Everything Elderly is on Saturday mornings at 8:30, on 1290 am WLBY, sponsored by Senior Helpers. This past weekend we had two interesting talks, about Social Security and AccuPax, a medication management system.

Our first guest was Fran Savickis, a public affairs specialist with the Social Security Administration of Southeast Michigan. Fran’s role is to reach out to the public and help educate people about Social Security. She loves talking and does occasional television and radio interviews and also connects with local newspapers, like Annarbor.com and the A2 Journal. She also conducts informational seminars with many groups including seniors, companies, unions and faith-based organizations.

We talked about socialsecurity.gov, the terrific Social Security website. It has been recently updated with easy links to the most popular features. You can apply for Social Security benefits online, as well as file for Medicare. Those already receiving benefits can change their address, change their direct deposit or get a replacement Medicare card online. There’s even a cool Patty Duke video (she’s one of Social Security's spokespeople). The website is getting good traffic, and Fran frequently hears very positive feedback about the website’s convenience and ease of use.

Fran also gave us an update on direct deposit: The agency is going fully electronic. With few exceptions, by March 2013, if you don’t have direct deposit, you will receive a debit card instead of a paper check.

The Extra Help program helps folks with their prescription drug coverage. If you have Medicare coverage and limited income, once you’ve signed up for a prescription plan, the Extra Help program can help pay those insurance premiums. This Extra Help program is probably underutilized. People can learn more and apply for this benefit online.

To get in touch with the Social Security Administration, please call 800-772-1213, or go to the website socialsecurity.gov. If you’d like to listen to the full 12-minute segment click the audio link below:

We had our second discussion with Sheri Dufek with AccuPax. Sheri works with physicians and patients to help better manage prescription medications. She is an RN who went to school at the University of Michigan School of Nursing, and then spent her nursing career at the University of Michigan Hospital.

AccuPax is a full-line pharmacy, with prepackaged medications that are sent out monthly in a box, with the pills sorted by date and time, packaged “like saltine crackers all connected”. The AccuPax process addresses the important basics of medication administration — drugs to the right patient, at the right dose, at the right time.

At age 65, the average American takes seven medications. Those who are older frequently take 10 to 20 prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Medication errors are a huge problem. Medication mistakes account for 28 percent of hospital admissions, and are the main reason for 41 percent of nursing homes admissions. Medication errors are the fifth leading cause of death in this country.

The AccuPax method starts with an inventory of your current medications and verification with your physicians. The pills arrive in a box, with each pill listed (and described) on each individual package, and all the medications are listed on the outside of the box. AccuPax accepts all insurance coverages, and the cost for the shipping and handling is $7.95 per month.

If you would like to contact Sheri Dufek, please call 734-476-6218, or you may go to the website accupax.com. To listen to the full 12-minute discussion click the audio link below:

Alan Caldwell is the owner of Senior Helpers, providing in-home care services, primarily to the elderly. He can be contacted at acaldwell@seniorhelpers.com, or at 734-927-3111.