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Senior Scene

SMP sees cardiovascular genetic testing used in new fraud trend

Every time there’s a medical advance, there’s a scammer waiting around the corner to exploit it. The latest growing genetic testing fraud trend focuses on cardiovascular genetic testing. Scammers are offering Medicare beneficiaries genetic testing cheek swabs to obtain their Medicare information for fraudulent billing purposes or possibly medical identity theft. We’re hearing reports of scammers calling Medicare beneficiaries, claiming their cardiologist wants them to have this test and offering to send a kit. In reality, their cardiologist did not make any such request. Their ...

Aging in place

The best time to start thinking about age adaptations in the home is before you really need them. Unfortunately, many people don’t think about accommodations until an injury occurs or they are struggling with daily tasks. “So many people just keep doing the same thing they have ...

Transportation options critical for seniors

Public transportation has a role in helping people remain in their homes as they age. “Our system was started just to do that 40 years ago,” said Darrell Francis, director for Souris Basin Transportation, Minot. Eighty percent of the service’s 90,000 rides given annually are clientele with disabilities or who are elderly, he said. SBT serves 10 counties with handicapped-accessible vehicles. Its buses operate every Thursday to provide transportation between Minot and rural communities in the region. Buses leave the starting community at 7 a.m. for pickups at homes, some ...

Club calendar Fall 2021

Alamo Senior Center 528-4881 Business Meeting: 2nd Tuesday, 1 p.m. Social Activities: Birthdays, monthly, last Tuesday Cards: Tuesday p.m., following lunch Senior Meals: Tuesdays, noon Foot Clinic: Odd months, Divide County Health Nurse Anamoose Senior Citizens 465-3316 Business Meeting: 1st Monday with bingo & speaker Social Meeting: 3rd Friday of month Senior Meals: Every Monday, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Chair Exercise: Every Monday & Thurs, 9:30 a.m. Free Blood Pressure Check: 1st Monday, monthly Cards & Dominoes: Every Friday, 6:30 p.m. Berthold Senior ...

Ask Rusty: Avoiding WEP & GPO Reductions

Dear Rusty: I am a retired Texas teacher receiving my State pension. I retired in February 2009, before the end of a “loophole” which affected my future Social Security. I had earned enough credits to receive Social Security benefits in addition to my Teachers Retirement System (TRS) pension. At 62 I began getting my SS benefit (reduced by my TRS pension). My husband didn’t start his SS until last year, at which time I contacted Social Security so my benefits would “no longer be reduced” as per the TRS loophole. I have spoken with the local SS office three times and sent ...