Medical Care: Subsidized and Slinding Scale

Learn about federally subsidized health centers

The federal HRSA subsidizes health centers nationwide.  Care at these centers is provided on a pay-as-you-can basis.

• Find a federally subsidized health center.

Learn about Hill-Burton facilities

Hill-Burton hospitals and nursing homes are facilities–located in most states–which received federal funding under the Hill-Burton program.  As part of their agreement to accept federal funds, these facilities also must offer free or low-cost care to patients unable to pay.

• Learn about the program and the application process at HRSA’s website.
• Find a Hill-Burton facility.

Find low-cost DC metro health clinics

• Find clinics through DC Health Care for You website.
• Montgomery county MD residents can find sliding scale clinics through Montgomery County Cares website.

Find low-cost health clinics nationwide

• Find clinics through the National Association of Free Clinics.

Village Resources

Learn about the Village model

Villages are grass-roots, neighborhood focused organizations that provide various services for senior members

• Learn about the Village model from the Village to Village Network.
• Learn about local DC Villages from AARP.

Learn how to start a Village

• 43 page (2011) Bethesda/Chevy Chase Regional Service Center publication entitled, “Village Blue Print: Building a Community for All Ages.”
• Free and member resources from the Village to Village Network.

Find a Village

• Find an existing Village through the Village to Village Network.

Subsidized and Low Cost Dental Care

Medicare does not cover routine dental care

• Learn about the type of dental care covered by Medicare.

Learn about federally subsidized health centers

The federal HRSA subsidizes health centers nationwide that provide dental and medical care on a pay-as-you-can basis.

• Find a federally subsidized health center.

Learn about l0w-cost dental care from dental and hygienist schools

Many dental and hygienist schools offer low-cost dental care from professionally supervised students

• Find a dental school from the American Dental Association.
• Find a hygienist school from the American Dental Hygienist Association.

Learn about other DC Metro resources

• (DC) – Find a local dental clinic that charges sliding-scale fees.
• VA) – The Northern Virginia Dental Clinic provides dental assistance to l0w-income Alexandria residents.

Learn about national resources

• The Dental Lifeline Network engages private dentists to provide pro-bono services for seniors and people with disabilities.

 

Durable Medical Equipment: Medicare, Financial Aid, and Loans

Learn what constitutes “durable medical equipment”

• Durable medical equipment typically refers to items such as canes, walkers, wheelchairs, shower benches, portable commodes, and hospital beds.
• See Medicare’s definition of “durable medical equipment.”

Learn when Medicare pays for durable medical equipment

• Medicare web page summarizes when Medicare covers durable medical equipment.
• Medicare web page summarizes types of equipment typically covered.
• 16 page Medicare booklet gives detailed information on Medicare’s coverage of durable medical equipment.  The booklet also is available in Spanish.

Find a Medicare certified medical equipment supplier

• Find a certified supplier at Medicare’s website.

Learn about DC metro financial aid for medical equipment

• Maryland’s Assistive Technology Loan Program provides low-interest loans to Maryland residents for the purchase of certain types of medical equipment.
• The Newell Fund provides low-interest loans to Virginia residents for the purchase of certain medical equipment.

Find free loans of medical equipment in the DC metro area

• Iona’s Medical Equipment Loan Closet provides free loans of donated durable medical equipment to anyone in need.  For more information, call 202-895-9448 (option 4) or email info@Iona.org.
• The Washington Area Wheelchair Society provides free loans of donated durable medical equipment to low-income residents of DC, MD, and VA.  For more information, call 301-495-0277.
• DC Shares provides free loans of donated durable medical equipment to low-income DC residents.  For more information, call 202-332-2595.

Social Security Representative Payees

Seniors needing assistance managing social security payments may appoint a friend, family member, or other third-party to be responsible for the funds.

Learn more about the Representative Payee program

• from Social Security’s website.

Find a third-part Representative Payee

• (DC) – Family Matters provides volunteer representative payees through a program of AARP.  For more information, phone 202-289-1510.
• (MD) – Learn about the state of Maryland’s volunteer representative payee program.
• (VA) – Learn about the city of Alexandria’s Daily Money Management program.
• (national) – Find other volunteer representative payee programs in other states.

DC Metro Area Parking Permits for Drivers with Disabilities

These permits, placards, or plates allow drivers to park in specially marked parking spaces for people with disabilities.

DC Parking Permits

• Learn about DC’s program.
• Learn how to apply for a permit.

Maryland Parking Permits

• Learn about Maryland’s program.
• Learn how to apply for a permit.

Virginia Parking Permits

• Learn about Virginia’s program.
• Learn how to apply for a permit.

Anxiety Disorders Resources

Learn about Anxiety and Older Adults

• Fact sheet from the Anxiety Disorders Association of America.
• 16 page brochure from Geriatric Mental Health Foundation.

Learn about Anxiety Treatments

• Information from the Anxiety Disorders Association of America on medication, talk therapy, and other treatments.
• Information on treatments for older adults.

Find a Treatment Provider

• Iona’s licensed clinical social workers provide psychotherapy for a variety of conditions, including anxiety.  For more information, call 202-895-9448 or email info@Iona.org.
• Find a treatment provider at the website of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America.
• Find subsidized counseling services in the DC metro area in Iona’s free senior Resource Guide.
• Find subsidized counseling services from a federal mental health facility.

Resources for Tax Time 2011

Find subsidized tax preparation assistance.

• (nationwide) – AARP provides subsidized tax preparation assistance to low and moderate income seniors.
• (nationwide) – the IRS offers subsidized tax preparation assistance to low and moderate income tax payers through its VITA program.

Find private pay tax preparation assistance

• Find a certified public accountant through the American Institute of CPA’s.

Find tax forms

• Federal tax forms
• DC tax forms
• MD tax forms
• VA tax forms
• Other states

Learn about tax deductions and credits

• AARP article entitled, “The Most Overlooked Tax Deductions.”
• IRS web page on the Earned Income Tax Credit for certain low and moderate income individuals younger than age 65.
• Alzheimer’s Association web article on Alzheimer’s related tax deductions.
• Learn about state home-owner and renters’ tax credits elsewhere on this blog.

DC Metro Congregate Meal Sites

Federally and state funded congregate meal sites offer on-site hot lunches to seniors for little or no cost.  Many also offer recreation programs.

Find meal sites in DC

• Iona’s Active Wellness Program at St. Albans provides free hot lunches to DC seniors, age 60 and older.  Morning and afternoon activities include computer classes, fitness, and movies.  For more information, see our website or call 202-895-9448.
• Find other congregate meal sites in DC.

Find meal sites in MD

• Find meal sites in Montgomery County.
• Find meal sites in Prince George’s County.

Find meal sites in VA

• Find meal sites in Alexandria.
• Find meal sites in Arlington County.
• Find meal sites in Fairfax County.

Advanced Directives

Advanced directives, which include living wills and powers-of-attorney, allow individuals to state in advanced how they wish to be treated at the end of their lives.  Advanced directives also can allow individuals to choose, in advanced, who will help them with financial or healthcare decision-making if they are no longer able to do so.

Learn more about Advanced Directives

• This guide, from the United Health Fund, describes healthcare powers-of-attorney, living wills, and Do Not Resuscitate Orders.  The guide is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Russian.
• This articled describes financial powers-of-attorney, including durable, general, and limited.

Find Healthcare Powers-of-Attorney (POA) Forms

• Free healthcare POA forms, recognized in all 50 states and DC, are available online from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.
• The Five Wishes form is recognized in 42 states and DC.  The form is available in multiple languages for a modest fee.

Find an attorney to help with Financial POA

Find a subsidized attorney

• (DC Metro) – Find subsidized legal assistance in the DC metro area from Iona’s free senior Resource Guide.  Legal resources start on page 88.  Request a free copy of Iona’s Resource Guide by phoning 202-895-9448 or email Info@Iona.org.
• (national) – Find subsidized legal assistance from the American Bar Association website.

Find a private pay attorney

• (national) – Search for private pay elderlaw attorneys from the National Academy of Elderlaw Attorneys.