January 16, 2021 Issue, Page 8 of 8

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Community January 16, 2021 Canute Public Schools Masonic Fraternity of Oklahoma first semester honor roll 2020-21 providing funds again for services Superintendent's 12th Michele Barolo Principal’s 12th Ashley Brady not provided by other agencies Trezel Dorain Braydon Cantwell Kelln Henderson Karista Davis By Tanglea Henry, SWODA at on a case-by-case basis. As- 2116. Counties covered by the SWODA was created to Evie Beck Lauryn Pierce Information Assistant, 580-562- sistance will be available once SWODA AAA are Beckham, strengthen the economic and 11th 11th 5026 per person every three year. Custer, Greer, Harmon, Jack- social development of the re- Jake Estes Camryn Marshall The Masonic Fraternity of The SWODA Aging Services son, Kiowa, Roger Mills and gion through various special- Colby Maddox Kaylie Pitzer Oldahoma is once again part- Information Assistant receives Washita. ized services such as the fol- Colt Randall Dru Steffes nering with the South Western calls daily from older people SWODA is one of 11 Coun- lowing: 911 Administration, Dalton Williams Maecy Teeter Oklahoma Development Au- and/or their caregivers with cils of Government in the Aging Services, Community 10th 10th thority (SWODA) Area Agency needs, and many are told noth- state. SWODA's region of ser- and Economic Development, Owen Elliott Josh Thompson on Aging (AAA), along with ing is available to help. ‘This vice includes municipalities, Geographic Information Sys- Jade Gray Taylor Beutler other Area Agencies on Aging Masonic funding enables AAA counties and conservation tems, Rural Fire Defense and Kim Harris Brody Bryant across the state, to assist with staff to assist many callers with districts in Beckham, Custer, Workforce Development. Parker Jacks Kylee Smith funding direct services for peo- resources not available previ- Greer, Harmon, Jackson, Ki- For more news articles spe- Rook Walker Jessica Brady ple 55 years of age and older in ously. owa, Roger Mills and Washita cific for southwest Oklahoma, Kyron Whinery Marlon Moore need of some type assistance ‘This funding “will not only counties. visit www.swoda.org. Isaac Snowder 9th not otherwise provided by oth- help Oklahoma’s older popula- 9th Trey Shelton er agencies. tion, but will also relieve some Dylan Taylor Pre-Retirees: Madison Church Some of the types of services of the stress placed on caregiv- Jaicee Drinnon 8th include minor home repairs, ers whose older relatives are Lane Greteman Cooper Bartlett wheelchair ramps, air condi- continually turned down be- Ally Janning Brance Pitzer tioner window units or space cause of the lack of resources Plan Now for Health Care Costs Emily Cantwell Brance Simpson heaters, and/or air condition for needed help,” said Anita Meliah Sutton Lani Woodson or heater repairs. Martinez, SWODA director of 8th 7th There is an application and Aging Services. If you're close to retirement, you'll have several financial issues Colton Estes Jake Beutler funds will be used on a first To learn more about this to consider. But you'll want to pay attention to one of the most Conagher Hardaway Vince Drinnon come, first served basis until and other available services, Kelsyn Steffes Julio Montoya-Pacheo they are all utilized. Funding call Tangela Henry at SWODA important of these issues: health care costs. How can you prepare 7th Clay Randall for each type of service will be Aging Services at 800-627- yourself for these expenses? First, get an early start on estimat- Noah Jarnagin Macie Rogers limited. Those who have des- 4882, ext. 127, or her direct Casady Marshall Luke Spitz perate or unique needs should line at 580-562-5926. You can ing health care costs. More than two-thirds of those planning to Zeke Snowder Noah Thompson file an application because also call the statewide toll-free retire in the next 10 years say they have no idea what their health Cami Tabor Keaton Whinery those situations will be looked Senior Info Line at 800-211- and long-term care costs will be in retirement, according to the Edward Jones/Age Wave Four Pillars of the New Retirement study. And some people don’t worry much about these costs, which may be considerable, thinking that Medicare will pay for About Life ... her husband began transport- the small thoughts of anyone ing them along with others around her. She was a true most of them. in the family to church every sidewalk flower. Wednesday and Sunday. In the While others retreat into While Medicare does cover many medical expenses, it also has Sidewalk Flowers summer she canned alongside dark places and never real- its own costs. You probably won't pay a premium for Part A (inpa- the other women, never com- ize their full potential, side- tient/hospital coverage), since you likely had this cost deducted By Glynda Lomax she desperately wanted to be- plaining, never slowing, al- walk flowers do not wilt and from your paycheck when you were working. But if you are hos- come a mother. Ignoring the ways smiling and encouraging die in the dry, hot seasons pitalized, you'll have to pay deductibles and coinsurance (the per- ‘There is no failure except in doctor's warnings, she became those around her. She moved of life; they put down deeper centage of costs you pay after you've paid your deductible). Part no longer trying. There is no pregnant and in spite of their her mother and mother-in-law roots and draw more water to defeat except from within, no predictions, she carried the both in with her and, in spite strengthen them. They spread B (doctor's visits) requires a premium, deducted from your Social really insurmountable barrier baby to full term and delivered of her own handicaps, cared out and embrace the darkness Security checks, and you must pay an out-of-pocket deductible. save our own inherent weak- a son, and later a beautiful for them full time until their that surrounds them searching After you meet this deductible for the year, you typically pay 20% ness of purpose.” - Hubbard, daughter. demise though they were in for the hidden treasures they of the Medicare-approved amount for most doctor’s services. Kin American Humorist Jour- Though it would have been their nineties and had debili- know must be combined with nalist (1868-1930) easy to give in to her circum- tating physical and mental dis- And when you enroll in Part D (prescription drug plan), you will the light to bring forth growth likely also have to pay a monthly premium, an annual deductible Tonce knew a woman raised stances and become compla- abilities. above. in Oklahoma in a very poor cent, bitter and complaining, Though she could have given One day you look and what and coinsurance or copays. family. She contracted polio though it would have been up and become the invalid the at first appeared to be a ragged, To help pay for the Medicare deductible, coinsurance and co- around the age of five. The easy to become jealous of those doctors said she would be, she spindly weed pushing its way payments, you may want to get supplemental insurance, known disease ravaged her tiny body around her who had more ad- remained busy working while up through the cracks of the as Medigap. Premiums for Medigap vary, depending on the plan leaving her spine severely vantages, she pushed the dark helping others and caring for twisted and one leg shorter thoughts from her mind and the sick and elderly. Though sidewalk has become a tough you choose. than the other. By the time focused on the joy of what she she stood less than four feet stem of flourishing blossoms As an alternative to original Medicare, you could select Medi- she was school age, the doc- could do instead. Like the chil- tall, she was a tower of moral sharing its beauty and fra- care Advantage (sometimes called Part C). Medicare Advantage tors had told her parents she dren’s story “The Little Engine example and spiritual strength grance with all who come upon would never walk. Determined ‘That Could,” she refused to be- for everyone around her. it. plans are offered by private companies approved by Medicare, not to be different, and though lieve she couldn't, and pushed Like a seed that struggles Ignoring the hardness of but the benefits and costs vary by plan. These plans generally will her family could not afford on. against the darkness to pro- their circumstances, they just incorporate Medicare Parts A and B and will provide additional a wheelchair for her, she in- ‘Through the years, she never duce a bounty of blooms, she keep reaching for the light. medical coverage, such as prescription drugs. sisted on attending school, so considered herself crippled or refused not to be all she be- “We have no right to ask her brothers pulled her behind disabled in any way. At harvest lieved she could. She refused when sorrow comes, “Why did When you incorporate all the above, the annual out-of-pocket them to school every day in a time, she drove a hay truck for to live within the limits others this happen to me?” unless we costs for traditional medical expenses likely will be about $4,500 wagon. her brothers by using pillows to $6,500 per year, per person ~ not insignificant, but certainly a She married at an early age. to prop herself high enough placed on her. She refused to ask the same question for ev- ‘The doctors told her she would to see through the windshield. become an invalid and a bur- ery moment of happiness that number that can be addressed by careful planning. never be able to give birth and As her children grew, she and den to her family. She had too comes our way.” ~Author Un- But there's one more expense to keep in mind: long-term care. much to give to be limited by known, ‘The average cost ofa private room in a nursing home is more than $100,000 per year, according to the insurance company Gen- SWOSU Ramping Up Number of worth. And Medicare typically pays few of these expenses. Clearly, between regular medical costs associated with Medi- care or those not covered by it, and costs resulting from the pos- sible need for long-term care, your health care bills can mount. To COVID-19 Vaccines meet these costs, you need to plan ahead ~ and take action. For example, it’s essential that you incorporate health care expenses into your overall financial strategy. You can also work COVID-19 vaccinations cinations being given now at at the Pioneer Cellular Event uler, and it will place everyone with a financial professional to run some “what-if” analyses to are being given on Fridays at SWOSU are for people over 65 Center (900 N. Seventh Street) in the appropriate category for see if your strategy would be derailed by a potential long-term Southwestern Oklahoma State on the SWOSU campus. That years of age. vaccines. It is his understand- University in Weatherford, and number will increase starting All appointments should be ing that appointments open care stay. And the professional you work with may be able to sug- the number of people treated Friday, January 15, when the set up through the online por- seven days in advance, depend- gest specific protection vehicles that can help you meet the costs will be going up. site could potentially give up tal of the Oklahoma State De- ing on the amount of vaccine of long-term care. SWOSU College of Pharma- to 940 vaccinations. partment of Health (OSDH): coming from the federal gov- ‘The best time to prepare for your health care costs during re- cy Rural Health Center Coor- Curry said the Pioneer Cel- https://vaccinate.oklahoma. ernment. tirement is well before you retire. So, if you haven’t already start- dinator Randy Curry said 300 lular Event Center site has gov/ Several SWOSU depart- ed, now is the time to do so. When it comes to paying for health vaccinations were given at the been approved and set up as a Curry encourages everyone ments have been helping with care, the fewer surprises, the better. initial clinic held January 8 point of distribution. The vac- to sign up on the OSDH sched- clinics at Weatherford, Clinton ‘This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward and Taloga. Faculty and stu- Dennis Baxter for Western Technology dents from the College of Phar- macy, School of Nursing and Jones Financial Advisor. Center School Board School of Allied Health have been assisting with clinics. tema ose “Lam very proud of everyone involved with this important Eaward Jones, Member SIPC initiative,” said SWOSU Presi- dent Randy Beutler. Residents coming to the 2014 W. 3rd | Elk City, OK 73644 TechnlogyCenter School Board. Pioneer Cellular Event Center Sincerely, Dennis Baxter should enter through the west doors. Appointments are re- Robert Stephens (580) 225-3156 quired. Masks and distancing Financial Advisor [email protected] Paid for by: Dennis Baxter are required. News delivered to you Wednesday and Saturday! Call today to subscribe to local news! 980-225-3000