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Mike Wong
mike.wong@hottocare.com
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Caregiver - Self Care Ideas tips and tricks
Published May 23rd, 2025 by Mike Wong
Version: YT 11/20/2024
How our services are paid
Published May 23rd, 2025 by Mike Wong
● We bill Medicare, not the patient for all our services. ● Most of the services are covered 100% by Medicare. ● We bill Medicare for all our services. Most of our services are paid through Medicare 100% at no cost to you. ● Most of your support, messaging, and check-ins will happen between a care navigator and the family caregiver, and their servic
Medi-Cal Programs that pay for Caregiving Help
Published May 23rd, 2025 by Mike Wong
These are options for a person living with dementia (PLWD) and their family to get Medi-cal covered payment of in-home care and RCFE (Residential Care Facility for the Elderly). What is a RCFE? assisted living memory unit board and care What does Medi-Cal pay regarding RCFEs? You pay the Board & Care rate (in 2025, $1420.07) Medi-Cal pays the c
Behavior Change: Delirium:
Published May 23rd, 2025 by Mike Wong
https://ucsf.app.box.com/v/DeliriumDementia Version: YT 1/2025
Brain Exercises in Dementia
Published May 23rd, 2025 by Mike Wong
● Activity programs tailored to the PLWD (person living with dementia) appear to improve quality of life, decrease neuropsychiatric symptoms, and decrease caregiver burden. (1) ● Brain exercises can help delay onset of dementia and/or improve symptoms in PLWD. The most important thing is to find one the PLWD enjoys and will continue to do. (2) ● Exa
Caregiver Overview: Basics of what to know
Published May 23rd, 2025 by Mike Wong
https://www.aoascc.org/Customer-Content/www/CMS/files/info_library/Becoming_a_Caregiver.pdf Version: YT 1/2025
Medicare Beneficiary # / My Medicare Card / Medicare Eligibility Checking
Published May 23rd, 2025 by Mike Wong
● Your first and last name have to exactly match, otherwise we can't determine your Medicare eligibility ● Your social security # was replaced by a unique Medicare Beneficiary # (series of letters and #) to locate your Medicare coverage. This is for your identity safety. ● Request a new Medicare card for this # OR create an account/log on to Medicar
UTI Sample Collection
Published May 23rd, 2025 by Mike Wong
● Pick up urine cup from the lab (LabCorp) prior ● As possible, catch the urine sample mid-stream ● Urine sample can be stored at room temperature up to 2 hours and refrigerated up to 48 hours ● Remember to COLLECT the urine sample FIRST before taking the first dose of antibiotic. If you take the first antibiotic dose, the urine culture will be unre
Medicare/Medicare Advantage/Medi-Cal Open Enrollment
Published May 23rd, 2025 by Mike Wong
Medicare (Original Medicare) Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): 7 months around your 65th birthday (3 months before, your birthday month, and 3 months after). General Enrollment Period (GEP): January 1 – March 31 each year (for people who missed IEP; coverage starts July 1). Open Enrollment (Annual Election Period, AEP): October 15 – December 7 each y
Diabetes and Dementia
Published May 23rd, 2025 by Mike Wong
● There is an increased risk for hypoglycemia (LOW blood sugars) for those on certain diabetes medications AND this risk increases with dementia. ● As well, as your dementia progresses, we are less strict about your diabetes blood sugar control. The risks of tight diabetes control outweigh the benefits. ● Recommended changes are usually to stop high
Drugs that may delay dementia progression: Lecanemab/Donanemab
Published May 23rd, 2025 by Mike Wong
● Individuals with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer type early stage dementia are eligible ● The 2 approved drugs are lecanemab and donanemab ● They are a monoclonal antibody that attaches to amyloid beta, a protein that builds up in the brains of people with Alzheimer's. This buildup is thought to be toxic to brain cells, causing them to die
Advance Care Planning, Advance Directive, POLST, Medical Decision Maker vs Financial Decision Maker, Living Will, Trust, and Practical Tips for Emergencies
Published May 23rd, 2025 by Mike Wong
Patient Guide: Advance Care Planning & Financial Planning 1. What is Advance Care Planning? Advance Care Planning (ACP) is a conversation between a patient and their loved ones about: Treatment preferences Goals of care Choosing a trusted person to make medical decisions if the patient cannot The goal is to ensure your wishes are understood and
Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Supplies & Incontinence Supplies - Coverage Details
Published May 23rd, 2025 by Mike Wong
Medicare DOES pay for ● Blood sugar meters ● Blood sugar test strips ● Canes ● Commode chairs ● Continuous passive motion machines, devices & accessories ● Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines ● Crutches ● Hospital beds ● Infusion pumps & supplies ● Nebulizers & nebulizer medications ● Oxygen equipment & accessories ●
Urine Incontinence
Published May 23rd, 2025 by Mike Wong
Incontinence & Dementia — Patient & Caregiver Handout 1) Quick overview — what’s happening Incontinence (loss of bladder or bowel control) is common as dementia progresses — especially middle to late stages. It can pose a great challenge to patients and caregivers, but it may be more manageable than you think. Causes of incontinence include
Blood Pressure and Dementia
Published May 23rd, 2025 by Mike Wong
● There is an increased risk for LOW blood pressure, particularly when you stand up on blood pressure medications. This risk increases as you age, when you take multiple medications, and when you lose weight/muscle mass. It leads to feeling lightheaded, unsteady, and falling. ● As well, as age and dementia progresses, we are less strict about your b
Locating a GUIDE program by zip code. For individuals outside our county service area
Published May 23rd, 2025 by Mike Wong
● To find participating programs in your area, please visit: https://www.cms.gov/priorities/innovation/where-innovation-happening#model=guiding-an-improved-dementia-experience-guide-model. ● Scroll to the map, select Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model from the Model list, and click Display Selected. Then click on the number closes
Toilet Lifts
Published May 23rd, 2025 by Mike Wong
● Availability: In store - Lowes, Walmart, Home Depot, etc.. vs Online - Amazon, various supplier websites, etc… ● "Wide range of prices and couple different types: ○ Toilet seat elevator/riser (no battery power, basically just raised handles and seat to help some sit down and get up, cheapest option, prices usually $50 or less) ○ Carex 3.5 Inch Rai
Medi-Cal Income Eligibility/Share of Cost/Medi-Cal Application
Published May 23rd, 2025 by Mike Wong
Medi-Cal Eligibility & Application (2025) Version: HH (compiled) 10/15/25 💼 Medi-Cal Asset Limits (2024–2026 Update) ⚠️ Coming Back in 2026 Starting January 1, 2026, Medi-Cal will reinstate asset limits for non-MAGI programs. You’ll again need to report what you own when you apply or renew coverage. Planned 2026 limits: $130,000 for an individua
Home Modifications: 18 steps to fall-proof home PLUS Medicaid benefits to cover
Published May 23rd, 2025 by Mike Wong
● https://www.ncoa.org/article/18-steps-to-fall-proofing-your-home/ ● Through Medicaid and home and community based waiver program, you can get the following home modifications covered: ○ "Wheelchair ramps ○ Grab bars and handrails ○ Lighting adaptations ○ Doorway widening ○ Shower modifications ○ Stair/wheelchair lifts ○ Accessible handles ○ Medica
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