ISSUE #21 JANUARY 2017

2017 TAX PREPARATION

The AARP tax volunteers will again be providing assistance in Monroe County during the months of February and March. This is a free, confidential service where trained counselors help prepare tax returns and answer questions for tax payers with middle and low incomes, especially those aged 60 and over. Younger individuals with lower incomes are also welcome to use the service. All Sparta tax appointments will be held at the Sparta Barney Community Center at 1000 E. Montgomery Street, Sparta, WI on Wednesdays and Fridays. Limited appointments will be available on Wednesdays in Cashton. APPOINTMENTS ARE REQUIRED. THEY CAN BE SCHEDULED BY CALLING AFTER JANUARY 15TH. APPOINTMENTS WILL START IN SPARTA ON FEBRUARY 1ST.

NOTE: PHONE NUMBER 608-487-7112 Call between 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Don’t forget to bring the needed information with you, such as: Social Security Statement or Rent Certificate, last year’s tax returns, proof of Health Insurance for 2016 and for those on Social Security participating in Medicare, please bring Form

SSA-1099.

2 Senior Dining Site News and Activities

Sensational Sparta Seniors

Join Us For Some Fun Activities

January 5th..12:00 p.m. ..Senior Citizens Meeting

January 6th and 20th..12:00 p.m. ….Bingo

January 11th & 25th..10:00 a.m...Art Expressions

I hope that everyone had a Merry Christmas! We will continue our walking in the Barney Center gym

January through April. Tee shirts will be ordered for “Walking For The Health Of It”. Names and

comments from participants will be posted in February. Please join us at 10:00 a.m. Monday through

Friday to walk and please stay for lunch.

If you plan to have lunch with us please call before noon the day before to reserve your meal.

Have a Happy New Year!

Sue Dicus, Dining Site Manager (608) 269-6778

News from Cashton

January has dawned after a wonderful Christmas! Happy 2017 to each of you in Monroe

County. We are all wishing for a great year full of opportunities and joy for everyone.

Hold firm to the goodness of friends and neighbors who surround you. Our community is full of

loving, giving and compassionate people who step in to make the problems of other disappear when

it is possible.

January birthdays include Elaine Olstad, Mary Witt and Carol Hultberg.

Join us for lunch, be sure to call before noon the day before to reserve your meal. (608) 487-6129

Best Wishes,

The Cashton Nutrition “Bunch”

Kendall Keepers

I hope everyone had a nice Christmas and I wish you a Happy New Year!

Happy Birthday: Bob Bezin, Phyllis Britzman, Sally Dana, Rita McCracken, Debi Popp, Lynette

Vlaska and Lillian Wendland. The Birthday Club Party is for Sally. Watch the local papers for

The date.

January 10th and January 25th……..Seniors Citizens‘ Card Club meets at the Legion Hall in

Kendall. They are always looking for card players.

January 20th is Music Day...Come and join the fun.

Please join us for lunch! Call before noon the day before to reserve your meal.

Deb Elder, Site Manager

(608) 463-7622

3 Senior Dining Site News and Activities

Cataract Dining Site News

The year 2016 flew by! It is the New Year and we wish you the best. In December, we started

playing BINGO every other Tuesday @10:30 a.m. On Dec 14th our three winners were Lorraine F.,

Norman F., and Roger B. We will have BINGO on January 10th and 24th at 10:30 a.m.

Cards will be played at 10:30 a.m. on January 2nd, 16th and 30th.

We decorated Christmas cookies on December 19th for our cookie exchange on the 20th. I have a

feeling that all of the cookies did not make it to the 20th. We had peppermint ice cream on the 19th

and hope that this will become a tradition for us. December colors are traditionally red and green

however we had a lot of orange around the dining site with wonderful oranges to encourage healthy

eating for the New Year. Barb Akers, Cataract Dining Site Manager (608)487-6128

Norwalk News

Winter set in fast just before Christmas, requiring coats, mittens and boots! The St. Augustine

CCD kids came to the Northcrest Community Room and entertained residents with Christmas

Caroling. It was nice having them. The quilting group got together and shared new ideas and

enjoyed many Christmas treats. Thank you Suann for making us a “catch all” out of blocks we put

together and that you won. That was very nice of you.

CARDS: January 3rd and 17th at 1:00 p.m. - SECOND HARVEST is January 31st at 11:00 a.m.

QUILTING: January 9th and 16th at 1:30 p.m.

Shirley Degenhardt, Dining Site Manager (608) 343-3158

4 Memory Café

Coping | Confidence | Connections

Lunch Bunch Memory Café

When: Thursday, January 19, 2017

Time: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm

Location: Jake’s Northwoods

1132 Angelo Road

Sparta, WI

Topic: Pet Therapy presented by Erin Olson

RSVP: 269-8691 by Monday, January 16th

Lunch & beverage provided at a suggested donation of $4.00 per person

The Memory Café is a place to meet with others living with Mild Cognitive

Impairment (MCI), Alzheimer’s or other related dementia and their Care

Partner in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Once a month, this group

offers a chance for everyone to have some fun and share a positive

experience in a supportive environment. It’s a place to talk with others

and to learn, “You are not alone”.

Topics: Art, music, health and wellness topics will be featured at each café.

Resources: Community resource information will be available each month.

Staff from Monroe County Health Department, Senior Services or the Aging

and Disability Resource Center will be available to answer questions and visit

with Care Partners during the café. If you would like more information, or to

b e added to our mailing list, contact Laura at 608-269-8691.

5 Don’t Forget Your Pets in Winter

Bring pets inside when temperatures reach 30 degrees with wind chill.

Dogs and cats get frostbitten ears, noses and paws if left outside during

bitter cold weather.

Chemicals used to melt snow and ice can also irritate paws.

6 Join The Fun

Q What is the worst

vegetable to serve

on a boat?

A Leeks!

The advantage age

has over youth is that

youth knows nothing

about being old,

whereas the old know

all about being

young.

******************

In time, and as one

comes to benefit from

experience, one

learns that things will

turn out neither as

well as one hoped nor

as badly as one

feared.

Jerome S. Bruner

******************

One of life’s greatest

pleasures is paying

the last installment.

7

MON TUES WED THURS FRI

2

3

Hamburger on

Bun

Baked Beans

Coleslaw

Brownie

4

Chicken Broccoli

Casserole

Mixed Vegetables

Plums

5 Lasagna

Lettuce Salad

Breadstick

Frosted Cake

6

Salmon Patty

Parsley Potatoes

Creamed Peas

Melon

9 Dijon Chicken

Potato Chunks

Seasoned Corn

Ambrosia

10 Goulash

Lettuce Salad

Breadstick

Lemon

Meringue

Pie

11 Hamburger Steak

with Gravy

Boiled Potatoes

Scandinavian

Blend Vegetables

Bishops Cake

12 Pork Tips in

Gravy

Brown Rice

Baby Carrots

Pears

13 Chicken Dressing

Bake

Summer Blend

Vegetables

Peaches

16 Breaded Chicken

Baked Potato

with Sour Cream

Peas

Cherry Crisp

17

BBQ Pork Tips

Au Gratin

Potatoes

Winter Blend

Vegetables

Blushing Pears

18 Cheddarwurst

on Bun

Tri Tators

Creamy Coleslaw

Blueberry Pie

19 Roast Turkey

Mashed Potatoes

with Gravy

Diced Carrots

Peaches

20 Hearty Beef

Barley Soup

Cheese Sandwich

Tomato Slices

Pineapple Delight

23 Italian Meatballs

Spaghetti with

Marinara Sauce

Summer Blend

Vegetables

Garlic Toast

Lemon Bar

24 Baked Chicken

with Gravy

Whipped

Potatoes

Monte Carlo

Blend

Vegetables

Apricots

25 Brunswick Stew

Baking Powder

Biscuit

Country Blend

Vegetables

Red Pear Gelatin

26

Stroganoff

Casserole

Seasoned Corn

Pumpkin Bar

27 Breaded Fish

Tri Tators

Sweet Sour

Coleslaw

Creamy Fruit

Salad

30

Pork Cutlets with

Mushroom Gravy

Baked Potatoes

Green Beans

Peaches

31 BBQ Chicken

Herb Rice

Pickled Beets

Cookie

Q Where

do

hamburgers

go to

dance?

A At the

Meat-Ball!

Sparta, Cashton, Cataract, Norwalk, Tomah, Wilton, Kendall January 2017

8 Healthy Living

QUIT SMOKING One Day at a Time

How long does nicotine withdrawal last? Nicotine withdrawal can be uncomfortable. Symptoms usually peak

3-5 days after quitting tobacco. A person trying to quit smoking may have cravings followed by

anxiety or anger. They may struggle with concentrations. Some may experience nausea,

heartburn, sore throat, tingling in the hands and feet, and sweating or having chills.

Giving those who are quitting a little more “slack” can go a long way. Continue to encourage

your loved one every step of the way.

Medications: See Your Doctor

There’s no magic medication to cure addiction to nicotine. However, these medications can

increase your chances of quitting two- or three-fold. It’s important to discuss any medications

with your doctor to be sure you are using it safely, at the correct dosage and for the appropriate

duration.

Nicotine Patches – are designed to provide a steady stream of nicotine through your skin over a

designated time (16-24 hours, depending on the product’).

The patch is available by prescription or over the counter. It’s designed to give you enough

nicotine to ease cravings. Treatment is typically recommended for six to eight weeks.

Nicotine Gum or Lozenges – This product is available without a prescription. It is

recommended for smokers who want something to turn to when experiencing urges to smoke.

Dear Sue, I have smoked for 60 years. I’ve tried to quit many times and just can’t be successful, do you

have any tips on how to cut down? Judi in Cataract

Dear Judi in Cataract, I am a person who has smoked for 20 years and

practiced putting a tobacco product in my mouth over 146,000 times.

My brain is hard wired to feel pleasure when going through the ritual

of opening the pack of cigarettes, placing one in my mouth and

inhaling.

One tip that I can offer is to cut straws into the same size as a cigarette.

Hold that in your hand or chew on the end whenever you have the

urge to smoke. You may even want to put the straws into the original

tobacco package.

9 Severe Weather and Meal Site Closings

SEVERE WEATHER MAY CAUSE SITE CLOSINGS When dining centers are closed due to inclement weather, home-delivered meals are also cancelled. These cancellations are announced on local radio and television stations early in the morning. Side streets and country roads may remain snow covered and slippery the day after a snowstorm therefore, home-delivered meal drivers may arrive late with your meal. Please be patient and wait 30 minutes after your usual delivery time to report an undelivered meal. Please have your driveways, sidewalks and porch steps clear of snow and ice, so our drivers can deliver your meals safely. Senior Services does not want to put the drivers at risk of falling and injuring themselves. Remember to stock up on extra non-perishable food such as: canned soup, stew, tuna, fruit and vegetable juices, canned fruit and vegetables, peanut butter, pasta, rice and dry milk. It is important to have these available. BE PREPARED! If you have questions or concerns, call Senior Services at (608) 269-8690.

10 2017 Medicare Update

2017 Medicare Part B Premiums and the Hold Harmless Provision

By the GWAAR Legal Services Team

In November, CMS announced the 2017 premium for Medicare Part B. In 2017, the Medicare Part

B premium is $134.00 per month, but your premium may not necessarily be $134.00 per month.

Generally, if you are not a new Medicare beneficiary, the premium you pay in 2017 will depend on

a variety of factors. Two key factors are the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and the hold

harmless provision.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced that the COLA will be 0.3 percent. The

purpose of the COLA is to provide additional income to protect against inflation. Because of this low

COLA, the hold harmless provision kicks in to help protect most Medicare beneficiaries from large

Part B premium increases.

How does the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) affect my Medicare Part B premium?

When the COLA is not large enough to cover the full increase in the Part B premium, the hold

harmless provision allows your Part B premium to increase by the same amount as the increase in

your Social Security benefit. The result is that if you are protected by the hold harmless provision in

2017, you will not pay $134.00 a month for your premium. The amount you will pay depends

completely on your Social Security benefit, so the amount will vary for people protected by the hold

harmless provision.

Am I protected under the hold harmless provision?

All of the following must be true to qualify:

You must be entitled to Social Security benefits in the months of November and December 2016;

Your Medicare Part B premium must be deducted from Social Security benefits in December

2016 and January 2017

There cannot be a COLA that is greater than the Part B premium increase (which is true for

2017); AND

Your modified adjusted gross income cannot exceed $85,000 for an individual or $170 for a

couple

You are not protected if:

You are new to Medicare. The hold harmless provision does not kick in because you have not

been enrolled in Medicare Part B long enough to qualify.

You are subject to IRMAA.

You are enrolled in a Medicare Savings Program (but the savings program should continue pay-

ing your full Part B premium).

You were enrolled in a Medicare Savings Program in 2016, but are now ineligible because your

income increased or you failed to recertify.

What will I pay for my Part B premium?

New Medicare beneficiaries and all of those not protected by the hold harmless provision will pay

$134/month for the Part B premium. If you are protected by the hold harmless provision, just know

that your Part B premium cannot go up more than the COLA increase for 2017 (0.3

percent).

Continued on page 11

11 2017 Medicare Updates (Continued) Continued from Page 10

Also keep in mind that if you are protected by the hold harmless provision but also have a Part B

late enrollment penalty, you pay that penalty in addition to your premium. Your penalty may

increase in 2017 because the calculation is based on the $134.00 premium, even though you do not

pay the $134.00 monthly premium. The Social Security Administration will send you a letter that

tells you exactly what your 2017 Part B premium will be.

Medicare Part D Late Enrollment Penalty

By the GWAAR Legal Services Team

You will be assessed a Part D late enrollment penalty (LEP) after your initial enrollment period

(when someone is first eligible for Medicare) if you go without creditable prescription drug coverage

for any continuous period of 63 days or more. The amount of the penalty is 1% of the national base

beneficiary premium times the number of months you went without Part D or other creditable

coverage. The national base beneficiary premium amount usually increases each year – it was

$34.10 in 2016 and is $35.63 for 2017.

When you enroll in a Part D plan, the plan will inform you whether there will be a LEP. If there is a

LEP, you must pay the penalty for as long as you have a Part D plan. If you disagree with the LEP,

you may request reconsideration of that decision. Please be aware that requests for reconsideration

must be submitted within 60 days (some good cause late exceptions may apply.)

Example of Part D LEP:

Mrs. Olson’s initial enrollment period ended on May 31, 2014. She did not enroll in Part D and did

not have other creditable coverage. She signed up for a Part D plan during open enrollment and will

have coverage effective January 1, 2017. Because she went 31 months without Part D coverage, her

penalty is 31% (1% for each month) of $35.63 (national base premium for 2017). Her Part D LEP

for 2017 is $11.00 because the penalty is rounded to the nearest $0.10. Mrs. Olson will have to pay

her $11.00 Part D LEP each month in addition to her Part D premium. The amount of the penalty

will be recalculated each year to account for the change in base premium.

Because nobody wants to pay a penalty on top of insurance premiums, below are 3 tips to avoid the

Part D LEP:

1. Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan when you are first eligible.

2. Do not go 63 days or more without a Part D plan or other creditable drug coverage. Creditable

drug coverage may include coverage from a current or former employer, TRICARE, Indian Health

Services, or Department of Veterans Affairs. Your plan must inform you yearly Whether the drug

coverage is creditable. In Wisconsin, SeniorCare is creditable drug coverage.

3. Tell your plan about drug coverage you had if it asks for it. When you join a Medicare Part D

plan, the plan will send you a letter if it believes you went 63 days or more without creditable cover-

age. The letter will include a form regarding previous drug coverage. You should complete the form

and return it by the deadline. If you do not inform the plan about your creditable drug coverage,

you may have to pay a penalty. Sources: https://www.medicare.gov/part-d/costs/penalty/part

-d-late-enrollment-penalty.html https://www.medicare.gov/part-d/costs/penalty/ways-to-avoid-part-d-late-enrollment-penalty.html

To speak to the Monroe County Benefit Specialist Call Wendy Kelly, (608)269-8693.

Monroe County Senior Services 14305 County Highway B B-16 Sparta, WI 54656-4509 Phone (608) 269-8690 Fax (608) 269-8688 Office Hours Mon-Fri 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Check out all of the information on our

website: www.co.monroe.wi.us

Mission Statement It is our mission to plan, develop and manage programs and services which promote the dignity, independ-ence and preferences of the older persons we serve. We help consumers access appropriate services from a wide range of available resources. Senior Services provides advocacy for quality of life issues and represents the views, needs and concerns of the older persons of Monroe County. Laura Moriarty Director 608-269-8691 Susie Brownell Bookkeeper 608-269-8694 Diane Fennnigkoh Transportation 608-269-8689 Vicki Vieth Nutrition 608-269-8692 Wendy Kelly Benefit Specialist 608-269-8693

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