Medicare Open Enrollment: October 15 – December 7

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October 15th thru December 7th is the 2018 Medicare Open Enrollment period. Robin Thompson, Information and Assistance Director with the Senior LinkAge Line®, reminds us that, “This is the time of year that people on Medicare should be evaluating their coverage for 2018.” She goes on to say, “There are only a few special circumstances when a person can make a plan change beyond these dates, so it is important to use this time to make the best decision possible for you.”

Every year after open enrollment ends, the Senior LinkAge Line® receives calls from people who failed to open their mail and read about their current drug plan changes for the coming year. It isn’t until the first bill for the new year is received, or the beneficiary, is charged more at the pharmacy, that they realize their plan has changed. For most of these beneficiaries it is too late to make a change for that year. Since there are so many changes every year, the Senior LinkAge Line® recommends that each person review their options for the next year and open and read every piece of mail received from their plan.

A few reasons to consider a “re-evaluation” of your Part D plan:

  • Monthly premiums for each plan will most likely change
  • Your medication list may have changed in the last year
  • Plan formularies (the list of drugs covered by the plan) may change and the cost-sharing may change (amount you pay for the drug under a plan)
  • You may be eligible for the “extra help” offered to pay premiums and reduce co-pay amounts (applications are accepted at any time of the year)

Using the official Medicare.gov prescription plan comparison tool, which can be found at www.medicare.gov , allows beneficiaries to view a clear comparison of their current plan with other plans available in 2018. The plan comparison tool will present the cost of the individual’s medications in each plan offered in Minnesota. With this knowledge, a person can make a sound decision on a drug plan and prepare for the coming year with confidence and peace of mind.

If you or someone you know needs help evaluating their coverage, contact the Senior LinkAge Line® at 1-800-333-2433. The Senior LinkAge Line® is a free statewide service of the Minnesota Board on Aging and Area Agencies on Aging. Specialists provide one-to-one assistance with helping older adults age well and live well. The Senior LinkAge Line® is the federally-designated State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for Minnesota and is the place to call for Medicare and health insurance issues. Call 1-800-333-2433 for assistance Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm.

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Dementia Friends

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Dementia Friends is a global movement that is changing the way people think, act, and talk about dementia. Developed by the Alzheimer’s Society in the United Kingdom, the Dementia Friends initiative is underway in Minnesota. By helping everyone in a community understand what dementia is and how it affects people, each of us can make a difference for people touched by dementia.
Since the launch of Dementia Friends Minnesota in September 2016, nearly 7,500 Minnesotans are now proudly calling themselves Dementia Friends. The program is a social action movement to create more dementia friendly communities by changing the way people think, act, and talk about dementia.

To become a Dementia Friend, you participate in a one-hour Dementia Friends Information Session presented by a Dementia Friends Champion. You will learn five key messages about dementia and a bit about what it’s like to live with dementia. As a Dementia Friend, you turn your new understanding of dementia into a practical action that can help someone living in your community. Your action can be big or small – because every action counts!

The one-hour Information Session is an in-person experience run by a Dementia Friends Champion. It is not a formal training. The session has activities and discussion that cover the five key messages everyone should know about dementia. Everyone who attends is asked to do a dementia-friendly action as part of becoming a Dementia Friend, but the choice is yours.
You don’t need to be a dementia expert to become a Dementia Friend. You don’t need to know someone with dementia to become a Dementia Friend. After you attend the session, taking action as a Dementia Friend is up to you.

By helping everyone in a community understand what dementia is and how it affects families, each of us can make a difference for people touched by dementia.
Can we be the Land of 10,000 Dementia Friends by December 31? Together, let’s make it happen!
Find a Dementia Friends Information Session actonalz.org/dementia-friends-information-sessions
Visit actonalz.org/dementia-friends to learn more about becoming a Dementia Friend!

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How Prepared Are We for a Permanently Older Society?

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The Minnesota Board on Aging, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Human Services, is looking ahead to the year 2030, and here’s why:

  • In the years between 2010 and 2030, 10,000 baby boomers are turning 65 every day!
  • Only 5% of the older adult population lives in long-term care facilities. The other 95% are either living independently or are being cared for by family members, neighbors or community-based agencies.
  • 2030 marks the year baby boomers begin turning 85!

Based on this reality, NOW is the time for communities to begin a new conversation about what our future can be so all older adults and their families are supported and communities can thrive. It is truly a transformative time in our communities!

As a partner in this process, the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging (MNRAAA) has hosted eight 2030 Community Conversations throughout our twenty-seven-county service area. Using a small group process, older adults, family members, service providers, and elected officials provided input about in-home services available today that are working well or not working so well, envisioned service needs of an 85-year-old in 2030 and provided suggestions for the type of resources needed to implement the ideas proposed. The information gathered at the Conversations is being reported to the state and will be used to identify the policy issues individuals believe are most important to our future as an older society.

To learn more about MN 2030, visit their website at mn.gov/dhs/mn2030. You are also encouraged to provide input at surveys.dhs.state.mn.us/snapwebhost/s.asp?k=149581989669.

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