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Health Connections Senior Voice of Citrus County - JULY 2020 • 15
Senior Voice of Citrus County - JULY 2020 • 15
Coping with Dementia
Hurricane season brings special challenges
By Debbie benefit of memory, so they creating a kit that contains at last-minute surprises.
Selsavage cannot reassure themselves least three days of supplies. As a general rule, plan in
from the knowledge that most This kit should be assembled
Floridians tropical storms do little or in advance and stored away. advance, stay calm, and look
understand no damage. For them, every Do not try to assemble your for ways to continue the
how to harsh weather experience can kit at the last minute, and activities your loved one likes
prepare for be frightening. especially not in the presence and understands.
seasonal of your loved one, which For more information,
bad weather, Just being moved from could cause anxiety and contact the National Institute
but for families living their home or community panic. on Aging which offers an
with dementia, hurricane to a strange shelter may be extensive disaster planning
season can present special upsetting because it shatters Know your evacuation route toolkit. Go to www.nia.nih/
challenges. their routine and confronts and pre-register at your health/disaster-preparedness-
them with an unfamiliar county’s special needs shelter
Individuals living with environment. in case you have to evacuate. alzheimers-caregivers.
Alzheimer’s and other forms If possible, staying with a Debbie Selsavage is a
of dementia do not have the Care providers can plan for neighbor, family member, Certified Trainer and
a weather emergency by
or a friend may be a better Consultant in the Positive
CMH Announces Free Help alternative than a public Approach to Care, and
a Certified Dementia
shelter since your loved
Line for Insurance Questions one may accept it as a more Practitioner. Her company,
Coping with Dementia LLC,
“normal” environment.
Call 833-867-8771 for help navigating insurance options is dedicated to making life
Citrus Memorial Hospital has existing plan if you have If your loved one lives in a better for individuals living
professional care community,
established a special phone line recently lost your job with dementia. Contact
to help individuals looking for (COBRA and other options) become familiar with its Debbie at deb@coping.today
health coverage options based • Applying for coverage via a disaster and evacuation plan to learn about free support
on their personal situation. spouse’s benefit program so you will not be faced with groups on line.
The phone number is free and
available for people who are • Resources that may help offset CITRUS HEALTH OFFICIALS
actively trying to navigate the the costs of health insurance
complexities of finding health • Medicaid: Government REMIND RESIDENTS TO
insurance coverage. This may healthcare for those that meet CONTINUE WEARING MASKS AND
include those facing a recent job certain criteria
loss or those who find themselves • State and federal health PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING
now uninsured and needing help insurance exchanges (such as
navigating their options. the Affordable Care Act), and Entering Phase 2 does not in the community. Masks
how to enroll due to a changing mean residents should stop will slow the spread and
Experienced patient advisors wearing cloth face coverings/ help people who may have
are available to listen to needs life event
and help callers understand their Citrus Memorial Hospital is masks and social distance COVID-19 and do not know
options at 833-867-8771 from 8 not representing any other (staying at least six feet it from transmitting the virus
a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through company or selling insurance away from other people) to others.
Friday. Advisors can discuss plans. Additionally, this is not a when in public. The Florida Don’ts:
eligibility and advocacy services billing a line. The goal is to assist Department of Health in • Do not use a mask that
appropriate for a variety of those impacted by the pandemic Citrus County (DOH-Citrus) looks damaged
situations such as: by providing an information reminds residents that
resource. COVID-19 is still spreading Continued on page 18
• Continuing your employer’s
