I must begin with an apology to Mike Lenox of Lenox Barns, whose generous donation of a brand new dog house could well have contributed to all those who stayed to the bitter end of our raffle for Mardi Gras. So many people were waiting in hopes of being the winner, and I assure you that winner was thrilled with your donation, and so were we. I regret that I omitted recognition and thanks for your donation in the article following the Mardi Gras Carnival. Please accept our belated but heartfelt thank you now.
Today (Wednesday, May 18), SHIP volunteers will be at the SSSC from 1:30-3:30 p.m. The volunteers are well versed in all matters concerning Medicare. The Medicare State Health Insurance Advisory Program is coordinated through the Nevada Aging and Disabilities Services Division and is designed to supply information, counseling and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries in Nevada. Advisors can arrange for a time to meet with individuals and discuss their problems, and the SHIP advisors will inform Medicare beneficiaries of their rights under Medicare, assist in appeals processes for original Medicare and managed care, assist Medicare beneficiaries in understanding their health care insurance needs, help process Medicare claim denials, and make referrals when appropriate. Advisors are available to homebound and people with disabilities who are on Medicare, and all these services are free of charge. It is necessary to have an appointment to speak with the advisors, so please call 577-5014 to make an appointment.
The CHIP Program (Community Based Initiative Program) provides non-medical services to older persons to help them maintain independence in their own homes as an alternative to nursing home placement. Services include the following non-medical services: case management, assistance with personal care, homemaker services, adult day care, personal emergency response system, and respite for the primary caregiver. To be eligible for CHIP services, you must be 65 years of age or older, be at risk of institutionalization and qualify financially. To apply for these services, contact the Aging and Disabilities Services Division at 775-687-4210; Lyon County Human Services, Senior Services Case Management, at 775-577-5009; or the SSSC at 577-5014.
This month, the Birthday Dinner will be on Thursday, May 19.
Also on May 19, representatives of NV Legal Services will be at the center to assist you. Please call 577-5014 for an appointment.
You are urged to attend the Senior Health Fair being held at the Fernley Senior Center on Wednesday, May 25, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Lunch will be served at the Fernley Center on that day. For transpiration to the Health Fair, please sign up at the front desk. The bus will leave at 9:30 a.m.
If you are interested in going to an Aces game as a group, please sign up at the front desk. This, too, is a new venue that should provide lots of fun for all.
There is now a Personal Emergency Response System available. The cost is $35, and the unit is yours with no additional payments ever. This system works as most others in that you will receive a pendant to wear around your neck, and in case of emergency, you simply push the button. If you have "fallen and you can't get up" or any other mishap occurs, you have the peace of mind in knowing that you can contract someone to help. The system handles four numbers when you set it up. The first three may be family, friends, your neighbor, or whoever you choose. The fourth number most commonly used is 911. The system will automatically dial the numbers in sequences until you receive a response. If the first three numbers do not answer, the fourth is dialed. At the time, you will be asked to dial. 0. The responder will have 95 seconds to listen and determine what help you need and then dispatch it. For further information, and to obtain this service, call the SSSC at 577-5014.
The Central Lyon County Fire Protection District is offering a plan through the Frontier Saver Ambulance Subscription Program which will insure that you do not incur any additional out-of-pocket expenses if you are transported by ambulance to Churchill County Hospital, Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center or any of the Reno Hospitals. The fee for this service is $50 for an individual and $75 for family. The coverage will begin on July 1 and end on July 1, 2012. This is another program which is designed to give you peace of mind at a reasonable price.
The SSSC Thrift Store is open five days a week from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. If you have visited the shop, you know of the great bargains that are available. If not, you can introduce yourself to the dedicated volunteers who man the shop and take advantage of the special for the month of May. Every Friday in May is $2 a bag day. While the hours of the shop are set, they are not set in stone. Occasionally, on a slow day, the ladies may close 15 or so minutes early. That doesn't mean their day is over. They still have bookkeeping to do. But if you should visit the shop on the far and few between times when it's closed a little bit early, please bear with the volunteers. They volunteer to do a 40-hour week because of their caring and dedication, so if ever by chance you find the shop closed a little before 3 p.m., please understand and do come back.
