Page 13 - Senior Times South Central Michigan January 2022 - 29-01

Membership Makes Heritage Commons Tick
By: Cathleen Knoll, Senior Center Coordinator, Heritage Commons Senior Enrichment Center
Box 282, Marshall MI 49068, email: cknoll@carewellservices.org, or in person. Our interim
location is at the Marshall United Methodist Church, 721 US Hwy 27 North in Marshall. Currently, we are open Mondays 9am to 1pm, Wednesdays 9am to 4pm, and Thursdays 9am to 1 pm.
My Medicare Matters - Whew! The End of those TV Commercials! Not Quite Yet!
By: Karen Courtney, CareWell Services SW MMAP Counselor
PROMOTING
HEALTH INDEPENDENCE CHOICE
Applications are available by mail: Heritage Commons, PO
Senior Times - January 2022
Page 13
Membership makes Heritage Commons tick. It is that simple. Without the active participation of members, there is no senior center. Your passion and zeal
for sharing exercise, euchre, bingo, lunch and learns, craft experiences, interactive bake offs, and many other things gives Heritage Commons life and sparkle. These things are only possible if you join in and make it an event.
feasts, and just being together. It has been
a long road that we are still traveling, but this pause has seen us open at a wonderful temporary location
The same is true of membership.. When you become a member, we offer many instructors and events catered just for you. Your membership allows you to join in any exercise class, lunch and learns, craft events, and interactive programming provided to you just for being a member.
as the construction on our own building continues to prepare for its opening in 2022. If you have not already done so, please join us by renewing or joining today.
The brief December respite from Medicare Advantage Plan TV commercials is over. Starting January 1, Medicare Advantage insurance plans have until March 31 to convince current plan users to switch between Medicare Advantage Plan companies. For these first three months in 2022, Medicare Advantage plan users can switch either to another Medicare Advantage Plan, or return back to Original Medicare. If you return to Original Medicare, you need to also enroll in a Part D prescription plan.
The Grow With Us renovation fundraiser response has been wonderful, but these donations do not cover operations. COVID derailed many of our best events: soup day, Thanksgiving
$135.00 (two people joining together, not limited to married couples)
There are several types of memberships. • Individual Annual
Basic Membership:
$75.00
• Couples/Buddy Membership:
• Individual Snowbirds (April- Oct): $50.00
MMAP Counselors can help you compare Advantage Plan and Original Medicare costs versus benefits. Some plans have higher annual medical out of pocket maximums, and charge office visit percentage-based copays instead of flat rate copays. Don’t overpay! Let MMAP help you figure it all out.
Join Us for an Exercise Class at Heritage Commons
By: Cathleen Knoll, Senior Center Coordinator, Heritage Commons Senior Enrichment Center
We have several classes to choose from! Below are class descriptions for you to decide which one is right for you.
Move to Improve
Move to Improve features upbeat music and a mix of standing and seated movements; this class is designed to improve strength, stamina, coordination, balance, and flexibility. You are encouraged to work at your own pace and the instructor will assist you in modifying exercises to suit your fitness level. Classes meet Mondays at 1pm and Thursdays at 10am. Class is free to Heritage Commons or OLIC members; non-members $3 per class.
Join us for SPIRIT Exercise with Certified Instructor
Lisa Brink from Disability Network. SPIRIT Club offers
a universal design for fitness that empowers people of all abilities to exercise successfully
in a socially integrated setting. Class will offer: cardio fitness, balance fitness, strength fitness, boxing, zumba, yoga, and guided meditation. Classes are held
on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10am. This class is free to participate.
Arthritis Exercise Class
SPIRIT Exercise Class
The Arthritis Exercise Class helps you improve range of motion, strength, and endurance through a carefully curated selection of exercises. Most exercises can be performed while seated. Participants are encouraged to work with their bodies and at their own pace. This class is also great for new exercisers! Join us Thursdays at 1pm. Class is free to Heritage Commons or OLIC members; non-members $3 per class.
Beginning Tai Chi is offered by Senior Health Partners and hosted by Heritage Commons.
Julie Kaminski is a certified Tai Chi instructor, and she offers
the start of an ancient Chinese exercise that has benefits for body and mind. This class is free to residents of Calhoun County 60 years of age and older thanks to support from Calhoun County Senior Services and CareWell Services Southwest. Classes are held Wednesdays at 2:30pm. Class size is limited, participants must pre-register by calling Senior Health Partners at (269) 986-1583.
Tai Chi
Also, those who are eligible to enroll in Part A or Part B of Medicare, who didn’t sign up when they were first eligible, may sign up during the annual General Enrollment Period, January 1-March 31. Coverage will begin July 1, and you may have to pay higher premiums enrollment after March. You may enroll through Social Security or their website. MMAP can screen your income to see if you might qualify for state assistance to help pay your Part A or Part B Premiums.
If you are still working and become Medicare eligible, check with your employer or union to find out how your workplace coverage works with Medicare. This includes federal or state employment and active-duty military service. There are
also special rules for COBRA, retirees, VA users, TRICARE, and Marketplace Health Plan users.
Your MMAP counselors
can help you understand your coverage options at no charge to you! Call us at 1-800-803-7174.