Johnny Boy Martin

When we celebrate Mothers Day, everyone buys gifts and honors their Mothers. Everyone buys flowers and jewelry for their Mothers, takes them our to brunch and makes the day special for them.

But how about celebrating Mothers Day your Grandmother as well? Grandmothers should also be honored during the Mothers Day celebrations. Your Grandmother is your Mothers or your Fathers mother, which makes her a mother, which means that she should also be honored during Mothers Day.

Unfortunately, not everyone buys gifts for their Grandmothers for Mothers Day. And, it is much harder to find Grandmothers-specific gifts that you can give to your Grandmother for Mothers Day.

But, we are going to make it easy for you to find gifts for your Grandmother for Mothers Day. We have done online research and found lots of fabulous gifts for your Grandmother for Mothers Day. Since when a gift is personalized after you buy it, you can get many different gifts personalized specifically for your grandmother. Personalization makes gifts much more special, and your Grandmother will really love them! Here are gifts for Grandma that we recommend:

- Personalized Gifts Are Great For Grandmothers. Since personalized gifts are personalized for the recipient, it does not matter if they are for Mothers or Grandmothers. Find a personalized gift that you would like to give to your grandmother, and have it personalized to her.

Many times you can personalize everything that is written on your personalized gift, so if you would like the gift to say Grandmother instead of Mother, you will be able to do that. Make sure you read the terms of the personalized gifts before ordering it.

There are many different personalized gifts that are available to be purchased for your grandmother. They include personalized pens, plaques, sweatshirts, t-shirts and other clothes.

- Personalized Jewelry Also Makes A Great Grandmothers Gift. Personalized jewelry will also be personalized for the recipient, so you can almost always have the jewelry personalized for your Grandmother.

Many personalized jewelry includes birthstones. For your Grandmother you can include the birthstones of all of your Grandmother?s grandchildren! She will love it ? every time she looks at the jewelry piece, she will be reminded of all of her wonderful grandchildren.

There are many different personalized jewelry pieces that are available to be purchased for your grandmother. They include personalized rings, necklaces, bracelets, pendants and earrings. Pick a piece that is right for your Grandmother.

When you are looking for gift for Mother for Mothers Day, don?t forget your Grandmother. Get your Grandmother a gift as well!

.
Looking for Grandmothers Gifts? Check out our huge collection of Grandmothers Gifts at www.giftlet.com/holidays/mothers_day/grandma.html and check out our blog for more Grandmothers Gifts at www.giftlet.com/recommended/

A gift from a friend-in this case, a new medical monitoring system-actually saved 74-year-old Maxine Ringle’s life.

Ringle was in her backyard, watering plants, then decided to clean the nearby area where workers were installing an elevator, next to her patio.

As she began to sweep the area, a large dust cloud emerged from the ground, quickly engulfing her. She thought nothing of it and quickly finished before heading inside. Once she went indoors, however, her hands began to itch. Within seconds, the irritation had spread across her entire body.

By the time Ringle reached her bedroom, her throat and tongue felt numb; there was something seriously wrong. She pushed the button on her Guardian Alert 911 and within seconds was speaking with an emergency operator. The operator kept Ringle calm and promised to send help quickly. Ten minutes later, emergency vehicles had arrived and she was en route to the hospital. She was later diagnosed with an allergic reaction, most likely caused by a mold or fungus in the dust cloud.

Remaining independent

Many seniors, like Ringle, continue to live independently-but not without concerns, particularly about the ability to get help in a medical emergency or other crisis. The longer a person spends helpless, the greater the likelihood he or she will be discharged into supportive care. Statistically speaking, timing is key.

According to The New England Journal of Medicine, after a fall or other emergency, 90 percent of people who get help within one hour will continue independent living. For these reasons, many older adults find peace of mind with the help of a medical monitoring system. With the simple push of a button, help is on the way for faster medical attention.

Guardian Alert 911 is the latest example; the key to this unique system is the wearable pendant. The unit is actually the world’s smallest cordless speakerphone, with a range of 600 feet, so you can speak directly to an operator instantly from anywhere in or around the home. And if you are unable to speak, the unit can still give the 911 operator your location via the caller ID function. Because of this “enhanced 911″ system, you can feel even safer that your location is known even before you speak.

The Guardian Alert 911 system is easy to use, as it voice-prompts through dialing, shutdown, system test and battery test. It is very durable and even splash-resistant, so that it can be worn in the shower.

.
The system also provides peace of mind in another way: There are no monitoring fees, no service charges and no contracts. For more information, visit www.logicmark.com.
A new medical monitoring system can make it safer for seniors who live independently.

Massage therapy can offer senior citizens a number of benefits that will greatly improve their sense of health and wellbeing. As the population continues to age, it is important to consider ways that we can work to improve the lives of those affected by the passing of time.

A number of studies have shown that massage therapy can have a direct impact in managing the effects of aging. It has also shown promise in bringing comfort to those suffering from arthritis and other physical ailments.

As people age, they naturally become less active. This lack of physical activity can lead to the onset of other conditions which, if not dealt with, can greatly reduce their quality of life. The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) has been promoting the use of massage therapy for some time now. According to a recent study, there is a general awareness of massage therapy but a lack of understanding of its direct benefits.

In the case of senior citizens, there are a number of benefits that be derived from therapeutic massage. According to the Touch Research Institute, it is extremely useful in the treatment of Alzheimer’s patients, as it can facilitate relaxation and communication. In the case of arthritis sufferers, it can greatly assist in pain management and help increase range of motion. It also triggers natural joint lubrication, which is extremely important for those suffering from arthritis.

Massage therapy has also shown promise by helping to increase strength and muscle coordination. It can also greatly improve one’s posture by reducing muscle tension, which has the added benefit of assisting seniors with a higher quality of rest. Massage has also been known to boost one’s natural energy levels, along with their mental awareness. Study after study has shown that there is a place for massage therapy within the health care community.

More and more people are becoming aware of the benefits of massage therapy. In an age where the common approach to pain management has been dominated by the interests of the pharmaceutical industry, massage therapy has shown to be an effective and natural solution to the ailments associated with process of aging. If you or a loved one are interested in learning more about the benefits of therapeutic massage, please visit the website mentioned below.

.
Stephanie Macintosh is a certified massage therapist based in Portland. When she is not busy with her growing practice, she writes for massagetherapy101.com ? an insightful website with information about the benefits of Massage Therapy, Massage Techniques, Massage Equipment and more.

When out browsing the market for a stair lift, the majority of the stair lifts that you come across will be new, however you may see some that are used.

What are the differences exactly, or the risks involved with getting a used stair lift?

For starters, every stair lift that is made, has a track that is custom built for a specific stair case. So unless your stair case is the same as what the used stair lifts track was cut for, it will not be a good fit. However, it is possible to cut the track if your stair case is shorter than the stair lift track you are looking at but the tracks cannot be lengthened.

Another big issue with getting a used stair lift, is that you do not get the warranty that you would on a new stair lift. You may get a much shorter warranty, or you may get no warranty at all on used stair lifts. With the full factory warranty you are protecting your investment, giving yourself much more peace of mind and if something does go wrong within your warranty period, you?re covered. You won?t have to pay extra for someone to come out and fix the stair lift.

There is also the issue of price. Any used stair lift will have a lower price than a new one, however, is the difference that significant? It also depends on the brand, you might be able to get a used stair lift of one brand for the price of a new one of a different brand.

Lets say we are looking at the same brand of stair lifts, one used, one new. The used will be priced lower, but probably only two hundred dollars or so lower. What are you truly getting? You are getting a slightly lower priced stair lift that is used, short to no warranty and no guarantee if they have a track that will fit your stair case.

If you are in need of a stair lift, then most likely you want something that will just work, correctly and reliably, and not worry about it. For the price and warranty difference, I would say your best bet is to get a new stair lift instead of a used one.

.
Learn more about purchasing New and Used Stair Lifts by visiting www.usmedicalsupplies.com.

According to a recent report from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Medicare’s new prescription drug benefit now covers 25 million Americans, with an average of 250,000 new enrollees being added each week.

In a promising sign of the program’s growth, HHS’ progress report showed that the number of beneficiaries rose more than 2.6 million in a month.

“It is important for seniors and people living with disabilities to understand their options with Medicare’s new prescription drug benefit,” said Senator Bob Dole, former presidential candidate, who is leading an ongoing, national tour to promote the new drug benefit to seniors. “Anyone eligible for Medicare in need of dependable drug coverage can join a Medicare-approved plan and potentially save a significant amount of money on their medications.”

HHS says there are benefits to enrolling in a Medicare drug plan at the beginning of any given month. According to HHS, signing up early in the month means enrollees will likely have their prescriptions filled promptly and allows them to get the best value out of their drug coverage from the first day it goes into effect. More importantly, anyone who wants to take advantage of the benefit this year must sign up by May 15, 2006-the last day of 2006’s open enrollment period.

Seniors who have Medicare’s new prescription drug coverage are experiencing lower prices and are spending less on their medications than ever before. In order to maximize savings, seniors should compare the new Medicare options with their existing coverage to decide which option is best for them. Eligible seniors and people with disabilities may want to speak with family members to help them understand the new benefit.

Advocacy organizations representing more than 8 million Americans are supporting Dole’s speaking tour. Anyone currently enrolled in or eligible for the new benefit can log on to Dole’s Web site, www.bobdoleonmedicare.com, which is updated regularly with important information for seniors and their families.

.
Seniors wanting more information or needing help in enrolling in the new Medicare drug benefit plan should call (800) MEDICARE or visit www.Medicare.gov.
Note to Editors: This story is time-sensitive and should be used by May 10, 2006.

Often, the focus of the person providing the direct care is on protecting their loved one, and enhancing their dignity and self-esteem. As their loved ones behavior becomes unpredictable and care needs increase, it is sometimes easier to avoid telling anyone, or going out in public, such as church or visiting with friends.

The Challenge - The person providing the direct care has difficultly sharing with family and friends the actual behaviors and physical care needs of their loved one, resulting in caregiver isolation.
It can be over whelming and sometimes embarrassing for the caregiver to share the details of the loved ones condition or behavior with family members, neighbors or people at church. Many family members only see what is really happening when they get together for special occasions and holidays.

The Solution - Being aware of your loved ones condition and behavior is essential in helping the direct caregiver.

1. The family may want to schedule regular visits on a rotating schedule, so they can see their loved ones behavior first hand.
? Sometimes each family member sees things in a little different way, and if they each visit at different times they can get together later to share their views of the situation.
? The direct caregiver may react differently to each family member; being more open with some.

2. The direct caregiver and/or other family members may want to join a support group. It is sometimes easier to discuss the situation with others who are in similar situations as yours.

3. Explore ways of protecting the dignity and self-esteem of your loved one:
? Explain their condition and behavior openly to others before they see the person.
? Accommodations can be made to make you and your loved one more comfortable in a public situation. For example, the Alzheimers? Association has cards that can be given to the server in a restaurant that explains your loved ones dementia and behavior.

As you visit your aging loved ones, observe for changing care needs and behaviors. Have different family members or friends visit at different times of the day and evening. Stay the night. Provide opportunities for the direct caregiver to discuss the most challenging aspect of care. Talk with friends and family members about their observations. Develop ways to protect the dignity and self esteem of your loved one when inviting people in or when taking the loved one out.

.
Carol McGowan RN and Cindy Streekstra RN are Caregiver Coaches and geriatric nurses who share a mission of caring for caregivers as part of a family unit. Their passion for caregivers has led them to create ?The Caregiver Cottage?, a virtual place of support where they will guide family caregivers through the caregiving experience.
Click here for information
www.guidingfamilycaregiving.com

You’ve probably heard about how effective massage therapy for elderlies is by now, but you probably don’t know why it is considered so beneficial. Well, although massage therapy has been practiced for a long time, the general public has only recently started to open their minds and hearts to this technique in recent years.

It is now known, and proven, that touch therapy and massage helps reduce stress in elderlies - someone who is given the massage and touch therapy sleeps deeper and longer.

Massage therapy provides elderlies with a very nurturing feeling and it is especially helpful for adults with medical or physical problems. The more times they experience your touch, the calmer they will become. The calmer they are, the better they are able to deal with the medical interventions that they have to go through at their old age!

Massage therapy and touch therapy have a lot in common because they have a lot to do with motion of the hands over various parts of the body. The technique involves a lot of touching, stroking, and massaging of body parts. Massage therapy might even be a little bit on the painful side - but for elderlies, this is not the case.

Some nursing professionals offer massage therapy services to elderlies they deliver. Professional nurses who offer these services will provide the technique to critically or seriously ill elderlies. These nurses work closely with the elderly’s doctor and other nurses to ensure that the persons health is in no way endangered at all.

Elderlies who are not medically challenged will also benefit from massage therapy. It has been shown that elderlies who are given massage therapy from an early age tend to age more alert, smarter, and healthier in general. Make sure you treat your parents right by giving them a free massage gift!

.
Jane Croiser works at a nursing home and provides massage therapy for elderlies and other adults. Visit her website as she gives you the best advice on massage therapy.

Guilt is a common feeling in the landscape of care giving. Guilt can propel you to be the best you can be ?or it can immobilize you.

For caregivers, painful feelings — such as guilt, sadness and anger — are like any other pain.

It?s your body?s way of saying, ‘Pay attention.’ Just as the pain of a burned finger pulls your hand from the stove, so, too, guilt guides your actions and optimizes your health.

You have a picture of the “Ideal You” with values you hold and how you relate to yourself and others. Guilt often arises when there?s a mismatch between your day-to-day choices and the choices the “Ideal You” would have made. The “Ideal You” may be a parent who attends all of the kids? soccer games. Miss a game to take your dad to the doctor, and you think you?re falling short.

You may have needs out of line with this “Ideal You.” You may believe that your own needs are insignificant, compared to the needs of your sick loved one. You then feel guilty when you even recognize your needs, much less act upon them. A mother may ask herself, ?How can I go out for a walk with my kids when my mother is at home in pain?? (A hint for this mother: she can give more to her mother with an open heart when she takes good care of herself.)

You may have feelings misaligned with the “Ideal You.” Feeling angry about the injustice of your loved one?s illness? You might even feel angry at your loved one for getting sick! Recognizing those feelings can produce a healthy dose of guilt. Yes, you may even feel guilty about feeling guilty.

?Why did my loved one get sick?? you may ask. Perhaps, if the “Ideal You” acted more often, your loved one would be healthy. What if you served more healthful meals? What if you called 911, instead of believing your husband when he said his chest pain was just ?a little heartburn??

If you?re the kind of person prone to guilt, learn to manage guilt so that guilt serves you rather than imprisons you. Here are 5 tips for managing your caregiver guilt:

Recognize the feeling of guilt: Unrecognized guilt eats at your soul. Name it; look at the monster under the bed

Identify other feelings: Often, there are feelings under the feeling of guilt. Name those, too. For example, say to yourself: ?I hate to admit this to myself, but I?m resentful that dad?s illness changed all of our lives.? Once you put it into words, you will have a new perspective. You will also be reminding yourself of how fortunate you are to have what it takes to take care of loved one.?

Be compassionate with yourself: Cloudy moods, like cloudy days, come and go. There?s no one way a caregiver should feel. When you give yourself permission to have any feeling, and recognized that your feelings don?t control your actions, your guilt will subside.

Look for the cause of the guilt: What is the mismatch between this “Ideal You” and the real you? Do you have an unmet need? Do you need to change your actions so that they align with your values?

Take action: Meet your needs. Needs are not bad or good; they just are. If you need some time alone, find someone to be with your loved one.

Change your behavior to fit your values: For example, Clara felt guilty because her friend was in the hospital and she didn?t send a card. Her guilt propelled her to buy some beautiful blank cards to make it easier for her to drop a note the next time.

Ask for help: Call a friend and say, ?I?m going through a hard time. Do you have a few minutes just to listen?? Have a family meeting and say, ?Our lives have been a lot different since grandma got sick. I?m spending more time with her. Let?s figure out together how we?ll get everything done.?

Revisit and reinvent the “Ideal You”: You made the best choices based on your resources and knowledge at the time. As you look to the future, you can create a refined vision of the “Ideal You.” What legacy do you want to leave? What values do you hold dear? Then, when you wake up in the morning and put on your clothes, imagine dressing the “Ideal You.” Let this reinvented “Ideal You” make those moment-to-moment choices that create your legacy.

Understand that you will be a more effective caregiver when you care for the caregiver first. Loved ones neither want nor expect selfless servants. As a caregiver, when you care for yourself, you increase and improve your own caring. Yes, guilt is part of caregiving, but this guilt can help you become the caregiver you and your loved one want you to be.

.
Dr. Vicki is a board-certified surgeon and Clinical Instructor at the University of Washington School of Medicine who left the operating room to help caregivers and patients take the most direct path from illness to optimal health. Want more caregiving tips? Get your free report ?Caring for the Caregiver? by emailing Dr. Vicki Rackner at DrVicki@DrVicki.org and be sure to check out her regular column with the Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products Group?s new caregiver web site www.strengthforcaring.com

You are a partner in your health care. This is a partnership between you, your doctor, and your pharmacist. You need to be assertive and knowledgeable about the medications you take.

The Food and Drug Administration is also working to make drugs safer for older adults, who consume a large share of the nation’s medications. Adults over age 65 buy 30 percent of all prescription drugs and 40 percent of all over-the-counter drugs.

“Almost every drug that comes through FDA [for approval] has been examined for effects in the elderly,” says Robert Temple, M.D., associate director for medical policy in FDA’s Office of Drug Evaluation and Research. “If the manufacturer hasn’t done a study in the elderly, we ask for it.”

More than 15 years ago, the agency established guidelines for drug manufacturers to include more elderly patients in their studies of new drugs. Upper age limits for drugs were eliminated, and even patients who had other health problems were given the green light to participate if they were able. Also, drugs known to pass primarily through the liver and kidneys must be studied in patients with malfunctions of those organs. This has a direct benefit for older adults, who are more likely to have these conditions.

In several surveys, FDA discovered that drug manufacturers had been using older adults in their drug studies; however, they weren’t examining that age group for different reactions to the drugs. Now, they do. Today, every new prescription drug has a section in the labeling about its use in the elderly.

Says Temple, “The FDA has done quite a bit and worked fully with academia and industry to change drug testing so that it does analyze the data from elderly patients. We’re quite serious about wanting these analyses.”

When More Isn’t Necessarily Better

Of all the problems older adults face in taking medication, drug interactions are probably the most dangerous. When two or more drugs are mixed in the body, they may interact with each other and produce uncomfortable or even dangerous side effects. This is especially a problem for older adults because they are much more likely to take more than one drug. Two-thirds of adults over age 65 use one or more drugs each day, and a quarter of them take three drugs each day.

Not all drug combinations are bad. High blood pressure is often treated with several different drugs in low doses. Unless supervised by a doctor, however, taking a mixture of drugs can be dangerous.

For example, a person who takes a blood-thinning medication for high blood pressure should not combine that with aspirin, which will thin the blood even more. And antacids can interfere with certain drugs for Parkinson’s disease, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Before prescribing any new drug to an older patient, a doctor should be aware of all the other drugs the patient may be taking.

“Too often, older people get more drugs without a reassessment of their previous medications,” says Feinberg. “That can be disastrous.”

There is also evidence that older adults tend to be more sensitive to drugs than younger adults are, due to their generally slower metabolisms and organ functions. As people age, they lose muscle tissue and gain fat tissue, and their digestive systems, liver, and kidney functions slow down. All this affects how a drug will be absorbed into the bloodstream, react in the organs, and how quickly it will be eliminated. The old adage “Start low and go slow” applies especially to the elderly.

Older adults who experience dizziness, constipation, upset stomach, sleep changes, diarrhea, incontinence, blurred vision, mood changes, or a rash after taking a drug should call their doctors. The following suggestions may also help:

* Don’t take a drug unless absolutely necessary. Try a change in diet or exercise instead. Ask your doctor if there’s anything else you can do besides drug therapy for the condition.

* Tell your doctor about all the drugs you take. If you have several doctors, make sure they all know what the others are prescribing, and ask one doctor (such as an internist or general practitioner) to coordinate your drugs.

* Ask for drugs that treat more than one condition. Blood pressure medicine might also be good for heart disease, for example.

* Keep track of side effects. New symptoms may not be from old age but from the drug you’re taking. Try another medication if possible until you find one that works for you.

* Learn about your drugs. Find out as much as you can by asking questions and reading the package inserts. Both your doctor and pharmacist should alert you to possible interactions between drugs, how to take any drug properly, and whether there’s a less expensive generic drug available.

* Have your doctor review your drugs. If you take a number of drugs, take them all with you on a doctor’s visit.

* Ask the doctor, “When can I stop taking this drug?” and, “How do we know this drug is still working?”

* Watch your diet. Some drugs are better absorbed with certain foods, and some drugs shouldn’t be taken with certain foods. Ask a pharmacist what foods to take with each drug.

* Follow directions. Read the label every time you take the medication to prevent mistakes, and be sure you understand the timing and dosage prescribed.

* Don’t forget. Use a memory aid to help you–a calendar, pill box, or your own system. Whatever works for you is best.

Medicine and Special Needs

Arthritis, poor eyesight, and memory lapses can make it difficult for some older adults to take their medications correctly. Studies have shown that between 40 and 75 percent of older adults don’t take their medications at the right time or in the right amount. About a quarter of all nursing home admissions are due at least in part to the inability to take medication correctly.

A number of strategies can make taking medication easier. Patients with arthritis can ask the pharmacist for an oversized, easy-to-open bottle. For easier reading, ask for large-type labels. If those are not available, use a magnifying glass and read the label under bright light.

Invent a system to remember medication. Even younger adults have trouble remembering several medications two or three times a day, with and without food. Devise a plan that fits your daily schedule. Some people use meals or bedtime as cues for remembering drugs. Others use charts, calendars, and special weekly pill boxes.

Mary Sloane, 78, keeps track of five medications a day by sorting her pills each evening into separate dishes. One is for morning pills, the other for the next evening. Then she turns each medicine bottle upside down after taking the pill so she can tell at a glance if she has taken it that day.

“You have to have a system,” Sloane says. “Because just as soon as I get started taking my pills, the phone rings, and when I come back to it, I think, ‘Now have I taken that?’”

Drug-taking routines should take into account whether the pill works best on an empty or full stomach and whether the doses are spaced properly. To simplify drug-taking, always ask for the easiest dosing schedule possible–just once or twice a day, for example.

Serious memory impairments require assistance from family members or professionals. Adult day-care, supervised living facilities, and home health nurses can provide assistance with drugs.

Active Lives

Not all older adults are in danger of drug interactions and adverse effects. In fact, as more and more people live active lives well into their 80s or beyond, many take few medications at all. Among healthy older adults, medications may have the same physical effects as they do in younger adults. It is primarily when disease interferes that the problems begin.

To guard against potential problems with drugs, however, older adults must be knowledgeable about what they take and how it makes them feel. And they should not hesitate to talk to their doctors or pharmacists about questions and problems they have with a medication.

Says the University of Maryland’s Feinberg: “We need to have educated patients to tell us how the drugs are working.”

Rebecca D. Williams is a writer in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

Cutting Costs

The cost of medications is a serious concern for older adults, most of whom must pay for drugs out of pocket. Even those who have insurance to supplement Medicare must often pay a percentage of the cost of their medicines.

For a new prescription, don’t buy a whole bottle but ask for just a few pills. You may have side effects to the medication and have to switch. If you buy just a few, you won’t be stuck with a costly bottle of medicine you can’t take.

For ongoing conditions, medications are often less expensive in quantities of 100. Only buy large quantities of drugs if you know your body tolerates them well. But be sure you can use all of the medication before it passes its expiration date.

Call around for the lowest price. Pharmacy prices can vary greatly. If you find a drug cheaper elsewhere, ask your regular pharmacist if he or she can match the price.

Other ways to make your prescription dollars go further include:

* Ask for a senior citizens discount.

* Ask for a generic equivalent.

* Get drug samples free. Pharmaceutical companies often give samples of drugs to physicians. Tell your doctor you’d be happy to have them. This is especially convenient for trying out a new prescription.

* Buy store-brand or discount brand over-the-counter products. Ask the pharmacist for recommendations.

* Call your local chapter of the American Association for Retired Persons (AARP) and your local disease-related organizations (for diabetes, arthritis, etc.) They may have drugs available at discount prices.

* Try mail order. Mail-order pharmacies can provide bulk medications at discount prices. Use this service only for long-term drug therapy because it takes a few weeks to be delivered. Compare prices before ordering anything.

.
M. Sanders is a long term care insurance marketing specialist. She is appointed throughout the United States as a long term care insurance representative with several major insurance carriers. Her website, About Long Term Care and LTC Insurance, contains information and articles pertaining to long term care, insurance and other related senior topics. It is her goal to inform the public about these increasingly important topics.

For a 72-year-old man, Dick Miller, of Pittsburgh, Pa., is in incredible health, only having to endure minor bouts of arthritis and irritable bowel syndrome.

His wife Lillian, however, is not as fortunate. She suffers from Sjogren’s syndrome, a disorder that causes heart arrhythmias, ulcers and stricture of the esophagus, among other complications. She also suffers from high cholesterol, high blood pressure, arthritis, dry eye syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome and dental problems caused by a dry mouth.

With her illnesses, the Millers paid a grand total of $11,500 for their prescription drugs in 2005. So when Medicare announced it would start offering prescription drug insurance in 2006, Dick Miller took notice. Shortly after the announcement of Medicare’s new drug plan, he started gathering information from every source he and his wife could find.

“I called 1-800-MEDICARE frequently and found it very helpful,” said Dick Miller. “I also accessed the medicare.gov Web site to obtain information about the different plans, which was a great resource.” Initially, after Mr. Miller gathered all of the necessary information for the couple’s medications, he found that he needed to do a little more work to find a plan that was best for his wife and him. So they decided to compare each plan side by side, which enabled them to make a wise decision about the plan that best fit their needs.

“After reviewing the choices and discussing my options with my family, I decided to enroll the two of us in a Part D drug plan that provided us with good coverage,” said Miller. Once enrolled, the Millers experienced instant savings. Their combined monthly premium decreased $49, or $588 a year. For the 2006 calendar year, if the Millers prescription needs remain about the same, their savings will amount to nearly $3,000.

The Millers have discussed the program with family members and friends, and, with one exception, all have enrolled in the new drug program. “We’re happy with the coverage we’ve received so far and look forward to remaining in the program next year,” said Miller. “The new drug benefit is a huge step forward in providing seniors with better health care and has made an enormous difference to my wife and me.”

.