Page 14 - Boca ViewPointe - October '21
P. 14
Page 14, Viewpointe October 2021
The Sleeping Giant Awakens
By Harold Katz, R.Ph. medical effort by pharmacists will be well received.
7. The number of pharmacists with different ethnic
Everyone is aware of the backgrounds has increased dramatically. This makes
life-saving work done by counselling with local minority populations even better.
doctors, nurses, and first- For all of the above reasons, the future of pharmacy
responders during all phases looks bright. “The sleeping giant has awakened and is
of the pandemic attack. Not ready to serve.” The predicted shortage of doctors and
as widely known, however, is nurses may well be ameliorated somewhat by the corner
that once the President enlisted drug store or big box pharmacist as a source of help or
and authorized their help, the direction. This close relationship already exists in many
nations’ pharmacists joined the areas…perhaps more so in rural parts of the country. By
coronavirus battle. Even though they were late entries into virtue of their education and commitment, they stand ready
the fray, by early August, pharmacists had administered to serve the nation. Medicare and insurance companies be
80 million doses of vaccine, about 25% of the total doses alerted. Let’s make pharmacists full-fledged members of
injected. Furthermore, when the rapid test for COVID-19 the health team!!
became available, this same segment of the health team
“stepped up to the table” and offered this test as well. Harold Katz R.Ph., Edgewater Estates. The writer is a
Pharmacists from big box stores as well as small retired pharmacist, having been licensed in four states.
chains’ stores, and independent pharmacies, all took
part. As soon as they could acquire equipment for proper Paid Advertisement
storage of the vaccine and make special arrangements for
sterile administration, their mission began. To Avoid Probate, Be Sure ALL Accounts Have Beneficiaries
And why not? Some facts that Boca Pointers may not
know:
1. Ninety percent of the population of this country is As an additional homework assignment (for extra credit!),
located within 5 miles of a pharmacy. By Martin Zevin, Attorney consider pre-need plans with a funeral home or cremation society.
2. Many pharmacies were already offering influenza Probate costs thousands of You are paying in advance for your cremation or burial. This
vaccine in season, and other vaccines as well. dollars in attorney’s fees and court eliminates enormous stress and financial pressure from your
Personal Representative. He or she just has to make one phone call.
costs. It can take a year or longer.
3. Pharmacists are well qualified for this effort. For It is an unnecessary burden to put The company with whom you signed the contract picks up your
the last four decades, graduates of pharmacy colleges on your loved ones. body and takes care of the rest. This can be particularly beneficial
in this country earned a PharmD certificate (Doctorate Some people mistakenly believe if you wish to be buried out of state. All arrangements have been
in Pharmacy). It is a six-year course. Additionally, post- that just having a Florida Will prepaid, including with the out of state funeral home. Without the
pre-need contract, your Personal Representative would be at the
avoids Probate. This is not true. A
graduate studies are required annually for renewal of their Will only names who will inherit mercy of a Florida and an out-of state company to make immediate
pharmacy license. your Estate and who will be the decisions, almost always at a much higher cost than what you paid
4. In several published studies in which pharmacists Personal Representative (Executor). when you were alive. If you do sign a pre-need plan, be sure your
Personal Representative has a copy. While this has nothing to do
monitored and advised diabetic patients (in conjunction If you do your homework, your Executor will have very little to do with avoiding probate, it does make things so much easier (and less
and almost nothing to pay.
with their doctor), the patients’ control of their diabetes This is your most important homework assignment: name costly) on your loved ones.
was superior. Similar results were obtained in studies primary and contingent beneficiaries on ALL accounts. If you This article does not discuss ways to avoid probate on your home
involving monitoring patients with high blood pressure have individual accounts, such as IRA’s or regular accounts in or any other real estate you own. Please refer to other articles I
have written recently, which discuss Revocable Living Trusts, Life
and elevated cholesterol levels. All these studies resulted your name alone, designate at least one primary beneficiary and Estate Deeds and other options. Also not discussed here are the
one contingent beneficiary. Beneficiaries are also known as:
in better patient control and fewer hospital visits. payable on death (p.o.d.), transfer on death (t.o.d.) or in trust for advanced care directives (Power of Attorney, Health Care Surrogate
5. Today’s pharmacy and today’s pharmacist are a far (i.t.f.). In some banks, checking accounts are not allowed to have and Living Will) to protect you if you become incapacitated.
cry from the drug store of post-World War II, with its soda beneficiaries. In that case, add someone you trust as joint on the Do everything you can do now, while you are alive and legally
competent. You will be giving your loved ones less stress,
checking account. That will allow the person to write checks if you
fountain and sundries, but even then, it was a focal point become incapacitated. Upon your death, your joint account holder financially and emotionally. You will be giving yourself the greatest
in any neighborhood. can use what’s left to pay for funeral expenses, Death Certificates, gift of all: peace of mind.
6. For several years, in polls taken to compare etc. Anything left over will go to that person without probate. During this current time of “social distancing,” I have been
businesses to their customers and professionals to their If you have joint accounts (with a spouse, significant other, child, consulting with clients via phone, e- mail and regular mail. In the
past, my free initial consultation would normally be a personal
etc.), be sure to name beneficiaries if you should die in a common
patients, the patient/pharmacist relationship was first or accident, or if one of you dies and the survivor forgets to name a meeting. Please feel free to call me for a free phone consultation
high on the list. This strong bond portends that future beneficiary. regarding any issues pertaining to Will, Trusts, Deeds, Probate,
ALL accounts applies to banks, brokers, investments, life Power of Attorney or Health Care Surrogate. I am also available
insurance: anything with a cash value when you die. In my practice, for a free consultation regarding personal injury claims or to explain
car insurance coverage. Call me at (954) 569-4878. My address
I often have to probate the proceeds of a life insurance policy.
Are You Watching Typically, the husband named his wife as primary beneficiary but is 3275 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Suite 204, Deerfield Beach, Fl. 33442.
My web site is www.martinzevinpa.com and my e-mail address is
with no alternates. The wife dies first and then he dies. With no
Your Speed? contingent beneficiaries, there must be probate. martinzevin@netzero.com
Please obey all posted speed limit
signs throughout Boca Pointe for the Everyone deserves a doctor who they
safety of our residents. As a reminder,
the speed limits are as follows: trust and like. One who listens and
Boca Pointe Drive 30mph
Via de Sonrisa del Norte 25mph takes their time to answer questions
Promenade Drive 20mph
SPEEDING FINES ARE NOW and address concerns. A doctor who is
BEING ENFORCED, EFFECTIVE JAN. 2021!!
available when you need them most.
Seeking Viewpointe I provide proactive, preventive, wellness & sick care to
Writers adult patients at my concierge medical practice.
By Lisa Cammaleri To discuss your health needs, and my care model, you
Do you have an interesting story to share? are invited to a complimentary meet and greet with
The Viewpointe is always looking for new and me - by video, phone or, when the pandemic permits,
talented writers to submit articles on current events,
the social scene, restaurants, movies, family matters, in-person at my practice.
village life, etc…
We welcome news from Village Boards about Please call 561.368.0191 to schedule your meet and
activities or events in their community, which would
be of interest to Boca Pointe residents. greet with me. I look forward to meeting you.
Please submit your article to lisa.cammaleri@
fsresidential.com for review and consideration. Steven E. Reznick, MD, FACP
Recognized as a “Best Doc”. Practicing in our community since 1979.
7280 W. Palmetto Park Road | Suite 205N | Boca Raton | 33433
ww.BocaConciergeDoc.com