SEXT Seniors Resource Guide

2015

Seniors resource guide Volume 4

Last of the Greatest Series TJ Sasser WWII Pg.9-11

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SETXChurch Guide .com

Telling the Stories that Bring Southeast Texas Christians & Southeast Texas Churches together.

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Seniors Online Print Social Media Keeping SETX Seniors Updated Informed & In-touch To advertise your services join our Senior Network Today, Seniors will be glad you did!

Daryl Fant (512) 567-8068

I believe that even the smallest act of compassion can have a large impact.

We believe that every moment matters. Maybe that’s why so many families believe in us when it comes to choosing a hospice provider. For more information or to receive our free DVD, “Hospice and Your Loved One,” call 409-212-0020.

gentiva.com/hospice

For Free Samples & Bids Please Contact Sales@shweiki.com 512-480-0860 www.shweiki.com

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Medical Plus Beaumont

Medical Supply Delivery Across Southeast Texas Lift Chairs Medical Oxygen Wheel Chairs Medical Beds Diabetic Supplies Shower Safety Call for special items

Can’t Come to Us? We’ll Come to You! 650 Magnolia St Beaumont, TX 77701 (409) 838-6700

Turning 65 or know someone who is?

Confused by all of the information you’ve been receiving?

For someone new to Medicare, your options can be daunting. Where do you start? How do you decide on the best option for your individual healthcare needs? At this informative, no cost, no obligation meeting you will learn about the four parts of Medicare.

Call today to reserve your seat! Seating is Limited.

Beaumont Office (409) 981-7300, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in your local time zone (TTY users call 711) 7 days a week.

For accommodation of persons with special needs call Beaumont Office (409) 981-7300, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in your local time zone (TTY users call 711) 7 days a week. TexanPlus® HMO is a Health plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in TexanPlus® HMO depends on contract renewal. Your call may be answered by a licensed agent. You may enroll in the plan only during specific times of the year unless you qualify for a Special Election Period (SEP) or Initial Coverage Election Period (ICEP).

Y0067_LM_InformationFlyer_0315 CMS Accepted 03/24/2015 To Advertise Call (512) 567-8068 Today!

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Southeast Texas Retirement Tools Reverse Mortgage Introduction

Many of our readers have been looking for tools to assist them in having their best possible retirement.

Often, a reverse mortgage can be the right tool for home owners.

We recently sat down with Zebulon Lowe of Southeast Texas’s Open Mortgage for information about how reverse mortgages are used by local seniors to help give them a comfortable retirement.

Zebulon offers both traditional mortgages and reverse mortgages. He enjoys the helping local seniors get the most out of their retirement years.

Sometimes our lives are affected by unforeseen expenses. Our air conditioner stops running, the transmission on our car seizes up, or the stock market dips.

For many retirees in The Golden Triangle, reverse mortgages provide a nice buffer against life’s unexpected expenses. A reverse mortgage can help seniors pay off existing mortgages, maintain quality of life, and achieve financial self reliance.

Your Southeast Texas reverse mortgage proceeds can help you with expenses including: • In home care for you or your spouse • Healthcare costs • Home Improvements, repairs, or replacement of major appliances • Long term senior care • Establishing a healthy emergency fund • Home insurance, medical insurance, auto insurance • Rising property taxes • Travel opportunities – hey, not all unforeseen expenses are bad ones! If we get invited to a grandchild’s wedding or graduation, a little extra money can help us enjoy the trip.

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It can be difficult to plan for unexpected retirement expenses. For many SETX seniors, a reverse mortgage helps.

Call Open Mortgage today to find out how reverse mortgages help many Southeast Texans have a more comfortable retirement and a much needed buffer against unforeseen retirement expenses.

Zebulon Lowe (409) 920-2676 2300 Hwy 365. Suite 330. Nederland TX.

OUR MISSION IS HELPING THE MEDICALLY COMPLEX. Our nurses, aides, and therapists visits patients at home and provide the care needed to make it possible for them to remain in their homes.

Comprehensive Services Provided Skilled Nursing Registered Nurses (RN’s) Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN’s) Certified Nurse Assistants (CNA’s) Our nurses provide medical care for a large range of needs under the direction of a licensed physician.

Refer Home Health Aides Social Services Physical Therapy / Speech Therapy / Occupational Therapy Wound VAC & Care Management Cardiac / Pulmonary Care Infusion Therapy Medication Management Ostomy Care Catheter Care Diabetic Teaching & Care Insulin Administration Patient / Family / Caregiver Training

1140 West Cardinal Drive Beaumont, Texas 77705 www.ThreeMHomeHealthllc.com Phone (409) 767-8833

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Questions about Hospice?

Contact Odyssey Hospice in Beaumont Many of our readers have had family or friends choose hospice care to help them prepare for end of life.

Often, we are unsure exactly what hospice is and how it works.

In simple terms, hospice care is designed to give supportive care to people in the final phase of a terminal illness and to focus on their comfort and quality of life, rather than cure.

Hospice for many Southeast Texans allows them to meet end of life on their own terms – often in the comfort of their own home rather than in a hospital setting and surrounded by family members rather than large medical teams.

Your Southeast Texas senior physician is an excellent resource when you have questions about hospice care – what it is, who is eligible and some of the benefits that make it a desirable options for many in our Southeast Texas senior community.

Another good resource is Odyssey Hospice in Beaumont.

They can answer questions over the phone, or they would be happy to come to your home for a private consultation – feel free to have other family members join you to learn more about whether hospice care is the right option for you.

8050 Eastex Expressway Beaumont, TX 77708 409-924-0085 www.gentiva.com Odyssey hospice also would be happy to send you a free DVD, “Hospice and Your Loved One”.

Do you have questions about hospice care? Odyssey Hospice of Southeast Texas would love to answer them for you.

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Introducing Three M Home Health LLC Help and Health Care for Seniors Three M Home Health LLC is dedicated to making sure seniors get help – from hands on medical care to assistance with household chores.

Do you need a skilled nurse who enjoys working with seniors to help you recover after a surgery or illness? Three M Home Health’s licensed nurses can provide care in the comfort of your home. They can assist you with a wide range of home health tasks including: • Wound care • Managing diabetes •Physical or occupational therapy •Speech Therapy Maybe you are in good health, but you could use a little help around the house? Three M Home Health’s caring assistants can help their Golden Triangle seniors with just about anything you need including: •Meal preparation • Laundry •Bathing and grooming • Helping you keep your medications straight Three M Home Health LLC can even help you feed and exercise your dog or water your plants. For additional medical and home care services visit their website ThreeMHomeHealthLLC.com.

There comes a time when all Southeast Texas seniors could use a little extra help around the house, and for many of us in home medical care can be extremely valuable – physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Three M Health provides excellent in home CARE for Southeast Texas senior citizens.

Three M Home Health LLC 1140 West Cardinal Drive in Beaumont (409) 767-8833 Info@ThreeMHomeHealthLLC.com www.ThreeMHomeHealthLLC.com To find out more about Three M Home Health visit SETXSeniors.com and search “Three M Home Health”, or call Three M Home Health to set up an in home consultation.

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Medicare Advantage Plan Open Enrollment October 15 – December 7

Southeast Texas seniors have a great alternative to traditional Medicare – Medicare Advantage Plans.

Medicare advantage plans are run by PRIVATE companies rather than the government. Plans are customized for the needs of their seniors.

Now is the time to get information if you have been interested in making a change to your Medicare Coverage or moving to a private Medicare Advantage Plan from a company like Texan Plus, a Medicare Advantage Plan company with offices and helpful staff located right here in Southeast Texas.

Open enrollment for Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans is October 15 – December 7.

During open enrollment, Southeast Texas seniors can: • Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan.

• Change from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare.

• Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan.

• Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn’t offer drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage.

• Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn’t offer drug coverage.

• Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.

• Switch from one Medicare drug plan to another Medicare drug plan.

• Drop your Medicare prescription drug coverage completely.

For many Southeast Texas seniors, a Medicare Advantage Plan gives options they just did not feel they received from Medicare.

Would you like more information?

Texan Plus would love to answer your questions about their Medicare Advantage Plans.

(409) 981-7300 8a – 5p Say, “I saw it in SETX Seniors Guide”

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The Last of the Greatest TJ Sasser

On today’s “Last of the Greatest” series, we spend some time with TJ Sasser – former Port Neches mayor, World War II Veteran, pastor, and family man.

TJ Sasser began working for Texaco in 1936. He worked at their asphalt plant in Port Neches for seven years until he was drafted for service in World War II with the US Army. He was making forty-eight cents an hour with Texaco, and he was happily married to Edna Sasser when the war broke out. At twenty-five years old, he was drafted (practically an “old man”) with mostly 18-21 year olds and went to basic training at Fort Lewis in Washington. He joined H Company in the 44th Division of the New York / New Jersey National Guard.

After time serving as a training cadre in the states and performing maneuvers in Louisiana, Sasser’s unit went to Kansas to prepare for deployment to Europe. H Company went directly to France on a captured Italian luxury liner. They landed in Cherbourg France a couple of months after D-Day. The war was at a high point and the German’s were determined to hold on to France. Fighting was fierce as both Allied and German forces sought an upper hand.

In Southern France Sasser was a squad leader on an 81mm mortar crew.

Being part of a mortar crew involved a lot of heavy lifting. The base plate was 45 pounds, the tripod was 45 pounds, and the barrel was 45 pounds. The mortar required a crew of seven infantry soldiers to carry and operate it.

On November 11th 1944, Sasser’s team was operating near Nancy in Southern France. They were detached to another unit to lend support.

Their mission was to find a deadly, experienced German mortar emplacement and to attempt to take it out. TJ and a member of his team To Advertise Call (512) 567-8068 Today!

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were spotted by a German forward observer, and they were shelled

by German mortar fire. In an instant, Sasser’s war was over. His leg was severely injured by mortar shrapnel. TJ was shipped out to Bristol England for surgery and recovery. After some time to heal, he was shipped to El Paso for further treatment. Sasser was discharged in San Antonio, and he made his way back home to Port Neches - and to Edna.

TJ’s story continued well after World War II ended.

This was a comparative golden era for employer – employee relationships and commitment. TJ Sasser’s job was waiting for him at Texaco. He spent forty years with them, moving up through the ranks.

He retired as a supervisor of packaging and shipping in 1980 at age 62.

Today Sasser is 97. We were introduced to Sasser by one of his proud grandsons.

He speaks highly of his wife Edna, his partner thoughout a long and happy life. They went to a movie on a blind date. TJ points out that, “It was just the movie – not dinner and a movie. There wasn’t money back then for both!” Edna was working as a waitress at Moncla’s Cafeteria.

They were married on December 12, 1939. TJ appreciates the way Edna supported him in all of his endeavors: Say, “I saw it in SETX Seniors Guide”

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TJ served as pastor of the Thorn Crown Chapel in Eureka Springs. He pastured several churches near Port Neches and served as interim pastor in churches from Sabine Pass to Woodville.

He served on the city council in Port Neches for six years and was proud to serve his community as the Port Neches Mayor for six years.

Sasser is a member of the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans. Join us in saluting TJ Sasser for his service to the country – and to the Mid County community.

Look for an extended version of this article online at SETXSeniors.com.

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Cypress Glen East Port Arthur Short Term Care, Long Term Care, and Senior Living Cypress Glen East was designed to provide high quality care for Mid County seniors while maintaining a warm family environment. Every effort has been made to help residents and their families feel right at home. Residents can catch up with family or friends around the beautiful fireplace while their grandchildren enjoy the tropical fish in Cypress Glenn’s 200 gallon aquariums. There are even exotic birds two different aviaries. Wow!

Many residents enjoy entertaining their family and visitors in the large gazebo off the main dining room for outside enjoyment or reserving the luxurious private dining room for intimate family get-togethers – birthday parties, holiday meals, and other special occasions.

From Cypress Glenn’s state of the art nursing stations, their quality nursing staff helps to meet the health care needs of residents. Seven day a week nursing care, skilled nursing care, wound care, and hospice care are coordinated for residents. Whatever your loved one requires, Cypress Glen offers specialists to meet those needs.

Cypress Glen East houses a fully staffed and equipped therapy department.

Services are dedicated to the needs of residents affected by stroke, fractures, joint replacement, cancer treatment, and many other senior rehabilitation needs.

As an active part of the Port Arthur community, Cypress Glenn feels it is very important for residents to be involved in many types of enjoyable activities such as exercise, musical activities, trips to the shopping mall, visits to a favorite restaurant, bingo, cards and dominoes. Cypress Glen also offers an onsite beauty shop with licensed beautician and a manicure / pedicure specialist so residents can look and feel their best.

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The decision to admit a loved one to a long term care facility is one of the most difficult a family must make. A tour of Cypress Glen will verify their commitment to excellence.

Cypress Glen is approved by Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurance for skilled nursing and rehabilitative care, as well as hospice care.

Residents are admitted without regard to race, religion, or national origin, upon a physician’s recommendation.

Schedule your visit today:

Cypress Glen Long Term and Short Term Care 7200 9th Avenue in Port Arthur (409) 729-8701 SeniorCareCentersLTC.com/trisun/port-arthur-tx-skilled-nursing-cypress-glen

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IF IT IS NEWS FOR HOUSTON SENIORS IT WILL BE ON

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Southeast Texas Senior Ideas

Have You Planned Your Funeral?

For all of us, one day someone will plan our funeral arrangements. It can be us making arrangements now or our family taking care of it after we’re gone.

For many Southeast Texas seniors, pre-arranging their funerals ourselves offers a number of advantages: 1. Saving additional stress on family members after our death.

2. Taking care of financial arrangements in advance, so our families don’t have to figure out how to cover funeral expenses.

3. Making sure our funeral expresses who we are – and offers encouragement to those we leave behind.

Today, we’ll look at the final element – making sure our funeral expresses who we are. As an example, I will share what will make my funeral reflect who I am: • Songs have been selected to remember times in my life that were special and that will remind attendees of time we spent together. They will be played by a live DJ, setting a less somber tone for the event.

• Letters to my spouse and children will be read encouraging them to continue reaching their dreams and to cherish every moment of their own lives.

• A final meal will be served, again with dishes chosen to remind attendees of meals we shared together during life.

I will encourage a light tone – a celebration of a happy life made richer by my relationships with those attending the event. My friends have their own ideas for their funerals and are able to put their own stamp on their funeral arrangements: • Burial versus cremation • Bagpipers are popular with my friends – some specify the songs they’d like played • Chinese lantern releases are beautiful and moving as are butterfly releases and balloon releases • Some include humor, recording stories of special memories with family and friends What do you envision for your funeral?

Making the arrangements today can ensure everything is carried out as you envision. The experts at Lumberton Family Funeral Home specialize in bringing your funeral vision to life in budget and according to your wishes.

Schedule a consultation today: Lumberton Family Funeral Home (409) 751-0390 LumbertonFamily.com Contact owner Adam Strahan: ACStrahan@Live.com Say, “I saw it in SETX Seniors Guide”

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Cypress Glen Port Arthur Senior Living

"Our Generation Caring for Theirs" Short term rehab for post-surgery and minor illness Long term care for more serious needs Interdisciplinary team to create individualized care plans Order-by-menu enhanced dining program 200 gallon aquarium and aviary cages

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SETXSeniors.com Over 500 Articles per year for seniors in the Golden Triangle.

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2015

Seniors resource guide www.SETXSeniors.com