http://www.nursinghomegrades.com/resources The most comprehensive information on nursing homes, retirement homes, home health care, & assisted living Thu, 22 Nov 2007 21:08:06 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Many of us hope to stay in our homes as we grow older. Often we are able to do that. But later in life—usually by our 80s and 90s—some of us need a hand with everyday activities like shopping, cooking, or bathing. A few of us need more help on ... http://www.nursinghomegrades.com/resources/2006/11/22/long-term-care-choosing-the-right-place/ Glaucoma is an eye disease caused by high pressure in the eye. It can cause you to gradually lose sight without warning and often without symptoms. The best way for people at high risk for glaucoma to protect themselves is to have regular eye exams. How often is it covered? Once every ... http://www.nursinghomegrades.com/resources/2006/11/22/medicare-preventative-services-glaucoma-tests/ This fact sheet is designed to provide you with background information concerning Social Security’s role in the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA). On January 1, 2006, a new program began providing prescription drug coverage under Medicare. People who have limited income and resources may be able to get help paying for ... http://www.nursinghomegrades.com/resources/2006/11/22/getting-help-with-medicare-prescription-drug-plan-costs-information-for-someone-who-cares-for-or-about-a-medicare-beneficiary/ Diabetes Screening Diabetes is a medical condition in which your body doesn't make enough insulin or has a reduced response to insulin. Diabetes causes your blood sugar to be too high because insulin is needed to use sugar properly. A high blood sugar level is not good for your health. For ... http://www.nursinghomegrades.com/resources/2006/11/22/medicare-preventative-services-diabetes-screening-supplies-and-self-management-training/ Medicare covers bone mass measurements to determine whether you are at risk for a fracture (broken bone). People are at risk for fractures because of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease in which your bones become weak. In general, the lower your bone density, the higher your risk is for a ... http://www.nursinghomegrades.com/resources/2006/11/22/medicare-preventative-services-bone-mass-measurements/ How often are they covered? Three shots are needed for complete protection. Check with your doctor about when to get these shots if you qualify to get them. For Whom? People with Medicare at medium to high risk for Hepatitis B. Your costs in the Original Medicare Plan? You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount ... http://www.nursinghomegrades.com/resources/2006/11/22/medicare-preventative-services-hepatitis-b-shots/ Who should receive one-time vaccination for pneumococcal pneumonia? The groups at higher risk for invasive pneumococcal disease include those over 64 years old and others with increased susceptibility to this infection, such as patients with HIV, splenectomy, sickle cell disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic disorders of the lungs or heart, and cirrhosis. ... http://www.nursinghomegrades.com/resources/2006/11/22/medicare-preventative-services-pneumococcal-shot/ What is the Flu? How Serious is it? Influenza, also called the "flu," is a highly contagious respiratory infection. Symptoms. Flu can cause fever, chills, headache, dry cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, and muscle aches. Unlike other common respiratory infections such as the common cold, influenza can cause extreme fatigue ... http://www.nursinghomegrades.com/resources/2006/11/22/medicare-preventative-services-flu-information/ Prostate cancer can often be found early by testing the amount of PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) in your blood. Another way prostate cancer is found early is when your doctor performs a rectal exam. Medicare covers both of these tests so that prostate cancer can be detected and treated early. How ... http://www.nursinghomegrades.com/resources/2006/11/22/medicare-preventative-services-prostate-cancer-screening-psa/ Colorectal cancer is usually found in people age 50 or older, and the risk of getting it increases with age. Medicare covers colorectal screening tests to help find pre-cancerous polyps (growths in the colon) so they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Treatment works best when colorectal cancer ... http://www.nursinghomegrades.com/resources/2006/11/22/medicare-preventative-services-colon-cancer-screening-colorectal/