Middletown Senior Center, Inc.

Monthly Newsletter
Text Box: FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK Several people have come into the office to ask about the status of the new senior center. Well, let me tell you. The County of Lake has worked with the architects to revise the exterior of the building. It is much “softer” in appearance and fits well with the community. It is my understanding that they will “break ground” sometime this summer and it is expected to take 6-9 months to complete. That means sometime in the spring of 2011 we will look forward to moving. YEAH! It needs to be understood that we will be renting our side of the new building—we are not part of the County of Lake; we are a private non-profit managed by a Board of Directors. There seems to be some confusion in the community as to our status. However, the County has been very helpful in every step of the way and we are grateful to Kelly Cox and his staff and the architects for all their support. I thank them especially for dealing patiently with my concerns and frustrations. MEDI-GAP CHANGES COMING Effective June 2, 2010, some changes will be coming to California’s Medigap program. Medicare Supplement insurance (Medigap) may be purchased by anyone enrolled in Medicare. Medigap Plans are dssigned to pay some of the out-of-pocket expenses that people have to pay when using their Medicare benefits. These new Medigap plans will not take effect until June 1, 2010, but they may be advertised and marketed early in 2010. You do not need to buy one of the new Medigap plans and your current Medigap plan will stay in effect as long as you want to keep it and the premiums are paid. Licensed insurance agents can sell Medigap plans to people with Medicare. Be wary of any salesperson who says that he/she is a Medicare representative. Medicare does not send “representatives” to solicit your business. If you have any questions, you can call the California Department of Insurance at 1-800-927-4357 or go to www.insurance.ca.gov. You can also contact HICAP at 1-800-434-0222 for answers to many health insurance questions. For information about Medicare or Medigap, call 1-800-633-4227. COBB MOUNTAIN LIONS AND SENIOR CENTER DOING A FUNDRAISER FOR COBB MEALS-ON-WHEELS PROGRAM. Look for more information about a rummage sale and breakfast sponsored by the Cobb Mountains Lions on Sunday, May 30 from 7: 30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Proceeds from the rummage sale will be used to expand the Meals-On-Wheels program on Cobb. There is something you can do to help: start saving the stuff you can donate to them for the rummage sale and plan to go out to breakfast that day. More information in next month’s newsletter. WHAT’S HAPPENING IN MARCH? March 3: noon Census 2010 speaker will be here to answer your questions about the 2010 census. March 11: noon The Veteran’s Office representative, Bob Penney will present information about the new Veteran’s clinic in Clearlake and answer questions. March 18: 1:00 p.m. Fred Stephens from Redwood Caregivers will speak to caregivers on issues related to dementia and Alzheimer’s patients. March 24: noon Birthday Wednesday. NUTRITION SNIPPITS Proper Portions Do you know how much one serving of meat is? Or ice cream? Some eating establishments will lead you to believe they are quite hefty, thus one of the reasons for the rise in obesity. Portion control is an essential part of losing and maintaining weight. Without having to get out the measuring cups and scale to painstakingly measure everything you eat, here are some easy tips to go by to keep your portions in check: One thumb = 1 serving of cheese One fist or a baseball = 1 serving of fruit, rice or pasta One palm or a deck of cards = 1 serving of meat (3-4oz) Two golf balls = 1 serving of ice cream A Cupped Hand = 1 serving of vegetables or sliced fruit CENSUS INFORMATION The Advantages to Being Counted: Seats in the house of representatives Redesign of voting districts State and community planning Federal funding to community agencies. EACH PERSON COUNTED PRODUCES AROUND $1,230 OF FUNDING. Funding For What? Neighborhood improvements Emergency preparedness Disaster recovery Public health Education Transportation Senior services Homeless services Obstacles to Census Filing More taxes on individual property Conflict with local authorities Deportation or action on immigrants or non-citizens. Obstacles to Census Filing Fear of who will receive the information Fear of government interfering with personal privacy Confidentiality is Secured Only generalized information is published—not personal information No use of information for other purposes Personal information is confidential for 72 years Census takers take a confidentiality oath. Lake County is Undercounted Historically, Lake County has one of the lowest census response rates in the country. If we do not have accurate information, we lose money to pay for many services we need such as transportation, road improvements, services for children and seniors. 10 Questions, 10 Minutes That all it takes. Census workers will not ask about your finances; they will ask about who owns or rents the home, how many people living there, ethnicity and age. Want to Make Some Extra Money? Be a census worker. You will earn $10.50 per hour and mileage is reimbursed at 50 cents per mile. To register to take the test, call 1-866-861-2010.

March

2010