Help with Medicare Part D This is a four part series taken from Dr. Rhodes' award winning newspaper column, Our Parents, Ourselves. Learn what to look for in a plan, discover the "nuts and bolts" of Medicare Part D and find out how to apply for "extra help." Click Here. Family Medical Leave Act In 1993, Congress passed the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Employers with 50 or more employees must allow their workers at least 12 weeks of unpaid leave for a family member who is seriously ill. The law defines family members as the worker's spouse, parent or child. If you are caring for your in-law or grandparent, the law does not apply. To qualify, you must have worked for the company an average of 24 hours or more per week for at least one year. Your company must give you full health benefits during your leave and you are entitled to get your old job back or another position with equivalent duties, same salary and benefits. The Department of Labor web site provides you with details on the law and what your rights are under the Family Medical Leave Act. Understanding what you doctor is telling you Most older people see between three and four different specialists every year and find it difficult to understand all of the medical terms being used. Print a copy of a "Medical Terms Cheat Sheet" that will help you understand the most common terms in medicine and take it to your doctor appointments or use while you read your medical reports. If you want the equivalent of a textbook on medical terms then pick up the Webster's New World Medical Dictionary or go online to explore terms and their meaning at www.medicinenet.com . Both will also offer you explanations of medical tests and procedures. New Tool to Test Older Driver Skills at Home The American Automobile Association has created a CD-ROM that helps older drivers measure their ability and fitness for driving in visual, mental and physical responses. You can take this in the privacy of your own home on a personal computer. Call your local AAA to purchase a copy. Go to their national web site at www.aaa.com to locate an office nearest you. Nursing Home Navigator Researching a good nursing home (skilled nursing facility) is no small task, especially if you're doing the research during a medical crisis. This navigational guide gives you a solid start advising you on what questions to ask, reports to read and people to ask. There are three parts to the guide: Part 1: Identifies questions you can ask over the phone to narrow your search. Ask to speak to the Admissions Director. Part 2: Centers on Nursing Home Survey and Inspection Reports. It guides you on how to get the reports, what to look for, and how to interpret the findings. Part 3: Gives you a list of things to look for when you visit the facility. Throughout the guide you're given tips to help you better understand why you're asking these questions. Feel free to make copies of this guide for each facility you research. Click here to download the Guide. Online Resources There is a wealth of information and resources available on the Internet but it can also be overwhelming. We've identified some of the top web sites that can help you with caregiving resources, government services and benefits, senior health, and general topics in aging. Click here for our hyperlinked resource list.