This column appears periodically to address your union- or work-related questions.

These questions and answers come via New York State United Teachers' Social Services Department, which helps members and retirees reach appropriate health-care providers in their communities. For info, call (800) 342-9810, ext. 6206, or e-mail socsvcs@nysutmail.org.

Here are some typical questions:

I teach on Long Island and my 85-year-old mother lives alone in the Buffalo area. She's doing well, but I worry about her all the time. How can I convince her to move in with me?

Often a major disruption for an elderly person is not the best idea. There are wonderful in-home services for older people in her area. The Erie County Department of Senior Services can send a case manager to mom's house - at no charge - to assess how she's managing, and suggest services in her area. They may suggest she purchase a personal response system or adaptive equipment to make daily activities safer, or recommend a daily telephone reassurance call from another senior, and a home attendant to do food shopping, light housekeeping, and drive her to doctors' appointments. You can worry less about your mother, and she gets to safely stay in the home she loves for a while longer.

I'm 76 and having trouble walking. I have been using the same doctor for 37 years. My doctor feels my discomfort is "old age" and has refused to take an X-ray or MRI to confirm his diagnosis, even though I've requested them. How can I get him to pursue this?

You probably can't. It may be time for a change. There are doctors, called geriatricians, who specialize in treating people over age 55. They know the difference between aging and illness. Geriatricians will schedule longer visits so they can review medications carefully, and make sure you understand what course of treatment they are recommending.

My neighbor told me Medicare pays for his home care. I need help, too. Will it pay for my home care?

Under certain circumstances, Medicare pays for home health care. To get medical home health:

• Your doctor must decide that you need medical care in your home and make a plan for your care at home;

• You must need at least one of the following: part-time skilled nursing care, physical therapy, or speech language pathology services;

• You must be homebound - when you leave home, it must be infrequent, for a short time, or to get medical care; and

• The home health care agency must be approved by the Medicare program.

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