Submitted by Melissa Shaw, Outreach Coordinator – SNI Area Office for the Aging
Upcoming Elder Entertainment
November Trips and shows for enrolled Seneca Elders include:
• Nov. 16th: Cash & Cline – Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline tribute at Seneca Alleg. Casino. Bus leaves Catt. at 12:30pm.
• November 20th: Cedric the Entertainer – comedy show at6 ` Seneca Niagara Casino at 8pm.
• November 27th: Cole Swindell – Country Music Concert at Seneca Niagara Casino at 8pm.
Please remember, you must sign-up in person at the Wini Kettle Senior Center or the Seneca Allegany Senior Center. Sign-ups sheets are typically available 2 weeks prior to the show. Shows may be added or removed based on the number of Elders that sign-up.
For more information, please contact Irma Cortes, Senior Advocate, at (716) 532-5777.
Medicare Annual Enrollment Period
October 15 – December 7
With the Medicare open enrollment period beginning on October 15, we encourage Medicare beneficiaries to choose carefully between traditional Medicare and joining a private Medicare Advantage plan. This is particularly important, as consumer marketing protections have been reduced and public promotions of Medicare Advantage are increasing – including on TV and in the mail. Here are some pros and cons regarding traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage to consider:
Traditional Medicare allows access to all doctors, health care providers, hospitals and facilities that accept Medicare nation-wide.
• All people in traditional Medicare have access to similar benefits, which are available to them wherever they are around the country
• People in traditional Medicare usually do not require prior authorization to see specialists
• People with traditional Medicare can choose whatever Medicare prescription drug plan best serves their needs
• People with traditional Medicare often have better access to home health care, nursing homes, and rehabilitation
• People with traditional Medicare often need to purchase a “Medigap” policy to pay for Medicare cost-sharing.
• Lower-income people can get help paying for Medicare cost-sharing
Medicare Advantage plans are private plans, like HMOs. They usually limit your choice of doctors, health care providers, hospitals, and facilities to a “network” of certain providers within your local geographic area. (Unless the needed care is an emergency or “urgent.”)
• Medicare Advantage plans can cut doctors and other health care providers from the plan network during the year
• Medicare Advantage requires “prior authorization” from the MA plan for many health care services
• Medicare Advantage often includes a prescription drug plan and some additional “supplemental” benefits such as help with dental care, gym memberships, and other benefits for some participants
• Medicare Advantage cost-sharing can be less than traditional Medicare, and MA plans are required to have a cap on out-of-pocket expenses. However, they also sometimes include co-pays not in traditional Medicare (for example – for home health care).
• Lower-income people can get help paying for Medicare cost-sharing
- information from Centers for Medicare Advocacy
For further information please reach out to Briana Snyder, Options Counselor (716)945-8991.
Feeling Stretched as a Caregiver?
Powerful Tools for Caregivers is an educational series designed to provide you with the tools you need to take care of yourself. Classes will be held at Seneca Allegany Senior Center from 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. (lunch will be provided). Sessions are held every Wednesday and begin on 11/10/2021.
This program helps family caregivers reduce stress, improve self-confidence, improve communication, balance their lives, increase their ability to make tough decisions, and locate helpful resources.
The caregiver class consists of six sessions held once a week. Two experienced Class Leaders conduct the series (many are experienced caregivers themselves, who have successfully applied the techniques they teach). Interactive lessons, discussions and brainstorming will help you take the “tools” you choose and put them into action for your life.
Participants will receive a book, The Caregiver Helpbook free thanks to Lifespan. The SNI Area Office for the Aging will provide gift cards to all participants who complete the 6 sessions.
For more information or to register, contact Briana Snyder at (716)945-9881. Class size is limited and pre-registration is required. Registration for class must be done by 11/8/2021.
Reminder: In-Person Legal Assistance @ AOA
Free In-Person Legal Assistance for Any On-Territory Elders (not dependent on enrollment status): Fourth Thursday of Every Month with lawyer Alex Fehrman from the Center for Elder Law & Justice (CELJ.) Morning Appointments at Allegany AOA. Afternoon Appointments at Cattaraugus AOA.
To make an appointment, please call Tina Law in Cattaraugus at (716)532-5777 or Bridget John in Allegany at (716)945-8990. OR, feel free to contact the lawyer, Alex Fehrman, directly at (716) 853-3087 ext. 242.
Free In-Person Estate Planning & Will Preparation for Enrolled Seneca Elders: Second Friday of Every Month with lawyer Lee Redeye from Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman LLP. Morning Appointments at Allegany AOA. Afternoon Appointments at Cattaraugus AOA.
To make an appointment, please call Tina Law in Cattaraugus at (716)532-5777 or Bridget John in Allegany at (716)945-8990. OR, feel free to contact the lawyer, Lee Redeye, directly at (716) 853-5100 ext. 1382.
November Activities 2021 – Seneca Allegany Elders Center
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