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Diana's Corner
THANK YOU! Your help in
making the
Strawberry Festival a success
is
appreciated more than you can
ever know and much more than we can ever acknowledge even if we repeated
it thousands of times. It is a community effort and it is amazing what
Shelby County does when it comes together. Pat yourselves on the back;
you care about your friends and neighbors. Look at the SCUFFY campaign,
the Strand renovations, the SOS, and the flood help that poured in.
Shelby County cares – that ought to be our new motto, along with "WE
(Shelby County) ARE AWESOME!!!"
As a community we look after each other. No, I don’t mean that we
meddle in our neighbor’s affairs. I mean when someone needs a hand,
there’s always one available to assist. At Shelby Senior Services, we
are in a position to see many hands being extended to elderly friends,
neighbors, and family members, and oftentimes to complete strangers.
Where is this discussion of neighborliness leading? To a serious
subject – Elder Abuse. June 15th was National Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
We were so wrapped up in strawberries about that time that I decided to
save this important topic for a time when we aren’t feeling quite as
festive as we did preparing the Strawberry Festival.
Here are some facts about Elder Abuse, taken from the National Center
on Elder Abuse: (1) It is a growing problem. (2) Help is available. (3)
Concerned folks, like you, can spot warning signs and make a call for
help if an elderly person won’t.
(4) Elder abuse is almost always a family issue because neglect is
the most common type of abuse identified. Often that’s because the "caregiver"may
be ill or having issues that need support and will not or do not ask for
help. (The exception being those "scammers" who are total strangers.)
I think (only my opinion) that one of the most insidious aspects of
elder abuse is that typically the elderly person is ashamed or reluctant
to ask for help or may not be capable of doing so. So we all need to
become aware of the warning signs and keep a watchful eye out for those
who may be vulnerable. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse
there are different types of elder abuse and warnings:
(1)
Physical Abuse: Inflicting or
threatening to inflict physical pain or injury on a vulnerable person or
depriving them of a basic need. Warning signs: slap marks, unexplained
bruises, pressure marks, cigarette burn marks, signs of being restrained
such as rope marks on the wrists, or caregiver’s refusal to allow you to
visit the person alone.
(2)
Emotional Abuse: Inflicting mental
pain, anguish, or distress on an elderly person though verbal or
nonverbal acts. Warning signs: belittling or controlling caregiver
behavior that you see yourself, behavior from the elderly person that
mimics dementia such as rocking, sucking, or mumbling to him/herself,
withdrawal from normal activities, unexplained changes in alertness, or
other unusual behavior changes
(3)
Sexual Abuse: Non-consensual sexual
contact of any kind. Warning signs: bruises around the breasts or
genital area; unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding; torn, stained, or
bloody underclothing; unexplained sexually transmitted disease
(4)
Exploitation: Illegal taking, misuse,
or concealment of funds, property, or assets. Warning signs: Sudden
changes in finances or accounts; suspicious or altered wills and trusts;
unusual bank withdrawals; checks written as "loans" or "gifts" and loss
of property; items or cash missing from the elder’s home; addition of
names to the senior’s signature card; unpaid bills or lack of medical
care even though there should be money to pay for them; financial
activity the elderly person couldn’t have done, such as an ATM
withdrawal when the account holder is bedridden; unnecessary services,
goods, or subscriptions.
(5)
Neglect: Refusal or failure (sometimes
because the caregiver is ill or incapable him/ herself) by those
responsible to provide food, shelter, healthcare or protection. Warning
signs: Unusual weight loss, malnutrition, dehydration; untreated
physical symptoms, such as bed sores; unsanitary conditions such as
dirt, soiled bedding and clothes, or bugs; being left dirty or unbathed;
unsuitable clothing or covering for the weather; unsafe living
conditions such as no heat or running water, faulty electrical wiring,
other fire hazards.
(6)
Abandonment: The desertion of a
vulnerable elder by anyone who has assumed the responsibility for care
or custody of that person.
Helpguide.org describes a situation that is worth quoting:
" There’s an elderly neighbor you’ve chatted with at church, meetings
or block parties for years. When you see her coming to get her mail as
you walk up the street, you clos down and greet her at the mailbox. She
says hello but seems wary, as if she doesn’t quite recognize you. You
ask her about a nasty bruise on her forearm. Oh, just an accident, she
explains, the car door closed on it. She says goodbye quickly and
returns to the house. Something isn’t quite right about her. You think;
maybe her mind is getting fuzzy. But there’s something else – something
isn’t right."
Social isolation and memory concerns such as dementia or Alzheimer’s
disease are two factors that may make the older person more vulnerable
to abuse. The National Center on Elder Abuse states that elder abuse can
take place anywhere – at home, in a nursing facility, or other
institutions. There are no socio-economic, cultural or racial biases. It
can occur to any of us, but it is more prevalent along "older" elders.
Dementia, mental health and substance abuse issues of both the senior
and the caregiver are risk factors.
You can see how caregiver stress can leave it’s marks on the entire
family. If the caregiver is tired, ill, has not taken his/her own
medications or had a good meal to nourish him/herself, how can they
provide adequate care? Yes, there are cases where the caregiver is
deliberately abusing, but in the case of many family caregivers it is
simply a matter of total fatigue, lack of knowledge or understanding of
the disease process, or illness.
What can you do if you suspect elder abuse?
• Call 911 if the situation is life threatening or immediate danger
• Report your concerns to Adult Protective Services at
1-800-992-6978. Remember: you do not need to prove abuse is occurring;
it is up to the professionals to investigate the suspicions.
• To report suspected abuse in a nursing facility, contact
1-800-622-4484 or 317-233-1325
• To report suspected abuse in an Assisted Living facility:
1-800-869-0212 ext. 238
If you know of a caregiver who is fatigued, stressed, and needs
support please contact Margie Hubbell at Shelby Senior Services,
398-0127. Margie is a licensed clinical social worker who coordinates
the services of our Family Caregiver Support program.
Apply Online For Social
Security Benefits
The easiest way to apply for Social Security retirement benefits is
to go online at
www.socialsecurity.gov/applyforbenefits If you do not have access to
the Internet, you may call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY number, 1-800-325-0778)
between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to apply by phone. You
may also apply at the Social Security office. To avoid having to wait,
call first to make an appointment.
Don’t Forget Medicare
Even if you don’t plan to receive monthly benefits, you should sign
up for Medicare three months before reaching the age of 65. Otherwise,
your Medicare medical insurance, as well as prescription drug coverage,
could be delayed and you could be charged higher premiums. For more
information about eligibility and costs, visit
www.medicare.gov
Serving
Seniors’ Health Insurance Concerns
Friendly Reminder from SHIP Counselors
This message is very important to seniors who have
Medicare Advantage Plans --
If you are on a Medicare Advantage program and have recently received
a letter telling you that your coverage is ending:
• This letter is called a "Letter of Creditable Coverage". This
letter is very important to you. This letter may give you the
right to guaranteed enrollment in another program without answering
any Medicare questions and no pre-existing conditions.
It is very important that you make copies of this letter. If you do
not have access to a copy machine, bring it to Shelby Senior Services,
Inc. and copies will be made for you.
Shelby County SHIP (Senior Health Insurance Program) counselors are
available to answer questions concerning Medicare and its prescription
drug plans. Call 398-0127 to inquire about appointments.
Shelby
Senior Services, Inc. has a notary on staff. Call 398-0127, or stop in
at 1504 S. Harrison St. There is a small fee.
Local Volunteers Sought for SHIP Training
Shelby Senior Services, Inc. is looking for local volunteers to
assist Medicare beneficiaries in understanding the complexities of
Medicare and related health insurance.
Trainees will receive reference materials and 24 hours of free
instruction from the State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) and will be
certified by the Indiana Department of Insurance. Training will likely
be in January.
Qualifications include:
1. Desire to help senior citizens to understand Medicare
2. Good Communication skills
3. No conflict of interest
4. Availability during the daytime for 4-8 hours a month
To sign-up contact Shelby Senior Services, Inc., 398-0127.
Wish List for Shelby
Senior Services
A gas card in any amount
One-month internet service
Construction labor for renovation process
Weed puller to spruce-up agency property
55-gallon heavy duty trash bags
On sale now
Beautifully boxed collections of AppleWoods greeting cards are available
for purchase at Shelby Senior Services, 1504 S. Harrison St.,
Shelbyville.
Sixteen
high-quality cards and envelopes with multiple sentiments for just $15.
That’s just less than 95 cents per card! $5 from each purchase benefits
services we offer to all seniors.
Angel Food Ministries
New to
this area, Angel Food Ministries is a unique, faith-based effort to help
provide low-cost food to anyone. No applications are required, no
qualifications need to be met and the program accepts food stamps, as
long as the person placing the order has a state EBT card. Seniors who
might have difficulties picking up their orders may contact the
Shelbyville Community Church, (317) 398-7837. Volunteers at that site
are available to lend a helping hand.
For more
information, and to receive a monthly order form, contact either Beacon
Baptist Church at (317) 392-3000, Rays Crossing Christian Union Church
at (765) 544-2502 or Zion United Church of Christ, (317)752-5687 ext.
127.
Employment for Seniors (SCSEP)
The
Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is a paid
job-training program that provides a bridge to employment for mature
workers, ages 55 and older, who live within federal low-income
guidelines and are willing to improve job skills or learn new ones.
Interested? Call Liz Hightower, Indiana State Headquarters in
Indianapolis, 1-800-669-8004.
Employment Training Available
Goodwill
Industries of Central Indiana, Inc. provides part-time employment and
training in Shelby County to low-income residents ages 55 and older who
are currently unemployed, have access to reliable transportation and are
eligible to work in the United States. The training is administered
through the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP).
Participants receive paid-on-the-job training, and are
placed in part-time positions with a community service organization,
including government and educational facilities. They are matched to
positions that fit their skills, preferred schedule, physical
requirements, desired location and training needs. The program is
completed when participants secure permanent employment.
If you
are interested in participating in SCSEP, call 317-524-4360 or
866-505-0556 for more information.
How to Contact Indiana’s
Members of Congress
Senator Evan Bayh
1650 Market Tower
10 W. Market St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-554-0705 (Indianapolis office)
http://www.usa.gov/
Senator Richard G. Lugar
1180 Market Tower
10 W. Market St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-226-5555 (Indianapolis office)
http://www.usa.gov/
Congressional Representatives:
http://www.usa.gov/
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