you have the Medicare coverage that fits with your needs.

9. What’s the difference between Medicare and Medicaid?

Medicare and Medicaid are both government health care programs that provide financial assistance for eligible covered medical care. Medicare is generally for people who are 65 and older and those who have a disabled classification for more than 24 months. Medicaid health care is for people with limited income and resources. Those who are eligible for Medicare and Medicaid are classified as dual eligible. Individuals must apply for the Medicare Savings Program. The application ion is done though Social Services. There is also a financial assistance program to help with prescription drug costs and premiums. It is called the LIS Program. The LIS program application is done through Social Security administration. Contact our SHIP Medicare Assistance Program for more information and assistance for financial assistance.

10. I’m disabled. When can I get Medicare?

In general, you are eligible for Medicare after receiving Social Security disability benefits for 24 months. There are exceptions for people with certain medical conditions. Get your enrollment dates and learn more about Medicare and disability.

1. How does eligibility and/or enrollment in other coverage affect my eligibility?

If you are enrolled in either Medicare Part A or Medicare Part B, you are ineligible to purchase a plan through the Marketplace. However, if you have to pay the premium for Part a Medicare, you may choose to drop your Premium Part A (or choose not to enroll when eligible) and can then enroll in a plan through the Marketplace.

If you choose to drop Part A, it is very important for you to seriously consider the financial implications and potential financial consequences of not enrolling in Medicare.

Late enrollment penalties may apply when/if you choose to enroll in Part A and/or Part B at a later date.

Also, if an individual is entitled to free Part a Medicare and drops it, there could be a loss of retiree benefits and paying back all retirement benefits received, and costs incurred by the Medicare program.

Please also be aware that Medicare enrollment periods and start dates for coverage are not the same as those available on the Marketplace.

Please note: If you are enrolled in a retiree health plan or other minimum essential coverage, you may not be eligible for financial assistance through the Marketplace.

The post 10 Common Medicare Questions first appeared on Vintage.