The advocates at the Mower County Senior Center are here to assist you. It’s that time of year again for Medicare open enrollment.

In addition to Medicare open enrollment we are also here to assist with navigating the new MNSure health insurance exchange. This is a new system and many people have questions regarding this.

Some other ways that we can assist you include: money management, check writing, interpreting bills, balancing checkbooks, housing issues, explaining and sorting mail, helping to complete various applications for assistance, completing health care directives and power of attorney forms, assisting with various forms and confusing paperwork.

The advocates are also available to offer caregiver support. In addition to our monthly caregiver support group we offer a telephone reassurance program. The telephone reassurance program is designed to provide consistent and timely phone contact for individuals desiring daily contact to assure their safety and well being.

The Senior Center has a group of trained volunteers that provide respite care. Volunteers come into the home and will visit with your loved one, giving the caregiver much needed free time for themselves.

Important dates for various areas of assistance:

 

Medicare Part D open enrollment

Oct. 15 through Dec. 7

Changes are made each year in the prescription drug plans and because of this, it is beneficial to review your current plan. The Advocacy Program is here to help you sort through the plans. All we ask is that you call ahead and set up an appointment with us. We will need you to bring your Medicare card and a list of all medications, including the dosage and times per day that you take the medication. Let us help you find the most cost efficient plan for you. Please call Nancy at 507-433-8376 or Marianne at 507-433-3462.

 

MNSure Insurance Exchange

Oct. 1 through March 31, 2014

The advocates are trained navigators and consumer assisters for MNSure.

We are here to assist anyone between the ages of 55 to 64 when looking for health insurance. Please call Nancy at 507-433-8376 or Marianne at 507-433-3462 to set up an appointment.

 

Semcac Energy Assistance

The Advocacy Program is helping to fill out the heat assistance application forms. You will need proof of your gross income for the past three months and your last heat and electricity bill. To qualify for assistance your income for three months can not exceed $5,573 for a household of one and $7,419 for a household of two. Please call Nancy at 507-433-8376 or Marianne at 507-433-3462 to set up an appointment.

Don’t forget to get your flu shot on Wednesday. Medicap will be at the Senior Center between 1 and 3 p.m.

 

Upcoming Events

Monday: Blood pressure checks, 9 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge), 12:30 p.m.; Exercise with Evie,1 p.m.; Movie, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Silver Sneakers 8:30 a.m.; Exercise with Evie, 9 a.m.; Tuna noodle hotdish, 11:30 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge, 500), 12:30 p.m.; Cooking with Jack, 1 p.m.; Zumba Gold, 4 p.m.; Silver Sneakers, 4:30 p.m.; Zumba/Zumba Toning; 5:15/6:35 p.m.; Yoga, 7:40 p.m.

Wednesday: Wood Carvers, 8:30 a.m.; Tai Chi 9:30 a.m.; Hamburger, chips and aide, 11:30 and 1:30 p.m.; cards (Pinochle, Cribbage), 12:30 p.m.; Stitching Bees, 1 p.m.; Open chess, 1 p.m.; Boot Camp, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday: Silver Sneakers 8:30 a.m.; Exercise with Evie, 9 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge), 12:30 p.m.; Open chess, 1 p.m.; Zumba Gold, 4 p.m.; Silver Sneakers, 4:30 p.m.; Zumba/Zumba Toning, 5:15/6:35 p.m.; Yoga, 7:40 p.m.

Friday: Tai Chi 9:30 a.m.; Cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge, 500), 12:30 p.m.; Ping Pong 3 p.m.

 

Weekly Card Results

Monday Bridge

Oct. 14, two tables

1st Arnie Lang, 2nd Mary Johnsen, 3rd Lois Johnson, 4th Pat Swanson, 5th Betty Jorgenson

Tuesday Duplicate Bridge

Oct. 15, five tables

1st Gene Domino, 1st Rick Stroup; 2nd Russ Vaale,

2nd Mabel Vaale; 3rd Jaynard Johnson, 3rd Quintin Fiala; 4th Millie Seiver, 4th Joyce Crowe

5th Teresa Baldus, 5th Vande Newman; 6th Ray Schmidt, 6th Gail Schmidt

Tuesday “500”

Oct. 18, three tables

1st Sally Michels, 2nd Wayne Chilson, 3rd Lois Anderson

Pinochle

David Solomonson

Friday Bridge

Oct. 18, three tables

1st Arnie Lang, 2nd Mary Johnsen, 3rd Carolyn Higgins, 4th Ella Rouhoff

Weekly Cribbage

Oct. 16, three tables

1st Barb Dickman, 2nd Mercedes Nordstrom, 3rd Lottie Seira

Weekly “500”

Oct. 18, three tables

1st Sally Michels, 2nd Wayne Chilson, 3rd Lois Anderson