Senior tidbits

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What does Medicare Part D mean? What is the best Medigap insurance for me or my family? These are a couple of the questions that are being asked by residents across Michigan and in Independence Township and Clarkston at this time of year.
Karen Koenigbauer is the person who can provide information to make informed choices for township and village residents. Koenigbauer is the Senior Services Coordinator and provides resource assistance at the Independence Township Senior Center. She can be reached at 248-625-8231 ext. 17 or by email at kkoenigbauer@twp.independence.mi.us. She currently works 22 hours a week at the center.
Medicare Part D is the prescription insurance that was passed during the Bush administration. ‘There are 54 plans to choose from for Part D Medicare and all have unique nuances,? says. Koenigbauer says she doesn’t work for a pharmaceutical company or insurance plan so she will be able to share objective perspective when working with a family or person individually.
Medigap insurance is private insurance that individuals or families purchase to supplement Medicare. Some retirees have health care insurance that continues into retirement through their pension programs. ‘Salaried General Motors retirees and North Oakland Medical Center retirees are losing their retiree health care and are looking at what to purchase,? shared Koenigbauer. .
‘The enrollment period for Medicare Part D is Nov. 15th to December 30th,? shared Koenigbauer. Medigap insurance has enrollment guidelines and restrictions.
Besides helping residents with Medicare and insurance issues, Koenigbauer shared many resources and assistance programs that the Independence Township Senior Center offers or refers seniors to. The township center offers transportation, nutrition programs, support groups, recreation classes, and health programs. The Emergency Food Assistance Program is a food distribution program for low income seniors on a quarterly basis. The center has a loan closet for wheelchairs, walkers, and bathroom support equipment. Health programs focus on such topics as dental hygiene and diabetes. Recently the senior center hosted a workshop provided by Miracle Ear on how to clean hearing aids.
One of the groups that Koenigbauer is currently facilitating is the visually impaired seniors. They meet monthly for social outings and educational workshops on services to help them live independently. .
The center has a family caregiver support club for individuals who are caregivers for their families. The center provides resources and referrals for respite care and resource assistance as well as mutual aid.
The center would like to facilitate a retirement transition group says Koenigbauer to help indivudals as they begin their retirement years.
Koenigbauer says she works with hospital social workers when seniors are returning home. She makes referrals to outside agencies for ramps, raised bars in the bathroom, in home health care or whatever is needed by the resident. The center helps families review home health care agencies to find the best fit for the person in need. ‘We’ve had many calls for tree trimming, lawn care and helping seniors maintain their home this summer,? says Koenigbauer. ‘Seniors who may have wanted to sell their homes are staying put and they need help,? she said.
Koenigbauer has received training and has worked with the Area Agency on Aging IB, the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging, Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency and Veteran Counseling, Community Mental Health Agency and many private agencies. She has referred residents to Christmas in Action for home makeovers. Koenigbauer says income level doesn’t always matter, it depends on the agency and their specifications. She said that area churches have been helpful in meeting the needs of seniors.
Referrals, Koenigbauer says are about 50 percent from senior citizen and 50 percent from family members. Sometimes neighbors also call to see what services are available for a senior living close by.
If you would like further information on any of the services mentioned above, contact Karen Koenigbauer, Senior Services Coordinator or Margaret Bartos, Center Coordinator at 248-625-8231 or check out the website at www.twp.independence.mi.us.
Next month, information on nutrition services will be our focus.
The Senior Citizen column is written by Joette Kunse, a retired educator and a resident of the township since 1967.

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The Senior Citizens? Advisory Committee thanks The Clarkston News for allowing the Independence Township Senior Center to share information, resources, and activities available to residents of Independence Township and the City of the Village of Clarkston in a monthly column.
According to the Independence Township demographic profile on the township’s website, approximately 30 percent of the township population is 53 years and older. This information is compiled from the 2000 U.S. Census. While the census was a snapshot in 2000, the Baby Boomer generation continues to age and the oldest Baby Boomers are celebrating their 62nd birthdays in 2008.
Nationally, the first senior citizen center was developed in 1940. With the passage of the Older American Act of 1965 and some federal funding for senior centers in the 1970s, most communities initiated centers in local communities.
The purpose of senior citizen centers was to provide places of socialization for older adults, and to utilize the centers as a way of keeping older adults independent. Independence Township has had a senior center since 1975.
Originally, Independence Township and Clarkston senior citizens met in the basement of the township hall for lunch. In 1977, the senior center was moved to the old Sashabaw Presbyterian church on Maybee Road.
The property for Clintonwood Park was purchased in 1978 and with the property came a four bedroom house and the Carriage House that still stands on the property.
At the time of the purchase, sheep and horses were housed in the Carriage House. The original purchase was made with Community Development Block Grant funds. The Clintonwood senior center was opened in 1979 with the hiring of Rina Chemin as the Senior Citizen coordinator in the four bedroom house.
Transportation for seniors and the persons with disabilities began in 1980 with one van donated by the Clarkston Rotary Club. A second van was purchased by the Clarkston Rotary in the mid 1980s.
Commercial kitchen appliances were added to the Senior Center in the mid 1980s and meals began to be prepared on site. In 2001, the house that was used for the senior citizens begin to shift with noticeable ripples on the main floor and the second story due to weight of the commercial appliances and the cooking of the meals was transferred to the Rochester Older Persons Commission in Rochester.
In 2007, a plan was formulated to build a new 2000-square-foot senior center with a kitchen at a price of $200,000 and remodel the Carriage House for an additional $40,000. The grand opening of the new center was held in February 2008. Appliances and deck materials from the old house were recycled in the new center.
The Independence Township Senior Adult Center is located at 6000 Clarkston Road, just inside the Clintonwood Township Park. The Senior Adult Activity Center is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday to adults 50 years and older. The center is a part of the Independence Parks and Recreation Dept of the township government
The mission of the senior center is to enable older adults aged 50+ in Independence Township and surrounding communities to participate in services and programs promoting wellness, independence, safety, and enrichment.
While the center primarily serves individuals 50 and older, referral information is available for family members and caregivers of seniors. Many township families support aging parents with health or economic concerns. The center is an excellent resource to help family members.
Transportation and nutrition are two services available for seniors to keep them in their home and living independently. The center provides classes focusing on sports and exercise, health and wellness, socialization, and education. Trips are also available through the senior center.
Transportation is available for citizens over 55 years of age in Clarkston, and Independence and Springfield townships. More information about transportation is available by calling 248 625 8231.
Nutrition is available at the center Monday through Friday and at home through Meals On Wheels deliveries. Homebound meals are available seven days a week for residents 60+ and to people with disabilities living in Independence Township and Clarkston. For Meals on Wheels, call 248-608-0264 or 248-625-8231.
The senior center helps seniors with information and referrals on Medicare Part D enrollment, emergency home repair, emergency food assistance, devices for visually impaired persons, donated dental services, in home care, prescription coverage and many additional services.
If you would like further information on any of the services mentioned above, contact Margaret Bartos, center coordinator, at 248-625-8231
Next month, information on Medicare and referrals will be our focus.
The Senior Citizen column is written by Joette Kunse, a retired educator and resident of the township since 1967.

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