Do I Need Medicare Part B?

July 18, 2022

As the Office for Aging Services, Medicare Health Insurance coordinator, I am asked many questions about Medicare and all its “parts” (A, B, C, and D). As time goes on, you would think that the questions I receive would become less and less as our aging population is becoming more computer-savvy and more informed about health insurance since many of the new Medicare beneficiaries have helped their own parents with Medicare and health insurance navigation. But in fact, I have noticed an increase in not only the amount of questions we get on a daily basis at the Office for ...

Learn About Common Scams On Elderly

July 18, 2022

How annoying are these calls. We all get them. Did you know that scams are big business for those who scam to get our money. The New York state attorney’s office receives complaints on scams. The Federal Trade Commission lists the common scams that are reported regularly. Many are phone scams-like the extended warranty on your car. This is from their website at consumer.ftc.gov/features/scam-alerts Imposter scams: A scammer pretends to be someone you trust — a government agency like the Social Security Administration or the IRS, a family member, a love interest, or someone ...

Help Is Available For Those With A Disability

July 18, 2022

July 26, 2022 will be the 32nd birthday of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 was the first time there was federal legislation to provide civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities in the areas of employment, government services, public access/ accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications. New York State has 3,725,215 adults with disabilities. This is equal to about 25%; 1 in 4 adults have a disability. As people age, the chances of acquiring a disability increase but many older adults don’t view ...

This Is A Recertification Form That Is Worth Filling Out

June 27, 2022

Question: I just received a letter from Chautauqua County Department of Health & Human Services, telling me I have Medicaid and need to re-certify within two weeks. I do not have Medicaid and I don’t think I should fill out this form/application. Answer: There are many programs under the umbrella of Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS); one of them being Medicaid. There are many types and levels of Medicaid. Because it is June/July, I would guess that you get your Medicare Part B Premium paid by either New York State or the Federal Government. This Medicare Part B Premium is ...

Qualities To Look For In A Post-Retirement Job

June 20, 2022

The notion of relaxing on a beach all day in one’s golden years is still a retirement dream for millions of adults across the globe. But many individuals also harbor a desire to keep working after retiring. Whether it’s a volunteering gig or a part-time job retirees are looking for, ...

Wearing Purple To Fight Elder Abuse

June 20, 2022

Elder abuse is a real and happening. As a community it is important to be just that — a community! A community is aware of its members-family, friends and neighbors looking out for each other. I once heard that the best burglar alarm is a nosy neighbor. While that makes us laugh — it is really true. When you are aware-see things, hear things and know or suspect problems- something can be done about it. According to the New York State Office for the Aging, 260,000 older adults are victims of abuse every year. Furthermore, for every one case reported, 23 cases go unreported. ...