Powerful Tools for Caregivers and the Aikido Style of Communication

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Family caregivers continue to be the backbone of long-term care services and support for older adults in Minnesota. Unfortunately, many family caregivers are not aware of the negative impact of caring for an older adult relative or friend may have on their health.

In the Powerful Tools for Caregivers classes we teach a section on communicating effectively with others. In a recent class a caregiver son – we’ll call him Richard, was frustrated and sad that he was unable to communicate effectively with his widowed mother because she was so angry with him for having moved her to an assisted living facility. During the class on communication we introduced the Aikido style of communication. Aikido is a communication tool that can help another person to feel that we understand his/her feelings and point of view. A person who feels heard and validated is more likely to work with us to find solutions to problems and concerns. The goals of Aikido are to create or regain a feeling of harmony between ourselves and the other person, to help the other person feel we have heard him/her, and to help the person meet some of his/her needs without sacrificing our own.

What Richard discovered was that instead of listening to his mother express her anger and empathizing with her he was defensive and argumentative. After learning the Aikido style of communication and role playing with other class participants, Richard felt he was ready to try to have a pleasant visit with his mother. This time, instead of being argumentative, Richard responded with empathy, “I’m sorry you are so unhappy here, mom.” Richard reported back to the class the following week that just saying those few words and responding with empathy defused his mother’s anger. Richard finally understood that his mother needed him to understand and empathize with her.

As a caregiver, we must rely on our communication skills to obtain and share information, to adapt to change, to ask for what we need, and to stay connected with others. Problems related to changing care needs are usually laden with emotion. If you reflect the other person’s feelings you communicate understanding, acknowledgment and acceptance. Once you address a person’s emotions it’s easier to discuss the facts and details of a problem.

To find out more about Powerful Tools for Caregiver classes call the Senior LinkAge Line.

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Medicare Open Enrollment is Here

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The Medicare Open Enrollment period is October 15 until December 7. Robin Thompson, Information and Assistance Director with the Senior LinkAge Line, wants people to remember, “This is the time of year people on Medicare should review their Medicare plan options for 2020.” She added, “Taking time now to do your research can save you money and help you to find coverage based on your situation and your healthcare needs.”

The Senior LinkAge Line receives calls every year from people who failed to review their plan changes for the coming year. Since Medicare changes every year, the Senior LinkAge Line recommends that each person review their options for the coming year and open and read every piece of mail received from Medicare, Social Security and their current plan. Annual plan changes can include:

Medicare Part D:

  • Premium
  • List of medications covered by your plan (formulary)
  • Medication restrictions such as adding prior authorization and quantity limits
  • Cost-sharing: deductible, copays and coinsurance
  • Pharmacy network

Medicare Advantage and Cost Plans:

  • For plans that include Part D the list above will also apply
  • Coverage area
  • Premium
  • Out-of-pocket maximum costs
  • Cost-sharing: deductible, copays and coinsurance
  • Provider network
  • Covered-benefits and restrictions

Use the new revamped Medicare Plan Finder tool at www.medicare.gov to compare your current plan with other plans available in 2020. This will help you plan for the coming year and give you confidence and peace of mind.

If you need Medicare help, contact the Senior LinkAge Line, a free statewide service of the Minnesota Board on Aging and the Area Agencies on Aging. The Senior LinkAge Line is Minnesota’s federally designated State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and the place to call for non-biased Medicare counseling. Call 1-800-333-2433 Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

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New Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period Ends March 31

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Minnesotans on Medicare have until March 31, 2019 to make changes to their Medicare Advantage Plan for the calendar year.

New in 2019, people who have their Medicare benefits through a Medicare Advantage Plan can make a one-time plan change from January 1 through March 31. This new open enrollment period gives Medicare beneficiaries a second opportunity to decide which Medicare Advantage Plan is right for them.

During this new open enrollment period, those on Medicare can switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan with or without drug coverage, said Robin Thompson, Information and Assistance Director at Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging. They can also disenroll from their Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare and join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan if they choose to, added Thompson.

However, during this open enrollment period, those on Medicare cannot:

  • Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan
  • Join a Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan (if on Original Medicare)
  • Switch from one Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan to another (if on Original Medicare)

Medicare can be complicated, but the Senior LinkAge Line can help. The Senior LinkAge Line is a free statewide service of the Minnesota Board on Aging and Minnesota’s Area Agencies on Aging. Call 1-800-333 -2433 for help with Medicare and much more.

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