Fall Fest is coming Sept. 27

Our “Fall Fest,” formerly known as the Oktoberfest, will be held at the Lowville Elks Lodge #1605, 5600 Shady Avenue, Lowville. The theme this year, “Is your insurance healthy,” will get everyone thinking as we enter the open enrollment season for Medicare. A variety of vendors will be on hand from 9 to 11 a.m., and a flu immunization clinic will also be offered

during that time. A member from NYS Office for the Aging Health Insurance Information Counseling and Assistance Program (HIICAP) will be our guest speaker. HIICAP provides free, accurate and objective information, counseling, assistance and advocacy on Medicare, private health insurance, and related health coverage plans. HIICAP helps people with Medicare, their representatives, or persons soon to be eligible for Medicare. It is a federally-funded program from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

The presentation will be followed by the annual public hearing and the presentation of the Randy Streeter Senior Citizen of the Year award. A roast pork dinner will be served from noon to 1 p.m., followed by music by a very familiar and favorite band, the Adirondack Playboys.

Tickets are $12 per person and will be on sale at our office located at 5274 Stowe Street through Friday, September 21st or from a senior club president. Tickets are limited. For more information, call the office at 315-376-5313, Ext. 5.

The Lewis County Office for the Aging and NY Connects is supported by 18 federal and state grants that help

provide wonderful programs like home delivered meals, congregate meals, in-home care, nutrition counseling,

insurance counseling, transportation, respite, legal services, NY Connect information and assistance and many

others. However, the need for services often exceeds available grant funding, so we encourage financial

contributions to help us serve more seniors.

Name

Address

Clip and return this coupon with your donation. Please send to: Lewis County Office for the Aging, P.O. Box 193, 5274 Outer Stowe Street, Lowville, N.Y. 13367

All donations are greatly appreciated and are tax deductible to the extent of the law. Thank you!

LEWIS COUNTY OFFICE FOR THE AGING

P.O. Box 193, 5274 Outer Stowe Street Lowville, New York 13367

(315) 376-5313 Website – www.lewiscounty.org/departments/office-for-the-aging

August 2019

We are seeking nominations for the Randy Streeter Senior Citizen of the Year Award

We are now accepting nominations for the Randy Streeter Senior Citizen of the Year award. This award is named in honor of the founding director of the Lewis County Office for the Aging, Randy Streeter, who held the position from 1974 to 1991. Randy served as a strong and vocal advocate for all seniors with sincere and faithful dedication. Nominations are open to all adult citizens of Lewis County, age 60 and over, who have demonstrated an outstanding contribution to seniors of Lewis County, their community or have shown a sincere and faithful dedication to senior citizens through their personal actions. Examples of such commitment may include those who participate with local organizations that benefit the community or other seniors;

volunteer their service with a group or organization that benefits the community or other seniors; or show personal and independent actions on behalf of the community or other seniors. These are only examples and are not meant to be the sole criteria for selection. An individual or group who feel a nominee is worthy of a nomination should submit and allow the nominating committee the opportunity to review and consider them for the award. Nominations for this award must be received by the Office for the Aging director by Friday, Sept. 13th The recipient of this award will be recognized at the countywide Senior Citizen's Fall Fest & Public Hearing Event, be given a certificate of recognition and gift certificate of an undisclosed amount and have his or her name engraved on a plaque located in the Lewis County Office for the Aging. For more information on the award or to receive a nomination form, visit our office at 5274 Outer Stowe Street in Lowville or call 315-376-5313, Ext. 5.

Submit your public hearing questions in advance

A public hearing is scheduled at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 27th at the Lowville Elks Lodge for Lewis County residents and agencies to ask questions and comment regarding services that are delivered to senior citizens by the Office for the Aging. And, in an effort to give the most accurate answers possible, we will be accepting questions in advance. Anyone interested may submit advance questions or comments by stopping by the office, calling 315-376-5313, Ext. 5, sending an email to ofa@lewiscounty.ny.gov or sending us a message on the Lewis County Office for the Aging Facebook page. Receiving questions in advance will allow staff members to provide more complete answers at the public hearing. As always, attendees may still submit written comments or questions on the day of the hearing. Your comments are important and are used in the planning process for 2020. Please come and share your ideas and ask questions.

Consumer Directed in-

home services available

We have open spots available in our Consumer Directed Program. We are looking for seniors who currently have caregivers or can have a caregiver come into their home to assist them with personal care and housekeeping. Consumer Directed in-home services give you more choice and control in meeting your home care needs. You will be allotted a specific number of hours per week as determined by our case manager through an in-home assessment. With Consumer Directed in-home services, you interview, hire, train, schedule and supervise the person(s) who provide your in-home care, including friends and eligible family members. You also can choose how, when and where your services will be provided. This is a great way to maintain your ability to stay at home safely. The services you would receive are based on individual care plan and budget. Please call to find out how you can get help in your home to help with your daily living skills. Contact Toni at (315) 376-5617.

“SAVE THE DATE” – Lewis County Night Out

“Lewis County Night Out” is sponsored by Lewis County Government, Lewis County Youth Bureau, Lowville Police Department, Lewis County Opportunities, Inc, Northern Regional Center for

Independent Living, and Cornell Cooperative Extension. The event is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; recovery, and generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime efforts. During this year’s opening ceremony, Kendra Virkler will sing the National Anthem, and we will be recognizing several local Police Working K9’s as well as Lewis County Service (Therapy) Dogs and their handlers, including Beaver River Central School District’ Service Dog Moxy and the Community Advocacy Center’s Service Dog Emelia. There will be demonstrations by local Law Enforcement K9 units, the NYS Police Rollover Simulator, and a Medical Helicopter-onsite (weather permitting). Additionally, there will be a Smoke House interactive display; Stop DWI Traveling Exhibit; Lowville Village Police Department-processing Safe Child ID cards; Lewis County General Hospital-CPR Demonstrations; Reality Check; and over 35 prevention awareness agencies will be onsite with informational tables. There will be youth activities including: Face Painting and Balloon Animals; Fatal Vision Goggle experience for teens; and more. There will be drawings for gift cards/door prizes throughout the evening; Moose Radio will be broadcasting from the event; and there will be FREE FOOD by Lamont’s; Stewarts Ice Cream; and Moser’s-Maple Floss. Please mark your calendar and join us for “Lewis County Night Out” on Friday, September 6th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at the Lewis County Fairgrounds.

New York State Golden Park Program

If you are a New York State resident 62 or older, on Monday - Friday (except holidays), you can obtain free vehicle access to most* state parks, boat launch sites and arboretums and fee reduction to state historic sites and state-operated golf courses. Simply present your currently valid New York State Driver License or New York State Non-Driver Identification Card** at the park entrance. No application is required as your NY State Driver's License/Non-Driver ID Card serves as your pass. For locations with pay stations, please contact the facility directly for information. For information about facilities where this program is valid, contact the nearest state park, state park regional office or: New York State Parks, Albany, N.Y. 12238. Phone: 518-474-0456, TTY/TDD through 711 Relay Service.

*free vehicle access not valid at Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, Earl W. Brydges Artpark State Park, Fahnestock Winter Park, and Oak Orchard State Marine Park. ** A New York State Driver License or a New York State Non-Driver Identification Card may be obtained from your local Motor Vehicle office. You may want to contact them first to be certain you bring the required forms of identification.

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

1% Milk

Offered Daily

Menu is Subject to

Change Without

Notice

1

Liver w/ bacon &

Onions

Boiled Potatoes

Mixed Vegetables

Birthday Cake

2 Lemon Pepper Fish

Pureed Winter Squash Asparagus Pineapple

5 Sweet & Sour Pork w/Pineapple

Seasoned Brown Rice Broccoli Peaches

CCE @ Lyons Falls

6

Macaroni & Cheese

Carrots

Cauliflower

Melon-Kiwi Salad

CCE @ Copenhagen

7

Meatloaf w/Gravy

Mashed Potatoes

Italian Blend Vegetables

Banana

8

Goulash

Toss Salad

Pears

9 Spanish Rice

Mixed Vegetables Cauliflower

Mandarin Oranges

12

Salisbury Steak w/Gravy

Mashed Potatoes

Glazed Carrots

Fresh Grapes

CCE @ Lowville

13

Sweet & Sour

Meatballs Over

Noodles

Cauliflower

Blueberry Crisp

14 Tuna Mac Salad

Dinner Roll Tomato & Cucumber Salad

Mixed Berries w/Whipped

Topping

15

Hot Open Faced Turkey

Sandwich on WW Bread

Buttered Corn

Spinach

Mandarin Oranges

16

Lemon Garlic Chicken

Sweet Potatoes

Harvard Beets

Tropical Fruit Cup

19

Kielbasa w/Onions &

Peppers

Rosie’s Peas with Mushrooms

Carrots

Cantaloupe

20

Cook’s Specialty

HDMs

Fred’s Day @ Sites

*Osceola Site Closed

21

Chicken Salad on a WW

Roll Broccoli & Bacon

Salad

Low Sodium V8 Juice

Banana

22

Turkey w/Gravy

Pureed Winter Squash

Brussels Sprouts Pineapple

23

Roast Pork w/ Pineapple

Glaze

Green Beans

Cauliflower

Fruit Cocktail 26

Seasoned Baked Chicken

Boiled Red Potatoes

Succotash Vegetables

Becky’s Cherry Delight

CCE @ Harrisville

27 Scalloped Potatoes &

Ham Spinach

Pears

28

Chef Salad w/Chicken

Potato Salad

Rye Bread

Apricots

29

Spaghetti & Meatballs

Peas

Tossed Salad

Applesauce

30

Omelet w/Cheese Sauce

Home fries

Broccoli w/Red Peppers

Bran Muffin

Raisins

LEWIS COUNTY SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM (376-5313)

MENU IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT ADVANCE NOTICE!

The suggested donation is $3.50 Guest Fee – $8.35

The Nutrition Program accepts cash, checks & Food Stamps

Copenhagen, Croghan, Harrisville, Lyons Falls, Osceola & Lowville

August 2019

How to enroll in Medicare if you are turning 65

Most people become eligible for Medicare when they turn 65. Your Medicare enrollment steps will differ depending on whether or not you are collecting retirement benefits when you enter your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP).

If you are receiving Social Security retirement benefits or Railroad Retirement benefits, you should be automatically enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B.

If you are not receiving Social Security retirement benefits or Railroad Retirement benefits, you will need to actively enroll in Medicare.

If you are eligible for automatic enrollment, you should not have to contact anyone. You should receive a package in the mail three months before your coverage starts with your new Medicare card. There will also be a letter explaining how Medicare works and that you were automatically enrolled in both Parts A and B. If you get Social Security retirement benefits, your package and card will come from the Social Security Administration (SSA). If you get Railroad Retirement benefits, your package and card will come from the Railroad Retirement Board.

Typically, you should not turn down Part B unless you have insurance based on your or your spouse’s current work (job-based insurance). If you do not have job-based insurance and you turn down Part B, you may incur a premium penalty if you need to sign up for Medicare coverage in the future. Also, if your job-based insurance will pay secondary after you become eligible for Medicare, you should consider enrolling in Medicare in order to have primary coverage and pay less for your care.

If you are 65 but are not receiving Social Security retirement benefits or Railroad Retirement benefits, you will need to actively enroll in Medicare.

Signing up for Medicare Follow the steps below if you need to actively enroll in Medicare. If you decide to enroll in Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period, you can sign up for Parts A and/or B by:

Calling the Lewis County Office for the Aging at 315-376-5313, ext. 5, and asking to speak with a HIICAP counselor

Visiting your local Social Security office Calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 Mailing a signed and dated letter to Social Security that

includes your name, Social Security number, and the date you would like to be enrolled in Medicare

Or, by applying online at www.ssa.gov If you are eligible for Railroad Retirement benefits, enroll in Medicare by calling the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) or contacting your local RRB field office.

Keep proof of when you tried to enroll in Medicare, to protect yourself from incurring a Part B premium penalty if your application is lost.

Take down the names of any representatives you speak to, along with the time and date of the conversation.

If you enroll through the mail, use certified mail and request a return receipt. If you enroll at your local Social Security office, ask for a written receipt. If you apply online, print out and save your confirmation page.

(Information taken from www.medicareinteractive.org)

Dog Days of Summer

Q L E F G F V S G N I P M A C

P P F N N G P U O N T C X N L

R O F S I X I N L L I T O H T

T F P U M U U G X E M H M H T

H I F S M V V L Y M A W S L V

J X F K I M L A D O B I S I H

N P Q U W C U S J N D A Y C F

F O A T S K L S M A N S A H L

A U I R U R A E T D K E S L F

N N O T K B C S C E B U A L N

P O O L A V W A X J N B O V E

N N E E R C S N U S E W A Z D

B R E X P T A R E S E W T G R

M T T L L P U V A R R P F S A

Z Y A E E D B B S C V V J L G

BASEBALL BEACH CAMPING

FAN FISHING FLOWERS

GARDEN HOT LEMONADE

PARK POOL POPSICLE

SANDCASTLE SUN SUNGLASSES

SUNSCREEN SWIMMING VACATION

Lewis County Office for the Aging

2019 Calendar of Events

If you are interested in attending any of these events & would like more information, Please call our office at (315) 376-5313, option #5.

August 2nd – Walk with Ease; 11-noon, Double Play 5th – Aquatics program; 7-8 a.m., LACS pool 6th – Walk with Ease; 11-noon, Double Play 7th – Aquatics program; 7-8 a.m., LACS pool 7th – Walk with Ease; 11-noon, Double Play 9th – Walk with Ease; 11-noon, Double Play 12th – Aquatics program; 7-8 a.m., LACS pool 13th – Walk with Ease; 11-noon, Double Play 14th – Aquatics program; 7-8 a.m., LACS pool 14th – Walk with Ease; 11-noon, Double Play 15th – Caregiver Support Group; 10 a.m. 16th – Walk with Ease; 11-noon, Double Play 28th – Understanding & Responding to

Dementia Related Behaviors; 2 p.m., Community Conference Room

September 2nd – Labor Day (Office Closed) 6th – Bus trip to Alexandria Bay 6th – OFA Golf Tournament, Brantingham GC 14th – Alzheimer’s Walk in Sackets Harbor 19th – Caregiver Support Group; 10 a.m. 27th – Fall Fest; Lowville Elks Lodge

October 7th – Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia;

noon, JRT Room 14th – Columbus Day (Office Closed) 15th – Medicare open enrollment begins 17th – Caregiver Support Group; 10 a.m. November 5th – Election Day 11th – Veterans Day (Office Closed) 14th – Effective Communication Strategies;

noon, Community Conference Room 20th – Bus trip to Salmon Run Mall, Watertown 21st – Caregiver Support Group; 10 a.m. 28th – Thanksgiving (Office Closed) 29th – Day after Thanksgiving (Office Closed) December 7th – Medicare open enrollment ends 9th – Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia;

noon, JRT Room 19th – Caregiver Support Group; 10 a.m. 24th – Christmas Eve (Office closed at noon) 25th – MERRY CHRISTMAS (Office Closed)

Home Energy Assistance Program News for 2019/20

If you received a Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) award last year and have a vulnerable person in your household (under 6 years of age, over 60 years of age, or disabled), be on the lookout in your mail toward the end of August for your 2019/20 program application. Be sure to fill it out right away and return to the Lewis County Office for the Aging at P.O. Box 193, 5274 Outer Stowe Street, Lowville. Doing so will allow your application to be processed before the cold weather hits. If you have moved since you received your HEAP benefit last year, please call the Office for the Aging at 315-376-5313, ext. 5. and provide your new address. This will ensure that you receive your application in a timely fashion. Applications for those who did not receive a HEAP award last year will be available after program opening. Program opening dates and benefit amounts have not yet been determined. If you are new to HEAP and wish to receive an application after program opening, please call Office for the Aging also.

Our friends at the Volunteer Transportation Center need

drivers. Each day they transport our neighbors, family,

and friends to medical appointments, cancer treatment,

renal dialysis, food sources, and more.

The ability for them to provide this transportation relies

on volunteers. Drivers are provided reimbursement for

mileage and, even more so, a sense of pride knowing they

helped someone in our community. Apply on-line here:

https://form.jotform.us/61038212879155.

Or call VTC at 315-788-0422.

NY Connects is a trusted place where you can get the information and assistance you need to make informed

decisions for the care you need. Long Term Care can include many services that will help people of all ages

remain independent in their daily lives. Finding those services can be confusing. A child or an adult with a

disability, an older adult, caregivers, family members, friends or neighbors and even helping professionals

should reach out to Lewis County NY Connects, at 315-376-5432, to discuss needed services.

Lewis County (315) 376-5432

Statewide (800) 342-9871