Margie has been a highly valued member

of the Stay at Home team since 2004, and

is our longest serving caregiver! Margie

found her calling at an early age. Work-

ing as a candy striper as a girl and later as

an LPN at Rex Hospital, she brought

considerable skill and experience to her

job as caregiver. But most importantly,

she brought an amazingly caring heart.

Margie always gives so freely of herself,

her time, and her talents to clients and

fellow caregivers alike.

Each week, in addition to caregiving,

Margie conducts blood pressure checks

and Sittersize classes at The Gardens at

Wakefield Plantation and at The Lodge at

Wake Forest. The residents love her

warm smile and caring spirit, as well as

her good advice on managing their blood

pressure. “I love people and using my

God-given abilities to make a difference

in their lives.” says Margie.

Married to Calvin for 28 years, Margie is

a mother and grandmother. She and

Calvin love spending time with their

“three little blessings.” She also enjoys

cooking, sewing, and is an active member

of her church.

Deborah Bordeaux, Stay At Home’s

President says, “Margie’s compassionate

client service and her company commit-

ment make her a role model for all. We

are grateful to have her!”

CAREGIVER

OF THE SEASON

www.SAHseniors.com

2014 S. Main Street, Suite 610, Wake Forest, NC 27587 556-3706

WINTER 2012

Silver Connections

Welcome to the Winter 2012 Issue of

Silver Connections

Happy New Year from all of us at Stay at

Home Senior Care!

Our winter issue features Margie Thomas

as our Caregiver of the Season. In addition

to being our longest-serving caregiver,

Margie shares her abilities and time with

residents of our Shared Care communities.

2011 was a wonderful year for us! We are

especially grateful for all of our treasured

clients and caregivers. The year was also

filled with technology and communication

enhancements for our clients, community

and Shared Care partner events, fun care-

giver competitions, and the honor of

receiving recognition including the Best of

the Best First Place Award in the Home

Health Service category from the Wake

Weekly.

We ended the year with our Holiday Open

House from December 19th-21st. Many of

our clients, caregivers, and professional

partners were able to drop in for delicious

food, a specialty holiday beverage, and

cheer.

2012 marks our 9th year in business, and

we are delighted to share our celebration

with all of our clients and caregivers. You

are invited to join us on Wednesday,

February 29th from 2:00-4:00 pm. See more

details on page four.

Our caregivers will have a new training

opportunity this year with the addition of

the Certified Hospice Companion Aide

(CHCA) program. More and more seniors

are opting for services that allow them to

remain in their own homes as long as

possible, and for many that includes end

of life care. Look for more details about

this program in our next issue of Silver

Connections.

On Saturday, February 25th, please stop

by our exhibit at the Wake Weekly’s

Health and Wellness Expo. It will be held

in the Ledford Center Gymnasium on the

Southeastern Seminary Campus. Look for

us in Booth #24.

On a personal note, I am honored to have

been nominated by Wake Forest Mayor

Vivian Jones to serve a second term on the

Advisory Board of the Northern Wake

Senior Center. I am proud to be part of a

community that makes such a positive

difference in the lives of Wake Forest

seniors.

As always, we remain committed to ex-

ceptional client service and compassionate

care. Please do not hesitate to contact us

about a care issue for yourself or a family

member.

And remember, we treat every contact as a

friend, every client as family, and com-

plete every task with honor.

Best wishes,

Deborah Bordeaux

President,

Certified Senior Advisor

IN THIS ISSUE:

President’s Welcome 1

Caregiver of the Season 1

Finance/Consumer Resources: 2012 Medicare Premium Hike Lower Than 2

Expected

Spotlight on Caregivers: Know the Six Signs of Decline in Seniors 2-3

Senior Health & Lifestyles: Multigenerational Families on the Rise 3

9th Anniversary Celebration, Holiday Photos, Calendar of Events 4

Margie Thomas, LPN

On the heels of the announcement of a 3.6 percent increase in Social Security benefits in 2012, comes news that Medicare's monthly premium will be much lower than expected next year—and will actually drop for millions of beneficiaries. Administration officials said the new health reform law was partially responsible for keeping costs down.

The basic premium for Medicare Part B will be $99.90 a month, only a $3.50 increase over the $96.40 a month that most beneficiaries have been paying since 2008. This increase is $7 a month less than what was being projected as recently as last May and means that most seniors will be able to keep the lion's share of their Social Security benefit increase. In addition, higher-income earners and others who have not benefited from the recent premium freeze will see a significant drop in their premiums.

Most Medicare recipients have not experienced a rise in their Medicare Part B premium—which pays for doctor visits and other outpatient costs—because of a provision in the Medicare law prohibiting premiums from climbing more than that year's cost-of-living increase in Social Security benefits. Since there has been no Social Security increase in the last couple of years, most beneficiaries—nearly three-quarters—have continued to pay Part B premiums of $96.40 per month.

But this protection has not applied to the other one-quarter of beneficiaries who either:

• Do not have their Part B premiums withheld from their Social Security checks, or

• Pay a higher Part B premium surcharge based on high income (see below), or

• Are newly enrolled in Part B.

These beneficiaries who did not benefit from the premium freeze will see their premiums reduced from $115.40 a month to the new $99.90 premium. In addition, the Part B deductible will fall $22 to $140.

Donald Berwick, MD, administrator of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said one big reason for the lower-than-expected premium hike

was historically low rates of health care utilization, which he attributed in part to the health reform law's focus on preventive services. In addition, the unexpected Social Security benefit increase meant that rising Medicare costs could be spread among many more beneficiaries, with each one paying a smaller share.

"Between reduced Part B premiums and increased Social Security payments, the average Social Security recipient will have a net cost-of-living increase of $40 per month in 2012," said the Center Medicare Advocacy.

Following are all the new Medicare figures for 2012:

• Basic Part B premium: $99.90/month

• Part B deductible: $140 (was $162)

• Part A deductible: $1,156 (was $1,132)

• Co-payment for hospital stay days 61-90: $289/day (was $283)

• Co-payment for hospital stay days 91 and beyond: $578/day (was $566)

• Skilled nursing facility co-payment, days 21-100: $144.50/day (was $141.50)

As directed by the 2003 Medicare law, higher-income beneficiaries will pay higher Part B premiums.

The Social Security Administration uses the income reported two years ago to determine a Part B beneficiary's premiums. So the income reported on a beneficiary's 2010 tax return is used to determine whether the beneficiary must pay a higher monthly Part B premium in 2012. Income is calculated by taking a beneficiary's adjusted gross income and adding back in some normally excluded income, such as tax-exempt interest, U.S. savings bond interest used to pay tuition, and certain income from foreign sources. This is called modified adjusted gross income (MAGI). If a beneficiary’s MAGI decreased significantly in the past two years, she may request that information from more recent years be used to calculate the premium.

Those who enroll in Medicare Advantage plans may have different cost-sharing arrangements. On average Medicare Advantage premiums will be 4 percent lower in 2012 than in 2011.

http://www.elderlawanswers.com/resources/article.asp?id=9516&Section=4&state=

2012 Medicare Premium

Hike Lower Than Predicted

PAGE 2 WINTER 2012 NEWSLETTER

Is it inevitable that aging must bring disease, debilitation and dementia? Jack LaLanne, the exercise guru, continued his two-hour daily workouts into his nineties. Clint Eastwood, at the age of eighty, continues to produce, direct, and star in major motion pictures.

Sure, our parents are aging. But while chronic illness and increased frailty take their toll on many, some are maintaining their independence, vitality, and mental acuity well into their eighties. Yet we still worry when these seemingly healthy parents forget their phone number or lose their car keys. So how can we differentiate the normative aspects of aging from disease?

My father was in his early seventies when he began showing signs of dementia. Though keenly intelligent, he had always been absent-minded— misplacing things, mixing up the names of his children, and growing agitated when events did not go as planned.

So it was no cause for alarm when he began to seem increasingly forgetful and disorganized: the emotionally wrenching search-and-rescue missions for his lost glasses were just business as usual. It was not until my father became disoriented on a short bike ride to the local grocer and was forced to call my mother to pick him up that we recognized something significant had changed. It was then that we made the decision to have my father undergo a medical evaluation for dementia.

For those of us caring for aging parents, we must balance concern for our parent's welfare with respect for their autonomy and independence. In addition, we may live a distance from

Continued on page 3

simply following the usual path of

Know the Six Signs

Of Decline in Seniors

keep things in perspec- tive and don’t jeopardize your own retirement.

Consider creating a new budget that takes into account any additional costs that may be incurred by the addition of your parents to the household.

Consulting a financial planner to create a strategy for your new financial situation may be helpful. You may even consider a family law attorney to prepare a written agreement, especially if money is involved.

While there are pitfalls to consider, such a move can bring rewards as well as stresses. Besides saving money and keeping an aging loved one safe, multi-generational living can forge closer ties between parents, children and grandchildren.

By Caren Parnes, for The Senior’s Choice

WINTER 2012 NEWSLETTER PAGE 3

insurance, including Medicare, do not cover non-medical in-home care services. Consider long-term care insurance (which can cover such services) if your parents qualify and it makes financial sense.

Prepare yourself

Be prepared for the impact this move will have on your lifestyle. Moving a parent in with you changes the family dynamic and requires planning ahead and honest communication about ground rules, boundaries and the new responsibilities of all family members.

A common issue to be resolved is how taking in your parents would affect the personal space of everyone in the household.

Don’t lose perspective

It may be tough to reconcile this with your desire to help your parents, but

Multigenerational Families

on the Rise

American families are finding that the recent housing crisis, a struggling economy and an aging population are causing them to join forces across generations. According to a recent AARP study, the number of multi-generational households has jumped from 6.2 million to 7.1 million in only the last two years—a growth rate that exceeds the previous eight years combined.

Whether for economic or health reasons, making such a move requires planning and flexibility to make the transition comfortable for all concerned. Experts suggest that contingency planning for this eventuality be put in place before it is needed.

“Keep in mind that even if your parents are highly functioning now, anything can happen,” said Amy Goyer, AARP’s family expert and a specialist in multigenerational issues.

“That can change overnight.”

Your parents’ needs

Assess what your parents’ needs really are. “Get a good idea of where your parent is functioning now,” Goyer said. “What kind of needs do they have, at what level are they functioning? A lot of times, the adult children don’t really have a clear picture of what their parents’ needs are.”

You can get an accurate picture by hiring a geriatric care manager to conduct an assessment. A geriatric care manager can tell you what your parents’ needs are and if you will need to modify your home to make it physically safer for your elderly parents.

Involve the family

It’s critical that all family members be included in the discussion, and it’s one of the biggest hurdles a family must overcome. All siblings should be in agreement on the decisions and choices made, since everyone may need to help out in some way at some point.

If other family members are unable or unwilling to help, you may need to hire someone to help you, such as with cooking and cleaning, or caregiving tasks. If possible, start putting aside money for this eventuality before the need arises.

Who pays for what?

Figure out whether mom and dad will contribute financially to the household and, if so, how much. Become familiar with what their health insurance will cover. Most

Signs of Decline, continued from page 2

our loved ones and view changes through a magnifying lens.

How do you know if what you’re seeing is a true decline, versus a natural state of old age? These 6 warning signs will help you determine whether your parent is facing a medical problem or simply following the usual path of aging:

1. Physical Changes: Are there gait changes, extreme weight fluctuations, or a decline in personal hygiene?

2. Household Changes: Is there no food, old food or expired food in the fridge? Are there scratches or dents on the car?

3. Mood Changes: Does your parent show signs of anxiety or depression? Depression is NOT a normal part of aging —and it can be treated!

4. Forgetfulness—out of the ordinary: Like my Dad, losing glasses was expected. A repeated pattern of forgetting pertinent

events, however, may be cause for concern.

5. Misuse of prescribed medications: Are there expired prescriptions? Can your parent remember what medication he or she is taking and when to take it?

6. Mishandling Finances: Are there unpaid bills, problems keeping track of expenses, signs of carelessness with money?

Once you recognize, like my family and I did, that the changes you are observing may be signs of dementia, a chronic illness, or increased frailty and dependence, it is time to communicate your concerns in a compassionate and clear manner. You can then take proactive steps to plan for the type of care that will give your parents the independence and well-being they deserve, while maintaining their safety and your peace of mind.

By Jody Gastfriend, LICSW http://www.care.com/senior-care-how-to-be-an-astute-caregiver-p1017-q6940206.html

Calendar of Events:

Vial of Life Presentation - The Gardens at Wakefield Plantation Thursday, January 26 at 3:30 pm Vial of Life Presentation – Northern Wake Senior Center Tuesday, March 27 at 11:30 am Cooking with Carol - The Crossings at Heritage

Thursday, February 16 at 2:30 pm Health & Wellness Expo - Ledford Center Gymnasium, Southeastern

Seminary Campus, Booth #24 Saturday, February 25 from 11:00 am - 6:00 pm

Stay at Home Senior Care 9th Anniversary Celebration – The Gardens at Wakefield Plantation

Wednesday, February 29 from 2:00 - 4:00 pm Cooking with Carol - The Crossings at Heritage Thursday, March 15 at 2:30 pm

Blood Pressure Checks - The Crossings at Heritage First & Third Fridays from 1:00 - 2:00 pm

Blood Pressure Checks - The Gardens at Wakefield Plantation Every Wednesday from 9:00 - 10:00 am

Blood Pressure Checks - The Lodge at Wake Forest Every Wednesday from 10:30 - 11:30 am

Caregiver/Staff Monthly Meetings - The Gardens at Wakefield Plantation First Wednesday of Every Month from 2:00 - 3:00 pm

Please join us in recognizing our Caregivers

of the Month!!!

November Beverly Jepson

December Beverly Baxter

January Shari Regan

WINTER 2012 NEWSLETTER PAGE 4

We’re Celebrating Our

9th

Anniversary!

It has been an honor and a privilege to serve

our clients over the past nine years! We are very

excited about our upcoming anniversary

celebration, and invite you to join us:

Wednesday, February 29, 2012 from 2:00-4:00 pm

The Gardens at Wakefield Plantation

12800 Spruce Tree Way, Raleigh, NC

As always, we will have wonderful food and

entertainment!

RSVP to Kim by February 15th - 556-3706

9 9

Kim enjoys a holiday visit with

Richard & Grace Conyngham

Caregiver June Zollo with treasured client

Gene Dominique

Stay at Home brings cheer

to Tri-Area Ministry….

Deborah Bordeaux presents donation to

Lewis Griffin, Executive Director of

Tri-Area Ministry Food Pantry

….and to our clients &

caregivers at our

Christmas Open House!

WINTER 2012 NEWSLETTER SPECIAL INSERT

INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING? CALL 556-3706.

WINTER 2012 NEWSLETTER SPECIAL INSERT

INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING? CALL 556-3706.

WINTER 2012 NEWSLETTER SPECIAL INSERT

INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING? CALL 556-3706.

WINTER 2012 NEWSLETTER SPECIAL INSERT

INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING? CALL 556-3706.

WINTER 2012 NEWSLETTER SPECIAL INSERT

INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING? CALL 556-3706.

We welcome our new advertisers:

Allied Rehab June-Neri Financial Wake Audiology And, we are grateful for the on-going advertising support of our community partners: Brookdale Senior Living/Carolina House of Wake Forest, The Gardens at Wakefield, and Village Pharmacy!