Page 10 - Senior Times South Central Michigan - October 2017 - 24-10

Page 10
Senior Times - October 2017
VINTAGE REVIVED LLC
Modern Vintage, Custom Unique & Some Antique
updates on your
From this ... to ahh!
We LOVE to help re-imagine YOUR HOME'S TREASURES
SENIOR PROGRAMS
2517 W Dickman Rd, Battle Creek • 269-753-1903
OPEN: Wed-Fri 12-6pm • Sat 10am-5pm • Tues by Appointment
Stacey Lott
Attorney at Law
Estate Planning & Elder Law
269.963.8222
130 East Columbia Avenue Battle Creek, MI 49015
www.staceylottlaw.com
CERTIFIED BENEFIT ADVISORS
Trust Seminar
Learn About Medicare Options
■ Medicare Supplements ■ Medicare Advantage
■ Part D (RX) Drug Plans
Planning & Protection
■ Safe Money Retirement Planning
■ Life "Burial" Insurance
The State Bar of Michigan will be holding a seminar regarding important information for seniors and their families on how to avoid common estate planning mistakes. Attend this informal 60 min- ute seminar on October 11 at 12:30pm at the Barry County Commission on Aging located at 320 W. Woodlawn Avenue in Hastings. There will be a short presenta-
tion by Michigan licensed lawyers, fol- lowed by a question and answer period.
This is a statewide program designed to help protect seniors against annuity scams. All in attendance will receive a folder with pertinent information about estate planning and recognizing the warn- ing signs of fraud. Call (269) 948-4856 or (517) 346-6343 for more information.
Find The Right Coverage Provider
We represent over 30 different carriers to make sure you find the right coverage that works best for you.
HELPING YOU PROTECT YOUR TOMORROW TODAY!
Call us today to set up your FREE consultation.
269-979-8600
www.certifiedbenefitadvisors.com
100 Country Pine Lane, Suite 2, Battle Creek, MI 49015
Serving all of Southwest and South Central Michigan including these cities: Battle Creek, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Benton Harbor, Coldwater, Hillsdale, Sturgis, Charlotte, and surrounding areas
Solving Senior Problems with Senior Solutions
Benefits Counseling
Medicaid and Medicare counseling. Open enrollment, Oct. 15-Dec. 5; call for an appointment.
Calhoun County Sr. Services : 269-781-0846
CareWell Services SW: 269-966-2450 or 866-642-4582 Forks Senior Center – Albion: 269-966-2450 or 866-642-4582
315 West Green Street, Marshall, MI 49068 Office: 269-781-0846
Fax: 269-781-0770 www.calhouncountymi.gov/seniorservices
REVIVED!
SENIOR MILLAGE FUNDED SERVICES HELP WITH LIFE’S PROBLEMS
Calhoun County Senior Services funds a variety of services that help solve legal and financial problems for seniors, age 60 and over.
Here is a personal story about celebrat- ing aging and a problem where a senior needed a little help to right the ship.
My mom, who does not live in Calhoun County, recently turned 80 years old and to celebrate her legacy of love, our family held a birthday party invit- ing everyone she knows. It was a great celebration of life with her four brothers coming from far away to see her, and each other, for the first time since 2002. Helping give care for my mom helps me see the health care challenges and other problems seniors encounter. It was great seeing her so happy and reconnecting with family.
Recently, my Mom’s gas service was cut off because she was switched to paperless billing without her knowledge. She was not receiving a bill and did not realize that three months had gone by, she did not get a shut-off notice and did not know there was a problem until a service representative was in the yard shutting off service. Luckily, the gas company repre- sentative and my brother helped her make phone calls to pay the past due bill over the phone and a crisis was adverted.
While relying on self and family is always the first response, in Calhoun County, Community Action is funded to help pay past due home heating bills for seniors with incomes 200% of poverty or below. The amount of monthly income for 200% of poverty is $2,010 for a household of one and $2,707 for a house- hold of two. Assistance is available for all types of home heating so that seniors are not left out in the cold, and can remain safely in their homes. If help is needed with utility bills, call Community Action at (269) 965-7766 to arrange for an intake interview where income documentation is required.
If a senior is overwhelmed with a
financial problem managing bills or credit cards, Guardian Finance & Advocacy Services offers a Money Management Partners program where a trained finan- cial coach helps organize paperwork, solve financial problems and help pro- tect income and assets. For low-income Calhoun County residents, this service
is available free of charge and for others from many area counties this service is available for a reasonable charge. Call Guardian Finance at (269) 364-6760.
For legal or financial problems that can’t be resolved without legal assistance, Legal Services of South Central Michigan provides legal advice, representation in court and administrative proceedings, and regularly hold legal clinics at area senior centers for low-income seniors. Call Legal Services at (269) 965-3951.
As discussed in other articles in this issue of Senior Times, Medicare and Medicaid open enrollment is being held October 15 through December 7. It is important that seniors take this time to compare plans and figure out the best healthcare policies for their individual sit- uation. Volunteers are trained to help pro- vide advice and help navigate the com- puter system to check what different plans cover. Many seniors forget to change
their address when they move, and it is very important to do this. Government agencies and insurance companies do
not know you have moved unless you
tell them. Call CareWell Services for benefits counseling in Calhoun and Barry Counties at (269) 966-2450; Calhoun County Senior Services in the Marshall/ Homer areas at (269) 781-0846; or the Forks Senior Center in the Albion area at (517) 629-3842.
It is important to celebrate your mile- stones in life and to ask for help with life’s problems.
Helen Guzzo, MSW, is the Manager of Calhoun County Senior Services, which administers Senior Millage tax dollars. To learn more about services funded
with Senior Millage or to sign up for a Medicare/Medicaid Benefits counsel- ing session, call Calhoun County Senior Services at (269) 781-0846.
Helen Guzzo, Special to Senior Times
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