50 Plus - November 2012

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50 plus! November 2012 | The magazine for active, mature lifestyles HEALTH SCREENINGS : SCREENING SPECTACULAR DR. STEVEN DRIGGERS 2 SAVVY SENIOR 3 ADRC: TRANSPORT PROGRAM ASSESSMENTS PLANNED 4 PROPER NUTRITION KEY FOR ELDERLY 5 HOLIDAY DINING GETS FRESH FLAVOR 6 FINANCIAL COLUMN: MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT LEON BURZYNSKI AND DOUG HILL 12 SOCIAL SECURITY: NEW ELECTRONIC PAYMENT RULE WILL PROTECT AGAINST FINANCIAL CRIMES 13 HOW OLDER DRIVERS CAN CUT VEHICLE COSTS 14 FEATURE STORY: THE CHRISTMAS TREE SHIP PASSING ON THE STORY 8

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the magazine for active, mature lifestyles

Transcript of 50 Plus - November 2012

Page 1: 50 Plus - November 2012

50plus!

Nov

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les healTh screenings :

ScreeNiNg Spectacular Dr. sTeven Driggers 2

SaVVY SeNiOr 3

aDrc: traNSpOrt prOgram aSSeSSmeNtS plaNNed 4

prOper NutritiON KeY fOr elderlY 5

HOlidaY diNiNg getS freSH flaVOr 6

Financial column: medicare OpeN eNrOllmeNt leon Burzynski anD Doug hill 12

social securiTy: New electrONic paYmeNt rule will prOtect agaiNSt fiNaNcial crimeS 13

HOw Older driVerS caN cut VeHicle cOStS 14

FeaTure sTory:

tHe cHriStmaS tree SHippaSSiNg ON tHe StOrY

8

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Tom Becker of Two rivers bowled a 300 game at meadow lanes West on oct. 8. he had 12 strikes in a row in his first game of three. Tom is 68 years old and has been bowling since he was 16 years old. This is his first 300 and it is believed to be the first in the senior league, according to league member Joe Wilson. Becker ended up with a 697 series.

NICE GOING!

on the cover: 8 The chrisTmas Tree ship: passing on The sTorymargaret “maggie” Becker-koeppe poses at the historic rogers street Fishing village in Two rivers. she is president of the French canadian & Friends organization, chairman of events for the rouse simmons “christmas Tree” ship, chairman of the christmas Tree ship centennial and a rogers street Fishing village board member.

matthew apgar/50 Plus

staff Pat Pankratz, 50 Plus! editor 920-686-2138 [email protected]

Tami gasch, advertising manager 920-684-4433 [email protected]

50 Plus! is published monthly by the herald Times reporter. it also is distributed to select businesses in manitowoc county.

50plus!Dr. steven Driggers is head of emergency at holy Family memorial.

By Steve DriggerS, MD Holy Family Memorial

Holy Family Memorial recently held a Screening Spectacular, and we were pleased to provide over 200 free screenings to our community. Health screenings remain the most effective way to de-tect and treat disease in early stages.

if, however, you are already living with a health condition, routine health checkups can prevent conditions from worsening. Simply put: Screen-ings catch conditions early and help prevent them from getting worse, resulting in a better quality of life.

As an example, increasingly, diabetes is one of the most common conditions for which patients may be screened. the American Diabetes Asso-ciation’s website estimates that 11.3 percent of adults over 20 years old have diabetes, and 26.9 percent of persons over the age of 65 have diabe-tes. those with diabetes must be vigilant to keep it in check to avoid common complicating condi-tions.

in the spirit of caring for our community, the HFM Screening Spectacular in September pro-vided a number of screenings at no cost. HFM

healTh screenings

Screening Spectacular

remains dedicated to the people of Man-itowoc County. We realize that in these tough economic times, some people may be putting off necessary preventive screenings until the economy improves. Don’t take your good health for granted, though; it can go away. Make an ap-pointment with your primary care phy-sician, whether you suspect something is wrong or not. remember, the earlier we can catch conditions, the better your health will be in the long term.

from 8 to 11 a.m. on Nov. 3, Hfm will be holding the lakeshore Orthopaedics – Head to toe Ortho Screening event. use this opportunity to ask questions about joint pain, chiropractic treatments, and to speak with a dietitian. assessments will be provided to the community at no cost.

So, don’t put off a pain, such as shoul-der or knee pain. Come have an expert examine you at HFM.

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Jim miller

hoW To WriTe your oWn Will

Dear Savvy Senior:

Can you recommend some good do — it — yourself resources to help me write my will? At age 62, I want to get my affairs organized, but I hate paying a high — priced attorney fee if I can do it myself.

Don’t Have Much

Dear Don’t:

if you have a simple, straightforward estate and an uncomplicated family situation, writing your own will - with the help of a good do-it-yourself guide - is a viable alternative to hiring an attorney and a whole lot cheaper. Here are some good resources to help you get started.

there are a number of computer software products and online resources available today that can help you create your own will very easily, and they

usually take less than an hour from start to finish. Like tax software, these tools will guide you through a series of questions and will insert your answers into a will for you. But, you’ll need a computer to use them. Some good options to check out include:

Quicken WillMaker Plus 2013: this is a comprehensive estate planning software product that’s very user-friendly. it lets you create customized wills for an unlimited number of people, along with other important documents like financial powers of attorney, health care directives, executor documents, final arrangements and more. And once you’re finished, you can store your documents on your computer and update them as needed, and you can print them out on paper. Available in downloadable or CD format at nolo.com for $43 or $52, this software works only with Windows operating systems and is valid in every state except Louisiana.

Rocket Lawyer: this is an online

resource - available at rocketlawyer.com - that helps you create a will, trust, power of attorney and dozens of other legal documents in every state. they start by offering a free seven-day trial period so you can actually make one document for free. Or, you can become a member for $20 a month, or $120 for their annual “Basic Legal Plan,” and get unlimited access so you can make, store, share and update any documents you want. they even provide annual members free legal reviews of their document and free phone assistance with an attorney.

LegalZoom: Available online at legalzoom.com, this site makes wills, trusts, powers of attorney, pet-protection agreements and many other documents. After you create your will, or other documents, they double-check them for spelling and grammar mistakes (but not for legal issues) and mail you a printed copy in about a week to 10 days. Wills run $69, other documents range between $35 and $249.

No Computer Necessary

if you don’t have a home computer or internet access, a good resource to turn to is the “Quick & Legal Will Book” sold by Nolo for $21. this guide provides forms and step-by-step instructions that can help you make a basic will that

meets your needs. to order a copy, call (800) 728-3555.

Hire a Lawyer: it’s also important to know that if you have a complicated financial situation, blended family or if you have considerable assets, you need to hire a lawyer to write your will. An experienced lawyer can make sure you cover all your bases which can help avoid family confusion and squabbles after you’re gone.

the National Academy of elder Law Attorneys (naela.org) and the National Association of estate Planners and Councils (naepc.org) websites are good resources that have directories to help you find someone in your area.

Costs will vary depending on your situation and location, but you can expect to pay somewhere between $200 and $1,000 to get your will made.

if money is tight, check with your state’s bar association (see findlegalhelp.org) to find low — cost legal help in your area. Or call the eldercare Locater at (800) 677-1116 for a referral.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

50 plus! . november 2012 . 3

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aDrc: TransPorT Program assessmenTs PlanneDevery three years the county is required to do an assessment of its transportation programs within the county to be able to continue public funding of its programs. Bay-Lake regional Planning Commission will be conducting this assessment for Manitowoc County from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Aging & Disability resource Center office, 4319 expo Drive.

Kewaunee County’s assessment will be done from 9 to 11 a.m. Nov. 1 at its Human Service building, 810 Lincoln St.

the public is invited to share thoughts and ideas on how providers can work together, look at the current resources and what is lacking, the ease in which consumers can access public transportation; and assist in identifying how to make the programs cost effective while still maintaining a system that can meet each county’s needs. No prior registration is necessary. Please contact the ADrC at (877) 416-7083 if specialized transportation is needed. Comments can also be made by contacting the ADrC.

Medicare Enrollment

Open enrollment in Medicare Part D prescription plans and Advantage Plans began Oct. 15 and will run through Dec. 7. this is the time during which participants can review their current drug and

insurance coverage and enroll in a different plan. it is important to review your plan annually as formularies, co-payments and deductibles change, along with the cost of the plans. reviewing your current plan and changing to the most cost effective plan could result in a savings in 2013.

Appointments are accepted at the Manitowoc and two rivers Senior Centers and also at the ADrC. When making an appointment, please indicate whether you are interested in reviewing your current Part D prescription drug plan or an Advantage Plan, which is the privatization of Medicare and includes your Part A, B, and D in one single plan.

Staff are trained in understanding different programs, so please help the receptionist book the appointment with the appropriate staff.

you will be asked to bring a copy of your current prescriptions and your Medicare card to the appointment.

Medicare Rumor

the Social Security office has notified the ADrC that they have received numerous calls from individuals stating they have heard that the Affordable Care Act will result in Medicare Part B costing $247 a month in

2014. this is a rumor and not true. there has been no mention of an increase in the Part B premium, which is currently at $99.90 per month. it has always been the policy that no recipient receive less in net payment from one year to the next because of an increase in the Part B premium.

this should serve as a reminder that a lot of the mail being delivered to doorsteps, and also telephone calls made to homes, are often scams. Many documents and tv and magazine ads look very official. remember to read the fine print on the bottom that says, not associated with or endorsed by the federal government. A good rule of thumb is never to give your bank account number or Social Security number over the phone or on any correspondence unless you initiated the transaction.

Thanksgiving Meals

if you are going to be alone on thanksgiving Day, several opportunities are available in the community to have someone else cook the dinner.

The Two Rivers Senior Center will be providing a meal open to individuals and families of all ages. reservations can be made by calling (920) 793-5596. Meals can be delivered to those who are homebound.

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Holy Family Memorial will be opening its dining room to the public from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. thanksgiving day. individuals who are receiving home delivered meals in the city of Manitowoc may have a meal delivered from the hospital. to allow volunteers and staff to spend time with their families on this day, please only request a meal if you have no other dinner opportunities. to order a meal call the ADrC at (920) 683-4180.

The Chilton Eagles Club will be doing its thanksgiving express and delivering meals to homebound elderly in the Kiel, St. Nazianz, valders, reedsville and Whitelaw areas. For those living in the Kiel area, please call (920) 894-7861 to order a meal. All other areas can contact the ADrC at (920) 683-4180.

Warrens Restaurant in Manitowoc will provide a meal to those who have no other options for thanksgiving. Please call them at (920) 682-2533 for a reservation.

remember to vote on tuesday, Nov. 6.

Judy Rank is executive director of the Aging and Disability Resource Center of the Lakeshore.

Proper Nutrition Key for elderly

Americans are now living longer than ever before. in fact, one of the fastest growing segments is people over the age of 85 who will represent 20 percent of the population by the year 2040. Because we are living longer, certain conditions specific to senior citizens are also on a steady rise. Dehydration, falls, fractures, cognitive loss and attention deficits are now becoming more commonplace.

in a recent paper titled “Salt Appetite Across generations,” presented at a Proper Nutrition continued on page 7

proper nutrition, including hydration and reduction in salt intake, is important for the elderly or soon-to-be elderly.

medical conference in Switzerland, israeli researchers from the University of Haifa confirmed that in older people, a reduced sense of thirst results in a greatly increased risk of serious dehydration. they also noted that the appetite for salt does not diminish with age and suggested that this be used to help sustain hydration and prevent the dangerous symptoms that result from dehydration.

Another study by Dr. Michael H. Alderman and Dr. Hillel W. Cohen

of the Albert einstein College of Medicine, published in the American Journal of Hypertension, identified significant risks to cardiovascular health and longevity from consuming any less than one or more than three teaspoons salt per day. Fortunately, most Americans – including the elderly – when left to their own choice consume right in the middle of this range.

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When the weather cools, do your cravings turn toward peppermint? Or, perhaps the approaching holidays are priming your palate for pumpkin and gingerbread. Some flavors and ingredients just seem to go naturally with the season. While time-honored culinary traditions will always have a place in our seasonal celebrations, mix things up this year by using familiar ingredients in non-traditional ways.

From snack foods to main dishes, a variety of ingredients can lend themselves to culinary exploration this holiday season. Here are a few ideas to help you get creative with well-loved traditional ingredients:

Not Just For Snacking

Sure, you’ve heard of replacing bread crumbs with crumbled crackers in holiday recipes, but did you know pretzels can punch up a variety of seasonal dishes? From pumpkin muffins that get a savory spike from Snyder’s of Hanover Sourdough Pretzels to savory turkey stuffing, pretzels can add flavor and interest far beyond the snack bowl. Pretzels make a great ingredient not only for their familiar, appealing flavor, but also because they’re naturally low in fat and calories. Snyder’s offers more than three dozen shapes and flavors, convenient 100-calorie packs, lower sodium content, and even gluten-

New Uses for Seasonal ingredients

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Holiday Dining gets Fresh Flavor

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free options. you can find a plethora of ideas and recipes online at www.snydersofhanover.com.

Sprouting Creativity

Few foods shout “fall” and “holidays” as clearly as pumpkin. Whether perched on your front step as a jack o’ lantern or gracing your holiday buffet in pies and muffins, pumpkin is a quintessential ingredient of the season. But when it comes time to incorporate pumpkin in your holiday meal-planning, it pays to look beyond the pie plate. Pumpkin can serve as a basis for appetizers, sides and main dishes. From soups to pasta, casseroles to omelets, pumpkin is a nutrient-rich, flavorful ingredient.

Cavorting With Candy

Candy corn to candy canes, candy treats make the final months of the year that much sweeter. Peppermint is, of course, to the holidays as elves are to Santa, but don’t imagine that this versatile mint flavoring is only appropriate in candies and pricey coffee shop mochas. Paired with garlic, fresh peppermint leaves add

zing to pastas. Mystified as to what to do with leftover Halloween candy corn or candy pumpkins? try adding them to your s’mores. What would holiday baking be without chocolate? But Americans’ second-favorite flavor can also pop up in main dishes, like chili, sloppy joes, chicken and salmon.

Sweet Harvest Time

Apples are a favorite fall harvest fruit, and what better way to make them the start of fall celebrations than by putting some on a stick and dipping them in caramel? yet neither ingredient – apples or caramel – need be limited to the realm of sticky treats. in addition to apple pie, popovers and cake, you may have experienced apple in stuffing. yet apples play well with a host of other flavors, including main dish staples of the holidays, like turkey, pork, chicken and even beef. Caramelization as a cooking process turns veggies like carrots and sweet potatoes into yummy side dishes. But caramel can also enhance main dishes, like pork chops, cod or chicken BPT

Savory Recipe from Snyder’s of Hanover

PreTzel sTuFFing

Ingredients:

1 6-ounce package of long grain or wild rice, prepared according to package directions

8 ounces sliced fresh mushrooms, sauteed

1 medium onion, chopped and sauteed

1 12-ounce package link sausage, browned and cut into ¼-inch pieces

2 cups Snyder’s of Hanover Hard Sourdough Pretzels, broken into ½-inch pieces, crumbs removed

4 cups stuffing croutons, seasoned or unseasoned

1 cup chicken broth, added to out-of-bird stuffing only

Salt, pepper and sage to taste

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a very large bowl and fill chicken or turkey cavity. Place remaining stuffing in a casserole dish, add chicken broth and baste with pan drippings or chicken broth. Cover with foil and place in oven for one hour. remove cover 10 to 15 minutes before end of cooking time to create crispy texture.

given this new evidence, assisted living caregivers should be very cautious before recommending a low-salt diet for the elderly. in older people, mild hyponatremia is the most common form of electrolyte imbalance in the blood. indeed, several recent medical papers found a direct relationship between hyponatremia and unsteadiness, falls, bone fractures and attention deficits.

Falls

Falls are one of the most serious problems for the elderly and about a third of people older than 65 fall at least once every year. Fall-related injuries in the elderly are associated with numerous psychological and physical consequences and are a leading cause of bone breakage and hip fractures, which can lead to complications and permanent disability or death. More than 5 percent of all hospitalizations in people older than 65 years are due to fall-related injuries. Sadly, the research shows that in assisted living

facilities where almost all residents are given low-salt diets, the rate of falls and fractures are three times as great as in the normal home environment.

the implications of this research for liability claims incorporating legal damages are considerable. Mild hyponatremia in the elderly can no longer be considered as a simple non-threatening condition. evidence clearly points to significantly increased attention deficits, loss of cognitive function, increased falls and fractures - a cascade of conditions resulting in a highly diminished quality of life and a reduced life span. it is a major threat that can be treated by simply adding salt back to the diet.

the evidence contradicting a low-salt regimen for the elderly is impressive and up to date. those responsible for looking after the elderly should very carefully consider any broad, sweeping recommendations to administer a low-salt diet, for both medical and liability reasons. A well-balanced diet, complete with salads, vegetables and fruit is the best approach to ensuring a healthy and active retirement. BPT

50 plus! . november 2012 . 7

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Proper Nutrition continued from page 5

Page 8: 50 Plus - November 2012

By eMiLie B. LiNDeMANN

tWO riverS — Margaret “Maggie” Becker-Koeppe of two rivers grew up hearing stories of shipwrecks and valiant fishermen on the French east Side of two rivers. the niece of fishermen uncles, she remembers aunties who repaired fishing nets and gathered to tell stories at the home where her mother tressie raised her siblings and her own six children.

One of the stories Becker-Koeppe remembers was of the rouse Simmons, the Christmas tree Schooner that sank in 1912 near two rivers enroute to deliver Christmas trees to the Clark Street Bridge in Chicago. Her mother told stories of Captain Santa — or Capt. Herman Schuenemann — who was

known for giving away Christmas trees to the needy.

As children, Becker-Koeppe and her sisters would often find skeletons of Christmas trees from the rouse Simmons that washed to the shore. the trees appeared on the beach among driftwood, shells, and other treasures. She, her sisters, and their friends would play at Neshotah Park and Beach, which was their playground. they would bring potatoes and salt along to cook over a grill or in the sand of the beach.

“they were black as charcoal, but we loved them,” Becker-Koeppe says with a faraway look in her eyes. She pauses and adds, “i can still taste them now.”

Now, at the age of 81, she is still

enamored with the story of the rouse Simmons, which she calls “sad and romantic.”

After raising five children and owning and operating three businesses, Becker-Koeppe has returned to those stories of shipwrecks and the legacy of her fishermen relatives. A volunteer at rogers Street Fishing village, she is at the helm of the rouse Simmons Project, a group planning events to commemorate the centennial of the Christmas tree Ship’s foundering on Nov. 23, 1912.

the rouse Simmons Project has organized a centennial commemoration for Nov. 23 and 24 that will feature matinee and evening performances of the Christmas Schooner Musical.

the weekend’s festivities also will include the unveiling of a statue of a fisherman at rogers Street Fishing village, the Coast guard’s re-enactment of delivering trees to the village, and a seafaring lunch at the Hamilton Community House. the city’s newly planted Christmas tree in Central Park will be lit in honor of the Christmas tree Ship’s captain and crew. residents and visitors can also enjoy the two rivers holiday parade and a visit with Santa.

margaret “maggie” Becker-koeppe poses inside the rogers street Fishing Village. at 81, she volunteers time to the village and is a member of its board of directors.matthew apgar/50 plus

The chrisTmas Tree shiPpaSSiNg ON tHe StOrY

8 . november 2012 . 50 plus!

Page 9: 50 Plus - November 2012

Becker-Koeppe is quick to point out that her passion does not stem from merely a desire to preserve her own family’s legacy. “it’s about all of us,” she insists. “Not just the descendants of fishermen or French Canadians. it’s the legacy of everyone in the community. We must preserve the past for future

margaret “maggie” Becker-koeppe is chairperson of events for the rouse simmons christmas Tree ship celebration. matthew apgar/50 plus

generations.”

those who meet Becker-Koeppe would never suspect that she is 81. She’s constantly moving — she greets me and one of her good friends with exuberant

The Christmas Tree Ship continued on page 11

50 plus! . november 2012 . 9

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hugs when we arrive at the rogers Street Fishing village for a tour. During our tour, she pauses at an exhibit to gesture at a painting of a fisherman who happens to be a relative. “this is all part of me!” she exclaims. “this is all of us!”

French Heritage

Like Becker-Koeppe, the director of the village, greg goodchild and board member Bill glandt (Becker-Koeppe’s nephew) are descendents of Pierre Pepin de LaFound and Francois Prier LaFond of St. Laurent of Barriere, St. Onge, France. though she is sure to acknowledge her father’s german roots, Becker-Koeppe calls herself a French woman and is quick to offer friends new and old a heart-felt hug in lieu of a handshake.

When asked what draws her to the Christmas tree Ship story, she pauses for a moment, almost as if unable to decide on one particular quality of the rouse Simmons’ legacy.

“it’s about the hard work,” Becker-Koeppe says, “the hard work of the Schuenemann family and of our ancestors.”

Her eyes light up and she takes a sip from her water and looks out at the east twin river to add, “it’s about perseverance.”

She’s referring to the difficult trip Capt. Schuenemann took each November from Upper Michigan to deliver Christmas trees to Chicago and to the perseverance of the two rivers members of the crew, who attempted to save the rouse Simmons that fateful November.

“it’s about love of the poor and giving to the needy,” Becker-Koeppe says.

While she is referring to the Schuenemann family and their tradition of giving Christmas trees away for free to families who could not afford one, she could also be speaking to her own service and the service of the all-volunteer team at the rogers Street Fishing village.

Helping The Needy

But love of one’s neighbor has also been

the Christmas tree Ship continued from page 9

part of two rivers’ legacy. Becker-Koeppe remembers her mother sharing that during the Depression fishermen would help local families by giving them fish for a meal. “it wasn’t for their own gain,” Becker-Koeppe says. “they did it only so that these families could have a meal, so they wouldn’t go hungry.”

Several of the other volunteers and community members who stop by during our tour urge Becker-Koeppe to take a break, to get some rest.

“My mother lived to be 101,” she tells me, partly by way of explaining her own energetic approach to life after retirement. “i want others to know that it’s not necessary to quit just because one is older. We still have much to give.”

She notes how grateful she is to organizations like the two rivers Historical Society, Pinecrest Historical village, Wisconsin Maritime Museum, rSFv, and the French Canadians and Friends Organization that have kept her involved with the community over the years.

Come November, all of the volunteers’ efforts will pay off in what Becker-Koeppe describes as “an experience that will engage all the senses.”

She can already hear the audience singing along to the musical’s encore song, Blessings of the Branch. She can already see the forest of Christmas trees decorated by local schoolchildren framing the auditorium. She can already smell the fir tree sprigs handed to each audience member as they go out into the night humming the song’s refrain — “take it, and pass it on” — and remembering Capt. Schuenemann and all the other brave families who came before us.

Tickets for the “Christmas Schooner Musical,” on Nov. 23, are available at the Two Rivers Recreation Department by calling (920) 793-5592.

A complete schedule of events for the rouse Simmons Centennial is available at www.rogersstreet.com.

Emilie B. Lindemann is assistant professor of English at Silver Lake College, Manitowoc.

50 plus! . november 2012 . 11

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Leon Burzynski is president of the Wi alliance for retired americans. For more, visit www.wisconsinara.org.

Doug hill is director of know your care Wisconsin, a non-partisan education group

focused on informing citizens about the affordable care act. For more, visit

www.knowyourcare.org.

Finance column

Medicare Open enrollment

Make Sure Medicare Open enrollment is On your Checklistif you’re like most people, fall can be an extremely busy time of year, the kids are getting settled into a new school year, the yard and the house need to be made ready for winter and of course we need to keep up with the Packers on Sundays.

With everything we have going on, it’s so easy to forget another activity that should be on all our fall checklists: helping our parents prepare for Medicare Open enrollment. each year, you have a chance to make changes to your Medicare Advantage or Medicare prescription drug coverage for the following year.

the Medicare Open enrollment Period has been expanded to last seven weeks and will end on Dec. 7. this will give seniors and people with disabilities more time to compare and find the best plan that meets their unique needs. Open enrollment is seniors’ chance to

review their Medicare choices and pick the plan that works for them, but if they decide that they’re happy sticking with the coverage they have now, they don’t need to do anything else.

if Medicare beneficiaries and their families need assistance in helping to choose a plan or deciding to stay on a plan they can utilize two great resources. the first is the Medicare Plan Finder, available at www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan

the second resource is an elder Benefits Specialist. each county in Wisconsin has at least one of these specialists. these individuals can help Medicare beneficiaries learn what plans and what options are available to them. they cannot advise you on what plan to choose, but they will help you gather information to make a more informed decision about which plan is best for you. to make an appointment with your county’s elder benefits specialist you can contact your county’s Commission on Aging and Disability resource Center.

‘Donut Hole’

Additionally, as a result of the Affordable Care Act, coverage for both

Medicare Open Enrollment Began Oct. 15 And Ends Dec. 7.

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brand name and generic drugs in the Part D “donut hole” coverage gap will continue to increase until 2020, when the donut hole will be closed. this year, people with Medicare received a 50 percent discount on covered brand name drugs and 14 percent coverage of generic drugs in the donut hole. in 2013, Medicare Part D’s coverage of brand name drugs will begin to increase, so people with Medicare will receive approximately 53 percent off the cost of brand name drugs, and coverage for 21 percent of the cost of generic drugs, in the donut hole.

Since the law was enacted, 5.4 million people with Medicare have saved over $4.1 billion on prescription drugs in the donut hole. And an estimated 37 million people with Medicare received a preventive benefit free of charge in 2011.

With more benefits, better choices and lower costs, the Wisconsin Alliance for retired Americans and Know your Care encourages people with Medicare and their families to begin reviewing drug and health plan coverage options for 2013.

Last year alone, more than 440,000 So-cial Security and Supplemental Security income (SSi) checks were reported lost or stolen. Despite the risks, millions of senior citizens, people with disabilities and other federal benefit recipients still receive their payments by paper check.

Beneficiaries’ increased exposure to fi-nancial crime is one reason why the U.S. Department of the treasury is phasing out paper checks for federal benefits by March 1, 2013. the new rule requires that all federal beneficiaries choose an electronic payment option, either direct deposit or the treasury-recommended Direct express Debit MasterCard card.

Criminals can steal checks out of mail-boxes, leaving people who rely on that money for essentials, such as medicine, rent or groceries, in a difficult situation, says David Lebryk, commissioner of the treasury Department’s Financial

New electronic Payment rule Will Protect Against Financial Crimes

Management Service. Switching to an electronic payment method is one simple step people can take to protect themselves, and it must be done soon to comply with the new law.

the U.S. Department of the treasury is urging paper check recipients to switch to an electronic payment method as soon as possible.

“Switching now, instead of waiting until the last minute, will help ensure a smooth transition to electronic pay-ments,” Lebryk says. “Waiting to switch also could put your money at risk, es-pecially during the approaching holiday season, which is the peak time of year for financial crimes. As you gather with family, it may be a good time to remind aging relatives about the new require-ment.”

social securiTy

Social Security continued on page 15

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For most of us, driving is a necessity, and so is doing it as cost – effectively as possible – even in retirement when most of us stay in our homes. Saving money on automobile-related expenses like gas and insurance can help free up cash for other important things.

Fortunately, many tactics can help you minimize vehicle costs, from doing ba-sic maintenance tasks yourself to taking a driver safety course that could qualify you for insurance discounts. the driv-ing experts at AArP recommend driv-ers 50 and older focus on three key areas of opportunity for cost-reduction:

Insurance

Older drivers have lower rates of po-lice – reported crashes per capita, limit their driving to familiar routes and bet-ter weather, and drive fewer miles than other age groups, but accident rates per mile start increasing when drivers reach 70, according to the insurance institute for Highway Safety. even if your per-sonal driving record is clean, your age may put you in a demographic that in-surance companies view as higher risk - and you’ll pay higher auto insurance premiums because of it.

Shopping around for auto insurance may help you secure a better rate, but if you’re facing very high premiums, it may make sense to take an extra step. Many insurers offer discounts to driv-ers who complete driver safety courses. Check with your insurance company to see if such a discount is available to you, then look for a program, like AArP Driver Safety’s course, that is specifically designed to help people 50 and older refresh their driving skills and adapt to age-related changes. there are no tests to take for the course. to find an in-person course near you, visit www.aarp.org/findacourse, or sign up for an online course.

Fuel Efficiency

After insurance, fuel can be one of the highest costs of operating a vehicle, es-pecially for those who travel far, such as older drivers commuting from win-ter to summer residences. Car makers have improved overall fuel efficiency for many newer vehicles, but you can take steps to cut your gas costs more – even if you have an older car.

AArP offers these tips for improving fuel efficiency:

Lighten the load. the heavier your vehicle and contents, the more gas it will consume moving down the road. remove excess weight from the trunk and avoid traveling with luggage or bike racks that create drag, add weight and decrease fuel economy.

Watch your speed. While it’s impor-tant to safely keep pace with the flow of traffic around you, keep in mind most cars are at the optimum fuel efficiency around 50 mph.

Drive smoothly. Abrupt stops and starts, and fast, erratic movements in traffic all decrease fuel economy.

try to consolidate trips. rather than making one trip to the grocery store to-day, then the doctor’s office tomorrow and your book club the next day, try to group errands together. Starting a cold engine consumes more gas than keeping it running longer.

Maintenance

With the average age of cars on the road approaching 11 years, according to r.L. Polk & Co., an automotive market research firm, routine maintenance is more important than ever. Doing simple tasks like oil changes, windshield wiper replacement and air filter changes your-self can help save you money.

tasks that you can easily perform your-self include:

Changing the oil and oil filter.

Changing the air filter.

Monitoring tire inflation and adding air if needed.

Checking and cleaning battery con-nections.

replacing worn windshield wipers.

replacing headlight or brake light bulbs.

Other Diy tasks, like replacing brake pads or sparkplugs, or flushing the ra-diator, require a bit more know-how. Fortunately, plenty of online resources offer step-by-step guides for doing more complex vehicle maintenance tasks. And, you can always check with your local community college to see if they offer a basic auto maintenance course. BPT

How Older Drivers Can Cut vehicle Costs

14 . november 2012 . 50 plus!

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ClubJointhe

ClubWelcome To The cluB!

Joan mary cusack born oct. 11, 1962, is an american fi lm, stage and television actress. cusack

has appeared in fi lms, television and stage productions, receiving academy award nominations for Best supporting actress for her roles in the movies “Working girl” and “in & out,” as well as one golden globe nomination. other notable fi lms she has appeared in include “stars and Bars,” “married to the mob,” “say anything... ,” “runaway Bride,” “Toy story 2” and “Toy story 3.” one of her most notable television roles is as a cast member of the sketch comedy Tv show saturday night live in 1985–86.

nia varDalos, born sept. 24, 1962, is a canadian-american actress, screenwriter, director, singer and producer. her most

notable work is the 2002 academy award–nominated fi lm “my Big Fat greek Wedding.” courtesy: Wikipedia

there are many other benefits to elec-tronic payments, such as eliminating the need to visit a bank or credit union to cash or deposit a check. Federal benefit recipients know their money is available to access on payment day every month. the switch to electronic payments will also save taxpayers $1 billion over 10 years.

Options

Since May 1, 2011, all people newly applying for federal benefits, includ-ing Social Security, Supplemental Se-curity income (SSi), veterans Affairs, railroad retirement Board, Office of Personnel Management benefits and other non-tax payments, have had to choose direct depositor, a Direct ex-press card when they sign up for the benefit.

March 1, 2013, is the final deadline when all remaining federal benefit check recipients must start receiving their money electronically.

For federal benefit recipients who do not have a bank or credit union ac-count, or prefer a prepaid card, the U.S. Department of the treasury rec-ommends the Direct express card. With the Direct express card, money will be posted to the card account on payment day each month. there are no sign-up fees, overdraft fees or monthly fees. Some fees for optional services may apply. For information on card fees and features, visit http://www.godirect.org.

Federal benefit recipients can switch to electronic payments online at http://www.godirect.org or through the U.S. treasury elec-tronic Payment Solution Center toll-free at (800) 333-1795.

Social Security continued from page 13

50 plus! . november 2012 . 15

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