Our GOAL is to remain in our own homes for as long as possible and move to assisted living when the time comes or something traumatic occurs. In the meantime, here are some helpful suggestions and information on health, safety, caregiving, living alone, and getting financial help.

VA Aid and Attendance Pension

Did you know the VA will help pay for an Aide or Caretaker to come into the home to care for a Veteran, Veteran's Spouse, or a Widowed Spouse of a Veteran? The Aid or Caretaker CAN be a family member as long as they are not living in the home.

This Aid and Attendance Pension will help pay the costs of assisted living also. The amount of money that the VA pays is determined according to income versus expenses ....whether it's a Veteran, a Couple, or a Widowed Spouse of a Veteran.

Generally, to qualify for this TAX FREE monthly pension from the VA , the Veteran must have served in the military during a period of war, had an honorable discharge, and assets cannot be in excess of $35,000 depending on whether it is a couple or single veteran or widowed spouse. The main home and auto are excluded from asset determination.

This Pension won't pay the utility bill, etc.... It is only for CARE or MEDICAL help. If qualified, the Widowed Spouse of a Veteran could get as much as $998 month. The Veteran could get $1554, and a Couple could get $1842. This benefit is TAX FREE and is in addition to Social Security.

Be sure to call Azalea Manor to get more information about this VA Pension. We have brochures, forms, contact information, and everything you need to get qualified.

Medications

One of the major problems with seniors is they don't take their medicine at the right time, or they forget to take it, or they take too much. Having several different doctors prescribing medicine for you can become confusing. Make sure each doctor has a list of ALL your medications. One way to help with these problems is to get your pharmacy to bubble package all medications on a weekly basis. With bubble packaging, all your morning meds are in ONE little bubble. It is the same for lunch, supper, and bedtime medications.

Bubble packaging is safe, convenient, and much better than those plastic weekly pill containers. If you drop a bubble package, all your pills don't fall out! You can get these bubble packages on a weekly basis or monthly. NOTE: When you go to the doctor, take your bubble package with you so the doctor knows all the medications you are on.

Atkins Apothecary

Atkins Apothecary (30 South Fairground Street, Marietta, Georgia) is a small, private pharmacy which provides personal customer services to accommodate whatever your needs. They will call the doctor for refills, package the meds in the convenient bubble packages, and deliver to your home (in the local area). All you have to do is CALL THEM: 770 422-0555. Ward Sachs, Gene Atkins, and Hope Atkins will be happy to help you keep up with your medications' routine. They have been in business more than 30 years and have a good reputation. They're honest, and prices are about the same as any other pharmacy in the area. They don't charge extra for local delivery, so check them out to see if they can help you. They accept most insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid. Besides, they're friendly and will watch out for you.

You've fallen, and you can't get up.

Radio Shack sells a transmitter which is like a pendant and worn around the neck. It's lightweight, and all you have to do is press the button on the front when you get in trouble. Phone numbers are programmed in so that once you press the button, these numbers are called one at a time. If the first number doesn't answer, it rings the next number and so-forth until someone answers. That person hears a tone that alerts them of your emergency call. These pendants cost less than $100 and are very dependable. They run on batteries, and should be worn at all times.