NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Recent news, events and updates from the Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging.
NEWS FROM SHINE FOR JULY/AUGUST 2019
Staying Healthy with No Cost Medicare
Preventative Benefits
An important goal for Medicare is to help people stay healthy by encouraging prevention. Medicare provides a number of preventive services. These services are free whether you have traditional Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan, like an HMO.
Some of these services include:
- Colorectal cancer screening (including colonoscopies)
- Mammograms
- Pap tests and pelvic exams
- Prostate cancer screening
- Bone mass measurements
- Cardiovascular screening
- Flu and pneumonia shots
- Alcohol misuse screening and counseling
- Depression screening
- Obesity screening and counseling
There are very specific rules which state when and how often Medicare will pay for the above services. For a complete list of free preventive services, go to www.medicare.gov or see a SHINE counselor.
THIS IS OUR NEWLETTER FOR JULY AND AUGUST. WE WISH ALL OUR READERS A VERY HAPPY SUMMER SEASON. REMEMBER YOU CAN STAY UP TO DATE ON OUR WEBSITE: www.shinema.org
CENTRAL MASS SHINE WEBSITE
You can visit us on the web at www.shinema.org. Our site has valuable general information and links to other agencies that can assist you with you insurance needs. We also have a link to our very informative cable TV program Medicare and More.
Supportive Day – Adult Day Care
Services we Provide:
Safe & Stimulating Environment
Breakfast, Lunch & Afternoon Snack
Exercise Program
Social Activities
Brain Games
Hand Massages/Manicures
Respite for Caregiver
About Us:
Mon, Tues & Wed
9:00-3:00
Transportation available
$35 Daily
Options available. for
income eligible clients
Bellingham Senior Center
40 Blackstone St.
Bellingham, MA 02019
(508) 966-0398
Caregiver’s Guide – English or Spanish
Check out the new Caregiver’s Guide on our Caregiver Info page! We have an English or Spanish Version for you to download.
Community Legal Aid – Medicare Advocacy Project (MAP)
Community Legal Aid is pleased to (re)introduce the Medicare Advocacy Project (MAP).
MAP helps individuals, regardless of age, who may have been wrongfully denied Medicare coverage. We provide free legal assistance to people on Medicare – regardless of plan type – or to people who have tried, unsuccessfully, to enroll in Medicare.
Each year, many elders and persons with disabilities are wrongfully denied Medicare coverage for physicians’ services, durable medical equipment, home health care, or skilled nursing facility care. Others are forced to leave the hospital prematurely, are denied prior approvals by their managed care plans, or are made to wait for coverage to begin while facing potentially permanent monthly surcharges in addition to payment of their monthly health insurance premiums. Countless others hit roadblocks, such as medication denials, created by Medicare’s complex systems. As a result of these denials, beneficiaries risk gaps in insurance coverage, interference with access to necessary medication or medical care, and/or severe financial duress.
What many Medicare beneficiaries don’t know is that the Medicare system comes with appeal rights – and that’s where MAP can help. Whatever the problem, MAP’s experienced advocates provide free legal advice and representation for Medicare-related issues. In addition, MAP offers comprehensive, up-to-date education on Medicare. MAP advocates speak to public groups and train staff of social service agencies, long-term care facilities, and home health agencies. We also monitor Medicare laws, regulations, and policies so that we can continue providing up-to-date, accurate information to our client communities and the general public about how current laws and any proposed changes may impact beneficiaries.
People needing MAP help can call Community Legal Aid, which provides free civil legal assistance to low-income and elderly families and individuals in central and western Massachusetts. Community Legal Aid can be reached at (508) 752-3718 or toll-free 855-252-5342 and at www.communitylegal.org.
REquipment – Durable Medical Equipment Reuse
REquipment is a great way to obtain free, gently used durable medical equipment (DME) for use by individuals and families in Massachusetts.
We only accept equipment that is gently used. Donated DME is sanitized, refurbished and available in our inventory. Access to our equipment is easy, either online or by phone, and we provide pick up and delivery as needed. A small fee for delivery may be charged. We only provide one power wheelchair, manual wheelchair or scooter per year.
We accept the following types of equipment:
- power and manual wheelchairs
- scooters
- rollator walkers
- tub seats and shower chairs
- mechanical sling lifts
- standing frames
- bariatric and pediatric equipment
- portable ramps
If you have other durable medical equipment in good condition you would like to donate please contact us to discuss at info@dmereuse.org or toll free at 800-261-9841 or 508-713-9690.
We do NOT accept the following devices:
- beds
- walkers
- commodes
- crutches and canes
These type of devices can be donated to your local Council on Aging.
Hours of operation: Monday-Friday, 9.a.m. to 5 p.m.
Website: www.dmereuse.org
Social Security Resource Center
Introducing the new AARP Social Security Resource Center
Get the answers that are right for you
Everyone has questions. Now there’s an easier way to find the information and answers you need for making decisions about your Social Security retirement benefits. The new AARP Social Security Resource Center provides clear, comprehensive answers to the most asked questions about:
- How benefits are calculated
- Eligibility — who qualifies for which benefits and when to apply
- Work and taxes — how earnings, pensions and taxes factor in
- Family considerations — including how spouse, children, divorce and your survivors factor in
- And more!
With so much useful information all in one place, it’s a great way to learn about how Social Security works — and how you can make decisions that will work best for you. Streamlined. No financial jargon. Just straight talk and clear-cut answers.
Feel more confident and secure about claiming your Social Security benefits. The more you know, the more you can get out of your retirement benefits. Visit today.