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Medicare: PA MEDI Helps Explain Plans

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

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Image: Medicare Collage. Philadelphia Corporation for Aging website accessed 10/25/24

Medicare: PA MEDI Helps Explain Plans

By Gail K. Kachnycz on 25 October 2024 

     If you are caring for someone with chronic illness, you may be dealing with insurance provided by Medicare. This government health insurance is available to those over 65 years, but in some cases may be available to people under 65. For example, my husband Mike was eligible for Medicare after he had been on long-term disability for two years, even though he was younger than 65 years.

     Open Enrollment, that is, the opportunity to change coverage options, is occurring now. From October 15, 2024 through December 7, 2024, changes can be made which will be active starting January 1, 2025. Media advertisements and direct mailings offer a dizzying number of plans. Processing this overwhelming amount of information can be confusing. However, there is help that is not biased or promoting a specific insurance agency or plan.  PA MEDI (Medicare Education and Decision Insight Program) is a statewide service operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging through the state’s Area Agencies on Aging. The program offers free, unbiased, confidential counseling regarding Medicare enrollment and selection of plans. An appointment is needed. The ideal time to contact this organization is three months before a person’s 65 th birthday, when they are first eligible for Medicare. Help during Open Enrollment is also available. Another time when the plan can be changed is after a “qualifying event.” Examples include (but are not limited to) getting married, moving to a new area, or experiencing a shift in employment status.

There are two service providers in Philadelphia:

215-456-7600 Einstein Medical Center (now part of the Jefferson system)

215-545-5728 Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of Elders (CARIE)

There is a Helpline for those who do not live in Philadelphia:

1-800-783-7067 PA MEDI Helpline; toll free, call weekdays 8 AM to 5 PM

     More information is available on the website of the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging

PCA Home Page

Select “Services,” “Community & Connection,” then “Medicare Help for Older Philadelphians through PA MEDI” or use the direct link:

PA MEDI


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Introducing: Community Connections Collaborative & WikiDelphia

Friday, October 25, 2024

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Image: Community Connections Collaborative (CCC) Home Page Logo; accessed 10/24/24

Introducing: Community Connections Collaborative & WikiDelphia

     Over the past year, I have come to learn that I am not alone as a caregiver. There are others in the community who understand & share my journey, or have supports or information that can help me. One such organization is Community Connections Collaborative (CCC). This organization meets monthly by Zoom, and from time to time in person for networking events. Members represent a wide range of community services, including agencies or services that would be of assistance to caregivers and those with chronic illness. For example, Jean Kirkley, the CEO of Boomers R Heroes, was featured in the post published April 10, 2024.

Here is an excerpt from the Home Page of CCC: 

Community Connections Collaborative (CCC) is an unincorporated nonprofit association of seasoned leaders and connectors within the Philadelphia Community.   Our motto is Relationships Matter.  Our mission is to facilitate connections and collaboration among individuals, groups, and service providers to improve community health and quality of life.   Our vision is to be a thriving community of information advocates and social service providers increasing access to knowledge, resources and tools that overcome barriers to collaboration and sharing.

This spreadsheet located on their website lists many of the organizations that participate:

CCC Organizations requesting tables at events

WikiDelphia is another link that can be accessed through the CCC website. This website provides contact information for agencies and services in the Philadelphia Area. The link through CCC lists emergency contacts first, which is very helpful. You can check it out here:

WikiDelphia

Both of these website include a wide range of services. I will plan to feature information specifically helpful to caregivers and those with chronic illness in future posts. 

Image: WikiDelphia Logo, accessed 10/24/24


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SELF CARE AND RENEWAL FALL 2024

Friday, October 18, 2024

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Photo: Dunes and Surf, Ocean City New Jersey October 2024 by Gail K. Kachnycz

SELF-CARE AND RENEWAL FALL 2024

By Gail K. Kachnycz 18 October 2024

     Recently, I spent two weeks in Ocean City, New Jersey. The surf and beach were beautiful and refreshing. I enjoyed good company and good food. Long walks were restorative to body, mind and spirit. It was a wonderful time for self-care and renewal. 

     I brought several books with me, since it seems I never have time to read them when the demands of everyday life press in on me. One book was written by a friend at church: Come Dance With Me; Devotions For Deeper Intimacy With God by Gretchen Schwartzman. Gretchen has a practice of waiting quietly before the Lord, and recording the message He impresses on her during that time of meditation. This year, the devotions were compiled into a book and published. Each page contains a few paragraphs and Bible verses that relate to the message. There are several themes, such as:

-God’s love and desire to commune with us.

-God desires to lead us daily; we can learn to recognize His voice and guidance

-God is trustworthy and His support is steadfast

-Seeking God is our first priority

     I came away realizing that God’s grace will sustain me as a care-giver. Starting each day with God is important. It may be something as simple as hitting the snooze button in the morning, but then consciously dedicating the day to the Lord, and praying with thanksgiving as well as covering for the tasks ahead. When the alarm sounds nine minutes later, I begin the activities of the day having placed them in God’s hands.

      Gretchen granted permission to share a sample from the book. Here is page 121, which  really spoke to me as a care-giver: 

     TRUST IN ME FOR TODAY

     Trust in Me one day at a time. Trust in Me for today, this day that is before you. I will provide everything that you need to get through this day. As you walk side by side with Me, I will enable you to navigate all the complexities of the day with wisdom and discernment, grace and peace. As you face difficult situations or many tasks that need to be done, you can choose whether to respond by feeling anxious and overwhelmed or to keep your hand firmly in Mine, trusting in Me to lead you and guide you. You have the freedom to choose to not let your emotions and you mental state be controlled by your circumstances but instead to trust in Me and allow Me to be in control of all your responses.

     Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

     In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

     When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.

     In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid.

     What can mere man do to me? Psalm 56:3-4 

The book is available online on Amazon and also at Barnes and Noble bookstores.

Link to Amazon

Link to Barnes & Noble




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Recipe: Butternut Mango Medley

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

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Image: Gail K & daughter-in-law Elise with the Butternut Mango Medley; November 2021

RECIPE: BUTTERNUT MANGO MEDLEY

This recipe was created for my daughter-in-law, Elise, who loves mangos. Dried mangos and cranberries are combined with fall favorites apples and butternut squash to create this easy side dish.

BUTTERNUT MANGO MEDLEY by Gail Kachnycz 8/20/2021 

Serves: 10-12 half cup servings

Prep Time: 5 months; plant butternut squash seeds in April, harvest in September

     Hands on about 20 minutes; bake 30-45 minutes or use slow cooker (about 4 hours on high?) 

Ingredients:

2 cups     Butternut squash, cubed (fresh). If using frozen, cooking time may be longer.

2 cups     Apples, cut up (Mix red apples and green/Granny Smith for eye appeal!)

1 cup      Dried mango. Pull apart into smaller pieces. They will stick to a knife if cut.

1 cup      Dried, sweetened cranberries (Craisins)

1 cup      Apple Cider

Sprinkle Cinnamon: to taste, be generous as this is also a sweetener without sugar. 

Instructions:                                                   Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Stir to mix the cinnamon into the medley. Add a little water or apple juice/cider to moisten.

Bake, covered, for 30 minutes, then stir to mix & moisten. Check if squash & apples are fork tender. You do not want mushy apples & squash.

If more baking time is needed, check every 10-15 minutes until fork tender.


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Recipe: Green Bean Summer Salad: Italian

Thursday, October 3, 2024

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Image: Green Bean Summer Salad/Italian by Gail K. Kachnycz 15 September 2024

RECIPE: GREEN BEAN SUMMER SALAD

     This salad uses summer's vegetables to create a colorful, cool side dish. It requires marinating in the vinaigrette overnight so it is easy to make ahead. Once again, no mayonnaise so great for sharing at an outdoor event. Enjoy!

GREEN BEAN SUMMER SALAD; ITALIAN

By Gail K. Kachnycz 15 September 2024

 

INGREDIENTS                                                NOTE: Salad must marinade overnight.                            

2 packages frozen cut Green Beans (16 oz size)

2 Red Bell Peppers

1-2 Yellow Summer Squash (may use crook-neck or straight)

            Note: If fresh summer squash is not available, may use corn kernels for yellow element

3 Green Onions

1 Teaspoon Mrs. Dash No-Salt Seasoning (Italian Blend)

   Vegetable or Olive Oil to sautee

   Vinaigrette Dressing to taste (can be bottled commercial dressing, Italian type)

 

Prepare the Green Beans (allow to be slightly crisp):

Steam the frozen green beans according to package directions. Using pot holders, remove steamer basket or drain beans into colander. Immediately plunge basket or colander into ice water bath to stop cooking process and retain bright green color of the beans. When beans no longer feel hot, remove basket/colander from ice water bath and allow beans to drain. 

Prepare the Peppers and Squash (allow to be slightly crisp): 

While the beans are steaming, core and cut the red bell pepper. Cut the yellow squash into pieces that are similar in size and shape to the pepper pieces. Sautee in oil until tender but not mushy. Salad ingredients should be slightly crisp. Remove from heat and allow to cool. 

Slice the green onions using the white bulb and the bottom portion of the green stems. 

In a large bowl, combine the cooled green beans, peppers, squash, and green onions. Sprinkle the Italian blend seasoning and mix well. Pour the vinaigrette dressing over the vegetables and mix well. Refrigerate overnight. Stir again before serving. 

NOTE: This mixture can be served cold or hot. To serve hot, heat in a pot on the stove or use a microwave safe dish to heat & stir in the microwave until heated through.   

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