Support groups bring together people who are coping with similar issues and concerns. Usually there is a facilitator/organizer who coordinates the meetings and helps the group focus on important issues. A: The Dept of Senior Citizen Affairs coordinates monthly support groups for caregivers of the frail elderly in Long Beach and Elmont. For dates, times, etc call 516 227-8900 B: Also call the following agencies to learn about the support groups that they offer:Five Town Senior Center 124 Franklin Place, Woodmere, NY 516 374-4747 or Hispanic Brotherhood of Rockville Center 59 Clinton Ave, Rockville Centre, 516 366-6610 or JCC of Greater Five Towns 207 Grove Street, Cedarhurst, NY 516 569-6733. Many other groups exist in schools, churches, synagogues, libraries, etc. Call Nassau County Dept of Senior Citizen Affairs for additional information. 516 227-8900
Caregiving Resources: Nassau County Dept of Senior Citizen Affairs 60 Charles Lindbergh Boulevard, Uniondale, NY 516 227-8900 conducts information and educational activities relevant to cargiving and has a library of resource materials.
Project Independence located in the Town of North Hempstead, Please Call 516 8696311 for information
COUNSELING:
Accepts Medicare Helen Beegel, LCSW Counseling and Advocacy for Seniors, 516 244-6291
DENTAL: (Low Cost or Free Dental Care)
Columbia University School of Dental & Oral Surgery: 630 W 168th St, NYC 212 305-5665
NYU College of Dentistry: 345 E. 24th St. NYC 212 998-8900 for informaton
Stonybrook State University of New York School of Dental Medicine: Rockland Hall Health Science Center, Stonybrook 631 632-8989
FINANCIAL:
Marie Cantone - Financial Planner - Specializes in Special Needs Families, 631-433-0656
HEALTH SERVICES:
www.wnylc.com/health (information on public health insurance programs in New York State)
h.state.ny.us (for information on certified home health agencies, long term home health care programs, hospice care providers, licensed home care services agencies, hospitals, physicians, adult homes, assisted living and nursing homes)
www.nahc.org (National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC) - for locating and information on home care and hospice agencies)
www.medicare.gov (for comparing nursing homes and home health agencies)
www.ipro.org (for comparing hospitals, nursing homes and home health agencies)
www.jointcommission.org/GeneralPublic/Choices/ (helps you choose ambulatory care, assisted living, behavioral health care, health plans, home care & hospice, hospital, laboratory service and long term care)
www.caremanager.org (National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers)
www.crdli.org (The Community Resource Database of Long Island (CRDLI) is a free, online directory of health, human service, and education agencies and programs on Long Island – services for children, teens, adults, families, and seniors in both Nassau and Suffolk counties)
www.hhs.gov/aging/index.html (The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services offers miscellaneous information on aging)
Long Term Care Insurance and General Long Term Care Information
www.planaheadny.com (this site is sponsored by New York State and gives a general discussion of long-term care insurance)
www.ins.state.ny.us/lntmcare.htm (NYS Insurance Department -Basic information about long-term care insurance: charts of companies that offer the policies and the types of policies offered; and a comparison tool that gives sample premiums based on age and other factors)
tc.org (NYS Partnership for Long-Term Care - Information on long-term care policies that will allow NY residents to protect some or all of their assets by combining a long-term care policy with extended Medicaid coverage)
www.longtermcare.gov (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information)
LEGAL:
Nassau-Suffolk Law Services, 1 Helen Keller Way, Hempstead, NY 11550, 516-292-8100 Law Services is a non-profit agency that serves thousands of low income, disabled, and elderly clients throughout LongIsland, with offices in Hempstead, Islandia and Riverhead - their servicesrange in everything from Landlord-Tenant Court, to their Mental Health Clinic,Senior Clinic, Bankruptcy Clinic, and Chid Support Unit (just to name a few!).
LOW VISION RESOURCES:
1) FreedomScientific..com St Petersberg Florida 18004444443 Computer Software that enables all information on the computer to be read aloud.
2) Jaws Software and CC TV Reader (autofocus machines for reading) 800 5980635
3) MaxiAides.com 8005226294 Catalog to provide aides for independent living
MEDICAL:
Alzheimers: LIAF: Long Island Alzheimers Foundation, Fred Jenny or Stephanie DePalma, 516 767-6856
Medical Alert: Low Cost Subsidized Services for Seniors with focus on Medical Alert: www.besafeathome.org & www.uymcares.org Bob Costanzo 631 734-8220
Medication (Free or Subsidized but not Medicaid Eligible):
EPIC: NYS Senior Prescription Plan 1800 332-3742 Single persons income must not exceed $35,000 and married persons incomes must not exceed $50,000. There are deductibles so call for more information.
Free Meds from Drug Companies:
ADRIA LABORATORIES, INC. Adria Laboratories Patient Assistance Program PO Box 9525 McLean, VA 22102 1-800-366-5570 1-800-366-5570 Doctor must certify that patient cannot afford the cost of the drug.
ALLERGAN PRESCRIPTION PHARMACEUTICALS Allergan Patient Assistance Program 2525 Dupont Drive Irvine, CA 92713 1-800-347-4500 1-800-347-4500 Ext. 4280 Up to a 6 months' supply. Eligibility is at the doctor's discretion.
AMGEN, INC. Amgen Safety Net Programs Medical Technology Hotlines: 1-800-272-9376 1-800-272-9376 Enrollment in the program is based on a patient's insurance and financial status.
ASTRA F.A.I.R. FOSCAVIR Assistance and Information on Reimbursement Program: 1-800-488-3247 1-800-488-3247 . Doctor must sign and complete the application and return it within 7 days to the address on the form. The form must be accompanied by a signed prescription.
BOEHRINGER INGLEHEIM PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. PARTNERS IN HEALTH 1-800-556-8317 1-800-556-8317 Controlled substances are not covered. Maximum of 3 months. Patient cannot have prescription coverage, cannot be eligible for Medicaid/State assistance programs, and must meet annual income guidelines. Doctor must make the request.
BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB Bristol-Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Program PO Box 9445 McLean, VA 22102-9998 1-800-736--0003 1-800-736--0003 At doctor's request.
BURROUGHS-WELLCOME Patient Assistance Program Burroughs-Wellcome Co. PO Box 52035 Phoenix, AZ 85072-9349 1-800-722-9294 1-800-722-9294 Products available in a 30 day supply, with maximum of 90 days. Applications reviewed on a case by case basis. Patients must be residents of the United States or its territories. All alternative funding sources must be investigated.
CIBA-GEIGY PHARMACEUTICAL Patient Support Program Jackie LaGuardia, Senior Information Assistant Ciba-Geigy Corporation 556 Morris Ave. D2058 Summit, NJ 07901 1-800-257-3273 1-800-257-3273 . Up to 3 months' supply available.
DU PONT MERCK PHARMACEUTICAL CO. Darlene Samis Du Pont Pharma PO Box 80026 Wilmington, DE. 19880-0026 1-800-474-2762 1-800-474-2762 Controlled substances are not covered. Thirty day supply available. Patient must be indigent and ineligible for a Federal or State Government drug assistance program.
GENENTECH, INC. Genentech, Inc. PO Box 2586 S. San Francisco, CA 94083-2586 1-800-879-4747 1-800-879-4747 Quantity provided. Eligibility requirements variable.
GLAXO, INC. Laura N. Wright, Supervisor, Glaxo Indigent Patient Program Glaxo, Inc. PO Box 13438 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 1-800-452-9677 1-800-452-9677 Maximum 3 month supply. Patient must be a private outpatient whom the doctor considers medically indigent and who is not eligible for other third-party reimbursement.
HOECHST-ROUSSEL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. HRPI Patient Access Program Field Forest Development 1-800-422-4779 1-800-422-4779 Must show lack of insurance or ability to pay. Eligibility on a case by case basis. Patients must not be eligible for a third-party payer or Medicaid coverage. One course of therapy.
HOFFMAN-LaROCHE, INC. Daria Osborne, Director, Medical Needs Program Roche Laboratories 340 Kingsland Street Nutley, NJ 07110 1-800-285-4489 1-800-285-4489 Three month supply. Eligibility limited to private practice outpatients who are considered by the doctor to be medically indigent and who are not eligible for other third-party reimbursement. Drugs are shipped to doctor only.
IMMUNEX CORPORATION Professional Services Immunex Corporation 1-800-466-8639 1-800-466-8639 ; 206-587-0430 206-587-0430 Three cycles. Physician must state that the patient requires the drug and that all reimbursement options have been tried.
JANSSEN PHARMACEUTICA Janssen Patient Assistance Program 1800 Robert Fulton Drive Reston, VA 22091 1-800-544-2987 1-800-544-2987 One or two month supply, varies by product. Patient must have less than $25,000 total annual household income and can have Medicare or private insurance, but cannot have prescription coverage.
KNOLL PHARMACEUTICAL CO. Knoll Pharmaceutical Indigent Patient Program 30 N. Jefferson Road Whippany, NJ 07981 1-800-524-2474 1-800-524-2474 Eligible if financially indigent and not insured.
LEDERLE LABORATORIES Lederle Partners and Patient Care 1-800-533-2273 1-800-533-2273 Doctor must make the request. Patients have to be financially indigent and not eligible for coverage under third-party insurance or Medicaid.
ELI LILLY AND COMPANY Lilly Cares Patient Assistance Program PO Box 9105 McLean, VA 22102-0105 1-800-545-6962 1-800-545-6962 Does not cover controlled substances. Quantities depend on the product and the doctor's instructions. Eligibility determined on case by case basis. Doctors must submit a written request containing specific information.
MARION MERRELL DOW, INC. Indigent Patient Program PO Box 8600 Kansas City, MO 64114 1-800-362-7466 1-800-362-7466 Three month supply. Doctor determines if patient is eligible for the program. Eligibility also based on income level and lack of insurance.
McNEIL PHARMACEUTICAL Thomas Schwend, Manager, Medical Information McNeil Pharmaceutical Corporation PO Box 300 Route 202 South Raritan, NJ 08869-0602 1-800-682-6532 1-800-682-6532 Varies by product and patient condition. Doctor determines that patient is indigent and not eligible for health insurance. Doctors may request free medications by written or telephone request, accompanied by a signed and dated prescription and letter stating financial status and need of patient.
MERCK & COMPANY, INC. Patient Assistance Program Merck & Co., Inc. PO Box 4-WP35-258 West Point, PA 19486-0004 215-652-5000 (collect calls accepted) Only doctors can call and request applications.
MILES PHARMACEUTICALS Miles Indigent Patient Program 400 Morgan Ave. West Haven, Connecticut 06516 1-800-998-9180 1-800-998-9180 Quantities and length of support determined on case by case basis. Doctor must certify that patient is not eligible for or covered by government funded reimbursement or insurance drug programs. Patient income must be below federal poverty guidelines.
ORTHO BIOTECH INC. Ortho Biotech Financial Assistance Program 1800 Robert Fulton Drive Reston, VA 22091-4345 1-800-553-3851 1-800-553-3851 1) Financial Assistance Program (FAP) 1-800-447-3437 1-800-447-3437 provides PROCRIT therapy free to any qualifying nondialysis patient who cannot obtain insurance coverage, is uninsured or cannot afford cost of their treatment. 2) Cost Sharing Program 1-800-441-1366 1-800-441-1366 limits the annual cost of PROCRIT expenditures for a patient exceeding $8,500 for a calendar year, regardless of third-party coverage. 3) LEUSTATIN Financial Assistance Program 1-800-447-3437 1-800-447-3437 provides LEUSTATIN therapy free to persons who meet specific criteria and lack financial resources and third-party insurance necessary to obtain treatment.
ORTHO PHARMACEUTICALS Thomas Schwend, Manager, Medical Information Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation PO Box 300 Route 202 South Raritan, NJ 08869-0602 1-800-682-6532 1-800-682-6532 Varies by product and patient condition. Doctor determines that patient is indigent and not eligible for health insurance. Doctor may request free drugs by written or telephone request, accompanied by a signed and dated prescription and letter stating financial status and need of patient.
PARKE-DAVIS Parke-Davis Patient Assistance Program PO Box 9945 McLean, VA 22102 1-800-755-0120 1-800-755-0120 Applications taken over the phone. To apply, patient or doctor calls Parke-Davis with the following information: Doctor's full name, address, phone number - and - Patient's name, address, phone number and financial status.
PFIZER, INC. PROGRAM #1 Pfizer Indigent Patient Program PO Box 25457 Alexandria, VA 22314-5457 1-800-646-4455 1-800-646-4455 Up to 3 month supply at one time, as prescribed. Any patient that a doctor is treating as indigent is eligible. Patient must not be covered by third-party insurance or Medicaid. Usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to get medication. Refills are available upon request by doctor.
PFIZER, INC. PROGRAM #2: ROERIG DIVISION Diflucan Patient Assistance Program 1-800-869-9979 1-800-869-9979 Up to three months' supply at one time and then can reapply. Patient must not have insurance or other third-party coverage, including Medicaid. Patient must not be eligible for a state AIDS drug assistance program. Patient must have income less than $25,000 a year without dependents; or less than $40,000 a year with dependents.
PROCTER & GAMBLE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 17 Eaton Avenue Norwich, NY 13815 1-800-448-4878 1-800-448-4878 Quantity varies depending upon the situation, but at least a one month supply can be obtained upon receipt of a doctor's prescription. The company relies on doctor's appraisal of patient need. The company also helps patient identify other sources of financial help to pay for medications.
R&D LABORATORIES Patient Support Program R&D Laboratories, Inc. 4094 Glencoe Avenue Marina del Rey, CA 90292 1-800-338-9066 1-800-338-9066 Every R&D Laboratories pharmaceutical nutritional supplement has a special Indigent Patient Program sticker. Patients bring the stickers from their bottles of R&D products with them when they come to the dialysis unit. Stickers are attached to the back of a booklet supplied by the company and the completed booklet is returned to R&D Laboratories. For every 12 stickers we receive from a unit, R&D sends nutritional product of facility's choice for free distribution to indigent patients.
SANDOZ PHARMACEUTICALS Sandoz/NORD Drug Cost Share Program PO Box 8923 New Fairfield, CT 06812 1-800-447-6673 1-800-447-6673 The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)/Sandoz Drug Cost Share Program (DCSP) is solely administered by NORD. Sandimmune, Sandostatin, Parlodel, Lescol, DynaCirc and Eldepryl are covered under one program. Clozaril is covered under a different program. Patient is awarded up to one year's supply of drug, which is shipped in 3 month supplies via the mail-order pharmacy used by the program. Clozaril-Patient is eligible to receive up to one year's supply of the drug, dispensed only one week at a time. NORD determines eligibility by medical and financial criteria. The patient/applicant must show financial need above and beyond the availability of Federal and State funds, private insurance or family resources.
SANOFI WINTHROP PHARMACEUTICALS Sanofi Winthrop Pharmaceutical Needy Patient Program Product Information Department 90 Park Avenue New York, NY 10016 212-907-2000; 1-800-446-6267 1-800-446-6267 (Push #1 twice when automated answering machine picks up) One unit or one month's supply, as required. Subject to acceptance by the company, patients can obtain medications by having their doctor request the product or provide a written order for the product, and confirm the patient's need.
SCHERING-PLOUGH For Intron/Eulexin Products: Service Program, Schering Laboratories 2000 Galloping Hill Road Building K-5-2B2 Kenilworth, NJ 07033 Initial supply is for 3 months. Renewals available for 3 months at a time. Eulexin-Initial supply is for 6 months. Renewals available for 6 months at a time.
For other Schering Products: Drug Information Services Indigent Program 1-800-521-7157 1-800-521-7157 Initial 3 month supply, with renewals available for up to 3 months at a time. Eligibility determined on case by case basis. The consultation includes a review of the specific case as well as the availability of other means of health care assistance.
SEARLE Patients in Need Foundation 5200 Old Orchard Road Skokie, IL 60077 1-800-542-2526 1-800-542-2526 Supply based on the doctor's of patient needs. The program is conducted through the doctor, who determines the patient's eligibility based on medical and economic need. Searle provides suggested guidelines to the doctor.
SMITHKLINE BEECHAM: PROGRAM #1 SB Access to Care Program SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals One Franklin Plaza-FP1320 Philadelphia, PA 19101 1-800-546-0420 1-800-546-0420 (patient requests) 215-751-5722 215-751-5722 (doctor requests) Doctor determines which patients are eligible and would benefit from the Access to Care Program. Doctors must submit forms to enroll patients in the program. Three month supply is available at one time. Requests must come from the doctor. Patient's prescription qualifies only if it is not already covered under private insurance.
SMITHKLINE BEECHAM: PROGRAM #2 Eminase/Kytril/Triostat Compassionate Care Programs SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals One Franklin Plaza-FP1320 Philadelphia, PA 19101 1-800-866-6273 1-800-866-6273 Patient must show ineligibility for other forms of medical assistance and meet the program's income requirements (single patients with annual incomes of $18,000 or less, and persons who are married or have at least one dependent with annual income of $25,000 or less). For each eligible patient, hospitals should submit a Hospital Consent Form and an Application Form with any one of the following documents: a copy of the patient's medical record, pharmacy record, or the patient's bill.
SYNTEX LABORATORIES, INC. Cytovene Medical Information Line 1-800-444-4200 1-800-444-4200 General telephone number to inquire about indigent patient programs is 1-800-822-8255 1-800-822-8255 . Up to 25 vials of Cytovene are available. Syntex provides Cytovene free of charge when it is prescribed for an immuno-compromised patient who has been diagnosed as having CMV (cytomegalovirus) retinitis, if that patient lacks the means to purchase the drug, and that patient is ineligible for any form of third-party reimbursement. For information on other Syntex products call 1-800-822-8255 1-800-822-8255 .
THE UPJOHN COMPANY Patient Assistance Program Upjohn Company 1-800-242-7014 1-800-242-7014 Health Care Professionals should contact their local Upjohn Representative. Generally, a 3 month supply is provided. However, a doctor can request a longer supply. Doctor determines patient's needs, and whether insurance or other social programs to help provide medications are available.
WYETH-AYERST LABORATORIES John E. James Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories Indigent Patient Program 555 East Lancaster Avenue St. Davids, PA 19087 1-800-568-9938 1-800-568-9938 In general, 1 to 2 month supply is provided. For Cordarone, one month supply or up to 2 bottles of 60 tablets is provided. Patient must be medically indigent, with no coverage for drugs.
ZENECA PHARMACEUTICALS Yvonne A. Graham, Program Director Zeneca Pharmaceuticals Group PO Box 15197 Wilmington, DE 19850-5197 1-800-424-3727 1-800-424-3727 One to 3 month supply with application.
SOCIAL SECURITY:
What Older Workers Don't Know About Social Security
Many people on the verge of retirement lack knowledge about how Social Security works. Most older workers can't identify basic information about the Social Security calculation, including how many years of earnings are factored into their payout and how much their payments will increase due to delayed claiming, according to a recent AARP and Knowledge Networks online survey of 2,053 people ages 52 to 70 who plan to claim Social Security within the next 15 years. Here is what most people in their 50s and 60s don't know about Social Security:
How many years of work are factored into the payout. Social Security benefits are calculated based on your 35 highest-paid years in the workforce, but only 7 percent of survey respondents knew this. Most older workers guessed that the five (30 percent) or 10 (21 percent) years in which they earned the highest salary would be used to calculate their benefit amount.
You can get more than 30 percent bigger payments by waiting to claim. Most people (89 percent) know that their monthly Social Security payments will be bigger if they wait until their full retirement age to sign up for benefits instead of claiming at age 62. But very few people can identify exactly how much more they'll receive. "One thing that they generally know is that if you delay your claiming decision even a year, you will get a boost in your benefit, but when you actually ask them how much, they have no sense of what that actual amount is," says Jean Setzfand, AARP vice president for financial security. Only about a quarter (or 29 percent) of the survey respondents were able to estimate the percentage increase within 10 percentage points of the actual increase. For the survey respondents who are between ages 52 and 70, the increase in payments for delaying claiming from 62 until full retirement age ranges from 30.5 percent to 41.2 percent. Most of the survey respondents underestimated the value of waiting to claim their Social Security benefits.
Your payments could increase by 8 percent annually after your full retirement age. The majority of older workers (62 percent) know that their monthly payments will increase even more if they delay claiming past their full retirement age. But only 34 percent of those surveyed were able to identify a percentage increase that was within 2 percentage points of the actual increase. For most people in the age group surveyed, Social Security checks will grow by 8 percent for each year of delayed claiming beyond their full retirement age, up until age 70. Most of the survey respondents overestimated the benefit of delaying claiming after their full retirement age. "If you expect to live well beyond 80, you will maximize your benefit by claiming at 70. If you expect to die at three or more years before 80, then you will maximize your benefit by claiming at age 62," says William Reichenstein, a Baylor University professor and principal of Social Security Solutions. "You get two-thirds of 1 percent more for each month of delay. You could get 32 percent more by waiting until 70."
The age you can receive the highest possible monthly benefit. Social Security payouts grow for each year of delayed claiming up until age 70. After age 70, there is no additional benefit to waiting to sign up. But only 29 percent of those surveyed were able to identify age 70 as the year they would max out their benefit. Many people (41 percent) incorrectly guessed that it was between ages 65 and 67.
How the earnings test works. People who work and claim Social Security benefits at the same time before their full retirement age may see a temporary reduction in their Social Security payments if they earn too much. The earnings limit is $14,640 in 2012 for people below their full retirement age, above which 50 cents of each dollar earned is deducted from Social Security payments. For beneficiaries who will turn 66 in 2012, the earnings limit is $38,880, after which 33 cents of each dollar is withheld. While most older workers (76 percent) are aware of the earnings test, 71 percent incorrectly believe the reduction in benefits is permanent. Once you reach full retirement age, your checks will be recalculated to factor in any withheld benefit and your continued work record. "Most people who work before full retirement age are going to lose much, if not all, of the benefit, but there is an adjustment later," says Reichenstein. "When they hit full retirement age, they raise the benefit amount." And once you turn your retirement age, there is no penalty for working and collecting retirement benefits at the same time.
Spouses can claim benefits. Only about half (48 percent) of those who are married or who have ever been married are aware that they're eligible for Social Security spousal benefits. Spousal payments can be worth as much as 50 percent of the higher earner's Social Security payment. Dual-earner couples who have reached their full retirement age can even claim Social Security twice by signing up for spousal payments, then later switching to payments based on their own work record. "If both members of the couple wait until the full retirement age of 66, then either one of the spouses could begin receiving a spousal benefit based on the other spouse's record, and then continue to delay their benefit up until age 70, which would then maximize both of their benefits," says Jim Blankenship, a certified financial planner for Blankenship Financial Planning in New Berlin, Ill., and author of A Social Security Owner's Manual.
How to maximize widow and widower's benefits. Almost all older workers (95 percent) know that widows and widowers can collect Social Security benefits based on the earning record of the deceased spouse. Most people (78 percent) also correctly report that the age the deceased spouse signed up for benefits affects how much the surviving spouse will get. But only 52 percent of respondents correctly reported that the age the surviving spouse claims benefits can also affect how much he or she will be paid. To receive the maximum widow or widower's benefit, the surviving spouse must claim no earlier than his or her full retirement age. "Typically, the higher-earning spouse is the husband. The later that he waits to [receive] benefits, the higher the survivor's benefit will be at his demise," says Blankenship. "If he began receiving benefits early, at age 62, that would permanently reduce the amount that his wife could receive as a spousal benefit and the survivor's benefit she could receive upon his passing." By Emily Brandon | U.S.News & World Report LP – Mon, Apr 2, 2012 11:39 AM EDT
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
National Senior Service Corp: 1800-424-8867 1201 New and make a new friend!! You really can impact someone else's life! As a participant in the Senior Companion Prgm, you give individaul care to other seniors who need assistance with shopping, transportation or just companionship. Volunteers receive small paychecks, other benefits and lots of satisfaction!
Other Senior Volunteer Programs thru the National Senior Services Corp include: 1) Share your lifetime of business expertise with a new nonprofit organization. 2) Become a mediator 3) Workshops 4) Consultants Call the tel. no listed above!
