Serving Our Seniors Magazine Oct-Dec 2023

In the Fall of 2022, I took it upon myself to interview four young adults, to understand how they perceive people of older age. This is my third interview for this four part series for Serving Our Seniors Magazine. Meet Molly Wade, who I interviewed in the fall of 2022. She graduated from Vermilion High School in the spring 2022 and decided to postpone college. At that time, she was working at Pop ‘Em Up, a popcorn store in downtown Vermilion. Studying welding at Lorain County Community College appealed to her, as did going to a University to study psychology. When I asked her to describe older adults, she responded, “Everyone is not the same. I can’t put them in one category. I try to help people in the store, by asking them if they want me to read the packaging labels to them, if they are visually impaired.” Molly did say senior citizens are deserving of respect. “Sometimes, they get a bad rap for their stubbornness. They are used to consistency. My grandma (who lives in Vermilion) has the exact schedule every day.” Molly also believes, “A lot of old people don’t accept help.” Another adjective Molly used was “considerate.” “They will tell me to take my time. If I mess up, they are very forgiving. The older people don’t seem to need the instant gratification that my generation needs.” She has noticed that her generation navigates through day-to-day life, differently, compared to older people. For Molly, “Technology is very big. I don’t read books like older people do. Although technology does not play as big role in day-to-day living for most older adults, she knows people of older age do appreciate and use technology. “My grandma loves streaming video. She says, ‘I get to watch any movie I want!’” If you have Medicare Part D, today, don’t assume you will be happy with the same plan in 2024. The same holds true for those who have a Medicare Advantage Plan. The insurance companies who provide the coverage, reserve the right to make changes to what the insurance will cover and what it won’t cover, every year. Those who don’t look into what their insurance will do in 2024, can find out the hard way their insurance isn’t the same. For example, we have had clients go to the pharmacy counter, only to discover that a medication, which was always covered in the past, is now covered only for the first 90 days -- or not at all. Or, their Medicare Advantage Plan is no longer accepted by their doctor or their local hospital. To request a Medicare Part D appointment or a Medicare Advantage Plan appointment, Erie County residents, age 60+, should call Serving Our Seniors at 419-624-1856. Don’t wait until the last minute. Appointments fill up quickly. Help With Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage Plans Ron Watts Patricia Stineman Bill Beihl Bill Radjewski Keith Newton Jo Seiler Bill Djubek Nikki Spriggs Perceptions on Aging By Judy Williams 21