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Diana's Corner
Spring! You can
feel it coming –
especially if you
have allergies!
My eyes are like
geysers! I think that’s a
welcome sign of spring even though my mascara is running down my face.
Has it seemed like a long winter to you? I think that darn groundhog
jinxed us, but the days are longer and soon we will be outside enjoying
the crocus shoots through the remaining snow piles.
We all need some fun and that’s exactly what’s coming up at the
Horizon Center. If you look at all that is going on, I hope you can
choose at least one new thing to learn or do this month.
As I type this and look out my office window, it’s 5p.m. and lots of
cars are filling our lot for an evening of complimentary dinner and an
evening of fun with friends. It’s one more evening that the Horizon
Center is open. Evenings have become happening times around here! We are
open every Monday evening for cards, Wii, and pool. We’ve had Digital
Photography on Tuesdays (a full house) and Thursdays are for Ballroom
dancers. We are trying out Wednesday evenings being sponsored by
"friends" of seniors. Tonight is Waldron Health and Rehabilitation
Center – they are doing all the work -- decorating, making dinner for 50
people and joining in the fun. In March, it’s McKay Manor doing the
honors so we can stay open an extra evening. When we all pitch in, magic
happens!!
Enter the power of gratitude. When you are grateful, lack disappears
and abundance suddenly manifests itself right before your eyes. It is
magic!
So, in March, as the spring flowers pop up, the sun shines a little
more and we experience the promise of longer days, feel the gratitude of
all that surrounds us. If you’re a senior, try opening fresh eyes to the
information, services, trips, classes, and activities available at this
agency and at the Horizon Center. It’s entirely possible that the
speakers and teachers and activity leaders are every bit as inspiring,
knowledgeable, and fun as those requiring you to travel to Indy.
You might also think of ways to improve on them, offer your own
services, take the plunge and volunteer to offer something new. We are
open to it, and feel enormous gratitude for all who do step up and
offer. It makes Shelby County better for all its citizens!
Brian Tracey says, "Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks
for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a
step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current
situation." That perfectly describes the very place Shelby Senior
Services, Inc. finds itself in right now. We are thankful for all that
is happening to us and looking forward with confidence to achieving
something bigger and better for all of us 55 and better. Together we
can!
Daffodil Site
Shelby Senior Services is a
Daffodils Day site for the American Cancer Society. The sale of
daffodils occurs annually to raise awareness and funds to help the
American Cancer Society’s
fight against cancer. Payment
is due with the order and
orders may be made in person
with cash, check payable to
the American Cancer Society
or with a credit card, 398-0127.
Deadline to order, March 9.
Daffodils are sold in
• bouquets of 10
fresh-cut blooms = $10
• 10 fresh-cut blooms +
blue collectible vase = $15
• Gift of Hope: bouquet
of freshly cut daffodils presented in a glass vase and delivered
anonymously to cancer patients at local hospitals, treatment
centers, nursing homes, and health facilities. Available in $25
increments.
Apply Online For Social
Security Benefits
The easiest way to apply for Social Security retirement benefits is
to go online at
www.socialsecurity.gov/applyforbenefits If you do not have access to
the Internet, you may call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY number, 1-800-325-0778)
between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to apply by phone. You
may also apply at the Social Security office. To avoid having to wait,
call first to make an appointment.
Don’t Forget Medicare
Even if you don’t plan to receive monthly benefits, you should sign
up for Medicare three months before reaching the age of 65. Otherwise,
your Medicare medical insurance, as well as prescription drug coverage,
could be delayed and you could be charged higher premiums. For more
information about eligibility and costs, visit
www.medicare.gov
Serving
Seniors’ Health Insurance Concerns
Friendly Reminder from SHIP Counselors
This message is very important to seniors who have
Medicare Advantage Plans --
If you are on a Medicare Advantage program and have recently received
a letter telling you that your coverage is ending:
• This letter is called a "Letter of Creditable Coverage". This
letter is very important to you. This letter may give you the
right to guaranteed enrollment in another program without answering
any Medicare questions and no pre-existing conditions.
It is very important that you make copies of this letter. If you do
not have access to a copy machine, bring it to Shelby Senior Services,
Inc. and copies will be made for you.
Shelby County SHIP (Senior Health Insurance Program) counselors are
available to answer questions concerning Medicare and its prescription
drug plans. Call 398-0127 to inquire about appointments.
Shelby
Senior Services, Inc. has a notary on staff. Call 398-0127, or stop in
at 1504 S. Harrison St. There is a small fee.
Local Volunteers Sought for SHIP Training
Shelby Senior Services, Inc. is looking for local volunteers to
assist Medicare beneficiaries in understanding the complexities of
Medicare and related health insurance.
Trainees will receive reference materials and 24 hours of free
instruction from the State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) and will be
certified by the Indiana Department of Insurance. Training will likely
be in January.
Qualifications include:
1. Desire to help senior citizens to understand Medicare
2. Good Communication skills
3. No conflict of interest
4. Availability during the daytime for 4-8 hours a month
To sign-up contact Shelby Senior Services, Inc., 398-0127.
Wish List for Shelby
Senior Services
A gas card in any amount
One-month internet service
Construction labor for renovation process
Weed puller to spruce-up agency property
55-gallon heavy duty trash bags
On sale now
Beautifully boxed collections of AppleWoods greeting cards are available
for purchase at Shelby Senior Services, 1504 S. Harrison St.,
Shelbyville.
Sixteen
high-quality cards and envelopes with multiple sentiments for just $15.
That’s just less than 95 cents per card! $5 from each purchase benefits
services we offer to all seniors.
Angel Food Ministries
New to
this area, Angel Food Ministries is a unique, faith-based effort to help
provide low-cost food to anyone. No applications are required, no
qualifications need to be met and the program accepts food stamps, as
long as the person placing the order has a state EBT card. Seniors who
might have difficulties picking up their orders may contact the
Shelbyville Community Church, (317) 398-7837. Volunteers at that site
are available to lend a helping hand.
For more
information, and to receive a monthly order form, contact either Beacon
Baptist Church at (317) 392-3000, Rays Crossing Christian Union Church
at (765) 544-2502 or Zion United Church of Christ, (317)752-5687 ext.
127.
Employment for Seniors (SCSEP)
The
Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is a paid
job-training program that provides a bridge to employment for mature
workers, ages 55 and older, who live within federal low-income
guidelines and are willing to improve job skills or learn new ones.
Interested? Call Liz Hightower, Indiana State Headquarters in
Indianapolis, 1-800-669-8004.
Employment Training Available
Goodwill
Industries of Central Indiana, Inc. provides part-time employment and
training in Shelby County to low-income residents ages 55 and older who
are currently unemployed, have access to reliable transportation and are
eligible to work in the United States. The training is administered
through the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP).
Participants receive paid-on-the-job training, and are
placed in part-time positions with a community service organization,
including government and educational facilities. They are matched to
positions that fit their skills, preferred schedule, physical
requirements, desired location and training needs. The program is
completed when participants secure permanent employment.
If you
are interested in participating in SCSEP, call 317-524-4360 or
866-505-0556 for more information.
How to Contact Indiana’s
Members of Congress
Senator Evan Bayh
1650 Market Tower
10 W. Market St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-554-0705 (Indianapolis office)
http://www.usa.gov/
Senator Richard G. Lugar
1180 Market Tower
10 W. Market St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-226-5555 (Indianapolis office)
http://www.usa.gov/
Congressional Representatives:
http://www.usa.gov/
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