Are people getting the most from programs like medicare and medicaid? The Central Illinois chapter of the Alzheimer's Association held an educational forum today to cover some of the lesser known aspects of those programs.
Brad Ogborn's mother-in-law has Alzheimer's, so he's always searching for information about the disease and how to treat it.
"I'm trying to find out how medicare's going to help out on caregivers and financial aid for my mother-in-law," said Ogborn. "I'm also looking for any new information about research or developments that are coming out."
Like Brad, about two dozen other people attended Saturday's forum, hosted by the Central Illinois chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.
Tammy Hyatt is a counselor for the State Health Insurance Program, also known as SHIP. She says families often don't realize the programs and resources available to them.
"One of the things is medicaid," said Hyatt, who works in constituent services for Illinois State Senator Dave Koehler (D).
"For example, everybody knows that there are food stamps available but they don't realize that it covers so many different things. It covers health insurance, it covers deductibles for part-B, in and out for surgeries, it just covers so many different things."
People who attended Saturday's forum learned about Illinois' Circuit Breaker program, which can covers some prescription costs, and about medicare coverage options they might not have previously been aware of.
"Theyl learn about what their congressman's office can do for them and what their senator's office can do for them," said Nikki Vulgaris, the executive director of the Central Illinois Alzheimer's Association. "And they'll learn about what an attorney's office can do for them as well."
Ken Niekamp tries to attend as many of these gatherings as possible. And he's learned a lot from them.
"I would say the majority of the people involved with Alzheimer's probably don't know all of the ins and outs of the system as far as what's available. I've attended every educational program here that the association offers," said Niekamp.
To contact the Central Illinois chapter of the Alzheimer's Association call 681-1100.
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