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Najja R. Orr, MBA, DBA, President and CEO
PCA Board of Directors 2022-23
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The views expressed in Milestones are not necessarily those of Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA). Milestones will not knowingly accept or publish fraudulent or misleading advertising. Mile stones reserves the right to edit, revise or reject ads. Milestones assumes no responsibility for errors, misprints, omissions or misinformation; for failure to publish an ad; or for any damages of any kind. Neither the publisher nor any other party is rendering expert advice in this publication. No part of this newspaper may be reproduced without the permission of PCA. ©2022 Philadelphia Corporation for Aging. All rights reserved.
October is dedicated to several health observances. Among them are month-long awareness of breast cancer, health literacy and dental hygiene. This month also marks the start of Medicare’s annual Open Enroll ment, on Oct. 15, during which both current and new Medicare beneficiaries can compare coverage options and switch plans for the next year.
The health care issue of Milestones in cludes a wealth of “healthful” information and resources to assist with navigating Medi care, understanding monkeypox, knowing the risks for breast cancer and storing medi cations safely.
The first step in taking charge of your health is knowledge. You need to advocate for your own health care. Plan for your med ical appointments by writing down a list of your symptoms, current medications and questions. Take notes and/or bring a com panion to your medical appointments if necessary. If your health care provider men tions unfamiliar terms, ask them to spell the word(s) or write them down. Many health systems and insurance companies have on line health records or portals where you can obtain more information about your health conditions, diagnoses and test results. Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor questions and to admit that you don’t understand something and need further explanation.
Beyond the doctor’s office, it’s vitally im portant to know where to turn when you need information and assistance. The PCA Helpline at 215-765-9040 is the number to call for resources to help older adults and their caregivers maintain a healthy lifestyle or to improve their well-being.
PCA’s programs support economic stabili ty, education, health care, neighborhood and built environment, and social and commu nity context. These five areas are known as social determinants of health, which encom pass the conditions where people are born,
grow, live, work and age that affect a wide range of health and quality-of-life risks and outcomes. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, social deter minants of health impact as much as 50% of local variations in health outcomes. Socio economic factors, such as poverty, employ ment and education, have the largest impact on health outcomes.
Among the programs that PCA funds are the network of senior community cen ters located in neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia. These centers offer an array of health programs, ranging from exercise classes to workshops. It’s a great place to keep up with or to improve your health. To locate your nearest senior community center or ad ditional health resources, call the PCA Help line or go to pcaCares.org.
Additionally, several times a year, PCA hosts six-week series of evidence-based health promotion programs to help old er adults better manage their own chronic health conditions, including diabetes, pain and HIV/AIDS. For more information about these programs or to register for an upcom ing series, contact PCA’s Health Promotion Specialist Lauren Jirinec at 215-765-9000, ext. 5119.
When it comes to taking care of your health, you need to take action. Even making small, healthier changes can improve your overall well-being.
Medicare is the national health insurance program for people 65 and older. Open enrollment for 2023 Medicare coverage begins October 15 and continues through December 7.
With four different parts, two different coverage options and a few eligibility requirements, Medicare can seem overwhelming. Read on to learn about the basics of Medicare, so you can get the coverage you need to maintain your health and well-being.
Original Medicare includes cov erage for hospital and medical care. With this coverage option, you can see any doctor or hospi tal that accepts Medicare, and, in most cases, you do not need a re ferral to see a specialist. Original Medicare will cover most medical ly necessary services and supplies. However, it will not cover some services, including most dental care or routine eye exams. You will pay a monthly premium for your medical insurance. If you require prescription coverage, you may need to purchase separate drug coverage plan.
Medicare Advantage is an alter native to original Medicare that offers the added choice of bun dled plans that include coverage
for hospital and medical care, pre scriptions, and additional benefits.
With a Medicare Advantage plan, you can only see doctors and pro viders who are in the network of the plan, and you may need a re ferral to see a specialist. Depend ing on your choice, routine eye ex ams and dental visits may also be covered. You will pay a premium for this plan each month.
Medicare Part A (hospital in surance) will help cover the cost of inpatient care in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, hospice care, and home health care.
Medicare Part B (medical in surance) helps cover the cost of routine tests and screenings; vac cinations; primary health care; specialists; outpatient care; home health care; and medically neces sary equipment, including wheel chairs, walkers or in-home hospi tal beds.
Medicare Part C (Medicare Ad vantage) offers additional cover age and more options than origi nal Medicare, for an added cost. These plans are approved by Medi care but are provided by a private health insurance company, instead of the government.
Medicare Part D helps cover the cost of prescriptions and vaccines.
Like Medicare Ad vantage, plans of fering prescription drug coverage are provided by private health insurance companies.
You are eligible to enroll in Medicare if you are 65 or old er. In fact, you will be automatically enrolled in original Medicare if you receive benefits from Social Security. Your cover age begins on the first day of the month you turn 65. You should receive your Medicare card in the mail three months prior to your 65th birthday.
You may be eligible to receive Medicare before 65 if you have a disability, end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or ALS (Lou Gehrig’s dis ease).
You may want to enroll in a sepa rate prescription drug plan (Medi care Part D) to offset the cost of medications and/or purchase sup plemental insurance (Medicare Advantage/Part C) to lower your out-of-pocket costs. Medigap is Medicare Supplement Insurance
that helps fill “gaps” in original Medicare and is sold by private companies.
There are numerous pro grams available that can assist income-eligible older adults with their health care costs. For exam ple, Extra Help is for individuals with limited income and resourc es. If you meet the minimum year ly income requirement, you may be able to access additional funds to subsidize your prescription drug costs. The income require ments are currently under review for 2023 coverage.
For more information about Medicare programs and options, call 1-800-MEDICARE (6334227) or go to medicare.gov
Mary Anna Rodabaugh is a writer, editor and writing coach.
about one in every 100 cases. The rate of male breast cancer is higher (about 8%) in the Ashkenazi population, or among Jewish individuals whose an cestors lived in Central and Eastern Europe. Jewish women also face a slightly higher risk for breast cancer, as do Eastern European men who ar en’t Jewish, Dr. Brill said.
According to Dr. Brill, noticeable symptoms in men include a mass, al teration or discharge. Red flags that a man may be at higher risk for breast cancer include a strong family histo ry of breast cancer, pancreatic cancer and Ashkenazi heritage.
so our study addresses cancer dispar ities in African American women, a historically under-represented group in research studies,” Dr. Murphy said.
“Our results show that the risk of de veloping breast cancer is increased by nearly 70% in premenopausal women who carry this variant.”
Dr. Murphy and her colleagues conducted statistical studies on a co hort of more than 14,000 women of African descent and didn’t find any association of the variant with in creased breast cancer risk overall. The gene variant appears to only increase risk in premenopausal women.
When it comes to diagnosing and treating breast cancer, older adults have special challenges.
Dr. Kristin L. Brill, the Sidney Kim mel Cancer Center\Jefferson Health’s enterprise director of breast oncolo gy, follows guidelines established by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network for screening, chemothera py and radiation.
The network recommends annual breast cancer screenings, called mam mograms, starting at 40, for wom en with average risk. In addition to yearly mammographs, clinical breast exams should be performed routinely during a gynecology visit. Women’s breast self-exams should begin at 40 and continue monthly until a wom an’s period has ended.
The end date for stopping screen ings is trickier because women are living longer, Dr. Brill said. She rec ommends women continue screening
with mammography as long as their overall health is good, and they have a life expectancy of 10 years or more.
Brill discusses discontinuing mam mographic screening at about age 75 with her patients but added this is a shared decision-making process be tween the patient and physician.
On a case-by-case basis, Dr. Brill says, “After a certain age, we talk about a woman’s overall health, risk and age. If a breast cancer were to de velop after age 75, it is usually so slow growing that it will probably never amount to anything, And, there’s a risk of overtreatment when biopsying and screening is involved.”
Brill added that the decision (if and when to stop mammograms) should be made in discussion with a woman’s practitioner. Women who are at high risk and healthy at 78, should proba bly continue screening, she advised.
Male breast cancer is uncommon but does occur in 1% of all breast can cers that are identified annually, or
In the African American popula tion, the incidence of breast cancer in women is slightly lower than cancer in white women but survival is low er. Black women tend to be identified with higher risk breast cancers and at younger ages.
“Often we’ll see in the African American population women who have these more aggressive breast cancers that develop before they would be going for an annual screen ing or just at that point,” Dr. Brill said.
Screening rates are lower in the Latino, Asian and African American communities. “So, there’s been a lot of work done in the last several years on trying to break these screening barri ers,” Dr. Brill said.
Research by Dr. Maureen Murphy, program leader of the Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program at The Wistar Institute, reported that there is a rare genetic variant that makes African American women predis posed to developing breast cancer at a premenopausal age.
“This genetic variant is present ex clusively in people of African descent,
There is a tendency to automatical ly under-treat the older adult popu lation, based on age alone. “Some times, family members are reluctant to support chemotherapy for an older relative. And with patients over 75, undertreatment might mean doing a lumpectomy, but not chemotherapy or radiation, when they might be able to tolerate it,” said Dr. Brill.
Older patients “really require more in-depth evaluation and assessing that risk benefit,” Brill said.
At Jefferson Health, there is a geri atric oncology program for all can cers. Various specialists look at tumor types, physical status, social supports, nutrition and a multitude of other ar eas, then make recommendations on how to treat a patient. Dr. Brill hopes “this will put a dent in the tendency to undertreat (older) patients.”
For more information and resourc es about breast cancer, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800227-2345 or go to NationalBreast Cancer.org.
Jay Nachman is a freelance writer in Philadel phia who tells stories for a variety of clients.
There are several locations in Philadelphia that offer free or low-cost breast health examinations. Among them are the following.
• FreeMammograms.org/city/pa-philadelphia lists clinics and other facilities that provide free mam mograms and other diagnostic procedures for women at little or no cost.
• Esperanza Health Center #1, 2940 N. 5th St., offers a free breast and cervical cancer early detection pro gram through the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s HealthyWoman program. Woman 65 or older who do not have Medicare Part B are eligible for the program. In addition, a woman is eligible for the program if her family’s gross household income is at or below 250% of the federal poverty guidelines. If breast or cervical can cer is detected in an uninsured or underinsured woman through the HealthyWoman Program, free treatment may be available through the Department of Human Services Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention, and Treatment Program. For information call, 215-3023600.
• The Hunting Park Health Center, 1999 Hunting Park Ave., is also a participant in the HealthyWoman pro gram. For information, call 1-888-296-4742.
• The Penn Medicine Breast Health Initiative offers free breast cancer screening and diagnostic services to peo ple 40 and older, who are uninsured or underinsured. To learn more or to make an appointment, call 215454-3217 or go to PennMedicine.org and type “breast health” in the search.
• Fox Chase Cancer Center, in partnership with Fly ers Charities, has a Mobile Screening Unit that brings breast cancer screenings into communities. To receive a screening from the Mobile Screening Unit, a woman must be over 40, not have had a mammogram in the past year, and have a prescription from her doctor. In surance is not required to receive a mammogram on the unit. To learn more about the community screening program, contact Linda Hammell, director of the Com munity Cancer Screening Program, at 215-728-3554 or by email at linda.hammell@fccc.edu.
October 15 through December 7, 2022. While making health insurance and prescription drug coverage decisions for 2023, be sure to consider applying for Extra Help (Low-income Subsidy)
Informational and Enrollment events are being held throughout Philadelphia. Trained counselors are available to assist older Philadelphians in making informed decisions about their health insurance choices. Call one of the numbers provided below:
Einstein Medical Center: 215-456-7600 The Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly (CARIE): 215-545-5728
To see what events are being held in your area: http://pda-apprise.org/meetings
Funded wholly or in part by the Administration for Community Living
PA MEDI is the State Health Insurance Assistance Program for Pennsylvanians 60 and older. The state Department of Aging created PA MEDI to help older adults understand their health insurance options and make the best decisions about their insurance needs.
Medicare open enrollment for 2023 coverage starts Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7. State health insurance programs (SHIPs) across the country stand ready to assist Medicare beneficiaries with their health insurance needs. Pennsylva nia’s SHIP program, Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight (PA MEDI), provides older adults with free, confidential, ob jective and easy-to-understand in formation about health insurance options. Trained PA MEDI volun teers can counsel individuals all about Medicare, including Medi care Advantage and supplement plans, prescription drug coverage, and the Medicare appeals process.
PA MEDI also helps older Penn sylvanians compare plan options and costs to determine which best meets their needs.
PA MEDI, formerly known as APPRISE, operates a free counsel ing service for anyone who qual ifies for Medicare. Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) pro vides PA MEDI services at no cost to older Philadelphians through a provider partnership with CA RIE and Einstein Medical Center. PCA expects to assist more than 1,000 Medicare-eligible Philadel phians and their caregivers during Medicare’s annual open enroll ment period. People who qualify for Medicare can receive informed and personalized options based on a combination of factors, including
health conditions and financial sit uation.
Many PA MEDI volunteer coun selors were once confused by Medicare. They, too, had questions or concerns about their health in surance coverage options. But after receiving assistance through PA MEDI, they wanted to share their newly acquired Medicare knowl edge with others. PA MEDI volun teer counselors receive free train ing about Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage (an all-in-one alternative to the original Medi care program, known as Part C), Medigap (Medicare supplemental insurance), Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D), appeals, fraud, abuse, and more.
“Volunteer counselors are the
heart of the PA MEDI program, they expand the capacity of the program which would not thrive without them,” said Lynda Pick ett, PCA’s community engagement assistant director of volunteer services. “Many volunteers [get] a rewarding feeling from helping beneficiaries navigate through is sues regarding the transition to Medicare. Volunteers are a crucial resource for Medicare beneficiaries who may be confused regarding the multitude of options available to them and serve as an excellent example of how voluntary action can support everyday life. “
PA MEDI counselors can assist with plan comparisons, help enroll in a new plan and help determine eligibility for Pennsylvania’s Medi
The Committee of Seventy has shared its November 2022 Election Guide to make sure everyone is ready to vote on Nov. 8
received by the County Board of Elec tions before 8 p.m. on Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 8). To have someone drop off your mail-in ballot for you, call 215-557-3600.
If you have a disability that prevents you from applying in person for your mail ballot or delivering your mail ballot, you may designate an agent to deliver your ballot materials for you. In order to designate someone as an agent, you must fill out a form, which is available in English, Spanish and Chinese, on vote.pa.gov.
Are you registered to vote?
To register to vote, check your vot er registration status or update your information, visit vote.pa.gov/reg ister. You can also register in person at PennDOT or your local County Board of Elections Office. The last day to register to vote in the Novem ber election is Monday, Oct. 24.
Option 1: Vote in person
Polls will be open on Tuesday, Nov. 8 from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. To find your polling place, visit vote.pa.gov.
Option 2: Vote by mail
Voting by mail is safe and effective. To request a mail-in ballot, visit vote. pa.gov. The deadline to request a bal lot is Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 5 p.m. After completing your ballot, re member to place it in the provided secrecy envelope before signing and dating the exterior envelope. To re turn your ballot, you can either send it by mail, deliver it in person to the County Board of Elections Office, or place it in a ballot drop box location listed on vote.pa.gov. Ballots must be
The Nov. 8 election is a General Election. The offices on the ballot in clude Governor and Lieutenant Gov ernor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Rep resentatives, State Senate, and State Representative. To learn more about specific candidates, visit seventy.org to access a nonpartisan voting guide.
Every Pennsylvania voter is entitled to voting assistance.
Do you need help getting to the polls? Visit seventy.org to learn more about free voter transportation op tions.
Do you need help completing your ballot? Whether voting by mail or in person, you are entitled to receive as sistance while completing your bal lot. Please call 215-557-3600 or email bettergov@seventy.org. The first time you bring someone to assist you to vote, you will be asked to complete a form called a Declaration of Need of Assistance.
After you have completed this form once, a note will be made in your reg istration record. This form is available in English, Spanish, traditional and
simplified Chinese, and Vietnamese.
All polling places must have at least one accessible voting system. Sometimes this is the general voting system used by all voters. It may be a separate system with features, such as audio, tactile keys and other assis tive technology. For information on your county’s voting system visit vote.
pa.gov.
Language Accessibility: Any local ity with more than 10,000 people or over 5% of the total voting population that speaks a language other than En glish must provide voting informa tion and assistance in that language. Philadelphia County is required to provide voting information and assis tance in Spanish and Chinese. Voters who cannot read or write in English are allowed assistance to vote by a person of the voter’s choice. Voters who do not speak English are also al lowed to bring someone to help them, as long as the person assisting them is not a judge of elections, their union representative, or employer.
For more information about the election and voting, call 1-877-VOTESPA (1-888-868-3772) or go to vote.pa.gov.
We welcome your story ideas, feed back and suggestions. (Story-specific comments or questions will be for warded to the writer.) Submissions of letters or articles for publication must be signed and dated and include your address and phone number. Submis sion constitutes permission to edit and publish in any form or medium.
Oct. 24: Last day to register to vote in the November election
Nov. 1: Last day to apply for a mail-in or civilian absen tee ballot
Nov. 8: ELECTION DAY
• Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• County Board of Elec tions must receive mailin and civilian absentee ballots by 8 p.m.
Send ideas, comments & submissions to:
Attn: Milestones Editor
PCA, 642 N. Broad St. Philadelphia, PA 19130
Email: milestonesnews@pcaCares.org
with bodily fluids of someone with mon keypox can transmit the virus.
By Mary Anna Rodabaugh
As of mid-September, there were nearly 23,500 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Con trol and Prevention (CDC). The Philadelphia De partment of Public Health (PDPH) has reported approximately 380 positive cases of monkeypox. Only 9% of those cases occurred in adults 50 or older. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many Philadelphians are dismayed to hear of an other public health situation. But what exactly is monkeypox, and what can you do to prevent it? Monkeypox is not a new phenomenon. It is a vi ral disease that was first discovered in laboratory monkeys in the late 1950s. Monkeypox is usually found in Central and West Africa. The monkey pox outbreak in America has spread nationwide with reports of positive cases in every U.S. state, according to CDC data.
Monkeypox symptoms
Monkeypox causes flu-like symptoms. The se verity of illness varies from person to person. Individuals with the virus have reported fever, swollen lymph nodes and fatigue.
Within weeks of exposure, monkeypox will causes a rash or bumps on the skin. Sometimes, the bumps are mild and sparse. In other cases, they can be painful and plentiful. These skin ailments can occur anywhere on the body. The lesions will eventually dry out and go away, but sometimes leave scars.
Monkeypox is transmitted through skin-toskin contact with an infected individual. Touch ing a rash, scabs or sores, or coming in contact
According to Phil adelphia’s Acute Communicable Dis ease Program, it is important to stress that everyone is at risk of contracting monkeypox. Close contact, such as kissing, hugging and sex, may also transmit the virus. It can also be contract ed by touching surfaces that have also come in contact with active monkeypox rashes or sores. Monkeypox is contagious from the time an in dividual has a fever until the final bump has scabbed over and is gone. The illness can last two to four weeks.
If you think or know that you were exposed to monkeypox, you should call the Philadelphia Department of Public Health at 215-685-5488 to report the exposure. If you have symptoms of monkeypox, including a rash or lesions, call your doctor immediately. Most people with monkey pox have a mild illness and require no treatment.
There is a monkeypox vaccine, but the supply of vaccine is currently limited. People who are experiencing symptoms of monkeypox or have been diagnosed with monkeypox cannot be vac cinated.
Criteria for high-risk exposure includes anyone who had known skin-to-skin contact with some one who has Monkeypox in the past 14 days.
To prevent exposure, wash your hands frequent ly, or use hand sanitizer. Avoid close-quartered social situations where skin-to-skin contact with others is inevitable.
Monkeypox is spreading throughout the United States, but the illness has not proven to be fatal thus far. For the latest information and updates on monkeypox and vaccine availability in Phila delphia, call 215-685-5488 or go to Phila.gov and type “monkeypox dashboard” in the search.
Mary Anna Rodabaugh is a writer, editor and writing coach.
Friday, October 14 • 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon Lloyd Hall, 1 Boathouse Row, Kelly Drive
One mile kick-off walk led by James Day & the Fish Fry Band
Always Best Care health stage
Health screenings Free t-shirts
Healthy snacks
Send
calendar items
25th of the
month
215-765-9000, ext. 5081
Rejuvenating hour of stretching. Open to all levels & abilities 12-1 p.m. Lutheran Settlement House. 215-426-8610, ext. 1206 | Free
TAI CHI CLASS
10 a.m. Philadelphia Senior Center –Asian Pacific Resource Center. 215-5465879 | Free
Take steps to improve your health knowledge and understanding We urge you to move health literacy awareness to health literacy action! Information: HealthLiteracyMonth.org
Celebrate by raising awareness about issues affecting older adults. It is also a day to appreciate the contributions that people 60-plus make to society.
Create, sculpt & design your own clay formations. 10 a.m. Star Harbor Senior Community Center. 215-727-0100 | $2
Fall-themed Roxborough street festival with food trucks, craft brews, live music, German folk music, competitions, & children’s activities. 12-6 p.m. Ridge Avenue, between Lyceum & Leverington avenues. 215-508-2358 | Free
Celebrate over 200 years of local culture, artists, musicians, businesses & resi dents. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Front Street, between Girard & Master streets. | Free
Learn the basics of cell phone technology & become smarter than your smart phone. 11 a.m. Star Harbor Senior Com munity Center. 215-727-0100 | Free (Class continues biweekly for eight ses sions.)
Enjoy a fun day of games with friends at Resorts Casino. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Departs/returns from Norris Square Senior Center. Register: 215-430-6321 | $40
Take a trip to Peddler’s Village for 10 games of bingo, breakfast & a fashion show. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Departs/returns from Juniata Park Older Adult Center. Register: 215-685-1490 | $27 includes transportation
Presented virtually on ZOOM by Phila delphia Corporation for Aging. 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Register: 215-765-9000, ext. 5119 | Details: pcaCares.org/events | Free
Older adults are invited to attend! In cludes one-mile walk, music, health & wellness fair. 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Lloyd Hall, Boathouse Row, Kelly Drive. 215765-9000, ext. 5055 | pcaCares.org/ strut | Tickets: $5 (must be purchased in advance)
Celebrate Philly food trucks and restau rants serving up fast and filling dishes like tacos, french fries, and macaroni and cheese. 2 p.m. Xfinity Live! 267-5344264 | $14.99
Fun art workshop for all levels. 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Center at Journey’s Way. 215-487-1750, ext. 1102 | $6-$8
Chronic disease self-management pro gram. Presented virtually on ZOOM by Philadelphia Corporation for Aging. 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Register: 215-7659000, ext. 5119 | Details: pcaCares.org/ events | Free
Coffee, donuts, bagels & restorative yoga session. 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Azalea Garden, 1 Boathouse Row. Breast cancer awareness event & fundraiser for Living Beyond Breast Cancer. Register: Eventbrite.com (search for yoga with the azaleas) | Tickets: $15
Informal discussion group for men 55+ facilitated by a peer specialist. 12:45-2 p.m. The Center at Journey’s Way. 215487-1750, ext. 1102 | Free
Wine tasting & lunch at Tomesello Win ery & time at Resorts Casino. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Departs/returns from Star Harbor Senior Community Center. Register: 215727-0100 | Cost: $75-$85
Virtual program about American musicals that flopped, closed early or just faded away but deserve a second look. 11 a.m. Presented by Free Library of Philadelphia. 215-686-5331 | Register: bit.ly/for gotten-broadway | Free
Dancing, games, healthy snacks & a healthy living presentation. 10:45 a.m. Marconi Older Adult Program. 215-717-1971 | Free
For some older adults, a home may be their only major asset. If you own a home, is vital for older adults to resolve any legal issues related to home ownership so they can re main in their homes and qualify for benefit programs, such as the City of Philadelphia’s Low-income Se nior Citizen Real Estate Tax Freeze. Home ownership issues can also impact a person’s ability to pass on assets to family members and ac crue generational wealth.
There are several legal services organizations in Philadelphia that provide free or low-cost services to help people resolve property own ership issues and/or protect their assets. These legal services pro viders include SeniorLAW Center, which focuses on serving older people; Philadelphia Legal Assis tance; Community Legal Services; and Philadelphia VIP, the hub of pro bono (no-cost) legal services in Philadelphia.
Many older adults seek help for the complicated issue of tangled ti tle, which occurs when the title of a property does not accurately reflect the present homeowner’s claim to the home.
“We help people resolve tangled title issues, and then we separately also help them make estate plan ning documents so that they can transfer that wealth onto future generations and have a plan in place for how they want it to be handled,” said Lindsay H. Schoonmaker, su pervising attorney for Philadelphia VIP.
Philadelphia VIP provides free le
gal services to Philadelphians who face legal challenges threatening their basic human needs, such as housing, family, income and com munity. The agency helps people who are unable to access these ser vices elsewhere.
“Maybe, it was a family home that had been passed down for genera tions,” Schoonmaker said. But the current homeowner hasn’t gotten the title changed into their name yet. “Or, maybe it was a lease-pur chase agreement and/or adverse possession, (where a person in possession of property owned by someone else may acquire valid title to it) or some (other) reason why the client’s name wasn’t on the title.”
Among other things, Philadelphia VIP’s volunteer lawyers help clients get title to a home that they are liv ing in and have a legal interest in, but for some reason their name isn’t on the title.
The agency also administers the City of Philadelphia’s Tangled Ti tle Fund, which provides grants up to $4,000 to help people with limited incomes who are seeking to clear legal title to their homes. These grants preserve affordable housing, prevent homelessness and strengthen communities. Too many people wait to seek legal assistance until they are in a crisis. Advance planning can help you avoid a stressful situation. Take the time to address property ownership
issues now, so it doesn’t become a problem for you or your family at a later time.
Legal services resources in Philadelphia
The following legal services pro viders can help resolve tangled ti tles and other housing-related is sues. Since individuals have unique needs and circumstances, it is best to reach out to a trusted legal ser vices provider for advice and assis tance for you or a loved one.
Community Legal Services pro vides free legal advice and repre sentation to low-income residents of Philadelphia. 215-981-3700 | clsphila.org
Philadelphia Legal Assistance provides free legal help to Philadel phia residents who cannot afford an attorney. For mortgages, sheriff sales, tangled titles or mediation scheduled through the Eviction Diversion program, call the Save Your Home Philly Hotline at 215334-HOME (4663), weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. | For child custody, leaving an abusive home, or anoth er family issue, call the Family Law Hotline at 215-981 3838, Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. | For unemployment compensation, tax issues or any other issue, call the General Intake Hotline at 215-981-3800, Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. | philalegal.org
Philadelphia VIP provides free legal representation to Philadelphians facing legal threats
to housing, family, and income. Office hours by appointment only: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1500 Walnut St., Suite 400 | 215-523-9550 | phillyvip.org
Senior LAW Center provides a wide range of civil legal services to protect the legal rights and in terests of older adults in Pennsyl vania. Services and counseling are available in English and Spanish. Walk-ins for emergencies only: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 1650 Arch St., Suite 1820 | Intake line: 215-988-1242, avail able Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. seniorlawcenter.org
care cost-savings programs, including the Pharmaceutical Assis tance Contract for the Elderly (PACE), Extra Help and Medicare Savings Program. Counselors make their evaluations based on a careful examination of each Medicare participant’s unique needs and recommend options that may be a good fit. By tapping into a community of mostly volunteer counselors, the program hopes to better accommodate the needs of Medicare beneficiaries for an unbiased approach that relies on personalized interactions.
“There is a lot of confusion out there that exists among Medicare beneficiaries when it comes to the money-saving options available to them that they would not be aware of if not for the PA MEDI program,” said Deena Pollock, PA MEDI counselor at Einstein Medical Center. “Our ability to work individually and confiden tially to determine their health care preferences has resulted in successfully meeting the health care needs of countless individu als. I have also seen circumstances in which Medicare beneficiaries save hundreds of dollars each month thanks to our comprehensive and personalized approach.”
Medicare-eligible beneficiaries in Philadelphia can schedule a PA MEDI counseling session by calling the following: Einstein Med ical Center at 215-456-7600, and CARIE at 215-545-5728. Those calling for a PA MEDI program consultation are urged to have their Medicare card on hand prior to each scheduled counseling session. For more information, call the toll-free PA MEDI Helpline at 1-800-783-7067, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Bill Conallen is the public relations specialist at Philadelphia Corporation for Aging.
It takes just minutes to assemble this healthy no-cook breakfast, and you’ll have grab-and-go breakfasts on hand for the week. Top these delicious vegan oats, inspired by classic cinnamon bun flavors, with fresh or frozen fruit and your favorite nuts and seeds.
Ingredients:
2 ½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2 ½ cups unsweetened nondairy milk, such as almond or coconut 6 tsp. light brown sugar
1 ½ tsp. vanilla extract
1 ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon ½ tsp. salt
Directions:
Stir oats, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and salt together in a large bowl. Divide among five eight-ounce jars.
To avoid raw oats, make sure the oats are completely submerged in the liquid before covering and refrigerating. Screw on lids and refrigerate overnight or for up to five days.
Tip: People with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should use oats that are labeled “gluten-free,” as oats are often cross-contaminated with wheat and barley.
Source: EatingWell.com
Storage of medication can affect how well it works. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offers the following tips on storing your med icine property, so it stays safe and effective for as long as possible.
Do you store your medicine in the bathroom? Heat, air, light and mois ture may damage medication, making it less potent or causing it to spoil before the expiration date. Pills and capsules are easily damaged by heat and moisture. Aspirin pills break down into vinegar and salicylic acid, which irritates the stomach.
Store over-the-counter and prescription medications in a cool, dry place, such as a dresser drawer, storage box, shelf or closet in a climate-controlled area of your home. If you store medicine in a kitchen cabinet, make sure it is away from the stove, sink and any heat-generating appliances. Always keep medicine in its original container. After opening a new med icine bottle, remove any cotton inside. Cotton absorbs moisture, pulling it into the bottle. Ask your pharmacist if there are any storage instructions that are specific to your medication(s).
If you have children living or staying with you, it is recommended that you store all medicine in a cabinet with a child latch or lock. Damaged or expired medicine can make you sick. Do not take:
• Medicine that has changed color, texture or smell, even if it has not expired.
• Pills that stick together, are harder or softer than normal, or are cracked or chipped.
• Old medicine, even if it is unused. Check the expiration date on your medicine bottle or box. Dispose of all medicines that are out of date.
Dispose of any unused, unwanted or damaged medicine safely and promptly. Before disposing of prescription medicines, be sure to remove all personal information on pill bottle labels and other medicine packag ing.
The best way to dispose of most types of unused or expired medicines is to drop them off at a drug take-back site, event or program. Oct. 24 is National Drug Take Back Day, sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). For more information or to find a take-back site near you, call 1-800-882-9539 or go to TakeBackay.dea.gov.
