Serving Our Seniors Magazine Oct - Dec 2024

Serving Our Seniors reminds consumers on a Medicare Part D drug plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan – it is time to shop around. This is the time to find out which drug plan will cover your medications best. It is also the time to find which Medicare Advantage Plan will cover the hospital and rehab center of your choice, as well as your doctor and labs. Medicare Part D open enrollment period is October 15 – December 7, 2024. Medicare Advantage Plans (also called Part C) have two time periods for open enrollment. October 15 – December 7, 2024 AND January 2 – March 31, 2025. The problem with Medicare Advantage Plans is this… Just because your doctor/pharmacy/hospital covered your needs well in 2024, it is not safe to assume the insurance will work the same in 2025. To find out what has changed, make an appointment at Serving Our Seniors (419-624-1856) and look at what plans are being sold during open enrollment. Serving Our Seniors is taking appointments from Erie County residents, ages 60 and better, to learn what is available and how well it will cover your health care needs. Medicare Open Enrollment Front: Mo, Clerical; Patricia, Jo, Nikki, Medicare Counselors Back L-R: Keith, Bill B., Bill R., Ron W., Medicare Counselors Patricia, Medicare Education Specialist; Jo, Medicare Counselor; Mo, Medicare Clerical Support In September 2024, 10 people, age 60 and better, who are pre-diabetic, diabetic or the partner/caregiver of one who is, graduated from the six-week Diabetes Empowerment Education Program (DEEP) training course. This program is an informal, socially interactive way to learn about what is diabetes and pre-diabetes. Those who took the course gained a greater appreciation for what high blood sugar really means, how food can raise or lower blood sugar and why. The training also covers the various ways high blood sugar, silently, causes the body to deteriorate, without feeling any symptoms. The best part of the training is learning the simple things to do to lower/ control blood sugar. Jane is a DEEP graduate and a retired nurse. “I already know this information, but the way Tina presented it inspired me to do better. Her props were wonderful. It made it so much clearer for me to see what I am doing to my body. Tina really knows her stuff. I enjoyed the training and it motivated me.” Tina is working on a series of DEEP Training courses for 2025. If you want to learn how you can take better care of yourself as a pre-diabetic or diabetic give her a call 419-624-1856 ext. 3 then dial 116. You will be glad you did. Diabetes Empowerment Education: It’s Worth the Time in 2025 Jane Tina Sluga, Healthcare Advocate Trainer 18