January - March 2019

There are two different types of Powers of Attorney (POAs). A Financial POA gives another person power over your finances. The second is called a Durable Healthcare POA and gives another person power over your health care decisions. Putting Power of Attorney documents into place is good planning, especially in later life. However, until you understand the power you are signing away and unless have a very trustworthy person to possess such power, you may want to rethink if a Power of Attorney will serve your best interests. Serving Our Seniors invites you to attend a public forum “What are the Powers of a Power of Attorney?” on Thursday, February 28, 2019, 1:30 – 3:00 pm. Attorneys John Ball, Michael Brumbaugh and Carmen Verhosek will explain various aspects of Power of Attorney documents and answer questions from the audience. The discussion will be facilitated by Sue Daugherty. Please call 419-624-1856 to register by February 26. Understand the Powers of a POA Before You Sign the Power Away Navigating Medicare is not an easy task. Finding the right plan is difficult when the information is confusing and overwhelming. The good news is, you’re not alone. Patricia Stineman, Medicare Education Specialist, and Serving Our Seniors’ six OSHIIP-trained counselors are here to help you understand your options and determine which plan is best for you. They will help you understand the complexities of how Medicare insurance works, weigh the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage Plans vs. traditional Medicare with a Medicare Supplement, and discuss significant cost savings related to your choice of plans. If you are on traditional Medicare with a supplement and want to know if a less expensive Medicare supplement will cover you, it’s not too late. Call our office and request a Medicare Counseling appointment. If you are on a Medicare Advantage Plan but wish to return to traditional Medicare with a Medicare supplement, you have time between January 1, 2019 and March 31, 2019 to make that switch. For more information on dropping your Medicare Advantage Plan to switch to traditional Medicare, please join us on Thursday, January 17, 2019, 1:00p.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the Erie County Office Building, 3rd Floor, 247 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky. Tina Elmlinger and Patricia Stineman will lead the forum and answer questions about what to consider before you drop your Medicare Advantage Plan. Registration is required; please call 419-624-1856 by January 15. Navigating Your Medicare Options Which is Best for You? John Ball Michael Brumbaugh Carmen Verhosek (L-R) Patricia Stineman, Bill Radjewski, Peter Fitzgibbon, Keith Newton, Ron Watts. Not pictured Becky Baumgartner. Bill Biehl Like us on www.servingourseniors.org 19