Page 16 - Senior Times South Central Michigan - July 2019 - 26-07

Page 16 Senior Times - July 2019
200 West Michigan Avenue Suite 102 Battle Creek, MI 49017
www.region3b.org
My Medicare Matters – MMAP Volunteers Needed
By: Karen Courtney, Regional MMAP Coordinator, CareWell Services SW
Get Outside, July is National Recreation and Park Month
By: Kitty Knoll, Senior Center Coordinator, Heritage Commons
Potential volunteers must apply, be interviewed and background checked, attend a pre-training orientation, and complete 8-10 hours of online study modules prior to attending three on-site training days. The on-site trainings take place at various locations around the state, MMAP covers mileage and hotel/meals if training is a distance away. Training is not always immediately available,
as a minimum class size must be reached prior to holding classes, and mentors must be available to co-counsel and job shadow prior to volunteers working solo.
Seniors, specifically, are targeted by scammers. Older adults may be more vulnerable
to financial exploitation and scams due to their steady income, trusting nature, and, possibly,
due to cognitive impairments or conditions that affect decision making.
claiming to be from one of these institutions, DO NOT provide any contact information.
It’s also important to know
that all solicitors in the City of Battle Creek require a license. Check with your local clerk before purchasing anything from someone selling door-to-door. You can verify whether or not a person providing home repair, building, or other trades has an appropriate license through the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs at (517) 241-6470.
July is National Recreation and Park month! I want to tell you about a best-kept secret right here in Calhoun County: the Calhoun County Trailway. This is one “secret” you should be sure to tell all your friends!
well as bridges and sculptures for your enjoyment. The
Ott Biological Preserve
and Kimball Pines are also connected by the Trailway system.
Aging and Disability Resource Line: 1-800-626-6719 General Agency Telephone: (269) 966-2450
The CareWell Services Southwest Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) needs long-term volunteers for Calhoun and Barry Counties!
We seek highly detail oriented people who like to problem solve, love a challenge, enjoy working with people, easily use computers and the internet, and who have a sincere desire to help others understand their health benefits. Our Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program volunteers assist individuals one-on-one
at various community sites like senior centers. You must be comfortable engaging with all people, regardless of age, race, socio-economic status, or mental/ cognitive capacity.
The Calhoun County
Trailway system has been
in existence for 16 years.
During that time, the trails
have been growing. There are now several interconnected
trails such as the Iron Belle
Trail, which connects
Calhoun and Jackson
counties, and the Great Lake- to-Lake Trail. The Iron Belle is
a paved trail, and all trails in the Trailway are handicap accessible, so take your friends and family on a hike.
to see wild turkeys and heard woodpeckers in the trees. The trail also included a beautiful bridge on a pond as well.
No matter what your level of fitness, there are places
to go for a walk or ride a
bike in Calhoun County!
You can find out more
about the Trailways at our upcoming Lunch and Learn on Wednesday, August 21 at noon. Mark Lelle, from the Calhoun County Trailway Alliance, will present an overview of the trail system.
Volunteers receive training in Medicare and Medicaid rules and regulations. Volunteers commit
to at least five hours per month (60 hours/year) in order to remain certified. The initial commitment is for a year. Volunteers work mostly with Medicare-eligible older adults and adults over 18 with disabilities.
Please call (269) 558-6150 for more information or to sign up for the lunch and learn. Heritage Commons is located at 13444 Preston Drive near Marshall Michigan.
If you haven’t been on a trail, you are in for a treat! No cars are allowed on the trails and wildlife, flora, and fauna are bountiful. Recently, I walked the Iron Belle for three miles and was delighted
In addition to the Trailway, there are seven city parks in the City of Marshall and four county parks, according to the Calhoun County website. Historic Bridge Park is a lovely and unusual park to traverse. It has paved trails that connect to the Trailway system, as
You can also find information on the Parks and Recreation page on the county website, or by visiting the City of Marshall’s Recreation Department website.
MMAP Team Members provide unbiased services free of charge to Medicare beneficiaries. MMAP does not accept applications from insurance agents, insurance brokers, financial planners, or employees of health care providers.
Avoid Solicitation Scams at Your Door
By: Mary Peterson, Program Coordinator, CareWell Services SW
Summer is upon us, and with it there is an increase of vehicle and foot traffic in our neighborhoods. Some of this traffic is likely to be solicitors, and even scammers, so it’s important to be aware of the signs so we can avoid scams.
sounds too good to be true, or if you are being pressured to accept a limited-time offer, the best advice is to just say NO.
NO
SOLICITING
If you would like to volunteer to become a certified MMAP benefits counselor, please contact Karen Courtney, the MMAP Regional Coordinator for CareWell Services Southwest, at (269) 441-0931.
Many times, scammers will call or visit your home claiming to be from a legitimate company or organization. The IRS, utility companies, Publishers Clearing House, the Lotto, Medicare, Social Security offices, and banking institutions DO NOT call or send representatives to your home. Representatives from these institutions will not use threatening tones with you either. If you are visited by someone
If you are approached by a solicitor at your door, make sure you think before you act. Ask yourself these questions: Did I initiate the contact? Does it sound too good to be true? What will happen if I don’t provide the information or go along with what the person is saying? If you have not initiated contact, if the deal
If you believe you are a victim of a scam, report it to your local police department. You may
also want to contact the Calhoun County Elder Abuse Prevention Coalition (EAPC). The EAPC is made up of local law enforcement agencies and businesses, including CareWell Services, that are working hard on your behalf to prevent abuse. You can contact the EAPC at (269) 966-2450.
PROMOTING HEALTH
INDEPENDENCE
CHOICE