Talking with your Doctor | Page 31

Moving to Assisted Living or a Skilled Nursing Facility

Another hard decision that many older adults face is whether to age in place at home or move to a place that provides more help, often an assisted living facility or skilled nursing facility. If you are considering such a move, your doctor can help you weigh the pros and cons based on your health and other circumstances.
You might bring up the subject by asking,
How do you think health and safety would be affected if I remain home or if I move?
Your doctor may be able to refer you to a social worker or a local agency that can help arrange modifications to your home to make it safer or help find a new place to live that will best meet your needs, now and in the future.

Paying for Medications

Don’ t hesitate to ask the doctor or pharmacist about the cost of your medications. If they are too expensive for you, ask if there are other options. Sometimes there is a generic or other less expensive choice. You could say, for instance:
It turns out that this medicine is too expensive for me. Is there another one or a generic drug that would cost less?
Your doctor or pharmacist may also be able to refer you to a medical assistance program that can help with drug costs.

Medicare Prescription Drug Plans

Medicare prescription drug coverage is available to people with Medicare.
For information, call 800-633-4227( 800-MEDICARE) or visit www. medicare. gov.
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