Inside This Issue Local Church Groups Offer

Senior Times
EDC Area Agency on Aging
●
937 Spring Street
Placerville, California 95667
August 2016
●
530-621-6150
Local Church Groups Offer Volunteer Events for Fall 2016
Green Valley Community Church and Holy Trinity Parish provides a free volunteer service twice a year for “needs –based” senior
citizens, single parents, and disabled homeowners within the surrounding communities who need assistance with yard work and repairs
outside their home. They provide services such as fencing, porch, and deck repair, gutter cleaning, tree, and shrub trimming, weed
eating, removal of landscape, and trash debris.Their hardworking volunteers have assisted many homeowners with small and large
tasks around their yards while ensuring safety, efficiency, and expertise throughout each project.
Green Valley Community Church – Next Scheduled work date is Saturday October 1, 2016
If you are homeowner in need who resides in Placerville, El Dorado, Diamond Springs, Camino, Pollock Pines, Garden Valley,
Somerset, or Georgetown, please contact Green Valley Community Church at 530-622-3231 x413. Once you contact our church
representative, we will make an appointment to assess your individual needs and determine if we can assist you.
Holy Trinity Parish - Next scheduled work date is Saturday October 15, 2016
If you are homeowner in need who resides in Shingle Springs, Cameron Park, El Dorado Hills or Rescue, please contact Judy Silva at
916-955-4202 or Steve Purser at 916-616-7441 with Holy Trinity Parish. Once you contact our parish representative, we will make an
appointment to assess your individual needs and determine if we can assist you.
The ministries look forward to helping the “Neighbors in Need.” Please contact the individual churches before September 1, 2016 for
volunteer assistance on these Autumn dates.
Inside T h i s I s s u e
Senior Legal News.....................Page 2
Senior Shuttle Trips.......................
Page 3
Emergency Prepardness..................
Page 4
Nutrition Menu..............................
Page 5
Senior Trips & Activities...................
Page 6
Community Activities.................Page 7
Caregiver Support Groups.................
Page 8
Medicare News............................
Page 9
Caregiver Aging Series.........................
Page 10
Senior Fitness Class Article...........
Page 11
Computers, Crafts, Games, Social
Activities May Help Protect Memory
Online shopping, playing cards and spending time with friends are
all linked to better brain health as we age
by Elizabeth Agnvall, AARP
What you are doing right now may help protect your memory. A new study finds that computer
use — whether checking Facebook, sending emails or paying bills online — seems to be
particularly effective for keeping your brain sharp. Playing cards or board games, reading
magazines, knitting or painting, and chatting with friends are also good for your brain health.
The study of about 2,000 men and women age 70 and older participating in the long-running
Mayo Clinic Study of Aging showed that those who used the computer at least once a week
were 42 percent less likely to develop memory and thinking problems than those who rarely
logged on.
Those who engaged in a variety of other activities were 23 percent less likely to develop
memory problems than those who were less engaged in fewer activities.
Brain cont on back page
2
Area Code (530)
Western Slope
Senior News
Information & Assistance
621-6369
Legal Assistance
621-6154
Long Term Care Ombudsman
Senior Legal News
Part 2-Seniors Raising Grandchildren
By Diana Steele, Senior Legal Services, From Seniors & the Law, CA
Bar Association
621-6271
Senior Nutrition Program
621-6160
Senior Trips & Activities621-6255
Senior Day Care Center
621-6180
Senior Times 621-6255
Family Caregiver Support Program
621-6151
Senior Shuttle621-6369
In Home Supportive Services
642-4800
Senior Peer Counseling Program
621-6304
Multipurpose Senior Services Program 621-6278
Senior Health Education Program
621-6151
Adult Protective Services (APS) 642-4800
Department of Veterans Affairs
El Dorado Transit/Dial-a-Ride
621-5892
642-3696
South Lake Tahoe
Information and Assistance
621-6369
South Lake Tahoe Senior Center
South Lake Tahoe Senior Nutrition
542-6094
573-3130
Legal Assistance
621-6154
El Dorado County Health Dept.
Adult Protective Services (APS)
573-3155
642-4800
BlueGo Bus Transportation
541-7149
SLT Cancer League
573-1203
Better Breathers Support Group
542-9183
Department of Veterans Affairs 573-7955 ext-5892
Hospice/Adult Grief Support Group
Report Elder Abuse 24 Hours
Some 7 million children in this country
are being raised by grandparents. Taking
responsibility for a child can involve many
legal considerations, requirements, and
rights. Last month we discussed becoming
a guardian of your grandchildren.
“Is there any financial assistance
available for my grandchildren?
Children under 5 years of age being cared
for by a grandparent may be eligible for
enrollment in the Women, Infants and
Children (WIC) nutrition program. In El
Dorado County you would call 530-6216176, or in South Lake Tahoe call 530-5733491.
resource.
There are many other educational,
child care, and activity-based programs
available for grandparents raising
grandchildren. The above-named
programs can offer assistance and
referrals.
The Family Caregiver Support Program
has a grandparent component. Call 530621-6151.
Do I have any right to visit my
grandchildren?
Again, it depends on the situation. If
either parent has died, for example, the
child’s siblings, aunts and uncles, and
grandparents may be granted reasonable
visitation if it is, as the judge sees it, in
the child’s best interests. (FC § 3102) A
grandparent may also be granted visitation
if the child’s parents are divorced or legally
separated. (FC § 3103)
For children with special health needs
the Public Health Nurses can often help
with referrals and connections to health
resources. Contact the County Public
Health Department at 530-621-6100. For
children with developmental disabilities
the EDC Alta Regional Center is a good
A grandparent may not, however, file a
petition for visitation if the child’s parents
are married unless: the parents are
separated, one has disappeared for at
least a month, one parent joins in the
grandparent’s petition, or the child is not
living with either parent. (FC § 3104)
542-3171
800-925-1812
Grandchildren are the dots that connect the lines from generation to generation.
~ Lois Wyse ~
Senior News
3
Senior Shuttle Events for August
Join the Senior Shuttle car pool! The Senior Shuttle is a volunteer driven van available to assist seniors with
grocery shopping and small day trips, sorry we don’t do medical appointment’s. We are currently offering
weekly shopping trips to various locations in Placerville and Cameron Park. In addition, we are offering a
shopping excursion to East Bidwell and WinCo Foods in Folsom. The service has a suggested donation of
$2.00 for local trip service to and from your home, and $5.00 for trips outside of El Dorado County. Seating
is limited, so call and make your reservation today! **The Senior Shuttle is not wheel-chair accessible.
Please call 530-621-6369 for questions and reservations.
Placerville Area Monday’s
August 1- Raley’s
August 8- Grocery Outlet & Dollar Tree, Broadway
August 15- Savemart, Kmart & Safeway
August 22- Walmart
August 17- Target
Rescue, Georgetown and Coloma area Tuesday’s
August 2- Safeway and Belair Market
August 16- Walmart
Cameron Park, Shingle Springs, EDH Area Wednesday’s
August 3- Fork Lift,
August 10- Safeway, & Bel Air
Camino, Pollock Pines Area Thursday’s
August 4- Safeway in Pollock Pines
August 11- Broadway Shopping
August 18- Walmart
Special Events Friday’s– Mark Your Calendar!
August 5- WinCo Foods, Folsom
August 12- Folsom Area Shopping, East Bidwell
August 19- High Sierra Iris Garden and Boa Vista Orchards
Tuesday, August 23- Folsom Area Shopping, East Bidwell
August 26- Thrifting Day
MOVIE DAY
Enjoy POPCORN and a MOVIE!
Movies at the Placerville Senior Center every Friday. Movies start after lunch at 1:30
p.m in the Dining Room. Complimentary popcorn is provided-all you can eat.
Do You Need
Computer Help?
Don is here to help! The Placerville Senior
Center located at 937 Spring Street, Placerville
offers computer instruction to seniors 60 and
over.
Don our computer volunteer can assist you
with PC Hardware, Microsoft Windows, iPADs,
iPhones, Word and Excel. Please visit our
Senior Resource Computer Room on Friday’s
from 9am to 12pm and our instructor will be in
there to assist with any computer questions you
have. Drop-ins are welcome. For questions,
please call 530-621-6150.
AUGUST 5 Hello, My Name is Doris A self-help seminar inspires a sixtysomething woman to romantically pursue her younger co-worker. (1h 35min)
Starring: Sally Field and Max Greenfield
AUGUST 12 My All-American Freddie Steinmark, an underdog on the gridiron,
faces the toughest challenge of his life after leading his team to a championship
season. (1h 58min) Starring: Aaron Eckhart, and Finn Wittrock
AUGUST 19 The Fundamentals of Caring
A man suffering an incredible
amount of loss enrolls in a class about care-giving that changes his perspective on
life. (1h 37min) Starring: Craig Roberts and Paul Rudd
AUGUST 26 Brooklyn
An Irish immigrant lands in 1950s Brooklyn, where she
quickly falls into a romance with a local. (1h 51min) Starring: Saoirse Ronan and
Emory Cohen
4
Senior News
Before the Power Goes Out...
We depend on electricity for cooling our homes, keeping our refrigerated food safe,
and often for any medical needs, we may have. Power outages can occur anytime,
and often follow another emergency, like an extreme heat event. It’s important to
create a power outage plan before the power goes out.
Here are a few tips to minimize the impact of a power outage on your household:
•
Identify back-up power sources for any home medical equipment. If you use special healthcare equipment like oxygen generators or dialysis equipment, notify your power company.
•
Have a communication plan in place. Do you have at least one phone with a handset cord in your home? Many cordless phones will not work in a power outage. Cell phone service may be limited.
•
If you have an automatic garage door opener, learn how to use the manual release to open your garage door manually.
•
Keep your car’s gas tank at least half full. Gas pumps may not work if electricity is out.
•
Prepare an emergency kit with enough supplies to last at least three days. Remember to include your pet’s supplies.
•
Know your neighbors. Lend a hand to those in need and share information.
•
Know where you can go to cool down. These places may include a friend’s house, a library, or senior/community center.
•
Use a battery-powered radio to stay informed. Have extra batteries.
•
Do not open refrigerators or freezers any more than necessary. An unopened refrigerator will keep food cold for approximately 4 hours; an unopened freezer will keep food frozen for approximately 24 hours.
For information about how to create emergency preparedness plans, including a power outage plan, go to El Dorado County
Emergency Preparedness & Response: www.edcgov.us/publichealthpreparedness
Home Delivered Meal Volunteers Sought; Orientation
Sessions Scheduled in August
The El Dorado County Senior Nutrition Program is currently looking for dedicated, caring volunteers to
deliver meals to homebound senior citizens. Each volunteer generally works one day each week to an
assigned route, delivering meals between 10:30 a.m. to noon. Orientation sessions for potential new
volunteer drivers are scheduled in August 2016.
“If you have a heart for seniors and helping others, we could greatly use your help,” said Ruth Green,
Program Coordinator for the Senior Nutrition Program. “Our volunteer drivers often provide the only
daily contact some of our recipients receive. A warm, nutritious meal delivered with a smile can brighten
any day.” Volunteers who cannot provide a weekly commitment can serve as back-up drivers. “Some
individuals may choose to share the commitment with a group of friends to alternate driving from week to week. Home school families
are also invited to become involved,” said Green.
Orientation sessions for new volunteer drivers will be held in August as follows:
•Thursday, August 25, 2016, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the South Lake Tahoe Senior Center, located at 3050 South Lake Tahoe
Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe.
•Wednesday, August 31, 2016, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Placerville Senior Center, located at 937 Spring Street in Placerville.
For more information about the Senior Nutrition Program, please call (530) 621-6160 or visit www.edcgov.us/hhsa.
Senior Nutrition
Don’t MIND if I do...
whether or not I am losing my
mind. Fear not, there is hope!
In the past, the evidence linking
good nutrition to improved
cognitive health was weak,
but now there are new studies
showing promise. In fact, the
nutrients having the strongest
evidence are found naturally in
fruits, vegetables, whole grains,
red wine, and some fish.
Sometimes I get aggravated
when I walk down my long
hallway around the corner and
into my office and then stand
there thinking “Why am I here?”
Does this ever happen to you?
You are set on retrieving some
item from another area of the
house and once you get there
your mind goes blank. Although
I believe this sort of thing is
If any of these foods sound
relatively normal (I say this
because even my young children familiar it may be because you
are seeing more of them on your
do it), it does make me wonder
menu here at Senior Nutrition,
well minus the red wine of
course (wink, wink). In fact, this
month we are serving up fish
almost every week! So what is it
in fish, including shellfish, which
makes it good for our brain? I
am sure you all guessed it,
Omega 3 Fatty Acids! If you are
like me and the thought of fish
makes you want to turn the other
way, try these few tricks. Cook it
at a high heat for a short period
of time. This is how we cook our
salmon, and it produces a lovely
5
flaky fish.
Also,
while
shopping
for fish
be sure
you only
buy from
reputable grocery stores, or
better yet take a trip to the coast
and buy fish right off the docks.
Rumor has it that if it smells like
fish it is not fresh! Still not a fan?
Don’t worry there are other foods
that protect the brain.
MIND cont. on page 8
6
Western Slope Activities
Senior Hikers...
Tuesday, August 9th--Wrights
Lake. Elly 344-1410.
Tuesday, August 23rd-Floating
Island Lake. 3.7 miles 800’
elevation gain and option hike
on to Cathedral. ** We will meet
at 7 a.m. for this hike. Peggy
622-9439.
Senior Hikers Website:
www.logue.net/hikers
For hikes wear hiking shoes,
bring lunch, water, bug
spray, hiking stick, and usual
necessities. Hikes are five
miles max, unless noted.
Meet at the Placerville Senior
Center at 7:30 a.m. For more
information call Chris 672-8380.
& driver gratuities.
Things to Do!
SOLD OUT TRIPS-The
following trips are Sold OutWaiting Lists Avaiable
-Fleet Week
-Lion King
-Shasta Lake
AARP Driver Safety Class.
Classes are held monthly. Call
621-6333 for a schedule.
Pioneer Park/Somerset
Excercise Class.Monday,
Wednesday and Friday starting
at 9:30 a.m.
Zumba Classes held Tuesday/
Thursdays at the Placerville
Senior Center 10 a.m.
Senior Trips
All trips, unless otherwise
noted, include AllWest
Transportation, tickets, lunch
Glorious Golden Gate Park-August 24th. Spend the
day at Golden Gate Park,
professionally guided, lunch at
the Beach Chalet. $125pp
TRIP PREVIEWS
MARK YOUR CALENDARAlamo Trip Preview on
Thursday, August 25th at
1:30 p.m. at Placerville Senior
Center. Trip highlights will
include: Mississippi River
Cruise-The American Queen,
Panama Canal (Crystal Cruise),
and Barcelona to Lisbon
(Crystal Cruise). Refreshments
provided.
Collette Trip Preivew on
Tuesday, September 20th (new
Fort Bragg--September 13-15. date) at 1:30 p.m. Placerville
Two nights at Harbor Lite
Senior Center. Trip highlights:
Lodge, tour of Botanical
Alpine Train and Lakes, Coastal
Gardens, Skunk Train Ride, free Maritimes, Discover Peru,
time in Mendocino, dinner both
Niagra to NY, and Icelandnights. $500 dbl/$610single
Northern Lights.
Community Activities
Check Out These Other Activities
Being Offered In Your Community
UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
Bingo!!! Every Tuesday. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., gaming starts
at 6:15 p.m. $10 for first 14 games. Dinners are available for
purchase. Lots of great prizes. Pollock Pines/Camino Community
Center, 2675 Sanders Drive, Pollock Pines. (across from Umpqua
Bank and Bowling Center).
Applebee’s Flapjack Fundraiser for Sierra Wildlife Rescue-
-Saturday August 6th, 8 - 10 a.m. Fundraiser for Sierra Wildlife
Rescue to support the cost of care for the rescued injured and
orphaned wildlife of El Dorado County. Advance ticket sales only,
please visit sierrawildliferescue.org for details.
Rhythm & Views at Sierra Vista Winery-- Saturday August
6th, 5:00 p.m. Come enjoy the evening with wine, great music
and good friends. Wine, beer and food will be available as well
for purchase. Limited seating so bring a chair. Serving food:
Pretty Odd Wieners - Gourmet Wieners. Entry is only $10 a car
so carpool and save money. Sierra Vista Winery located at 4560
Cabernet Way, Placerville
Downtown Placerville Craft Fair--August 14th, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
in Historic Downtown Placerville - The Annual Craft Street Faire
closes Main Street to host crafters for this popular event. Food,
refreshments, and more. Admission and parking are free.
Hangtown Car Show—Thursday, August 25th, 5 - 8 p.m. on
Historic Main Street, Placerville. Co-sponsored by Placerville
Lions Club, Mother Lode Lions and the Placerville Downtown
Association. Participation is limited by the number of spaces
available. Admission and parking are free for spectators. Local
merchants will be open. Music and Food, 50/50 drawing.
Monday
South Lake
South
Lake
Tahoe
Tahoe
Senior
Center
Tuesday
7
EL DORADO HILLS SENIOR CENTER
Join the El Dorado Hills Senior Center for these Programs. For
reservations or meeting details, please call 916-358-3575 or www.
edhcsd.org -Some fees apply-Not a complete list of activities.
-NEW! Qi Gong: Th, 8/4-8/25, 10:30-11:15am, $37
-NEW! Chair Yoga: Tu, 8/2-8/30, 12-12:45pm, $30
Get Your Photos out of Chaos – Let’s get Organized!: Fri, 8/12, 1pm, $25
Ballroom Dance Party: Th, 8/18, 1pm, FREE
AARP Smart Driver Course: Tu, 8/2 & 8/9, $15 AARP Members
Grief Support Group: Tu, 8/9, 6:30pm, FREE
Panel Presentation: Healthy Body, Healthy Brain & Driver Safety and the
Aging Driver:
Presented by the Alzheimer’s Assoc. and DMV Senior Ombudsman, Tu,
8/23, 1pm , FREE
CAMERON PARKCSD-Mature Adults
For info., call 677-2231 or www.cameronpark.org
Monday & Friday at Noon is the Senior Nutrition Program
August 2 – Tai Chi for Better Balance (every Tuesday at 1:30pm)
August 3 – Ponte Palmero Lunch – 12pm
August 9 – BINGO, 1pm
August 10 – Master Gardeners – Orchids, 9am-12pm
August 10 – Gail Lohmann will discuss living independently, 10am
August 11 – Medicare 101, 10 – 11:30am
August 12 – Beginning Computer Class, 9:30 – 11:30am
August 17 – Master Food Preservers – Tomatoes, 10am-12pm
August 23 – Game Day 10am
August 23 - Short Story Discussion Group, 1pm
August 24 – Master Food Preservers – Apples and Pears, 10am-12pm
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
9 a.m. Pool Exercise
9 a.m. Pool Exercise
9 a.m. Pool Excercise
9 a.m. Pool Exercise
9 a.m. Pool Exercise
12 p.m. Lunch
10 a.m. Brush Up Bridge
10 a.m. Line Dance
9 a.m. Pottery Class
10:45 a.m. Fitness Class
1 p.m. Mah Jongg
10:45 a.m. Fitness Class
10 a.m. Quilters Group
9:30 Men’s Bridge
12 p.m. Lunch
12 p.m. Lunch
12 p.m. Lunch
12 p.m. Lunch
1 p.m. Dominoes Group
1 p.m. Duplicate Bridge
1 p.m. Painting
1:00 p.m. Pottery Class
1:15 p.m. Social Bingo
1 p.m. Duplicate Bridge
1 p.m. Party Bridge
El Dorado County Senior Services-For a complete list of services
available in El Dorado County, please call the Senior Information and
Assistance Program at (530) 621-6369 or 1-800-510-2020.
Widowed Persons Association of California, South Lake Tahoe
Chapter – (530) 542-4912. Meets the last Sunday of the month,1 p.m.
Call for location and other meeting times.
Caregiver Support Group-2nd Thursday of each month from 5:30 7 pm, SLT Senior Center. Contact Penny (530) 541-2304.
Bingo meets the 2nd Saturday at 5:30 p.m. SLT Senior Center.
8
Senior News
Wine in the
Vines
Friends of Seniors would
like to invite you to our
5th Annual Wine in
the Vines fundraising
event at the charming
Sierra Vista Winery
in Placerville on Saturday, August 27th
from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
You will enjoy select Sierra Vista wines,
catered appetizers provided by Diane
Wilkinson and music by Hickory Wind.
The festivities will include drawings
and a Giving Tree. Please join us for
a lovely evening in a beautiful setting,
nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills.
All proceeds will benefit senior
programs and services in El Dorado
County. Tickets are $25 per person.
You may send a check for tickets to
Friends of Seniors at P.O. Box 564,
Placerville, CA 95667.
For more information, please call
530-334-6090 or email us at:
[email protected].
El Dorado County Water Awareness
Survey is Available Now to Complete
The El Dorado County Storm Water Team is surveying residents to better understand public
awareness and concerns about water use and storm water management. The information
from the survey will help the team develop a strategy to prioritize water quality protection
efforts. Please help by completing the anonymous survey. It should take no longer than ten
minutes to complete and will be available through August 31, 2016.
The survey can be found at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RK6DHPY
If you have any questions regarding the survey or have general storm water questions
please call the hotline number at (530) 573-7906.
Volunteer Sought for Medicare
Counseling Program in SLT
The Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) is looking for a part-time
volunteer counselor for the South Lake Tahoe community. The volunteer will provide HICAP
services at the Senior Center building located at 3050 Lake Tahoe Boulevard in South
Lake Tahoe. HICAP is a volunteer supported, government-funded program that offers free,
personalized, unbiased counseling to help persons make informed decisions about their
Medicare options.
HICAP gives assistance to Medicare-eligible and Medicare-enrolled persons, including those
planning for retirement, who need help comparing Medicare choices, appealing denials, and
applying for Medicare financial assistance programs (Medicare Savings Programs).
Volunteer counselors of the HICAP program receive in-depth training and mentoring to
assure clients are provided appropriate guidance regarding their Medicare options. Those
interested in joining the HICAP volunteer team are asked to please call or e-mail: Emily
Haines, Volunteer Coordinator, at 916-375-3761 or [email protected]
MIND cont from page 5
Diets rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals are also beneficial to our brains and we are serving up plenty of these as well! Foods like
fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains are especially good for us as they help our bodies fight mind-damaging oxidative reactions. At
Senior Nutrition we are required to offer a minimum of 3 whole grain food items per week. We also include a fruit and vegetable each and
every day. I hope you are noticing your plates filled with the vibrant colors of seasonal fruits and vegetables. But don’t be discouraged if
you see cooked vegetables, the oxidative-fighting nutrients in those are preserved sometimes better than their fresh alternative!
In addition to Omega 3’s, whole grains, and antioxidants, the role of B vitamins also show a lot of promise. Low levels of the B vitamin
folate has been linked to reduced cognitive function in senior adults. Excellent sources of folate are found in beans, lentils, and dark leafy
green vegetables. Not a fan of those either? Don’t fret, get creative! Throw them into soups or stews (that’s what we do when you are not
looking) or add blenderized vegetables to a tomato sauce base and use it on top of your favorite pasta dish. I often disguise vegetables
like swiss chard, eggplant, carrots, and zucchini, into a soup base and blenderize them once they are cooked. Don’t tell my kids! B-12
is another important nutrient, especially if you do not consume any animal products. In fact, the National Institutes of Health is now
recommending adults over the age of 50 take a vitamin B-12 supplement every day regardless of how much you naturally consume.
So, be MIND-ful of what you put on your plate at home and come on by and try a meal at one of our EIGHT locations at lunchtime. Our
goal is to provide good quality food that not only tastes good but is good for you and your brain! Notes on Nutrition by Natalie
Senior News
9
How You Can Help Stop Medicare Fraud
Most doctors, pharmacists and other health
care providers who work with Medicare are
honest. Unfortunately, some are not. One
common form of Medicare fraud is when
Medicare is billed for health care services
or benefits that you never received.
Someone may have gotten access to
your Medicare number and submitted a
false claim. In some cases, fraudsters
pay Medicare beneficiaries to use their
Medicare number. To prevent this from
happening, never share your Medicare
number with anyone you do not know and
trust.
Medicare fraud costs taxpayers and people
with Medicare lots of money each year. So
what can you do to help stop it?
When you receive health care services,
note those dates on your calendar and
save the receipts and statements you get
from your doctors and other providers to
check for mistakes. If you think you see an
error or were billed for services you did not
receive, take these steps:
• If you are in the Original Medicare
program (where the federal government
pays health care claims for you), check
your monthly “Medicare Summary Notice,”
or MSN, to see if the applicable services
were billed correctly to Medicare. The
services and claims should match, like
checks on a bank statement. If there are
services, doctors or suppliers that you don’t
know and cannot reconcile, there may be a
problem.
• If you’re in a Medicare Advantage private
health plan, e.g. Kaiser or AARP Medicare
Complete, check the statements you get
from your plan.
• If you are unsure of what services were
billed, call the doctor or other supplier and
ask for an itemized statement. They should
give this to you within 30 days.
In any case, the sooner you spot and
report errors in your health care billing, the
sooner Medicare can help address and
stop the fraud.
How do you report suspected fraud?
If you’ve contacted the health care provider
or supplier and you suspect that Medicare
is being charged for a service, device or
other supplies that you did not receive, or
if you don’t recognize the doctor or other
providers listed on the claim, here’s what
you should do:
• Call the fraud hotline of the U.S. Dept. of
Health and Human Services, Office of the
Inspector General, at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1800-447-8477).
• Alert Medicare’s customer service team
at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
that you have concerns or questions about
information appearing on your MSN.
Did you know that there is a program that
works with Medicare beneficiaries around
the country to fight fraud? It’s called the
Senior Medicare Patrol, or SMP, Program.
The SMP Program educates and
empowers people with Medicare and their
families to take an active role in detecting
and preventing health care fraud and
abuse. SMP not only protects people
with Medicare — it also helps to preserve
Medicare. There’s an SMP Program in
every state, the District of Columbia,
Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
You can contact your local SMP Program
to get personalized counseling, find out
about community events in your area, or
even to volunteer. For more information
or to find your local SMP Program, visit
smpresource.org, or, in California, call
1-855-613-7080. You can also call
1-800-MEDICARE.
When you report fraud, you may not hear
the outcome right away. It takes time to
investigate and build a case. Be assured
that your information is helping us protect
Medicare and you.
In El Dorado County you can get answers
to your Medicare questions by talking with
a registered HICAP counselor (Health
Insurance Counseling and Advocacy
Program). Services are free, unbiased and
available by appointment in Placerville,
El Dorado Hills and SLT. Call El Dorado
County at 530-621-6369.
David Sayen, former Medicare Regional
Administrator for California.
The Placerville Senior Center Needs Volunteers!
If you are someone who wants to contribute to our wonderful center then this is the place for you. We need someone
who is willing to do a wide variety of clerical work such as folding brochures, filing, answering calls, creating packets, etc.
Please call 530 621-6150 if you are interested or see Front Desk at 937 Spring Street, Placerville. Thank you!
10
Senior News
“Powerful Tools for Caregivers”
Educational Program Offered
The El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency, Senior Health Education
Program and Family Caregiver Support Program are pleased to present a “Powerful Tools
for Caregivers” educational series. This six-week program will be held 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
each Wednesday afternoon from August 24 through September 28, 2016, at the Senior Center
located at 937 Spring Street in Placerville. The trainings in the educational series will provide
caregivers of older adults with tools and strategies to assist them in handling the unique
challenges they face. The series topics include:
August 24, 2016 – Taking Care of You
August 31, 2016 – Identifying and Reducing Personal Stress
September 7, 2016 – Communicating Feelings, Needs, and Concerns
September 14, 2016 – Communicating in Challenging Situations
September 21, 2016 – Learning From Our Emotions
September 28, 2016 – Mastering Caregiving Decisions
Participants of the educational series are asked to attend all six sessions; certificates of
completion will be presented at the end of the series. The training is comprehensive and
evidence based. Respite is available to qualified caregivers; pre-authorization is required for
respite services.
Class size is limited and registration is required. The training series is offered at no cost;
donations are accepted. Please call (530) 621-6192 or (800) 510-2020 to register or for
questions. For more information about services for seniors and caregivers in El Dorado
County, please visit www.edcgov.us/HumanServices.
Commission on
Aging
The El Dorado County Area
Agency on Aging has a
Commission on Aging (COA)
that serves as an Advisory
Board to the County Board of
Supervisors. The 14 members
of the COA are appointed and
represent all parts of the county.
Various committees work hard
to recommend services that help
seniors survive in this ever more
complicated world we live in.
www.2nd50yrs.org
For more information about
the COA or for a schedule of
upcoming meetings, please call
(530) 642-4833.
Department of Human Services
Meetings and Programs
Caregiver Gatherings
After a while, providing care to a relative or close friend with
a chronic health condition, such as dementia, can take its toll. 
Research indicates caregivers who take a problem solving
approach to their duties, look for the positive in difficult situations,
and have good social support will not only experience less stress,
but the person they care for will experience a slower rate of decline
than those who do not use this strategy. Join us and share with
others who face the same challenges as you, get answers, and
share your success (or not so successful) stories in a friendly and
confidential setting.  For more information, contact 621-6180.
“My Time” Caregiver Gathering
Friday, August 5th from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
location: Placerville Senior Center, 937 Spring Street
 
“After Five Club” Caregiver Gathering
Wednesday, August 10th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. location:
Senior Day Care Center, 935-A Spring Street, Placerville
El Dorado Hills Support Group
“My Time EDH” Support group for care partners of people with
dementia. 4th Thursday of month, 10:30 a.m.-Noon. Free respite
care is provided during My Time. For questions, 916-358-3560.
Senior Peer Counseling
Offers counseling services to adults 55 years or older enabling
them to make choices and changes for personal growth. For more
information, call (530) 621-6304.
Free Community Service
The You Are Not Alone (YANA) Program is a FREE telephone
calling service that provides daily phone calls to seniors. For
more information, call (530) 621-6255.
Resources and Sharing on the Divide
Caregiver Support Group meets the 2nd Tuesday afternoon of
each month. 2:30-4:00 p.m. Greenwood Community Center, 4401
HWY 193-next to CCC.
Senior Times
11
Start Your Day With A Senior Fitness Class
1-800-510-2020
“With an exercise program older adults can
improve their physical ability even at 85”,
says Wayne Barbee the Senior Fitness
Class instructor at the Senior Community
Center in Placerville. When he first began
teaching fitness classes to seniors more
than twenty five years ago he had two
students, a few exercise bands and a
couple of hand weights. At that time he
didn’t know much about senior activities.
However, he had been teaching Physical
Education, Health, and Adaptive PE at the
Community College level since 1972 and
understood the importance of physical
activity. He has seen much change over
the years at the senior center where the
age for active seniors has gotten older.
With about a dozen regulars students
in his morning fitness class, ranging in
age from mid - 60’s to 90’s, Wayne says
he now understands, “Seniors ability to
stay functionally active is directly related
to the strength level in their legs. The
stronger their legs are the better their
balance will be.” In class, students work
on improving their upper and lower body
strength and increasing their cardiovascular
Toll Free
One-Stop Shopping
for Senior Services
Statewide
and respiratory functions. They use light
weights, 2-12 lbs., exercise bands, kettle
bells, mats, and a dozen pieces of aerobic
exercise equipment, including a stair
stepper, elliptical machines, and a Nordic
Track machine.
Class starts out stretching followed by
a warm up lap walking or running at the
student’s own pace. Next is the workout
where they do aerobics, calisthenics, circuit
training, and weightlifting. Class ends with
a cool down. Students in the class have
a wide range of abilities from runners to
walking with canes. Many students haven't
done certain movements in several years.
When a student is new to the class they
always start out with low weights and go
at their own pace. They gradually work up
to planks and push-ups. Physical exercise
prevents older adults from becoming
invalids. Currently every student in his
fitness class is able to get up off the floor
on their own. “The students come to class
with similar goals”, says Barbee. If they
are unsure of themselves while doing an
exercise, he subtly helps them to realize
they can
do it. His
students
are very
dedicated.
Class
provides
an added
bonus to
students by giving them an opportunity for
a social activity.
Many older adults are limited in what they
are physically able to do. When someone
participates in an exercise program, after
3-5 weeks they begin to notice things
like taking out the trash becomes easier.
Attitudes improve, and one feels better.
The benefits of exercise can add years to
one’s life. Exercise can also be beneficial
for older adults with early dementia,
Alzheimer's, depression, anxiety, and
psychological disorders. Class times:
Monday - Thursday - 7:45 to 8:30 am,
Friday - 8:00 to 8:45 am. Friday is yoga
class. There is no charge for this class.
Senior Times
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Community Meetings
Placerville Fellowship and Newcomers
Open to all newcomers and residents of El Dorado
County. Luncheon meeting is held on the 3rd
Thursday of each month. 626-5241.
Stroke Education and Support Group
Meets at 681 Main Street, room 208,
Placerville
4th Wednesday of each month,
Brown Bag Lunch – 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
For more
information, call 626-2642.
Brain cont from front page
“The results show the importance of keeping the mind active as we age,” said study
author Janina Krell-Roesch, with the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., who presented the
study at the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting this week in Vancouver,
Canada. Researchers followed the study participants for an average of four years and
tested whether they developed mild cognitive impairment, a condition that is often — but
not always — a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease. Here’s what they found:
At least once a week
Computer use
Reading magazines
Crafts (e.g., knitting)
Playing games
Reduced risk
44 percent
30 percent
16 percent
14 percent
Widowed Persons Association
“The Widowed Persons Assoc. of CA” (WPAC)
meets monthly for lunch. This is an opportunity
for widowed men & women to take part in planned
social activities. For more information, 391-4154.
Ronald Petersen, M.D., director of the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
and another study author, noted that even the men and women in the study who carry
a gene that makes them more likely to get Alzheimer’s disease had a reduced risk of
memory problems if they regularly used the computer and took part in social activities.
Golfers!! Bowlers!! RVrs!! Fishers!!
SIR is a non-profit organization of men retired from
full time employment. We have a monthly luncheon
meeting and a guest speaker. No dues. For more
information, call 644-1405.
“These activities may enhance synaptic connections in the brain and induce or promote
new connections,” Petersen said, adding that research is increasingly finding that lifestyle
factors may help strengthen the brain to allow it to withstand disease.
POETRY FOR ALL
Poetic License, a poetry readaround, Saturday, August 27th from 2-4 p.m.
at the Placerville Senior Center. All ages
welcome. The event is free.
Bring your own poems to share; read from your
favorite poets; or just come to listen.
Poetry in Motion, a poetry readaround, Monday, August 22nd from 6-7 p.m.
at the Placerville Senior Center. All ages
welcome. The event is free.
In addition to attending the neurology conference in Vancouver, Petersen was
participating in a Global Council on Brain Health meeting with an emphasis on exercise
and brain health.
Kaycee Sink, a geriatrician who heads the Memory Assessment Clinic at Wake Forest
Baptist Medical Center, noted that the Mayo Clinic study could show only an association
between the activities and protected memory — not cause and effect. She said study
participants who were in early stages of mild cognitive impairment might have trouble with
these activities. “So it’s possible that doing fewer activities is a marker for disease rather
than the converse — that participating in the activities is reducing risk,” she said. It would
be interesting to know, for example, whether these were people who had never used a
computer or previously used a computer regularly and then stopped. Nevertheless, Sink
said, she advises her patients to stay cognitively and socially active. “Even if it doesn’t
prevent dementia, being engaged is beneficial for one’s well-being.”
Bring your own poems to share; read from your Other studies have found that spending time with friends, for example, reduces the risk of
favorite poets; or just come to listen.
depression and decreases blood pressure. “If you isolate yourself and stop engaging with
others, who is going to be your social support?” Sink said.
Disclaimer: Any listed Community Events and Meetings and any other non-County events listed in the Senior Times are not represented or
provided by El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency and do not reflect the views or opinions of the Agency. For information regarding
events, dates, locations, etc., please call the organization directly. Thank You.