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Avoid scams during open enrollment Medicare Open Enrollment Period is an opportunity to review your current health care plan and for scam artists to take advantage of you. Open Enrollment runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 every year. During this time, you can make changes to your health plan and prescription drug coverage. Even if you are happy with your current health and drug coverage, review what you have, compare it with other options, and make sure that your current coverage still meets your needs for the coming year. You may even be able to lower your prescription drug costs by doing a comparison among plans.
new Medicare number to update your account and to LINDA send you the latest open enMADSEN rollment information. – Caller claims to be a Medicare representative and Project Director says your billing informaND Senior Medicare tion must be confirmed for Patrol/ND Benefits you to keep your coverage. – Caller says you must Enrollment Center sign up for a Part D PreOpen enrollment is also scription Drug plan or you’ll “open season” for identity lose your Medicare coverthieves. Here are some com- age. mon scams seen during To avoid becoming a vicopen enrollment: tim of these scams, hang up. – Caller claims to be from Remember: Medicare and says your – Medicare will not coldMedicare number and call you. checking account informa– Medicare has your new tion are needed to sign you number and will not ask for up for health coverage. it over the phone. Do not – Caller claims to be from give out your Medicare Medicare and asks for your number or your Social Se-
curity Number over the phone. – There are no Medicare sales representatives. Do NOT provide any personal identifying information anyone claiming to be an “official Medicare agent.” – The Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D) is voluntary. Ignore anyone who calls saying you will lose your Medicare coverage if you don’t join their plan. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services does not employ any Medicare sales representatives. Communication from CMS is typically through the mail. CMS is authorized to call beneficiaries in two situations: – A Medicare health or drug plan can call you if
you’re already a member of the plan. The agent who helped you join can also call you. – A customer service representative from 1-800MEDICARE can call you if you’ve called and left a message or a representative said that someone would call you back. Share these tips. Help friends and family avoid these scams this open season. If your Medicare number or Social Security Number has been compromised, or if you would like to learn more about Medicare fraud and taking steps to prevent it, contact the ND SMP at ndsmp@minotstateu.edu 1800-233-1737 or 858-3580.
Are you paying too much for your medications? Every year, Medicare’s open enrollment period is October 15 - December 7. It can be tempting - and easier - for Medicare beneficiaries to simply stick with their current coverage. But that could be a mistake. Medicare health and drug plans can make changes each year things like cost, coverage, and which providers and pharmacies are in your networks. A medication you take may be covered in your prescription drug plan this year, but it might not be next year because drug plans change from year-toyear. If you’re not reevaluating your Medicare Part D prescription drug plan every year, you may be paying too much for your medications. Medicare beneficiaries should read their annual Notice of Change and review their health and prescription drug plan options for 2020 during the open enrollment period. Insurers must notify enrollees of any plan changes for the coming year before the end of September. People should read their Notice of Change carefully, compare their
If you are not able to attend an enrollment event, contact the State Health Insurance Counseling (SHIC) LYLE program for a free drug plan comparHALVORSON ison by calling 701-328-2440 or 800247-0560. Or, visit Medicare.gov to complete a comparison. To complete a Medicare Part D plan comparison at one of these AARP North Dakota events, or by phone or online, you Communications will need a list of your medications, Director including dosages and frequency; Williston your Medicare card; and the full Tuesday, Oct. 22 name of your current plan. current plan with other available 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Take the time to review your plans, and change to a different ARC, 822 18th St. E Medicare options and change your plan during open enrollment if it health plan and prescription drug better meets their current needs. Minot plan for the upcoming year if it Medicare health and prescription Wednesday, Oct. 23 makes sense to do so. drug costs can vary widely between 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. A good rule of thumb for open enplans for the same drug or service. and rollment is to look at the four C’s: During Medicare open enrollment, Thursday, Oct. 24 cost (premiums and cost-sharing); some people may be able to save 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. coverage (Are your current health hundreds of dollars on out-ofSleep Inn & Suites, 2400 10th St. care providers in network? Are your pocket costs just by changing to a SW prescription drugs covered?); condifferent plan. venience (Are in-network providers The N.D. Insurance Department Bismarck and/or the plan’s preferred pharmaholds annual enrollment events cies nearby?); and customer service Friday, Oct. 25 across the state to help people in (Medicare health and prescription 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Medicare determine the best drug plans are rated from poor to exQuality Inn, 1030 E. Interstate cellent on various aspects of cusMedicare Part D prescription drug Ave. tomer service). plan for them. Last year the department estimates it saved North Dakota Medicare beneficiaries attending these events more than $1.7 million. Enrollment events are planned for two days in Minot, and one day in Williston and Bismarck. Individuals will be helped on a first come, first served basis, so be sure to go early.
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Senior Scene is published quarterly by Minot Daily News. It is coordinated by Kent Olson.
Hello from The Wellington Hello seniors SENIOR SCENE
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Greetings from The Wellington Independent and Assisted Living retirement community! Residents at The Wellington have been enjoying the warm weather that summer brings. Community members have enjoyed events such as Salute to Seniors, North Dakota State Fair Senior Day, Dakota Cruisers and Wellington Block Party, numerous Dakota Day trips, fabulous guest musicians and, most recently, celebrated National Assisted Living Week with a full week of fun activities kicked off by Grandparents Day. In Minot, only at The Wellington will you have the luxury of lake view apartments. We offer studio, one bedroom and two bedroom apartments, as well as our premier two bedroom deluxe apartments that boast of over 1,150
Renee Escherich
Community Relations Director The Wellington square feet! Respite Care in one of our furnished apartments is also an option for individuals in need of a temporary stay with assistance. Our pricing structures include all-inclusive Assisted Living with 5 additional levels of care available or Independent Living that offers Al a Carte amenity choices. Our delicious meals are served to you three times a day in our lakeside dining room. If you are not an early riser, our breakfast cart attendant is happy to deliver continental choices to your apartment to enjoy at your leisure. Residents and their guests also enjoy afternoon coffee
and fresh baked treats every afternoon at 2:30 p.m. When you are a resident of The Wellington, all you have to do is enjoy life. Weekly, you will receive laundry and housekeeping services in your apartment and can enjoy door-to-door transportation to your medical appointments within the city of Minot. Our monthly Activities calendar is overflowing with a variety of entertainment! Whether you enjoy exercise classes, weekly church services, Bible studies, bingo, live music, social hours, family night fun, playing cards, watching movies, sing-a-longs, painting classes, or simply socializing, we are certain we have something for everyone. Our resident’s families are always welcome at any time. Have family coming to spend a few
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days with you at The Wellington? We have you covered. Although they are welcome to spend the night with you, we also offer our furnished guest rooms for a very reasonable rate. There are many benefits of community living: plenty of opportunity to socialize, activities galore, personal safety/security, 24/7 care staff on duty and much more! Our Wellington community offers a small town feel while enjoying city living. What are you waiting for? Give us a call today, 858-9800 to schedule a tour at your convenience because Everyone Deserves a Great Life!
Minot area Senior Coalition is gearing up for the 24th Salute to Seniors 2020. Our theme is salute to the “first responders.” Elvis will be in house, along with Johnny LOIS Cash. Dan WagZAHN ner put on great legion show. Bill Merck band President of the Minot will be playing Area Senior Coalition all your favorite dance tunes. Ed Schmaltz as Grandpa Jones will be playing piano in the dining area. Speakers, vendors, hot lunch, photo booth and, of course, great door prizes, so mark on your calendar May 12, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Municipal Auditorium. Smile, Smile & Smile
Independent and Enjoy our spacious private apartments, delicious home-cooked meals, caring and dedicated staff, while indulging in a wealth of fun social activities with new friends.
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Charitable giving in estate plans When discussing final wishes with a client, I routinely ask if they plan to make any gifts to charities upon their passing. For some people, charitable giving is not a consideration because of pressing family and financial needs. For others, however, they want to give, but are unsure what to do next. Whatever your answer to this question might be, pause for a few minutes now and think of some causes or groups of people you would be proud to support. Think beyond the solicitations you get in the mail; the most persistent requests aren’t always the ones best suited to your wishes. Most people don’t have to look back very far in their family tree to find a loved one impacted by Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, heart disease, or cancer. As part of your estate planning, you could help fund a local support group or give to a national organization providing medical research. Perhaps you have a great-grandchild who was recently placed on the autism spectrum or a grandchild who earned a scholarship at MSU or NDSU. You could help fund scholarships and other educa-
DIANE K. LAUTT, J.D.
tional opportunities. A gift to your local church or other ministry can help provide vital spiritual guidance to the next generation. Maybe you’ve never missed a year at Hostfest; it has a related nonprofit organization. Our region is home to numerous deserving nonprofit organizations, many of which are quietly but effectively serving this area. Don’t feel limited to causes in which you have a direct link. Victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse receive crucial support from local nonprofits, as do those who are homeless or struggle with addiction. The opportunities are abundant and diverse. Whether you plan to give during your lifetime or upon your passing, you should first research potential nonprofits to make sure they are reputable and ask a family member for help, if
needed. Contact the organization directly to visit with a giving officer. Know the difference between giving for a one-time expense (such as operating costs or a special project) versus giving to an endowment fund (where your dollars cannot be spent but are used to generate income to be spent in the future). You may wish to give to a community foundation, such as the Minot Area Community Foundation or St. Joseph’s Community Health Foundation, whose sizable endowments allow them to make grants and matching gifts to benefit the region. Community foundations may also hold donor advised funds and specific endowments for local nonprofits without the resources to manage their own endowments. (Full disclosure: the author is a board member of SJCHF.) If you identify a charity you want to benefit, visit with your accountant and attorney about how and when the gift will be made. Together they can identify the pros and cons of making a gift during your lifetime, upon your passing, or both. They can also give
options on how to make the gift. For example, adding a charitable gift to your estate planning could be as simple as adding a paragraph to your Will or updating a beneficiary designation. In some cases, a charitable trust or annuity makes sense given your specific goals and tax situation. Your professional advisors can guide you through determining whether one is appropriate given your situation. If you decide to make a charitable gift during your lifetime, your accountant can keep you up to date on income tax incentives. Since the standardized deduction increased with the last round of federal income tax changes, many people are considering “bunching” two years’ worth of charitable gifts into one tax year in order to itemize deductions. Remember also that North Dakota has an income tax credit for certain gifts made to in-state charitable endowments. However, there have been recent regulatory changes at the federal level that may affect the overall impact of this deduction on your taxes. If you are age 70¢ or older, con-
sider making a qualified charitable distribution from your traditional IRA directly to a qualified charity in order to meet all or part of your annual required minimum distribution. If you follow the IRS rules, this distribution will be excluded from your income at tax time (which is better than paying the income tax and then taking a deduction). Additionally, you can also use a direct charitable distribution to make a charitable gift in an amount exceeding your RMD, up to $100,000. Again, visit with your accountant regarding the current tax rules, as they change frequently. If you decide to make a gift upon your passing, the best course of action is to write this gift into your planning. Do not assume your children will follow your verbal instructions to make the gift. And remember that without written instructions in your planning, your personal representative or trustee cannot make a charitable gift unless all your children and beneficiaries agree. Your children may not all agree to make the gift, forcing some to feel obligated to See ESTATE — Page 5
Lower cholesterol with your diet
Cholesterol is produced by the liver and is also obtained by eating animal products. When you eat more foods that are high in cholesterol, your liver produces less cholesterol. This means that dietary cholesterol does not have much of an effect on total cholesterol levels unless it is eaten in large amounts. Eating foods that are high in saturated fat, trans fat, and sugar can raise cholesterol levels. Remember that there are different types of cholesterol. HDL cholesterol is the “good” cholesterol and LDL cholesterol is the “bad” cholesterol. HDL cholesterol may be beneficial for our health, but having high LDL cholesterol may increase the risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
Lauren Brady
Clinical Dietitian Trinity Homes
Fortunately, making small changes in your diet can help control your cholesterol levels. Follow these tips to help lower, or maintain, LDL cholesterol levels and help lower the risk of heart disease. These tips are beneficial even if you are on cholesterol lowering medication. Eat foods high in fiber. Soluble fiber can absorb cholesterol in the digestive tract and remove it from the body. It is recommended that we eat at least 5-10 grams of soluble fiber every day for the best cholesterol-lowering effects. Soluble fiber can be found in beans,
legumes, whole grains, oatmeal, flax seed, apples, and citrus fruits. Having a bowl of oatmeal with apple slices for breakfast is a simple way to add more soluble fiber into your diet. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are a great source of antioxidants and fiber which both help lower LDL cholesterol levels. Eating at least four servings of fruits and vegetables every day can help lower LDL cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. Use more herbs and spices when cooking. Herbs and spices are packed full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Even though herbs and spices are not eaten in large quantities, they still contribute
to the total amount of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants eaten in a day. Dried and fresh herbs and spices are both beneficial to heart health. Herbs with the highest amount of antioxidants include oregano, sage, mint, thyme, clove, allspice, cinnamon, dill, and cilantro. Eat more unsaturated fat. Replacing most of the saturated fats with unsaturated fats in your diet can reduce LDL cholesterol in a matter of weeks. This can be done by cooking with oil instead of butter or snacking on nuts or nut butters instead of cheese. Saturated fats are found in animal products such as meat, dairy, and eggs. Unsaturated fats are found in plant products such as avocados, olives, fatty fish,
nuts, and oils. Stay away from trans fats. Trans fats are fats that are manufactured and added to processed foods on the shelf and at restaurants. Trans fat can be identified by the words “partially hydrogenated” in the ingredients list. Naturally occurring trans fats can be found in very small amounts in meat and dairy products. Eating trans fat is linked with high LDL cholesterol levels and low HDL cholesterol levels. Trans fats have recently been banned in restaurants and processed foods, making them easier to limit. Drink green tea. Drinking green tea every day can lower LDL cholesterol levels. Green tea is rich in antioxidants which may help reduce the
risk of heart disease. Drinking a cup of green tea with breakfast or with a mid-morning snack is a simple way to add more antioxidants to your diet. Green tea is caffeinated so be careful not to drink it too late in the day so that it will not affect your sleep. Making small diet changes, such as eating more fiber or cooking with more herbs and spices, can help lower LDL cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. Avoiding foods that can increase LDL cholesterol levels, such as trans fat and added sugars, helps to keep LDL and HDL cholesterol levels within a healthy range. At the end of the day, making small changes in your diet each day can significantly improve your cholesterol levels.
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Ask Rusty: Paying income taxes on social security benefits Dear Rusty: I understand that after I reach full retirement age, I no longer have a limit on how much I earn. I retired one year early (65), and am now 76, but I am still being taxed on a portion of my SS benefits. I am not working and making extra money. However, my wife is still working, and I get two small annuities per month. But when I file income tax I am told we made enough for me to be taxed on a portion of my Social Security benefit. I even checked to see if filing married but separate returns would help and it was not as good as joint returns. So maybe you can explain this to me. Signed: Taxpaying Senior Dear Taxpaying Senior: I’m afraid you’re speaking of two different things. You are correct that once you reach your full retirement age there is no longer a limit on how much you can earn from working before your monthly Social Security benefit is reduced. But that is something totally different from paying income tax on your Social Security benefits. Social Security’s “earnings limit” looks only at your earnings from employment (or self-employment) to decide if they should take back some of your benefits before you reach your full retirement age. However, whether or not your Social Security benefits are taxable income is determined by your “combined income,” which includes your adjusted gross income as reported to the IRS, plus any non-taxable interest you may have had, plus 50% of your total Social Security benefits for the tax year. This is often referred to as your “modified adjusted gross income” or “MAGI” and it’s how the IRS determines if, or how much, of your Social Security benefit is taxable income. As a couple filing your income taxes as “married – filing jointly” if your MAGI is over $32,000 then up to 50% of your annual Social Security benefit amount is taxable, and if your MAGI is over $44,000 then up
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make the entire gift from “their share.” Or your children may be influenced by their spouse to spend the money on something “more practical” with an “immediate benefit for the family” such as a new vehicle or a
Medicare about 3 months prior to your 65th birthday but, if not, enrollment can be done by contacting Social Security diRUSSELL rectly. You must enroll in Medicare at age GLOOR 65, unless you have other “creditable” healthcare coverage (such as from an employer) or you will be subject to a late enrollment penalty for enrolling after AMAC Certified Social Security expiration of your initial enrollment peAdvisor riod (your “IEP”). Your “IEP” is a sevenAssociation of Mature American month window which starts 3 months Citizens before the month you turn 65 and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65. You should check with your employer to to 85% of your Social Security income bemake sure your existing coverage is “credcomes taxable. Note that the combined itable” and, if it is, you can delay enincome levels are different, and lower, rolling in Medicare until such time as that when you file your taxes individually. other coverage ends and thus avoid a late The “earnings limit” is a rule imposed enrollment penalty for not enrolling in by Social Security to recover some beneMedicare Part B during your IEP. When fits paid if the limit is exceeded due to your employer coverage ends, you’ll enter your earnings from working. Taxation of a “special enrollment period” during Social Security benefits is done by the which you can enroll in Medicare Part B IRS (not Social Security) and it’s the IRS (and Part D, which is prescription drug who determines if your Social Security coverage) without incurring a late enrollbenefits will add to your income tax burment penalty. den. And while the Social Security earnMedicare Part A (hospitalization coverings limit goes away once you reach your age) is free if you are also eligible for Sofull retirement age, there is no such relief cial Security benefits (you don’t have to from the IRS at any age when it comes to be collecting SS, only eligible). Medicare paying income tax on your Social SecuPart B provides coverage for doctors and rity benefits. outpatient services and there is a premium associated with it ($135.50 for Dear Rusty: I know that when a person 2019). If you have other creditable coverturns 65 he or she must enroll in age you can avoid paying the Part B preMedicare. I have been informed that the mium by not enrolling during your IEP. If charge for this would be deducted from your existing plan also provides credthe Social Security benefit, if it has been itable prescription drug coverage, you can claimed. Otherwise, this will be another also defer enrolling in a Medicare Part D payment for my medical care, in addition plan until your employer coverage ends, to my existing coverage. Please explain at which time you will have 63 days to the relationship between the two protake a Part D plan without incurring a late grams and considerations in timing the enrollment penalty. FYI, you must be enclaim for the SSA benefit. rolled in Medicare Part A to collect SS Signed: Frugal Senior benefits after you are 65 years old, and Dear Frugal Senior: If you are already since Part A is free for anyone eligible for collecting Social Security benefits you Social Security, there is little reason to will be automatically enrolled in not enroll in Part A at age 65 (unless you
trip to Europe in your honor. Numerous life circumstances can create stumbling blocks to carrying out your charitable wishes if they are not formally stated. What if your son is going through an empty-nest divorce? What if your daughter has a major health concern and is living in the nursing home when you pass away? This is more
common as life expectancies rise and two generations within one family can be in the nursing home at the same time. For example, if your daughter receives an inheritance from you, but her own health care costs are very high, making a charitable gift from that inheritance may not be in her best interest if she needs to
qualify for Medicaid in the next five years. Additionally, if one of your children passes away before you, it is even less likely that your grandchildren will know your wishes and follow through with them. These are all reasons why formally adding charitable gifts to your legal planning is the best course of action.
have a Health Savings Account (HSA), in which case there are special rules to consider). Although you enroll in Medicare via Social Security, they are two very separate and distinct programs. Normally, if you are collecting Social Security benefits your Medicare Part B premium is automatically deducted from your Social Security benefit. But if you wish to delay collecting Social Security and want to enroll in Medicare Part B, you can do so and request alternate Medicare Part B premium payment arrangements, for which there are several options. As for the timing of your claim for Social Security benefits, you should evaluate your need for the money, your current health and your expected longevity. If you don’t need the money now and expect to live to at least average life expectancy (about 87 for women and 84 for men) then delaying your claim for SS as long as possible will yield you the highest monthly benefit amount as well as the most in lifetime SS benefits. For each year you delay claiming Social Security beyond your full retirement age you’ll get an additional 8% on your monthly benefit, and you could get as much as 32% more (depending on your FRA) at age 70. Age 70 is when your benefit would reach maximum so you shouldn’t wait beyond age 70 to claim Social Security. This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit our website or email us.
Charitable giving is a private and deeply personal decision. If you have ever considered making charitable giving a part of your estate plan, ask yourself: “If my children or other family members receive 90% of what I have, is that enough?” If you feel the answer to this question is “yes,” I encourage you to
consider using the remaining 10% to be a source of hope and help to others in the community. What a rich tradition to start for future generations to follow. (This article does not constitute legal advice. Each individual should consult his or her own attorney.)
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Hard to believe it is fall Well it’s hard to believe, but we are coming into fall with school starting once again. Trinity Homes likes involving the children with our residents. Children, pets and music are very important to our residents. Kids Connection is always a big hit, McKinley School brings the students over once a month to interact with the seniors. They will do LOIS ZAHN crafts items, Christmas and spring program, parade of Halloween costumes throughout the building, singing favorite Halloween songs. We also have different church groups come in to sing Trinity Homes or visit with our residents. Volunteer The Souris Valley animal shelter bring their Coordinator/Activities dogs or cats over for the residents for pet therapy, In the past we have had staff pet shows, agility demonstration and also not to mention our pet volunteers visiting often. Music is always good for the soul, Trinity Homes bring in different type of music for all ages, bands, singers from old time to rock& roll also our special dances groups and piano recitals. Trinity Homes is so blessed to have great volunteers bringing residents music, pets and entertainment. Our teen volunteers contest ended for the summer. Our firsst place winner is Abigale Rogers, who had the most hours worked this summer. Congratulations! Become a volunteer today.
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DID YOU KNOW?
According to the World Health Organization, one in every three cancers diagnosed is a skin cancer. As troubling as that may seem, it might not give the full picture as to the prevalence of skin cancer. The American Institute for Cancer Research notes that estimating skin cancer incidence is uniquely challenging because of the sheer volume of sub-types of skin cancer. The AICR says that non-melanoma skin cancer is often not tracked by cancer registries, and even when it is, many registrations are incomplete because most cases of nonmelanoma skin cancer are successfully treated. So skin cancer might be even more prevalent today than statistics indicate, and the WHO notes it may only become more so in coming decades due to ozone depletion. As ozone levels are depleted, the atmosphere loses more and more of its protective filter. That loss means more solar radiation will reach the Earth's surface, leading to a spike in skin cancer rates. In fact, the WHO estimates that a 10 percent decrease in ozone levels could result in 300,000 additional cases of non-melanoma skin cancers and 4,500 more cases of melanoma skin cancers. The good news is that scientists with NASA recently documented direct proof that the Antarctic ozone is recovering, a recovery that scientists credit to the 1987 landmark agreement known as the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer. That agreement, which was ratified by 197 United Nations member countries, led to the phasing out of substances linked to ozone depletion.
Alamo Senior Center 528-4881 Business Meeting: 2nd Tuesday, 1 p.m. Social Activities: Birthdays, monthly, last Tuesday Cards: Tuesday p.m., following lunch Senior Meals: Tuesdays, noon Foot Clinic: Odd months, Divide County Health Nurse Anamoose Senior Citizens 465-3316 Business Meeting: 1st Monday with bingo & speaker Social Meeting: 3rd Friday of month Senior Meals: Every Monday, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Chair Exercise: Every Monday & Thurs, 9:30 a.m. Free Blood Pressure Check: 1st Monday, monthly Cards & Dominoes: Every Friday, 6:30 p.m. Berthold Senior Citizens 453-3680 Business Meeting: 3rd Thursday, 3:45 p.m. Cards/Games/Lunch: Tuesdays & Fridays Bone Builders Exercise: Mondays & Wednesdays, 9 a.m. Foot Clinic: 2nd Wednesday, even months (First District Nurses) Bottineau Senior Center 228-3339 Center is open, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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Business Meeting: 1st Tuesday, 1 p.m. Board Meeting: 1st Tuesday, 12:30 p.m. Senior Meals: Served daily at noon, Monday through Friday Brunch every 1st and 3rd Sunday from noon to 1 p.m. Sit & Be Fit Exercise: Wednesdays & Fridays, 10:30 a.m. Cards & Pool played daily Potluck Brunch: 1st & 3rd Sundays Birthday Celebrations: Every 3 months Souris Basin Transit service runs daily Monday through Friday, in town. Bus goes to Minot Thursdays. Call 228-2061, for reservations Bowbells Senior Citizens 337-2376 Business Meeting: 1st Thursday, 2:30 p.m. Social Meetings: (Coffee) Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.; Thursdays, 2 to 4 p.m. Senior Meals: Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 11:30 a.m. Foot Clinic: 2nd Thursday, monthly Cards: Monday evenings, 7 p.m. Bus Service to Kenmare and Minot is available. Burlington Friendly Seniors 838-3561 Business Meeting: 3rd Thursday, 4:30 p.m., Potluck Supper Social Meetings: Coffee, Monday, Wednesday & Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Cards: Thursdays,
lub alendar
1:30 to 4 p.m. Foot Clinic: 3rd Wednesday, odd months, First District Health Nurse Pancake Breakfast: Last Saturday, monthly- January to October, 8 a.m. to noon Butte Senior Center 626-7243 Business Meeting: 1st Tuesday, 2 p.m., monthly, followed by cards & games Social Meetings: Every Tuesday, cards, bingo, games and programs are planned Carpio Senior Citizens 468-5908 Business Meeting: 3rd Thursday, 4 p.m. meeting followed by potluck lunch, 6 p.m. Social Meeting: following business meeting with playing cards Senior Meals: Every Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Call 468-5908 or 2401150 for reservations, leave message. Foot Clinic: 2nd Wednesday morning, even months, First District Health Unit Pool: Wednesdays, 1 p.m. Whist: Thursdays, 1 p.m.
Crosby Senior Center 965-6964 Business Meeting: 1st Friday, monthly, 1:30 p.m., followed by cards & bingo Social Activities: Potluck meal & cards, 4th Friday, Noon Center is open every Friday for cards, games, and speakers Senior Meals: available through the local hospital program Deering Senior Citizens 728-6662 Business Meeting: 2nd Thursday, monthly at City Community Center Social Meetings: Birthday Potluck, 3rd Monday, monthly (winternoon and summer- 6 p.m.) Senior Meals: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in Country Store & Cafe Foot Clinic: 2nd Thursday, monthly Bus Trips to many events Douglas Nifty Fiftys 529-4431 Business Meeting: 4th Tuesday, monthly with potluck Foot Clinic: 4th Monday, even months, First District Health Nurse Social Events: Bingo
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and lots of visiting City meets regularly at the Center. Quilting Mission: Jan. through May, anyone is invited to help! D r ak e Se n i o r C i ti ze n s 465-3225 Business meeting: 4th Monday every month. Potluck every 4th Monday every month. Social activities: Nov.-May open to the public. Every Friday afternoon: cards, games, socializing, coffee and snacks. Foot Clinic: every 3 months, 3rd Wednesday. Call 537-5732 for appointment. Souris Basin public transportation to Minot every Thursday. Call 1800-927-8318. Esmond Golden Age Club 249-3230 Business & Social Meeting: 2nd Tuesday, monthly, 2 p.m. Activities: Potluck Meals, Bingo, and Readings Fessenden Senior Citizens 547-3403 Business Meeting: 3rd Tuesday, monthly, with speakers, programs and games Social Activities: Holiday meals and potlucks Senior Meals: Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays, catered by Wells & Sheridan Aging Council, (home delivered meals available) Birthdays: 1st Monday, monthly
Flaxton Senior Citizens 596-3850 Business Meeting: 2nd Wednesday, monthly Foot Clinic: 4th Wednesday, odd months, First District Health Nurse Pincochle: Every Wednesday Annual Flu Shot Clinic: October Glenburn Senior Citizens 362-7773 Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday: coffee starting at 10 a.m. Meals at 11:30 a.m. 1st Sunday of every month, pancake breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the center. Meeting to follow breakfast. 3rd Sunday of every month, a birthday potluck at the center starting at 12:30 p.m. Games and cards to follow. Footcare every 3rd Monday. Gatherings every Tuesday morning at the Last Hurrah, 10 a.m. breakfast (brunch) on your own. 2nd Saturday of each month, 11:30 a.m. at a different restaurant in Minot, location to be announced at previous month’s meeting. 3rd Thursday of each month, Last Hurrah, 5:30 p.m. Meal on your own. Granville Senior Citizens 728-6888 Business Meeting: 2nd Monday, monthly Social Meetings: 4th Monday, monthly Bingo Afternoon Activities: Daily cards, puzzles and coffee
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Senior Meals: Monday, Wednesday & Fridays, 11:30 a.m., at Memorial Diner Foot Clinic: 3rd Monday, even months, First District Health Nurse Birthdays: 3rd Tuesday, odd months, potluck meal at 4:30 p.m. Souris Basin Transit Service to Minot: Thursdays Grenora Senior Center 694-2472 Business Meeting: 2nd Wednesday, monthly, 1 p.m. Social Activities: Annual Burger Fry and Membership Drive, October Cards: Monday, Wednesday & Fridays Senior Meals: Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays, noon Foot Clinic: odd months, morning, Divide County Health Nurse Harvey Senior Citizens Senior Center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monthly business meeting 2nd Tuesday celebrating birthdays and lunch served. Bingo at Senior Center every Friday at 1:30 p.m., also card games and visiting. Bone builders exercise Mondays and Wednesdays at 1 p.m. Wells, Sheridan Aging Council serves meals Monday through Friday at noon. Supper night is once a month. Home delivered meals are available. Wells, Sheridan
Aging Counci daily bus service to Harvey. Also scheduled bus rides to Minot and Bismarck – call 324-4032. Kenmare Senior Citizens Center 385-4551 Business Meeting: Quarterly, Jan., April, July & Oct Social Meetings: Monday through Saturday, 1:30 p.m.- Games & 3 p.m.- Lunch Senior Meals: Monday through Friday, 11:45 a.m. Foot Clinic: 3rd Wednesday, monthly, First District Health Nurse Exercise: Tuesday & Thursday, 9:30 a.m. Birthday Potluck: November through April, Saturday, noon; May through October, Friday, 6 p.m., Games & Social follows Board members meet as needed. Lansford Hi Neighbors 362-7483 Business Meeting: 1st Wednesday, monthly, 5 p.m. dinner, Lansford Mall Social Meetings: Activities, Tours, Events as planned Senior Meals: Monday through Friday, TJ’s Diner in Lansford Mall Foot Clinic: 4th Thursday, odd months, Lansford Mall, First District Health Nurse Souris Basin Transit Bus Service: Thursdays, to Minot Educational activities, tours, and videos throughout the year.
Lignite Senior Citizens Club 933-2855 Business Meeting: 1st Friday, monthly Social Meetings: Card playing, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Senior Meals: Monday, Wednesday & Fridays, Noon Foot Clinic: 2nd Monday, monthly, Christ Lutheran Church Makoti Senior Citizens 726-5757 Business Meeting: 2nd Wednesday, monthly, 7 p.m. Social Meetings: Potluck Supper, 6 p.m., prior to business meeting Frozen Senior Meals: Order the 1st week of the month, 726-5757 Max Over 55 Club 679-2265 Business Meeting: noon, 4th Friday monthly, except 6 p.m. in June and July, potlucks also. Other Friday potlucks coincide with the school year. Check the city calendar for changes. Mohall 1st & 3rd Friday: Noon potluck, all Invited. 3rd Friday: Business meeting Monday-WednesdayFriday: Bone builders 9:30 am Newburg Senior Citizens 272-6204 Business Meeting: As needed Social Meetings: As scheduled Senior Meal: Wednes-
days, 11:30 a.m., Coffee Cup Cafe, Newburg Mall Foot Clinic: 1st Wednesday, odd months, Community Center, First District Health Nurse New Town Lakeside Senior Citizens - 627-2818 Business meeting: 1st Friday at noon. Senior meals every Friday at noon followed by cards, dominoes, shuffle board, puzzles etc. Parker Senior Center 21 1st Avenue SE Minot 852-0561 website: www.minotcoa.com email: mcoapsc@srt.com Senior Meals: Lunch, Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. in Parker Center Dining Room BINGO: Mondays, 12:15 p.m. EXERCISE: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. Birthday Celebration: 3rd Wednesday Other Events: As scheduled Call: 852-0561 for more information Contact: Deb Leyrer, 852-0561 or debmcoa@srt.com Parshall Golden Jet Set 862-3444 Business Meeting: 1st Wednesday of each Month at 11:30 am. Home cooked meal every Wednesday at noon. $5.00 Foot Clinic: 4th Wednesday; even
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months. Activities: Tuesday afternoons at 3:00 pm are open for suggestions by members and the public. Visiting both days; puzzles. Center is available for rent. Call: Karen O, 862-3642; Judy J, 8623852; Terri M. 862-3124 and Marilyn H. 8623301 Plaza Senior Center 497-3320 Business Meeting: 3rd Wednesday, monthly, 3 p.m., followed by cards and potluck meal Senior Meals: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, at 11:30 a.m., in Plaza Cafe; Monday and Wednesday, Breakfast, in Plaza Cafe Foot Clinic: Every other month, Mountrail County Health Nurse Yoga/Exercise: Three times each week Computer: available for members Powers Lake Senior Citizens 464-5630 Center is open, Mon. through Saturday, 7:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. Business Meeting: 3rd Saturday, monthly, 5:30 p.m., followed by potluck supper
Social Meetings: 2nd Wednesday, monthly, 1:30 p.m. Senior Meals: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, noon; reservations required Catered by “The Food Barn” Foot Clinic: 3rd Wednesday, monthly, First District Health Nurse Souris Basin Transit Bus Service: Thursdays, to Minot Activities: Cards, puzzles, snooker and coffee with treats, anytime! Local papers available, books and TV Ray Senior Center 568-3946 Business Meeting: 2nd Tuesday, monthly, 12:30 p.m. Senior Meals: 2nd Tuesday, weekly, noon Special events and activities: as planned Rolla Senior Citizens 477-6421 Business Meeting: 2nd Friday, monthly, 12:45 p.m., followed by bingo & entertainment Senior Meals: Daily, noon; home delivered and frozen meals available Foot Clinic: 3rd Thursday, monthly Exercise: Bone
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Builders program for seniors Transportation Van: available for rides to medical appointments, shopping and business appointments R u g b y S en i o r C i ti ze ns 7 7 6- 22 4 0 Center is open daily 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Business Meeting: 2nd Monday, monthly, 1:30 p.m. Senior Meals: Monday through Friday, 11:45 a.m., Reservations required by 1:30 p.m. day prior. Bingo: Wednesdays, 1 p.m. Souris Basin Transit Bus Service: Daily, in Rugby and Thursdays, to Minot Ryder Happy Hours Club 758-2404 Business Meeting: 1st Monday, monthly Breakfast: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Foot Clinic: 1st Wednesday, odd months
lub alendar
Sawyer Senior Citizens 624-5256 Potluck meals are planned periodically. Senior meals are served at noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at Sawyer Senior Center. Call 624-5256 for meal reservations. Pool and exercise are available every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning. Members’ birthdays are recognized the first Wednesday of every month at the dinner and birthday cake is served. Activity night and meetings are held the second Thursday of each month. Foot clinic is offered the second Wednesday of every even numbered
Minot Commission on Aging 21 1st Ave. SE, SE, Minot • 852-0561 • www.minotcoa.com
Our Philosophy
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Health health Health services provided provided by our he alth service division, CCaringEdge aringEdge edgewoodhealthcare.com 701.852.1399 | 800 16th Ave SE, Minot | edgewoodhealthcare.com * Edgewood Healthcare althcaree values established through through monitoring on-going resident r data ta collection vs. industry average data. data.
FALL 2019
“Every person should have the right to access services appropriate to their needs so they can lead an independent, meaningful, and dignified life in their own home and community for as long as possible.”
OUR PROGRAMS
Congregate Meals Prairie Rose Home Care Se Services Home Delivered Meals The Parker Parker Coffee Shop Health/Foot Health/ Foot Care Prairie Rose Home Service offers Housekeeping, Laundry, Grocery Shopping, Meal Preparation & Respite on a scheduled basis. PRHS is a designated ND Quality Service Provider. To receive
services available from Prairie Rose Home Service call 701-839-2797.
month. For information on bus service to Minot, call 852-8008. The club email address is sawyerseniorcitizens@srt.com. Stanley Golden Age Club 628-2101 Business meeting 2nd Friday 10 a.m. Home-cooked meal every Friday at noon. Birthday party on the 4th Friday of every month; birthday cake and special music. Senior Basin Transit Bus service every Tuesday and Thursday: call for a ride to Minot. Bus: 1-800-927-8318. Surrey Senior Citizens Activity Center 839-8702 surreyseniors@sr t.com Senior meals are served at noon on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Call center for meal reservations. Home deliveries are available on request. Foot Clinic is available at the center. Call LaVonne at 240-2679 for an appointment. Game night is held every Thursday night
SENIOR SCENE
FALL 2019
starting at 7 p.m. Feb. 1April 15. Snacks are provided. Game night is open to the public. Yoga class is held every Monday night beginning at 5:30 pm. Class is open to the public. Bingo is played every Thursday starting at 1 p.m. Birthday cake and ice cream are served at 12:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month. Board meetings are held on the Tuesday before the last Friday of each month beginning at 5:00 pm Potluck meals are held n the last Friday of each month at 6:30 pm. Tioga Senior Citizens 664-3425 Business Meeting: 2nd Monday, monthly, 12:30 pm; Board Meeting, 11:30 am Social Activity: Bingo, following monthly meetings Cards: Tuesday and Fridays, 1 pm Towner Senior Citizens VIP Club 537-5155 Business Meeting: 1st Wednesday every other month, 10 a.m. Coffee every Monday 10 a.m. Cards and games Tuesday 6:30 Bunco first and third Thursday of the month 1:30 Senior Meals: Summer, Monday through Friday; fall and winter, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sun-
day Foot Clinic: third Tuesday, every other month, First District Health Unit Monthly Potluck & Birthdays: Last Wednesday of the month at noon, with pinochle, whist, hand and foot, and Bunco to follow. Turtle Lake Senior Citizens Center Business Meeting: 2nd Friday of each month at 1:30 p.m. Social Meeting: Every Friday at 1:30 p.m. Special events and activities as planned
Upham 55+ Club 768-2581 Business Meeting: 1st Monday, alternate months Social Meetings: Cards- Wednesday & Saturday, 1 p.m.; both followed by coffee and snacks, 3 p.m. Foot Clinic: 1st Thursday, odd months; First District Health Nurse Velva Star City Senior Citizens 338-2628 Business Meeting: 2nd Wednesday, noon, followed by birthday party, 2 p.m. Senior Meals: Monday,
Wednesday and Friday, 11:30 a.m., catered by Souris Valley Care Center. Volunteers serve meals and package meals for home delivery. Exercise room available for members only. Facility is available for rental. Westhope Senior Citizens 245-6401 Business Meeting: 3rd Monday Center is open Monday through Friday, 2 to 5 pm Senior Meals: Monday through Friday, 11:45 am at Westhope Public
Q. I have trust provisions setup in my will. Is this not the same as a Living Trust? Brad Stai, CTFA
A. No. Quite often, a trust will be included in a person’s Last Will & Testament for tax planning or asset management purposes, as in the case of minor beneficiaries, those having special needs, or other delicate heirship circumstances. This is called a Testamentary Trust. It does not avoid probate and it does not prevent the need for a conservatorship (guardianship) in the event of incapacity where no power of attorney has been designated. Since a Testamentary Trust is part of a will, it must first go through probate, and cannot take effect until after one dies. Only a Living Trust can avoid probate at death, and is also effective in avoiding conservatorship in the event of disability or incapacity.
Minot’s only Local Trust Department
2200 15th Street SW Minot, ND 58701 857-7150
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School Cafeteria. Home delivered meals are available. Foot Clinic: 2nd Monday, monthly at Senior Center. Wildrose Senior Citizens 539-2169 Business Meeting: 1st Tuesday, 1 p.m. Social Meetings: Birthdays, 3rd Tuesday, 1 p.m. Senior Meals: Every Tuesday, noon. Transportation: Wildrose Public Transportation, weekly trips to Crosby, Tioga, Williston and Minot, Call for reservations. Van is also avail-
able for special events. Willow City Senior Citizens Center Business and social meeting: first Monday of the month at 2 p.m. followed by bingo and lunch. Senior meals served at the Backwoods Cafe every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at noon. Card parties Jan.March every Monday at 1:30 p.m. followed by lunch Foot clinic: every odd month on the fourth Wednesday at the Senior Center. Call 228-3101 to make an appointment.
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FALL 2019
Scientists rethink Alzheimer's, diversifying the drug search WASHINGTON (AP) — When researchers at the University of Kentucky compare brains donated from people who died with dementia, very rarely do they find one that bears only Alzheimer's trademark plaques and tangles — no other damage. If they do, "we call it a unicorn," said Donna Wilcock, an Alzheimer's specialist at the university's aging center. Contrary to popular perception, "there are a lot of changes that happen in the aging brain that lead to dementia in addition to plaques and tangles." That hard-won lesson helps explain how scientists are rethinking Alzheimer's. For years researchers have been guided by one leading theory — that getting rid of a buildup of a sticky protein called amyloid would ease the mind-robbing disease. Yet drug after drug has failed. They might clear out the gunk, but they're
dor of neural connections, might activate it in ways that slow Alzheimer's damage. Tuesday, doctors at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix announced they had implanted a pacemaker-like "deep brain stimulation" device into the first of more than 200 patients for an international study . Most of the fresh starts for drugs are in the earliest research stages. It's far from clear that any will pan out, but "the field is now much more openAP Photo minded than it ever was to alDonna Wilcock, of the Sanders-Brown Center ternative ideas," Wilcock said.
on Aging, holds a brain in her lab in Lexington, Ky. BREAKING THE PLAQUE
not stopping Alzheimer's inevitable worsening. The new mantra: diversify. With more money — the government had a record $2.4 billion to spend on Alzheimer's research this year — the focus has shifted to exploring multiple novel ways of attacking a disease now considered too
complex for a one-size-fits-all solution. On the list, researchers are targeting the brain's specialized immune system, fighting inflammation, even asking if simmering infections play a role. Some even are looking beyond drugs, testing if electrical zaps in the brain, along a corri-
AND TANGLE LINK
No one knows what causes Alzheimer's but amyloid deposits were an obvious first suspect, easy to spot when examining brain tissue. But it turns out that gunk starts silently building up 20 years before any memory loss, and by itself it's not enough to cause
degeneration. Sometime after plaques appear, another protein named tau starts forming tangles inside neurons, heralding cell death and memory loss. But again, not always: Autopsies show sometimes people die with large amounts of both plaques and tangles, yet escape dementia. So something else — maybe several other things — also must play a role. One possible culprit: The brain's unique immune cells, called microglia (my-kroh-GLEE'-ah). No surprise if you've never heard of microglia. Neurons are the brain's rock stars, the nerve cells that work together to transmit information like memories. Microglia are part of a different family of cells long regarded as the neurons' support staff. But "it's becoming clear they're much more active and play a much more significant role," said Dr. Richard
Hodes, director of the National Institute on Aging. One microglial job is to gobble up toxic proteins and cellular debris. Recently, a mutation in a gene called TREM2 was found to weaken microglia and the risk of increase Alzheimer's. Dr. David Holtzman at Washington University in St. Louis took a closer look — and says microglia may be key to how the amyloid-tau duo turns toxic. In donated human brains, his team found more tau tangles clustered around amyloid plaques when people harbored microglia-weakening TREM2 mutations. The researchers altered the TREM2 gene in mice and seeded their brains with a little human tau. Sure enough, more tangles formed next to plaques in mice with weak microglia than in those with functional immune cells, they recently reported in Nature Neuroscience.
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