Expo offers information for seniors
GREENCASTLE -- From a free lunch to hearing about the sweeping changes of the new national healthcare plan, senior citizens were invited to attend a free information expo Tuesday at the DePauw Campus Green Center.
The joint event was sponsored by DePauw University and the Putnam County Senior Center. It focused on changes for citizens on healthcare, social security Part D Medicare, disability changes, fraud and scam issues, nursing home facilities, hospice, insurance, financial concerns and general health issues.
Panels of experts answered questions along with a line-up of speakers including Charo Boyd, Public Affairs Specialist with Social Security; Dr. Brian Black, Putnam County physician; Nannie Alldredge, State Health Insurance Assistance Program; Richard Bramer, Chief Council of Advisory section from the Attorney General's office; Indiana State Representative Nancy Michael; Greencastle Mayor Sue Murray; Carole Barr with the Western Indiana Community Action Agency; and Putnam County Hospital administrator Dennis Weatherford.
Boyd talked about how early one could collect social security and answered some complicated questions about spouses, ex spouses and entitlements to funds.
She also explained changes to the law that happened in January 2010. These included contributions from family members no longer being counted as income and life insurance policies no longer counting against your income.
Plenty of nice door prizes were given out by sponsors such as Case Chiropractic, Hearing Care Professionals, Beltone Hearing Care Center, Indiana Homecare Plus, Vista Care, The Waters of Greencastle, Hickory Creek at Sunset, Advocate Hospice, Millpond Health Campus, Humana Marketpoint, Asbury Towers, Autumn Glen Active Community, Snap Fitness, Southwest Funding, Teachers Credit Union, Horizon Hospice, Comfort Keepers, Merle Norman, Senior Solutions, Curves, Experience Works, Putnam County Hospital and Summerfield.
Lunch from Treasures on the Square was available for a freewill offering at the event.
For more information about the 2010 Information Expo, call the Putnam County Senior Center at 653-8606.