The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/60778
C-10 Wednesday, April 4, 2012 The Press-Dispatch Ask SHIP: Do I qualify for Extra Help? gets Extra Help paying for her Medicare prescrip- tion costs. I have not been able to afford all of my prescriptions lately and wonder if I qualify too? A: If you meet certain in- Q. My friend says she come and resource limits, you may qualify for Extra Help from Medicare to pay the costs of Medicare Part D drug coverage. Some people with limited Exercise myths aging women should ignore that often come with aging can make ex- ercise seem like a wrong activity for older women to partake in. While every woman should discuss her specific physical con- dition with a physician, especially if those aches and pains are persistent, adopting a sedentary lifestyle is not likely to make things better. The misconception that aging women Fatigue and minor aches and pains EXERCISE INCREASES MY RISK OF INJURY should save their strength and rest is one of the many myths associated with exer- cise and older women. The following are a few of the more popular myths that many women would be better off ignoring. anyone, and aging women are no excep- tion. When aging women are inactive, their ability to do things for themselves and on their own decreases. This includes daily and relatively simple tasks like wa- tering the plants or taking the dog for a walk, or more strenuous activities like playing with their grandchildren. Even if you can't go jogging like you used to, that doesn't mean you won't still benefit from less difficult exercises. even those women who might be dis- abled. Even if you need a wheelchair to get around, that doesn't mean you won't still benefit from routine exercise. Wom- en in wheelchairs can still do cardiovas- cular exercises, stretch and even lift light weights. Such activities can reduce risk of heart disease while improving muscle tone and increasing range of motion. EXERCISE IS POINTLESS Aging women benefit from exercise, I'M DISABLED SO EXERCISE IS FOR YOUNGER WOMEN, I NEED TO REST A sedentary lifestyle isn't healthy for they exercise, the more they may fall and suffer a serious injury. However, the oppo- site is true. Regular exercise strengthens muscles and prevents bone loss while improving balance. This means aging women who exercise are less likely to fall. Even if you do fall, your bones will be stronger and more capable of han- dling a fall than an older woman who does not exercise at all. Aging women might fear that the more Single Married ing aging women, to begin a new ex- ercise regimen. If it's been awhile since you last laced up your sneak- ers, start light with a walk around the neighborhood and other ac- tivities that won't elevate your heart rate or prove overly tax- ing. As your body gradually gets acclimated to exercise, you can up the ante a little bit with slightly more chal- lenging exercises. IT'S TOO LATE TO BEGIN A NEW EXERCISE REGIMEN It's never too late for anyone, includ- Single Married I'M TOO TIRED TO EXERCISE gle to get a decent night's sleep and mis- takenly assume this is just a natural side effect of aging. The following day the re- sulting fatigue causes some women to feel they are too tired to exercise. How- ever, exercise can actually improve sleep and helps many active people sleep more deeply and without interruption. If you have been struggling to sleep through the night, use exercise to your advantage and you might find you're sleeping better. As women age, some find they strug- UNTIL MAY 4, 2012! pressdispatch.net/edition TRY IT FREE Want Convenient & Compassionate Care? Meet some of your neighbors. A good neighbor is someone who is close to home, a convenient friend that you can count on when you or your family needs help. Just like a neighbor, the healthcare providers at Gibson General Hospital are close and here to help! They know that you want to be treated with support and compassion, welcomed by warm and friendly faces, and be able to visit when you need access to timely healthcare. If you are looking for a convenient and compassionate healthcare provider, talk to your neighbors at Gibson General Hospital. Convenient & Compassionate Healthcare — Just one of the many reasons to choose Gibson General Hospital for your healthcare needs. William Wells, MD Family Medicine 510 N. Main Street Princeton, Indiana 812-386-7001 Michelle Snyder, DO Family Medicine 1808 Sherman Drive, Suite 2209 Princeton, Indiana 812-385-9420 Kwabena Owusu-Dekyi, MD Family Medicine 1808 Sherman Drive, Suite 2209 Princeton, Indiana 812-385-9420 Wendy Tuley, RN, FNP-C Family Nurse Practitioner 1808 Sherman Drive, Suite 2209 Princeton, Indiana 812-385-9254 Mark Carpenter, MD, FACS General Surgery 1808 Sherman Drive, Suite 2209 Princeton, Indiana 812-385-9392 Centered Around You. pressdispatch.net/edition www.gibsongeneral.com income and resources are el- igible for the "Extra Help" program to pay for the costs associated with a Part D pre- scription drug plan. These include monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and pre- scription co-payments. You may qualify if you have up to $16,755 in year- ly income ($22,695 for a married couple) and up to $13,070 in resources ($26,120 for a married cou- ple). If you are denied be- cause you have too many assets or only receive par- tial help, you could quality for drug plan premium assis- tance from the State Phar- maceutical Assistance pro- gram, Hoosier Rx. Drug costs in 2012 for most people who qualify will be no more than $2.60 for each generic/$6.50 for each brandname covered drugs. Other people pay only a por- tion of their Medicare drug plan premiums and deduct- ibles based on their income level. You would also quali- fy for help paying your Part B premium, but you would need to apply for the Medi- care Savings Program. If you would like to help applying for these programs or have any other Medicare related questions, call SHIP at 1-800-452-4800. FULL LOW-INCOME SUBSIDY (LIS) / EXTRA HELP Requirement Eligibility Income $1,256.63/mo. or less $1,702 13/mo. or less Requirement Eligibility Asset $13,410 or less Copay/Insurance $8,440 or less Copay: $2.60 gener- ic or $6.50 brand name No copay af- ter reaching $4,700 limit PARTIAL LOW-INCOME SUBSIDY (LIS) / EXTRA HELP Requirement Eligibility Income $1,396.25/mo. or less $1,891.25/mo. or less Requirement Eligibility Asset Copay/Insurance $26,120 or less $13,070 or less Coinsurance 15% Copay: $2.60 gener- ic or $6.50 brand name after reach- ing out-of-pocket limit of $4,700