Page 16 - Senior Times South Central Michigan - June 2016 - 23-06

Page 16
Senior Times - June 2016
Aging and Disability Resource Line: 1-800-626-6719 General Agency Telephone: (269) 966-2450 www.region3b.org/
200 West Michigan Avenue Suite 102, Battle Creek, MI 49017
Summer is here and so is
Senior Project FRESH
By: Stacy Wines, Office Administrator & Agency Planner
I attended my first farmers’ market of the year a couple of weeks ago and I was not disappointed. Fresh rhubarb, asparagus, and radishes were among the most popular
items of purchase. The market was abuzz with people who all agree you can’t beat the taste or value
of fresh produce grown locally. Region 3B Area Agency on Aging will be distributing Senior Project FRESH coupons again this year. Senior Project FRESH assists low- income older adults in purchasing fresh, Michigan grown, fruits and vegetables by distributing $20 in coupons that can be redeemed at local farmers’ markets.
Senior Project FRESH is a program initiated through the Michigan Department of Community Health with administration provided by Region 3B Area Agency on Aging and additional support in Calhoun County provided by the Battle
Creek Community Foundation and Calhoun County Senior Services. The program benefits Calhoun County’s older adults age 60 and over whose gross income is below 185% of the poverty level. For a one person household that would be a monthly gross income below $1,832 and monthly income below $2,470 for a two person household. Contact the Area Agency on Aging for larger household size income limits.
In order to qualify, seniors complete a simple registration application. On the day of the distribution they attend a short informational session about the benefits of healthy eating and instructions on how to use their coupons. At the informational class, each person will be issued one coupon book, worth $20, to be used at local farmers’ markets to purchase Michigan grown produce, herbs
or honey. In order to qualify for
the coupon books, recipients must attend the short nutrition information session at the beginning of their distribution event.
Coupons can be used at any farmers’ market, produce market or roadside stand in Michigan where a “Project FRESH” poster is displayed. You can use your coupons at these Calhoun County locations:
• Athens Farmers’ Market – Fridays 2-6pm
• Albion Farmers’ Market – Wednesdays 3-6pm & Saturdays 9-1pm
• Battle Creek Farmers’ Market – Wednesdays & Saturdays 9-1pm
• Battle Creek VA Hospital (Pavilion on VA Campus) – Mondays 11-1pm
• Bosserd’s Family Farm (Marshall) – Daily 9-6pm
• Homer Farmers’ Market – Saturdays 9-Noon
• Jolly Green Junction (Albion) – Mondays through Saturdays 9-8pm & Sundays 10-5pm
• Kryst Farms (Homer) – Monday through Saturday 10-7pm & Sunday 11-5pm
• Springfield Farmers’ Market – Saturdays 8-1pm
Coupons are limited and will
be distributed while supplies last. Distribution dates and locations will be listed on our website by June 1 at www.region3b.org. There is no need to call in advance to preregister this year. Calhoun County seniors living in the community should attend a distribution at the senior housing location nearest their home, or plan to attend one of the distribution sessions at Kool Family Community Center. Contact Region 3B Area Agency on Aging at (269) 966-2450 for more information. Call us. We’re Here to Help!
Elder Justice and Prevention Hero’s Awards Program
The Calhoun County Elder
Abuse Prevention Coalition will
be hosting the Elder Justice and Prevention Hero’s Awards Program on Thursday, June 23, at 4:30pm,
at the McCamly Plaza Hotel on the 16th floor sponsored by Old National Bank and Region 3B Area Agency on Aging.
Attorney Jim Lance, of Kreis, Enderle, Hudgins & Borsos, P.C.
in Battle Creek will be honored for his efforts in defending seniors in Calhoun County against financial exploitation. Dr. Thomas Jankowski will be the keynote speaker. Dr. Jankowski is the Associate Director for Research at both the Institute of
Gerontology and the Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute. He has written and presented extensively on aging policy and elder economic security.
The Calhoun County Elder Abuse Prevention Coalition works to reduce and prevent the abuse of seniors and vulnerable adults through community awareness, education, coordination and action. It is funded in part by Region 3B Area Agency on Aging and the Calhoun County Office of Senior Services. There is no excuse for elder abuse!
If you are interested in helping sponsor this event or would like to attend, please RSVP by June 13 by calling (269) 966-2450.
My Medicare Matters - MiHealth Link Plans
By Karen Manney, Regional Coordinator, MMAP
MiHealthLink is a program for eligible people who have both Medicare and full Medicaid. In our area, there are two insurance plans providing MiHealthLink coverage: Aetna Better Health Premier Plan and Meridian Complete Plan. These two MiHealth Link providers offer all the health and prescrip-
tion services of Medicare and Medicaid under one provider for the person enrolled.
If you have been passively enrolled by the state into one of MiHealth Link’s two provider plans in our area, you will have received letters about being enrolled into the new plan. Prior to your start month, you should also receive new insurance cards and information about the new plan and your care options.
You may keep the plan assigned, switch to the other provider’s plan, or disenroll. If you disen- roll, you will go back to regular Medicare, a Part D prescrip-
tion plan (you’ll have to sign back up for a prescription plan), and Medicaid coverage. Call Michigan Enrolls at 1-800-975- 7630 to switch plans. Call the MMAP office at 1-800-803- 7174 to sign back up for a Part D Drug plan for your prescrip- tions.
You could save money with
a MiHealthLink plan. You’ll
pay ZERO medication co-
pays, and covered services can include medical transportation to appointments if needed, durable medical equipment and supplies, and even vision and dental care! You will have a Care Manager who coordinates your services and provides the prior authori- zations required before you get medical care. You must use the plan’s doctors and contracted providers with MiHealthLink.
Your MMAP office (Medicare Medicaid Assistance Program) is available for MiHealth Link counseling appointments. Please call the MMAP Hotline at 1-800-803-7174 for assistance or appointments. Battle Creek Office hours are Monday thru Thursday, 8am-4:30pm. MMAP is also available at Forks in Albion (517)629-3842, and at the Calhoun County Office of Senior Services in Marshall (269) 781-0846.
Kinship Korner
Calhoun county Kinship Care Services advocates for and provides supportive services to families raising related children. If you are raising a related child (ages 0-18), you are eli- gible for Kinship Care Services through the Family Enrichment Center. Support groups, helpful workshops and train- ings are available as well as inter-gen- erational family activities. Please call (269) 660-0448 for more information.
Do Yourself a Favor by Attending One of Our Support Groups!
• Join us monthly on the first Tuesday
of each month from 12:30-2:30pm for the Battle Creek Kinship Support Group. We meet in the All Purpose room at the Westlake Presbyterian Church. Our June meeting will
be from 9am-3pm on the 1st. We will be making fleece tie blankets. Support groups nurture relationships, decrease isolation and provide a safe place to vent. Support groups build on collective energy, creativity, and the talents of all group members. The next meeting is on June 1. Consider visiting a support group. You won’t regret it!
• On Monday, June 13, from 6:30- 8:30pm, the Foster and Adopt Support Group will be given a train- ing to be announced by PARC.
• On Monday, June 20, Jane Wolf will discuss “Parenting the High Needs Child” at the Family Enrichment Center from 6:30-8:30pm.
• There will be no “Saturday Parenting Series” training for June. However, the Kinship Campference is sched- uled for Saturday, June 25 from 8:30am-4:00pm. It includes over 4 hours of kinship based training and lots of fun activities for the fami- lies that attend. Please call Susan at (269) 788-0923 or Beckie at (269) 788-0922 to request a brochure. Registration deadline is June 1. Free child care is available for preschool aged children.
• We are interested in hearing your opinion on how we can better serve the Kinship community. Please
give Beckie a call or e-mail her at bbrinks@fecfamily.com. Your input will be appreciated.
We, at the Kinship Program, have the ability and desire to support thosewho are raising their young relatives. We have the means to help provide neces- sities and enrichment activities for the children in your care. We also have the experience and knowledge to advocate for you and give advice on how to navi- gate through issues as they develop.
Family Enrichment Center
415 S. 28th Street Battle Creek, MI 49015
Ph: (269) 660-0448
Fx: (269) 963-0160 www.Fecfamily.com
HEALTH. INDEPENDENCE. CHOICE.