Friday, May 28, 2010

$250 for Perscription Drugs

Closing the Prescription Drug Coverage Gap

You could be eligible for a $250 rebate this year to help with your Medicare drug costs. The Affordable Care Act passed by Congress and signed by President Obama this year contains some important benefits for Medicare recipients. If you have Medicare prescription drug coverage, and aren’t already getting Medicare Extra Help, Medicare will automatically send you a one-time $250 rebate check after you reach the coverage gap (also called the “donut hole”) in 2010. This rebate is the first step toward closing the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap.

What is the coverage gap and how will I know if I’ve reached it?
Most Medicare drug plans have a coverage gap. This means that after you and your plan have spent a certain amount of money for covered drugs, you have to pay all costs out-of-pocket for your drugs (up to a limit). The Explanation of Benefits notice, which your drug plan mails to you each month when you fill a prescription, will tell you how much you’ve spent on covered drugs and whether you’ve entered the coverage gap.

Will I need to do anything to get this rebate check?
No. There are no forms to fill out. Medicare will automatically send a check that’s made out to you. You don’t need to provide any personal information like your Medicare, Social Security, or bank account numbers to get the rebate check. Don’t give your personal information to anyone who calls you about the $250 rebate check. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to report anyone who does this. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.

When will I get the rebate check?
If you reach the coverage gap this year and enter the Part D “donut hole”, you will receive a one-time $250 rebate check if you are not already receiving Medicare Extra Help. These checks will begin to get mailed to beneficiaries starting in mid-June. Checks will be mailed monthly throughout the year as beneficiaries enter the coverage gap. However, this is a one-time benefit and beneficiaries who qualify will only receive one check after they reach the coverage gap.

What if I don’t get the rebate check when I should?
Beneficiaries who hit the donut hole after the program has begun should expect to receive their check within 45 days. Your rebate may be delayed if Medicare doesn’t have information from your Medicare drug plan showing that you reached the coverage gap in time to include you in the next mailing. You should call your Medicare drug plan to make sure all of your information has been sent to Medicare. If you don’t get your rebate check, contact Medicare. Individuals receiving Medicare Extra Help will not receive a rebate check. You can also check to make sure Social Security has your correct home address. Call 1-800-772-1213 or your local Social Security office. TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778.

What’s Next ….Coming in 2011
If you reach the coverage gap in 2011, you may get a 50% discount on your brand name prescription drugs at the time you buy them. Stay tuned for more information from Medicare.
Help us spread the word about this important benefit and help stop scams against seniors.
Pass this brochure along to your friends, neighbors and family so they know the facts about this important program.

Go to stopmedicarefraud.gov to learn more about how Medicare is working with law enforcement to stop scams against seniors.
You can visit http://www.medicare.gov/, or call 1-800-MEDICARE for more information.

Thank you to Monique Scott of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for sharing this information.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Medicare and the New Health Law – What it Means for You

Starting tomorrow and throughout this week, Medicare beneficiaries across the country should begin receiving copies of a brochure “Medicare and the New Health Law – What it Means for You” in their mailboxes. The mailing from CMS outlines key provisions of the Affordable Care Act for people with Medicare as well as members of their families. The mailing is being sent in both English and Spanish.

Because Medicare is a trusted resource for beneficiaries and their family members, the mailing encourages them to log on to www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to get their questions about Medicare or the Affordable Care Act answered and reminds them to be on the alert for possible scams.

The first benefit that many people with Medicare will receive as a result of the passage of the new law is a one-time check for $250, if they enter the Part D donut hole and are not eligible for Medicare Extra Help. Beginning next year, the Affordable Care Act ensures that Medicare beneficiaries will get free preventive care services like colorectal cancer screening and mammograms, in addition to a free annual wellness visit. The law also includes new tools to help fight fraud by helping Medicare crack down on criminals who are seeking to scam seniors and steal taxpayer dollars.

The brochures can also be found at: http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11467.pdf (English) and http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11467_S.pdf (Spanish).

Please share this information with your members, partners and constituents.

Thank you to Monique Scoot of the Centers For Medicare & Medicaid Services for sharing this information.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

2010 Fall Education & Research Conference

Its that time again, for the 2010 Fall Educaiton & Research Conference, mark your calendars for October 25, 8:45 AM - 4:15 PM at the Four Poit Sheraton in Mars. Speakers will present information on past and current research. Registration Fee for professionals is $75 and $25 for Family Cargivers, which includes a complementary breakfast and lunch.

The speakers for this years conference include William H. Theis, Ph. D., the Chief Medical and Scientific Officer of Alzheimer’s Association National Office who will speak on the 'Promising Projects in Research' and the 'Latest Developments to Treatment & Cure'. Joseph Maroon, M.D., Vice Chairman and Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine will present information on 'How to Live Longer and Healthier'. Perkins Eastman Architect will discuss how to 'Create Residential Care Environment that Promote Healing and Comfort for Residents'. Dana Dudra-Biel of St. John’s Specialty Care will present a 'Demonstration of Brain Fitness System by Dakim. Beth Kuenzi of Marian Manor will provide information on 'Rocking Chair Therapy'. Lastly, Vincentian Collaborative System will discuss the PARO Study.

Who should attend:
Professional staff and family caregivers
6.0 CEUs pending approval: NHA., PCHA
6.5 CEUs pending approval: Social Work ($10.00 fee)
Nursing CEUs (as stated in section 21.132, 133 & 134 Rules & Regs.)

If interested in becoming a sponsor please contact Lois Lutz at lois.lutz@alz.org

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Dementia Trainings 2010

"Making Connections & Understanding Wandering"
Program Length: 4 Hours
Price: $80 per person
Date: June 24, 2010
When: 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Location: Presbyterian Senior Care, 835 S. Main St, Washington , PA 15301

"Reducing Risk of Falls & Promoting Restraint-Free Care"
Program Length: 4 Hours
Price:$80 per person
When: 8:30 AM -12:30 PM
Date: June 14, 2010
Location: (Lawrence) Villa Maria Community Center, 2015 Evergreen Drive, Villa Maria, PA 16155
Date: July 27, 2010
Location: Easter Seals, 252 Railroad St., Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Date: August 26, 2010
Location: Presbyterian Senior Care, 835 S. Main St, Washington, PA 15301

"End of Life"
Program Length: 3 hours
Price: $75 per person
When: 9:00 AM -12:00 PM
Date: September 8, 2010
Location: (Lawrence) Shenango Presbyterian Senior, 238 S. Market St., New Wilmington, PA 16142
Date: September 28, 2010
Location: Woodhaven Care Center, 2400 McGinley Rd., Monroeville, PA 15146
Date: October 28, 2010
Location: Presbyterian Senior Care, 835 S. Main St, Washington , PA 15301

"Learning to Lead"
Program Length: 3 hours
Price: $75 per person
When: 9:00 AM -12:00 PM
Date: November 10, 2010
Location: (Lawrence) Shenango Presbyterian Senior, 238 S. Market St., New Wilmington, PA 16142

Thank you to Lois Lutz of the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Pennsylvania Chapter for sharing this information.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Wise Walk and One Book One Community

If you love the Wise Walk program, than Venture Outdoors has taken it to a whole other level, with the introduction of Nature Wise Walks in conjunction with the One Book One Community selection for 2010 A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. Throughout the summer Venture Outdoors will host a monthly nature inspired Wise Walks which will take walkers through the woods and parks around the area. Wise Walk members are encouraged to join in on the fun as well as non-members. A small fee is required to participate, $5 for members and Wise Walkers $8 for non-members. Each hike will start with a reading from the book, and continue with a leisurely stroll around a local park, while learning its natural and social history.

There are two walks scheduled for:
Monday June 7th at Riverview Park from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Monday July 5th at South Park from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
more walks to follow...

Register by visiting www.ventureoutdoors.org or calling 412-255-0564

Friday, May 21, 2010

Attention Caregivers!

The Jewish Healthcare Foundation, in partnership with the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, has launched an innovative initiative for caregivers of older adults in Allegheny County called Caregiver Champions.

It is a volunteered powered, grassroots effort to reduce the stress of caregiving through learning circles where experts share vital information about coping strategies, tools and resources in our community.

Please take a minute to visit our website at www.caregiverchampions.org and forward it to others who may benefit from our program or who may be interested in leading a group.

Thank you to Pamela Vingle of the Jewish Healthcare Foundation for providing this information.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Local Food from Local Farms

Want to get more local foods from farms in your area?

Consumer Supported Agriculture is a great way to get the fresh food you crave while supporting local area farms through the summer and fall months. Customers are asked to pay for the entire season which entitles them to receive a share of the crop each week. There are dozens of CSAs in Western Pennsylvania which allows for many drop sites in communities near you. One popular CSA is Penn's Corner Farm Alliance. We have partnered with Penn's Corner to offer a promotion for their Harvest Share that begins in mid June. Click here to find out more about the CSA and see a list of drop sites. Subscribers to Penn's Corner who use the coupon code: AHG will receive a Farms of Western Pennsylvania poster.

Farmers MarketsBob Batz, Jr. from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette has put together the 2010 Farmers Market list again this year! This is a great resource to find a farmers market in your neighborhood. The Post Gazette will continue to keep this list updated throughout the summer season. You can also check our website: www.FarmToTablePA.com for updates. Feel free to write a comment about your favorite farmers market.

Edible Allegheny, a local food magazine, is holding a contest to find Pittsburgh's favorite farmers market. You can vote for your favorite market here on their website. Farmers Market on Wheels and The Farm to Table program has created the program "Farmers Market on Wheels." The Farmers Market on Wheels program is a traveling Farmers Market serving senior centers, senior residences and other community groups in Western Pennsylvania. Farmers Market on Wheels is offered through our wellness program, Pathways to SmartCare. There is no fee to participate. Individuals in the community can participate and the farm accepts Farmers Market vouchers. Interested sites can find more information online. We are looking for additional farms for the program. Referrals for farms should contact me at ehart@american-healthcare.net.

Our Wellness Program, The Farm to Table program is an important component of our Wellness Program, Pathways to SmartCare. We provide Wellness solutions to corporations, school districts, senior groups, non profits and employers of all shapes and sizes. The Farm to Table program allows us to promote local food resources to our clients through on-site markets, CSA subscriptions, lunch and learns and events. If you know of a local resource that would complement Farm to Table or Pathways to SmartCare, please let me know.

Join our Facebook group: Farm to Table Pittsburgh.

Thank you to Erin Hart for providing this information.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

2011 National Veterans Wheelchair Games


The National Vererans Wheelchair Games are coming to Pittsburgh next summer, August 1-6 , 2011. Fundraising has already begun for this event sponsored by the Dept. of Veterans Affairs and the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare system.

To learn more about this event, please visit www.pittsburgh.va.gov/NVWG.asp

The 2011 National Veterans Wheelchair Games presents a country and blues bash featuring:
  • The Charlie Daniels Band - June 4, 2010 Trib Total Media Amphitheater at Station Square in Pittsburgh, Pa. Get your tickets today! All proceeds support the 2011 National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Pittsburgh

Ticketmaster.com 1-800-745-3000
General Admission: $28-$38 Gold Circle: $75

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Cart to Heart Volunteer Shopping Service


Ursuline Senior Services is now offering grocery shopping services to homebound seniors throughout Allegheny County. The Cart to Heart program provides shopping services 1-2 times a month, delivers groceries to the older adults kitchen where a volunteer can assist with putting them away, and provides a friendly visit from a volunteer. Older adults that are eligible must be at least 60 years old, live in Allegheny County, be homebound or unable to leave home without assistance, and have no other means to obtain groceries. There is a small shopping fee of $4 or $7 based on monthly income of the older adult. The volunteers for this program are screened, trained, and monitored by Ursuline Senior Services.

To make a referral for the program or to find out more information, please contact Ursuline Senior Services by Phone: (412)683-0400 ext. 236 or E-mail: carttoheart@ursulineseniors.org

Thank you to Roxann Tyger of Ursuline Senior Services for providing this information.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Healthcare Legislation Changes

March 23, 2010

President Obama signed The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA; P.L. 111-148) into law. One week later, he signed the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-152), which made numerous changes to PPACA. The reforms in these laws aim to expand coverage to millions of Americans. They will also require a large number of changes to health insurance products and the regulations that govern them.

For more information regarding the implementation of health insurance reforms and the vital role of the state insurance department in protecting insurance consumers go to www.insurance.pa.gov and click on the icon “Health Care Reform & You.”

Please note ~ these pages will be updated and expanded as the roll-out of the reforms continues.

Thanks to Stephen Rzonca of the Pennsylvania Insurance Department Burearu for providing this information.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Department of Aging Brochures

Do you have older adults in need of information on aging?
Do you feel you have limited resources to offer older adults?

The Department of Aging has prepared numerous brochures which can be printed and easily be used in the library setting. These brochures and informational pieces attempt to give older adults the information that they will need as they get older. Topics include: Benefits and Rights for Older Pennsylvanians, Consumer Protection, Elder Abuse, Health and Wellness, Legal, Long Term Living, Medicare, Older Drivers, PACE/PACENET, and Programs & Services. Many of these pieces are also available in languages other than English allowing them to be helpful to a wider range of older adults.

For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Aging please visit their website.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

One Book One Community 2010

As many may have already heard there is a county wide initiative taking place in Allegheny county throughout the months of April and May. One Book One Community strives to get everyone in the community involved in reading and discussing a single book. This year's selection is A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson which chronicles the author's adventures on the Appalachian trial along with a companion. The books is hysterical at times while also holding true to the foundations of the Appalachian trail and the core experiences of every hiker. As the main theme of the book is nature, resources and events have been complied for Allegheny county allowing members of the community to enjoy all that is offered. Events include walks in nature, 'Greening' your living space, book discussions, and so much more. This year's selection is all the more important for Pittsburghers and Allegheny county as World Environment Day 2010 will be hosted by Pittsburgh advocating for the improved health of our Earth. If you have not already read this years selection, please join in on the discussion connecting the county page by page.

For information about the book and its author, events taking place in your area, resources available in Allegheny county, and much more please visit the One Book One Community website.

Monday, May 10, 2010

AARP Voter's Guide

Not sure who to vote for in the up coming elections. AARP has put together a wonderful Voter's Guide separated by state and than by district the information that all savvy voters should know. The different candidates are asked various questions and AARP indicates how well their response co-insides with the goals of AARP. Topics such as Social Security, Enhancing Retirement Security, Making Health Care More Affordable, and Long-Term Care are discussed. Some of the question do indicate that the candidate either chose not to answer the question or was unable to submit their answers before the deadline. If you are caught between one candidate or another and are still not sure who to vote for AARP's Voter's Guide may help you make a more informed decision come election day.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Choose Privacy Week

Sunday May 2 to Saturday May 8 of 2010!

The American Library Association (ALA) has produced a short film that introduces some of today's most interesting and complex privacy issues. In addition to "man on the street" interviews, the film features individuals like Neil Gaiman, Cory Doctorow, Geoffrey Stone, and ALA President Camila Alire discussing privacy.

Click here to view the film: http://vimeo.com/11399383

For more information about Choose Privacy Week, click here: http://privacyrevolution.org/

Thank you to Mark Hundson the Head of Adult Services at Monroeville Public Library for providing the information for this post.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Reading Material for the Professional Librarian

Working with the community is a large part of every librarian's job and this great new book entitled Librarians as Community Partners: An Outreach Handbook is an amazing guide for either starting a community outreach program or making a system already in place, better. The author Carol Smallwood sets out to show librarians and library professionals what has worked in the past and provide new innovative ideas for the future of libraries everywhere. Published in January of this year this book promises to be an asset to any librarian hoping to have a successful relationship with the community in which they work.

Librarians as Community Partners is available within EINetwork Cataloge.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Open Government Plan

The Social Security Administration announcing their new ‘Open Government Plan’. It reflects the agency’s commitment to increase transparency and expand opportunities for citizen participation and collaboration. There are 3 new initiatives highlighted – Spanish-Language Retirement Estimator, Online Service Enhancement and an Online Life-Expectancy Calculator.

To read more about what this new plan has to offer please check out the April 7th news release from the Social Security Press Office. For more information on other programs and services that are offered please go to http://www.socialsecurity.gov/.

Information provided by Claudia Koenig of the Office of Commonwealth Libraries.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

1 Week Until the DEADLINE!!!

Read About It!
Application Now Available Online
Postmark Deadline: SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2010

Apply for Read About It! — a FREE book discussion series of the Pennsylvania Humanities Council. The packaged series features five programs that appeal to popular interests in literature: American Life Stories, Books on Screen (new book list), Detecting Women, Facts in Fiction: the Civil War Era and Pennsylvania Writers.

Application & Questions
Applications must be postmarked by May 15, 2010. To complete an application, visit http://www.pahumanities.org/resources/read.php.

For additional questions, please contact Read About It! Coordinator Jennifer Miller at jmiller@pahumanities.org or (800) 462.0442 ext. 110.

Benefits of Book Discussion
Read About It! exposes readers across Pennsylvania to the reading and discussion of literature. The programs are open to all who love to read; no prerequisites or special knowledge is required to join a discussion group. In addition, your participants will receive their own copy of the featured books. Participants also get the opportunity to discuss literature with an expert humanities scholar. See what Pennsylvania libraries have said about the program:

“This is a special type of program for our size library. We don’t normally have the budget to accommodate a guest commentator on such great books, or the ability to give all the participants a free copy of the titles to keep. It draws new interest from readers about our library in the hopes that they’ll become steady visitors.” – Cindy D’Agostino, Dormont Public Library

See earlier post for more information on Read About It! 4/9/2010

Social Security Presentations

FREE library event opportunity for older adults that has the promise of being educational for patrons as well as library staff. Social Security can provide speakers for a meeting, luncheon or staff training FREE of charge.
However, Social Security requests that 10 individuals sign up for each session. Each hosting library is asked to request advance reservations in advertisement of the program.

Speakers can include the following in the presentation:
Social Security Online
The Importance of Social Security to Women
Social Security: It's More Than Just Retirement!
The Future of Social Security
Disability: Social Security and SSI
Disability Work Incentives
Understanding the Benefits

To arrange a speaker for your group or organization contact:
Dan Majewski, Public Affairs Specialist
412-644-6332 Ext. 3036
Dan.majewski@ssa.gov