Latest Scam: “Relative” in Distress Calls for Senior’s Help

Fraudulent scams can be a very costly and devastating experience.  In order to keep not only ourselves but also our seniors safe, we must become aware of the most prominent scams that are happening everyday.  I found a great site that pulls many of the reported senior scams together in an easy to see list, keeping you aware of posing threats to seniors. The site is called Stop Senior Scams.org.

A major scam right now is the Relative in Distress Call. While the Stop Senior Scams website is a great resource, we wanted to give a true first-person account of a scam that has happened quite often. With use of spreading awareness, great communication skills and pre-planning, the scam was not able to occur.

Names in the story have been change to protect the identities of individuals.

A phone rang in a elderly grandmother’s home, picking it up she said “Hello?” On the other end was a male’s voice, “Hi grandma!” Feeling bad that she didn’t recognize the voice she said, “Who is this, I can’t hear you very well.” The voice replied “It’s your nephew.” “Travis?” she asked. “Yes, Travis! How are you?”  Happy to hear from him she replied, “Very well. It’s been awhile, how are you?” “I’m ok, Grandma, but I have a problem. I went to Canada and lost my passport!” “Oh no, Dear, did you go up fishing?” she asked. “Yes fishing!  It fell off the boat and sank to the bottom. I tried finding it but it’s too deep. Can you help me?” he asked.  “The border patrol said that it costs $300 to get a new one, and the right documents sent over for me to be allowed to come back. I’m so sorry, Grandma, but I don’t know what else to do,” he stated hopefully.  “Well, Dear, you know that I don’t have that kind of money laying around, and I can’t drive. Let me call Uncle Tom and have him take me into town.  He or I should be able to help,” she stated. “Oh no you don’t have to do that, Grandma, they gave me a number you can call and type in your credit card or debit card number and pin.  It will pay the bill and they will send me the documents.  Can you do that? I can walk you through it, it’s really easy!” “Oh dear!” she said. “Ok, give me the information, and I’ll have to call you back when I’m finished. I don’t have another phone.”

Writing down the information she said goodbye and proceeded to follow the directions.  Worried that she may do something wrong she called Uncle Tom for help.  Thinking there was something weird since he hadn’t heard about Travis going to Canada, he told her to wait for him and called Aunt Martha to ask about Travis.  Aunt Martha knew nothing about Travis going to Canada, so she tried calling his cell phone.  He answered right away and was quite surprised when they asked him if he was ok, how much he needed in Canada, and why he called his grandmother instead of them to ask for help.  Quickly realizing what had happened and that it was all a scam, they called the local authorities to ask what they should do.  The call number was traced but since it was an international call there was no individual to prosecute.

Luckily, no funds were transferred and no sensitive information was distributed. This scam was put to an end before anyone could be harmed. What if the elderly grandmother hadn’t been able to get in touch with anyone in her family to help her? What if she had tried to handle the situation on her own?  The only way to prevent scams from occurring is to be proactive.  Talk to your parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and even children about these threats.  Keep them informed about the attempts that are reported and create a code system that can be used in an emergency.  The con-artists are almost impossible to catch, but the scam can be easily prevented by simply creating awareness.

Are there any other scams out there that you think our readers should be aware of? Please feel free to share and keep everyone safe and informed!

Photo Credit: photo credit: AF-Photography

Asbestosis Hits Close to Home for Advocate on Aging

In March of this year, Merlin Olsen, a star football and sportscaster, died of mesothelioma.  Reading his story reminded me of a conversation I had with my dad about asbestosis and some sort of legal action against the Milwaukee Railroad where he worked for over 30 years.  After learning more about mesothelioma from visiting the Mesothelioma Foundation’s website, I decided I needed to know more about my dad’s condition.

What is asbestosis and mesothelioma?  Asbestosis is an inflammation of the lungs resulting from chronic inhalation of asbestos¹ particles. Mesothelioma is a tumor of the mesothelium, which is the tissue made up of a layer of cells called mesothelial cells that line the chest cavity, abdominal cavity, and the sac around the heart². The malignant form is often the result of exposure to asbestos and may take more than 30 years to develop.

In 2000, my dad was contacted by the Moody Law Firm, the designated Asbestos Counsel for NARVRE (National Association of Retired & Veteran Railway Employees, Inc.), concerning a class action lawsuit filed against the manufacturers of asbestos on behalf of retired railroad workers.  At first my dad was skeptical because he didn’t want to get involved in medical testing and court hearings for something he didn’t believe had affected him.  He knew he had been exposed to asbestos, and he had a chronic cough and minor bouts of bronchitis. He preferred to think of it as a genetic predisposition, since his own father had emphysema at the time of his death. Grandpa, too, had worked around steam engines that fired on steam boilers containing asbestos.  One major difference in their exposure was my grandfather often performed his job inside the roundhouse, making him a captive audience for the asbestos particles.

Following a phone call from the attorney’s office encouraging him to at least have a chest x-ray, Dad agreed.  He first received a chest x-ray at a nearby clinic followed by a physical examination by a pulmonologist, an expert in the field of asbestosis.  My father was very surprised to learn the tests confirmed the presence of asbestosis in his lungs.

My father was interviewed by the attorneys to determine the places he may have worked around asbestos.  He named several different locations:

• He worked near the steam lines on passenger train cars, which were insulated with asbestos.
• He laid steam pipes wrapped in asbestos.
• A major function of his job was to change brake shoes, which contained asbestos
• Train derailments exposed and broke up asbestos, contaminating the surrounding air.
• The wreckers he used at derailments to upright train cars were powered by steam, and he often stood next to those asbestos lined pipes.

As was previously mentioned, my grandfather had emphysema at the time of his death.  He struggled with wheezing, shortness of breath, and unbelievable coughing spasms during the last years of his life, which were symptoms of asbestosis.  Knowing what we know now about asbestosis and mesothelioma, my grandfather surely had at least one of these conditions.

Through the years while this class action lawsuit was developing, asbestos manufacturers went bankrupt and the Milwaukee Railroad (my father and grandfather’s employer) was sold to the Soo Line Railroad Company. Later the Soo Line was sold to the Canadian National Railway.  The awards continue to dribble in at a snail’s pace as the remaining assets of manufacturer by manufacturer are doled out at pennies on the dollar.

My father continues to fare well without sign of catastrophic health issues, and we are grateful.  However, thousands of others exposed to asbestos have suffered irreparable harm.

We are often upset by the time and cost of proving products safe for the environment and humans.  We even wonder if such efforts are necessary.  Just ask one person affected by mesothelioma if they wish they had known the inherent perils of asbestos.  My guess would be that there is a resounding roar of affirmation.

Medicare facts from Deborah Dolan, Advocate on Aging

According to a recent article in the New York Times titled “12 Years Added to Medicare” there is still quite a bit of pressure on the Medicare program as a whole, and this problem is not simply the result of a down economy. Due to the aging population, health care costs continue to rise and the increase of the elderly population in the upcoming years will only add more strain.

What can be done? Deborah Dolan, Advocate on Aging, believes that seniors need the care they deserve. “Medicare needs to be a balanced program in order to provide efficient, effective health care to seniors who have created the tax revenues that pay for the program,” said Dolan. “Make sure to be your own advocate for the care you deserve.”

President Obama’s health care legislation program cuts almost a half-trillion dollars from Medicare spending over the next 10 years, but even with these cuts the program will still continue to face problems financially. As phrased in the article, these cuts are “based on the assumption that hospitals, nursing homes and other health care providers will become more efficient, increasing their productivity to match productivity gains in the overall economy.” It is possible for Congress to override additional cuts in the future, but the trustees currently project that Medicare will remain financially solvent until 2029.

Regardless of what changes take place, make sure that you’re staying informed about how you will be affected to ensure that you’re getting the care that you need.

Financial Outlook for Social Security: How Will It Affect You?

In one way or another, we’ve all felt effects of the down economy, but seniors who are financially dependent on Social Security (and those who plan to be) are especially vulnerable. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius recently spoke about what we can expect in the future for Social Security and Medicare (see below to watch the video). She reported that there is actually more money flowing out of Social Security than there is flowing into it. This is the first time that this has happened in the US, and it has occurred six years earlier than financial experts projected.

One major reason that Social Security has taken such a hit is job loss.  Because of the high unemployment rates, payroll tax revenues have been reduced for the program. Despite these problems, the trustees of President Obama’s health care legislation program predict the Social Security funds will dry up in 2037 –the same date that was projected last year. The Social Security Commissioner, Michael Astrue, believes that there is no reason to worry about total loss of the funds because continuing tax revenue will still cover more than 75 percent of all benefits even after exhaustion of the trust fund. What does this mean for the aging population?

“It’s never too late to sit down with a financial planner to discuss not only your finances, but also how today’s economic downturn will affect your children’s and grandchildren’s futures,” said Deborah Dolan, Advocate on Aging. “Take advantage of early warning signs of financial distress and make sure you have a financial plan that works best for you.”

Mesothelioma and Seniors

While many Americans know asbestos is a dangerous substance, few are aware of the disproportionate impact of asbestos-related cancers on senior citizens. Several factors contribute to the increased risk of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases among seniors, including occupational settings. Exposure to asbestos at the workplace was highest between 1930 and 1960, placing today’s seniors who worked in shipyards, manufacturing and construction at an increased risk for developing an asbestos-related condition.

A mesothelioma patient will generally not demonstrate symptoms of mesothelioma until 20 to 50 years after initial exposure to asbestos. Symptoms often resemble illnesses such as influenza and pneumonia, and in the case of pericardial mesothelioma, symptoms can resemble other cardiac conditions. This can make diagnosis difficult though informing a doctor of prior asbestos exposure can alert them of the possibility of an asbestos-related disease.

The most common forms of treatment for malignant mesothelioma patients are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Other treatment options may be available through clinical trials, but patients must qualify and meet specific criteria in order to enroll in them. It should be noted that surgery is only an option for patients diagnosed at the earliest stage of development. While there is no cure for this cancer, patients often elect to undergo treatments that will relieve symptoms and improve overall survival.

Another factor that influences the higher incidence rate of asbestos-related diseases among seniors is the long latency period associated with symptoms. After a person is exposed to asbestos, symptoms of mesothelioma can take as long as 50 years to arise. Because of this, the cancer may unknowingly develop for an extended period of time, often resulting in a late mesothelioma diagnosis. Other conditions that may result from asbestos exposure include lung cancer and asbestosis.

A third factor that places seniors at a higher risk for developing an asbestos-related disease is their participation in World War II. The era of this war was a time when asbestos was widely used to support the military. Primarily between the 1930s and the 1970s, every division of the U.S. military used asbestos-containing products for buildings and various types of transportation. Asbestos not only provided a great way to insulate materials but a way to fireproof them as well.

Even though all divisions of the military commonly used asbestos, the Navy found more uses for this heat-resistant mineral than any other division. From the 1930s through the 1980s, more than 300 products imbedded with asbestos were used by the Navy alone. Because of this widespread use, veterans make up a sizable percentage of those coping with asbestos-related disease.

Exposure to asbestos occurred frequently on the job in many different occupations. Jobsites where asbestos exposure was often prevalent include asbestos mines and the processing and manufacturing plants where asbestos products were produced. Shipyards, oil refineries, power and chemical plants were also common exposure sites. Those who worked in certain occupations such as firefighters, on the railroads, auto mechanics and machinists may have been exposed to asbestos frequently, and should be checked for mesothelioma.

Thank you to Kelsey from Asbestos.com for her writing of this guest blog!

Watch later this week for my own father’s story about asbestosis and Mesothelioma.

You’re Never Too Old: Elderly Couple Plays Impromptu Duet at Mayo Clinic

You’re never too old to have a little fun and enjoy life.  This is a YouTube video we want to share with our readers for some inspiration! An elderly couple, married for 62 years, walked into the Mayo Clinic and played an impromptu duet for patients and visitors.

New Online Service Offers Diagnosis and Prescriptions via Internet: Help or Harm for Seniors?

The Star Tribune recently ran an article titled “Online medicine in a hurry,” which detailed MinuteClinic’s new feature for patient prescriptions called “Zipnosis.”  This time-saving option is actually an online pharmacy that can release prescriptions for various illnesses and symptoms, simply by charging the patient $25 and having that person fill out a survey. As for the office visit? Nonexistent. A doctor or nurse reviews the received information and releases the prescription via internet. This process happens without ever having to see or talk to a clinician in person, or even on the phone.

In terms of convenience, this service has great potential for the right patient.  But this convenience might produce be a different outcome for seniors.  Many elderly patients are currently receiving wrong medications and misdiagnosis even while the patients are sitting in front of the clinician.

Medical needs can be the most stressful part of caregiving for the elderly, and these needs can be most confusing not only for the caregiver but for the patients as well. While symptoms can vary from person to person for each diagnosis, many seniors are not as technologically savvy as the average internet user.  A service that seems to be as easy as going online to get medications might actually be more difficult for an older individual and leave more room for error. Yes, caregivers may be able to assist seniors in need, but there is no clinical discussion about the possible side effects of mixing multiple types of medications. What if the effects are worse than the current symptoms?  Visiting a doctor as an elderly person or caregiver is often a fact-finding endeavor. The ensuing conversation defines the diagnosis through direct questions, observations and communication.

What do you think about this new service – is it just what we have been missing, or is it a too-good-to-be-true feature that may cause more potential problems for misdiagnoses especially for the elderly?

Hospital Delirium: Real Danger from Hallucinations – Part II

Hospitals and families alike are becoming more aware of the dangers of hospital delirium and are taking steps to reduce triggers.

Situations like being without eyeglasses, being in a dark room and being unaware of the day and time can trigger delirium. Hospital rooms should have clocks, calendars and adequate light, and nurses and doctors should make sure that patients have their glasses, hearing aids and dentures.

Family members can bring objects to help a patient stay oriented. Things like photos, a favorite blanket, or a familiar possession can be comforting.

Family members can also help by remaining calm and reassuring. Remind the patient where he or she is and why. Families should limit the length of visits and number of visitors to prevent patients from feeling overwhelmed, but they should also try to make sure the patient is rarely alone.

If the patient experiences an acute episode of delirium, relatives should try to arrange shifts so someone can be present around the clock. For more help and to ask questions, contact a qualified geriatric care manager before hospitalization to assist during the transitions.

Here are six questions to ask the hospital to help protect your elderly patients – thanks to the NY Times:

1. Do the nurses and doctors routinely screen for delirium or identify high-risk patients?

Older and younger patients who develop severe infections or heart, liver or kidney problems are at higher risk for delirium. But about 75 percent of delirium cases are missed when the hospital or its intensive care unit is not actively screening for it. While delirium can cause patients to become aggressive, disruptive or incoherent, it can also manifest itself in much less obvious ways, making a patient seem withdrawn or disconnected. Even with regular screening, family members are often the first to notice subtle changes. If you detect new signs that could indicate delirium — like  confusion, memory problems or personality changes — it is important to discuss these with the nurses or physicians as soon as you can.

2. How does the hospital deal with agitation or delirium in patients if it develops?

The longer the duration of the delirium, the greater the chances of poor consequences for the patient, so it should be addressed quickly. Experts say hospitals can treat delirium by helping patients sleep, making sure patients are hydrated, allowing family members to stay at patients’ bedsides to help them become reoriented, and getting patients up and walking when it is safe to do so. Family members should also inquire about hospital policies involving restraints for confused patients. Removing restraints is often recommended because they can cause patients to feel paranoid or trapped. Some hospitals use anti-psychotic medications like haloperidol, but some experts caution that these should be used in moderation and are not yet proven to work.

3. What does the hospital do to keep patients from becoming disoriented?

Situations like being without one’s eyeglasses, being in a darkened room and being unaware of the day and time can trigger delirium. Hospital rooms should have clocks, calendars and adequate light, and nurses and doctors should ensure that patients have their glasses, hearing aids and dentures. Family members should make sure the hospital staff knows if the patient needs these items. The family can also bring a few familiar objects from home to help a patient stay oriented. Things like family photos, a favorite blanket for the bed, a beloved book or relaxation tapes can be comforting for all patients. Family members can also help by speaking in a calm, reassuring tone of voice and reminding the patient where he or she is and why.  Massage can be soothing for some patients, and if it is all right with the medical staff, family members can walk with the patient in the hallways. Families should limit the length of visits and number of visitors to prevent patients from feeling overwhelmed, but they should also try to make sure the patient is rarely alone. If the patient experiences an acute episode of delirium, relatives should try to arrange shifts so someone can be present around the clock.

4. What policies are in place to make sure patients get adequate sleep?

Family members should find out if patients are able to sleep through the night or if they will be awakened for medical tests. Find out how the hospital controls noise and whether it offers any nondrug measures like back rubs or warm tea to promote sleep.

5. If my family member needs a urinary catheter or other bedside interventions, how does the hospital decide when to remove them?

A common procedure like a catheter insertion can spur anxiety in frail, vulnerable patients. Experts say it’s important to remove catheters, intravenous lines and other equipment whenever possible because they can make patients feel trapped, leading to delirium.

6. Will the physicians and pharmacy staff review my family member’s medications to identify medications that increase delirium risk?

Bring to the hospital a complete list of all medications and dose instructions, as well as over-the-counter medicines. It may help to bring the medication bottles as well. Prepare a “medical information sheet” listing all allergies, names and phone numbers of physicians, the name of the patient’s usual pharmacy and all known medical conditions. Also, be sure all pertinent medical records have been forwarded to the doctors who will be caring for the patient.

Hospital Delirium: Real Danger from Hallucinations – Part I

Hospitalized older people often experience bizarre and disturbing hallucinations. Doctors are recognizing so-called “hospital delirium” and are developing ways to prevent or treat it.

Hospital delirium affects about one-third of patients over 70. The American Geriatrics Society finds that a greater percentage of intensive-care or post-surgical patients experience the episodes.

While the cause of delirium is unclear, there are many triggers: medications, infections, surgery, and pneumonia. Other triggers involve disruptive hospital procedures, such as sleep interrupted for tests, feelings of isolation, and changing rooms. Procedures like catheter insertions can create fear in frail, vulnerable patients.

Episodes of hospital delirium can mean setbacks for patients. It can extend hospitalizations, delay scheduled procedures, and require more time and attention from staff members. After an incident, patients are more likely to be placed in nursing homes or rehabilitation centers. Research from the Indiana University Center for Aging Research finds that elderly patients experiencing delirium were hospitalized six days longer, and placed in nursing homes 75 percent of the time, five times as often as those without delirium.

Furthermore, an episode of hospital delirium can have deadly consequences. Nearly ten per cent of elderly patients experiencing delirium died within a month. Experts say delirium can contribute to death by weakening patients or leading to complications like pneumonia or blood clots.

Watch on Thursday for Part II of the Real Danger from Hallucinations of Hospitalized Elderly!

Excuse me, Doctor, but I’m over here!

Recently I accompanied an elder client to a doctor’s appointment.  Estelle was a new patient so we had no idea what to expect from this visit other than the doctor was a specialist in pain management, and Estelle had plenty of chronic pain.  What occurred is nothing like Estelle had ever experienced before; yet as a geriatric care manager for the past 8 years, what happened during the appointment is becoming too common and very unsettling.

Estelle’s daughter filled out form after form after form with Estelle’s medical history, current medications, and why she was seeing the doctor.  Yet when we walked into the examination room, the doctor was sitting behind a desk staring at a computer screen and a young woman was sitting behind him peering over his shoulder.  He apologized saying he was learning a new computer system and training a new office person at the same time as he was seeing Estelle.

For the next hour the physician, his eyes glued to the computer monitor, proceeded to ask a litany of questions barely waiting for an answer from Estelle or her daughter before he asked another.  Many of the questions were the same questions Estelle’s daughter had just answered on the myriad of forms.  Where does it hurt?  How long has it been hurting?  Did you do something to injure this area? On and on while seldom giving Estelle the common courtesy of eye contact or time to answer.  After an hour the doctor wrote Estelle a prescription for oxycodone, and asked Estelle’s daughter to make another appointment in a week; he would do an exam then.

This is just one example of a numerous doctors’ appointments where the physician failed to use common courtesies and effective communication skills.  In 1971 a study conducted by Albert Mehrabian concluded that 93% of communication is non-verbal:  55% of communication is body language, 38% is tone of voice and only 7% of what is being communicated is done so through words.  What did the doctor’s non-verbals say to Estelle?

My interpretation was:

• this computer is more important than you
• you are merely an interruption in my day
• you do not deserve my attention
• I don’t really care if I can help you or not

My role in a doctor’s appointment is to serve as an advocate for the elder patient.  Most often what I do is guide the physician toward effectively communicating with their patient.  I ask the physician to speak directly to the patient (not me); to slow down and give the elder person time to process an answer; to be patient; to use common courtesy; to give the respect that our elders have earned.

My recommendations for the doctor and others who see themselves in this scenario:

• make eye contact unless you know that it is a cultural negative to do so
• make small gestures such as touching the patient’s arm
• lean forward telling the patient you are listening
• nod in understanding
• wait for the patient to answer a question before you ask another

For the sake of quality care, I ask you to think about your communication style especially with your elder patients.  If you are a care partner for an elderly person, resolve to become an advocate for better communication between the physician and their elder patients.  Everyone benefits!