Participation Type
Panel
Session Title
Session 11.06 Education
Presentation #1 Title
Intergenerational Opportunities in Elder Care
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
The elderly are one of the most vulnerable populations in the nation, and in Appalachia this group has special challenges in the health care arena. A large problem in the U.S. is Medicare and Medicaid fraud, which costs the government $60-90 billion annually and has a tremendous impact on senior citizens who rely on this government benefit. A persistent challenge is education of the elderly to ensure that they understand their Medicare benefits and how to protect, detect, and prevent the fraudulent use of their accounts, which can delay or preclude critical treatment. Rural seniors are particularly vulnerable because they are frequently targeted by criminal enterprises. The Senior Medicare Patrol program was established to ensure efficient delivery of services and protect the health of seniors. The Morehead State University chapter of SMP in eastern Kentucky has enlisted the help of college students in the Robinson Scholars Program at the University of Kentucky to assist in educating seniors about their Medicare plans as a way to prevent fraud. Because the Robinson Scholars Program aims to involve its students in their eastern Kentucky communities, this partnership creates multiple possibilities for intergenerational assistance to senior citizens.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Our Senior Mediare Patrol Program is focused on educating the senior citizen population about fraud, waste and abuse of the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Alyssa Elswick is a junior biology major and a Robinsons Scholar at the University of Kentucky.
Intergenerational Opportunities in Elder Care
Harris Hall 138
The elderly are one of the most vulnerable populations in the nation, and in Appalachia this group has special challenges in the health care arena. A large problem in the U.S. is Medicare and Medicaid fraud, which costs the government $60-90 billion annually and has a tremendous impact on senior citizens who rely on this government benefit. A persistent challenge is education of the elderly to ensure that they understand their Medicare benefits and how to protect, detect, and prevent the fraudulent use of their accounts, which can delay or preclude critical treatment. Rural seniors are particularly vulnerable because they are frequently targeted by criminal enterprises. The Senior Medicare Patrol program was established to ensure efficient delivery of services and protect the health of seniors. The Morehead State University chapter of SMP in eastern Kentucky has enlisted the help of college students in the Robinson Scholars Program at the University of Kentucky to assist in educating seniors about their Medicare plans as a way to prevent fraud. Because the Robinson Scholars Program aims to involve its students in their eastern Kentucky communities, this partnership creates multiple possibilities for intergenerational assistance to senior citizens.
