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MEDICARE COVERAGE FOR HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE TO BE ADDRESSED AT SAGE

On Wednesday, September 15th, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., SAGE Eldercare in Summit will host Overlook Hospital nurses Rita Dyer, MSN, APN-C, and Michele Cameron, MA, BSN, RN, to discuss palliative care and Medicare hospice care coverage questions.  As guests of SAGE's monthly P.R.E.P. (People Responsible for Elderly Persons) Caregivers Support Group, Ms. Dyer and Ms. Cameron will present their information and answer questions from group members.  The program is free and open to the public.

Ms. Dyer, a specialist in Palliative Care and Geriatrics with Atlantic Health Systems, will explain how palliative care, an interdisciplinary care aimed at relieving suffering and improving quality of life while a patient is being treated, differs from hospice, which focuses solely on the terminally ill.  She will discuss how to approach difficult treatment decisions—what you should know and who you can ask for help.  Ms. Cameron, from Atlantic Home Care & Hospice, will address misconceptions about Medicare, and help set the record straight about what services are covered if a loved one needs home care or hospice.

Ellen McNally, SAGE's Director of InfoCare and facilitator of the P.R.E.P. program, often solicits help from local professionals who are willing to discuss their areas of expertise with caregivers.  According to Ms. McNally, presentations are always well received.  "The caregivers in the group are often dealing with very stressful situations and are very appreciative of the information they get."  P.R.E.P.'s relaxed atmosphere encourages a give-and-take between the speakers and audience.

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The monthly P.R.E.P. meetings and specially scheduled presentations are held at SAGE's headquarters at 290 Broad Street, Summit, 7-9 PM on the third Wednesday of every month.  For more information or to register for the September presentation or future meetings, call Ellen McNally at 908-598-5509 or email emcnally@sageeldercare.org.  To learn more about SAGE Eldercare's programs and services, please visit our website at www.sageeldercare.org.

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