TCOG Benefits Counselors Prepare for Medicare Open Enrollment Period

Free, personalized Medicare Counseling from October 15 through December 7, 2022

SHERMAN, OCTOBER 11, 2022 –

TCOG’s Area Agency on Aging’s (AAA) State-Certified Benefits Counselors are ready to assist Medicare Beneficiaries in comparing insurance plans to ensure their  health and prescription drug coverage is the best it can be during Medicare Open Enrollment, according to an announcement by TCOG officials today. This assistance is available for all residents in Cooke, Fannin and Grayson counties from October 15^th through December 7^th, 2022.

“Medicare Open Enrollment is the time of year for anyone who is enrolled in Medicare to re-evaluate their current plans and make changes that best fit their coverage needs”, stated Aging Services Director, Cara Lavender. “Individuals can take advantage of our no cost service to get information about others plans that may provide better coverage, higher quality care and lower premiums”.

Medicare health and drug plans can make changes to costs, provider listings, pharmacies, and overall coverage each year.  TCOG’s Benefits Counselors are equipped to evaluate healthcare plans to help individuals find better coverage with higher quality at a lower cost.

Plans may also offer services such as nutritional services, in-home supports and home modifications to individuals with documented chronic conditions.  Because changes made during this open enrollment period become effective January 1, 2023, when reviewing a current Medicare health or prescription drug plan, individuals should be sure the plan will still meet their medical needs for the following year.

During the Open Enrollment period, an individual may choose to switch from Original/Traditional Medicare to Medicare Advantage, from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, from one Medicare Part D (prescription drug) plan to another, or drop Medicare Part D coverage altogether. If an individual did not enroll in a Medicare Part D plan when they first became eligible, they may do so during this time.

If you are a Medicare Beneficiary, we encourage you to call our AAA office to schedule a free personal assessment to evaluate your specific medical insurance needs. We can also check to see if you qualify for Medicare Extra Health Programs to save you each month on premiums.

Our Benefits Counselors are able to assist with other services such as Advanced Directives, appeals for denied benefits, Social Security Benefits evaluations and provide one-on-one counseling.

Before you make a decision on your Medicare Plan for 2023, review your options by receiving personalized Medicare counseling at no cost to you by a trained professional. Call us today to schedule a time to speak with a State-Certified Benefits Counselor: 903-813-3505 option 1 or email jhunt@tcog.com

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin and Grayson counties. Established in 1968, Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Both directly and through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.

The Texoma Senior Citizens Foundation recently gifted the Texoma Council of Governments with $99,410.36 for use in area aging programs.

“These were funds that had been accumulated over several years,” Randy McBroom, TCOG’s Regional Services Department director, said. “They were being held by the Texoma Senior Citizens Foundation and several of them were designated funds for programs only our AAA (Area Agency on Aging) programs could deal with.”

McBroom said the Texoma Senior Citizens Foundation voted to transfer those funds directly to TCOG to be used to further AAA programs, as well as the activities of TCOG’s recently revitalized Texoma Regional Council on Aging Committee.

“We know several of them are targeted for specific purposes, but how we’re going to use them and actually when even, is something we have to consider,” McBroom said. “We agreed with the Texoma Senior Citizens Foundation that we would use those funds as they were originally designated for.”

The Texoma Senior Citizens Foundation earmarked $60,989.72 of the funds to be used for benefits counseling, $32,863.95 to be used for TCOG local funds and $5,556.69 to be used for medication assistance and/or emergency medical expenses. The Texoma Regional Council on Aging Committee will oversee the funds.

“We are so appreciative of the Texoma Senior Citizens Foundation for releasing that money where we can now use it, even more effectively with our new tract,” McBroom said. “I don’t think all of it will go into direct services, but a very large part of it will. But these funds will provide additional benefits to the senior citizens of the Texoma region.”

– See more at: http://heralddemocrat.com/news/local/tcog-receives-funds-area-aging-programs#sthash.McEdaBAU.dpuf

TCOG’s Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is pleased to announce the 2014-2015 Texoma Senior Sourcebook, a handy directory of important services, programs, resources and opportunities available to seniors, family caregivers and persons with disabilities throughout the Tri-County area. This is also a great resource for health care and social service professionals.

TCOG’s Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is pleased to introduce the Texoma Senior Sourcebook, a handy directory of important services, programs, resources and opportunities available to seniors, family caregivers and persons with disabilities throughout the Tri-County area. This is also a great resource for health care and social service professionals.

For Immediate Release

Sherman, November 19, 2012– As financial exploitation targeting older adults continues to become more prevalent in the United States, TCOG’s Area Agency on Aging (AAA) joined a nationwide campaign to encourage older adults and their families to address the issue and to get informed about the warning signs and resources available to help prevent abuse. Research shows that as many as 5 million older adults are victims of elder abuse each year and financial exploitation costs seniors an estimated $3 billion annually.

As part of its 10th Annual Home for the Holidays campaign, the Eldercare Locator, a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging (AOA) that is administered by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a), is encouraging older adults, caregivers and their families to use their time together this holiday season to discuss and get informed about strategies to prevent financial exploitation. The National Center on Elder Abuse partnered with the Eldercare Locator to produce a Consumer Guide that is now available to help inform this discussion with seniors during the holiday season. TCOG’s AAA is supporting the campaign by raising awareness for the issue and encouraging families to take steps to prevent financial exploitation this holiday season.

“This holiday season is an ideal time for families to get together and discuss these issues with their older family members,” said Dr. Susan Thomas, Executive Director for TCOG. “We strongly encourage Texoma families to read the consumer guide, learn about the warning signs, and take the right precautions to help protect the finances of the seniors in their families.”

There are several signs of financial exploitation for families to look out for, including financial activity that is inconsistent with an older adult’s past financial history; confusion about recent financial arrangements; changes to key documents that have not been authorized; a caregiver or beneficiary who refuses to use designated funds for necessary care and treatment of an older adult; and an older adult who feels threatened by a caregiver or another individual who is seeking to control their finances.

“Financial exploitation is a threat to the health, safety, dignity and independence of vulnerable older adults,” said Kathy Greenlee, Administrator, Administration for Community Living and Assistant Secretary for Aging. “This holiday season, we encourage families to spend some time asking older family members some basic questions to ensure that their finances are in good hands and that if there are signs of abuse, that the right steps are taken to stop it.”

“Unfortunately, financial exploitation is often committed by a person you know and trust, which makes it even more difficult,” said Sandy Markwood, CEO, n4a. “There are steps older adults and their families can take and resources available to help identify and remedy this serious problem. To ensure your safety and the safety and security of your finances, it is critical for you to assess your financial situation on a regular basis. We are seeing more and more financial abuse across the country which is why we hope families will check in with their older relatives to be sure that their finances are in good order and in good hands this holiday season.”

Families that are concerned about financial exploitation should report the issue to state agencies that deal with protecting the safety and well-being of older adults. The campaign, which encourages older adults and their families to plan and be cautious, released tips to help prevent financial exploitation, some of which include:

• Get an estate plan in place. Talk with an attorney about creating a durable power of attorney for asset management; a living will; a revocable, or living, trust; and health care advance directives.
• Learn how to avoid fraud and scams at www.stopfraud.gov/protect.html.
• Consult with a trusted person before making any large purchases or investments.
• Do not provide personal information (i.e. Social Security number, credit card, ATM PIN number) over the phone unless you placed the call and know with whom you are speaking.
• If you hire someone to help you in your home, ensure that they have been properly screened with criminal background checks completed. Ask for certifications when appropriate.

“Financial exploitation can be prevented if people know the right questions to ask and where to turn for help,” said Mary Twomey, MSW, Co-Director, National Center on Elder Abuse. “Although it is a sensitive issue and one that can be difficult to broach, it is critical for families to address it, and there are many useful resources available to guide them through the process.”

To download a copy of the financial exploitation brochure, visit: www.n4a.org/pdf/protectyourpocketbook.pdf.

About Eldercare Locator

The Eldercare Locator is the first step to finding resources for older adults in any U.S. community and a free national service of the U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA) that is administered by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a). Contact the Eldercare Locator at 800.677.1116 or www.eldercare.gov. November 2012 marks the 20th Anniversary of the Eldercare Locator, which has received more than 2.3 million calls since it launched in 1992 and assisted millions of older adults and caregivers connect with local aging resources.

About National Center on Elder Abuse

The U.S. Administration on Aging designated the Program in Geriatrics at the University of California, Irvine as the National Center on Elder Abuse in September 2011. Led by Laura Mosqueda, MD and Mary Twomey, MSW, the center is a clearinghouse for practical information supporting federal, state and local efforts to prevent, identify and effectively respond to elder abuse, neglect and exploitation. It is the national authority on elder abuse in the U.S. www.ncea.acl.gov.

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson Counties. Established in 1968, the Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Either directly, or through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.

For Immediate Release

SHERMAN, June 11, 2012 – Dr. Susan Thomas, Executive Director of Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG), announced today that Georgia Richardson, Medication Assistance Program (MAP) Volunteer with the Texoma Area Agency on Aging, is the recipient of the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) 2012 Vision Award for Wellness which was presented to her in Austin last week. The Vision Award for Wellness recognizes individuals and groups who demonstrate exceptional community services through their understanding of healthy living issues specific to their community. The DADS Vision Award is provided annually and recognizes exemplary community service that supports the agency’s vision – that older Texans and persons with disabilities be supported by a comprehensive, cost-effective system that promotes and enhances wellness, dignity and choice.

Georgia Richardson, Being Awarded the 2012 Vision Award for Wellness

“To be selected by DADS for this state recognition is a great honor and Mrs. Richardson is well deserving of this prestigious award for her hard work and dedication to the Texoma Area Agency on Aging’s team,” said Thomas. “MAP is one of the longest running volunteer programs for the Area Agency on Aging and helps low income individuals with medication assistance.”

Mrs. Richardson retired from the Texas Department of Human Services with a loyal affinity for her community. In 1999, she began volunteering with the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program Medication Assistance Program. Her empathy for those with challenging needs has led her to numerous roles in which she actively seeks to better the lives of everyone involved.

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson Counties. Established in 1968, the Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Either directly, or through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.