Page 15 - Senior Times South Central Michigan July 2021 - 28-07

Senior Times - July 2021
Page 15
Forks Senior Center to Reopen July 6
By: Luann Sommers, Executive Director, Forks Senior Center
My Medicare Matters - Prescription Cost Assistance
By: Karen Courtney, MMAP Counselor,
Effective Tuesday, July 6, 2021, the Forks Senior Center (FSC) will reopen to the public. Masks will be required for
the month of July. We are not requiring everyone to have a vaccination, but we are asking who has been vaccinated for our own data collection. Once we know 80% of our members have been vaccinated, we will remove the mask mandate.
returning to the center.
If you have ever wanted to
adults has always been our first priority. I have heard from so many people who are desperately missing the Senior Center and want to come back to see all their friends. We can do that; we just need to be vigilant about protecting everyone and staying safe.
be a member, now is the time! It is basically a six-month
free membership. In January we are hoping folks will have enjoyed their time at the center and choose to continue their memberships.
CareWell Services SW
Below are several strategies you can use to reduce your prescription costs, without rationing or
not taking your prescription. Rationing, which means reducing the amount you take is NOT advised.
Annual Open Enrollment plan comparisons: MMAP counselors give free unbiased help.
The “Extra Help” Program: This low income subsidy program reduces your drug plan insurance premium and copays on meds
for income and asset qualified persons. MMAP can screen to see if you qualify.
Manufacturers Assistance plans: Find the drug manufacturer name online or off the medicine box, and search for patient assistance plans and application forms on their company website. Each company plan differs.
Senior Millage: Calhoun County seniors age 60+ may qualify for some prescription assistance. Contact the Fountain Clinic in Marshall for details.
Coupons: Use websites like Good Rx for coupons. AVOID “drug clubs,” which require monthly payments while they supposedly work to get your prescription. These clubs are under scrutiny for being pyramid type schemes/scams.
Talk to your prescribing doctor: There are often tried and true older meds available which are less expensive. Let your doctor know cost is an issue. Ask what might be triggering symptoms – find out if reducing mold, smoke, and pet exposures or getting an in-home HEPA air filter could reduce need for breathing meds, for example. See if you can fix or reduce
the problem, not just treat the symptom caused by the problem.
Talk to your pharmacist. See above. Your pharmacist may be willing to phone your doctor
to discuss cost versus benefit comparisons of alternative medicine choices.
YOU are an active part of your health team! Staying involved and communicating issues with your care providers can help reduce your unhealthy stresses over costs.
FSC is a membership organization. Memberships are $75 per yea.r, however due to COVID and the long closure, the FSC Board approved waiving the membership fee until January 1, 2022. All members will
be required to complete new membership applications upon
While closed for the pandemic staff and volunteers continued
to answer calls, assisted with Medicare counseling, made
calls to check on local seniors, helped deliver food for older adults quarantined by COVID, participated in virtual meetings, and assisted with COVID vaccinations. FSC staff returned to work at the center on June 1.
FSC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization serving older adults ages 60 and up in the greater Albion area since 2005. For additional information, contact us by phone at (517) 629-3842 or by e-mail at executivedirector@ forksseniorcenter.org. FSC
exists to improve and maintain the physical, mental, and social well-being of the area’s senior citizens.
The safety of our older
DON’T HESITATE
VACCINATE
Rightsizing Your Life
By: Paulette Porter, Program Manager, Special Initiatives, CareWell Services SW
Life is a journey.
2. Practical Questions: What am I taking with me? What am I leaving behind? What do I do with the stuff I don’t need or want? Who will get my belongings? What type of help do I need?
considering these questions long before you need to implement them. Looking ahead and making plans will make any transition smoother. Looking forward can make it easier to move forward.
Most people make multiple downsizing moves in their lifetimes – from a large family home to a smaller one, to an apartment, to a retirement community, then to a care facility or the home of a family member. Each kind of move entails its own challenges.
3. Making the Decision: What is my decision? What should I do first? When should I do it?
CareWell can be a good source of information about the choices available to you and can guide you through the steps. CareWell will be leading Rightsizing Your Life classes, created by the National Council on Aging, at the Heritage Commons and the Forks Senior Centers later this year. Follow CareWell on Facebook or visit www.carewellservices.org for updates on when classes will be available.
There are three categories
of questions we recommend considering if you are thinking of changing your housing situation: 1. Self-reflection: Why am
Unless you have downsized before and already purged a
lot of your stuff, you may be feeling extremely anxious. I have personally made the first rightsizing move of my life, going from a large family home to a smaller one.
I thinking about moving? Where am I going? What are the challenges? What are the benefits?
My recommendation is to start
PROMOTING HEALTH INDEPENDENCE CHOICE