Sixty Seconds Newsletter 
A Monthly Update from Senior Resources of West Michigan  
An Area Agency on Aging Serving Muskegon, Oceana & Ottawa counties
In This Issue
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National Area Agencies on Aging
 
 
Medicare Open Enrollment

Every year, Medicare's open enrollment period is Oct. 15 - Dec. 7.  Medicare health and drug plans can make changes each year-things like cost, coverage, and what providers and pharmacies are in their networks. This is when all people with Medicare can change their Medicare health plans and prescription drug coverage for the following year to better meet their needs.

People in a Medicare health or prescription drug plan should always review the materials their plans send them, like the "Evidence of Coverage" (EOC) and "Annual Notice of Change" (ANOC). If their plans are changing, they should make sure their plans will still meet their needs for the following year. If they're satisfied that their current plans will meet their needs for next year and it's still being offered, they don't need to do anything.

Information for next year's plans will be available beginning in October. For more information, call
1-800-MEDICARE or  Medicare.gov.  

Speak up! Anytime day or night. Report abuse and neglect.
855-444-3911

Senior Resources' Elder Care Specialists are available to assist with Options for Long Term Care
Call: 231-733-3585
or Toll Free:  1-800-442-0054. In Oceana: 231-559-0331.
November 2018
Vote Tuesday
Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, is election day in Michigan.

To see a sample ballot for your area: 




Providers Conference focuses on mental illness in older adults

The Tri County Protection Team is hosting the annual Providers Conference on Thursday, Nov. 8, at Muskegon Community College. Mental Illness, Disorders and Dementia in Older Adults: What's the Difference? is the theme. National speaker Dr. Patrick Arbore, the founder of the Institude on Aging in San Francisco and an expert on suicide in older adults, will be the featured speaker, along with local experts. 

This important conference is for social workers, nurses, practitioners, law enforcement officers and professionals working with and for the older population. Workshops include: anxiety and depression, dementia, and hoarding disorder.

Cost is $50 with CEUs and $40 without (license number needed to receive CEUs). Includes continental breakfast and lunch, provided by MCC.

Register today at: bit.ly/tcptprovidersconference2018
OR call the AgeWell Services Wellness office at
(231) 733-8643.

The conference is made possible by AgeWell Services, Muskegon County Senior Millage, and Senior Resources.

Help Make History

For the first time since 1989, The Michigan Department of Civil Rights, or MDCR, Division on Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing has launched a historic and comprehensive needs assessment for the people they serve.

It's an online survey, available on the Not Without Us website, and it is open until mid-November. The survey is available for anyone 13 years of age and up who is Deaf, DeafBlind or Hard of Hearing, or anyone who is a caregiver for those who are under age 13.

"As we work to make Michigan the most accessible state in the country, we also need to know where the barriers and opportunities are for individuals who are Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing," said Annie Urasky, director of the DODDBHH. "By sharing the survey with your friends, family and social networks, you will help us assist impacted communities by providing us with a clear snapshot of their needs. With the snapshot, we can make the case with decision makers throughout Michigan for how best to meet those needs."

The survey was designed with the input of a steering committee made up of persons from the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing communities. In addition to holding community events to promote the survey, the DODDBHH and MDCR have been using social media to push #NotWithoutUsMich and the Not Without Us website to increase community engagement. For more information on the project, contact [email protected].

Senior Resources of West Michigan Inc