The Information Memorandum
October 2008
Rhode Island Department of Elderly Affairs
John O. Pastore Center
Hazard Building
74 West Road, Cranston, RI 02920
462-3000
The Point: 462-4444
Department of Elderly Affairs and Department of Health
Remind Seniors to Be Prepared
The Rhode Island Department of Elderly Affairs (DEA) and the Rhode Island Department of Health remind all Rhode Islanders of the three basic steps to prepare for any emergency-Make a kit. Make a plan. Stay informed.
Being prepared for hurricanes and other emergencies needs to be a priority for all Rhode Islanders," said DEA Director Corinne Calise Russo. "Seniors and individuals with disabilities have unique needs relating to medications, medical equipment, mobility, and support services that need to be taken into account. Given these needs, it is even more important for seniors to make sure they have a plan in place, and that they have family, friends or neighbors who can help."
DEA recommends the following:
Make A Kit
1. Have a three-day supply of non-perishable food and water on hand. If you have special dietary requirements, make sure you have those foods on hand. Don't forget to include a hand-operated can opener.
2. Make sure you have at least three days worth of any prescriptions and over the counter medications that you take on a regular basis. Keep a list of your medical conditions and any medications you are currently taking.
3. Include batteries or extra battery packs for any medical equipment you use. Remember to include a flashlight and a battery operated radio.
4. Make copies of your medical insurance and Medicare/Medicaid cards and develop a list of your medical providers and their contact information, and have them readily available.
For a comprehensive list of what to include in your emergency kit, visit http://www.riema.ri.gov/preparenow/index.php#basickit.
Make A Plan
1. Make a list of contact information for your family, friends and neighbors. Let them know if you will need help during an emergency. After the emergency, you may want to contact others to let them know that you are safe.
2. Register for Rhode Island's Special Needs Registry.
If you have a disability, chronic health condition or other special need, the state will know where you are and what your needs are. For a registration form, visit www.health.ri.gov/emregistry. If you have questions about the registry, call the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency at 401-946-9996.
3. If you are receiving health care services at home, ask your home health provider about emergency procedures.
4. Become familiar with the evacuation plans and emergency procedures of your retirement community or assisted living residence.
5. Learn if you live in a flood zone and if you do, be prepared to evacuate if told to by local officials. The Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency website includes maps by community; visit http://www.riema.ri.gov/evacuation/hurricane_evac.php
Stay Informed
1. Watch TV, listen to the radio or read the newspaper for the most current information.
2. For more information about preparing for emergencies, call the Department of Health's Information Line at 1-800-942-7434 (Monday through Friday 8:30 -4:30 PM).
For more information on how seniors and individuals with disabilities can prepare, visit http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/seniors.html
SENIOR JOURNAL
The Senior Journal cable television program is devoted to exploring the issues of growing older in Rhode Island through the personal perspectives of seniors.
Programs are produced by senior volunteers and are sponsored by the Department of Elderly Affairs (DEA) with the support of COX Communications. Programs are aired on Sundays at 5:00 p.m., Mondays at 7:00 p.m., and Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. over statewide Cox Communications channel 13 and Verizon channel 32.
From September 21 to October 7, The Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) and the Senior Medicare Patrol Program (SMP) will air. Libby Arron of Cranston interviews Maria Sansiveri, Health Promotion Coordinator for DEA, Ana Hanley, customer information specialist for DEA and Charlotte Becher, Manager of The Point resource center.
For information, contact Larry Grimaldi at 462-0509 or e-mail larry@dea.state.ri.us.
SOCIAL SECURITY DIRECT EXPRESS
There is now an alternative for beneficiaries who do not have bank accounts to get their Social Security or Supplemental Security Income monthly payments. It's called Direct Express. With Direct Express, Social Security automatically deposits Social Security or SSI payments directly on to your Direct Express card account. The card can be used to make purchases, pay bills or get cash at thousands of locations. Most services are free. In June, Social Security rolled out the Direct Express program. Later on this fall, Direct Express will be available nationwide. Although Direct Deposit is still the best payment for people with bank accounts, those who still receive paper checks should look into Direct Express. For more information, call 1-800-772-1213 or log onto www.socialsecurity.gov.
ENERGY SOLUTIONS EXPO
On Sunday, November 16, URI and the State Office of Energy Resources will sponsor the Energy Solutions Expo at the Ryan Center on the campus of URI (10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m). The fee is five dollars for adults and students and children are admitted at no charge. The 2008 Rhode Island Energy Solutions Expo will bring innovative and practical strategies to help Rhode Islanders deal with rising energy costs. The event will offer educational workshops and demonstrations, speakers, round table discussions activities for the children and music and food. Those who attend the Expo will leave with information they need to reduce their energy costs and "go green."
BREAST CANCER WALK
People from across Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut will join together on Sunday, October 19 to fight breast cancer during the American Cancer Society's annual "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" walk, highlighting Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This 4-mile walk will take place in Roger Williams Park in Providence at the Temple of Music. Registration begins at 7:00 a.m. and the walk will begin at 8:30 a.m. "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" is a non-competitive walk designed to heighten awareness of the disease. Last year, approximately 12,000 walkers raised more than $850,000. Rhode Islanders raised more than $4 million through this event in the last 12 years. For more information, call 243-2637.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
The North Kingstown Senior Center is looking for drivers for the Meals on Wheels program in their area. Call 295-2887. Also, FISH volunteer drivers and telephone workers are needed. Call 295-1121.
IDENTIFCATION CARDS AND BUS PASSES
RI Senior Beat Questions:
Q. I am 66 years old and am receiving a small pension and Social Security. Am I eligible to get a "No Fare" RIPTA bus pass at the Department of Elderly Affairs (DEA)?
A. DEA does not process RIPTA bus passes for seniors, adults with disabilities and Medicaid recipients.
In an agreement with RIPTA, however, DEA verifies income for individuals who are looking to obtain a "No Fare" bus pass. Currently, these income guidelines are $19,785 for a single person and $24,735 for a married couple. Medicaid recipients need only show a valid Medicaid card.
If an individual is determined to be income-eligible for RIPTA's "No Fare" bus pass, they will receive documentation from DEA. This documentation must be presented to RIPTA in order to issue a "No Fare" bus pass.
RIPTA is located in Kennedy Plaza in Providence. RIPTA issues "No Fare" bus passes Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The office is closed on Fridays.
DEA is located at 74 West Road, Cranston (second floor) in the Pastore Center, Cranston. The hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
For more information, contact RIPTA at 784-9500.
Q. I am 82 years old and no longer drive. Since my driver's license has expired, where can I get an identification card?
A. DEA no longer processes identification cards for seniors and adults with disabilities, age 18 to 59. The Division of Motor Vehicle now processes photo identification cards at locations across the state. There is no fee for identification cards for persons 60 and older and adults with disabilities.
ID cards are processed at these Division of Motor Vehicles locations:
Middletown, 73 Valley Road, Monday through Friday (8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.).
Pawtucket, 100 Main Street, Monday through Friday (8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.).
Wakefield, Stedman Government Center, Wednesday and Thursday (8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.).
Warren, 1 Joyce Street, Tuesday and Wednesday (8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.).
West Warwick, 1237 Main Street, Monday through Friday (8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.).
Westerly, Ocean Plaza, 62 Franklin Street, Monday, Tuesday and Friday (8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.).
Woonsocket, Department of Labor and Training, 217 Pond Street, Monday through Friday (8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.).
Elderly Transportation Co-Share to Take Effect October 1, 2008
Effective October 1, 2008, elders using RIde transportation services will pay $2.00 for a one way ride. The $2.00 fee, called a "co-share", will be paid when boarding the bus.
Q: Will all elders have to pay the $2.00 transportation co-share?
A: No. The following elders do not have to pay for RIde transportation
services:
Elders utilizing the service to travel to Adult Day Care
Elders who are on Medicaid
Q: How do I pay the co-share for my ride?
A: You must pay in cash. Drivers are not able to make change. Please be prepared to pay the exact amount ($2 dollars in bills or coins for each one way ride).
Q: When do I pay the co-share for my ride?
A: You pay your $2.00 cost share when you board the bus. If you are making a round trip - for example, to the store and back - you will pay $2.00 when you board the bus at home and another $2.00 when you board the bus at the store to return home.
Q: How do I schedule transportation?
A: Rides must be scheduled at least 7 days prior to the day you will need transportation. To make a reservation, call RIde at 1-800-479-6902. If you are on Medicaid, you must tell the RIde customer service representative when you call to schedule your ride or you will have to pay the $2.00 co-share.
If you have additional questions about the Department of Elderly Affairs' transportation services, call DEA at 462-3000 or The Point at 462-4444. This is a toll-free call.
RHODE ISLAND PHARMACEUTICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE ELDERLY (RIPAE)
AND MEDICARE PART D PLANS
Recent in RIPAE law were passed during the last session of the General Assembly. These questions and answers will help you understand the change regarding RIPAE and Part D plans.
Q. I am currently on RIPAE. Do I have to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Medicare Part D)?
A. Effective January 1, 2009, all RIPAE members must be enrolled in a Medicare Part D. Plan.
Q. What If I do not join a Medicare Part D plan?
A. You will no longer be able to participate in the RIPAE program.
Q. How can I prove that I have a Medicare Part D plan?
A. You will be required to provide a copy of your Medicare Part D plan or enrollment confirmation letter from your Part D plan.
Q.What is the deadline for sending in proof of my Part D plan?
A. Proof must be sent to the RI Department of Elderly Affairs by December 31, 2008. To ensure that there is no break in coverage, it is strongly suggested that you submit your proof of Part D coverage by December 15, 2008.
Q. When can I enroll in Part D plan?
A. The annual open enrollment for joining a Medicare Part D plan runs from November 15 through December 31.
Q. Who can I call for more information?
A.Call THE POINT resource center at 462-4444.
The Department of Elderly Affairs (DEA), John O. Pastore Center, Hazard Building, 74 West Road, Cranston, RI 02920 publishes the Information Memorandum. Reader's comments, suggestions, or items of interest are welcome. The deadline for submission of material is the first of the month for the next monthly publication. The DEA also encourages aging network agencies to reprint any articles that appear in the Information Memorandum or The Older Rhode Islander. Permission to reprint this material is not required by DEA. For additional information on DEA publications, call Larry Grimaldi at 462-0509. To send a FAX, dial 462-0503; or e-mail larry@dea.state.ri.us.
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