Caring For An Aging Loved One? Get The Facts About Medicare Part D Now (NAPSA)—Did you know that one in five adults is the designated caregiver for an aging or disabled loved one who can’t manage alone? More than 50 million individuals are selflessly engaged in providing 80 percent of all Believe. Protect. Reach Out. homecare services in America. In great time to explore, compare, givers are very influential pro- time cost-saving incentive is addition to assisting with activities of daily living, family careviders of health care information for their care recipients. If you are caring for someone whois eligible for Medicare or if you are among the millions of family caregivers who are eligible themselves, it is important that you learn as much as you can about the new Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program. Medicare Part D is the most significant expansion in the history of the federal health program designed for the elderly and disabled. The National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) was founded to support, educate, empower, and advocate for America’s millions of family caregivers. In keeping with its mission, NFCA urges you to learn more about Medicare Part D during open enrollment November 15, 2005 to May 15, 2006. As in many health plans, open enrollmentis a and make informed choices. It is also a time during which a one- offered for early enrollees. Of particular interest to family caregivers, this saving can impact the escalating costs and use of prescription drugs over the lifetimeof a care recipient. Get the facts. Plan ahead. A detailed explanation of the program is offered by the federal government through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: 1-800-MEDICARE and www.medi care.gov. Although very comprehensive, it can also be very complex. Through the NFCA Website, www.thefamilycaregiver.org, family caregivers can link to other sources of information that are easier to comprehend—some with links specifically designed for family caregivers. For more informa- tion about the benefits of NFCA membership or to support its nonprofit programs, please visit the organization online.
