Here’s the Hidden Hospice Help Medicare Offers!

Greetings and may this blog find you in amazing health 💪 with your Medicare insurance coverage 🏥 working properly.

The Annual Election Period began Tuesday, October 15th 😱!   It’s been fun catching up with so many of you all over the place.

If you’re happy with your coverage, you may not have to do anything, most plans will roll over automatically. We have till December 7th and there are plenty of slots in November.

If you want us to give your plan the once over BEFORE setting an appointment, shoot us an email and I’ll let you know if you actually need to book a time.

If you have a pressing issue that needs immediate attention, please use this email link and Gray will make sure we get it done.

If your drugs, doctors, or your plan have changed significantly, book a time on my calendar here 🗓️. No need to fill out a new drug list.

Just remember to IGNORE the telemarketers📞⚠️☠️ and the misleading TV ads. Plato says Halloween is scary enough, don’t let the bad guys get you!

Plato among the Halloween decorations at Karl's house in Colorado.

I’m happy to report that Q made it home safely on Monday after adding 9 countries to her total of 82! Plato couldn’t contain himself (and yes I gave him a bath before she arrived).

Plato greeting Q at the Denver airport.

Once she gets settled, we will be sending out the honey🍯🐻 to everyone who was kind enough to give us a review on Google or Facebook. We still have plenty so feel free to click the links if you’ve been pleased with our service.

A honey bear container of honey from The Big 65 and Karl Bruns-Kyler.

This week I received helpful advice from several amazing clients in hospice. You might think hospice care is only for the final days of life, but for Medicare recipients diagnosed with Dementia, Alzheimer’s, or Parkinson’s, qualifying for hospice earlier could improve quality of life significantly and reduce some costs.

Here’s a simplified guide on why you should consider hospice sooner—and when it might be too early.

A pink sky in the distance.

Hospice isn’t just for cancer patients—it also supports those with advanced Dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s, providing care when symptoms become severe, quality of life declines, or when curative treatments are no longer effective.

Plato with a jar of honey on his head.

Hospice care may be accessed by someone with Dementia, Alzheimer’s, or Parkinson’s when they show a major decline in their mental or physical abilities.

This could mean they struggle with basic tasks like eating, bathing, or moving around. Other signs include rapid weight loss, ongoing infections like pneumonia, difficulty recognizing family members, or frequent trips to the hospital. These changes can indicate it’s time to consider hospice support.

Here are some benefits people receive under hospice care:

  • Pain and symptom management
  • Medical care from doctors and nurses specialized in end-of-life care
  • Emotional and spiritual support for the patient and family
  • Medications
  • Medical equipment (e.g., hospital bed, wheelchair) and supplies (e.g., bandages)
  • Assistance with personal care, such as bathing and dressing
  • Respite care for family caregivers
  • Grief counseling and bereavement support for loved ones
  • 24/7 access to care and support

Nicholas posing with friends.
Hospice care is not available for individuals with mild memory loss or occasional confusion.

If someone can still handle daily activities with minimal help and their condition is stable, managed by medication or therapy, hospice benefits wouldn’t be available.

The good news is that Plato still knows where he lives.

Plato on a sidewalk in front of a tree.

To start hospice care, talk to your primary doctor or specialist to see if it’s the right time. You can also contact a hospice provider directly—they’ll work with your doctor to assess eligibility and guide you through your Medicare benefits.

The bottom line, if you or someone you know is struggling with these issues, hospice may offer additional tools for the individual and the family. Share this if you think it will help.

Fortunately Annette and Mark’s Mastiff named Boris shows no sign of decline, even if he does believe he is the world’s largest Beanie Baby 😆!

Annette and Mark's Mastiff named Boris.

And even though Annabelle and Daisy Mae may not the win the largest Beanie Baby award compared to Boris, I still think Frank and Brigitte own two of the cutest critters I’ve seen in a while.

Frank and Brigitte holding two cute dogs.

Finally, here’s a big shout out to Wietze in Georgia. He’s in his fifth year of volunteering with the AARP Foundation Tax Aid Program. In this program, people can get their taxes done for free, yes FREE.

The primary clients are low income seniors but the only limitations are that the return cannot be too complicated. If you need help or would like to volunteer, check out the link. Thanks to Wietze for sharing!

Wietze in Georgia sitting a table with a laptop and notepad.

Keep squeezing the juice out of life and look for ways to help others!

If family or friends need help… referrals are the lifeblood of my business.

If you know someone who might like to receive The Big 65 newsletter, forward this link.

Medicare questions or problems?

Book a time on my calendar or email Gray, Gray@theBig65.com.

Let us know what’s going on and please send pictures :).

Karl Bruns-Kyler
(877) 850-0211
Book a time on my calendar here
Happy with my Service? Click Here to Leave a Review.


Karl Bruns-Kyler is a Medicare insurance broker and independent Medicare agent licensed to help Medicare recipients in thirty states around the country, including:

Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin

The Big 65 Medicare Insurance Services does not offer every plan available in your area. Currently, we represent 10 organizations that offer 50 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

A honey bear container of honey from The Big 65 and Karl Bruns-Kyler.