IN THIS ISSUE: CONGRATULATIONS WILLIAM GOSCH North Tonawanda Alderman Page 3

HAPPY HALLOWEEN WORD SEARCH With the falling leaves comes falling Page 7 temperatures. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps NEW TRANSPORTATION low-income people pay the cost of COORDINATOR heating their homes. The HEAP season for Victoria Cascia the 2020-2021 Fall - Winter season is Page 9 scheduled to open November 2, 2020 and run to March 15, 2021. If you received HEAP last year, early outreach OCTOBER DINING SITES MENU applications for returning applicants went out the beginning of September. Page 10 New applicants to the HEAP program for the 2020-2021 season must wait until November to apply. If you are eligible, you may receive one regular HEAP benefit per program year to help you pay for heating your home. Eligibility and benefits are based on:  Income  Household size  Primary heating source  Presence of a household member who is under age 6, age 60 or older or permanently disabled. MAIN OFFICE Please call 716-438-4016 with any questions regarding the HEAP program. 111 Main Street, Suite 101 Lockport, NY 14094 p: 716-438-4020 MISSION STATEMENT e: [email protected] The Niagara County Office for the Aging brings together the programs, services and w: www.niagaracounty.com/aging supportive facilities which help our 47,000 older adults maintain independence

whenever possible. Established in 1973, the OFA coordinates community services as Follow us and Like us on well as plans, develops and administers needed programs and promotes new and better Niagara County Office for the Aging services for all persons age 60 and over.

STAFF DIRECTOR’S CORNER NY CONNECTS 716-438-3030 MAIN OFFICE LINE

716-438-4020

DIRECTOR Darlene DiCarlo DEPUTY DIRECTOR Happy October! Kara Donovan

Alzheimer’s and other Dementia Fall Open Enrollment runs each year from 10/15 through Case Manager Maggie Hempel 12/7 and it is a time when you are able to change your Medicare coverage. Any change you make during Fall Open Care Transitions (Hospital/Rehab to Home) Case Manager Enrollment will take effect January 1st. I urge you to take Cathy Hummel advantage of the informative and unbiased workshops our HIICAP Coordinator, Susan Christian is hosting over the next In Home Services Coordinator Sherrill Koithan few months to help in your Medicare journey. During this time, please be extra aware of phone scams involving Insurance Counseling Coordinator/Caregiver Coordinator Medicare and Medicaid. Recently in our office, we received Susan Christian such a call. The caller asked if we had Medicare or

Nutrition Services Coordinator Medicaid. If you receive a call like this do not answer any Mindi Doran questions, simply hang up the phone. The Social Security Administration or Medicare does not randomly call your Partnership for Healthy Aging Case Manager home or office and ask for your personal information! Connie Terranova

Registered Dietitian We are happy to add Middleport to our list of Eat Lisa G. Smith, RD, CDN Well….Stay Well congregate dining sites that have Colleen B. Eder, RD, CDN reopened. Middleport’s first day of serving lunches is Transportation Coordinator scheduled for October 13th. Victoria Cascia

Advisory Board Members Stay healthy and have a Jesse Gooch Phil Lange great October! Nancy Bowes Alicia Scott Jeff Glatz Mary Jo Tamburlin Kathy Harrington Patti Weiss Joe Kibler Darlene S. DiCarlo

If you are interested in serving as a member, please call 438-4020.

IN OBSERVANCE OF COLUMBUS DAY, OFFICE FOR THE AGING WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 12TH.

2 | NIAGARA COUNTY OFFICE FOR THE AGING

BILL GOSCH NORTH TONAWANDA ALDERMAN

Congratulations to William "Bill" Gosch of North Tonawanda, pictured here in the middle with Legislator Rich Andres (left) and Roger Blackwell (right). Bill was recently appointed as a temporary North Tonawanda Alderman due to the vacancy left by Donna Braun. Bill, 96 years young, was born and raised in North Tonawanda; a Marine Corp veteran of World War II, Bill was overseas and saw four combat assaults. Bill and his wife Lois have been married for 70 years; he is the father to four children, grandfather to two and great grandfather to one. In his spare time Bill likes to work in his son’s antique shop. Bill will serve until a permanent replacement is found, approximately late September. In Bill's words, he never made a big name for himself but he is honored to serve his community. Thank you Bill for your service, we are honored to have you serve as an Alderman in North Tonawanda.

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If you need assistance caring for a loved one contact CAREGIVERS CORNER the Niagara County Office of the Aging at 438-3030

I wish you all good health, a happy sweetest day, and a spooktacular Halloween! Take care and God bless you all! - Robin Bayer

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is marked in countries across the world to increase attention and awareness of this disease. There are about 1.38 million new cases and 458 000 deaths from breast cancer each year (IARC Globocan, 2008). Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer in women worldwide, both in the developed and developing countries. In low- and middle-income countries the incidence has been rising up steadily in the last years due to increase in life expectancy, increase urbanization and adoption of western lifestyles.

Currently there is not sufficient knowledge on the causes of breast cancer, therefore, early detection of the disease remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control. When breast cancer is detected early, and if Four Ingredient adequate diagnosis and treatment are available, there is a good chance that breast cancer can be Healthy cured. If detected late, however, curative treatment Pumpkin Pancakes is often no longer an option. In such cases, palliative care to relief the suffering of patients and their families is needed. Ingredients: 1 egg The majority of deaths (269 000) occur in low- and 1/4 cup canned pumpkin middle-income countries, where most women with 2 tbsp. flour (any flour will work) breast cancer are diagnosed in late stages due 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice (adjust to taste) mainly to lack of awareness on early detection and barriers to health services. Directions: 1. Whisk the egg and then add the flour, pumpkin, Being a caregiver is hard work and very time and pumpkin spice. Stir well until fully combined. consuming. Caregivers are so busy taking care of 2. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Spray their loved ones they often neglect their own health. with cooking spray and add the batter. Cook for If you are not taking care of you, who will take care of them? Be sure to schedule your appointment to 2-3 minutes per side, flipping when bubbles be checked. begin to pop and edges brown.

4 | NIAGARA COUNTY OFFICE FOR THE AGING

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM SOCIAL SECURITY SCAMS

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OCTOBER 2020 ATTORNEY SCHEDULE 6 Tuesday Lewiston Senior Center 11:00 - 12:30 PM 4361 Lower River Rd.

6 Tuesday Office for the Aging 1:30 - 3:30 PM 111 Main St., Lockport 7 Wednesday Wheatfield Community Center 11:00 - 12:30 PM 2790 Church Rd. 13 Tuesday John Duke Senior Center 11:00 - 12:30 PM 1201 Hyde Park Blvd., NF 13 Tuesday Office for the Aging 1:30 - 3:30 PM 111 Main St., Lockport 14 Wednesday Lockport Senior Center 11:00 - 12:30 PM 33 Ontario St. 20 Tuesday Office for the Aging 1:30 - 3:30 PM 111 Main St., Lockport 21 Wednesday North Tonawanda Senior Center 11:00 - 12:30 PM 110 Goundry St. 27 Tuesday John Duke Senior Center 11:00 - 12:30 PM 1201 Hyde Park Blvd., NF 27 Tuesday Office for the Aging 1:30 - 3:30 PM 111 Main St., Lockport 28 Wednesday Olcott Fire Hall 11:00 - 12:30 PM 1691 Lockport-Olcott Rd. Please note this is a limited schedule due to COVID-19 concerns, masks are mandatory. Attorney Gary M. Billingsley will be available to meet clients at the above locations provided an appointment has been made with him by phone. Gary can be reached at either 716-434-5783 or 716-622-8892 to make an appointment. Walk-ins are allowed at the Office for the Aging, withphone appointments strongly encouraged.

6 | NIAGARA COUNTY OFFICE FOR THE AGING

LOCKPORT, NY | 7 Even if you are happy with your current Medicare HIICAP CORNER coverage, consider other Medicare health and drug plan options in your area. For example, even if you This month’s topic is the Medicare Fall Open do not plan to change your Medicare Advantage or Enrollment Period. Fall Annual Open Enrollment Part D plan, you should check to see if there is runs from October 15 through December 7 each another plan in your area that will offer you better year. During this time, you can make changes to health and/or drug coverage at a more affordable your health insurance coverage, including adding, price. Research shows that people with Medicare dropping, or changing your Medicare coverage. prescription drug coverage could lower their costs Even if you are happy with your current health and by shopping among plans each year; there could be drug coverage, Fall Open Enrollment is the time to another Part D plan in your area that covers the review what you have, compare it with other drugs you take with fewer restrictions and/or lower options, and make sure that your current coverage prices. still meets your needs for the coming year. You can make as many changes as you need to your The last change you make to your Medicare Medicare coverage during Fall Annual Open coverage during Fall Open Enrollment Period will Enrollment. The changes you can make include: take effect on January 1, 2021. To avoid enrollment 1. Join a new Medicare Advantage Plan problems, it is best to call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800- 2. Joining a new Part D prescription drug plan. 633-4227) when making any changes to your health 3. Switching from Original Medicare to a Medicare and/or drug coverage. Advantage Plan. 4. Switching from a Medicare Advantage Plan to The Niagara County HIICAP program provides Original Medicare (with or without a Part D plan). confidential, unbiased information, counseling, and assistance with the most up to date information As you review your current Medicare coverage, you about Medicare and most other insurance. Our should consider • Your access to providers you want counselors are trained to assist you with your health to see • Your access to preferred pharmacies • Your insurance questions or problems. Service is access to benefits and services you need •The total available to people of all ages. For more costs for insurance premiums, deductibles, and cost information, or an appointment, call 716-438-3030. sharing amounts.

If you have Original Medicare, visit www.medicare.gov or read the 2021 Medicare and You handbook to learn about Medicare’s benefits for the upcoming year. You should review any Get the basics on Medicare and programs that help increases to Original Medicare premiums, with the costs of Medicare and Medicare Part D, deductibles, and coinsurance charges. If you have a such as the Extra Help Program, and NYS EPIC Medicare Advantage Plan or a stand-alone Part D Program. Workshops take place at the Niagara plan, read your plan’s Annual Notice of Change and/ or Evidence of Change (EOC) information. Review County Office for the Aging, 111 Main St., Suite 101, these notices for any changes in a) the plan’s costs, Lockport. b) the plan’s benefits and coverage rules, or c) the Monday, November 16th, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm plan’s formulary (list of drugs your plan covers). Monday, November 30th, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Make sure that your drugs will still be covered next Seating is limited, reservations are required. For year and that your providers and pharmacies are still in network. If you are unhappy with any of our questions or reservations please call 716-438-4023. plan’s changes, you can enroll in a new plan. MASKS ARE REQUIRED.

LOCKPORT, NY | 8 CONGRATULATIONS VICTORIA CASCIA TRANSPORTATION COORDINATOR

We are excited to announce that our new OFA Transportation Coordinator is Victoria Cascia! Victoria, formerly an Aging Services Aide for seven years in our NY Connects program, will oversee the transportation department; her duties include coordinating medical transportation, food delivery and transportation to our congregate dining sites. Victoria can be reached at 716-438-4038 to schedule rides to your medical appointments. Medical transportation is available Monday through Friday (with the exception of holidays) between 9:30am - 1:00pm, please call at least two weeks prior to your appointment. We operate on a suggested contribution basis, see page 11 for rates.

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OCTOBER 2020 DINING SITES MENU 1 2 Sweet & Sour Pork w/ 2 Cheese Manicotti w/ Crunchy Chinese Tomato Sauce Noodles Seasoned Spinach Brown Rice Italian Bread Broccoli Pears Wheat Dinner Roll Fruited Gelatin w/ Topping 5 6 7 8 9 Meatloaf w/Gravy Julienne Salad w/ Baked Ham Veal Parmesan w/ Macaroni & Cheese Garlic Mashed Potatoes Turkey Mashed Sweet Tomato Sauce over Casserole Mixed Vegetables Potato Salad Potatoes Rotini Pasta Stewed Tomatoes Wheat Dinner Roll Blueberry Muffin Green Beans California Blend Wheat Bread Cookies Mandarin Oranges Rye Bread Veggies Heavenly Hash Grapes Marble Pudding

12 CLOSED - NO MEALS 13 14 15 16 Pork Riblet w/ BBQ Salisbury Steak w/ Grilled Chicken Salad Cheeseburger Sauce Gravy over Mixed Greens Supreme Corn Mashed Potatoes Tricolor Pasta Salad Wheat Hamburger Bun Spinach Broccoli Oat-bran Muffin Baked Beans Wheat Hamburger Roll Wheat Dinner Roll Banana Carrots Tropical Fruit Cookies Pineapple

19 20 21 22 23 Turkey Sausage 2 Chicken Fingers w/ Beef & Cheese Sub Goulash LS Ham Strips over Breakfast Casserole Ranch Dressing Potato Salad Mixed Vegetables Romaine & Salad Mix Hash Brown Potatoes Macaroni & Cheese Carrots & Celery Sticks Wheat Bread Pea and Pasta Salad Broccoli Stewed Tomatoes Peaches Deluxe Fruit Cup Pita Bread Muffin Wheat Dinner Roll Brownie Fruited Gelatin w/ Apple Topping 26 27 28 29 30 Baked Chicken w/Gravy Cheese Tortellini w/3 Italian Beef & Garden Burger w/Salsa Chicken Ala King Sweet Potatoes Meatballs & Tomato Mushroom Bake on a Wheat Burger Mashed Potatoes Green Beans Sauce Cauliflower Bun Tossed Salad Wheat Bread Broccoli Spinach Potato Wedges Biscuit Banana Pudding Italian Bread Fruit Cocktail Carrots Grapes Cookies Apricots Happy Halloween! Cider & Donut

10 | NIAGARA COUNTY OFFICE FOR THE AGING

WE NEED YOUR HELP! SUGGESTED CONTRIBUTIONS FOR SERVICES

Make checks payable to: Niagara County Office for the Aging 111 Main St., Suite 101 Lockport, NY 14094 CONTRIBUTION SERVICE CONTRIBUTION RATES - ACTUAL COSTS CONGREGATE MEALS/COVID HOME DELIVERED $3.25 per meal MEALS Actual Cost - $8.65 per meal HOMECARE/PERSONAL CARE $5.00 per hour Actual Cost - $37.92 per hour LEGAL SERVICES $20.00 per consultation Actual Cost - $125.00 per hour HEALTH INSURANCE COUNSELING $10.00 per session Actual Cost - $72.00 per hour MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION - TO AND FROM $ 7.00 round trip - Within city of residence MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS $10.00 round trip - Within Niagara County $25.00 round trip - Out of Niagara County Actual Cost - $18.94 one-way trip CONTRIBUTION IN MEMORY OF:

*The rates listed are only suggested contribution amounts for participants aged 60 and older. No one over the age of 60 will be denied service if they do not contribute.

LOCKPORT, NY | 11 111 Main Street, Suite 101 Lockport, NY 14094

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