LIFE, HEALTH & HAPPINESS FOR NORTH WHIDBEY’S 50-PLUS CROWD VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 3 • SEPTEMBER 2015
Avoiding Medicare Scams
Important Things To Remember SIGN UP TO SHOW INTEREST The Oak Harbor Senior Activity Center is asking our membership to sign-up showing interest if you would like to participate in ballroom dancing. Each Friday evening would start with a half hour refresher lesson on different dances. An evening of dancing would follow the lesson. Fee: $4 for members, $5 for non-members. No partner needed. An interest sheet will be at the Reception Desk. For more information, please call Colleen Monaghan at 360-202-2659.
SHIBA Counselors Each Tuesday of September, from 1-3pm, SHIBA counselors will be here to take appointments to assist people with Medicare, turning 65, Part D Drug Coverage or Disability concerns. Sign-up sheets are at the Reception Desk at the Oak Harbor Senior Activity Center.
DONATIONS NEEDED We always appreciate donations to help support the Oak Harbor Senior Center activity programming. Donations are deposited in the Oak Harbor Senior Center Foundation General Fund. The Oak Harbor Senior Center Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible. Your support helps us bring programming and events to our members through our Foundation. Thank you very much.
WORDS OF WISDOM The greatest challenge in life is discovering who you are… The second greatest is being happy with what you find… Anonymous
By Barb Spence
The National Council on Aging is a national organization that works to improve the lives of the aging population in our country. NCOA partners with nonprofit organizations, government, and business to provide innovative community programs and services, online help, and advocacy. The following article is provided by NCOA to help us against Medicare Scams. You’re sitting at home one afternoon, three weeks prior to the start of Open Enrollment, when you get a call from a friendly Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) employee. The caller tells you that Medicare is issuing new cards, and that you need to provide your Medicare number in order to receive yours. The catch? The caller doesn’t work for CMS, and he’s actually trying to steal your identity. Elder abuse in the Digital Age is a serious problem. Studies have shown that 20% of older adults have been financially exploited. Read on for five key tips on avoiding common types of Medicare scams.
Know the difference between identity theft, Medicare fraud and improper care.
1. Identity theft happens frequently under the guise of Medicare, as in the example above. Someone pretending to work for Medicare may contact you and tell you they need your personal information in order to update your forms, but they’re actually looking for a way to steal your identity, i.e. your savings. A legitimate Medicare employee would never ask for your personal information over phone or email they already have it on file.
2. Medicare fraud happens when Medicare is billed for services or supplies you never got. Examples include a healthcare provider billing Medicare for care you didn’t receive, or someone using your Medicare card to acquire medical care for themself or billing for fake services and then pocketing the money. If you suspect that Medicare is being charged for a service you didn’t ask for (or you don’t recognize the provider on the claim) you can call the federal government’s official Medicare hotline at 1-800-MEDICARE. Medicare continued on page 2
Welcome to National Senior Center Month September 2015 at Oak Harbor Senior Activity Center By Barb Spence
During the month of September, bring in your neighbors, relatives, and friends to our Senior Center and introduce them to our valuable programing, activities and the services we offer. It is a great time to showcase our Center’s importance in the community and create interest in prospective new members. WE STRIVE TOWARD THE 7 DIMENSIONS OF WELLNESS Wellness is an integration of our physical, mental, and spiritual well being. Each of the following dimensions contributes to well being. 1. Physical – maintaining a healthy quality of life. Classes in exercise, health education, cooking, 2. Emotional – having the ability to understand ourselves and cope with life’s challenges. Groups focused on support, self help, writing, caregiving. 3. Spiritual – the ability to establish peace and harmony. Like meditation and journaling. 4. Social – the ability to connect with other people. Clubs, dances, luncheons, travel. 5. Vocational Occupational – getting personal fulfillment from our jobs, and maintaining balance in our lives. Computer classes, resume writing, volunteer opportunities. 6. Intellectual – the ability to open our minds to new ideas ad experiences. Lifelong learning classes, driver safety, book and discussion
7. Environmental – the ability to recognize our responsibility to our environment. Recycling options, environmental groups.
INSIDE THIS EDITION Guest Spot..................... Pg. 2 Activities & Events........... Pg. 3 Calendar....................... Pg. 4 Travel............................ Pg. 5 Volunteer of the Month... Pg. 6 Word Search.................. Pg. 6 Library Events................. Pg. 7 Menu............................. Pg. 7 Sudoku.......................... Pg. 8