Savvy Senior  

October 2011

1. New Flu Vaccine for Seniors Provides Better Protection
2. How to Pick the Best Medicare Prescription Drug Plan for You
3. Fire Safety Tips for Seniors
4. Best Foods for Older Diabetics
5. How to Find a Good Handyman or Contractor

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

Attention all seniors! There’s a new extra-strength flu vaccine in town called the Fluzone High-Dose, and according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it offers superior protection to a regular flu shot.

Manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur Inc., the Fluzone High-Dose – which is designed specifically for seniors age 65 and older – was approved by the FDA in Dec. 2009, and was first made available last flu season on a limited basis.

The main difference between the Fluzone High-Dose and a regular flu shot is its potency.

The High-Dose vaccine contain four times the amount of antigen (the part of the vaccine that prompts the body to make antibody) as a regular flu shot does, which creates a stronger immune response for better protection. This extra protection is particularly helpful to seniors who have weaker immune defenses and have a great risk of developing dangerous flu complications. The CDC estimates that the flu puts more than 200,000 people in the hospital each year and kills around 24,000 – 95 percent of whom are seniors.

As with all flu vaccines, Fluzone High-Dose is not recommended for seniors who are allergic to chicken eggs, or those who have had a severe reaction to a flu vaccine in the past.

To locate a vaccination site that offers the Fluzone High-Dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist, or check the online flu-shot locator at flu.gov for clinics or stores offering flu shots. Then, contact some in your area to see whether they have the High-Dose vaccine. CVS, Walgreens, Safeway, Kmart, Rite Aid and Kroger are among some of the chains offering the High-Dose shot.

You’ll also be happy to know that if you’re a Medicare beneficiary, Part B will cover 100 percent of the cost of your High-Dose vaccination. But if you’re not covered the cost is around $50 to $60 – that’s about double of what you’d pay for a regular flu shot.

Pneumovax

Another important vaccination the CDC recommends to seniors – especially this time of year – is the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine for pneumonia and meningitis (the vaccine is called Pneumovax 23). Pneumonia causes more than 40,000 deaths in the U.S. each year, many of which could be prevented by this vaccine. If you’re over age 65 and haven’t already gotten this one-time-only shot, you should get it now before flu season hits. Pneumovax 23 is also covered under Medicare Part B, and you can get it on the same day you get your flu shot. If you’re not covered by insurance, this vaccine costs around $75 to $85 at retail clinics.

This vaccine is also recommended to adults under age 65 if they smoke or have certain chronic conditions like asthma, heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease, diabetes, sickle cell disease, have had their spleen removed, or have a weakened immune system due to cancer, HIV or an organ transplant.

Savvy Tips: In addition to getting vaccinated, the CDC reminds everyone that the three best ways to stay healthy during flu season is to wash your hands frequently with soap and water, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze and stay home if you’re sick. For more information on the recommended vaccines for older adults see cdc.gov/vaccines.

Nearly everything about Medicare’s “Part D” prescription drug plans – from the drugs covered to the premiums and size of co-pays – can change from year to year.

If you have a Medicare prescription drug plan, set aside an hour or so this fall during the open enrollment season (which is now Oct. 15 – Dec. 7), to compare your current drug plan with the other options that are available to ensure you’re getting the best drug coverage at the lowest price. Here’s how to do it.

Do It Yourself

If you have a home computer and Internet access, comparing your current Medicare drug plan with the many other plans that are available, and enrolling in one, is something you can easily do yourself.

Just go to Medicare’s online Plan Finder Tool at www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan, and type in your zip code or your personal information, the drugs you take and their dosages, and select the pharmacies you use and you’ll get a cost comparison breakdown for each plan available in your area. This tool also provides a five-star rating system that evaluates each plan based on past customer service records, and suggests generics or older brand name drugs that can reduce your costs.

When comparing drug plans don’t judge a plan strictly by its monthly premium cost. Low-premium plans are often associated with higher prescription co-payments and may end up being more expensive. So take a look at the whole pricing package, including premiums, deductibles and co-pays. Also, be sure the plan you’re considering covers all of the drugs you take with no restrictions. Some plans may require you to get permission or try a number of cheaper drugs before they will cover certain prescriptions.

Need Help

If you need some help with this or if you don’t have Internet access to compare drug plans, you can call Medicare at 800-633-4227 and they will do the comparing for you over the phone for free, and enroll you in a new plan when you’re ready.

Some other great resources that can help you are the Medicare Rights Center (medicarerights.org), a nonprofit consumer service organization that maintains a hotline at 800-333-4114 to help answer your Medicare questions. And your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which provides free one-on-one Medicare counseling in person or over the phone. To find a local SHIP counselor visit shiptalk.org, or call 800-677-1116.

If you want even more help, consider Allsup Inc. (866-521-7655, medicare.allsup.com). This is a national fee-based company that offers a Medicare Advisor Part D plan selection service that takes your information over the phone or online and does the comparing and analyzing for you, and then helps you choose and enroll in a plan that best meets your needs and budget. The fee for this service is $75.

Shrinking Donut Hole

You also need to know that Medicare’s “donut-hole” coverage gap will shrink a little more next year. Thanks to health care reform, Medicare Part D beneficiaries that hit the coverage gap in 2012 will again receive a 50 percent discounts on brand-name drugs, and an increased 14 percent discount on generic medications.

For 2012, the coverage gap begins if your total drug cost exceeds $2,930 (that includes your share and the insurer’s share of the costs) and ends when your total costs reach $6,657.50. After that, your Part D plan usually covers around 95 percent of your remaining drug costs for the year.

Savvy Tip: If your income is under $16,335 a year (or $22,065 for married couples) and your assets are below $12,640 (or $25,260 for married couples), may be eligible for “Extra Help” in paying for their Medicare prescription drug coverage. For more information call 800-772-1213 or visit www.ssa.gov/prescriptionhelp.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, seniors over the age of 65 are twice as likely to die or be injured in a home fire, than those younger. And for those over 75, the risk nearly triples. But with a little awareness and a few precautionary tips, seniors can go a long way in protecting their property and themselves.

Fire Hazards

While there are many possible causes of accidental home fires, the three most common among the elderly are caused by smoking, cooking and alternative heating devices. Here’s a breakdown of what seniors can do to protect themselves in each of these key areas.

Smoke Safely: Careless smoking is the leading cause of home fire deaths and the second leading cause of injuries among seniors. For those who smoke it’s important to remember:

• Never smoke in bed.
• Put your cigarette or cigar out at the first sign of feeling drowsy while watching television or reading.
• Don’t leave your lit cigarette or cigar unattended.
• Use deep ashtrays and put your cigarettes all the way out.
• Consider switching to fire-save cigarettes (firesafecigarettes.org) that self-extinguish when they’re not being smoked.

Cook Safely:Home cooking fires are the number one cause of fire injuries among the elderly. Tips that can help include:

• Never leave food cooking on a stove top unattended. When leaving the kitchen, take a wooden spoon or potholder as a reminder to turn off the oven or burners, or consider installing an automatic stove shut-off device as a safety precaution. Cookstop.com, homesensers.com, stoveguardintl.com and pioneeringtech.com sell them.
• Avoid wearing loose clothing with hanging sleeves when you cook and keep towels and pot holders away from flames or burners.
• Never use the range or oven to heat your home.
• Double-check the kitchen before you go to bed or leave the house.

Heat Safely: Alternative heating devices like space heaters, stoves and fireplaces are another potential fire hazard for seniors. Seniors who use these devices should keep these tips in mind:

• If you use a space heater, keep anything that can burn at least three feet away and always turn it off when you leave the house or go to sleep. Also, if you’re buying a new space heater, look for one with a safety feature that automatically shuts off the power if the heater falls over.
• If you use a fireplace that burns wood, be sure you have a glass or metal screen front to catch the flying sparks and rolling logs, and have the chimney flue inspected annually and cleaned if needed.
• If you use a heating device fueled by gas, oil, wood or kerosene purchase and install carbon monoxide detectors to alert you to potential toxic gas problems.

Home Tips

Around 75 percent of seniors who die in fires each year don’t have working smoke alarms in their homes. Seniors or caregivers should make it a priority to install smoke alarms on every level of their house outside their sleeping area, and change the batteries at least once a year. It’s also important to have an escape plan in the event of a fire.

For seniors who are hearing impaired, companies like Silent Call (silentcall.com) and Harris Communications (harriscomm.com) sell smoke and carbon monoxide detectors that work with flashing strobe lights and bed vibrators to alert you when a problem arises. And, there are also home smoke and fire monitoring services like ADT (adtfireprotection.com) that can alert seniors, caregivers and the fire department if a fire happens.

Eating healthy is important for everyone, but it’s even more important for the nearly 26 million Americans who have diabetes – half of whom are over the age of 60.

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with diabetes, you need to know that a healthy diet, coupled with regular exercise and medication (if needed) are the keys to keeping your blood sugar under control. To help you meet your new dietary needs, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) offers a list of top 10 super foods for type 1 and type 2 diabetics.

These are foods that contain nutrients that are vitally important to people with diabetes, such as calcium, potassium, magnesium and vitamins A, C and E. They’re also high in fiber which will help you feel full longer and keep your glycemic index low so your blood sugar won’t spike. And, they’ll help keep your blood pressure and cholesterol in check, which are also critical for diabetics. Here’s what they recommend you eat plenty of.

Beans: Kidney, pinto, navy, black and other types of beans are rich in nutrients and high in soluble fiber, which will keep his blood sugar steady and can help lower your cholesterol.

Dark green leafy vegetables: Spinach, collard greens, mustard greens, kale and other dark, leafy green veggies are nutrient-dense, low in calories and carbohydrates. You can’t eat too much of f these.

Citrus fruits: Grapefruit, oranges and other citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C, which helps heart health. Stick to whole fruits instead of juice. Fiber in whole fruit slows sugar absorption so you will get the citrus fruit nutrients without sending your blood sugar soaring.

Sweet potatoes: High in vitamin A and fiber and low in glycemic index, sweet potatoes won’t raise your blood sugar at the same level as a regular potato.

Berries: Whole, unsweetened blueberries, strawberries and other berries are full of antioxidants, vitamins and fiber. Choose fresh or frozen berries for salads, smoothies or cereal.

Tomatoes: Raw or cooked, this low-calorie super food offers vital nutrients like vitamin C, iron and vitamin E. Serve sliced, steamed, broiled or stewed, as a side dish, in salads, soups, casseroles or other dishes.

Fish with omega-3 fatty acids: Salmon, mackerel, herring, lake trout, sardines and albacore tuna are high in omega 3 fatty acids that help both heart health and diabetes. But stay away from the breaded and deep fat fried variety.

Whole grains: Pearled barley, oatmeal, breads and other whole-grain foods are high in fiber and contain nutrients such as magnesium, chromium, folate and omega 3 fatty acids.

Nuts: An ounce of nuts can go a long way in providing you important “healthy fats” along with hunger management. They’re also contain a nice dose of magnesium and fiber, but don’t overdue it. Nuts are high in calories so a small handful each day is enough.

Fat-free milk and yogurt: These dairy foods provide the calcium and vitamin D you need. And, they’ll also help curb cravings and between-meal snacks.

More Information

For additional information on healthy food choices for diabetics, including hundreds of free recipes, visit the ADA Web site at diabetes.org – click on “Food & Fitness,” or call 800-342-2383 (press option #4) and ask them to mail you a copy of their free booklet “What Can I Eat?” The ADA also offers a wide variety of diabetic cookbooks that you can purchase through their online store at shopdiabetes.org or 800-232-6455.

Hiring a local handyman can be a bit of a crapshoot. How do you find someone who will return your calls, show up on time, do the job right and finish it, all at a fair price? While there’s no one guaranteed method to finding a good and dependable worker, there are some things you can do to improve your odds.

Who to Call

While it may seem obvious, your first step in finding a good handyman or trade specialist is to determine what all you need done. If, for example, you have a small home repair or improvement project that doesn’t require a lot of technical expertise, a handyman may be all you need. But if you have a job that involves electricity, plumbing, or heating or cooling systems, you’re probably better off going with a licensed tradesman. Bigger jobs like home renovations or remodeling may require a general contractor.

Locating Services

Whatever type of work you need, the best way to find it is through referrals from people you trust. If your friends of family don’t have any recommendations turn to professionals in the field like local hardware or home improvement stores, or even real estate agents.

The Internet can also help. Websites like servicemagic.com (877-800-3177) can put you in touch with prescreened, customer-rated service professionals in your area for free. Or try angieslist.com (888-888-5478), a membership service that will connect you with high quality contractors and service companies with various types of expertise for a small monthly fee of $7, or $25 for a one-year membership. Angie’s list will also provide you with ratings and reviews of local professionals who’ve done work for other members in your area, plus details about the type of work they’ve done, prices, professionalism and timeliness.

Another option for finding handyman services is through a local or national service company like mrhandyman.com and housedoctors.com. You’ll probably pay more going through a company than you would with an independent handyman, but service companies typically promise professional workers who are screened, licensed, bonded and insured. To find these types of services in your community check your yellow pages or go to any Internet search engine and type in “handyman” plus your city and state.

Things to Know

Once you’ve located a few candidates, your next step is to get written estimates that list the materials, costs and details of the project. It’s a good idea to get at least three estimates from different sources to be sure you’re getting a fair deal.

You also need to find out if your candidates have an approved contractor or tradesman license. Using an unlicensed worker in a state that requires a license is dangerous – you’ll have little legal recourse if the job goes south. (To see which states license contractors, visit www.contractors-license.org.) Contractorcheck.com is another good resource for researching local contractors.

Also, ask to see their proof of insurance which covers any damages they may cause while working on your home, and ask for several references from past jobs and check them. You can also check up on your candidates by contacting the Better Business Bureau or your local state consumer-protection agency to see if they have a history of complaints.