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Leelanau County
Senior Services
8527 E Government Center Dr.
Suite 106
Suttons Bay, MI 49682
Phone: (231) 256-8121
Fax: (231) 256-8129
www.leelanau.cc/seniorservices.asp
Hours: 9:00 a.m.. - 5:00 p.m.
Monday - Friday
April Missias
Director
Nancy Begeman
Assistant Director
Cathy Hartesvelt
Finance Coordinator
Armanda Krantz
Program Assistant
Chet Janik County Administrator
(231) 256-9711
County Commissioners
Tony Ansorge District #1 (Elmwood Township & a portion of the City of Traverse City)
(231) 941-1078
Debra Rushton
District #2 (Bingham Township & a portion of Elmwood Township) (231) 941-8286
William Bunek
District #3 (Suttons Bay Township & a portion of Bingham Township) (231) 256-7124
Ty Wessell
District #4 (Leelanau Township & a portion of Suttons Bay) (231) 432-0066
Patricia Soutas-Little
District #5 (Leland & Centerville Townships) (231) 218-8496
Casey Noonan District #6
(Cleveland, Empire & Glen Arbor Townships) (231) 342-9939
Melinda Lautner
District #7 (Solon & Kasson Townships) (231) 947-2509
THE LEELANAU CONNECTION
Striving to celebrate and support seniors within our community
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2017
April
Dear Friends,
Happy New Year! I am excited about new beginnings and the wonder of what the future
holds for 2017. As my mind was getting lost in wonder and hopes for the New Year, I
kept reflecting on some interactions I had towards the end of 2016. During the week of
Christmas, Nancy and I found ourselves on the road delivering LCSS “Comfort and Joy”
bags and stockings to those who could use some cheer for the holidays and were struck by
many of the conversations we had with some of you. We were out on a mission to bring
cheer to senior community members and found ourselves being the ones who were
inspired and grateful to receive your gifts of wisdom, history and open hearts.
In the fall, Nancy and I were fortunate to attend a conference to learn about the latest
research and trends when it comes to seniors. An unexpected conversation arose at the
conference as to whether the words aging or senior should be used when referencing an
organization or program. I was a bit taken back at resistance to the word senior. Society
generally does not have an aversion to using senior when addressing someone by a title
such as “senior vice president” because of the wisdom and knowledge that is presumed to
precipitate the title. The remnants of this conversation came to the forefront of my mind
as Nancy and I left several homes during this holiday season. As we pulled out of
driveways, we reflected on our interactions, marveled at your wisdom, celebrated life
experiences shared and history disclosed to us and realized each senior we serve has
shaped our community now and will far into the future. At the end of the day we were
determined to make the word and title of senior a word of honor in 2017.
Just as the word senior was seen as a taboo word by many at the conference, Nancy and I
learned that grief is another experiential word we encountered in our travels. It is not
clear if it is societal or cultural pressure or individual preference to not discuss the loss of a
spouse, neighbor, or individual independence. Everyone experiences grief and no one is
exempt from this emotional experience and we all share, at some level, with those who
hurt most this time of year.
So in 2017, LCSS would like to bring light and honor to the word and title of senior and
discover taboo words or topics we may be resistant to discuss. Enclosed you will find an
article, “When a Spouse Dies”, from guest writer, Toni Stanfield, MS. Toni is a
well-respected grief counselor in Traverse City. Through her 40 year long career, Toni
worked at Pontiac General Hospital and Munson Medical Center. The last 25 years Toni
has specialized in grief, loss and healing.
My wish for you is that you embrace the senior in you. You are full of life experience,
wisdom, knowledge and love which deserves accolades from first and foremost yourself,
your family and your community. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with so many
individuals who have reached senior status.
Warmly,
Happy New Year
from your
LCSS staff
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Who We Are
Leelanau County Senior
Services provides a variety of
programs and services to
meet the growing needs of
seniors. We recognize that
all needs are different and
strive to take a holistic
approach to provide a range
of services and programs that
address the unique physical,
social, and emotional needs of
our seniors.
Our programs are designed
to support our senior’s lives:
Personal Care
Respite Care
Homemaker*
Medication Management
Medical Transportation
Vouchers (snow removal,
dining, foot care)
We also offer limited financial
assistance for seniors who
meet certain income and
asset guidelines:
Dental Assistance
Eye Glass Assistance
Hearing Aid Assistance
Heating/Utility Assistance
Legal Assistance
Unmet Needs Assistance
Project Fresh Coupons**
Promoting Safety:
Care Trak
Emergency 911 Cell
Phone
Freedom Alert
Emergency Pendant
File of Life
Safety Medical Equipment
Loan Closet
Social Activities:
The Lunch Bunch
Euchre
Bitesize Learning
Senior Expo
Holiday Gatherings
* Income and asset tested through application and home evaluation process. ** Funded by USDA
Maple City
Christmas
Fun
ShareCare and Leelanau County Senior Services
are collaborating
to bring the community
The Best Yet!
Variety Show
Friday, February 24, 2017
3:00 pm
The Old Art Building in Leland
Join us for an enjoyable afternoon of entertainment provided by members
of our community.
Poets, comedians, musicians, dancers, magicians, actors and acrobats
If you would like to share your talent, please call
the ShareCare office at 256-0221 or Senior Services at 256-8121.
* * Doors open at 2:30 pm * *
This program is open to the public and there is no charge
Transportation is available - please call the ShareCare office at 256-0221.
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Medicare News By: Jim Verville, Region 10 Coordinator
Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program
Area Agency on Aging, Traverse City, Michigan
New Changes to Medicare Drug Plans for 2017
Medicare has just announced the details for the Part D prescription drug plans available for 2017.
Beneficiaries can switch their plans during the Annual Enrollment Period that runs from October 15th
through December 7th.
Jim Verville, Regional Coordinator for the 10 county Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program said “as is
usually the case, there will be several changes in plan offerings, premium costs, and benefit details for
Medicare Part D drug plans next year.”
Following are some of the significant highlights of those changes:
There is a marked reduction in the number of plan offerings. There will be 23 plans available for
the new calendar year, or 5 fewer than approved for Michigan Medicare beneficiaries in 2016. In
addition, two of the plans for 2017 are currently sanctioned by Medicare due to noncompliance issues,
and may not be available at the start of next year.
The two plans under sanction are sponsored by Cigna-HealthSpring and include their Rx Secure
and Rx-Secure-Extra Part D plans. Current members are permitted to remain in these plans for 2017;
however, neither are available for new enrollment until the sanction is lifted.
Several Part D plans have an annual deductible. Medicare has authorized an increase of $40 to a
new ceiling of $400. Normally, the deductible must be met before the plan will provide any insurance
coverage for drugs.
When the full cost of medications reach $3,700 in 2017, Medicare beneficiaries enter the “donut hole”,
otherwise known as the gap. This results in significantly higher co-pays for their drugs. The donut
hole will increase by $390 next year. Those who enter the donut hole will pay 40% of the total cost of
their brand name drugs and 51% of the full cost for the generic equivalents. Part D companies are re-
quired to notify their subscribers of all of these details in their Annual Notice of Change mailing.
Beneficiaries should have already received this information.
While the list of plan offerings is quite extensive and confusing to navigate, there is a very helpful tool
available that can be used to compare an existing drug plan with other plans available for 2017. The
tool is called the Medicare Plan Finder. To do your own comparisons, or get help in finding the best
plan, simply select one of the following options:
If you are comfortable doing your own research, visit the Medicare website at www.medicare.gov.
Just click on the green box entitled, “Find health & drug plans,” and enter the information
requested. You will be given detailed comparisons for each plan, sorted by lowest cost.
Enrollment in a new plan can also be done at the same website.
A Medicare/Medicaid Specialist with the Area Agency on Aging’s Medicare/Medicaid
Assistance Program (MMAP) will be available at the Government Center each Wednesday
starting October 19, 2016 to offer assistance with Open Enrollment, Prescription Drug
Programs, and to answer any Medicare/Medicaid questions you may have.
Call LCSS at 256-8121
Appointments are required.
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Fire and Rescue Non Emergency
Numbers:
Sheriff’s Office
256-8800
Cedar Fire and Rescue
228-5396
Elmwood Twp Fire
& Rescue
941-1647
Glen Lake Fire Dept. Station 1: Glen Arbor
334-3279
Station 2: Empire
326-5250
Grand Traverse Band Fire
534-7666
Leelanau Township Fire
386-5343
Leland Fire and Rescue
256-7760
Suttons Bay-Bingham
Fire/Rescue
271-6978
Munson
Bereavement
Support Group
Meets the second and
fourth Monday of each
month in the
Leelanau County
Government Center
at 11:00 a.m.
All are welcome to
attend, there is no
need to register.
Once again the AARP Tax Aide Program will be partnering with the
Leelanau County Senior Services Department to provide Federal and
State Income Tax Return preparation services to Leelanau County
seniors. AARP Tax Aide is looking for volunteers to function as Tax
Return Preparation Counselors at either the Suttons Bay or Empire
Township Hall locations. If you are interested in volunteering for this
program or would like additional information please e-mail Cynthia
Glines at [email protected] or call Leelanau County Senior Services
at (231) 256-8121 and we will get her a message with your contact
information. Volunteer training will take place the second week in
January, 2017.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Congratulations to everyone who participated in our
“Step It Up” program.
Every month the township in first place changed.
After totaling the months and averaging the steps
we are proud to announce the year’s winner.
First Place: Leelanau Township
Second Place: Glen Arbor Township
Third Place: Kasson Township
If you’re looking to stay active during the winter months,
check with your local school for track walking
or using their weight room.
To add a bit more spice to your exercise routine, check out
the Leelanau Sands Casino.
The casino hosts free polka dancing every Tuesday
from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Suttons Bay Community Friendship Center is the place to
Zumba, call the Friendship Center for more information.
(231) 271-4630
For a small fee any Leelanau County senior can join the
Traverse City Senior Center. They host a variety of
activities and programs to enhance our daily routines.
(231) 922-4911
We’re Stepping It Up!
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When a Spouse Dies By: Toni Stanfield
Community Events
DROP IN EUCHRE
Leelanau County
Senior Services
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
&
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
1:00 p.m. sharp!
$2.00 (for prize money)
pay at the door
Community Meeting Room
Lower level of the
Government Center
In Suttons Bay
COMMUNITY
MEALS
Dining Senior Style
Come have lunch with fellow
neighbors and friends.
Luncheon meal sites are
sponsored by the Northwest
Michigan Community Action
Agency and are held weekly
in Empire, Suttons Bay, and
Northport and once a month
in Elmwood Township.
Please call our office at
256-8121 for dates and
contact person information.
Suttons Bay
Community Potluck
The Suttons Bay Friendship
Community Center hosts a
once-a-month potluck
dinner. A main dish will be
provided, bring your own
table service and a dish to
pass. This free event takes
place every second
Tuesday of the month
between
6:00 p.m. and 8:00 pm
at the center. Call 271-4630 for more
information
The ability of a person adjusting to the death of a spouse is
influenced by many variables. Was it a sudden death or an expected
one? What kind of marriage did one have? Did they love each other
or tolerate each other? How many years were they married?
2 or 62?
The personality of the surviving spouse also influences the adjust-
ment to the death. Is the surviving spouse a dependent or
independent person?
What kind of support system is present for the surviving spouse?
Did the couple just move to a new city or do they have a strong
support system of family and friends?
The death of a spouse is one of the most devastating losses one can
experience. A spouse after all is the only relative one chooses. All
the other relatives happen to us.
Even though devastating, it is clear that certain losses are different
than others.
The death of a 35 year old young man in a car crash, who leaves a
young wife with 4 children, is different than the death of a 90 year
old man who leaves the woman whom he has been married to for
70 years and who lives close to 4 adult children who have many
children of their own.
One death is unexpected, sudden, the other is expected. One is
perceived as a tragedy, the other as a culmination of a beautiful life.
The death of a spouse who was loving and nurturing is going to be
mourned different than the death of a spouse who was alcoholic and
abusive.
Whatever the circumstances the surviving spouse will experience
many emotions: disorientation, confusion, guilt, anger. The emotions
are not linear and organized but feel more like an ambush. Grief like
a thief in the night will attack at any time. One will feel scared at the
loss of emotional control. Sudden crying spells at church or grocery
stores or during a family dinner may be common. Getting through
the day becomes an effort.
Grief of course effects thinking and memory.
Many people will go to doctors and they will be prescribed
medications. Unfortunately, there is no medication to take the pain
experienced by the death of a spouse.
The old life is gone. But not everything is lost. Part of the grief
recovery is to become aware that much is left: children,
grandchildren, a business, memories of a life together, and the
transformed you. You were different before you were married. Because of the many years you were married and the shared
experience, you have changed, transformed and become a different
person. Your spouse will always be embodied in your heart and in
the way you continue to live your own life.
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Shingles: The Whole Story
Pain so intense you cannot sleep. No, actually, worse than that, each breath causes intense pain so
extreme that you try with all you can to breathe shallowly. Do not even talk about sneezing.
Usually, I think it is helpful to start at the beginning of a topic. However, when it comes to shingles,
perhaps what you need to know is the potential end result of shingles. I have heard people describe
the pain as their worst pain they have ever experienced. I have also known patients who have had
lasting pain from shingles for years after an outbreak. Now that I have your attention: What exactly is shingles? Varicella is a virus. It is one of the types
of Herpes. Specifically, Herpes Zoster. Why is this important to know? Because a common
childhood disease called Chicken Pox is Varicella. When a person, of any age, has Chicken Pox, the
virus does not leave your body simply because the symptoms go away. Unfortunately, the virus stays
dormant in the nervous system on the nerve cells.
Those viruses can be dormant for decades. Then, as the virus comes back to life, since it has
attached itself to nerves, the sensation of pain is accentuated because the nerves themselves are
inflamed. Externally, a person may see red blisters that appear in a line. The line correlates with the
nerve that is infected. Sometimes, the redness subsides after a few weeks, months, or even years
before fading. When an individual has a weak immune system, a person may be more vulnerable to
how widespread shingles occurs.
The treatment for an active outbreak of shingles includes anti-viral medications your doctor can
prescribe. If you believe you have shingles, it is wise to seek treatment as soon as possible rather
than choose to wait and see what happens. There are topical treatments that may be helpful, also.
Some occurrences are so devastating that anti-depressants are indicated to help treat the pain and
sleep deficits from shingles.
The most effective treatment is prevention. For children, Chicken Pox no longer is a “normal”
childhood disease. The Varicella vaccine can prevent Chicken Pox from ever infecting a person.
For people over 50 years old that vaccine was not an option. However, now Zostavax is available.
Zostavax is a vaccine to prevent shingles or limit its intensity. It is intended for anyone who has had
Chicken Pox earlier in their life. Lab studies can determine whether you have had chicken pox. This
will verify whether you are susceptible to getting shingles. Some insurance companies determine
what age they will pay for individuals to receive the shingles vaccine. In general, most insurance
companies approve paying for the vaccine for individuals over 60 years old.
Additionally, if you have already had shingles, the Zostavax vaccine can help. Subsequent outbreaks
are much less severe or possibly there will be no further occurrences of shingles.
Here are your choices:
You can choose to take your chances. Not everyone has had chicken pox. Not everyone
develops shingles.
You can choose to watch carefully, and notify your doctor of symptoms of itchy, red blisters as soon as they appear.
You can choose to live with the devastating pain that may limit social outings, playing golf or
tennis, orenjoying time with grandchildren.
Or, can choose to take care of yourself. Ask your doctor about your probability of getting
shingles. Find out if your insurance pays for the vaccine. One injection that stings for a few
seconds, or spending the rest of your life stymied by preventable pain are basically what you
need to consider.
It’s truly wonderful that we live in a health care era where we have choices. Unfortunately, too many
people ignore healthy choices. www.CAREGIVERSNURSE.com
1(855) 205-6281
By: Paula E Gibeson, RN-BC
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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1Souper Bowl
VI Grill
12:30 pm
MMAP
2
3 Love Your Heart
National Wear
Red Day - 11 am
4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13
Bereavement
Group 11am
14 Happy
Valentines Day
15 MMAP
Counselor
16
Parkinson’s of
Leelanau 2pm
17 18
19 20 Office Closed
21
22
23
24
Variety Show
Leland - 3:00 pm
25
26 27 Bereavement
Group 11am
28
Drop in Euchre
January 2017
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
2
Office Closed
3 4 MMAP
Counselor
5 6 7
8 9 Bereavement
Group 11am
10
11
12
13 14
15 16
Office Closed
17 18 MMAP
Counselor
19
Parkinson’s of
Leelanau 2pm
20
21
22 23
Bereavement
Group 11am
24 25 Lunch: Knot
Just a Bar
12:30 pm
26 27 28
29 30 31
Drop in Euchre
February 2017
9
Reminder: Some foods do not mix
well with medication.
Please remember to check
with your doctor or
pharmacist on what foods
to avoid while taking
certain medications.
Crabpuffs
Happy New Year! Just recently the Government Center hosted a
holiday party for all departments. Our very own Scott Bradley from the
Maintenance Department brought this dish to pass. It was delicious.
Scott was kind enough to share the recipe with us.
Enjoy, Armanda
We strive to meet monthly as a group for lunch at various restaurants in Leelanau County.
It’s a chance to meet up with old friends and make new ones.
Leelanau County resident seniors who are 60 or older may purchase a $3.00
non-refundable, non-transferable Special Event Voucher valued at $6.00 to be used
towards the cost of the meal.
Please remember to tip the wait staff on the full price of the meal.
Family members and non-resident friends are welcome to join us; please call us for a reservation.
Seating is limited and reservations are required either by mailing a check
or paying in person at the Leelanau County Senior Services office.
Wednesday, January 25th—12:30 p.m.
Knot Just a Bar—downtown Omena
Special Event voucher is worth $6.00 off the cost of your meal off of the menu.
Seating is limited to 45.
Wednesday, February 1— Souper Bowl - 12:30 p.m.
Soup & Sandwich Buffet
VI Grill—downtown Suttons Bay
Special Event voucher covers the cost of the buffet—
Beverage and Tip are extra.
Ingredients
1 can crabmeat (drained)
1 jar Kraft Old England Cheese Spread
1 stick softened butter
1 tsp garlic powder
1 package Bays English muffins
Directions
Mix ingredients together
Quarter muffins
Spread the mix evenly on quartered muffins
Freeze
Bake frozen muffins @ 350° until golden medium brown
Lunch Bunch
Thank you Pam Pittman for sharing
10
Happy New Year! After a short hiatus, I am thrilled to return to the Scam Alert
column and look forward to continuing to provide you with helpful information
throughout the coming year so that you can be proactive in the fight against fraud.
An Overview of Timeshare Resale Fraud
It is common knowledge that many Leelanau County senior citizens escape to a
warmer climate during the bitter cold months of winter. While northern Michigan does offer beautiful summers,
there can come a time when one needs a break from the harsh weather. If you feel this way, perhaps you opt to
either rent a vacation home or have ownership in a timeshare. This edition of the Scam Alert column will
address the growing problem of “Timeshare Resale Fraud”.
Unfortunately, many people have had “buyer’s remorse” after purchasing a timeshare when they have come to
realize that there can be some hidden issues with this type of property. According to BuyATimeshare.com, in
2016, timeshare resale scams continued and included such schemes as:
Fraudsters claiming to want to buy your timeshare for a large corporation and requiring you to pay a “small
fee of good faith to secure the sale”;
Fraudsters claiming to want to buy your timeshare for a tax break and again requiring you to pay a “small fee of good faith to secure the sale”;
Fraudsters guaranteeing to sell your timeshare (this is illegal in some states, such as Florida); and
Fraudsters stating that a buyer is waiting.
Let’s further consider this last fraud scheme which occurs when you are contacted by a timeshare real estate
agent or broker who tells you that a buyer is interested in purchasing your timeshare. As BuyATimeshare.com
reminds us, “Brokers and real estate agents make their money through commission fees after the timeshare is
sold. This becomes a scam when the timeshare resale company asks you to pay a transfer, title, closing or other
fee before the sale is completed”.
According to www.fbi.gov, in November of 2014, “David Andrew Glynn, 47 of Charleston, West Virginia, was
sentenced in federal court in Charleston to two and a half years in prison for conspiring to defraud timeshare
owners throughout the United States and Canada. Glynn previously plead guilty on August 25, 2014, and
admitted that he set up a bogus company named Mountain State Resales, LLC (MSR) that was purportedly in
the business of brokering timeshare sales. Glynn, and others, contacted timeshare owners and advised them
that MSR had buyers for their timeshares, and asked owners to pay fees and expenses necessary to complete
the sales. Timeshare owners were directed to send the requested payments to MSR in South Charleston, West
Virginia”. The FBI website also states that Mr. Glynn “was ordered to pay $97,254.42 in restitution”.
What can you do?
If you do opt to invest in a timeshare, be absolutely certain that this is a real estate purchase that you are
comfortable pursuing. Where the purchase of real property is concerned, it is always a good idea to have a real
estate attorney review any contracts that are presented to you. As Consumer Reports states, “Always do your
homework before buying and do not wire money, pay in cash, or send a money order, certified bank or
cashier’s check. Money sent by these methods is very difficult for law enforcement officials to help you recover.
It’s as good as lost”. Finally, remember the old adage: “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is”!
Please contact the Senior Services staff to report any type of fraud scam that you are aware of; the Scam Alert
column is a great place for us to provide additional information on any scam so that all of our family members
and friends can be educated in the schemes where fraudsters target innocent victims.
If you choose to remain in Leelanau County during January and February, be safe and stay warm! The winter
wonderland can be a beautiful thing to look at, but I personally always take comfort in knowing that those
beautiful northern Michigan summer days are just around the corner. References:
http://www.buyatimeshare.com/timeshare-resale-scam.asp
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2015/06/timeshare-resale-scams/index.htm
https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/pittsburgh/news/press-releases/timeshare-
fraudster-sentenced-to-prison
Scam Alert
By: Allison Hubley
* Allison serves as a Basic Member of the
Maricopa County, Arizona Sheriff’s Office
Posse Reserve in a volunteer capacity.
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LEELANAU COUNTY SENIOR SERVICES
8527 E. Government Center Drive, Suite 106
Suttons Bay, MI 49682
THE LEELANAU CONNECTION
Striving to celebrate and support seniors within our community
Leelanau County Senior Services
www.leelanau.cc/seniorservices.asp
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
PAID TRAVERSE CITY, MI
PERMIT #568