July 25, 2020
Dear Valued Clients, Families and Professional Partners:
I am writing today to share the updated infectious illness protocol at Mir Senior Care and Care Consultants in response to the current Coronavirus (COVID-19), outbreak. As with any and all illnesses that could potentially affect the vulnerable population we work with and encounter, as Aging Life Care Managers, thoughtful preparedness and calm responsiveness, is always our best defense.
At this time our team is following the recommendations and precautions as outlined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). To protect our clients and staff, we strongly recommend the following:
- Wearing a mask when out in the community
- Frequent, thorough hand washing with soap and water
- Use of hand sanitizer when hand washing is not feasible
- Staff not having in-person interactions with clients when ill
- Social distancing, including limiting or eliminating hand shaking
We appreciate the efforts health care communities and homecare agencies are taking to protect their clients/residents and will be abiding by any restrictions or requests put in place by the hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and other care communities we visit. Our concern is not only for our clients’ well-being, but also for that of our staff, and demands that we follow these guidelines and policies. We encourage you do the same.
Please be assured that despite any limitations that may be imposed in care settings and facilities, our team is working collaboratively to implement creative and resourceful adaptations that will help to ensure that our Aging Life Care Managers can continue to meet the needs of our clients. These include, but are not limited to, telephone contact and video conferencing in place of in-person visits when necessary.
If there is any possibility that you may have been exposed or tested positive to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), we ask that you refrain from meeting with our staff face-to-face and advise you to seek alternative plans to connect via video technology and/or conference line. Your cooperation with this request will ensure that we will be able to continue to serve our clients while reducing the risk of further spreading this virus.
As always, we value and appreciate our collective community of clients, their families, and our professional partners. It is our goal to continue to be effective support for each other during this challenging time.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.
Thank you,
Frances Mir, MSN, RN, CMC, Director
Lina Supnet-Zapata, MBA, CTXG, CMC, VP, Managing Partner
Mir Senior Care and Care Consultants Inc.
5262 S. Staples St., Ste. 300
Corpus Christi, Texas 78414
361-814-3300
9442 Capital of Texas Hwy N., Ste. 500 Plaza 1
Austin, Texas 78759
512-975-2444
Latest information from U.S. Centers for Disease Control:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Up to date information from TX Department of Public Health:
https://www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/
Texas State of Emergency COVID-19 Updates, Emergency Orders and Guidance:
https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/coronavirus/execorders.aspx
AARP
AARP (formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons) is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to addressing the needs and interests of persons 50 years and older. Through information and education, advocacy and service, they seek to enhance the quality of life for all by promoting independence, dignity, and purpose.
Area Agency on Aging
AAA is a non-profit funded by federal and state programs that provides free services and information. Contact the local Capital Area chapter.
Alzheimer’s Association
Helpful information related to Alzheimer’s disease; offers the Safe Return Program. Alzheimer’s Association – Capital of Texas Chapter.
Alzheimer Disease Education and Referral Center (ADEAR)
Alzheimer Disease Education and Referral Center (ADEAR) helps find information, publications, news, resources, and research on Alzheimer’s topics.
Capital Area Parkinson’s Society
The Capital Area Parkinson’s Society provides education and support for those with Parkinson’s Disease in greater Austin and the organization offers a multitude of support groups, resources, monthly meetings, exercise programs and a community for people afflicted by Parkinson’s and their care partners.
ALS Association – Texas Chapter
The ALS Association – Texas Chapter provides high-quality multidisciplinary care through Chapter-supported multidisciplinary ALS Centers and Clinics in your area, Care Managers, and Support Group facilitators that you depend on, resources and information about ALS and services, and leadership in research, fundraising, public awareness, and ALS advocacy throughout the state.
Texas : National Multiple Sclerosis Society
The National MS Society works to improve the quality of life for people affected by MS in Texas and raise funds for critical MS research. They mobilize people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS.
American Lung Association – Texas, Austin
The American Lung Association, Plains-Gulf Region is dedicated to the prevention, control and cure of lung disease, the third leading cause of death in the United States. We work to prevent, control and cure lung diseases such as asthma, lung cancer, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, influenza and pneumonia, and we fight for tobacco control and clean air through education, research and advocacy.
Assisted Living
Consumer Consortium on Assisted Living – Information on how to evaluate an assisted living facility.
state, and Elder Law Attorneys at its website, http://aateela.org/index.aspx.
Caregiving Resources
Family Service Association
Family Service Association offers a variety of programs and services focused on increasing opportunities for adults, protecting seniors, reducing substance abuse, improving the lives of those with mental illness, preparing children and adolescents for the future, improving the quality of life for those living with HIV/AIDS and much more.
The Arc of the United States
The Arc of the United States works to include all children and adults with cognitive, intellectual, and development disabilities in every community.
Hand to Hold
Hand to Hold – Organization supporting programs to parents of preemies, babies born with special health care needs, and those who have experienced a loss due to these or other complications.
Caregiver Media Group
Caregiver Media Group is a leading provider of information, support and guidance for family and professional caregivers.
Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA)
FCA is first and foremost a public voice for caregivers. Founded in the late 1970s, we were the first community-based nonprofit organization in the country to address the needs of families and friends providing long-term care for loved ones at home. They help the lives of caregivers nationally, provide them the assistance they need and deserve, and champion their cause through education, services, research and advocacy.
National Alliance for Caregiving
Recognizing that family caregivers make essential social and financial contributions toward maintaining the well-being of those they care for, The National Alliance for Caregiving is dedicated to improving quality of life for families and their care recipients through research, innovation and advocacy.
Community and Government Agencies
Aging and Disability Services Administration
The Aging and Disability Services Administration serves adults with chronic illnesses or conditions, and people of all ages with developmental disabilities, mental health disorders, or substance use disorders.
Medicare
Medicare Information Source, a Senior Resource Center for Medicare Information is a Non-Government resource for Medicare beneficiaries and seniors, public agencies and private organizations that provide consumer information and services about the Medicare program and its health plan options. 1-800-678-6404.
Medicare Rights Center
The Medicare Rights Center is a national, nonprofit consumer service organization that works to ensure access to affordable health care for older adults and people with disabilities through counseling and advocacy, educational programs and public policy initiatives.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
The Medicare Learning Network has put together some Medicare and Medicaid Basics in an easy to read infographic. Click here to view the infographic which is full of very helpful information.
Consumer Issues
The Consumer Federation of America (CFA)
The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) is an association of non-profit consumer organizations that was established in 1968 to advance the consumer interest through research, advocacy, and education.
Scam Busters
Scambusters – Helps determine if the latest e-mail you received contains a virus, and also has information on various financial scams.
Elder Care Information
Aging with Dignity
Aging with Dignity is a national non-profit organization with a mission to affirm and safeguard the human dignity of individuals as they age and to promote better care for those near the end of life. The life and work of Mother Teresa of Calcutta served as the inspirational foundation of Aging with Dignity.
Austin Groups for the Elderly
Austin Groups for the Elderly provides resources and services for the elderly such as: adult day health care, caregiver education and resources, early memory loss support, health equipment lending, peer-based computer classes for seniors/AGE Computer Lab Resources in the Austin area.
Financing Long-Term Care: A Resource Center for Families
Financing Long-Term Care – Service by the University of Minnesota about how to help you: improve your knowledge about the family financial issue of long term care, help take action before a crisis strikes your family, and plan ahead to make more informed decisions.
Senior Citizens’ Resources – USA.gov
Senior Citizens’ Resources – USA.gov – U.S. Government web portal to help you find government resources for seniors on money, housing, health, consumer protection, and more.
End of Life
Caregiver Action Network
The Caregiver Action Network is the nation’s leading family caregiver organization working to improve the quality of life for the than 65 million Americans who care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, disease, or the frailties of old age. CAN serves a broad spectrum of family caregivers ranging from the parents of children with special needs, to the families and friends of wounded soldiers; from a young couple dealing with a diagnosis of MS, to adult children caring for parents with Alzheimer’s disease.
International Longevity Center
International Longevity Center is a research and education organization that was founded in 1990 by Robert N. Butler, M.D., founding Chairman of the Department of Geriatrics and Adult Development. It was created in response to the dual twentieth-century phenomena of greater longevity and population aging.
National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM)
National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM) advances professional geriatric care management through education, collaboration, and leadership.
National Healthcare Decisions Day
National Healthcare Decisions Day (April 16th) exists to inspire, educated and empower the public and providers about the importance of advance care planning. National Healthcare Decisions Day is an initiative to encourage patients to express their wishes regarding healthcare and for providers and facilities to respect those wishes, whatever they may be.
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) is the largest nonprofit membership organization representing hospice and palliative care programs and professionals in the United States. The organization is committed to improving end of life care and expanding access to hospice care with the goal of profoundly enhancing quality of life for people dying in America and their loved ones.
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
National Institute on Aging (NIA) has been at the forefront of the Nation’s research activities dedicated to understanding the nature of aging, supporting the health and well being of older adults, and extending healthy, active years of life for more people.
Well Spouse Association
The Well Spouse Association, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership organization, advocates for and addresses the needs of individuals caring for a chronically ill and/or disabled spouse/partner. We offer peer to peer support and educate health care professionals and the general public about the special challenges and unique issues “well” spouses face every day.
Estate Planning
Funeral Help Program
Funeral Help Program is a consumer’s guide to funerals. The aim is to educate the public as to their rights, options, and resources.
DocuBank
DocuBank is an electronic storage and access service for advance directives, living wills, health care powers of attorney, and other health care information. The DocuBank Emergency Card helps to ensure that your medical wishes are known and respected when it counts. DocuBank SAFE allows you to upload and store those documents that you want quick, convenient, access to online.
Guidestar.org
Guidestar.org gathers and disseminates information about every single IRS-registered nonprofit organization. They provide as much information as they can about each nonprofit’s mission, legitimacy, impact, reputation, finances, programs, transparency, governance, and more.
Savingforcollege.com
Savingforcollege.com is a great site to learn more information about saving for college. You will find general information regarding 529 plans, Coverdale Education Accounts and other creative ideas.
The Hunger Site
The Hunger Site – The individual sites at GreaterGood are tailored to address specific causes by raising awareness while providing tangible solutions. Through partnerships with a variety of dedicated organizations, your clicks translate into valuable resources, whether meals for hungry veterans or therapy for autism spectrum disorders (to name only a few).
Big Charts & Historical Quotes
Big Charts & Historical Quotes – Useful industry, company, and market information. BigCharts is the world’s most comprehensive and easy-to-use investment research Web site, providing access to professional-level research tools such as interactive charts, quotes, industry analysis and intraday stock screeners, as well as market news and commentary. These tools combine with a graphical interface and our intuitive navigation to make your research experience productive, entertaining and fun.
Morningstar.com
Morningstar.com – More investment information
Auto Immune Mom
Autoimmunemom.com – The Autoimmune Disabilities Guide for Moms
Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG)
CAPCOG – Emergency Notification System Cellular Telephone Interface. CAPCOG has added the ability to notify you on your cell phone if there is an emergency near your home, business or other location. In addition, CAPCOG has upgraded the RNS to provide enhanced notification capabilities to both cellular and land-line telephones. The system can send automated messages for certain types of weather events, such as severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and flash floods. You can register your cell phone—and your land-line telephone—to receive these warnings by checking the appropriate box on the registration form.
Faith in Action – Drive a Senior | Neighbor Helping Senior
Drive a Senior – A Faith in Action Network. When older adults can no longer fully take care of themselves, both the seniors and their families are faced with many challenges. Drive a Senior realizes these challenges and works to ease them. Through direct interaction, Drive a Senior staff and volunteers recognize the individual needs of clients and offer assistance personalized to their needs and abilities.
Getting Affairs in Order
Funeral Consumers Alliance
Funeral Consumers Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting a consumer’s right to choose a meaningful, dignified, affordable funeral.
National Council on Aging
National Council on Aging – They offer tools and resources for you and the older adults you care about: saving money or increasing income, staying healthy, more information on Medicare, services in the community, and more.
Government and Regulatory
USA.gov
USA.gov is an all-in-one resource for government information. As the U.S. government’s official web portal, USA.gov makes it easy for the public to get U.S. government information and services on the web.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Internal Revenue Service has news, information, forms, and publications.
Social Security Administration
Social Security Administration – Get estimates, news, or apply online for benefits
Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool (BEST)
BEST – Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool is an online tool that helps you find out if you could get benefits that Social Security administers. Based on your answers to questions, this tool will list benefits for which you might be eligible and tell you more information about how to qualify and apply.
Texas Department of Insurance
Texas Department of Insurance – The State of Texas is part of the U.S. insurance regulatory framework which is a highly coordinated state-based national system designed to protect policyholders and to serve the greater public interest through the effective regulation of the U.S. insurance marketplace.
Meals on Wheels and More
Delivers daily hot meals to the elderly, disabled, and homebound in the Greater Austin, Texas area. Meals on Wheels Website.
Medicaid and Nursing Home Resources
Texas Department of Health & Human Services
Texas Department of Health & Human Services– A state agency involved in the regulation of the Texas Medicaid Program. This site has general information regarding Medicaid and nursing homes.
National Listing of Nursing Homes on Medicare.gov
Nursing Home Compare has detailed information about every Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing home in the country. States may collect and post additional information that is not collected by the Federal government. Before you get started, you or your family might also consider Alternatives to Nursing Homes.
Advancing Person-Centered Living (CCAL)
Consumer Consortium on Assisted Living – (CCAL) is a non-profit national consumer advocacy and education organization whose mission is to raise awareness about and advocate for the widespread implementation of person-centered living principles, policies, and practices in home and community-based (HCB) supports and services for elders and individuals with disabilities living at home, in the community or in assisted living.
Residential Care
SeniorDECISION is a website where consumers like you rate and review senior care & senior housing. As a new website we need your help in creating as many reviews as possible. Our mission is to help as many people as possible make decisions about home health, retirement living, assisted living, and nursing home options.
Sound Transitions consults with family members who have elders or loved ones with special health care needs who can no longer live independently. Whether your loved one is living at home or in Assisted Living, nursing home care is not your only option. The appropriate Adult Family Home provides the care your loved one needs in a small, caring environment.
For Veterans
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA eBenefits Information
eBenefits is a portal; a central location for Veterans, Service Members, and their families to research, find, access, and, in time, manage their benefits and personal information.
Compensation and Pension Guides
Compensation and Pension Guides: M21-1 & M21-1MR – The Web Automated Reference Manual System (WARMS) includes manuals, directives, handbooks, Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations and more. The publications provide information about the Department of Veterans Affairs benefits policies. These publications are only available on-line and cannot be ordered from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors
Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors Manual
Samaritan Center – Hope for Heroes
Samaritan Center – Hope for Heroes provides confidential counseling at NO CHARGE for current and previous service members and their families. Hope for Heroes is the umbrella program for services provided to active military, veterans, and their families by the Samaritan Center, an interfaith non-profit organization located in Austin, Texas. For nearly 40 years, the Center has been promoting hope, healing, and wholeness for children, adults, families, and communities in Central Texas. The Samaritan Center staff is sensitive to spiritual issues but does not impose religious concepts or beliefs on the people it helps.
Grace After Fire
Grace After Fire – Grace After Fire is ready to expand our program through teaching, developing, and listening to the woman Veteran and her needs upon returning home. We commit to assisting in her transition back into family life, achievements in the work place, and her pursuit of happiness.
Capitol City Rehabilitation Group (CCRG)
Capital City Rehabilitation Group provides agile, world-class professional, administrative and administrative healthcare services, leveraging these core functions across a diverse range of applications for federal, state, and local government agencies.
VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment
VA Vocational Rehab and Employment Services – Every veteran and service member with a service-connected disability is different. That’s why VA provides you with an individualized plan and works with you to see it through.
National Organization of Veterans’ Advocates, Inc. (NOVA)
National Organization of Veterans’ Advocates (NOVA) is a national organization of attorneys and other qualified members who act as advocates for disabled veterans.
National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP)
National Veterans Legal Services Program – If you are injured or become permanently disabled due to your military service, the federal government will care for you and your family for the rest of your life. NVLSP attorneys leverage their legal expertise, their advanced advocacy skills, and their extensive knowledge of the workings of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the military service departments on behalf of veterans.
National Association of Veterans Advocates Group of America (VAGA)
Veterans Advocates Group of America (VAGA) was founded by leading experts in the areas of veterans benefits, elder law, and financial planning with the goal of uniting Attorneys, Financial Planners, Care Managers, and other professionals who work with veterans and their families for the purpose of furthering their education related to veterans benefits. VAGA was established as an association of professionals who are dedicated to improving the lives of veterans and their families. VAGA consists of accredited attorneys and agents as well as non-accredited individuals who wish to educate veterans and their families about potential benefits that are available through the VA and the Department of Defense (DOD).
Veterans’ Aid and Attendance Improved Pension Information
VA Aid and Attendance Improved Pension Information – The Veterans Administration offers Aid and Attendance as part of an “Improved Pension” Benefit that is largely unknown. This Improved Pension allows for Veterans and surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of another person to assist in eating, bathing, dressing, undressing, medication dosing, or taking care of the needs of nature to receive additional monetary benefits. It also includes individuals who are blind or a patient in a nursing home because of mental or physical incapacity. Assisted care in an Assisted Living facility also qualifies.
