Senior Living: Medicare Open Enrollment assistance

To get ready, you should have received information from your current Medicare plans, such as the “Evidence of Coverage” or “Annual Notice of Change” which describes any changes to your current plan for next year. Review those statements carefully. Then ask yourself the following questions.

1. Does your plan allow you to go to the providers you want, including your pharmacy?

2. Are your prescription drugs covered?

3. Are you able to access the benefits and services you need?

4. What is the total cost for insurance premiums, deductibles, and cost-sharing amounts?

If you are considering changing plans, several trusted resources are available to assist you.

You can review the “Medicare & You 2026” handbook you should have received in the mail; go online at www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan and use the Medicare Plan Finder; or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

Also, in Oregon, you can visit the Oregon SHIBA website (Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance) at shiba.oregon.gov. In Washington, you can go online to the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (insurance.wa.gov) and click on Medicare Open Enrollment.

But if you are like me, you may want to speak with someone who can help you navigate through the Medicare maze.

If you live in Gilliam, Sherman, Wasco, and Hood River counties, you can call the local SHIBA program to schedule an appointment with a trained, unbiased SHIBA volunteer. Call Halla Graves at 541-288-8341 or email her at hallagravesshiba@gmail.com.

In Klickitat County, the Klickitat County Senior Services staff are available to help you review your plan options during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period. In Goldendale, call 509-773-3757, and in White Salmon, call 509-493-3068.

For Skamania County, call the Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities of Southwest Washington at 888-637-6060.

Help is also available through licensed health insurance agents. If you want to work with a local agent who has completed a state certification process, the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace has a Medicare agent locator tool available on its website, healthcare.oregon.gov/Pages/find-help.aspx. Be sure to select “Medicare Agent” when you search.

It is important to take time to understand your Medicare options so you can make informed decisions — both for your health and your pocketbook.

Dementia is more than just memory loss and can affect you in many ways including vision, touch, and movement. On Oct. 22-23, you have an opportunity to imagine yourself living with dementia by attending the Virtual Dementia Tour, a free community event in The Dalles at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1805 Minnesota St.

Sensory tools are used to simulate physical and cognitive challenges, allowing you to experience the condition firsthand. It is not only for caregivers, but for anyone who encounters people who are living with dementia, whether in a health setting or the grocery store.

There are shifts from 9 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m. each day. The tour lasts approximately 60 minutes and includes a 6-minute immersive experience of what it is like to live with dementia. Space is limited. To register, email Jennifer.williams6@providence.org or call 541-387-6370.

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Brain Tease: If the day before yesterday is the 23rd, then what is the day after tomorrow?

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The name of the singing duo that recorded “Love Will Keep Us Together,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles, was Captain & Tennille.

When I needed to submit this column, I had just flown to California to attend my son’s and his wife’s baby shower — their first! So, once again, I’ll mention everyone who sent in correct answers next week.

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And last week, while dashing about in a black mask fighting injustice, I missed Glenna Mahurin, Jess Birge, and Keith and Marlene Clymer. The 1975 psychological comedy-drama film “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” — based on the 1962 novel by Ken Kesey and filmed in Salem, Oregon — won all five major Academy Awards. For this week’s “Remember When” question, who won the best actor award for portraying Randle McMurphy, who was constantly battling Nurse Ratched? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-980-4645, or send it with the DVD of “Drive, He Said,” which was the first film directed by this actor and was filmed in Eugene.

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Well, it’s been another week, trying to keep things simple in an all too complicated world. Until we meet again, when times get tough, remember to focus on what you can do and not on what you can’t.

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“If you’re ridin’ ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it’s still there.”

— Will Rogers

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Nutritious home-delivered and in-person meals are available at noon Monday through Friday unless otherwise noted.

Seniors of Mosier Valley (541-980-1157) — Wednesdays with music on second and fourth Wednesdays; Mt. Hood Town Hall (541-308-5997) — Tuesdays; Hood River Valley Adult Center (541-386-2060); Sherman County Senior and Community Center (541-565-3191); The Dalles Meals-on-Wheels (541-298-8333).

For meal sites in Washington, call Klickitat County Senior Services: Goldendale office (509-773-3757) or the White Salmon office (509-493-3068), and in Skamania County call Senior Services (509-427-3990).