Getting There Guide

COLORADO, USA — A popular publication that helps seniors find a ride to things like doctor's appointments or grocery store trips is going mobile in 2021.

The Denver Regional Mobility and Access Council's (DRMAC) developed a mobile app for its "Getting There Guide", which connects people with public transportation, volunteer-based driving services and private options.

The app also has a filter that allows users to customize their needs to the providers that can get them where they need to go most directly.

App users can type in “where you are” and then “where you want to go”, their age and whether they need special accommodations of some kind — as well as the purpose of the ride, such as a dental appointment, a medical appointment or a grocery store run. Users then hit “get me there” and the app provides ride and transportation options.

Carol Buchanan, DRMAC's director of programs, said the guide can find transportation for seniors and those with special needs, requires no username or password, is very simple with no complex features and is designed to work with readers.

Buchanan said the app also includes discounts for seniors and veterans and people on Medicaid, and other discounts that riders can explore.   

"There are options that are free, low cos, or fee-for-service from private providers," Buchanan said. "Rides are available to people with all kinds of disabilities. That includes people who use wheelchairs and people who are blind. We are all about helping people access transportation."

The app covers services in all nine counties of the greater metro area. It’s available for both androids and iPhones. Type “Getting There” in the search bar in the App Store and it will pop up.

The guide will soon be available in Spanish, Russian, Somalian and Arabic.   DRMAC also has a new virtual Getting There Travel Training program to help people learn how to use Regional Transportation District (RTD) trains and buses, as well as Lyft services and other commercial apps. The training covers a variety of topics including how to purchase fare media and what RTD is doing to keep buses clean and safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Author: Mark Koebrich

Medicare 2023

The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced on Thursday, Oct. 13 that Social Security recipients will receive an 8.7% cost-of-living increase in their benefits beginning January 2023. 

The 2023 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is the fourth largest in Social Security’s history. The average recipient’s payment will increase by about $140 a month.

After a historic increase in Medicare Part B premiums in 2022, premiums will decrease for most Medicare recipients next year. 

Medicare is federal health insurance for anyone age 65 and older, and some people under 65 with certain disabilities or conditions. It’s made up of four parts: A, B, C and D. 

Holiday Christmas Concert

Enjoy joyous holiday music presented by the 60 piece Highlands Ranch Concert Band and the Redstone Eagle Singers.

The Highlands Ranch Concert Band (HRCB) is a 60-piece concert band composed of volunteer professional, amateur and student musicians dedicated to enlighten our community with free musical performances throughout the Denver Metro area.

The Redstone Eagle Singers are elementary school children ages 8 to 11 years of age. The choir is a non-auditioned group that allows all students from 3rd grade to 5th grade to participate in a performance ensemble. We perform a variety of musical styles and genres for community and school functions.

Success Story!

*names changed for privacy, but the picture is real, and being used with permission. 

If you recall my recent success story about Gina and Bill, Bill has Parkinson's and Gina was becoming overwhelmed with his rising level of care and worsening cognitive decline. Bill's illness seemed to be more rapidly progressing, and I was fearful for both Gina and Bill's wellbeing. Well, if you recall also, Gina waited and held out for her first choice in memory care because it just felt "right". And this is really important! Though she had someone ahead of her line for the next room, Gina wanted this home for her husband.  This meant she would have to miss a much-needed weekend away (she hadn't had one in years), she would have to continue her sleepless nights of worry as Bill was often up several times a night for no particular reason, she would have to push on for what she felt was the best thing to do. 

Bill has been in his new home for a couple months now and is happy. Many friends visit, he is still in his neighborhood, just over a mile from his previous home, and Gina visits frequently because she is comfortable there and it is so convenient. 

Back a couple of years ago, Gina and Bill had booked a sailing trip. Then COVID, then Bill started to get sicker, and Gina saw this dream slipping away from them. She had all but written it off. She was heartsick to see her Bill could no longer sail. Then when she found that Bill was doing so well, she decided to go ahead and go! 

By no means is this a story about having a loved one transition so you can take that vacation, absolutely nothing of the sort! This is a story about a caregiver who has dedicated her life to her husband's well-being at home right up to the point she could not do it herself. This about a caregiver making the very hard decision to admit she needed 24/7 help to keep her husband safe. This is about finding the right place at the right time! This is about self-care and trying to pour from an empty cup... we all know how well that goes...

Gina took a week, and took her vacation, and went knowing Bill was in good hands, and she was allowed to take a break now, a breath of fresh sea air, and a moment to appreciate the blessings she and Bill had both found when she got brave enough to say, I need help.

Old Time Radio Christmas Comedy

Date: December 11, 2022 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm


You are invited to come and enjoy two “Old Time Radio” Christmas Comedies performed LIVE on Sunday, December 11, 2022, at 1 p.m. at Advent Lutheran Church in Westminster by the Advent Radio Players. 

An episode of The Life of Riley “No Christmas Bonus” originally starring William Bendix will be followed by an episode of My Favorite Husband “George’s Christmas Present’ which originally starred Lucille Ball and was the forerunner of “I Love Lucy” on television.  

These plays will be performed using the scripts and sounds from the original plays just as they were broadcast on the air in 1948 and 1949.  Donations are appreciated.  Each play is performed like a live radio show using several microphones and lighted applause and on the air signs.

Advent Lutheran Church is at 7979 Meade St. The plays will also be live-streamed on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/adventwestminsterco

Holiday Basket Volunteer

Holiday Basket volunteers are needed in the Denver area to deliver baskets to low income older adults on December 17, 2022 from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm. 

Volunteers can select to deliver as many holiday baskets as they want (average is 3-4 per family).  You purchase the staples (list available at www.senioranswers.org), drive through the CGS parking lot on December 17, 2022 from 9:30 to 1:00 pm at 1129 N Pennsylvania St, Denver, pick up chickens, hygiene kits, and a gift along with your route and make the deliveries.

Training sessions are available on December 6, 7 and 13 at 4 pm to provide specific information about the process and answer questions.

Veteran's Charity Ball

Thank you to all those that supported the Veteran's Charity Ball! It was a great success! Maintain Me's own Chelsea Sweeney (seen in light blue) and husband attended the event.

Thank you for a great turn out! Hope to see you all next year!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from the Maintain Me Team!

Do you or a loved one need help finding or assessing care? We can help! Click contact us to be connected.

Giving Tuesday

Thank you for your generous support and involvement in the community.  The Colorado Gerontological Society is looking for volunteers and donations to help support our Holiday Basket project.  On December 17, 2022 from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm, The Society will be delivering Holiday Baskets to 350 low income older adults in the Denver area. 
Help us by

  1. Making an undesignated financial donation

  2. Donating to the Holiday Basket project

  3. Signing up to deliver a basket

  4. Organizing volunteers in your organization, church or community to provide 350 items for the hygiene kits (such as 350 bars/bottles of hand soap, 350 bottles/tubes of hand lotion, 350 bottles of shampoo, or 350 boxes of band aids). Items can be delivered to CGS, 1129 Pennsylvania St, Denver CO 80203. Call 303-333-3482 to schedule a delivery.

  5. Share kindness and participate in the Holiday Joy Squad

Maintain Me Team Meeting!

The Maintain Me team met up for a brainstorming session about new and better ways to serve our clients. BIG things are on the horizon that we can't wait to share with you!

Do you or a loved one need help finding or assessing care? We can help! Click Contact Us above to be connected.

Medicare Monday

Join Colorado Gerontological Society as a trusted information source for open enrollment to learn more about 2023 premiums, deductibles, new benefits and more.


Medicare changes the premiums, deductibles, co-pays, and co-insurance every year. Many of these charges are based on the cost of living adjustment for Social Security.

Each year new benefits are added. In 2023, one of the new benefits will include capping insulin at $35 per month for each type of insulin prescribed by the physician. Additionally, vaccines, including COVID-19 and shingles, will be available free as a Part B service, rather than subject to a Part D co-pay.

There are a number of changes in the Colorado market, including a new Medicare Advantage Company, as well as one company that is leaving the market forcing hundreds of Medicare beneficiaries to find new health care coverage.

You will learn more about tips to be aware of regarding the massive marketing for "free" Medicare benefits that is currently in the marketplace and how to evaluate if taking advantage of those offers may be beneficial to you.

The 2023 Prescription Drug Coverage deductibles, premiums, and out-of-pocket expenses are also changing. Some beneficiaries will find the need to change companies to afford the current prescriptions prescribed by their physician.

At Medicare Monday you will learn more about these changes and the actions you need to take to enroll in the best coverage that meets your needs. Many people will be able to keep their current coverage without making any changes.

Time:

Nov 14, 2022 01:00 PM in Mountain Time (US and Canada)

Veteran's Charity Ball

Where:
Wings Over the Rockies 

Air & Space Museum

7711 E Academy Blvd, Denver, CO 80230
 

When:
November 18th 

VIP Early Entry | 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm 

Main Event       | 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm 

After Party        | 10:00 pm - 12:00 am

Join us and make a difference in the lives of our Warriors! The funds raised will be used to directly improve the quality of life for our homeless and injured military veterans and first responders in the Colorado community!

Halloween Fun

The Maintain Me team celebrated the holiday in true form. We loved getting dressed up for the holiday and hope you and your loved ones did too. What will we be next year!?

Social Security to Increase in 2023

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for approximately 70 million Americans will increase 8.7 percent in 2023, the Social Security Administration announced today. On average, Social Security benefits will increase by more than $140 per month starting in January.

The 8.7 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 65 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2023. Increased payments to more than 7 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 30, 2022. (Note: some people receive both Social Security and SSI benefits). The Social Security Act ties the annual COLA to the increase in the Consumer Price Index as determined by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“Medicare premiums are going down and Social Security benefits are going up in 2023, which will give seniors more peace of mind and breathing room. This year’s substantial Social Security cost-of-living adjustment is the first time in over a decade that Medicare premiums are not rising and shows that we can provide more support to older Americans who count on the benefits they have earned,” Acting Commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi said.

To view a COLA message from Acting Commissioner Kijakazi, please visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vgm5q4YT1AM.

Some other adjustments that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages. Based on that increase, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $160,200 from $147,000.

Social Security and SSI beneficiaries are normally notified by mail starting in early December about their new benefit amount. The fastest way to find out their new benefit amount is to access their personal my Social Security account to view the COLA notice online. It’s secure, easy, and people find out before the mail arrives. People can also opt to receive a text or email alert when there is a new message from Social Security–such as their COLA notice–waiting for them, rather than receiving a letter in the mail. People may create or access their my Social Security account online at www.ssa.gov/myaccount.

Information about Medicare changes for 2023 is available at www.medicare.gov. For Social Security beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare, their new higher 2023 benefit amount will be available in December through the mailed COLA notice and my Social Security’s Message Center.

The Social Security Act provides for how the COLA is calculated. To read more, please visit www.ssa.gov/cola.

Volunteer Opportunities

Qualified Listeners, a Colorado-based Veteran & Family Resource Hub, needs additional volunteer drivers. Your availability, your area, your way to give back.

Transportation needs continue to increase. We do our best to accommodate all requests, but the reality is we cannot. We are asked to handle overflow from the VA, DAV, and other Veteran organizations, in addition to the Veterans we’ve been serving for years.

If you have extra time to have a huge impact in helping Veterans, please call 720-600-0860 or email Resource@QualifiedListeners.org. You can also visit our website at www.QualifiedListeners.org

Qualified Listeners, a Colorado-based Veteran & Family Resource Hub, is looking for volunteers with the following interests:

Volunteer Administrator – 10 hours per month
Resource Administrator – 10 hours per month
Funding Administrator – 10 hours per month
Outreach Administrator – 15 hours per month

For details on these positions, please call 720-600-0860. You can have a huge impact on serving Veterans and a way to give back to those who have given so much. Volunteering is a work of heart.

A Return to Normalcy

New Colorado guidance for Assisted Living Residences has recently been published reducing COVID era restrictions. This is a great sign of normalcy returning to assisted living facilities! Click the link below to see the full updated document. 

Medicare Wednesday

The session covers the standard benefit, how to use the Plan Finder at Medicare.gov, understanding the search results from the Plan Finder, and how to select a Prescription Drug Plan insurance company  either online or using an agent. Learn more about new coverages for insulin and vaccines in 2023.


The Inflation Reduction Act made two major changes for Medicare beneficiaries. The major benefit is that Prescription Drug Plans will be required to offer insulin for $35 per month regardless of the number of vials of the same drug that is used. Diabetics will be able to save hundreds of dollars each month.

Another change in the Act, is that all vaccines, including flu, pneumonia, COVID-19, and shingles will be covered in full by Medicare Part B.

Prescription Drug Plans annually make changes to their formulary, the out-of-pocket costs, deductibles, and premiums. Companies switch drugs between tiers, usually resulting in higher co-pays for many prescriptions.

Register

Bridging the Dental Gap

An Aging Matters reader asked, “I would like Information about paying high dental costs. Do people have two dental policies? Do they go to Canada or Mexico for care? Do any states have programs for middle-income retirees?” Bridging the Dental Care Gap
Dental care is expensive. For some, there is not sufficient funds to care for their teeth. They’re forced to choose between paying for dental work or buying food. The lack of affordable dental care for older Americans is a problem across the country as baby boomers retire and people live longer. Many adults 65 and older don’t have dental insurance, according to dentists, health care workers and senior advocates. And dental care is among the top three unmet needs.
Notice: I’m not in the business of giving medical advice. I can’t say if traveling abroad for dental work is wise, safe or a best practice. That’s your decision. Medical tourism is not for everyone but it’s not as crazy as it sounds. Here are affordable ways to keep your teeth in good shape and not break the bank.

Dental Schools

Do a Google search to find a dental school near you and learn about the services they offered. In my area, the Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry, one of the largest dental providers in the Dallas region, gets 100,000 visits annually at the school’s various clinics. Students provide treatment under a licensed clinical faculty supervisor. The cost for treatment at the College of Dentistry is 30 percent to 40 percent less than fees charged at private dental offices.

Travel Abroad

You can save up to 75% on the cost of dental care traveling to Mexico, Thailand, Costa Rica and dozens of other destinations. But does it make sense to do that? It depends. What type of care is needed? If you need only fillings, or a single extraction, or a simple check-up and cleaning, the money spent on travel and lodging might not be worth the trade-off unless you already have plans to travel to a given destination. The greatest savings by patients requiring extensive work are multiple implants, full dentures, full mouth reconstruction and other costly procedures.

Are Foreign Dentists Safe?

Yes, especially in popular dental destinations like Costa Rica, Mexico, Hungary and Thailand. Most have completed specialty training at elite US, UK and Australian dental colleges and are members of the American Dental Association, the Australian Dental Association, and the British Dental Association. Search online for reviews about specific dentists plan to visit and check their credentials, https://www.dentaldepartures.com/article/clinics/.
Some patients have saved thousands of dollars. The difference in price between having two or three implants or crowns done in the U.S. versus Mexico – or Australia versus Thailand outweighs the $1000 worth of flight and lodging expenses. The more dental work you need the more money you are likely to save.

Send an email to Carol@seniorcare.com with newsletter in the subject line.
Carol Marak, aging advocate and editor at Seniorcare.com. She’s earned a Certificate in the Fundamentals of Gerontology from UC Davis, School of Gerontology.

Success Story

When *Lupe and her daughter *Rosa reached out they both were at their wits end. Rosa had been providing care for Lupe in her home for the past eight years after her father passed away. 
Although Lupe and Rosa had a good relationship, Rosa was no longer the daughter but the caregiver and was tired. And Lupe wanted a change, wanted to be able to have her daughter back.
After meeting with both of them it was apparent the love between them. I had my marching orders and started looking for the right place for Lupe. We toured 3 assisted living facilities in the next week and Lupe decided on a community close but not too close to her daughter as she puts it and moved in by the end of that month.

I spoke with both Lupe and Rosa a month after Lupe moved into her new home, Rosa was so happy to see how much her mom's physical health improved and the amount of friends Lupe had made. Lupe was thankful for my help, she told me how she graduated from a walker to a walking cane with the help of PT/OT offered by assisted-living and she is signing up for all the activities!