Expo offers information for seniors

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

By MARIBETH WARD, Staff Writer

Jo Ann Short stops to sign up for some of the giveaways and contests at the Senior Information Expo.

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.

Don Mundy talked with Mary Hinston and Robin Branch with Experience Works during the Senior Information Expo Tuesday. The event was sponsored by the Putnam County Senior Center and DePauw University.

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.

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CORRECTION: The lunch was not from Treasures. The BBQ was purchased from them and the lincheon was by the Senior Senior with help from the Family, Freinds and Fun Home Economics Club.

Family Friends and Fun club made the cookies and their members were there to serve the luncheon.

I wanted credit where credit is due.

-- Posted by bailey2 on Wed, May 26, 2010, at 6:37 PM
That is not the only error in this article. Wouldn't it be nice if the people who are getting paid to do a job would actually do a good job?

-- Posted by cll on Thu, May 27, 2010, at 1:33 AM

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