It’s no secret that nursing homes across the country have been hard-hit in this pandemic and residents and their families are rightly concerned about safety.
Nursing homes are hard-hit by the coronavirus.
Here are two developments you will want to watch.
Commission on Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on April 30 announced a new independent commission, Coronavirus Commission for Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes, to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the nursing home response to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Commission will provide independent recommendations and report to CMS to help inform immediate and future responses to COVID-19 in nursing homes.
Several coronavirus scams are surfacing which will affect seniors most of all. Here are some scams to watch out for and reliable sources for information.
Maryland U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur is “encouraging all Marylanders to be aware of individuals attempting to profit from the coronavirus pandemic,” reported Marcia Murphy, a USAO spokeswoman. The Cecil Whig’s recent article entitled “Maryland U.S. attorney warns of COVID-19 scams; Cecil County remains vigilant” cautions that coronavirus scams are being uncovered around the country.
Scammers have been sending e-mails to people claiming to be from local hospitals offering coronavirus vaccines for a fee. However, no vaccine is currently available for the coronavirus. Some of these criminals are using websites that appear to be legitimate but are actually fake websites that infect the users’ computers with harmful malware or seek personal information that can be later used to commit fraud. Many of these coronavirus scams prey on the most vulnerable, especially the elderly.
Effected individuals need to contact the police if they think someone has targeted them for a scam and to educate themselves on the COVID-19-related scams by checking official government websites, like the CDC.gov for information. Many governmental groups, including at the state and local levels, are also hosting coronavirus information pages. For example, Harris County, Texas has provided a public health page with information about the virus and resources for assistance. http://publichealth.harriscountytx.gov/Resources/2019-Novel-Coronavirus
Individuals need to scrutinize anyone who makes a contact with them about a COVID-19 vaccine—which does not exist—and to report any such interaction to law enforcement.
Late last week, U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr sent a memo to all U.S. Attorneys, in which he made the investigation of these coronavirus scams and the individuals perpetrating them a priority. Therefore, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies are prepared to investigate these frauds.
The Federal Trade Commission has consumer information about coronavirus scams on its website, including a complaint form to report scammers. Elderly victims can also call the newly launched Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311), if they believe they are victims of coronavirus scams—or any other type of fraud.
In addition to selling bogus cures and infecting computers by using COVID-19-related communications, other examples of coronavirus scams include:
Phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Those asking for donations for fraudulently, illegitimate, or non-existent charitable organizations; and
Scammers posing as doctors, who ask for patient information for COVID-19 testing and then use that information to fraudulently bill for other tests and procedures.
Barr asked the public to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19, by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or by e-mailing the NCDF at disaster@leo.gov.
There is an increase in early-onset dementia cases which presents unique issues for families. Consider early testing and long-term care insurance to help.
Rita Benezra Obeiter, 59, is a former pediatrician who was diagnosed several years ago with early-onset dementia, a rare form of the disease. When this occurs in people under age 65, the conditions cause additional and unique issues because they are so unexpected and because most of the potentially helpful programs and services are designed for and targeted to older people.
One issue is that doctors typically don’t look for the disease in younger patients. As a result, it can be months or even years before the right diagnosis is made and proper treatment can start.
If Dementia is a generic term for diseases characterized by a decline in memory, language, and other thinking skills required to perform everyday activities, Alzheimer’s is the most common. The National Institute of Health reports that there’s approximately 200,000 Americans in their 40s, 50s, and early 60s with early onset Alzheimer’s. These numbers have lead to the consideration of Alzheimer’s legislation. See here. https://galligan-law.com/elder-law-community-follows-proposed-new-alzheimers-legislation/
One conference discussed a rise in early dementia because of the processed foods and fertilizers or the other environmental hazards, and there are definitely some genes more associated with Alzheimer’s—more so with early onset. There is no clear answer, and most of the treatments help to slow down the progression.
There is some research showing the Mediterranean diet can be protective, as well as doing cognitive exercises like crossword puzzles and Sudoku.
It’s true that no one can predict the future of their health, but there are ways financially that families can prepare for early-onset dementia. It can cost $150,000 a year or more. That’s why you should think about purchasing long term care insurance starting at the age of 40. You should also have your estate plan reviewed well before memory becomes a significant issue to make sure the plan facilities long-term are planning.
Long-term health insurance can pay for an aide to come into your home, and it can pay for the cost of assisted living. And, remember that health insurance doesn’t cover long-term care, nor does Medicare. Making sure you have a financial power of attorney prepared by an elder law attorney will provide your family with the flexibility they need to handle your financial needs, bills and so on.
If you are faced with this condition or have a family history of it, consider long-term care insurance early and make sure to review your estaet plan every few years to stay up to date.
