News

USE ENERGY WISELY

With society's growing concern about global warming, the increasing demand for energy and reducing our country's reliance on foreign supplies, using energy wisely is the smart thing to do to help save the environment and reduce the impact of energy cost on your household's budget. Wise use of energy wisely around your home isn't just something you should do to keep heating bills down in the winter. For the greatest benefits, practice good energy habits year-round. You can begin today by taking small steps to manage your energy use.

TODAY

Turn you water heater temperature down to 120 degrees F.
Set your thermostat back five degrees while you're asleep or away from the house for eight hours or more. Or eight to ten percent from the amount of energy used to heat your home.
Use energy-saving settings on all appliances.
Turn off exhaust vents as soon as they've done their job.
Clean your oven while it's still warm from cooking.
Keep lids on pots to boil faster, and cook several items on your stove at once.
Use your dishwasher only for full loads, unless it has a partial-load feature.
Use ceiling fans instead of air conditioners.
Keep doors on attached garages closed.

THIS WEEK

Caulk and glaze drafty windows.
Buy water heater blankets, low-flow shower-heads, fluorescent light bulbs and faucet aerators.
Wash clothes in cold or warm water instead of hot. Never rinse in warm-if your clothes don't rinse in cold, you're using the wrong detergent.

THIS MONTH

Clean and replace filters on furnace, air conditioner and heating pump. Replace your furnace filter each month or according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
Check insulation in your attic, outer walls and basement or crawl space for R-level appropriate for your area, and add more if necessary.
Insulate hot water pipes and ducts, especially in unheated areas.
Seal large air leaks that whistle on windy days, especially around piping and vent openings in sidewalls.

THIS YEAR

Replace inefficient appliances with energy-saving ones.
Upgrade leaky windows with higher insulation values and/or install storm windows.
Plant shade trees and shrubs on the west side of your house to reduce air conditioning costs. Plant evergreens on the north side to block cold winter winds.
Consider having a professional energy audit done for more expert advice. To discuss individual home weatherization needs, call the Ohio Conservation Hotline at 1-800-952-3037.
For in-depth information, consider buying a copy of the book, Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings by Alex Wilson and John Morrill.
Visit the U.S. Department of Energy's Web site for a free, do-it-yourself online home energy audit.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Warm Choice participants must be Columbia Gas of Ohio customers, use natural gas as their primary heat source, and be eligible for the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) or have an income of 150% or less of federal poverty guidelines. Warm Choices serves homeowners and renters, and is limited to housing structures of 1-to-4 units. Mobile homes must use 1000 Ccf (one Ccf=100 cubic feet) of gas or more per year to be eligible. Landlords must help with the cost of repairing or replacing the heating system, unless the landlord is also low-income. Customers who have already received the service are not eligible for re-weatherization.

To be eligible for Warm Choice, customers must be at or below 150% of the 2005 Federal Poverty Guidelines, which are shown below.

2007-2008 Income guidelines (150% of poverty level)


size of household		Income Limit Yearly
1		up to $15,315
2		up to $20,535
3		up to $25,755
4		up to $30,975
5		up to $36,195
6		up to $41,415

For households with more than six people, add $5,220 per person for 12 months.

For more information

To learn more about Warm Choice, call 1-800-952-3037.

DATES TO REMEMBER

Medicare-Open Enrollment

Everyone on Medicare should have received the Medicare & You handbook. Included in the handbook is a Rx Enrollment Check-up. It is recommended that everyone compare plans on cost and coverage with the current plan you are enrolled. If you are satisfied with your current plan, there is no need to re-enroll.

November 15 - Open Enrollment Begins

First day you can change your Medicare health or prescription drug coverage for 2008. Open enrollment is the one chance this year most people with Medicare have to make a change in their health and prescription drug plans.

December 8 - Don't Be Late

If you are going to make a change to your current coverage, enrolling by December 8 helps to ensure that you can get the prescriptions you need on January 1, 2008.

December 31 - Open Enrollment Ends

Medicare's Open Enrollment ends on December 31st. The Next Open Enrollment period will begin on November 15, 2008.

January 1 - Coverage Begins

www.medicare.gov 1-800-MEDICARE TTY 1-877-486-2048

Care Choice Ohio

Care Choice Ohio is a statewide program designed to assist seniors and their families with long term care decisions. A trained and experienced professional can visit seniors in their own home and help assess their needs. The Care Choice Ohio consultant will discuss available services, eligibility requirements and financial resources necessary, and create a plan of care. There is no charge for a Care Choice Ohio evaluation. Call AOoA at 1/419-382-0624, Ext.123.

The Ohio Benefit Bank

The Ohio Benefit Bank (OBB) is a web-based computer program to connect low and moderate-income Ohioans with access to work supports such as tax credits and public benefits.

The OBB is offered through a public-private partnership between the Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food banks and more than 400 faith-based, non-profit, governmental and private-sector partners.

More than 2600 trained counselors are currently staffing 630+ Benefit Bank sites and clinics in 78 of Ohio's 88 counties to help prepare and file federal and Ohio income tax returns at no cost to eligible Ohioans.

Ohioans can also check potential eligibility for other work support benefits such as health care coverage, home energy assistance, child care subsidies and food stamps at the Benefit Bank site or online.

If you need additional information about tax and benefits assistance in local communities, please call (800) 648-1176.

"Own Your Future"

The "Own Your Future" campaign is a joint federal and state initiative to increase awareness among the American public about the importance of long term care. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has made available free copies of an Ohio specific long term care planning guide and mailed letters about it to 1.7 million Ohio households with residents between the ages of 45 and 65. Interested individuals may download or request a copy of the guide by visiting long term care

Forums on long term care planning have been scheduled around the state. Other sites and dates are listed on the above website.

Toledo Newest Hospital

Regency Hospital 5220 West Alexis Road Sylvania, OH 43560 419-318-5700

Regency Hospital of Toledo provides intensive critical care to medically complex patients experiencing multi-system disease. Due to the high acuity of our patients, the majority of them will require an extended length of stay in an acute care environment for an average of 25 days or more.

Emergency Preparation

READY: PREPARE, PLAN, STAY INFORMED

U.S. Department of Homeland Security, through its Ready Campaign, asks individuals to do three key things: get an emergency supply kit, make a family emergency plan, and be informed about the different types of emergencies that could occur and their appropriate responses. Individuals should consider having at least two emergency supply kits, one full kit at home and smaller portable kit in their workplace, vehicle or other places they spend time.

Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:

Water, one gallon of water per person per day at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit
Whistle to signal for help
Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
Local maps

Additional items to consider adding to an Emergency Supply Kit: prescription medications and glasses, infant formula and diapers, pet food and extra water for your pet, important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container, cash or traveler's checks and change, emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov, sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person, complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes, household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper, fire extinguisher, matches in a waterproof container, feminine supplies and personal hygiene items, mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels, paper and pencil, books, games, puzzles or other activities for children.

SENIOR FARMER'S MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM

The Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc. is accepting applications for the Senior Farmer's Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). This program, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides eligible seniors with coupons valued at $50.00 for fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs.

You are eligible to receive SFMNP coupons if:

You are 60 years of age or over
You are a resident of the state of Ohio
Your annual income is $19,240 or less (if you live alone)
Your annual income is $25,900 or less (for a household of two)

If you meet the requirements listed above, simply complete both sides of the 2008 SFMNP yellow application forms. Incomplete information will delay your application.

Remember:

A new application must be completed for 2008
You must include your date of birth and age
You must sign the application
Each eligible person in your household must complete a separate application
If you are unable to redeem the coupons yourself, you may choose someone else (called a proxy) to redeem for you.
If you choose to name a proxy, you must complete the proxy information on the application.
The proxy must also sign the application.

Extra applications are available at the A to Z Health Care Perrysburg Office.

Call 419-874-5227 for more information.

Golden Buckeye Program

More than two million Ohioans are eligible for the Golden Buckeye card, honored at 20,000 business statewide. Golden Buckeye cardholders have saved an estimated $2 billion since 1976. All Ohians age 60 or better, as well as adults age 18-59 who have disabilities as defined by Social Security, are eligible for a free Golden Buckeye Card.

How to Get a Card-- Ohio residents who hold current Ohio Driver Licenses or State ID Cards automatically receive a Golden Buckeye card in the month of their 60th birthday. Individuals who do not have a current license or State ID, as well as people under age 60 who are eligible due to disability, or who otherwise do no receive their card automatically, may apply for a card at most public libraries and senior centers. Due to ID, age and disability (when appropriate) verification requirements, you cannot apply for a Golden Buckeye Card online or by phone.

The Secret of Life Program

A to Z Health Care, Inc. is dedicated to helping people live a healthy and full life. In addition to providing daily care services, we also assist people in learning how to stay healthy and happy through their life journey. We are excited to launch this new program - "The Secret of Life" Program. Find out the secret of life now!

BBB SENIOR ALERT

WATCH OUT FOR HEALTH INSURANCE FRAUD

Many seniors buy supplemental health insurance to pay medical bills not covered by Medicare. Unfortunately, we hear of seniors who get scammed by phony insurance companies. The senior pays the premium but later finds out that medical bills aren't paid. The senior's money is gone along with the crook who sold them the fake policy.

Our BBB says "Watch Out" if:

You are quoted a premium at a far lower rate than other insurance companies.
You are told that there is no problem covering pre-existing conditions, when other companies won't cover them.
The company alludes to the fact that they are connected to the government or to Medicare. The company may even use a name similar to a respected private company.
The salesperson uses high pressure or scare tactics to get you to make an on the spot decision and sign immediately.
The salesperson wants you to write out a check payable to them rather than to a company.

Note: Insurance companies must be licensed with your state in order to sell you insurance. You can verify licensing with the Ohio Department of Insurance at 1-800-686-1526 or the Michigan Department of Financial and Insurance Regulations at 1-877-999-6442.

There are local agencies that offer insurance that will fit your needs. For a list of agencies that are BBB Accredited Business/Members, call us at 419-531-3116 or1-800-743-4222 or check www.bbb.org.