Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Access to Care for Older Adults
Amarillo Resources
Marge Dean, RN,CS-BC,GNP-BC,MSN
West Texas A&M Nursing Program [email protected]
I need help…..where do I go?
Finding a health care provider
Mental health assistance
Nursing home
Home health/Hospice
Other helpful resources
We will look at the following…
Navigating the Health Care System
Health care reform may help…..
Meanwhile?????
If you are lucky enough to have insurance……
Know what your policy covers
What are your individual health care benefits
Save all of your healthcare bills and insurance records
Does this really cover all of your usual expenditures?
You or a designated other must be your healthcare advocate….
Look into the hospitals and labs that you are referred to for procedures
Are they OK? Ask around….
Did you get your test results back?
Did a healthcare professional talk to you about what the results mean?
Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion
Keep a medical record We currently don’t have a national
system of medical health records You can keep a running record of what
has happened to your health Immunizations illnesses Surgeries CT scan, MRI’s, DEXA
Mammograms pap smear prostate exam lab tests
If you move…. Get a copy of your medical record HIPPA does not prevent you from getting a
copy of your own record Make a copy of these records for your own
files
Communicate… Talk to your healthcare team The better they know you….the better your
care will be Write down questions and ask them Take ALL your medications with you to the
visit Be honest about your “bad habits”
Best way….is the to stay out of the healthcare system
STAY HEALTHY!
How?
Regular screenings Pap, mammogram, PSA, DRE, colonoscopy
Healthy diet Regular exercise Wash your hands Take your prescribed meds as directed
How do I find a healthcare provider?
Much easier if you have Medicare plus a supplemental insurance
More difficult when only Medicare assignment
Why is this so difficult?
Fewer available today
Many don’t take Medicare
Phone Book????
Finding a primary care provider?
Texas Tech Clinics
NW Senior Health Services/j O Wyatt Clinic
WTAMU Health Partners Clinic
BSA Family Clinic
Regence Health Network,Inc
Who is taking Medicare?
Clinics with no appointment BSA Urgent Care
Amarillo Urgent Care
United Bell and 45th Clinic (cash only)
Psychiatric Help…Day Programs covered by Medicare
TPMHMR Adult Day Program NWTH Pavilion Day Program
Jan Werner Adult Day Care(Alzheimer’s)
NWTH Pavilion
Golden Phoenix (Pampa Hospital)
Covenant Hospital (Plainview)
Psychiatric Help…In House covered by Medicare
Pysch Care in the Home
Accolade Home Health has RN’s with psych experience that provide in home care for elders living in the community
What other ways are there to find a Medicare provider?
Call: Medical Society 355-6854 NWTH Physician Referral 1-800-887-
1114 Medicare Physician Referral 1-800-633-
4227 Questions on Medicare file 1-800-999-
1118
Internet:www.medicare.gov
What if you need a specialist?
Usually you see the primary care provider first
OK….still not sureWho else can I check with?
You can ask trusted friends, family and neighbors
Call the Area Agency on Aging 331-2227
Served in the military?
Amarillo VAMC life support (ER) primary care and specialty clinics hospital psych clinic/in house treatment Thomas Creek Nursing Home
Ussery Roan Texas State Veterans Home
Who Else?
Contact a Geriatric Care Manager
Leticia Goodrich MA Goodrich Care Management Services
La Rita Mason, MS,CCCSP 376-6200
http://www.caremanager.org for more information
Other types of health care providers……
To find a nurse practitionerhttp://www.npfinder.com/
To find a physician assistanthttp://www.steadyhealth.com/find_doctor/
physician_assistant/
TEXAS TECH HAS A SENIOR CLINIC THAT WILL DO A COMPLETE HEALTH CHECK UP
PHYSICAL EXAMNUTRITION SCREENDEMENTIA SCREENDEPRESSION EVALUATIONEVALUATE YOUR MEDICATIONSLOOK AT HOW YOU WALK AND MOVE
THEN DISCUSS THE FINDINGS WITH YOU
I need an overall check up….
You can have the information sent to the provider of your choice
Or
You can become a patient with Texas Tech
What do they do with that information?
Home Health One time when the phone book might help
http://medicare.gov has a list by city and state to help you find a
home health agency
Usually the provider will recommend an agency that deals with the type of medical
need that you have
Hospice/Palliative Care Again the phone book
might help
Provider will usually suggest a group
National hospice & palliative care organization
http://www.nhpco.org
How to find a Nursing Home…
Visit and look around
Talk to the residents, staff and visitors
Talk to the Omsbudsman
Perform the “Sniff Test”
Find out about the state survey For explanation of Quality Improvement Program:
http://aspe.hhs.gov/daltcp/reports/statenhB.htm#Texas
Enter Your county to find out a nursing home’s quality rating:
http://facilityquality.dhs.state.tx.us/ltcqrs_public/nq1/jsp3/qrsHome1en.jsp?MODE=P&LANGCD=en
ER not the place to take Mom and Pop!
Not paid by Medicare or Medicaid
Private pay only
Respite Care
Call Ahead….
Call ahead to see what is available and if you meet qualifications
Contact local nursing home or home care agency
Check with Area Agency on Aging for resources 331-2227
Access to care issues will always be present….
Knowing where to look for the information is half of the battle….
