The Millstone Times February 2021

Monroe Township News | As We Age

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People Over 65 Need To Get Pneumococcal Vaccines Now More Than Ever Because Of The COVID-19 Pandemic Pneumococcal Pronounced (noo-muh-KOK-uhl) is any type of illness caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. It is common in young chil- dren, but older adults are at greatest risk of serious illness and death. Pneu- mococcal pneumonia is an example of a serious flu-related complications that can cause death. You can get the pneumococcal vaccine your provider recommends when you get a flu vaccine.

end of a benefit period and a new benefit period begins with a new inpatient hospitalization. Although each benefit period has a total benefit of 100 days, a 100-day stay is not expected or guaranteed. Medicare provides no coverage after 100 days. Beneficiaries must pay for any additional days out of pocket or apply forMedicaid coverage. Long-termcare insurance policies are also an option for payment after Medicare coverage is exhausted. Medicare does not cover custodial or non-skilled care. It is important to understand that Medicare is not intended to cover long-term care services. Medicare covers only short-term stays inMedicare-certified skilled nursing facilities. These temporary stays are typically meant to be part of their recovery from a serious illness, injury or operation. A medical situation that requires temporary care in a skilled nursing facility often leads to the realization that you can no longer be home and that long-term care is necessary. Since Medicare coverage is only offered for a limited time, families are often upset when they receive notice that their loved ones must either pay for ongoing care privately, apply for Medicaid or be discharged. The confusion comes from a misunderstanding of Medicare’s definition of skilled care. A skilled nursing facility is not looking to discharge anyone who qualifies for the Medicare benefit; however, once coverage is no longer available other resources must be explored. Caring Connections of New Jersey and Pennsylvania is a non-profit organization whose primary mission is to educate seniors in their own communities on the services available to them as they age and to provide education and support to the families who are caring for their aging loved ones. Our vetted speaker’s bureau has a variety of topics fit for audiences over 55 years old and bring the speakers TO YOU in your community. Whether it's community services that are of no cost to a senior or the full scope of care, we can assist with whatever resource you may need. Please visit www. caringconnectionsnj.org for more information.

The CDC recommends Pneumococ- cal polysaccharide vaccine or PPSV23 for all adults 65 years or older, people 2 through 64 years old with certain medi- cal conditions, and adults 19 through 64 years old who smoke cigarettes. People who are 65 years and older also should be up to date with pneumococ- cal vaccination to protect against pneu- mococcal disease, such as pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections. Talk to your health care provider to find out which pneumococcal vaccines are recommended for you.

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