U.S. Department of the Treasury announces the Go Direct campaign

Go Direct is the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s public education campaign regarding their announcement to go electronic. As you may have heard, the Treasury announced that all federal benefit and non-tax payments will be paid electronically by March 1, 2013. This change will impact people who are about to apply for federal benefits (like Social Security retirement) and the more than 10 million people who are already receiving benefits by paper check.

• People applying for federal benefits on or after May 1, 2011, need to choose their preferred electronic payment option when they enroll in federal benefits.

• People already receiving federal benefits by check will need to make the switch to electronic payments by March 1, 2013.

• People already receiving benefit payments electronically do not need to take action. They will continue to receive their payments as usual on payment day.

Recognizing the Differences Between the Normal Effects of Aging and Dementia

Reprinted from EldercareABCBlog

We all forget things, especially if we are low on sleep or high on stress, but we start to worry when aging loved ones exhibit forgetfulness when life is good. Is it Alzheimer’s, we ask ourselves, or dementia? By becoming familiar with the varying forms and symptoms of dementia, we can understand the differences between normal and abnormal brain function in aging friends and loved ones.

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Medicare Part D Enrollment Assistance

The Beaver County Office on Aging APPRISE Program (Pennsylvania's state health insurance assistanct program) will conduct a Medicare Part D Enrollment Center:

When: Saturdays (except holidays) beginning October 15 through December 7, 2011

Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (appointments are suggested)

Where: Center At The Mall, 284 Beaver Valley Mall Blvd., Monaca, PA 15061

Please bring with you the following items:

• Medicare card
• Other insurance cards (i.e., VA, PACE, ACCESS, etc.)
• Complete list of your medications and dosages

Great effort is made to ensure that quality time is offered to those who need assistance in comparing, switching, or joining a Part D plan.

Call 724-847-2262 or toll free 1-888-548-2262 for more information or to schedule your appointment.