1 May – August 2011 Second Season

Changes coming to the EPIC Program

The New York State Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Program, commonly called EPIC, will be experiencing some changes in the upcoming months. EPIC is a program for New York State residents age 65 or older to assist with their prescription expenses. The changes will take place on two different dates as outlined below: Beginning on July 1, 2011

The EPIC program will expand to provide Part D premium assistance for individuals with incomes up to

$23,000 and for couples up to $29,000 per year. Currently EPIC assists with Part D premiums for individuals

up to $20,000 and couples up to $26,000 per year. This will result in approximately 28% more seniors

receiving the Part D premium assistance.

The new legislation also eliminates the EPIC deductible credit of up to $464 that was applied to a person’s

original EPIC deductible amount. Deductible members enrolled in a Part D plan received this credit for

2011. If a person has already met their lower deductible, they will have to pay this additional amount

before they can resume paying the EPIC co-payments. This change will result in most deductible members

having to pay an additional $464 for the rest of 2011.

Beginning on January 1, 2012 The EPIC program will be free. There will be no fees or deductibles to belong to the program.

The individual must still be a New York State resident age 65 or older and have income of less then

$35,000 per year for a singe person and $50,000 per year for a couple.

EPIC will provide Part D premium assistance for individuals under $23,000 and couples under $29,000 per

year.

EPIC will require that all members belong to a Part D plan.

EPIC will only provide secondary prescription coverage when a member reaches the Part D coverage gap or

donut hole.

EPIC will be sending out letters to members explaining the new changes. If you have questions you may contact the EPIC hotline at 1-800-332-3742 or the Steuben County Office for the Aging at 607-664-2298 in Bath, 607-324-4891 in Hornell or 607-936-4661 in Corning.

2 May – August 2011 Second Season

On May 5th, the Office for Aging Advisory Council honored nine recipients with the Senior Citizens of the

Year Award at the Presbyterian Church in Bath. The event was moderated by OFA Director, Michael Keane.

Wonderful songs were led by Peg Inglis, and excellent

food and service were provided by the Presbyterian Church.

Bert Bonadonna of Wayland has been a volunteer

firefighter for 55 years where he also serves as an EMS Attendant. He has been active in the American Legion,

the Holy Family Cemetery Association, St. Vincent de

Paul League of St. Joseph‘s and the Historical Association. He has a reputation of being there to help

whenever and wherever he‘s needed.

Josephine Brzozowski of Hornell, or Jo as she is

known, was nominated by the American Red Cross for 23 years of service with their blood drives. However, Jo

began her volunteering many years before that under FEMA, when she would pack up and leave town to assist

those in disaster torn areas of our country after floods and hurricanes, specifically in the Midwest and Puerto

Rico. Closer to home, Jo has been an RSVP volunteer

and has worked at McAuley Manor Adult Day Care Center in the Activities Department and as a Eucharistic

Minister for the past 23 years. Also she was actively involved as a Faith in Action volunteer driving seniors to

medical appointments for nearly eight years. Additionally

Jo has been a member of St. James Women‘s Auxiliary where she assisted with food and bazaars, and with St.

Ann‘s School where she was a playground and lunchroom monitor. Despite recent knee surgery and

advancing age, Jo still wants to do for others. In all of

this, Jo always has a pleasant smile and gives from her heart and soul.

Jan Calkins of Woodhull, was nominated by Denise

Oakley of Painted Post for Senior Citizen of the Year. According to her nomination, Jan doesn‘t have to be

asked to help—she simply finds where she is needed

and steps in to fill the void. Jan is never satisfied to merely help out; she tries constantly to find the best

way to help, to coordinate projects to suit everyone involved, and researches new ideas. Since her

retirement three years ago, Jan has been very active in

the Bennett‘s Creek Bible Church and serves as the secretary of the Fire Commissioners Board of Woodhull.

She volunteers every Monday and is Coordinator of the

Food Bank‘s distribution in Woodhull and Jasper. Jan spent her career working with seniors

and has a special love for older people. Jan is a woman of diverse talents, including keeping secretarial minutes,

maintaining budgets, coordinating volunteers, as well as

listening to the concerns of seniors and their families. We at OFA recently had the opportunity to work with

Jan in organizing a focus group in the Woodhull area for our Aging in Place project. It was evident from that

encounter why Jan was nominated for this award.

Jackie Curry of Corning. Tina Hackett, an Activities

Aide at Absolute Care at Three Rivers nominated Jackie for her devotion and dedication to the residents living

there. According to her nomination, Jackie always has a pleasant attitude and is continuously smiling. She works

very hard to make sure everyone who lives at Absolut is

happy. As Jackie stated, ―I may not be able to do much, but I can talk. I have a PhD in talkology.‖ Tina added

that ―Jackie does much more than talk—she brings happiness!‖ For her volunteer work, Jackie reads to

residents who cannot read anymore, as well as visiting and reading to those who are lonely for company. In

addition, Jackie puts together large tea parties once a

month and provides special snacks and drinks. Her parties are always very creative featuring recipes from

around the world. Jackie brings smiles to people when she walks in the room. She has a huge heart and

spends a lot a time at Absolut with those who have no

other visitors. In addition to her love for the seniors who reside in this nursing home, Jackie also has a love

for children. This has been played out in Jackie‘s life by her reading to children at area schools for over 16 years.

Jane Fahl of Hornell has volunteered as a driver, home visitor and shopper with Faith in Action for 16 years. She

has been very active with the American Red Cross, and has served as an Ombudsman in area nursing homes.

She has volunteered at Hornell Gardens in the Religious Affairs Department, the Senior Olympics and American

Cancer Relay for Life. Jane has served as an election

inspector and on the OFA Advisory Council. She not only works at the St. James Mercy Hospital Gift Shop, but

manages all of the volunteer scheduling for the shop.

Zane Fiegl of Canisteo, was nominated by the Rev.

Donald Maynard of the Canisteo Wesleyan Church for his involvement in the lives of others for over a quarter of a

century. According to his nomination, Zane helps whenever asked. He takes people to doctor‘s

Spotlight on Senior Citizens of the Year by Jeni Paquette

3 May – August 2011 Second Season

appointments in Rochester and other places and he helps build handicapped ramps for individuals

attempting to remain in their own homes. According to Rev. Maynard, Zane always goes that extra mile to help.

Dick Russell, Director of Faith in Action, says that Zane has been involved in his organization for the past six

years and is referred to as the ―Tool Man‖ at Faith in

Action. Whatever tool is needed on a job, you can be sure Zane has it! According to Dick, Zane not only

builds ramps, but he also makes them look nice. As Dick commented, ―with Zane, it‘s about form as well as

function‖. Dick added that Zane is a man of true

compassion, and in addition to building ramps, he will sit and chat with those who are homebound. People feel

very comfortable being around Zane. Rev. Maynard further stated that Zane is a person of integrity and

devotion who always puts the needs of others first.

Bernard Hosmer of Woodhull, for the past 15 – 20

years, has served as the President of the Jasper Area Senior Citizens. Bernard took the position as a way to

be involved and to have fun, but also as a way of helping other people. He believes that although the

Jasper area is very rural, the seniors living there still

should have access to the programs and services that will help them live quality lives in their own homes.

According to his nomination, Bernard truly cares about people. He takes the time every month to not only set

up programs and speakers for club meetings, but in the past has also been very involved in setting up day trips,

a service that is very highly desired by seniors living in

the rural areas of our county. Recently Bernie became a member of the Advisory Council of the Office for the

Aging. In that position, not only will he help the Office for the Aging to coordinate and improve services, but he

will also be able to bring back valuable information to

the seniors of the Jasper area. Bernie was nominated by Dan Farrand, Steuben County Legislator, who also had a

special certificate prepared for Bernie by the County Legislature and signed by the Chairman.

John Roy of Campbell‘s nomination is based on years of service to his church and in the area of education.

John‗s family believed in serving others, and John has carried on that tradition throughout his life. He does

more than just belong to an organization, as his nomination stated, he goes that extra mile. John‘s list of

volunteer activities is long and varied and shows the

inspiration, creativity, and impact of what he has spent his adult life doing. To name all of these organizations

and the roles he has filled would take far too long in this newsletter, so I will give you a partial listing: Chorus

and Food Ministries at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Bath, Delegate to various church conventions, Education

Committee for the Corning-Painted Post Historical Society, Curtiss Museum and the Steuben County

Historical Society. John has also served as Treasurer of the Campus Ministry Advisory Board at Corning

Community College, Executive Board Member and

Treasurer as well as 2010 Convention Committee for the Corning Area Retired Teachers Association, the Steuben

County Hall of Fame Selection Committee, a member of the Bi-Centennial Committee for the County, and a

member of the chorus of the Orchestra of the Southern

Finger Lakes for the past 15 years, as well as the Board of Directors, to name but a few of his many affiliations.

Barbara Savoia of Atlanta, for the past 45 years, has

worked as a caregiver in Steuben County. Normally our award goes only to volunteers, but in this case we are

making an exception due to the length of time and the

caliber of the work that Barb has done for so many seniors, veterans, mentally ill or disabled, those with

Alzheimer‘s Disease or for anyone needing care in the Avoca, Atlanta and Cohocton Valley area of Steuben

County. Despite the fact that Barb could be retired, and

in fact retired briefly to Florida, Barb has returned to NY and has resumed caring for others. She gives seniors in

our county a place to call home. As her nomination stated, Barb deserves to be honored because she is a

truly exceptional human being, in fact, she‘s an angel, according to Christina Schlageter, a nurse who works

with Barb and who submitted this nomination. Christina

stated that Barb has devoted her entire life to caring for others. On more than one occasion she has taken in

older people with no means of paying for their care, and she always says, ―Don‘t worry, you have a home now.

Left to right: John Roy, Jackie Curry, Barbara Savoia, Josephine Brzozowski, Jan Calkins, Zane Fiegl and Bernard Hosmer. Missing are Jane Fahl and Bert Bonadonna

4 May – August 2011 Second Season

Need Repairs and/or Better Accessibility to Your Home?

Arbor Development has grant funds available to help provide necessary health and safety home repairs and accessibility modifications for low income homeowners. Eligible repairs include, but are not limited to: roofs, electrical, ramps and accessible bathrooms. Funds are also available for septic and well replacements and water and sewer line repairs. Applicants must live in Steuben County, have owned and occupied the home for at least a year, be income-eligible and meet certain other requirements. People with land contracts are not eligible. To request an application please call 607-776-7664.

The 2011 Celebration of Spring Dance would not be possible without the generous support of

local merchants and service clubs. Our thanks to the following who contributed to this

event:

AJ‘s, Corning McHenry‘s, Canisteo Arkport American Legion Auxiliary Pizza Delite, Bath

Bath Lodge of Elks Rico‘s, Corning Bath Plumbing, Bath Riley‘s, Bath

Betty-Kay Bakery, Bath Robert N. Austin Post Memorial, Inc. Big Papa‘s Restaurant, Corning San Carlos, Bath

Browsers, Hammondsport Sonora‘s, Corning Burger King, Bath Spencer‘s, Corning

Chapters, Bath Stephanie‘s Family Restaurant, Bath Chemung Canal Trust Company Steuben Bowl, Bath

Connor‘s, Corning Steuben Professional Massage, Corning Country Kitchen, Hornell Steuben Trust Company, Bath

Crooked Lake Ice Cream Parlor, Hammondsport Sunset Restaurant, Hornell DJ Flamingos, Bath Sweet Blessings, Bath

First Heritage Federal Credit Union The Central, Corning Ginger‘s Corner, Bath Tony R‘s, Corning

Gino‘s, Bath Tops, Bath Giulia‘s, Hornell Twin Kiss, Bath

Hammondsport Rotary Club Union Block Italian Bistro, Hammondsport Hornell Do It Best & Strawberry Patch Valley Grill, Canisteo

Island Brew, Bath Wal-Mart, Gang Mills Ivanhoe Chapter #160, Hornell Wal-Mart, Hornell

Keuka Artisan Bakery, Hammondsport Wegman‘s, Corning Maple City Lions Club, Inc., Hornell Wegman‘s, Hornell

McDonalds, Bath Women of the Moose, Hornell

5 May – August 2011 Second Season

B U L L E T I N B O A R D

How to Reach the Steuben County Office for the Aging:

Hornell: Call (607) 324-4891 Corning: Call (607) 936-4661 Bath: Call (607) 664-2298

Fax: (607) 664-2371 E-Mail: ofainfo@co.steuben.ny.us

Collect calls accepted if you‘re not in a local calling area.

Farmers’ Market Coupons – We hope to receive and distribute this years‘ Farmer Market Coupons sometime around mid-July. Check your local paper for information or call the Office for the Aging in early July for times and dates of distribution.

Did you ever wonder if you were eligible for Medicaid, Food Stamps or SSI, but were afraid to ask? Call us for a copy of the ―2011 benefit levels‖ for basic eligibility information of the 14 most common assistance programs.

Currently accepting applications for subsidized apartments from those aged 62+ or disabled:

Addison Place apartments, 43 William Street, Addison. Call (607) 359-2786.

C.F.S. Lakeview Apartments, 105 Geneva St., Bath. Call (607) 776-4139.

Spring Meadow Apartments, 135 Water St., Bath. Call (607) 776-7823.

Did you know? You can use Food Stamps to pay for home delivered meals, or for meals at Office for the Aging/ProAction Dinner Clubs. Food Stamp applications are easy, and you can mail in your form without having a face to face interview. For information on Food Stamps, or for help in applying, call your local Office for the Aging. LARGE PRINT issues of our “Second Season” newsletter are available upon request. Call (607) 664-2298 for more information.

Did you ever feel that you were being discharged from the hospital or from a nursing home rehab stay before you were well enough to go home? When you receive a ―notice of non-coverage‖ (which you should get at least two days prior to your discharge), you can appeal the decision, and Medicare will continue to pay for the stay while they examine your claim. All the information you need is on the back of your non-coverage notice.

Have E-mail? If you would prefer to receive a copy of ―Second Season‖ electronically, you can let us know by calling (607) 664-2298 or e-mailing us at ofainfo@co.steuben.ny.us

Senior Restaurant Dining Program

Times are tough. Costs keep going up - gas, food, and medications all cost more. Often the first area of your budget that you cut is good nutrition and dining out. That can contribute to declining health and strength, less contact with your friends and less involvement in your community.

Steuben Office for the Aging, and Pro Action Senior Nutrition Program can help you stay socially active and provide good nutritious meals, too. We recently launched a new program with the Canisteo Valley Grill Restaurant offering a donation-based Senior Menu. The Senior Menu offers nutritious, dietitian-approved meals at a reduced price. For a voluntary donation, you can obtain vouchers to redeem for meals selected from the Senior Dining Menu at the Valley Grill located at 9 Main Street in Canisteo.

To find out more about this program and complete a registration form, call Bobi Stratton week days until 3PM at Pro Action Senior Nutrition Program in Bath at 607-776-4310 or Jan Leathersich in Canisteo anytime at 607-698-4690.

6 May – August 2011 Second Season

RSVP News: The GOOD NEWS: RSVP is still here. In the last newsletter I explained that our program was dealing with the possibility of serious budget cuts or total defunding. Thankfully, we were not cut but, the BAD NEWS is that we did get a 20% cut in 2011 federal funds and a 50% cut in state funds. The federal budget for 2012 is being worked on, and we may face more cuts or possibly total elimination of the Corporation for National and Community Service, which funds Senior Corps (RSVP, Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion), Americorps, VISTA and other programs. I will keep you informed of how we do in the 2012 budget. RSVP is a wonderful program that helps anyone 55 or older to get involved in his/her community through volunteering. Not everyone knows exactly where they want to volunteer, but they do know what they have to offer. The volunteer coordinator has a hand on ―the pulse of the community‖, knowing what type of help is needed and who could best use your skills. That is one great feature of RSVP – the ―personal touch‖. Hopefully, things will turn around at some point, and we will be able to continue our work in Steuben County. We promise to keep you informed. Nan Hammes

Recognition By the time you receive this, our 38th annual recognition event will be past.

Annually, during the event, we present two awards, the Louise Argentieri Award and

the Spirit of Volunteerism Award. This year‘s winners are Eleanor Silliman (Louise Argentieri) and Jane Fahl (Spirit of Volunteerism). Eleanor has been a volunteer for the Steuben County Historical Society and also the County Historian, putting in many hours at both places. Jane Fahl has been a volunteer with the Red Cross in Hornell. Look for more information about our volunteers in the next ―Second Season‖.

In Line With Recognition…….. As long as we are recognizing people, I want to take the time to thank the RSVP Advisory Council. Recently they participated in an evaluation of our program, and we realized that they have so much to offer because of their diverse backgrounds. Many (but not all) are 55 and older, so they are sensitive to the needs of older individuals. One of our council members, Brenda West, and her husband, Sheldon, chaperone all of our fundraising trips. Some council members are RSVP volunteers and others represent community agencies such as the VA Medical Center, Steuben Educators, Office for the Aging, Institute for Human Services – 211, Corning Community College, Catholic Charities and Steuben County Rural Ministry. Thank you to our council members - Sheila Allen, Ruth Barry, Nancy Becker, Sister Susan Cain, Pat Chappell, Lynn Dinehart, Patricia Schultz, Linda Tetor, Barbara Welles, Brenda West, Lauran Wilson, and Carol Wood.

Keep in Touch

You can call the OFA and RSVP Bath offices at (607) 664-2298.

Also, check us out on:

Steuben County RSVP

Or on the web at:

www.steubencony.org/rsvp

Welcome to New Volunteers! It‘s always great to have new volunteers on board. Our many non-profit agencies in the county appreciate their help. New volunteers from the Bath area are Lillian Snyder, Roger LaSante, Anne Keddy, Patsy Baxter, Bruce Grant, Darolene Grant, Barbara Shader, Deb Shader, and Carol Holder. From Corning area, we welcome Esther Sherrod, Judy O‘Connell, Richard Begell, Denise Paciorek, Joan Mattison and Sharon Little. We also welcome Twila O‘Dell from Hornell.

It is great to have you all on board!

Tell your friends about volunteering.

RSVP…………Lead With Experience!

7 May – August 2011 Second Season

Bone Builders

We have started another new Bone Builders group. This group meets at the Howard Public Library (3607 County Route 70A) on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30. It is open to all women and men age 50 and older. It‘s FREE to anyone in Steuben County. This makes 19 groups in the county.

The yearly evaluation questionnaire was recently completed. There were 202 participants who turned it in. I‘d like to share some of the statistics and comments with you. The ages range from 50 to 93, with the average age being 74.4. Only six people or 3% of those responding suffered a broken bone last year. Several reported falling, but did not fracture a bone. They attributed this to having stronger bones as a result of the strength training exercises.

They were asked to indicate ways in which Bone Builders had been beneficial to their physical health: 83.7% improved strength; 72.8% improved balance; 71.8% improved flexibility; 60.4% improved stamina/endurance; 56.9% improved energy; 27.7% eating healthier.

Bone Builders also has an impact on personal well-being and lifestyle: 62.9% increased social activities; 44.6% improved attitude; 37.1% improved future outlook; 43.1% improved mood; 35.6% increased sense of independence; 68.3% increased physical activity.

Some of the comments that were written: ―First time in years that my bone density scan came back normal. The classes have more than met my expectation. Hand strength improved. Knees more flexible and am able to walk up and down stairs. Helps relieve pain from arthritis. Nice to get out during winter months. Easy exercise program to stick with. Husband joined and lost 15 pounds. Had hip replacement surgery and they were amazed at how well I recovered in a short time. Told them about Bone Builders and they concluded that it had been very beneficial to my progress‖.

Looking ahead: The Leaders‘ Training has been set for Wednesday, September 21, 2011, beginning at 9:00 am. It will be held at O‘Malley Hall at the former St. Mary‘s School in Bath. Our guest speaker will be Dr. Leigh Berry, DC, from Hands On Chiropractic in Corning. Please put this date on your calendar now for all current leaders and anyone who would like to be

trained to become a volunteer Bone Builders leader.

For further information about the training or joining any of the groups, please contact ProAction at 607-776-2125 or 1-800-553-2033. Give your name and phone number to the receptionist, and she will forward it to me. I will then contact you. Darlene Auckland Bone Builders Exercise Program Coordinator

8 May – August 2011 Second Season

Preparing Summer Meals

Often on hot days we don‘t feel like preparing and eating a regular balanced meal including meat or other protein food, a starchy food, bread, vegetables and fruit or dessert. We might just want something cool and refreshing. That is certainly OK, but we should try to include foods from each major food group. Here are some suggestions: Your favorite type of fresh lettuce and other vegetables such as cucumbers, carrots, onions. Add slices of hard cooked egg (white only if you are limiting your cholesterol), shredded cheese or chopped nuts, mandarin oranges, chopped apple or fresh strawberries, croutons, and a low fat dressing. Tuna salad sandwich with lettuce and tomato, a fresh fruit and a glass of skim milk. Cottage cheese served on lettuce leaves or shredded lettuce with sliced peaches, pears or pineapple on the side and a modest size muffin or five-six crackers. Fresh vegetables with cooked chicken strips or chunks, kidney beans, chopped apples and chopped nuts topped with shredded cheese and a low fat dressing. Pita bread stuffed with chopped vegetables, chopped cooked meat or tuna and dressing of your choice, some fruit and low fat milk. These may not be your favorite food choices but, hopefully, will give you some inspirations for making your own delightful and healthy, “lite” and refreshing meals.

Sponsors: United Way, Steuben County Office for the Aging, New York State Office for the Aging, Administration on Aging

Senior Dinner Clubs

Open for Lunch Monday through Friday

Please make reservations one day in advance

Addison

Addison Place Apartments 43 William St. (607) 359-9297

Bath

No reservations required Clyde Simon Lakeview Apts

105 Geneva St. (607) 776-4310

Corning Corning Senior Center

1 Park Lane (607) 962-2009 and

Dayspring II Apartments 220 Tioga Ave. (607) 769-9786

Hornell

Church Street Court Apts 71 Church St. (607) 324-0814

and Hornell Senior Center

20 Broadway Mall (607) 324-8609

Wayland

Little House Café 3rd Avenue Ext. (585) 690-0300

Canisteo Valley Grill

9 Main Street Need voucher from ProAction

Call (607) 776-4310

9 May – August 2011 Second Season

10 May – August 2011 Second Season

Your “Second Season” newsletter from Steuben County Office for the Aging …working together for senior solutions 3 East Pulteney Square Bath NY 14810-1510 Phone 607-664-2298

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Steuben Senior Services Fund, Inc. (SSSF) is updating its look and expanding its methods of receiving donations and communicating with supporters. Thanks to a wonderful graphic artist in Horseheads, Polly Smith-Blackwell, and a great web designer, David Williams in Alfred, we have completed these major updates. We have also added a secure on-line donation capability to our website located at www.steubenseniorservicesfund.org. Through the Network for Good Donate Now button, one-time donations can be made, as well as recurring donations. If you choose a recurring donation, you are notified each time one is debited, so that you do not lose track of your accounts, and you can stop the gifts at any time you choose. Donations, as always, can be made in honor or in memory of a loved one. Since the mission of SSSF is to build a resource for aging in place, we have also begun publishing a quarterly Aging in Place newsletter. The second issue was just written, and if you are interested, you can choose to receive it on-line or in hard copy. There is a newsletter signup form on our website, or you can contact Linda Tetor at 664-2298 or lindat@co.steuben.ny.us to begin receiving your newsletter. Thank you for your support! Peter Robbins, Board Chair SSSF