A Special Section Highlighting Senior Lifestyles This month’s focus: Volunteering
Local students help Richfield woman through HOME program BY EMILY HEDGES – CONTRIBUTING WRITER Gert is one of the many senior citizens who look forward each year to a visit from the students of Catholic HEART Workcamp (CHWC). In association with the HOME program, the high school volunteers travel around the country helping neighbors stay independent in their homes, something that means a lot to the 86-yearold Richfield resident. “They did a beautiful job, just splendid. It’s a wonderful thing for people that need it,” said Gert. Last May, six kids from Catholic Heart sanded and painted Gert’s deck, painted her wrought iron furniture and statue, and weeded a number of flowerbeds. “They put a coat on the deck and then came back the next day for a second coat,” said Gert. “They were mannerly, ambitious, and they worked right along with their supervisor. They were splendid kids. I hated to say good-bye.” CHWC works to revitalize communities and beautify homes for the elderly, disabled and those who cannot afford needed repairs, while teaching participants to serve in their local communities. In 2012, CHWC had seven traveling teams with more than 12,500 campers at 47 camps across the country and in Jamaica. “High school students come from different parishes from all over the United States,” said Kitty Engle, HOME program director. “They are a dedicated group of young people who really care about doing a good thing for seniors.” The volunteers stay at Holy Family Catholic Church in Victoria. Teams were divided up and sent to homes all over the area for four days. At night they were treated to dinner at the church and other fun activities. Friday was a reward day with a visit to the Mall of America. “It’s their treat after the hard work of yard
(Photo by Paul Groessel – Sun Newspapers) work and painting,” said Engle. Gert will tell you the kids deserve it. “They were all very nice, great people. You could tell their parents did a lot of wonderful things to mold them,” said Gert. “They all seemed like family oriented kids. Their supervisor was a well-traveled teacher,” said Gert. The maturity of the kids and quality of their
efforts are why HOME enjoys the partnership of CHWC. “They like to visit with the seniors and get to know them. They are really great kids. They want to make people happy and for things to look good,” said Engle. HOME: TO PAGE 10
2 Mature Lifestyles – Thursday, September 20, 2012
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Volunteers concentrate their efforts at home cooperative BY EMILY HEDGES – CONTRIBUTING WRITER Shirl Amundson and Diane Rutschke believe volunteer work can begin at home. Like so many of the residents of Gramercy Park Cooperative in Eagan, the two donate their time and effort to improving their surroundings and building a community to be proud of. “We’re a cooperative,” said Amundson. “We try to cooperate, and we all do things to make living here at the Gramercy enjoyable. That’s my main volunteer job,” she said. Amundson works with the community rummage sale and serves on the social committee to find entertainment and speakers for the building. “I arrange first-Friday speakers on topics of health, community, and self-care. I also work to book entertainment when we have catered dinners,” she said. “I don’t remember volunteering for it. It was about five years ago. Someone said, ‘Can you do this?’ That is how it happened.” Amundson believes that when you make yourself available to help, volunteer opportunities find you. “Being available to do things is a way of volunteering. It’s important for myself. It gives me a reason to get up, get dressed and do something,” said Amundson. “It’s important for those who are aging to get involved with other people. I like being with others, and it inspires me.” In addition to her efforts at home, Amundson spends many hours helping out at the Eagan Community Center. She most often serves as a room host responsible for greeting and serving people attending events at the center. “I stay busy and keep involved. That’s one important way of taking care of yourself,” said Amundson, who lost her husband two years ago. “People volunteer in different ways. Maybe they aren’t as visible and vocal, but they are still volunteering time or goods.” Neighbor Diane Rutschke shares Amundson’s philosophy on volunteerism. The 66-year-old makes herself available for what needs to get done, and is known within the Gramercy Park community as a
Shirl Amundson (right) and Diane Rutschke stand in front of Gramercy Park Cooperative landscaping, just one of the many improvement projects funded by the volunteer efforts of residents. woman of constant energy. “Using my gifts and talents to better my community is important to me,” said Rutschke. Rutschke, a retired nurse, worked in home health care before joining the Red Cross. She spent 10 years traveling around the five-state area with the blood mobile. Since retiring, she has thrown that same energy into volunteerism. She works tirelessly at her church and, like Amundson, is active in her cooperative. “It gets me out of the house. I love dealing with people, caring for others, and making sure they’re safe. I just need to be out there and doing things,” she said. She works on several committees, including the marketing, building and
social committees. She is also part of Gramercy Gals, a group that raises money for a wide-range of causes, including the local Food Shelf. “At a coop, we all work together. I came from a farming community, so cooperatives have always been part of my life. Everybody here is vibrant, eager to get stuff done and govern ourselves,” she said. Amundson agrees. For this senior citizen, it’s all about feeling needed and spending your retirement years connecting with and helping others. “There’s always a need for more people to volunteer. Some people want to be left alone. I feel like their missing out. I think volunteering is what God made us for,” said Amundson.
4 Mature Lifestyles – Thursday, September 20, 2012
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Volunteer finds purpose through nature in Fridley BY EMILY HEDGES – CONTRIBUTING WRITER On one of her walks around Springbrook Nature Center in Fridley, 68-year-old Beverly Kronstedt recalls sitting next to a pond, looking down into the water, and observing a pair of bullheads herding their babies. “I was fascinated,” she recalls. “I assumed they laid eggs and that’s it, but these parents were shooing away other fish. This is what I love about hiking.” Another time, a tiny, white ferret, obviously a house pet, was left in front of the facility. “Hawks and eagles would have gobbled her up,” said Kronstedt. “Fortunately, it was following people around. Now, I’ve got this wonderful little ferret named Daisy.” Kronstedt is amazed at what she learns and gains from nature, which is one of the reasons she volunteers her time at Springbrook Nature Center. “I’m interested in nature. I love walking in the woods and natural areas. Springbrook is almost in my backyard,” she said. Kronstedt began volunteering her time at Springbrook in September 2008. She works in the office, answering phones, greeting visitors and preparing mailings. She also helps with special events, such as Pumpkin Night in the Park and the Spring Fling. “I like to do painting for the backdrops. As long as I don’t have to draw it, I can fill in and paint,” she said. For Springbrook’s youth summer camps, Kronstedt also puts her self-proclaimed marginal art skills to use. She enjoys preparing the supplies that will be used by the children. “Sometimes I help them create the supplies they need for their art projects,” said Kronstedt. “I’m not really good at arts and crafts, so it can’t be too challenging.” One of the reasons Kronstedt selected Springbrook for her volunteer effort is the memory of bringing her children over for various programs. “It’s so important the things they’re teaching the kids. Teaching them early to appreciate nature and preserve what we have is a good thing,” she said. Kronstedt began volunteering at Springbrook while still working as a telephone crisis counselor, a career she began late in life. After working a number of years as a physical therapy aid, at 50 she decided to go
Beverly Kronstedt’s volunteer efforts at Springbrook Nature Center include leading hikes along the nature trails. back to school and pursue a degree in counseling. She earned her Master’s degree from St. Cloud State while working full-time and caring for a child with special needs. Kronstedt worked with Crisis Connection, a statewide program for people in a crisis who need to talk to someone. Her area was in employee assistance, a program paid for my companies to be available to their employees. One of the clients was a company housed in the World Trade Center during 9-11. “We were terribly busy then, talking to people who were in the towers and got out, employees who felt guilty because they arrived at work late that day, because others went back in to help and died,” she said. These days, Kronstedt enjoys helping others, especially senior citizens, enjoy the natu-
ral areas available throughout the Twin Cities. Next year she plans on leading hiking groups through Springbrook and the senior centers in Fridley, Spring Lake Park, and Blaine. “I’ve found a lot of seniors who don’t want to go walking by themselves. This gives them the opportunity once a week or more to get out and explore places they normally would not. This gives them the opportunity to find out about parks they never knew existed,” she said. “If there’s a trail, I’m going to find it.” For more information on joining Kronstedt’s hiking group, call the Fridley Community Center at 763-502-5150. Springbrook Nature Center is located at 100 85th Ave. NW in Fridley. For more information, go to www.springbrooknaturecenter.org.
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Avoiding the penalty on early retirement plan withdrawals The money that you’ve built up in a retirement savings account can look awfully tempting at times, particularly in an uncertain economy. If you feel you have no choice but to withdraw from a retirement account, you may find that it’s a costly option because of the potential taxes and penalties involved. The Minnesota Society of CPAs explains the price you’ll have to pay and how the exceptions to the rules work.
A double whammy As a general rule, if you take an early distribution from a qualified retirement plan or deferred annuity contract before age 59½, you will be hit with a double whammy of penalties. First, you will have to pay ordinary income taxes on your withdrawal. In addition, you’ll face a 10 percent penalty on the amount because of the early withdrawal. Those two rules apply to 401(k)s and traditional IRAs. With a Roth IRA, a qualified distribution escapes taxes and penalties, but a nonqualified distribution does not. Since the distinctions between the two are complicated, be sure to consult your CPA for more information. In all cases, the taxation and penalty don’t apply to distributions that are rolled over into another qualified retirement plan.
How do exceptions work? There are several exceptions to the penalties. Retirement plans may permit withdrawals when there is an “immediate and heavy” financial need. The Internal Revenue Service notes that needs that fit this definition may vary based on each situation. However, it is safe to say there would be no exception if you have other resources to address the need. The need may relate to yourself, your spouse or a dependent. In its guidance, the Internal Revenue Service includes funeral or medical expenses in this definition.
Education and health exceptions There are also exceptions relating to education and health concerns. The penalty generally doesn’t apply (although the tax may) for withdrawals
made to cover qualified higher education expenses for yourself, your spouse or your children or grandchildren. When it comes to health concerns, you may take early withdrawals if you are totally or permanently disabled. In addition, you can tap into your retirement funds to cover medical expenses that add up to more than 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income.
Medical insurance for the unemployed You can also take a penalty-free early distribution for health insurance premiums if you are unemployed, have received unemployment compensation for at least 12 consecutive weeks and have taken the distributions during the same year in which the unemployment compensation is made, or the succeeding year. But, these payments are limited to the actual amount paid for insurance for the employee, his spouse and their dependents. In addition, taxpayers who are self-employed qualify for this exemption if self-employment is the only reason they do not qualify for unemployment compensation.
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Taking periodic payments Another exception comes into play in certain circumstances when you take distributions in a series of substantially equal periodic payments over your own life expectancy or the life expectancies of yourself and your designated beneficiary. These withdrawals must be taken at least annually, and there are complicated approaches to calculating them and ensuring that they remain tax free. Be sure to contact your CPA if you want more information. As a general rule, if you need money in a pinch, it’s best to draw first from your emergency funds or from any investments that you have. If you don’t have a nest egg available and are seriously considering withdrawing from a retirement account, given the complexity of the rules on retirement plan withdrawals, be sure to turn to a local expert. Visit www.mncpa.org/referral to locate a CPA in your area.
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Live well in retirement Are you concerned about being able to pay for a secure and happy retirement? The good news is that there are many costs that retirees typically don’t face, such as commuting to work, buying a business wardrobe or saving for their children’s college tuition. Many other expenses will stay the same, and the Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants advises that you can make some smart choices in order to live well on a fixed retirement budget.
Time to save more Many people dream of retirement because it promises unstructured days and fewer time commitments. They may not have considered all of the associated cost benefits, however. With more time on their hands, retirees can spend more time shopping for bargains on everyday items such as food or big-ticket purchases like appliances, electronics or cars. They can also cut down on restaurant and takeout charges by spending their evenings cooking. If your home cooking cuts out some of the
fats and calories found in restaurant or takeout meals, you may also find your medical costs dropping. Those with travel plans can take advantage of lower midweek airfares or offseason hotel bargains unavailable to people who work weekdays or who have to consider children’s school schedules. Finally, remember all those to-do lists you made over the years? Retirement allows you the time to make needed repairs or renovations and save on paying someone else to do them. Your greater flexibility can help you keep more money in your pocket.
Savor simplicity Living on a fixed income may place limitations on your spending, but it can also open new possibilities. If you don’t already live near family or good friends, consider moving closer so that you can spend time with them rather than spending money on travel and entertainment. Your life skills will be highly valuable to a wide variety of charitable organizations, so research your choices and see where you can make a differ-
ence. You may find that your most enjoyable experiences are free for the taking.
Think cozy ‌ Retirement offers many options for making significant cuts in your housing costs. The first step for many people is downsizing from a home where space is no longer needed for children or extensive entertainment—especially if you plan to travel. If you decide to move, spend some time researching real estate and state taxes in new locations so that you can cut those costs and your mortgage bill. You should also consider “accessibility issuesâ€? in your next move, like the number of stairs you will need to climb.
‌ And convenient Given the high gas prices in recent years, retirement relocation may also offer the chance to unload one or all of your cars and allow you to drop your auto loan or lease fees and insurance. In addition, you’ll save on fuel and maintenance costs. Consider moving to an
area with good public transportation that has a bustling downtown with the stores you need so that you can live without a car. It may make it easier to stay active in retirement while holding down your costs.
Plan ahead The CPA profession’s 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy program offers information and tools that you can use to understand and tackle a number of financial challenges, including those associated with retirement. For example, the site’s retirement pension planning calculator, can help you determine whether you’re saving enough to finance the retirement of your dreams. In addition, the CPA profession’s Total Tax Insights Calculator gives you a clearer picture of the types of taxes you pay—including many you may not even know exist—and estimated costs associated with them. Visit the MNCPA website at mncpa.org for great personal financial planning advice and tips for every stage of your life.
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8 Mature Lifestyles – Thursday, September 20, 2012
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Breck students reach out to local homeowners BY EMILY HEDGES – CONTRIBUTING WRITER
St. Louis Park resident Donna Leonard inspects the work of Breck School students on cleaning up her garage. The students from the Golden Valley school were working with the HOME Program.
Sweeping out your garage may seem like a simple task to some, but not Donna Leonard. The 87-year-old St. Louis Park resident sees it as a valuable service that she can’t do herself. That’s where the students from Breck School in Golden Valley come in. Once a year, they make it their mission to find seniors through the HOME program who need strong arms and hearts ready to help. “Before I contacted HOME, I was really in a bind. Although I was willing to pay for some work, I had trouble finding anyone who wanted to do small jobs,” said Leonard. This past May, students from Breck School arrived at Leonard’s home and got to work. “The wind blows all kind of dust and leaves into the garage that I’m not able to sweep out,” said Leonard. “They took everything out of the
(Photo by Seth Rowe – Sun Newspapers)
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FROM PREVIOUS PAGE garage, swept it out and put all of the debris in the garbage.” Leonard has worked with the HOME program for two years. In addition to the work from Breck School, volunteers cut her lawn all summer and have done some basic home repairs. “I couldn’t find anyone to cut my lawn. I had a friend who helped me get by. Then I found out that HOME was willing to do it,” said Leonard. “I also had a threshold going into my house that was cracked and moldy. They fixed it and repaired some doors so they fit tighter.” Leonard appreciates the contribution HOME makes to keep her independent in her home. “Without HOME, I probably would have contracted somebody to do the work, because I needed it done and I couldn’t do it myself, but it would have been a costly item for me,” said
Leonard. HOME, which stands for Household and Outside Maintenance for the Elderly, has partnered with Breck School for more than a decade. Each year, students and parents provide hundreds of hours of volunteer service to the organization through chores like raking, window washing, weed pulling, painting, gardening and many other activities. “Clients and students enjoy the opportunity to get to know each other and they can even “bridge the gap” between
‘I couldn’t find anyone to cut my lawn. I had a friend who helped me get by. Then I found out that HOME was willing to do it. ... I also had a threshold going into my house that was cracked and moldy. They fixed it and repaired some doors so they fit tighter.’
My mother is a to me, and to my children.
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the generations. Clients have said that the volunteers are always very friendly, pleasant and resourceful. They have said that Breck should be proud of its members,” said Tim Morin, program coordinator for H O M E North/West. The HOME program is a homemaker and maintenance program that is designed to assist the eld-DONNA LEONARD erly. The goal is to assist those who are age 60 and older, or those with disabilities in order to allow them to remain
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in their homes. Services include: house cleaning, food preparation, grocery shopping, window washing, lawn care, and other maintenance and homemaker services. They are currently taking applications for fall raking and yard cleanup. For HOME North/West serving Brooklyn Center, Crystal, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, New Hope, Plymouth, Robbinsdale and Wayzata, call (952) 746-4046. The HOME program is a part of Senior Community Services (SCS). Since its establishment in 1950, SCS has worked to meet the needs of seniors and caregivers. SCS offers services, including professional care coordination, caregiver support groups, Eldercare Partners caregiver coaching and counseling, CareNextion caregiver websites, Medicare and health insurance counseling, homemaking, home maintenance and chore services, meals on wheels and programming at six senior centers. More information may be found at www.seniorcommunity.org.
Do you have trouble using the telephone due to hearing loss, speech or physical disability? Please contact us for an application or for more information at 1-800-657-3663 email: ted.program@state.mn.us Let us know you saw this ad in Sun Newspapers
Duluth • Mankato • Metro Moorhead • St. Cloud The Telephone Equipment Distribution Program is funded through the Department of Commerce Telecommunications Access Minnesota (TAM) and administered by the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
10 Mature Lifestyles – Thursday, September 20, 2012
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‘Pillowcase dresses’ clothe little girls in Haiti and Africa, thanks to New Hope woman’s efforts BY EMILY HEDGES – CONTRIBUTING WRITER Helen Hanson can make a pillowcase dress in her sleep. When she sits down in her spare bedroom to sew, her fingers fly into action folding, pressing, and stitching the used fabric into new creations. Over the past 10 years, the New Hope resident estimates she’s sewn more than 2,000 dresses for little girls in Haiti and Africa, and she is showing no signs of slowing down. “After you retire, so many people our age are just socializing or going on trips,” said Helen. “I just wanted to feel like I am doing something worthwhile.” The Hanson’s son Steve, a mission’s pastor, asked Helen if she would like to sew dresses for him to take on his mission trips. Her first stop was the fabric store for material and patterns. Her first batch of 500 dresses in different sizes when to Haiti. When friends told Helen about “pillowcase” dresses, she thought this might be a better way to make more dresses in less time. “I started going to thrift stores to buy used pillowcases. Friends started to give me pillowcases. It takes very little time to make them,” said Helen. “I sat down yesterday at 2 p.m., and by 3:30 I’d made three.” Over the years, Helen has received a number of photographs of little girls wearing her dresses. She finds it inspires her to keep making more. Her husband Bob isn’t surprised at all that Helen has accomplished. “She is not one to sit around and read the papers. She likes to be doing something. We both come from a working family. We’re both workaholics. She spends most of her time doing dresses,” said Bob. Bob, 88, sold his CPA firm 21 years ago and the couple moved to Arizona where he volunteered as pastor of seniors at Trinity Baptist Church in Mesa, Arizona. “I volunteered during that time at the hospital where I’d sit with patients,” said Bob. “I was in the room when their families would call, and I listened to the conversations and saw the frustrations felt when loved ones couldn’t be together.” His experience convinced Bob they needed to return home. In 2001, the couple moved back to Minnesota, the place where they raised their six children, all of whom share their parents’ commitment to volunteering. Once the Hansons returned to live full-time in Minnesota, the phone began to ring with Bob’s former clients.
HOME FROM PAGE 1 Gert has worked with Engle and HOME, which stands for Household and Outside Maintenance for the Elderly, for more than nine years. In the spring and fall, HOME sends someone to do outside work for Gert and once a month a volunteer comes to clean.
“During income tax season, I prepare many corporate business income tax returns plus about 100 individual returns from my home office,” said Bob. “This keeps me connected to the younger world.” Over the next decade, Bob and Helen spent their time working, volunteering, and spending time with their children. But on June 24, 2011, their lives were rocked by the death of their oldest son, Robert (Bob), 65, who was living and working in the Philippines as a teacher. Much like his parents, Robert had wanted to do something to help others. As a retired teacher in the Twin Cities, Robert had volunteered to go on a Mission of the Little Children of the Philippines. While there, he had an experience that changed his life. In Dumaguete City, he encountered a little boy sweeping the floor. When he asked him about his family, the boy said he parents had
“I would be in a nursing home or assisted living. The services I get from HOME allow me to live in my home. That’s the most important thing of all to me,” said Gert. “HOME is really blessed with volunteers like Catholic Heart. They help us accomplish projects we wouldn’t be able to do and homeowners couldn’t afford. They make the difference in our program,” said Engle. For more information about Catholic
dropped him off there and never returned. He swept the floors for a place to sleep and rice to stay alive. Robert returned to Minnesota, sold everything, and spent the next 10 years, until his death, helping children in the Philippines. “At Bob’s memorial service in Crystal, 60 of my clients were there in memory of our son. He was a great guy. We’ve got piles of letters from kids whose lives he changed. He was a teacher’s teacher,” said Bob. Now it is Helen who is making kids lives better in far off places. As she sits at her sewing machine hour after hour constructing dresses to make children happy, she doesn’t feel her 90 years. She feels connected to youth, service, and the idea that her own children also have embodied – that one person can make a difference in the lives of others.
Heart, go to www.heartworkcamp.com. The HOME program is a homemaker and maintenance program that is designed to assist the elderly. The goal is to assist those who are age 60 and older, or those with disabilities in order to allow them to remain in their homes. Services include: house cleaning, food preparation, grocery shopping, window washing, lawn care, and other maintenance and homemaker services. HOME is currently taking applications for fall
raking and yard cleanup at www.seniorcommunity.org. For more information on HOME South serving the communities of Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Edina, Richfield and St. Louis Park, call (952) 888-5530. For HOME North/West serving Brooklyn Center, Crystal, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, New Hope, Plymouth, Robbinsdale and Wayzata, call 952-7464046.
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Thursday, September 20, 2012– Mature Lifestyles 11
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CALL NOW IF YOU WISH TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS FIELD TRIAL
8 DAYS ONLY!
“I didn't realize how poor my old hearing aids were. I couldn't believe how noisy things were, like the car, road noise, the furnace, but now I'm used to them. I tell everyone to get help as soon as they notice a problem - hear better while you can still hear.” Ethel Venne, Coon Rapids, MN
“My family notices that I am hearing better because I'm not saying “what” all the time. After church at coffee, I am not missing out like I used to. My wife says I have the TV too low. I am better able to tell where sound is coming from and at work it has been easier to follow conversation.” Eugene Haag, Coon Rapids, MN
3) You are willing to report your experiences of the trial to our trained staff.
FIELD TRIAL IS AVAILABLE Fri., Sept. 21st – Fri., Sept. 28th
HEARING TEST BY APPOINTMENT ONLY! OVER O VER 72 YEARS!
Evenings, weekend, and in home appointments available PLYMOUTH 12805 Hwy 55
COON RAPIDS 2003 NW Northdale Blvd
BLOOMINGTON 5127 West 98th St.
1-800-647-1370
BURNSVILLE 13755 Nicollet Ave S.
12 Mature Lifestyles – Thursday, September 20, 2012
www.mnsun.com
YOU’RE
Hello, Boomers! UCare welcomes you with Medicare plans that offer the right benefits at the right price, all in one simple package.
STILL IN THIS THING TOGETHER.
WE’VE
BEEN EXPECTING YOU.
For instant access to rates, plan details, our schedule of informational meetings and more, visit UCareplans.org, or call (toll free) 1-877-523-1518 (TTY) 1-800-688-2534, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
UCare for SeniorsSM lets you tailor your health care to meet your needs with plans that cover prescription drugs, eyewear, dental and more. All UCare for Seniors plans include travel coverage and fitness programs, and there are no copays for primary care doctor visits. You’ll even get to talk to a real person 24/7 when you call customer service. It’s just what you’d expect from health care that starts with you. UCare Minnesota and UCare Wisconsin, Inc. are health plans with Medicare contracts. ©2012, UCare H2459 H4270_ 080112 CMS Accepted (08062012)