Access 2 Independence

Access 2 Independence is collaborating with SHIIP on a project to improve access to unbiased Medicare information for those who qualify for Medicare because of a disability.  SHIIP is a statewide program that maintains a network of trained volunteers who serve as medicare peer counselors.  These volunteers make themselves available in their home communities for one-on-one meetings with people who have questions about or problems with Medicare.

Up till now, SHIIP’s primary demographic focus has been older adults.  However, they have recently decided to focus on expanding their services to persons with disabilities (who qualify for Medicare when they qualify for Social Security Disability).  As part of this project, Access 2 Independence has been visiting agencies in the state of Iowa to survey obstacles that people with disabilities encounter in the Medicare program, to introduce them to SHIIP, and to recruit new volunteer counselors.  We are excited to be a part of a project that will benefit people statewide and to begin offering Medicare counseling services out of our Iowa City location.

Members of the SHIIP project team from Access 2 Independence are Abbey Almelien, Aaron Cannon, and Sarah Marcum.  If you would like more information, email Sarah or let us know in the comments!

Both our Independent Living Specialists, Regina Galang and Mike Van Gorder, have been hard at work in educating our consumers on emergency preparedness by conducting classes in the community for the Community Access Specialist project. This pilot project, funded by a grant from the University of Iowa Center of Disabilities and Development and the Centers for Disease Control, emphasizes the importance of persons with disabilities to be prepared in an emergency in Iowa through the 8 steps in emergency preparedness, which are:

1.  Knowing what kinds of emergencies could happen in your area and what to do in the event one of those emergencies occurs. Ask yourself: do you know what to do in case of a blizzard or of a flood, just like what happen in 2008?

2.  Completing a personal assessment. Think about what you will be able to do and what help you may need before, during, and after an emergency. After all, you know yourself the best.

3.  Developing your own support group of family, friends, neighbors, roommates, care providers, and people you work with who could help you in an emergency. These should be people you trust.

4.  Making an emergency information list so others will know whom to call if they find you unconscious, unable to speak, or if they need to help you leave your home quickly.

5.  Making a medical information list with the names and phone numbers of your doctors, your medications, how much you take, and your medical conditions. Write down what special equipment you use, what type of allergies you have, and any communication difficulties you experience.

6.  Try to keep a seven-day supply of medications with you and fill your prescriptions as early as you can. Ask your doctor or pharmacist what you should do if you can’t get more right away. If you get treatments at a clinic or hospital, ask the person who helps you what to do if you can’t get your treatments during an emergency.

7.  Making and maintaining an emergency supply kit in your home, car, workplace, and anywhere you spend your time. Include food, water, a first aid kit, adaptive equipment, batteries, and supplies for your pets or service animals.

8.  Making your home, school or work a safer place. Know evacuation routes and safe places to go during an emergency. Checking hallways, stairwells, doorways, windows, and other areas for problems that may keep you from safely leaving a building during an emergency. Secure or move furniture that may block your path. Install at least one smoke alarm on each floor in your home and test them every month. Know the difference between a tornado watch and a warning.  Know how to correctly respond to each alert.  Know where the controls for your water, electricity, gas and sewer are and learn how and when to turn them off during an emergency.

Preparing for an emergency or disaster can seem like a daunting task.  Not everything needs to be done at once.  You may want to begin by undertaking those tasks that will be most important to you in the event of any emergency.

SOME PLAN IS BETTER THAN NO PLAN

You can do it!