December 28, 2022 Seaford

Seaford Middle School hosted its first inperson science fair in nearly three years, as students displayed their findings at an afterschool event on Dec. 6. Pictured: Seaford Middle School Principal Daniel Smith talked to Molly Restivo, left, and Emma Clancy about their project for the science fair. Photo courtesy of the Seaford School District

By Noelle Lambert

The Charity of the Month for December is EAC Network

www.eac-network.org

EAC Network is a non-profit organization that empowers, assists and cares for individuals in need. Their objective is to reach individuals within our community through innovative programs that improve quality of life.

Their programs are lead by an outstanding leadership team along with exceptional volunteers. Seniors make up a large portion of the population on Long Island and EAC Network proudly serves them. Their Meals on Wheels program in Nassau County and their InHome Respite Services program helps seniors face challenges with dignity and resourcefulness.

Last year, the EAC Network provided over 180,000 home delivered meals to frail, disabled and homebound local seniors who fervently wish to remain in their own homes. Their nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks help seniors cope with three of the biggest threats of aging – hunger, isolation and loss of independence.

“We received a call from one of our clients recently who told us that the conversations with their Meals on Wheels driver have helped him cope with his wife’s passing,” said Robert Stricoff, Chief Development Officer at EAC Network. “You cannot put a dollar amount on how this program improved this couple’s quality of life and kept them together in the home that they loved and had so many positive memories at.”

According to a Brown University study in 2015, high-risk seniors receiving Meals on Wheels showed greater improvements in both mental and physical health, fewer hospitalizations and were less likely to fall. When you consider that the cost of one year for a senior to receive meals is less than one day in a hospital, it is a bargain and

money truly well spent.

Mary Coyle, Senior Director for Senior Services, Nutrition Education & Food Services at EAC Network said, “Providing food and comfort to our most vulnerable seniors is not a cost to the county, it is an investment. Well cared for and fed seniors strengthens our communities and lowers the overall cost to taxpayers.”

Furthermore, the Meals on Wheels program provides more than just food; drivers deliver a smile, friendly visit, companionship and socialization, all of which is valuable contact for those who live alone. Additionally, dependent on funding, birthdays are celebrated with a cake and pet owners may also receive pet food. To inquire about receiving or volunteering with Meals on Wheels in Nassau County, please contact Mary Coyle at (516) 992-0081 ext 206 or Mary. Coyle@eac-network.org.

If your nonprofit would like to be featured in this column, please call Noelle Lambert at 631.226.2636 x225 for consideration.

EAC Meals on Wheels driver Gary Stricoff delivers a meal and a smile to a senior in Nassau County

BARNEY

5-7 year old male. Gentle soul. Looking for a family to love.

Neighbor Pets’ Place

LYRIC & SUSAN Young females. Seeking their forever homes

TINKERBELL Beautiful brown Tabby. She has 3 legs, but doesn’t know it. Loves attention

PEPPERCORN

12 year old male. Terrier Mix. Active senior. Full of spunk and mischief. Sweet natured.

DAHLIA 4-5 year old female. Happy and sweet girl who loves to sit right beside you.

GIA 8 year old female. Full of life with lots of energy and happiness to share.

PEPPERMINT PATTY 1-2 years old male. Loves going out for walks, playtime and running.

8 year old Lhaso Apso and 5 year old Yorkie mix. Bonded pair. The best of friends.

WOBBLES

2 year old male. Pit mix. Affectionate. Handsome boy with a “pawsitive” attitude.

OLD MAN JENKINS

8 year old male. Labrador mix. The perfect companion to have by your side.

TONI Black and white young female. Very sweet with personality.

HERMAN & LILY

Medicare

And Deductibles

by

For those of us who are enrolled in the Medicare program, there is good news on the horizon. Medicare has made significant changes to its premiums and deductibles, lowering the cost to the beneficiary.

While the cost of just about everything has gone up, the monthly Medicare Part B premium has been reduced for the first time this century, from $170.10 to $164.90, for a yearly saving of $62.40. What’s more, the Medicare Part B deductible has gone down from $233 per year to $226. These two reductions have broken a string of yearly increases.

Medicare Part B generally covers medically necessary services, that is, services or supplies that are needed to diagnose or treat your medical condition and that meet accepted standards of medical practice. Part B also covers a wide range of preventive services from shots to screenings to prevent illness (like the flu) or detect it at an early stage, when treatment is most likely to work best.

In addition, due to the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, Medicare will finally be able to negotiate prescription drug costs directly with pharmaceutical manufacturers. While this section of the law doesn’t go into effect until 2025, in the interim, beneficiaries who are insulin dependent can have their insulin costs capped at $35.00 per month. This can save

hundreds of dollars a month. Also, the Inflation Reduction Act calls for out of pocket prescription expenses to be capped at $2,000 annually.

In order to determine which type of plan works best for you, you should call the Nassau County Health Insurance Information Counseling and Assistance Program, HIICAP hotline. This

FCA

is a free service that will guide you to the best plan for you. We have no affiliation with insurance companies, agents or brokers. Our number is 516-485-3754. While we are quite busy during Medicare Open Enrollment Season, we strive to return every call on our voice mail within two working days, and usually call sooner.

FCA can help. Answers to your Medicare questions are just a phone call away.

Barry Klitsberg is an Assistant Health Insurance Information Counseling and Assistance (HIICAP) Coordinator at FCA in Garden City and an Aging Services Program Specialist at US Department of Health and Human Services.

Written

Barry Klitsberg, Nassau County Medicare Counselor,

How To Protect Yourself From Holiday Shopping Scams

Online scams cost Americans nearly $7 billion throughout 2021, according to the FBI, and with the holiday shopping season ramping up, it’s vital that people understand how to avoid falling victim to scams.

“Scams often increase with consumer spending, making the holidays ripe for scammers trying to take advantage of the season’s sense of urgency and scarcity,” said Amy Maliga, a financial educator with Take Charge America, a nonprofit credit counseling and debt management agency. “It’s not enough to be aware of scams, though. You have to learn how to watch for and avoid them so your happy holidays don’t turn into a nightmare.”

Maliga shares several things to do and watch out for to avoid falling prey to holiday shopping scams:

Use secure payment methods: Be wary of websites or sellers that request unusual payment methods like wire transfers, cashier’s checks or apps. Stick to secure payment options such as major credit cards or PayPal.

Check for site security: Look for ‘https’ at the front of the site’s URL and the small lock icon in the browser window. These indicate that the website is secure, ensuring any data you share (such as credit card numbers or shipping details) will be encrypted when you submit it.

Watch for spelling and grammatical errors: If you notice a plethora of spelling and grammar mistakes on a website, social media posts or other promotional materials, you likely want to shop elsewhere.

Pay attention to reviews:

Reviews can reveal much about online retailers and sellers. Are there lots of poor reviews from buyers who didn’t receive what they purchased? Or are there numerous glowing reviews that all read alike? Either may indicate the site isn’t what it claims to be.

Watch for ‘phishy’ confirmation emails: If you receive a confirmation email for an order you didn’t place, ignore and delete it. Knowing people are likely making several orders, scammers will send a phishing email disguised to resemble a confirmation notice from legitimate retailers. If it appears legit, try manually searching the order number on the retailer’s website instead of clicking on any included links.

Don’t let scammers steal your money or your holiday cheer. If a deal or

website appears too good to be true, it likely is.

For additional resources to combat financial scams and ensure holiday shopping success, explore Take Charge America’s Budget Tools.

About Take Charge America, Inc.

Founded in 1987, Take Charge America, Inc. is a nonprofit agency offering financial

education and counseling services including credit counseling, debt management, housing counseling and bankruptcy counseling. It has helped more than 2 million consumers nationwide manage their personal finances and debts. To learn more, visit takechargeamerica.org or call (888) 822-9193.

Did You Know?

(NAPS)—Slow down during the last half hour before you go to bed, advises Dr. Richard Shane, the licensed psychotherapist and sleep therapist who developed the Sleep Easily Method that leads you gently into sleep. Learn more at www.drshane.com and www.sleepeasily.com.

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