July - September 2018

Neutralize and Dispose of Your Medications At Home 18 Serving Our Seniors is someone to call when you need help. 419-624-1856 800-564-1856 Medicare Message: Planning Will Save $$$ Now and Later By Patricia Stineman, MSIG, CSA, Medicare Certified Counselor Every week I receive calls from individuals planning for retirement and asking for help to understand Medicare coverage. Medicare is the federal health insurance available to most individuals at age 65 and it can be confusing to understand. If you were born in 1953, your full retirement age is 66 to receive Social Security Retirement Income. However, we become eligible for Medicare health insurance at age 65. So when should you enroll in Medicare? Good question and that can be different for every person. Are you planning for your retirement? Research shows that healthcare expenses, such as monthly premiums and out of pocket costs take the biggest chunk out of a retiree’s budget. Financial advisors say Medicare options should be carefully chosen along with pensions, life insurance, investments and estate planning. Enrolling in Medicare too early can cost $134+ a month (2018); or enrolling late can earn you a penalty. If you would like to understand Medicare enrollment and Medicare plan options — or if you are just unsure and have questions — I invite you to attend a “New to Medicare” class. (See Pg 4 Calendar of Events for details.) The OSHIIP volunteer counselors at Serving Our Seniors can help. Give me a call (419-624-1856) and we will figure it out ~ Patricia Serving Our Seniors and Bayshore Counseling Services are partnering on a new program that offers an environmentally friendly, effective and safe way to neutralize your unused medications at home. Medications are placed into a pouch that contains drug de-activating ingredients. Simply add water, shake, let sit for 30 seconds. Now the medications are neutralized and ready for disposal in the trash. The pouches are available to you free of charge thanks to Bay Shore Counseling Services and the Erie County Community Foundation. You may pick up your pouch in Sandusky at Serving Our Seniors, 310 E. Boalt St. or at Bayshore Counseling Services, 1634 Sycamore Line. 1 Gather everything you need 2 Pour medications into pouch 3 Pour water into pouch 4 Seal pouch 5 Shake up and down