Free Legal Counseling, Friday December 2, For Persons 50+

On Friday, the Allen County Bar Association will offer free legal counseling appointments to persons ages 50 and over.  This service is located at the Community center and you must call 427-6460 to reserve your spot.  Appointment times will be from 9am to 12pm.

Medicare Drug Program Education

Is Your Medicare Drug Plan the Right One for You?

Thursday, Sept. 29
9:30 – 11 a.m. (free)
Parkview Corporate Office Auditorium, 10501 Corporate Drive at entrance to Parkview North campus

A State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counselor will explain how drug plans may change the list of drugs they cover, the price and your share of the cost. At this program, SHIP counselors will compare your current plan with other options and answer your questions. This program is recommended for all those on Medicare.

Call (260) 373-7209 to reserve your seat for this free presentation.

Senior Savers: Other Ways to Save

As we conclude this week on saving for seniors, I would just like to mention a few additional things. 

• Be sure to shop on discount days that are made available to seniors.  Ask at your grocery, retail or gas station if they have a day where extra discounts are given.  Even if they don't have an advertised program, it never hurts to ask. 
• Follow FrugalFortWayne.com!  We always try to do our best to post the deals that are available to readers of all ages. 
• Print coupons, clip coupons and use them with sale items!  Anyone can do this, with computer access and a little time, YOU can get really good at the 'grocery game'. 
• Speaking of the 'grocery game', I did a three part series about each store's policies and strengths
• The Grocery Game:  Part I
• The Grocery Game:  Part II
• The Grocery Game:  Part III

We hope you have enjoyed the week on Senior Savers.  If there is anything you think would be a great topic for a week's worth of posts, let us know and we will see what we can come up with! 

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Senior Savers: Computer Classes

Computers are everywhere.  There is no escaping their presence and if you can embrace them and learn how to best use them, your life will probably be a lot easier and possibly even enriched to some extent.  Computers can be very intimidating, though, to those who have not been using one since a very young age. 

If asked what my number one money saving tool is, I would have to say my computer (with internet access).   I print coupons, find the latest deals and price match with it.  People of all ages should have access to this money saving tool. 

The Fort Wayne Parks and Rec (yes, them again) have beginning, intermediate and advanced computer classes available throughout the year.  Also, they have a computer lab that is available for anyone to use.  Internet access is $1/hour and print costs vary from 10 cents to 25 cents per page.  If you are just thinking about entering into cyberspace, this would be a really low pressure way to give it a try.  Also, the Allen County Public Library has computers in most of their branches.  You only have to pay for printing costs at these facilities. 

Good Luck and you can do it! 

Senior Savers: Additional Educational Opportunities

Here are a few other educational opportunities available to seniors at little to no cost:

• Frauds and Scams:  How Not to Fall Prey
• Wednesday October 26, 10am to 12pm
• Community Center, 233 W. Main St.
• Learn how to identify, avoid and report financial scams
• Call 427-6460 to reserve your seat (by October 19)
• Estate Administration and Planning
• Monday October 3, 1pm to 3pm
• Community Center, 233 W. Main St.
• Elder Law Attorney Steve Adair will answer your questions about wills and estate planning.
• Call 427-6460 to pre-register by September 26
• Legal Counseling
• Beers, Mallers, Backs and Salin, LLC will be available the first Friday of every month to answer legal questions.
• Call 427-6460 to make an appointment
• Times:  9am to 12 pm
• 2011 Write a Will Day
• Tuesday, November, 15
• 10am to 2pm
• Community Center, 233 West Main Street
• If you choose to make a charitable bequest, a volunteer attorney will prepare a will for you. 
• Call 461-6218 to make an appointment

Senior Savers: Prescription Drug Savings

Another huge medical expense, especially for seniors, is prescription drugs.  My sister did a three part series about prescription drug savings awhile back.  Instead of me paraphrasing everything she had to say, I am just going to post the links and you can check them out for yourself.  I do, however, have to post my little disclaimer:

** Information in this medication post series should not be construed as medical or financial advice. Please consult your doctor or pharmacist to discuss your personal pharmacological needs. 

Here are the links:

• Saving Money on Prescription Medications: Part I
• Saving Money on Prescription Medication: Part II
• Saving Money on Prescription Medication: Part III

These are great ways for not only seniors, but people of all ages. 

Senior Savers: Save $$ on Dental Bills

To my knowledge Medicare has very limited dental coverage.  For that reason, might I suggest the IPFW dental clinic?  However, this money saving idea is not just for seniors.  People of all ages can take advantage of this great service available right here in Fort Wayne on IPFW's campus.

Nervous about the thought of a student cleaning your teeth? Picturing a dimly lit, antiquated facility? Absolutely not, our family did not have dental insurance growing up and we were regulars at this clinic. Located in Neff Hall (on IPFW's campus), the clinic has all the amenities of "regular" dentist's office: friendly receptionist, waiting room (complete with multi-colored wire maze thingy with the wooden balls on it), professional staff, and even little bags with free toothbrushes and toothpaste at the end!

This will be the most thorough cleaning you will ever have, really. The students work very diligently because they want to be good hygienists, but they also know that they are going be graded on how well they do (an instructor who is a dentist comes to check their work at the end). Given that most of the students have nearly a 4.0 GPA to even apply to the program, they are very motivated.

All of that being said, the best part is the prices.

• Adult Cleaning/Exam: $37.00
• Child Cleaning/Exam: $27.00
• X-rays
• Bite Wings: $20.00
• Panoramic: $30.00
• Full Mouth: $35.00

Just for contrasting purposes, I surveyed five dentists here in town and averaged their prices for the following results.

• Adult Cleaning/Exam: $127.00
• Child Cleaning/Exam: $102.00
• X-rays
• Bite Wings: $44.00
• Full Mouth: $102.00

Keep in mind, the dental clinic schedules in four hour increments, meaning you need to plan to be there for four hours at the time of your appointment. I have never actually been there for four hours, but I guess if you had a really inexperienced student or really dirty teeth, you might be. 

Appointments are scheduled Monday through Friday with time blocks of 8am-12pm or 1pm-5pm. On Mondays, evening appointments are offered from 5:30pm-8:30pm. I realize there is a trade off for time vs. money here, but if you don't have dental insurance and have more time than money, this might be a good way for you to maintain your dental health.

Call the clinic at 260-481-6575 for more information.

Senior Savers: Health Care Savings

As we age, the risk for things going awry in our bodies increases.  Early intervention is key and a great way to make sure that you are keeping tabs on any lurking problems is with regular screenings.  This can get expensive, even with government health care (Medicare) or even supplemental insurance. 

I have to throw my little disclaimer in here.  The frugal sisters are not physicians, so please do not take any of our suggestions as medical advice.  We are not advising you as to what screenings you should seek, only what is available.  Also, these screenings that are mentioned should NOT take the place of regular medical visits.  Whew, glad that is over!

• Diabetic Screening
• The Foster Park Lions Club, District 25-B will offer FREE diabetes screenings at the Community Center on the first Thursday of every month. No appointment is required.                     
• Thur 10/6, 11/3 9-11 am
• Location: Community Center, 233 W. Main St.
• Hearing Screening
• Audiologist Dr. Gregory Lowe conducts FREE hearing screenings at the Community Center on the first Tuesdays of each month. The screening only takes 15 minutes. Please call 427-6460 to make your appointment and arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled time. Ages 50+
• Tue 10/4, 11/1 9-11:15 am
• Location: Community Center, 233 W. Main St.
• Flu Shots
• Tuesday, October 11, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
• Community Center, 233 W. Main St.
•  Call 427-6460 to schedule your appointment.
• You must bring your MEDICARE PART B CARD and other insurance information
• Prostate Cancer Screenings
• Northeast Indiana Urology will offer free prostate cancer screening on Wednesday September 21, 2011. 
• Call  260-443-7420 to reserve your spot
• From 1pm to 4pm
• Go here for complete information

Frugal Fort Wayne will also post any free health screening as we become aware of it.  If you know of one, please submit it to us! 

Senior Savers: Senior Information Fair

The 12th Annual Senior Information Fair is taking place on Thursday, September, 22.  From 9 am to 3 pm at the Allen County Public Library (downtown) hear professional speakers, have free health screenings, and sample food from the food tent. 

All activities are free.  Parking is available in the library parking garage with a library card.  There will also be a parking shuttle from nearby churches for overflow parking. 

One of the free screenings is a fasting blood sugar, so consider that caveat if you would like to participate.  Call your physician to see if fasting is OK for you and how long they suggest to fast. 

For complete information, see the Senior Information Fair (SIF) website.

Senior Savers: Volunteer to Enrich Your Life (and Other's)

Volunteering doesn't really save you money, but this would be a great way to occupy your time and in my experience, it can actually be very entertaining and fulfilling.  For those who are retired or have their children out of the house, you have more time to give. 

No matter what your life was filled with prior to this transition, you have a wealth of information to give someone.  From homemakers to electrical engineers, you can impart some sort of knowledge or provide a needed service.  Never underestimate your ability to touch some one's life. 

All of that touchy-feely stuff aside, many organizations are in need of helpers to keep their non-profit going.  You can use the website volunteermatch.org to find a match for yourself.  Also, consider the local hospitals, museums, and food banks. 

Sometimes volunteers get the discounts that regular employees receive.  Also, you might just get a free meal out of it.  When I volunteered at Parkview (before I worked there), we were provided with a meal ticket.  Also, we were able to participate in the employee's discount program.

Senior Savers: Fun and Entertainment After Fifty

The Parks Department's of both Fort Wayne and New Haven are a great source of entertainment and other activities for seniors.  In honor of Active Aging Week (September 25 through Oct. 1), the Fort Wayne Parks and Rec is sponsoring a week of fun at the Community Center on Main Street. 

You can go to the Community Center's Page (and scroll down a bit) to see the exhaustive list (and times), but I will give you the highlights here: 

• Monday, September 26
• Kick Off Breakfast, Wii, Geo Caching and Taiko Drumming
• Tuesday, September 27
• Pickleball Tournament, Fitness Classes and Cornhole Tournament
• Wednesday, September 28
• Table Tennis, Euchre and Bridge
• Thursday, September 29
• Blood Pressure Checks, Frontier Games at the Fort and Fitness Classes
• Friday, September 30
• Zumba, Mah Jongg and Luau

****You do need to call ahead to reserve your spot (427-6460), but all activities are FREE!

There are also lots of other low cost activities for seniors, in fact, pages 38-47 of the Fall Fun Times brochure are dedicated to activities for people ages 50+. 

Senior Savers: Saving Money on a Fixed Income

Budgets are tight for all sectors of the population right now, but seniors on a fixed income can be especially vulnerable to price hikes and governmental benefit budget cuts.  For this very reason, FrugalFortWayne.com is planning a series of posts that will help point out ways that those who have a reached a certain age can save money and still live an active and very fufilled lifestyle. 

I am using the term 'seniors' for lack of a better word.  I am guessing that when I turn 50, I won't want to be referred to a senior.  You are as young as you feel.  But, hey, if your chronological age can get you some discounts or savings perks, why not take advantage of them.  :)