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New law makes it easier to save on prescription drug costs

February 2009

• The Newspaper for Active Seniors •

Published by Los Cerritos Community Newspaper

Happy Hoofers bring their talent to Orange County senior centers

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nder a new law, more Medicare beneficiaries could qualify for Extra Help with their Medicare prescription drug plan costs because some things no longer count as income and resources. The Extra Help is estimated to be worth an average of $3,900 per year. To qualify for the Extra Help, a person must be on Medicare, have limited income and resources, and reside in one of the 50 states or the Happy Hoofers: [l-r] Barbara-66 years young, B.J.-87, Marilyn-80, District of Columbia. Carol-67, Nancy, Donna-65, and Lu-84 take time out to pose for the To qualify for extra help, people camera. The group performs at civic events and community centers too. must meet certain resource and inwith glitzy, flashy costuming and The Happy Hoofers, a Senior come limits. The new Medicare Citizens group of talented dancprovide fun and entertaining dance ers has been performing in Orange musicals choreographed by Nancy Isbell of Orange County Dance and County for over twenty years. See Drugs Performing at senior social club or Theater Arts (OCDTA). CONTINUED ON 1 civic events, they are showcased [See Hoofers, Page 11]

Presbyterian Hospital’s A Day Away Adult Health Care Center celebrates 10th anniversary

By Linda Bock

Nearly 100 guests came to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the S. Mark Taper Foundation A Day Away Adult Day Health Care Center in La Mirada. It was a major event for Presyterian Intercommunity Hospital (PIH) who sponsors the health center. The guests included PIH Foundation board members, hospital and center staff, volunteers, and caregivers. Supervisor Don Knabe’s office was represented, and LaMirada Mayor Susan Tripp and Whittier Councilman Joe Vinatieri were also on hand. A Day Away provides a beauti-

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Boost your Social Security income If you’re married or divorced, these little-known strategies can add thousands of dollars to your Social Security checks.

Every year, retirees pass up a whopping $10.1 billion in Social Security benefits—spousal benefits that most people don’t even know they’re entitled to. These benefits can increase your income and solve the big riddle that confronts so many of us when we first think about Social Security: whether to get immediate monthly income at 62 or wait and get a bigger check—maybe a lot bigger. If you hold off until you’re 66—which the government considers Full Retirement Age (FRA) for people born from 1943 through 1954—the monthly benefit will be one-third larger than if you take it at 62. Wait until age 70 and the check will be 76 percent larger. The longer you live, the more that will matter—and chances are, you’ll live a long time. The average 65-year-old can expect roughly 20

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More inside:

[l-r] Dawn Marie Kotsonis, Executive Director of PIH Foundation and Community Benefit; Drew Sones, Chair of the IHC/PIH Board of Directors; Pat Bray, VP of Continuing Care; Andrea Avila, Assistant Deputy with Don Knabe’s office; Dr. Bashir Shaw, PIH and Leslie Ciletti, Program Director for A Day Away.

Community North

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Your Health

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Senior Sports

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Your Money

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Community South

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Government & You

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Social Security

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