Blog Posts

March 27, 2020 By Donata Mikulik

Project Tablet Turnover

Would you like to Donate a Used Tablet? Drop it off at 5787 Desoto Drive in Santa Rosa or call (707) 526 – 4108 for pick up. Please reset your tablet to Factory Settings before donating and provide the power cord.

Ending Loneliness for Seniors in Long-Term Care

“Social distancing can save seniors’ lives but deepens their loneliness”

“Coronavirus isolation a dilemma for seniors”

Loneliness in seniors may be fatal. Studies show the feeling of loneliness and emptiness causes suffering for seniors but can lead to serious health problems and even death. With the isolation created by the COVID-19 virus, our elderly living in Skilled Nursing Facilities are alone. For many, families can no longer visit, listen to their stories, or give hugs and loving affection.

Ombudsman have a plan to help in these extraordinary times. Can you donate a used tablet? We will help set up with access to games, social media apps, YouTube, free video conferencing and more. You can help connect a senior in need with the tech we rely on so heavily now.

Donate by delivering your device at 5787 Desoto Drive in Santa Rosa (Rincon Valley) just east of Safeway (Calistoga Rd./Highway 12). Please put the tablet along with its power cord in the box slot as labeled – it will be sitting on a table with a balloon for easy visibility.

If you are unable to drop-off your tablet, call Senior Advocacy Service at (707) 526-4108 to arrange for a staff member to come pick up. As a small, local non-profit we do not have the ability to refurbish these tablets. We are asking for working devices that have already been reset to factory settings with the passwords, pins, cellular service etc. removed. If you donate an ipad, turn off the “find my ipad” before restoring it to factory settings. Help us by donating tablets ready to be given to an isolated senior in need.

March 6, 2020 By Frank Nelson

Some unscrupulous sales people

Some unscrupulous sales people are trying to get Supplemental Medigap policyholders to switch from Plan F to Plan G in order to make a commission. Don’t be pressured to change your plan. Choose the right coverage for you.

Medigap coverage is guaranteed renewable. As long as the policyholder pays the premium, the coverage cannot be cancelled. Some policyholders are being told that…

October 30, 2019 By Karen Sheehan

Right to Proper Notice of Discharge or Eviction

“The facility staff told me I have to move out in three days! I have nowhere to go. Can you help me? “This is a common call to the Ombudsman office. Because of their vulnerable condition, the impact of transfer on elderly residents in long term care can be traumatic and can result in increased risk of illness and death. To minimize transfer trauma resident’s should be involved in all stages of the move process – Preliminary Planning; Choice of a New Location; Visit to the New Location; Orientation at the New Location.

Long term residents in Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF) in California (usually under Medical) are protected from unnecessary discharges by regulations set by the Department of Public Health (CDPH). There are six reasons that SNFs can give for discharging/transferring a resident:

1. The facility is unable to meet the resident’s medical needs
2. The resident’s health has improved such that he/she no longer needs nursing home care
3. The safety of other individuals is endangered
4. The health of other individuals would be compromise
5. The resident has failed, after reasonable notice, to pay for his/her stay in the facility
6. The facility ceases to operate

Discharge/Eviction notices must be in writing, not verbal, and must be given to the resident and their responsible party 30 days before the discharge date. If there is a question about the decision to discharge facilities must be able to produce documentation to support eviction notices for reasons 1 – 4.

Have you or a family member/friend received an eviction notification? Contact Senior Advocacy Services and speak with our Ombudsman!

Read More to learn about when you can be discharged and your right to proper notice of discharge or eviction. The California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR) is an excellent resource for questions about Skilled Nursing and Residential Care Facilities.

Are you living outside of California? Call your local Ombudsman for concerns about evictions. You can search the web by typing Your State and Ombudsman in the search field to find a local office.

This article is an installment in the Resident Rights Series.

October 30, 2019 By Donata Mikulik

Volunteer with Us!

Multi-colored hands raised and the word Volunteer

My name is Jared Schlyer, Senior Advocacy Services newly appointed Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator and I am looking for compassionate, problem-solving, empathetic and detail oriented individuals who are looking to devote their time to serving seniors as a Certified Ombudsman, a Certified Medicare Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program, or Elder Justice Advocate!

Are you able to help give a voice to those who live in long term care? Do you have the sharp and organized mind to advise those who are on Medicare understand its many intricacies from year to year? Your time is not only valued but much needed!

Senior Advocacy Services also has three major events each year in which run on volunteer support. At Christmas, we wrap and bring gifts to residents of long term care facilities. For Mother’s Day, volunteers craft flower bouquets and deliver them out to the lucky ladies of long term care facilities. And in April we host our annual fundraiser Pick of the Vine with wine, beer and bites in support of seniors in Sonoma County.

Come volunteer today we have a spot for you!

For more information visit our website senioradvocacyservices.org or contact Jared Schlyer via email Jareds@sasnb.org or phone (707) 526-4108 x118

October 10, 2019 By Donata Mikulik

Evacuation and Fire Safety Training for RCFE Administrators

Come to our upcoming Evacuation and Disaster Planning Training on Wednesday October 30th at the Rohnert Park Library Evacuation & Disaster Planning Rohnert Park Oct 30 Flyer. (October 17th in Sonoma has been cancelled). Register today, seating is limited and continuing education is provided for RCFE Administrators.

Also check out this valuable video for Evacuation and Fire Safety created by the San Ramon Valley Fire District with permission to share far and wide. In this California Fire Season it is important to keep in mind options during an emergency and how to make the best decisions for a situation, especially if first responders are unable to assist. Video content is also relevant to other types of caregivers for adults requiring special assistance.

https://firedepartment.org/community/safety-tips/senior-safety

Share these opportunities and register by searching for Evacuation Training on Eventbrite or on our Senior Advocacy Services facebook page.

October 3, 2019 By Frank Nelson

Don’t Get Caught Saying “Oh No” when Medicare Changes in 2020!

Did you know that every year everything changes?

Oct.15 – Dec.7 is your opportunity to review upcoming changes in 2020 and decide if your coverage is still the best option related to your current health and cost changes.

There are 2 ways you can have your Medicare benefits. One way to have your Medicare healthcare is Original Medicare with 4 separate parts which would include a Part D plan and Medigap Supplemental product. The other way you can have your Medicare healthcare is through a managed care plan called an Advantage plan.

Every year everything changes.

The projected 2020 Advantage plan premiums represent a 23 percent drop from 2018 premium levels. CMS also noted that plan choices have multiplied. Benefits have expanded and Medicare Advantage enrollment is rising.

In the 6 county region served by our HICAP, Advantage plan choices are increasing from 19 to 37 plans in 2020.

2020 Original Medicare Part D prescription plan company choices in our region also increased from 30 to 32 plans for 2020. Premiums, deductibles, formularies and copays for each plan have also changed for next year.

Question: Who is responsible for your healthcare?

If you’re in an Advantage plan, will your Dr. still be in our plan’s network and will additional benefits still be covered?

If you have Original Medicare with a Part D plan, will your prescriptions still be in their formulary and are you paying the lowest amount for your plan and medications? Part D premiums next year will range from $12.80/month up to $118.40/month.

If your healthcare is your responsibility, are you meeting with HICAP to review what your options are for 2020 or are you one of those who doesn’t check then places a frantic call to us when Jan. 1st is here and you discover your physician coverage has significantly changed or certain prescriptions in the formulary are no longer covered?

Schedule a 1-on-1 appointment by calling 800-434-0222 or Attend an Unbiased Seminar in your area.

HICAP is a free & unbiased service through the CA Dept. of Aging.

Our goal is to provide truly unbiased help so you can make more informed decisions about your Medicare healthcare before you step out there and deal with agents & plans.

A blog post from Senior Advocacy Services – senioradvocacyservices.org

August 29, 2019 By Frank Nelson

It’s Nearing! Annual Enrollment for Medicare

Starting in October, there is a bit of hysteria in the Medicare world. This is because the Annual Enrollment Period is nearing – and most Medicare beneficiaries believe that this is the only time when they can make any change to their coverage.

However, contrary to what many think, Annual Enrollment Period of October 15 – December 7 is actually not the only time to make changes to your Medicare coverage.Read More

August 29, 2019 By Karen Sheehan

Fall Prevention. 5 Technologies that can Help.

“What if all homes could be suitable for anyone, regardless of a person’s age or physical ability? What if a person who wants to live independently, regardless of his or her age or physical ability, could do just that?” – From AARP’s HomeFit Guide.

According to the Center for Disease Control, more than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falls. Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries in those 65 years and older. As a former Ombudsman, I visited with many older adults living in long term care who ended up there because they fell in their home. Concerned family members gathered and decided that their parent/grandparent/spouse could no longer live at home as it was ‘not safe’.

In this Assistive Technology (AT) for Aging post, I’m going to talk about 5 technologies that help to prevent falls.

August 28, 2019 By Crista Barnett Nelson

What Does Kindness Look Like? Celebrating the Valuable Work Our Volunteers Do.

Senior Advocacy Services has a long history of working with a large cadre of generous volunteers helping to advocate for and inform seniors across six counties (Sonoma, Marin, Napa, Solano, Mendocino, and Lake). Our volunteers provide tangible results and intangible qualities that not only brighten the days of our aging population but also make a direct impact on their safety and quality of life.

Ways we depend upon our Volunteers

August 28, 2019 By Karen Sheehan

Emergency Preparedness 2019. A Look Back to Look Ahead.

The call came in to the Ombudsman of the Day about a week after the 2017 Sonoma County Fires.

“They left my mother in her apartment during the fire!”

Where was your mom living?

“In an assisted living facility. She called me from her apartment during the fire. My mom could see the flames and smell the smoke. She didn’t have any electricity. She is 90 and was scared and she didn’t understand what was going on.”

She wasn’t evacuated?

“No, they left her in her apartment! No one came to help her get out. When she called me, I couldn’t understand and asked her Where are You? She said in her apartment. I couldn’t believe it, so I jumped in my car and drove up there. At first the emergency services refused to let me in and said that the facility had evacuated everyone. I had to convince them that my mom was STILL IN HER APARTMENT!”