Penson Rights For Survivors............1 From CMAAA’s CEO: FY16 Report...2Dear Beth: Keep Calm, Carry On....3LTCOP: Choosing Long-term Care..4Think You Know Snow?.....................5Hey Kay: Medicare Cost Sharing.............................................................6 & 7Sr. Centers/Care Coordinators........8

Vol. XLIIl, No. 4 January-February 2017

South Central Pension Rights Project Protects Widow’s Right to Survivor

ST. LOUIS, September 20, 2016–The South Central

Pension Rights Project has successfully advocated for a

Missouri widow who was told she was not due a survivor

benefit from her husband’s pension. The Project’s work

means that the widow will receive $212 per month, which

will total more than $48,000 over her expected life time.

Ms. Miranda Jones’ (not her real name) husband

passed in October last year and when she contacted the

pension fund office, she was told he elected a single life

annuity, and therefore she was not entitled to a survivor

benefit. She remembered that her husband told her she

would get half of his benefit, and she knew that she did

not waive her right to a survivor benefit, which is required

by law. She contacted the South Central Pension Rights

Project, and the Project contacted the pension fund office.

After reviewing their files, the fund office discovered

that Mr. Jones originally elected a single life annuity,

but before he began receiving his retirement benefit, he

changed his election to provide a benefit for his spouse.

The fund agreed to pay Ms. Jones a retroactive benefit to

her husband’s date of death and to continue the payments

going forward for her lifetime.

The South Central Pension Rights Project (SCPRP) is

overseen by Texas Legal Services with assistance from the

Missouri Area Agencies on Aging. Since teaming with

Missouri Area Agencies on Aging in 2010, SCPRP

has recovered more than $4.3 million in benefits

for Missourians and has assisted more than 550

Missourians with retirement benefit issues.

SCPRP is funded by the U.S. Administration on

Aging to assist individuals in Missouri, Texas, New Mexico,

Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas who have any kind

of issue with their retirement benefits. It operates in

cooperation with Legal Services of Eastern Missouri.

SCPRP provides attorneys and legal assistants that

offer basic advice about pension laws and rights, help

people locate their pension plans administrator, advocate

for people who believe they have been unjustly denied their

benefits and provide referrals to other services as needed.

SCPRP helps all individuals regardless of

age or income, and all of SCPRP’s services are

completely free.

To contact SCPRP call: 800-443-2528.

2 January-February 2017

The Central Missouri Area Agency on Aging (CMAAA) is a private, not-for-profit Area Agency on Aging serving 19 counties in Mid-Missouri: Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Camden, Cole, Cooper, Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Howard, Laclede, Maries, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington.

CMAAA recognizes the individual capabilities and needs of each older person. Therefore, CMAAA’s mission is to assist communities in establishing a full range of services, which allow older persons to live in the most independent manner possible.

OfficersElinor Snelson, President

(Crawford)Fred West, 1st Vice President

(Audrain)James Kitterman, 2nd Vice President

(Camden)

MembersJim Weaver (Boone)

Vacant (Callaway)James Kitterman (Camden)

Patrice Donehue (Cole)Pat Davis (Cooper)

Norma Moore(Dent)Robert Niebruegge (Gasconade)

Debra Miller (Howard)Vacant (Laclede)

Jake Warren (Maries)Dee Butts (Moniteau)

Ron Ellis (Morgan)Vacant (Osage)

Joanne Zap (Phelps)Ben Hammock (Pulaski)

Maggie Shellabarger (Washington)

Chief Executive OfficerJean Leonatti

Our Mission

CMAAA

Board of Directors

From the CEO... By Jean Leonatti,CEO

Dear Readers,

Each year we publish an annual service

delivery and expenditure report. It isn’t fancy

– but we hope it provides information to

demonstrate we are effective stewards of the

dollars entrusted to us. Through this column I

would like to provide some highlights from the

fiscal year 2016 report (July 1, 2015 – June 30,

2016). If you wish to review the full report, you

can visit our website at: www.cmaaa.net.

The Central Missouri Area Agency on

Aging (CMAAA) is a private, non-profit corporation

providing services in 19 central Missouri

counties. CMAAA was formed in 1973 as part of

a national network of over 600 area agencies on

aging organized in response to federal legislation

titled the Older Americans Act. The intent of

area agencies is to plan, develop and coordinate

a wide range of services that will enable older

persons to live independently for as long as

possible.

We collect data on our clients as part

of the National Aging Program Information

System (NAPIS for short – you might have filled

out one of the forms at your senior center). We

collect this data on clients receiving all of our

registered services with the exception of those

receiving our SilverEclectic newsletter or other

public education materials, those simply asking

for information on services, and those served

through the Long Term Care Ombudsman

Program.

Our NAPIS client registration data shows

that during fiscal year 2016, we served 13,232

different persons. Of the people we served,

6,419 lived alone and

6,309 were over age

75. We served 7,354

persons who were

self-identified as

low income. These

statistics show that

we effectively target services to those in greatest

economic and social need. Our Long Term Care

Ombudsman volunteers spent 3,236 hours in

long term care facilities. We also assisted over

1,500 people during Medicare Open Enrollment.

The LTC Ombudsman program investigated

and resolved 1,106 complaints from residents of

long term care facilities. We also consulted with

1,559 persons who had questions about long

term care. We have 31 active volunteers in this

program and they reported over 3,000 hours

of service to residents. There were over 17,900

visits with residents that lasted more than five

minutes.

Each year the state contracts with an

independent audit firm to conduct a financial

and compliance audit of each Area Agency on

Aging. I am pleased to tell you that we received

a “clean”, unmodified audit report. The auditors

commended the agency on being an “effective

and efficient organization”. Nothing better than

ending the year with an excellent report card!!!

Sincerely,

3 January-February 2017

By Beth Busseau, County Services Director

The Central Missouri Area Agency on Aging team

is strong as we come together to assist communities in

establishing a full range of services which allow older

persons to live in the most independent manner possible. It

takes a team of people including Center Administrators who

support 31 senior centers and deliver meals to home bound

people in 100 different communities. Our team assists with

respite care, legal, health promotion, transportation, and

information and assistance. Our Ombudsman support

those living in long-term care homes while advocating for

resident rights. While seniors live in their homes, Care

Coordinators assist frail, vulnerable older persons and

their families to identify, locate and coordinate services to

enable elders to live in their own home.

Although each member of team CMAAA has a

different role to play, our mission remains the same, to

support seniors to be as independent as possible!

Our diverse job responsibilities require extensive

training in a multitude of disciplines. We were fortunate

to come together to receive the training “Response to

Armed Intruders in the Workplace” that led us to a better

understanding of our role in planning for an incident that

everyone hopes will never happen.

After a delicious meal and

time to get to know staff from the 19

counties we represent, the fun and

games began. No one was calm as

we bid on items donated by each

other. The Chinese Charity Coin Auction raised funds

for our charity of choice; The Salvation Army. Everyone

raided their change jars, piggy banks and coin purses to

bid on the items. We raised over $350.00 for those less

fortunate.

As the bell ringer saw us approach with plastic bags

full of quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies we were greeted

with smiles and awe as the coins hit the bottom of the red

kettles. Our staff supports the community and stretches

beyond our immediate responsibility.

Keep Calm and Carry On Team CMAAA !

Keep Calm and Carry On....with Team CMAAA

4 January-February 2017

By Donna Wobbe, Ombudsman Program Director

In this series on "Choosing the Appropriate Level

of Long Term Care" my hope is that everyone will have a

better understanding of the multiple levels of care and will

be able to make a more informed decision if needed.

Most of us have the same goal when it comes to where we want

to spend our aging years. Safe in our own home in the community

of our choice. Sometimes things happen and we are suddenly in a

situation where we need immediate help. An accident or illness could

change our plan to remain in our own home. We could have the need

for a short rehab stay or we could be faced with transitioning to long

term care placement. Every situation is unique and will require

individualized decision making. It is always best when the person

in need is part of the conversation when alternative choices must

be considered. When it is no longer an option to remain in your own

home in the community, the Ombudsman Program can be helpful to

you as you search for the best fit in the least restrictive long term

care environment. Understanding the multiple levels of care and

what they offer will improve your chances of making a choice that

best meets your needs.

This series will offer additional information and understanding

about the following levels of long term care:

1. Short Stay Rehabilitation in Skilled Care (Rehab)

2. Skilled Nursing Care (SNF)

3. Assisted Living (ALF) and

Assisted Living ** (ALF**)

4. Residential Care (RCF) and

Residential Care* (RCF*)

5. Intermediate Care Facility (ICF).

6. Short Stay Rehabilitation in Skilled Care (Rehab/

Short Stay)

Rehabilitation or Transitional Care provides

services on a short-stay basis for people leaving

the hospital following surgery, illness or accidents.

These services are provided in a Skilled Nursing

Facility offering a variety of physical, speech and

occupational therapies. It is designed to help individuals return

to where they were living prior to their incident and resume their

normal lives. If full recovery is not accomplished, the resident has

the right to appeal for more therapy through their insurance plan or

pay out of pocket for additional days needed for further recovery.

When rehab is complete and skilled care is still needed, a care plan

meeting needs to be set to discuss options for continued care. The

resident has the right to be fully informed and to the best of their

ability, the resident has the right to participate in his or her care plan

and decisions. I encourage you to contact your Ombudsman with all

Long Term Care questions and concerns.

My next article will offer additional information and

understanding about Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF).

We need your help! If you or someone you know would be

willing to gift a few hours each week to advocate for residents in

Long-Term Care, we offer training and certification for Ombudsman

Volunteers in all nineteen counties in which we serve!

For additional information please call, email or visit us online.

Central MO Area Agency on Aging

Long Term Care Ombudsman Program

Call: 1-800-309-3282, 573-443-5823 or 800-369-5211

Email: dswobbe@cmaaa.net

or LTCOmbudsman@healthmogov

Online information at: health.mo.gov/seniorsombudsman

Wishing Everyone a Fresh Start in the New Year

from The Ombudsman Program!

Choosing the Appropriate Level of Long Term Care

5 January-February 2017

(NewsUSA) – Winter comes with a unique set of

challenges, including lower air temperatures, lack of

visibility, fewer daylight hours, falling snow and, of course,

icy roads. These can certainly make for some hazardous

driving conditions, which is why experts say you should

dig out your ice scraper, gloves and snow shovels before

hitting the road.

“Don’t set off like a tank commander with a tiny hole

cleared,” says Andy Smith, a patrolman in Canada. The

safest way to prepare for winter driving is to be

proactive before an emergency occurs. The following

tips will give you some ideas on how to drive safely all

winter long:

Surface Conditions: Roads and drive paths are

likely to be covered with rain, sleet, snow and ice, which

causes slippery driving conditions and reduces tire traction.

Consider using snow tires in areas where winter weather is

severe. It’s also important to inspect your tires for uneven

wear, cupping and proper tread depth. Also consider the

last time you had the tires rotated, balanced and aligned.

Emergency Situations: Winter weather increases

the chance of getting into a car accident. Pack an emergency

kit to leave in your vehicle at all times. Consider including

safety items such as flares, medical supplies, jumper cables,

a flash light, batteries, a small shovel and tire chains. Also

consider comfort items like blankets, gloves and snacks.

Clear Vision: Snow, ice and fog diminish your

visibility, creating dangerous driving conditions. Remove

all debris from your windshield, windows and outside

mirrors before driving. Replace your wiper blades with

extreme-weather blades for a stronger wipe to battle heavy

rain, snow and ice buildup.

Vehicle Performance: Follow the recommended

maintenance schedule in your vehicle’s owner’s manual

to avoid hard starts, stalling and lost power during colder

weather. Keep your gas tank above the halfway mark

because empty tanks collect condensation which damages

the engine. Some regions experience heavy snow and

dangerous ice storms, others find an increase in rainy

conditions, and in some places, temperatures may just

cool down a bit. Regardless of location, the winter season

brings a climate change that all drivers should consider.

You Think You Know Snow? Follow These Safe Driving Tips

6 January-February 2017

Hey Kay... By Kay Barbee, CMAAA Medicare

What are the Medicare Cost Sharing amounts for Part A and Part B in 2017 if I’m enrolled in Original Medicare? How much does Part D cost? Part A Monthly Premium: Most people don’t pay

a Part A premium because they paid Medicare taxes while

working. If you don’t get premium-free Part A, you pay

up to $413 each month. The amount you pay is based on

the number of work credits you have earned. In order to

have premium-free Part A you must have earned 40 work

credits.

If you have questions about work history, call Social

Security at 1-800-772-1213. Or, you can create mySocial

Security Account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount/.

Hospital Stay.................................................

In 2017, you pay:

>$1,316.00 deductible per benefit period (a benefit

period is 60-days)

>$You only pay the deductible for the first 60 days

of each benefit period

>$329 per day for days 61-90 of each benefit period

>$658 per “lifetime reserve day” after day 90 of

each benefit period (up to a maximum of 60 days

over your lifetime)

>beyond lifetime reserve days: all costs (this has not

changed)

Skilled Nursing Facility Stay..........................

In 2017, you pay:

>$0 for the first 20 days of each benefit period, if

you had a three-midnight inpatient hospital stay

>$164.50 per day for days 21-100 of the benefit

period

>All costs for each day after day 100 of the benefit

period

Part B monthly premium:

The Part B monthly premium for

2017 is $134.00. However, if your

Part B premium was deducted

from your social security check in

2016 your Part B premium will be

less. On average your premium will be $109.00. This is

due to the “hold harmless” provision; a legal statement

prohibiting an increase to Medicare B premiums for the

vast majority of American citizens. The Medicare hold

harmless provision ensures that Medicare B premiums

cannot rise more than the cost of living increase in Social

Security benefits. The cost of living increase for 2017 was

.3 percent.

Income-related Adjustment: People with

Medicare who report 2015 income above $85,000 a year

($170,000 filing jointly) are legally responsible to cover a

larger portion of the cost of their coverage. These premium

adjustments range from $53.50 to $294.60 a month for

Medicare Part B.

If you have questions about your Part B premium,

call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. If you pay a late

enrollment penalty, these amounts may be higher. If you

have to pay a higher amount for your Part B premium and

you disagree (for example, if your income goes down),

complete form SSA-44 (12-2016).

Part B Annual Deductible: You pay $183.00 per

year in 2016 for your Part B deductible.

Note: If you have a Medicare Supplement (Medigap

Policy) or secondary insurance provide by a retiree

Employer Group Health Policy, some of this cost may be

covered.

(continued on page 7)

7 January-February 2017

SuBSCRIPTION FORM Suggested contribution - $4.00

Mail to: CMAAA, 1121 Business Loop 70 East, Suite 2A, Columbia, MO 65201

Name: ________________________________________________________________________ (Please type or print)

Complete: _____________________________________________________________________ (street or box # - please include apt. # or route #)

Complete: _____________________________________________________________________ (city) (state) (zip code)

PLEASE MARK ALL THAT APPLY TO YOu:( ) ADD MY NAME to the mailing list. (I am not receiving one by mail at this time)( ) I HAVE ENCLOSED my tax deductible contribution to help support silver ECLECTIC.( ) CORRECT MY ADDRESS on your mailing list. (Please include current mailing label)( ) REMOVE MY NAME from the mailing list. ( ) I am receiving more than one copy of silver ECLECTIC. (INCLuDE ALL MAILING LABELS FROM NEWSPAPER AND INDICATE WHICH ONE SHOuLD BE DELETED).

NOTE: if you are requesting an address change or stopping a subscription, include your mailing label from the page 8 of silver ECLECTIC.

SILVER ECLECTIC is published by the Central Missouri Area Agency on Aging and is editedby Robin Cadwell. Funds for this project were made available through the Division of Senior and Disability Services of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services under provisions of the federal Older Americans Act. The total project is incompliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and all requirements imposed pursuant to the Regulation of the Department of Health and Human Services issued pursuant to that Title to the end that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color or national origin be excluded from the benefits of this project.

a monthly publication for senior citizens

and for those who sharetheir concerns.

(continued from page 6)

Note: All Medicare Advantage Plans must cover

these services. However, if you’re in a Medicare Advantage

Plan, costs vary by plan and may be either higher or lower

than those in Original Medicare. Review the “Evidence of

Coverage” from your plan.

How much does Part D cost? Most people only

pay their Part D premium. If you don't sign up for Part D

when you're first eligible, you may have to pay a Part D late

enrollment penalty.

If your modified adjusted gross income as reported

on your IRS tax return from 2 years ago (the most recent

tax return information provided to Social Security by the

IRS) is above a certain limit, you may pay a Part D income-

related monthly adjustment amount (Part D-IRMAA) in

addition to your monthly plan premium. This extra amount

is paid directly to Medicare, not to your plan.

Social Security will contact you if you have to pay Part

D-IRMAA, based on your income. The amount you pay can

change each year. If you have to pay a higher amount for

your Part D premium and you disagree (for example, if your

income goes down), complete form SSA-44 (12-2016). If

you have questions about your Medicare prescription drug

coverage, contact your plan.

Note: The extra amount you have to pay isn’t part

of your plan premium. You don’t pay the extra amount to

your plan. Most people have the extra amount taken from

their Social Security check. If the amount isn’t taken from

your check, you’ll get a bill from Medicare or the Railroad

Retirement Board. You must pay this amount to keep your

Part D coverage.

If Social Security notifies you about paying a higher

amount for your Part D coverage, you’re required by law

to pay the Part D-Income Related Monthly Adjustment

Amount (Part D-IRMAA). If you don’t pay the Part

D-IRMAA, you’ll lose your Part D coverage.

For more information about this article,

contact your local County Care Coordinator

(see page 8) or Kay Barbee, Medicare Outreach

Consultant.

Kay can be reached at 800-369-5211 or 573-424-

7632 or you can email Kay at BarbeeKK@gmail.com.

8 January-February 2017

Audrain CountyCarol Senor(573) 581-7678

Boone CountyChristie DykstraJohn Heller(573) 443-5823

Callaway CountyKaren Elwood(573) 642-6772

Camden Countyvacant (573) 346-1834

Cole CountyTrish Luther(573) 634-8828

Cooper CountyKaren Dick(660) 882-3444

Crawford CountyTanya Johnson(573) 885-2922

Dent CountyJackie Overby(573) 729-5697

Gasconade CountyTonya Zelch-Wagner(573) 437-2532

Howard CountyKaren Dick(660) 882-3444

Laclede CountyJanet Moore(417) 588-4300

Maries CountyKathleen Humphrey(573) 422-3322

Miller CountyKathleen Humphrey(573) 392-7229

Moniteau CountyTammy Martin(573) 796-4051

Morgan CountyTammy Martin(573) 378-9980

Osage CountyTonya Zelch-Wagner(573) 437-2532

Phelps CountyScott Shaffer(573) 265-0616

Pulaski CountyMary Ann Mathews (573) 774-3390

Washington CountyRobin McElrath(573) 438-5962

Care Coordination DirectorRose Nelson(800) 369-5211 or (573) 443-5823

CARE COORDINATORS

SENIOR CENTERSBoonslick Senior Center (Boonville)(660) 882-2344

Bourbon Senior Center(573) 732-4268

California Nutrition Center(573) 796-4240

Callaway Senior Center (Fulton)(573) 642-2458

Camdenton Senior Center(573) 346-2776

Conway Senior Center(417) 589-2079

Crocker Senior Cetner(573) 736-5405

Cuba Senior Center(573) 885-2909

Dixon Senior Center(573) 759-6313

Eldon Senior Center(573) 392-6102

Fayette Senior Citizens Center(660) 248-3733

Friendship Hall (Iberia)(573) 793-2747

Glasgow Senior Center(660) 338-2975

Hughes Center (Lebanon)(417) 532-3040

Jefferson City CentersClarke Senior Center(573) 634-8020

Senior Center @ the Mall(573) 635-4120

Macks Creek Senior Center(573) 363-0153

Mexico Senior Center(573) 581-7743

Moniteau Nutrition Center (Tipton)(660) 433-2715

Senior Meal Program (Columbia)(573) 449-8000

Owensville Senior Center(573) 437-3096

Osage Beach Senior Center(573) 348-2909

Rolla Elderly Highrise(573) 341-2929

Salem Senior Center(573) 729-2373

Sayers Senior Center (Potosi) (573) 438-3237

Stoutland Senior Center(417) 286-3880

Versailles Senior Center(573) 378-6232

Vienna Senior Center(573) 422-3834

Warren Senior Center (Richland)(573) 765-5414

Waynesville/St. Robert Sr. Center(573) 774-2668

Westside Senior Center (Laurie) (573) 372-3588

Need Help? Call us.

silver EclecticFor information contact:

rcadwell@cmaaa.netCentral MO Area Agency on

Aging (800) 369-5211(573) 443-5823www.cmaaa.net

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