• The Newspaper for Active Seniors • The Happy Hoofers, a Senior Citizens group of talented danc- ers has been performing in Orange County for over twenty years. Performing at senior social club or civic events, they are showcased Happy Hoofers bring their talent to Orange County senior centers New law makes it easier to save on prescription drug costs U nder a new law, more Medi- care beneficiaries could qualify for Extra Help with their Medicare prescription drug plan costs because some things no longer count as income and re- sources. The Extra Help is estimat- ed to be worth an average of $3,900 per year. To qualify for the Extra Help, a person must be on Medicare, have limited income and resources, and reside in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia. To qualify for extra help, people must meet certain resource and in- come limits. The new Medicare Boost your Social Security income If you’re married or divorced, these little-known strategies can add thousands of dollars to your Social Security checks. Every year, retirees pass up a whopping $10.1 billion in Social Security benefits—spousal benefits that most people don’t even know they’re entitled to. These benefits can increase your income and solve the big riddle that confronts so many of us when we first think about Social Security: whether to get immediate monthly income at 62 or wait and get a bigger check—maybe a lot bigger. If you hold off until you’re 66—which the government considers Full Retirement Age (FRA) for people born from 1943 through 1954—the monthly benefit will be one-third larger than if you take it at 62. Wait until age 70 and the check will be 76 percent larger. The longer you live, the more that will matter—and chances are, you’ll live a long time. The average 65-year-old can expect roughly 20 More inside: Community North A3 Your Health A5 Senior Sports A6 Your Money A7 Community South A8 Government & You A10 Social Security A10 CONTINUED ON 9 See Income CONTINUED ON 1 See Drugs February 2009 Published by Los Cerritos Community Newspaper How can your home help ease your financial worries? Talk to the nation’s #1 retail reverse mortgage originator to learn more If you are 62 years of age or older and either own your home outright, or can pay off your existing mortgage with the proceeds, a reverse mortgage from Wells Fargo Home Mortgage can serve as a financial resource to help you: • Pay off your existing mortgage • Remodel or repair your home • Reduce your credit card debt • Meet your daily and monthly expenses • Cover your health care expenses Call today to register for a seminar or schedule a complimentary consultation. When you call, be sure to ask about our reverse mortgage program that can help you purchase a home. Shawn Nikmehr Reverse Mortgage Specialist 877-443-0443 Tel 877-959-0959 Fax [email protected] �. Borrower must be �� years or older. Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is a division of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. � ���� Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. ������� �/��-�/�� “Now that my wife and I are retired, we are always looking for additional revenue. When we were considering a reverse mortgage as a possible option for us, we talked to Shawn. He was very patient with us and explained the advantages and disadvantages in such a way that we could easily understand. At no time did he try to pressure us to make a decision. We appreciate the time he spent with us and would recommend him to our family and friends.” - Larry Caballero [l-r] Dawn Marie Kotsonis, Executive Director of PIH Foundation and Commu- nity Benefit; Drew Sones, Chair of the IHC/PIH Board of Directors; Pat Bray, VP of Continuing Care; Andrea Avila, Assistant Deputy with Don Knabe’s office; Dr. Bashir Shaw, PIH and Leslie Ciletti, Program Director for A Day Away. By Linda Bock Nearly 100 guests came to cel- ebrate the 10th Anniversary of the S. Mark Taper Foundation A Day Away Adult Day Health Care Cen- ter in La Mirada. It was a major event for Presyterian Intercom- munity Hospital (PIH) who spon- sors the health center. The guests included PIH Foundation board members, hospital and center staff, volunteers, and caregivers. Super- visor Don Knabe’s office was rep- resented, and LaMirada Mayor Su- san Tripp and Whittier Councilman Joe Vinatieri were also on hand. A Day Away provides a beauti- Presbyterian Hospital’s A Day Away Adult Health Care Center celebrates 10th anniversary CONTINUED ON 9 See A Day Away Happy Hoofers: [l-r] Barbara-66 years young, B.J.-87, Marilyn-80, Carol-67, Nancy, Donna-65, and Lu-84 take time out to pose for the camera. The group performs at civic events and community centers too. with glitzy, flashy costuming and provide fun and entertaining dance musicals choreographed by Nancy Isbell of Orange County Dance and Theater Arts (OCDTA). [See Hoofers, Page 11]