MONTGOMERY SENIOR CENTER - August 2010 Schedule
MONTGOMERY SENIOR CENTER 356 Skillman Rd, Skillman, NJ
(609) 466-0846
Hours: 10:00 to 2:00, Monday through Friday Birthday Celebrations – Last Friday of the Month
Bridge – Every Monday at 1:00 and Thursday at 10:30
Chinese ESL - Every Monday, 10:15
Healthy Bones Class – Every Wednesday, 10:15 (Doctor note and registration required)
Line Dance with Robbie – Every Friday, 10:15
Dominos – Daily
Pool Table and Cards – Daily
Silver Strength with Linda – Every Monday, 10:15
Walking Idols Club – Every Wednesday, 10:15
Yoga – Tuesday, 10:30, call for schedule
August 2 – “Classical Kids” Piano Recital
August 3, 10, 17 & 24 – Explore “31” Happy Moments
August 5, 12, 19 & 26 – Beginner and Novice Computer Classes with Susan, Beginner: 10:00-11:00 and Novice: 11:00-12:00
August 10 & 24 – Laughter Class with Denise Crowley, 10:30
August 13 – Art of the Masters Program: Wire Sculpture with Alexander Calder, 10:30 am (Advanced Registration is Required. Please Call (609)466-0846.)
August 16 – Blood Pressure Screening, 9:45
August 20 & 23 - Special Activities for Happiness Happens Theme Week
August 30 – “Happiness Happens” Celebration – Don’t Miss It!
Township Emergency Outreach Program
Montgomery Township has a program for residents in special need due to illness or age. The Township Health Officer Stephanie Carey, will keep a list of peop0le with special needs who will be called during an emergency, such as a blizzard, power outage, flood, or other event, to make sure they have heat, water, and other essentials like food and medicine.
Anyone wishing to be on such a list (or someone you know of), should contact Ms. Carey at the Health Office, 908-359-8211, or email, scarey@twp.montgomery.nj.us. Please read the “Notice of Privacy Practices of Montrgomery Township” statement first. Forms can also be found at the Senior Center or the Health Dept. office.
If you have already registered, but have moved or changed your phone number, notify the Health Office
A sperate program, called Project Lifesaver, is for finding lost persons with Alheimer’s or autism. These persons must be registered in advance. Local police will assist with a search, but it is run by the Somerset County Sherriff’s Office and the County Office on Aging.
Savvy Senior - Financial Assistance for Medicare Part D Beneficiaries
Dear Savvy Senior: In one of your recent columns (What Healthcare Reform Means for Seniors) you wrote that seniors with a Medicare prescription drug plan could get a $250 rebate check when they hit the donut hole. I've just hit it! What do I need to do to get my check and how long will I have to wait?
Need Help
Dear Need,
One of the key benefits for seniors in the new healthcare reform law is improved coverage for Medicare Part D beneficiaries. Here's what you should know.
Donut Hole Rebate
This year, seniors who have a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan are automatically eligible to receive a one-time $250 rebate check if they hit the "donut-hole" coverage gap and are not already receiving Medicare "Extra Help." Medicare expects around 4 million Part D beneficiaries will actually hit the donut hole in 2010.
The donut hole begins after you reach $2,830 in total prescription-drug spending and extends until your total drug costs for the year reach $6,440. Within that gap, you generally have to pay the bills out-of-pocket. After that, your Part D plan usually covers 95 percent of your remaining drug costs for the year.
Again, you just need to reach the donut hole to qualify for the rebate. You don't have to spend $250 within the coverage gap first. And you don't need to fill out any forms to get your check. Medicare will automatically send it when you reach the donut hole - you should receive it within 45 days. To make sure there are no delays, you may want to call your drug plan once you've hit the donut hole, to make sure they've notified Medicare of your eligibility. If you don't get your rebate check, call Medicare at 800-633-4227.
Scam Alert
The government also wants to warn seniors about possible con artists who may try to take advantage of the government rebate. If someone calls you claiming to need your personal information, like your Medicare or Social Security number, or bank account so they can process your Medicare rebate check, don't give it to them. It's a scam! Just hang up the phone, and call 1-800-MEDICARE to report it.
Coming Next Year
You also need to know that starting in 2011, Medicare Part D beneficiaries that hit the donut hole will receive a 50 percent discount on brand-name drugs and a seven percent discount on generic prescriptions. After that, beneficiaries will pay a smaller portion of their drug costs in the donut hole each year until 2020, when they have to pay just 25 percent of those costs.
Also starting next year, individuals who earn more than $85,000 (or $170,000 if married filing jointly) will have to pay a high-income surcharge for Part D Premiums, as they do for Part B.
Extra Help Changes
Another change to be aware of is Medicare's expanded prescription drug benefit to low income seniors (this is not part of healthcare reform). Changes in the law have now made it easier for about 1 million more seniors to qualify for "Extra Help" in paying their Medicare drug coverage.
To be eligible, your annual income must be less than $16,245 for an individual and $21,855 for a married couple living together. And your assets such as stocks, bonds and bank accounts must be limited to $12,510 for singles and $25,010 for married couples. The value of your home and automobiles are excluded.
Under the old law, applicants had to include the value of life insurance policies in calculating their assets. They also had to include as part of their income money received on a regular basis from relatives and friends to help pay household expenses. Under the new law, life insurance policies are no longer counted as assets and money received to help pay household expenses is not counted as income. To find out if you qualify call Social Security at 800-772-1213 or see ssa.gov/prescriptionhelp.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of "The Savvy Senior" book.
Senior Freeze Income Limits Raised
The State of New Jersey Divisionof Taxation, Dept of Treasury has announced new higher income limits for the "Senior Freeze" program, aka the Property Tax Reimbursement (PTR) program. This program reimburses eligible seniors and disabled persons for property tax increases. The income limits for 2007 increased to $60,000 or less for all applicants whether single or married/in a civil union. The previous income limites for 2007 were: less than $45,135 for single applicants and less than $55,344 (combined income) for married/civil union couples.
The Division of Taxation is doing a special mailing of 2007 reimbursement applications to approximately 52,000 resident who may now be eligible because of the increase in the income limits. Applications can also be obtained in person at the Montgomery Township Tax Assessor's Office. If you did not receive a 2006 reimbursement, file a 2007 Form PTR-1. If you did receive a 2006 reimbursement, file a 2007 Form PTR-2. Form PTR-2 only is also available with instructions and further information on the State Department of Treasury website at http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/propfrez.shtml .
Looking ahead, the income limits for 2008 are now raised to $70,000 for either a single person or married couple/civil union. 2008 applications will be available in the spring. The income limits for 2009 will be $80,000 for a single person or a married/civil union couple.
Discount Travel Tips for Retirees June 20-10
Dear Savvy Senior,
Can you write a column on U.S. travel discounts for seniors? My husband and I are approaching retirement and love to travel but have a limited budget.
Discount Travelers
Dear Travelers,
Everybody loves a bargain but in today’s tight economy, senior discount travel deals that have real value are getting harder to find. Here are some tips to help you find the best deals.
Senior Discounts?
When it comes to senior travel bargains, an important point to keep in mind is that the “senior discount” may not always be the best deal. Hotels, airlines and cruise lines, for example, offer advanced bookings along with special deals and promotions from time to time that may be a lower rate than what the senior discount is. Always ask about the lowest possible rate and the best deal available. With that said, here’s a breakdown of the different senior travel discounts that are available today and where you can find them.
AARP discounts: If you’re a member of AARP, various travel discounts are available on hotels, rental cars, cruises and vacation packages. To find them see aarp.org/travel or expedia-aarp.com, or call 800-675-4318.
Airlines: Southwest (southwest.com, 800-435-9792) has the best senior fare program, offering discounts on walk-up fares to passengers 65 and older. American (aa.com, 800-433-7300), Continental (continental.com, 800-523-3273), U.S. Airways (usairways.com, 800-428-4322) also offer limited senior fares to passengers 65-plus to selected destinations.
Train discounts: Amtrak (www.amtrak.com, 800-872-7245), the nationwide rail network, provides a 15 percent discount to coach travelers age 62 and older. And a 10 percent discount to passengers 60 and older on cross-border services operated jointly by Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada.
Bus travel: Greyhound (greyhound.com, 800-231-2222), the largest provider of intercity bus transportation, offers a 5 percent discount on unrestricted fares to seniors over 62. Peter Pan (peterpanbus.com, 800-343-9999), which serves the Northeast region of the U.S., offers the same deal. Trailways (trailways.com, 800-776-7581), a privately owned bus company also provides senior discounts but they vary by location. And, most local bus lines and public transportation offer discounted senior passes.
Car rentals: Most car rental companies offer 5 to 25 percent discounts to customers who belong to 50-and-older organizations like AARP. Good discounts are also available to AAA (aaa.com) members. To shop around for the best rental car deals use travel aggregator sites like orbitz.com or kayak.com.
Hotels: Most hotels in the U.S. offer senior discounts usually ranging from 10 to 30. Age eligibility will vary by hotel, usually starting at age 50, 55, 60 or 62. Hyatt (hyatt.com, 888-591-1234) offers the biggest hotel discounts – up to 50 percent off to seniors age 62 and older.
Cruising: If you’re interested in taking a cruise, there are lots of bargains available regardless of age. To find them use cruisecompete.com (800-797-4635), which can give you the lowest prices for the dates and ports you specify. In addition, some cruise lines offer seniors discounts on select cruises to passengers 55 and older. The best way to find these is to contact a travel agent (see cruising.org to find an agent who specializes in cruises), or check with a few cruise brokers like vacationstogo.com (800-338-4962), cruise411.com (899-553-7090), or ecruises.com (800-223-6868).
National Parks: One of the best travel deals available is the “America The Beautiful – Senior Pass” (www.nps.gov/fees_passes.htm). This is a lifetime pass that will let you and anyone in your car into national parks, forests, recreation areas and monument grounds. It’s available to those 62 or older, and you can get it at one of the federal recreation sites for a one-time fee of $10, and it never expires.
Entertainment: In most cities, seniors over 60 qualify for reduced admission to theaters, museums, and other attractions. Be sure you ask!
Savvy Tips: For an $8 annual fee, you can find thousands of discounts at seniordiscounts.com. Or go to Amazon.com and order a copy of the 2009 – 2010 book, “Unbelievably Good Deals and Great Adventures That You Absolutely Can’t Get Unless You’re Over 50” (McGraw-Hill).
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Senior" book.
Senior Wii Bowling League
The Avalon at Hillsborough Assisted Living residents recently had the pleasure of being a member of their very own Wii bowling league. The League was started by two of Montgomery Townships Girl Scouts from Troop 909. The young ladies Kristen O’Neil and Megan Corlis raised money for their gold award in order to purchase a Wii gaming system for the Avalon residents, which they later donated to The Avalon facility.
They began an 11-week bowling competition with each week leading up to the grand finally, Big Wii Bowling Tournament between the resident teams the Eagles and the Pros, with matching shirts and all. The Avalon residents enjoyed this event so much that they have now stared their own Wii bowling league sessions. Much gratitude is offered to these wonderful girl scouts for continuous joy they have provided the life of senior residents.
May 2010 Senior Center
5/3 10:15 Exercise with Linda
10:15 ESL Chinese
5/4 10:30 Yoga with Trish
5/5 10:00 Beginner Computer Class with Susan*
10:15 Walking Idols Club
11:00 Novice Computer Class with Susan*
5/6 10:00 Beginner Computer Class with Susan*
11:00 Novice Computer Class with Susan*
5/7 Senior Center Closed
5/10 10:15 Exercise with Linda
10:15 ESL Chinese
5/11 10:30 Yoga with Trish
5/12 10:15 Walking Idols Club
10:15 Healthy Bones
5/13 10:00 Beginner Computer Class with Susan*
10:00 Dyan Exercise Video
10:15 Bridge
11:00 Novice Computer Class with Susan*
5/14 10:15 Dance Exercise with Robbie
5/17 10:15 Trip to Montgomery Upper Middle School – Spring Arts
5/18 10:30 Yoga with Trish
5/19 10:15 Walking Idols Club
5/20 10:00 Free CPR Class presented by Princeton Healthcare
System – call to register
5/21 10:00 Beginner Computer Class with Susan*
10:00 Dyan Exercise Video
11:00 Novice Computer Class with Susan*
5/24 10:15 Exercise with Linda
10:15 ESL Chinese
5/25 10:30 Yoga with Trish
5/26 10:15 Walking Idols Club
5/27 10:00 Beginner Computer Class with Susan*
11:00 Novice Computer Class with Susan*
5/28 10:30 Art of the Master Workshop
5/31 10:15 Exercise with Linda
10:15 ESL Chinese
*Call for availability: 609-466-0846.
Birthdays Last Friday of Month
We are located at the Otto Kaufman Community Center, 356 Skillman Rd., Skillman. We welcome new members 60+. No dues collected; attend as many times a week as you wish. The Center is open Mon-Fri, 9 am - 1 pm for Somerset County-run activities and bus transportation (building remains open for use until 4:30 pm). Hot lunch served for suggested donation of $1.50. Lunch reservations: 609-466-0846 - Meals are ordered in advance. Please call by 10:30 am the day before you plan to come. Transportation is now handled by Somerset County Transportation 908-231-7115or 800-246-0527. 24-hour notice for pick-ups & cancellations required.
Internationally Acclaimed Classical Guitarist to Perform at Senior Center
The Somerset County Office on Aging is celebrating Older Americans Month and the 35th anniversary of its Nutrition Program by sponsoring two benefit concerts by American classical guitarist Giovanni DeChiaro. Donations for the benefit concert, which will be used to support senior center activities, will be accepted at the door.
On Wednesday, May 26, DeChiaro will perform at the Montgomery Senior Center, located in the Otto Kaufman Community Center at 356 Skillman Road in Montgomery, at
11 a.m. To register, call (609) 466-0846.
The musical performance will include the Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 by Franz Liszt, Ave Maria by Franz Schubert, Rondo in A Minor by Dionizio Aguado, Gran Jota De Aragoneza and Recuerdoes De La Alhambra by Francisco Tarrega. He also will perform the Entertainer, the Maple Leaf Rag and the Pineapple Rag by Scott Joplin.
Giovanni DeChiaro has performed seven recitals at Carnegie Hall, most recently with the Mississippi Guitar Quartet, an ensemble he established. His concerts have been held throughout the United States, South America, Canada, Europe and Mexico. DeChiaro has been invited to perform for many notable individuals, including Pope John Paul II, President and Mrs. Bill Clinton, the King of Spain and former Mississippi Governor Ronnie Musgrove.
He has recorded two nationally televised special programs for the PBS network, both of which received Gold Awards and top honors at several film festivals. De Chiaro is currently the professor of guitar at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
If you wish to make a lunch reservation, please contact the senior center by 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 24.
The Somerset County Office on Aging’s seven senior centers offer a variety of educational, recreational and entertaining activities for seniors, including wellness programs and health screenings.
For more information, contact the Somerset County Office on Aging toll-free at 1-888-747-1122.
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