Senior News

By Diane Kittelson, Pope County Senior Services Consultant/Coordinator

Hello, senior citizens. October is a busy month. The Pope County Council on Aging would like to invite you to the Annual Senior Citizens Fall Party on Thursday, Oct. 26, at the Minnewaska House Brewing Co + Grill. Dinner is served at 11:30 a.m.; the cost this year is $9 per person. Tickets are available at Western Prairie Human Services, 211 E Minnesota Ave, Glenwood. Tickets can also be reserved by calling 320-634-7755 and paid for at the door. We will be serving a meatball dinner, there will grab bags for sale, entertainment and of course lots of fun door prizes! We hope to see you all there!

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Coffee with a Cop will be held in Cyrus at the Trinity Lutheran Church on Wednesday, Oct. 18, at 2 p.m. We will be in Villard on Tuesday, Nov. 14, at 2 p.m. at the Villard Community Center. This is an event for senior citizens to visit with our local law enforcement and the Pope County Triad about any scams or safety issues you should be aware of, get to know our law enforcement and discuss any other information concerning the safety and well-being of our aging communities.

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Open enrollment began Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7, 2023. People on Medicare are encouraged to review their plans and choose the plan that best suits their medical needs. Plans can change their formularies, it is possible what covered your medications this year, may not next year, that’s why it is important to compare plans.

What you can do during open enrollment?

• Join or drop a Part D, Prescription Drug Plan

• Switch between Part D, Prescription Drug Plans

• Switch to an Advantage Plan (if you have Original Medicare)

• Switch back to Original Medicare (if you have an Advantage Plan)

• Switch between Medicare Advantage Plans

If you want to leave an Advantage plan and apply for a different supplement in coordination with Original Medicare (known as Medigap), you should do this in the beginning of Open Enrollment as your application takes time to process, especially when there is underwriting and health screenings. Look, Compare, and Choose the plan that is right for you! You can do review plans on Medicare.gov. When you are ready to compare your plans, the Senior Linkage Line and Senior Coordinator can help you choose the one that works best for you. The Senior Linkage Line is 1-800-333-2433, or call the Senior Coordinator at 218-685-8220 or 320-634-7755.

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Have you ever wondered if it is time to give up driving? We all age differently, and for this reason, there is not one recommended age to quit driving. So how does one know when to stop? To help decide ask yourself:

• Do others honk at me?

• Have I had some accidents even if just “fender benders?

• Am I having trouble seeing road signs, exits or lane lines?

• Am I still flexible enough to turn my head to check mirrors and blind spots comfortably?

• Have physical conditions or medications slowed my reaction time?

• Do I get lost frequently, even on familiar roads?

• Do cars or pedestrians seem to appear out of nowhere?

• Am I often distracted while driving?

• Have family, friends or my doctor said they’re worried about my driving?

• Am I driving less these days because I’m not as sure about my driving as I used to be?

• Do I have trouble staying in my lane?

• Do I have trouble moving my foot between the gas and brake pedals, or do I confuse the two?

• Have I been pulled over by a police officer about my driving?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it may be time to talk with your doctor or family members about your driving, or to consider a driving assessment. Think about ridesharing with friends or using the Rainbow Rider. It may seem too pricey, but if you are no longer driving you will no longer have the expenses of car insurance, gas and maintenance. (Source: National Institute on Aging)

For any additional information, resources, or questions, please call Diane at 320-424-0018. Assistance and education for those living with dementia or caring for someone living with dementia is also available.