3. Finding a health care provider Mental health assistance Nursing home Home health/Hospice Other helpful resources

4. Health care reform may help….. Meanwhile?????

5. Know what your policy covers What are your individual health care benefits Save all of your healthcare bills and insurance records Does this really cover all of your usual expenditures?

6. Look into the hospitals and labs that you are referred to for procedures Are they OK? Ask around…. Did you get your test results back? Did a healthcare professional talk to you about what the results mean? Dont be afraid to get a second opinion

7. We currently dont have a national system of medical health records You can keep a running record of what has happened to your health Immunizations illnesses Surgeries CT scan, MRIs, DEXA Mammograms pap smear prostate exam lab tests

8. Get a copy of your medical record HIPPA does not prevent you from getting a copy of your own record Make a copy of these records for your own files

9. Talk to your healthcare team The better they know you….the better your care will be Write down questions and ask them Take ALL your medications with you to the visit Be honest about your bad habits

10. STAY HEALTHY!

11. Regular screenings Pap, mammogram, PSA, DRE, colonoscopy Healthy diet Regular exercise Wash your hands Take your prescribed meds as directed

12. Much easier if you have Medicare plus a supplemental insurance More difficult when only Medicare assignment

22. Amarillo VAMC life support (ER) primary care and specialty clinics hospital psych clinic/in house treatment Thomas Creek Nursing Home Ussery Roan Texas State Veterans Home

23. Contact a Geriatric Care Manager Leticia Goodrich MA Goodrich Care Management Services 352-9956 lagoodrich@yourtexan.net La Rita Mason, MS,CCCSP 376-6200 http://www.caremanager.orghttp://www.caremanager.org for more information

24. To find a nurse practitioner http://www.npfinder.com/ To find a physician assistant http://www.steadyhealth.com/find_doctor/ physician_assistant/

26. You can have the information sent to the provider of your choice Or You can become a patient with Texas Tech

27. One time when the phone book might help http://medicare.gov has a list by city and state to help you find a home health agency Usually the provider will recommend an agency that deals with the type of medical need that you have

28. Again the phone book might help Provider will usually suggest a group National hospice & palliative care organization http://www.nhpco.org

29. Visit and look around Talk to the residents, staff and visitors Talk to the Omsbudsman

31. For explanation of Quality Improvement Program: http://aspe.hhs.gov/daltcp/reports/statenhB.htm#Te xas http://aspe.hhs.gov/daltcp/reports/statenhB.htm#Te xas Enter Your county to find out a nursing homes quality rating: http://facilityquality.dhs.state.tx.us/ltcqrs_public/nq1/ jsp3/qrsHome1en.jsp?MODE=P&LANGCD=en

32. ER not the place to take Mom and Pop! Not paid by Medicare or Medicaid Private pay only

33. Call ahead to see what is available and if you meet qualifications Contact local nursing home or home care agency Check with Area Agency on Aging for resources 331-2227

34. Knowing where to look for the information is half of the battle….