Beyond Medicaid is an informational blog post that is part of a series based on my own experience with programs for individuals who need additional personal care assistance at home beyond Medicare and Medicaid.
For people like myself living in Nassau County, Long Island, New York who have qualified for and receive Medicaid through the Nassau County Social Services Department(1) but still need additional services or services beyond Long Island continue with additional services below.
In fact, these are outside of the range of what I refer to as plain ‘vanilla’ Medicaid. In order to proceed, the next step is to contact a ‘Simplified Medicare Agent’. I have had wonderful success with the person at the footnote below.(2)
Moving Along For my complex needs, I was assigned an agency care coordinator who navigated me through the ‘Baskin Robins’ flavors (as I call them) programs beyond Medicaid. This is exactly where the Beyond Medicaid extra help process got down to specifics for me. So let’s continue with the details.
The Central Nassau Guidance & Counseling Services
Central Nassau Guidance Services(3)
These are the step-by-step instructions for application and approved programs that I got assistance in my quest for extra help.
For example, the agency I get help from is Central Nassau Guidance Services. With the help of this organization, I have a care coordinator who guides and assists me with many personal and home care needs.
The New York Independent Assessor Application(4)
The next step in applying for extra help known as Medicaid Managed Long Term Care (MMLTC) is to contact the the New York Independent Assessor (NYIA). This process includes both phone and in-person interviews. If one qualifies, there are many services available.
But they are not as well known as programs like SNAP (food stamps) or as straight forward to receive. So it is very helpful if not essential to have a care coordinator to help one translate and navigate through the applications, then choose the assistance that may become available. When I started this whole dizzying process, it felt like a dictionary of foreign codes to me.
Medicaid Managed Long Term Care Program(5)
Medicaid Managed Long Term Care is the overall program you want to qualify for. It has a bounty of services with a variety of levels of home based care that may become available to an individual like myself who qualifies. Here’s what happened next for me.
Centers Plan for healthy Living Logo
Centers Plan for Healthy Living(6)
MMLTC is a program but not a place with public access. Therefore there are organizations that provide the next stage of service. One such organization is the Centers Plan for Health Living.
Through this organization, I have a care manager who oversees the care I get. In addition, she monitors my condition with a questionnaire to evaluate if I need more medical care or other services.
Current Assistance For now, there are primarily two categories of care in which I get supplementation. They are personal care and nutritional care. Each of these areas is overseen by the Centers Plan for Healthy Living but dispensed by independent agencies. In actuality, personal care is through the Cottage Home Care while nutrition is supplied by Mom’s Meals.
Cottage Home Care(7)This is a company that supplies home care aids to individuals who cannot manage completely on their own. Assistance ranges from a few hours a week to full time home care assistance. Meal preparation, personal hygiene, food shopping, laundry and light housekeeping can be included.
The Mom’s Meals logo
Mom’s Meals(8)This is a company that offers prepared meals delivered on a weekly basis. The number of meals provided is determined by the number of hours an individual receives in extra care to compensate for the need to prepare one’s own meals. In other words if an aid is available in the morning for 3.5/hrs per day 3 days a week, the aid can prepare breakfast 3 times per week.
Since I need help with breakfasts on the four other days and main meals every day, the total need for meal supplementation is eleven meals which are provided to me at no charge. I have found these to be a tremendous help. In fact, there are many meal choices to select from. The food is decent as well. All that is necessary is a short microwave warm up.
Conclusion This blog post, Beyond Medicaid may not answer all your questions about this topic. But it should cut down dramatically on the research you might have to do for getting extra help while you are still able to live at home. When you have to move on to assisted living or a nursing home, you will need other information. These are topics for future posts.
TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES The development of financial technology machinery has increased the storage capacity and speed of financial transactions exponentially. But, the latest technology can also bring my activities to a halt.
For example, I find that many computer systems also known as apps inhibit the ease of use rather than encourage simplicity.
IBM’s First Personal Computer from 34 years ago on observer.com
My History
I did not grow up with the latest financial technology machinery. In fact the most complicated mathematical technology was the slide rule primarily for engineering calculations. This is a sample of the pre-computer computing machine, the slide rule from cheerfulcurmudgeon.com.
In addition to that wizardry was the electric adding machine which has evolved over the century. They still exist but can not fit in the relatively small space of a slide rule and especially today’s tiny smartphones. By the way, a slide rule is also known as a slapstick.
A vintage Victor 63 key adding machine on Pinterest. com
HOW MONEY IS EXCHANGED
It is still possible to pay for things in person with cash. In addition, things can be paid for through the mail by check, money order, or credit card. Today the most popular means of payment is by credit card in person or online. Rarely do I carry cash as I prefer to pay by credit card in person and online.
Guide to Choosing a Credit Card from Upon Arriving.com
Pre-My History Before the slide rule going back thousands of year was the abacus. Although it is of unknown origin, it actually had the ability to solve mathematical questions very quickly. It was also known as a calculating tool from Wikipedia. Here is what one looked like.
CONCLUSION
“Technology is the application of knowledge for achieving practical goals in a reproducible way” according to Wikipedia. There is no question that financial technology machinery has impact our world in ways that one can barely imagine. In spite of this, there are times when I wish I could return to an old fashioned ledger to keep track of my monthly numbers. Is this a possibility or just a nostalgic fantasy?
Boorum & Pease 66 Series Account Book, Journal Ruled, Green, 150 Pages, 12-1/8″ x 7-5/8″, Blue from amazon.com
My Bilt Mastercard imploded rather than earned points about a month or so after I received it. As advertised, the goal is to accumulate enough points to help pay rent as well as receive other benefits. But the opposite occurred.My BILT Mastercard Imploded
When I first discovered it, I wondered if I might not fit into the targeted demographics. But the BILT website was so appealing. It offered all kinds of irresistible perks that I couldn’t resist.
Beware Temptations But the following inconsistencies were a concern. Seniors my age usually don’t pay rent. Owning a home or other property is more likely. In addition, an older person might not belong to a youth oriented fitness club. Also, a vacation might not be the priority for a senior needing to reduce their rent payment.
BILT Mastercard fitness features
So Why Did I Persist? Other details about the practicality of the BILT Mastercard should have stopped me in my tracks. For instance, within a week of receiving the card, the company’s phone system went on the blink. So communication was limited to electronic means only. As a result, the important questions I needed immediate answers to did not get answered.
Travel points are featured on BILTRewards.com
One Solution Leads to Another Problem Once live communication resumed, I found that my calls went to a very noisy call center. Specifically there were several operators yelling over each other to the customers all at once. As a result, I could not hear my operator. But I did hear all the other operators yelling at their customers instead.
Antique switch board from qz.com
When to Charge, Then How to Pay? The next problem occured when I did use the card to charge purchases. I thought that I was billed more than once for the same items. In other words almost $1500 extra. As a result, I had to leverage and pay a $30. stop payments on my credit card assigned to bill payment.
Penalty Rather Than Payment Therefore, because of the $1500 discrepancy, I had to put a stop payment of $30. against the account that only earned $22 the month before. Eventually that fee was waived. But until then, I had to pay for being a BILT card carrier rather than earning points towards any featured luxuries.
Points can be used for hotel stays
Misleading Glamour Actually the promotions on the website were quite glamorous which made the BILT Mastercard very tempting. But the shock was that the point earned to payment ratio pathetic. In fact I was crushed when I learned that 1000 point only equalled $11. It would take forever to realize my needs, dreams, as well as desires.
Ultimately I had to stop all payments to the payments credit card. Therefore I now have the additional challenge of paying my BILT Mastercard charges on time.
The BILT Collection offered as part of BILT Rewards.com
Confusion So far, I still get very confused whether to charge purchases with the BILT Mastercard or make payments for them with my checking account. As a result, I received the following notice on my account online.
Temporary restriction imposed by Bilt Mastercard
After my inquiry, I immediately forgot how to charge something rather than where to pay for it. I repeatedly found this to be a confusing low paying, time wasting program.
CONCLUSION
The BILT Rewards Mastercard is probably the worst credit card I ever signed up for. For example, it is misleading and very hard to follow. Specifically, I have had many problems with the bookkeeping aspect of it. In fact, I have spend so much time and gotten so little in return.
Therefore as soon as this card is paid off, I will close it. As a result, it will no longer be part of my credit card wallet. In addition, I do not recommend that anyone else sign up for it. This is because all that glitters is not gold. Thus this one will tarnish very quickly. So beware and be forewarned, consumer.
The BILT Mastercard from Wells Fargo to help pay rent
The BILT MasterCard from Wells Fargo is one of the latest point earner credit cards. In fact it is a unique new comer to the credit card scene. It is designed to earn points towards paying rent.
I actually found out about it from the Wallet Hacks blog and my favorite financial guru, James Wang. For this and the below reasons I decided to give it a try. Lately paying my bills has become a serious challenge:
• our rent has gone up substantially
• our SNAP benefits have gone down sharply
CREDIT CARD BENEFITS COLLECTOR
I have a history of benefiting from credit card promotions. So I figured this might help also. To my frustration and disappointment, this card was not easy to use. It didn’t help that the BILT phone system was not working. So all my questions had to wait until their system was up and running again.
Once the phone system was working, I called only to learn that it took 1000 point to earn $5.50. Actually I was shocked. In fact, I considered dumping the card. But then I decided to give it some time to see if there were benefits that were not readily apparent.
A credit card that lets you earn point on rent.
CURRENT STATUS So far we have earned 2000 points since we opened the card at the end of July. Since we are managing to squeeze by in paying all our upcoming bills for September, I am holding on to the $11. in earned points for now.
In fact, I want to keep accumulating points for now as long as we can get by without using them. I’m waiting for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow when a substantial part of the rent is covered by my new BILT Mastercard. But for now it will be like keeping my savings under my mattress.
our account showing the accumulation of 2000 points
The NYS Social Services System has inconsistencies that can make financial security very challenging. For someone not familiar with this system, it might not make any sense. In fact, that is because it is not sensible.
Nassau County Department of Social Services
A Closed System
Social Services is a closed system. In other words if one area increases, another area will decrease rather than also increase. For example, when there is a COLA (cost of living) increase in monthly social security payments, food stamp payments will decrease.
Logic would dictate that if the cost of living increases, the cost of food also increases. But the closed system concludes that if an individual receives a greater social security payment, there is less need for assistance with food purchases.
Another example is that increases to income through other sources and benefits can lessen if not eliminate ones eligibility for food stamps. In other words, it can best to get a direct increase in food stamps rather than an increase in monthly income.
In addition, if an individual’s income increase is great enough, one can lose Medicaid benefits. That can result in a loss of coverage for medical expenses that are covered under Medicaid. Medicaid coverage is substantially greater than Medicare coverage. Therefore if one needs financial assistance from the social services system, it is better to qualify for more help rather than less help.
New York State Local Social Services Departments
The Inconsistencies
Because of the inconsistencies within the social services system, it is important to learn how it works. A good place to start is with a social worker at a community senior center. Actually these professionals often schedule visits to senior residential facilities offering their services at no cost.
The NYC Department of Social Services
In addition, counties have facilities where individuals can learn about and apply for financial assistance. To find one, check on Google. In the Sources & Resources section below are links to several social services departments. They include New York State and counties within it.
The Blue Zones Discovery may not be what people are being led to believe. This study was originally one of observation not one of cause and effect. Therefore it has caused some confusion.
Communities of people who compose Blue Zones did not set out to exceed average lifespans. Instead, the study showed that Blue Zones of people lives coincidently exceeded the average not always healthy lifespan. Let me continue to clarify this situation.
The Blue Zones Solution, Living and Eating Like the World’s Healthiest . . . .
The Study
A group of three men, primarily Dan Buettner conducted a study on the lifespans of people throughout the world. Where ever there were clusters of people who exceeded the average lifespan, especially centenarians, were circled in blue marker. For lack of a more original name, the name ‘Blue Zones’ was adopted. Therefore the discovery of blue zones was an exercise in observation. In conclusion, their existence became the foundation of the Blue Zones Discovery study.
Blue Zone, Ikaria, Greece from Shutterstock.com
What are ‘Blue Zones,’ and do they really hold the secrets to …
“For more than a decade, author Dan Buettner has been working to identify hot spots of longevity around the world. With the help of the National Geographic Society, Buettner set out to locate places that not only had high concentrations of individuals over 100 years old, but also clusters of people who had grown old without health problems like heart disease, obesity, cancer, or diabetes. His findings—along with easy steps you can take to live more like these cultures—can be found in his book, The Blue Zones Solution.”
Blue Zone, Okinawa, Japan from Shutterstock.com
Location of world Blue Zones
Icaria: A small Greek island in the Aegean sea Ogliastra, Sardinia: A region of an Italian island in the Mediterranean Okinawa: An island off the coast of Japan Nicoya Peninsula: A peninsula in eastern Costa Rica The Seventh-day Adventists in Loma Linda: A community in the hilly valleys of California
Blue Zone, Sardinia from Shutterstock.com
The Blue Zones: The World’s Healthiest Populations from fullscript.com
“Natural movement. Individuals living in Blue Zone regions engage in everyday physical activities, such as gardening, walking, and climbing hills and mountains.
“Sense of purpose. One’s purpose in life, referred to as Ikigai in Okinawa and plan de vida in Nicoya (which translates to “why I wake up in the morning”), contributes to human longevity and overall health and well-being.”
Blue Zone, Loma Linda, California from Shutterstock.com
“Stress management. Although stress is nearly impossible to avoid, chronic (long-term) stress can wreak havoc on the body. When left unaddressed, chronic stress may contribute to inflammation and certain health conditions, such as heart disease and depression.
Blue Zone, Costa Rica from Shutterstock.com
“80% rule. People in the Blue Zones tend to avoid overeating by eating until their stomachs are about 80% full. Many individuals also eat smaller meals throughout the day and abstain from eating late in the evening.”
IN CONCLUSION
Although we may be far from having a planet full of blue zones, studying the ones that already exist can be very helpful. Even though we cannot change certain characteristics of people’s lives and environments, there is much that can be done for the future.
Therefore in studying what man in harmony with his nature can create, there is hope that the overall well being of humans on the planet can improve resulting in many more blue zones of healthier, happy people.
The Gala Fresh Farms supermarket deli in Baldwin, LI, NY now offers customers international and other freshly prepared gourmet foods. In fact, these new prepared foods are truly unique since other local community supermarkets do not carry them or other international gourmet type foods of this quality.
The deli section of the supermarket. Photo by Gala Fresh Farms.
Deli Department This department is managed by international cook Sumir (or Sammy) who started working at Gala Fresh about 6 months ago. He is Bedoin and speaks 6 languages. International cook Sumir has brought a unique, delicious addition to locally available prepared foods.
GALA FRESH FARMS DELI SAMPLE MENU
Included in these new deli specialities are superbly prepared international and traditional foods. Here are some of them.
Italian specialties: Made from natural rice, quality meats, cheeses, vegetable and sauce
Italian Arancini Rice balls photo from the goodcooking.co.uk• rice balls
• eggplant parmigiana,
• breaded fried eggplant
• broccoli rabe with sausage
International specialties: made from whole grains, vegetable, and dried fruits Quinoa Salad, photo from the gardengrazer.com• Quinoa salad
• Couscous salads
A variety of grilled vegetables: Made from fresh vegetables with a drizzle of oil Argentina grilled eggplant by Ben Fink, photo from Global Grill Greats
• eggplant
• summer squash
• zucchini
• broccoli rabe
• red, orange, yellow, and green peppers
Traditional food: Made from the freshest ingredients
• old fashioned bread pudding Bread pudding, photo from reference.com
Pictured here are the two types of yogurts I use. They are not the only brands that can be used.
There are two types of yogurt that I use in recipes.
For example, one is for preparing dense foods while the other is primarily for fermenting recipes for beverages. These types of yogurts are named full fat (strained) greek yogurt and (an unstrained) probiotic yogurt.
Trying to strain greek (strained) yogurt to make whey makes a mess.
PRECAUTION
Before I provide recipes for both types of yogurt, it is important to explain the necessity of which yogurt to use.
For example, straining the wrong type of yogurt can lengthen the process, waste yogurt as well as making a mess. In fact, the recipe may not work at all.
The reason is that greek yogurt is already strained yogurt. In fact that is one of its main properties. This photo shows the mess I made from trying to strain greek yogurt to make whey.
FOOD RECIPE
Dried edible flower petals
Yogurt Pudding with Edible Flower Petals. Transfer the contents of a container of greek yogurt into a serving container that has a cover. Remember, do not strain the yogurt.
Flavor enhancer: Add extracts to the yogurt like vanilla, almond or orange. In addition, add shaved chocolate to the top before serving.
Next, sprinkle the yogurt with edible flowers. this picture shows what they look like. In fact, they are easily found on Amazon. Before serving, cover the container and let the recipe sit.
Actually, while this treat is waiting to be served the edible flowers will blossom and become full petals again. Finally, you will be amazed at how beautiful it looks upon serving.
Greek yogurt with edible flower petals
BEVERAGE RECIPE
Fermented Limeade or Lemonade This is one of my favorite summertime thirst quenchers. In fact, there is a bottled lemon and limeade that is so pure that I do not have to squeeze my own citrus. To prepare this recipe all that is necessary is to add whey to an almost full bottle. Just remove some juice to make room for the whey at the top. Pictured here are the perfect bottled limeade to use, the perfect yogurt and how the whey should look.
Making Whey This is a process that requires carefully following the directions. This is when the type of yogurt used is crucial. Remember, use only unstrained yogurt. Above is a photo of the perfect bottled limeade, perfect yogurt, and the right whey.
Homemade limeade with a homemade label on the ideal bottle for fermented limeade for refrigeration.
Do not use greek yogurt. In fact, the reason is explained above. Use only unstrained yogurt. The whey made from unstrained yogurt should look like this picture once it is strained. It should be mostly clear. A bit of cloudiness at the bottom is acceptable.
The Finished Product This is most delicious refreshing fermented beverage. Once the fermentation process is complete, put the limeade is this type of bottle. Recycled grolsch beer bottles are perfect for the job. In fact, you don’t have to buy all that beer first. This type of bottle can be gotten new and reused online.
I have only found one Furla bags in person. In fact it is a round and fire engine red. It is similar to the one pictured here. Therefore, I had to have it.
My discovery of a Fabulous Furla Handbag is part of an interesting story. First of all, FURLA handbags were unknown to me. Not only that, I had no idea of its value. Most unusual was my introduction to this Furla bag. It was by coincidence that I found it when I attended a local community Thrift sale.
My First Furla I loved it, especially the unique round shape and bright color. First of all, it was fire engine red. Second of all, and rarely found, it was round. How rare is a round red handbag?! I had to have it.
History of Furla
That was the first time I heard of Furla. In fact, it was the only time for many years to come. When I did hear their name again, it was because I discovered a totally different kind of Furla bag online, such as the Jelly, Candy, and Re-Candy collections. In fact, they could not have been more different from their original rich leather predecessors that launched the company almost 100 years earlier in 1927 in Bologna Italy by Aldo Furlanetto.
Questions and Answers
Since much has changed since the founding of the wholesale leather goods company in 1927, a number of questions about Furla came to mind. Fortunately I found some answers in the article, Furla Bags-Handbag, Your Next Shoes
Question: Is Furla a luxury brand? Answer:Yes, sort of. “One of the biggest debates around Furla is whether the brand falls into the ‘luxury’ category. It’s not on the same level as Gucci or Chanel, but it’s not at the level of Longchamp or Kate Spade.
Furla sits comfortably in the spot known as ‘accessible luxury’. While their bags won’t break the bank, they’re investment pieces that will last you a lifetime, with impeccable Italian craftsmanship.” Furla Bags-Handbag, Your Next Shoes
For example, these are accessible luxury bags more prestigious than Coach, let’s say, Kate Spade, and Dooney & Bourke, for example. Luxurious Furla soft leather bags costing over $500.
Question:How Can you Tell if a Furla is a Fake? Answer: 6 Best ways to identify fake Furla bags
“When we think of counterfeit bags, it’s usually top-tier luxury brands that jump to mind. The counterfeit or ’super fake’ market is larger than ever and becoming more prominent thanks to social media platforms like TikTok.
Brands at the attainable luxury price point are also finding themselves becoming victims of the counterfeiting industry. As a timeless brand with versatile designs, it’s no surprise that Furla has joined this list.
The best way to ensure that you’re purchasing a genuine Furla bag is to buy directly from the brand or an authorized stockist like Saks Fifth Avenue or Farfetch. If you’re planning to purchase a Furla bag pre-loved from a website or store, you want to know what signs to look out for.” Furla Bags-Handbag, Your Next Shoes
Second Generation Furla
There are actually two things that contribute to the collectability of Furla bags. The first is the Furla-Brand concept that was established when Aldo’s children Carlo, Paolo and Giovanna joined their father in the company. In fact, this was in the 1970s. Then the second aspect is part of the next generation which is described below.
Believed to be birthed in this century the Yellow school bag is a knockout.
The Next Generation
Question:What brought about the dramatic addition changing the style from solely traditional quality leather goods to include nylon and rubber? Answer:This latest collection is attributed to Giovanna. It has actually breathed new, vibrant life into an already outstanding accessible luxury European handbag and accessories dynasty. Most importantly, this latest collection includes an emphasis on recyclability and sustainability. In fact, the fun Furla designs collection follows for viewing.
Furla Bloom Bag Made with a paperlike fabric and biodegradable from New Arrivals
Furla Candy Bag A purple Furla Candy bag on ebay.com
Furla Jelly Bag Great looking Furla Jelly Bag in light blue on Poshmark.com
The Latest Furla
Furla Re•candy Bag The Furla Re•candy Bag is currently one of the hottest fashion statements amongst young and Gen z women. In addition, this new Re•candy is totally recyclable. This is all due to the fact that this fine leatherware company has also a growing focus on recyclability and sustainability. Furla-Re•candy exhibit at the 2022 Milan Fashion Week featured in a Town & Country article, photo courtesy of Furla.
A pair of hot pink Oka b ballet shoes with a bow on the back from oka-b.com
Patent Leather Perfection is the name of my latest handbag discovery. In fact, it came about completely by accident. I was looking for details about a pair of hot pink Oka b ballet shoes.
Somehow I landed on Pinterest after searching on Instagram and there they were. Not the Oka b hot pink ballet shoes but a whole new collection of handbags.
Pink + Orange Matched to perfection, of course because I love pink. On Pinterest, I found a purse that fits into Patent Leather Perfection. Actually it’s a perfect match to the pink Oka b slip ons.
A pink + orange purse found on Pinterest.com
Green + Pink Jelly Couture Pink Meadow Limited Edition Then I found another bag not only with pink but also in my favorite, popular color combination of green with pink.
Pink and Green Jelly Couture Pink Meadow Limited Edition on Pinterest.com
Arcadia and Furla Round Bags Not only am I partial to certain color combinations but I also adore certain brands and shapes of handbags and shoes. Yes, Arcadia is one of them and Furla is the other. Both are unique to their brand. They’re round and both are part of patent leather perfection.
Here are two collectible round bags. One is an orange Arcadia. The other is a red Furla.
Speaking of Furla I found the most outrageous Furla bags on Pinterest. I adore them. In fact, I wish I could afford them. There is no coincidence that Furla named this style their jelly and candy collection.
A Furla handbag in red-white-and-blue from their jelly collection on Pinterest.com
A vintage Victor 63 key adding machine on Pinterest. com
Guide to Choosing a Credit Card from Upon Arriving.com
