Tag Archive for: #vancecountyseniorcenter

TownTalk: Medicare Open Enrollment is Here

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The open enrollment period to make changes to Medicare plans runs through Dec. 7, and Amber Gregory at the Vance County Senior Center encourages Medicare beneficiaries to take some time to review their current plans – there may be some tweaks to make that can save you some money.

“We want to find the best cost savings plan for you,” Gregory said on Wednesday’s TownTalk, “to save you money in the coming year.” Gregory works with the Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program, or SHIIP.

Medicare beneficiaries may already know that Part D is all about prescription drug plans, but Gregory said there are changes each year to be aware of to ensure that you’re getting the best price for medications.

“Get those plans checked,” she said. The open enrollment officially began Oct. 15, and between now and Dec. 7, Gregory said she’d be focusing on seeing those folks who want to make sure they are getting the most from their Medicare plans.

Gregory tells clients to check with their medical providers before making changes, since not all offices accept all insurances.

“I have many clients who are faithful to certain drug stores, and that’s perfectly fine,” Gregory said. She can help clients compare prices for prescription drugs among different pharmacies.

Most senior centers have a SHIIP counselor, Gregory said.

Call the state SHIIP office at 1.855.408.1212 to speak with a counselor who can help with Medicare questions.

The Vance County Senior Center is located at 500 N. Beckford Drive.

Contact Gregory at amber.gregory@vance.nc.gov or call 252.430.0257 to make an appointment.

 

 

Rebuild Communities NC Offers Workshops In June For Senior Adults

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Computers and technology are wonderful things – if you know how to use them. Nowadays, people are directed and re-routed to websites and online tools for everything from doctors’ visits to meetings with co-workers and even families.

Rebuild Communities NC is partnering with AARP’s Senior Planet to provide people 50 years and older a series of workshops to help them navigate an increasingly digital world.

In the month of June, seniors can learn about a variety of topics, from managing your privacy online to telemedicine and My Chart.

The classes will be held at the Vance County Senior Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon, according to information from Edythe Thompson with Rebuild Communities NC.

Here’s a list of the scheduled dates and topics:

 

  • June 1 – Affordable Home Internet
  • June 6 – Managing Your Privacy
  • June 8 – Intro to Social Media
  • June 13 and 15 – Hosting a Zoom Meeting
  • June 20 – Google Workspace
  • June 22 – Telemedicine
  • June 27 – My Chart
  • June 29 – Money Matters

 

Whether you’re hoping to stay connected with family and friends, interested in learning new technology, exploring entrepreneurship, or looking for a job, Digital Skills Ready @ 50+ classes and workshops offer trainings on a wide range of technologies, from video conferencing to online job search tools to office productivity software.

The Vance County Senior Center is located at 500 N. Beckford Dr., Henderson. Call 252.915.1663 to register or email Dhallrobinson@gmail.com.

Transformed Eaton Johnson Campus Getting Ready For New Life To Serve Community

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The next few days are moving days for employees of the local department of social services, senior center and youth services as they transition from their old office spaces to their renovated spaces on the campus of the former Eaton Johnson Middle School.

Local officials gathered last week for a ribbon-cutting at the new facility, and County Manager Jordan McMillen said that it took a lot of work from a lot of entities to transform a former school building to a facility to serve the community.

McMillen thanked the county’s school board and county commissioners for helping to make the project a reality. “Putting a large, vacant school facility into reuse is always a challenge and…ultimately, we were able to take an existing facility in North Henderson and put it back into use. This was a win-win-win for the school board, the county as well as the city of Henderson,” he said.

“This new DSS facility is state-of-the-art and will allow our DSS to better meet the needs of our citizens. The facility includes areas for various units to work together, includes training spaces, conference rooms, adequate office space and storage space, interview rooms, youth and children observation rooms and play areas. We are very proud to introduce this facility to the public,” McMillen stated during remarks at Friday’s ribbon-cutting.

This is the first phase of renovation, and McMillen said additional space will be reused as well.

The facility is 102,700 square feet, and less than 41,000 square feet was involved in this part of the renovation project – 39,000 for DSS and 1,800 for youth services – that leaves more than half of the total space available for renovated. McMillen said the plan is to use most of that space.

There are plans to lease out the kitchen space as a commercial kitchen and space to house a Headstart facility.

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AARP to Discuss Free Income Tax Return Service at Vance Co. Senior Center

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-Information courtesy Arline Richardson

AARP will present a tax counseling session for the elderly at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2020, at the Vance County Senior Center in downtown Henderson.

The guest speaker will be Phyllis Hicks. Hicks will speak about the free income tax return service that she and other trained volunteers provide to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Vance County, NC

Vance County Senior Center Provides Important Services for Ages 55+

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By: Kelly Bondurant, Freelance Writer/Editor for Hire

The Vance County Senior Center located at 126 S. Garnett Street in downtown Henderson hosts a variety of activities and programs for a growing senior population.

According to Juan Jefferson, director of operations for the Senior Center, “The aging population in Vance County is exploding.” Jefferson said this increase in the aging population is also true at the state and national level.

With the combination of the popularity of the Senior Center and the increase in the aging population, Jefferson says the Center is often at capacity. “We usually have 100 people in and out of our facility every day,” agreed Amber Gupton, Medicare Coordinator for the Senior Center.

Vance County residents age 55 and older are welcome to visit the Senior Center Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

A state-of-the-art fitness center with exercise equipment including stationary bikes and weight machines is available along with activities such as low impact aerobics, line dancing, billiards, card games and cornhole.

According to Jefferson, the card games and billiards are popular activities and the line dancers are well known throughout the area.

“We have very energetic line dancers,” said Jefferson. “We get invitations from all around to come dance. Our line dancers are really popular. Just about every month they have some kind of engagement.”

The Senior Center also offers day trips several times a month and overnight trips occasionally.

According to Gupton, the group just returned from an overnight trip to Lancaster, P.A. “We have a good time on our trips,” said Gupton. “For our overnight trips we’ve been to New York City, Atlantic City and Gatlinburg, T.N. to name a few. Cost varies by trip.”

Daytime trips have included the N.C. State Fair, the Fruitcake Factory and a chocolate factory in Raleigh. Cost for daytime trips ranges from $5 to $20.

The Senior Center also offers general and medical transportation via KARTS. To qualify for transportation, the rider must be 60 or older and live in the Vance County area.

“Transportation is one of the biggest issues for our senior citizens,” Jefferson said. “The second biggest issue is safety and security.”

Other programs offered include Meals on Wheels, on-site nutritional programs, educational programs, on-site health screenings, blood pressure checks and support groups.

April is National Volunteer Month and the Senior Center recently held a luncheon to honor their 70 volunteers.

While the Senior Center already has a large number of volunteers, those who are interested in assisting are always welcome. “To help, you can complete a volunteer application and then we welcome you to what I call the family,” said Gupton.

In summing up the overall goal of the agency, Jefferson said, “The Vance County Senior Center strives to enhance the intellectual, emotional, social and economic well-being of seniors across the county.”

For more information on the Vance County Senior Center, please call (252) 430-0257 or visit the website at https://www.vancecounty.org/departments/senior-citizen-center/.