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HESSCO SERVICES

HESSCO provides support for elders and those who care for them. Services include but are not limited to: home care services, caregiver support, nutrition and nutrition counseling, information and referral, money management and more.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Sign up for our newsletter to stay abreast of the latest events at HESSCO and in the South Norfolk County region. Visit our blog page where an updated calendar will be posted - offering details of important dates to remember.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Help Staying Cool

By |July 3rd, 2018|

We’re Having a Heat Wave!

Hot weather can be dangerous, and seniors are particularly prone to its threat. To protect seniors, the standard advice is to get them into an air-conditioned building; have them dress lightly; and keep themselves hydrated.

Please take the time to check on elderly relatives, friends and neighbors.  If someone is in need of an air conditioned environment, please see this link for a listing of local  cooling centers for the Summer of 2018.

 

Going Purple

By |June 27th, 2018|

HESSCO Goes Purple for Alzheimer’s

Throughout the month of June, HESSCO has joined the Alzheimer’s Association to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias.

  • We’re walking – Team HESSCO is up! Join or donate to our team – for the Neponset Valley Walk to End Alzheimer’s September 22, 2018. The money we have raised this month will be pledged to our team to help us reach our team goal.
  • We’re recognizing The Longest Day – June 21st is the summer solstice and the Alzheimer’s Association’s The Longest Day®, an event that asks people worldwide to select any activity they love to raise funds and awareness to help end Alzheimer’s. The longest day of the year is symbolic recognition of the challenge caregivers face.
  • We’re “Weathering the Storm” – A bulletin board has been designed with an umbrella and raindrops, each entitled with a different weather related song.
  • We’re planting “Seeds of Hope” – As a symbol of our support, “Seeds of Hope” have been planted and cared for.
  • We’re “Quilting” – Each staff member has contributed his/her own personalized “Square of Inspiration” to be incorporated into our company quilt which will showcase each other’s individuality.
  • We’re “Going Purple” – We have answered the call to action by going purple and raising awareness this June. The more people know about Alzheimer’s, the more action we inspire.

Together we can #EndAlz!

News From The Social Security Administration

By |May 8th, 2018|

I’m pleased to report that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have started to mail new Medicare cards to beneficiaries.

Instead of a Social Security Number (SSN), the new cards will have a Medicare number that’s unique to each beneficiary. The new card will help protect identities and secure personal information. Medicare coverage and benefits will stay the same.

Medicare will automatically mail new cards at no cost to the address on file here at Social Security. So please make sure the address of anyone you’re helping is up-to-date. An address can be updated easily by linking to my Social Security.

As Medicare beneficiaries begin to receive their replacement cards, please share these three tips with them:

  1. Once you get your New Medicare card, destroy your old Medicare card and start using your new one right away. Don’t just throw the old card away—shred it or cut it into small pieces.
  2. Doctors, other health care providers, and plans approved by Medicare know that Medicare is replacing your old card. They’re ready to accept your new card when you need care.
  3. Beware of anyone contacting you about your new Medicare card and asking for your Medicare number, personal information, or to pay a fee for your new card. Treat your Medicare number like you treat your Social Security or credit card numbers. Remember, you don’t need to do anything to get your new card. Medicare will never contact you uninvited to ask for your personal information.

In addition, as of April 2018, Social Security removed the SSN from all notices and forms to prevent fraud, fight identity theft, and safeguard taxpayer dollars. These communications also include benefit-verification notices, Social Security post-entitlement notices, and certain documents sent to appointed representatives. The benefit-verification letter includes the recipient’s name and address. The SSN isn’t intended to serve as identification, nor should it be used as such by third parties.

Please share this information through your networks. For more information about the new Medicare card, click medicare.gov/newcard. You can also look up Medicare.gov for tips to prevent Medicare fraud.

As always, thank you for your interest in our programs and the people we serve!

Sincerely,

Bob Patterson
Acting Associate Commissioner, External Affairs
(T) 410-965-1804

 

Older Americans Month 2018

By |May 2nd, 2018|

Every May, the Administration on Aging, part of the Administration for Community Living, leads our nation’s observance of Older American’s Month. The #OA18 theme, “Engage at Every Age,” emphasizes that you are never too old (or young) to take part in activities that can enrich your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It also celebrates the many ways in which older adults make a difference in our communities.

Participating in activities that promote mental and physical wellness, offering your wisdom and experience to the next generation, seeking the mentorship of someone with more life experience than you are just a few examples of what being engaged can mean.

Becoming engaged may not only benefit your community, you may benefit greatly as well:

  • Decrease your risk of depression
  • Enjoy a sense of purpose
  • Stay physically and mentally active
  • Reduce stress levels
  • Experience “The Happiness Effect”
  • Discover new opportunities

No matter where you are in your life, there is no better time than now to start. We hope you will join in and Engage at Every Age!

10 Things To Know About New Medicare Cards

By |February 12th, 2018|

Medicare is mailing new Medicare cards starting in April 2018. Here are 10 things to know about your new Medicare card:  12018-10-Things-To-Know-About-New-Medicare-Card

Fight Fraud:  Guard Your Medicare Card

By |January 8th, 2018|

 If you have Medicare, you can protect your identity and help prevent health care fraud by guarding your Medicare card like you would a credit card.

 

Identity theft from stolen Medicare Numbers is becoming more common.  Medicare’s here to help by removing Social Security Numbers from Medicare cards and replacing them with a new, unique number for each person with Medicare.  Medicare will mail new Medicare cards with the new numbers between April 2018 and April 2019.

 

Here are some important steps you can take to protect yourself from the identity theft that can lead to health care fraud:

 

  • Don’t share your Medicare Number with anyone who contacts you by telephone, email or in person, unless you’ve given them permission in advance. Medicare will NEVER contact you (unless you ask us to) for your Medicare Number or other personal information.
  • Don’t ever let anyone borrow or pay to use your Medicare Number.
  • Review your Medicare Summary Notice to be sure you and Medicare are only being charged for actual items and services received.

 

If you’re looking to enroll in a Medicare plan:

 

  • Remember there are no “early bird discounts” or “limited time offers.”
  • Don’t let anyone rush you to enroll by claiming you need to “act now for the best deal.”
  • Be skeptical of free gifts, free medical services, discount packages or any offer that sounds “too good to be true.”

 

If someone calls you and asks for your Medicare Number or other personal information, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).  To learn more about protecting yourself from identity theft and health care fraud, visit www.Medicare.gov/fraud or contact your local Senior Medicare Patrol (www.smpresource.org).

 

This message is brought to you by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

 

Eldercare Q&A – January, 2018 Closing the Food Stamp “SNAP Gap”

By |December 14th, 2017|

Eldercare Q&A                       January, 2018  

Closing the Food Stamp “SNAP Gap”

Q: Are a lot of eligible elders not getting food stamps?


A.
Yes. More than 40% of low-income elders eligible for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as “food stamps,” are not on the program.  Q&A ElderCare January 2018 CLOSING THE SNAP GAP 11 30 17

Caregiver Tips For The Holidays

By |October 25th, 2017|

The holidays are often filled with opportunities for togetherness, sharing, laughter and memories. But they can also bring stress, disappointment and sadness. A person living with Alzheimer’s may feel a special sense of loss during the holidays because of the changes he or she has experienced. At the same time, caregivers may feel overwhelmed maintaining traditions while providing care.  Holiday Tip Sheet

Eldercare Q&A – All About Medicare Open Enrollment

By |October 24th, 2017|

All About Medicare Open Enrollment

Q: What happens during  Medicare Open Enrollment?

A: Medicare holds an Open Enrollment period every Fall. This year it began on October 15th, and ends on December 7th. This is when all people with Medicare can change their Medicare health plans and prescription drug coverage for the coming year to better meet their needs, like changing the cost of your plan, benefit coverages, and which providers or pharmacies are in your plan.

Original Medicare includes  coverage for hospital and doctor care (Parts A and B)  that is managed by the federal government. You generally have to pay a deductible before Medicare pays its share, and a portion of the cost for each service you use. You can also add a Medicare Drug Plan (Part D). Because of the out-of-pocket payments required by Original Medicare, you can choose a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C), which is offered by private companies. These companies contract with Medicare to provide Part A and Part B benefits.

Medicare Advantage Plans include Health Maintenance Organizations HMOs) that limit you to the doctors and other providers in their network;  Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs), in which you pay less for providers that are in the Plan’s network;  Private Fee-for-Service Plans, which are similar to Original Medicare; Special Needs Plans, which provide specialized health are for specific groups of people, like those who have Medicare and Medicaid, or have certain chronic conditions; and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans, which combine a high deductible health plan with a bank account.  In most Medicare Advantage Plans, you get services from a plan’s network of providers, so make sure the doctor you want is in the network, and the drugs you need are covered by the plan. Most Medicare Advantage Plans offer prescription drug coverage.

During Open Enrollment, you can: change from Original Medicare  to a Medicare Advantage Plan; change from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare; switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another; switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn’t offer drug coverage to one that does; switch to a Medicare Advantage Plan doesn’t offer drug coverage; switch from one Medicare drug plan to another, or drop your Medicare prescription drug coverage completely.

All these options cause seniors great confusion about what to do during Open Enrollment.  You can start by reviewing the material that your Medicare health or prescription drug plan sent you in October. Look for the “Evidence of Coverage” and “Annual Notice of Change” messages. If you are satisfied that your current plans will meet your  needs for the coming year, and your plan is still being offered—they don’t need to do anything.

There is also a Medicare Advantage disenrollment period that runs from January 1st to February 14th.  During this period, you can leave your Medicare Advantage plan and switch to Original Medicare. If you switch to Original Medicare, you’ll have until February 14 to also add a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. During this period you can’t switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan, or switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, or from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another.

Fortunately, there are trained Medicare experts in your community that you can use for free. The SHINE program (Serving the Health Information Needs of Everyone) has counselors all across Massachusetts who can offer a private health insurance counseling session to help guide you to the right Medicare Plan for you. Call 1-800-AGE-INFO and push “3” to set up your SHINE counseling session and get on the right plan.

 

Open Enrollment is Here!

By |October 16th, 2017|

pen Enrollment is here! Now through Dec. 7th. The process can be overwhelming, but SHINE can help.

Hear from Tracey Stewart – she appreciated the impartial Medicare counseling offered in a place she felt safe going to. The SHINE program provides free, unbiased, and trusted Medicare counseling. Contact your local council on aging or call HESSCO at 781-784-4944 to speak with a SHINE counselor.