August 2008 Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Elder Service Providers August Lunch Meeting

Our next meeting will be held Wed. August 27th from 11:30-1:00 at Alderwood Park, 2726 Alderwood Ave, Bellingham. Rather than a guest speaker, this will be a networking session- bring your business cards and brochures, and be ready to work the room.  Lunch will be provided at no charge. Please bring a door prize if you’ve won one recently. Please RSVP to Carol Ann Andrews at 733-2322 or alderwoodpark@hotmail.com.

2nd Annual Skagit Day in the Park

What: Old Fashion County Fair for Seniors
When: Thursday, August 21
Time: 10:00 – 2:00
Where: Maiben Park in Burlington

There will be a FREE nutritious lunch provided by Skagit Senior Services. Thanks to our sponsors. LUNCH: Hamburgers or Chicken Burgers, Potato Salad, Fruit or Melon Salad, Potato Chips, Cookie & Milk.

Live entertainment, Demonstrations, Activities to participate in, Informational booths of interest to seniors, Clowns & a Magician, Quilt & Garden Contests to Judge, Door prizes throughout the event.

First 250 seniors receive a FREE canvas tote bag with lots of goodies from the vendors! The cost to attend the Event is FREE! Thanks to our sponsors. For details, contact Sharon Swanson, Visiting Nurse Home Care, Public Relations Coordinator, 600 Birchwood Ave., Ste 100, Bellingham, WA 98225. Direct line: 360-752-1039

Free Planning Ahead Seminar

Barry Meyers, local Elder Law Attorney, and Greg Brethour, Family Service Counselor, are teaming up to present the workshop "Planning Ahead" at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 9th, 2008 at Westford's Broadway Hall, 1300 Broadway. They will answer your questions about legal, financial and other issues facing seniors as they do advanced planning.  Refreshments are provided. Please call 734-1717 for more information or to register for this free seminar.

Questions about Medicare Part D?

The Whatcom Alliance for Healthcare Access and the SHIBA HelpLine will be hosting representatives from the Region 10 office of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in Bellingham to share updates and practical information to assist caseworkers, counselors, and volunteers with Medicare Part D casework. Join us from 10 a.m. to 11:30 am on Tuesday, August 12th for this hands-on workshop, which is targeted specifically toward those who work with Medicare beneficiaries. The workshop will be held at the St. Luke’s Health Education Center, 3333 Squalicum Parkway. Please call (360) 788-6533 to register. Eve Kerber , SHIBA HelpLine Coordinator. Direct line: (360) 788-6532, SHIBA HelpLine: (360) 788-6533

Alzheimer Society of Washington

Memory Awareness Screenings - a free service but donations are gratefully accepted. Third Tuesday of the month in 2008. Make an appointment by calling 360-671-3316, or drop in between 10:30 am - 12:30 pm at St. Luke's Community Health Education Center, 3333 Squalicum Pkwy, Bellingham. The screening is non-invasive, non-threatening and takes only a few minutes.

Medicare Choice Fair

The Whatcom County Medical Society will be sponsoring a Medicare Choices Fair - from 10am-4pm on Saturday, October 11, 2008, at the St. Lukes Health Education Center, 3333 Squalicum Parkway.  The event is open to the public and designed to inform seniors about their options in Medicare today. The Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance program (SHIBA) will be providing a presentation that explains how to navigate and choose from among the large variety of Medicare plans at 10am, 12pm and 2pm. 

At the event, there will be booths representing the different Medicare plans active in our community. After learning about the differences and what to look for, seniors and their families will be able to “shop and compare”, in order to find the right fit for their circumstances. Local businesses, medical practices and non-profit agencies will also be represented. Sponsoring businesses will receive extensive advertising exposure- on KGMI, in the Bellingham Herald and Lynden Tribune, and on the posters and postcards that will be placed in WCMS physician offices. They will also have verbal acknowledgments at the event and on all event literature.  We expect at least 750-1,000 seniors and family members to attend. 

If you are interested in sponsoring a booth at the event, please contact the Whatcom County Medical Society at (360) 676-7630, or wcms@hinet.org to find out pricing and other details. Thank you!

Note from the Editor

Thanks once again for the interest in the newsletter. Members please continue to submit your articles to cindy@cindysherwin.com.

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