Tax Counselors Needed

     TaxAide, the group sponsored by AARP to help people with their federal and state income taxes, is seeking new volunteers for the upcoming tax season. Some familiarity with tax filing and with computer use is helpful but not mandatory as training in both areas is provided.
     This is a great way to help others and to         increase some skills. TaxAide offers tax          preparation at Bugbee Senior Center, Thompson Senior Center in Woodstock, and the VA Medical Center. If you would like to volunteer, or would like more information, please call  Steve Carter at  802-457-5141 or email him at:

swcarter@wildblue.net.

Medicare Part D Open Enrollment

     Medicare has an open enrollment period which began on Nov. 15th, and will end on Dec. 31st, for individuals who want to change prescription drug plans. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid  Services (CMS), encourage people to make any plan changes by Dec. 8, 2006, in order for them to become effective on Jan. 1, 2007.
    If a beneficiary makes no change, the part D prescription plan in which they are currently       enrolled will remain in effect.
     To receive assistance in changing plans,      contact Medicare by visiting their website      (www.Medicare.gov), or call 1-800-MEDICARE, or, in Vermont,  contact the Senior Health Insurance and Assistance Program via the Senior Helpline at      1-800-642-5119.

Northern New England Poison Center
1-800-222-1222

"I accidentally took my morning medication twice. Am I going to be okay?"
  "I take medication for my blood pressure. Can I take cold medicine with it?"
"I dropped my pills and can't tell which is which. Can you help me?"
     If you have questions like those, help is just a phone call away. The Northern New England      Poison Center offers free, confidential , around-the-clock poison first aid treatment advice, as well as medication and poison prevention information. They also have TTY and interpretation services.

Winter Weather Emergency Food Supplies
By Amy Nickerson,
Dept. of Disabilities, Aging & Independence
"To Your Health Newsletter"       Winter 2006

     Planning for stormy winter weather is a       Vermont tradition. By storing certain non-perishable items in your kitchen, you'll be       prepared for unexpected power outages or snow so deep you can't get out. Ideally, have enough food and bottled water for three days. With a    little creativity, you can eat a variety of nourishing foods from your kitchen cabinet. If you live alone, single serving containers of meat, fruit, juice and vegetables are convenient because you won't have leftovers and the need for proper storage.  Keep the following items on hand for            emergencies:

  • At least one gallon of bottled water, per person, per day
  • Nonfat dry milk or boxed UHT (ultra high temperature) milk
  • Ready-to-eat canned meat, chicken, fish or baked beans
  • Canned beans (kidney, black, pinto)
  • Canned or boxed fruit juices
  • Canned fruit and vegetables
  • Ready-to-eat cereal
  • Crackers, preferably whole grain
     Here are a couple of tips to help you prepare for and cope with emergencies:
     Rotate your emergency food supply every year, so that you remember to use the older items first. If it will help you to remember which non-perishable foods to use first, mark the purchase date on each package with a permanent marker.
     Remember to keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed when the power goes off. This will maximize the length of time that foods are kept at a safe temperature and minimize spoilage.
     If you live in Vermont and need assistance during the emergency, try calling your local Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-642-5119.

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