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Copy Oct./Nov. 2016 Metro NY Edition • Vol. 41 #1

SPECIAL

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

Medicare Edition

Choosing or Changing Your Medicare Coverage?

Helen Mirren Has Played Them All

page 6

By Suzy Maloy

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cclaimed British actress Helen Mirren has played all sorts of royalty, not to mention a noted police detective, a mastermind criminal and all sorts of Shakespearean characters. The versatile actress now plays a British colonel, who has to make a moral decision of whether to order a drone airstrike on a suspected terrorist hideout in Kenya, in the nail-biting political thriller Eye in the Sky. The suspenseful drama (most of it takes place in real time over the course of nearly two hours), in which the British and American military have determined that a deadly pair of suicide bombers are planning to carry out an attack in a public place that could kills dozens of innocent civilians.

Writer Guy Hibbert initially wrote Mirren’s character for a man, but South African director Gavin Hood pictured the authoritative Mirren in the role of the British military officer, who patiently

Medicare and Medicaid ABCs page 6 Quality Service at Affordable Prices page 8

EPIC New York State Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage page 11

Help Families and Individuals Get Back on Their Feet page 8

Smart Weekly Pill Organizer/ page 10 Reminder

Continued on page 9

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What to Do, Where to Go, What to See in New York’s Five Boroughs

(Send event info to Frank@50plusny.com)

October 12 Painting Workshop. Participants will learn how to paint from observation, plus basics about materials, color mixing, and composition. RSVP! You'll get to take home your painting. Supplies are provided for you. No experience is necessary; 6 to 8 p.m. at the Tony Dapolito Recreation Center, 1 Clarkson Street, NY, NY 10014. Free; Info 212-408-0243.

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October 28-29 Haunted Lantern Tours. Leave your fears at home as the Urban Park Rangers lead your family through the haunted Fort Totten Water Battery.

Participants must arrive no later than 8 p.m. for guaranteed admittance.; 6:30 to 8-30 p.m. Enter the park at Totten Road and Cross Island Parkway.

Follow the signs to the Visitor Center and Historic Battery. Info: 718-3524793 ext. 302. Free.

October 30 Shocktoberfest. Visit the pumpkin patch, jump on fun inflatable playgrounds, and enjoy crafts, games, music, and more! Playground for All Children in Flushing Meadows Corona Park; noon to 3 p.m. Info: 50+ danny.miller@parks.nyc.gov. Free.

October 14 -28 Central Park Tour: Legendary Landmarks. From a nineteenth century "castle" to a 3,500-year-old Egyptian obelisk, Central Park Conservancy guides take you on a memorable 90minute walk through some of Central Park’s best-loved highlights; 2 to 3:30 p.m. (Fridays only). Belvedere Castle in Central Park, Mid-park about 79th Street; $15 per person. Info: tours@centralparknyc.org.

October 16 Rockaway Fall Festival. Ninth Annual Fall Festival, which will include a Safari Challenge and Halloween Obstacle Course, 3 and 1 bounce house, pumpkin patch, pony rides, hayrides, Urban Park Rangers, music, and refreshments; noon to 3 p.m. Bay 32nd Street and Beach Channel Drive in Bayswater Park. Info: antina.johnson@parks.nyc.gov or 718-318-4000.

October 18 Stargazing at the High Line. (Tuesdays until October 25). Peer through highpowered telescopes, provided by the knowledgeable members of the Amateur Astronomers Association of New York, to see rare celestial sights; 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. (weather dependent).

On the High Line at West 14th Street.

Info: 212-206-9922. Free.

October 22 Randall’s Island Historical Tour. Come learn more about Robert Moses, the bridges, and the history of the island and the park it became; 10 to 11:30 a.m.; Touchdown of the 103rd Street Footbridge in Randall's Island Park.

Free 50+ LifeStyles Oct./Nov. 2016 - Metro Edition • 50PlusNY.com

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www.50plusNY.com PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER Frank C. Trotta ext. 100 EXECUTIVE EDITOR Tim Edwards ext. 111 VICE PRESIDENT SALES & PRODUCTION Marie S. Trotta ext. 113 EDITOR Gary P. Joyce ext. 250 ART DIRECTOR Gregory A Jones ext. 232 ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Evelyn Aloisio ext. 221

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We want to hear from our readers. Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized? Tell us! Do you have a story to share? Send it our way. We want to devote space to what matters most: YOU! Send your submissions to Publisher Frank C. Trotta, 50+ Lifestyles, 146 South Country Rd. Suite 7, Bellport, NY 11713 or email Frank@50plusNY.com

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LifeStyles Sudoku Solution from page 10

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Send us your Name, City, Zip Code and Email address and we will sign you up for a free online subscription to 50+ Lifestyles.

Email us at: Subscriptions@50plusNY.com 50+ LifeStyles Oct./Nov. 2016 - Metro Edition • 50PlusNY.com

Ways to Keep Your

Brain Healthy and Sharp

he brain is the body’s most complex organ. It’s also the most important one. That’s why keeping it healthy is critical, especially as you age. Every day, scientists are discovering how closely our minds and bodies are connected. As it turns out, the things that you do to keep your body and heart healthy may also be good for your brain. Incorporate these eight healthy habits and activities into your daily life to help you optimize brain health and stay sharp in the years ahead.

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Get Moving Physical activity is good for your health at every age. Studies show being active is associated with a lower risk of brain issues. Whether it’s nightly walks, playing with the grandkids or taking your favorite yoga class, find an activity that meets your needs and gets your heart pumping for at least 30 minutes every day.

Eat to Thrive The antioxidants in nutrient-dense foods like berries, broccoli and legumes, including some fats such as olive oil, may lower some risks to your brain. Try eating a healthy, low-fat, low-cholesterol diet with lots of vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains such as oatmeal and brown rice.

Know Your Blood Pressure High blood pressure can have serious effects on your brain health. If your blood pressure is high, get it under control. It may help reduce some risks to your brain.

Drink Moderately How the body handles alcohol can change with age. Some older adults can feel “high” without increasing the amount of alcohol they drink.

This can make them more likely to become confused or have accidents.

So limit the amount of alcohol you drink — or don’t drink it at all.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep Poor sleep, or inadequate sleep, due to issues such as insomnia or sleep apnea, doesn’t just leave you feeling tired. It can have serious physical effects and can impact memory and thinking, too. Get comfy and go to bed. Seven to eight hours is a good night’s rest.

Discover a New Talent When you learn new things, you engage your brain. Try something you haven’t done before – learning French, ballroom dancing or carpentry, for example. Challenging your brain on a regular basis is fun and beneficial.

Stay Connected Science has shown that regular engagement in social activities can help reduce some risks to your brain. Stay connected and invite family or friends over for a healthy meal, go on a hike together or just hang out.

Talk to Your Doctor As you age, some changes in brain function, including short-term memory, happen more frequently than when you were younger. If you have questions or are concerned, ask your doctor at your next appointment.

For more tips on keeping your brain healthy and thriving, visit: 50+ BrainHealth.gov.

- Family Features

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Choosing or Changing Your

Medicare Coverage

Doctor and hospital choice Do your doctors and other health care providers accept the type of coverage you have? Are the doctors you want to see accepting new patients?

Do you need to get referrals? Do you have to choose your hospital and health care providers from a network? If so, is your doctor in the network? Can you go outside of the network?

Prescription drugs

Where are the doctors’ offices? What are their hours? Do the doctors use electronic health records or prescribe electronically? Which pharmacies can you use? Is the pharmacy you use in the plan’s network?

Do you need to join a Medicare drug plan? Are your drugs covered under the plan’s formulary?

Are there any coverage rules that apply to your prescriptions (like prior authorization, step therapy, quantity limits, etc.)? Do you already have creditable prescription drug coverage (for example, through a current or former employer or union)?

Cost

Quality of care

Convenience

How much are your premiums, deductibles, and other costs? How much do you pay for services like hospital stays or doctor visits? Is there a yearly limit on what you pay out-of-pocket? Your costs may vary and may be different if you don’t follow the coverage rules.

Are you satisfied with your medical care? Equality of care and services offered by plans and other health care providers can vary. Medicare has information to help you compare how well plans and providers work to give you the best care possible.

Coverage

Travel

How well does the plan cover the services you need?

Will you have coverage in another state or outside the U.S.?

Your other coverage Do you have, or are you eligible for, other types of health or prescription drug coverage (like through a former or current employer or union)?

If so, read the materials from your insurer or plan, or call them to find out how the coverage works with, or is affected by, Medicare. If you have coverage through a former or current employer or union or other source, talk to your benefits administrator, insurer, or plan before making changes. If you drop your coverage, you 50+ may not be able to get it back.

Medicare and Medicaid ABCs

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ou can change your Medicare health or prescription drug coverage for 2017 between October 15 to December 7, 2016. New coverage begins January 1, 2017. New costs and benefit changes also begin if you keep your existing Medicare health or prescription drug coverage and your plan makes changes.

You can get your Medicare questions answered at the following:

Call 1 800 MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for general or claims-specific information, request documents in alternate formats (i.e., Braille, large print, audio CD, e-Book). You may also access this information on line at: Medicare.gov/medicare-and-you. TTY users: 1-877-486-2048.

You can get your Social Security questions answered at the following: Find out if you’re eligible for Part A and/or Part B and how to enroll, get a replacement Medicare or Social Security card, report a change to your address or name, apply for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs, ask questions about Part A and Part B premiums, and report a death; 1-800-772-1213; TTY: 1-800-325-0778; socialsecurity.gov.

Benefits Coordination and Recovery Center (BCRC)

Contact the BCRC to report changes in your insurance information or to let Medicare know if you have other insurance at 1-855-798-2627; TTY: 1-855-797-2627.

Complaints

50+ LifeStyles Oct./Nov. 2016 - Metro Edition • 50PlusNY.com

Contact the Beneficiary and Family Centered Care Quality Improvement Organization (BFCC QIO) to ask questions or report complaints about the quality of covered service, or if you think Medicare coverage for your service is ending too soon (for example, if your hospital says that you must be discharged and you disagree). Visit Medicare.gov/contacts, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for the phone number of your BFCC-QIO. New York falls in Area 1 — the number is 1-866-815-5440. 50+

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Quality Service at Affordable Prices

Watch for Signs of

by P& P Medicaid Consulting

MEDICAL IDENTITY THEFT

& P Medicaid Consulting, Inc. was established in 2003 in response to a growing need of families requiring assistance in obtaining Medicaid eligibility for home care services and/or nursing home care and placement at affordable rates. P & P Medicaid also helps families with geriatric care management, obtaining Social Security Disability benefits, finding a home healthcare aide or nursing home and handling the documentation process for Pooled Income Special Needs Trusts.

The mission of P & P Medicaid is to provide quality service at affordable prices for all aspects of Medicaid, Medicare and elder care services.

The company works with the Department of Social Services (Medicaid) and most of the nursing home facilities and home healthcare agencies throughout its service area to help ensure its clients and their families have access to the best possible care available.

The company was founded by Paul D. Mertz, who handles all aspects of the Medicaid eligibility process. Its staff, with more than 30 years of experience, is comprised of geriatric care managers, registered nurses to handle P.R.I screenings for nursing homes and social workers. For more 50+ information, call 516-541-4770 or visit www.ppmedicaid.com.

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D

Age Gauge

Help Families and Individuals Get Back on Their Feet

Ever looked at your driver's license and thought, "Is that really my age?" It's time to find out how old you really feel.

Are you confident enough to wear the clothes and styles you love? a. Absolutely, I don't let anything stand in the way of fashion. b. Sometimes - I've definitely outgrown some styles. c. Not really ... I tend to go for safe, sensible outfits.

Long-distance adventures or local delights: What's your travel preference? a. The further the better - the best adventures begin with a long-distance flight. b. I love the idea of long-distance travel, but I'd have to be well prepared. c. Close to home - I don't like veering too far.

What's your first thought when someone mentions bladder sensitivity? a. It's an old age issue - it only affects older women over 65. b. Many moms like me experience it after childbirth. c. I have it and I know it can happen to anyone, regardless of age.

What's your fitness regime like? a. Intense - exercise is the highlight of my day. b. Average - I do my best to keep fit but there are challenges. c. Non-existent - I don't feel confident enough to work out.

Results: Mostly As: You feel younger inside than your real age.

Mostly Bs: You feel exactly your age.

Mostly Cs: You feel older inside than your real age. Empower yourself 50+ to live the age you want to be. — Family Features 50+ LifeStyles Oct./Nov. 2016 - Metro Edition • 50PlusNY.com

id you know that health care is the number one target, nearly as much as retail, finance, and banking combined, for identity theft and fraud? Your health information is important to you and your health care provider. But in the wrong hands, it can be valuable to someone else. Would you know if someone stole your medical identity?

Identity theft affects millions of people every year. The Federal Trade Commission offers several steps you can take to make sure your health care information remains secure.

First, read your medical and insurance statements regularly and completely. They can show warning signs of identity theft. Look for services you did not receive or providers you did not see.

Next, read the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statement or Medicare Summary Notice that your health plan sends after each treatment. Again, check the name of the provider, the date of service, and the service provided. Do the claims paid match the care you received? If you see a mistake, contact your health plan and report the problem.

You should also watch for bills if you know part of your care was not covered. If a bill doesn’t show up when you expect it, look into it.

Being cyber fit requires us to be mindful of your health information even when you’re not using health IT. Remember: You are the center of your healthcare.

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he Advocacy, Counseling and Entitlement Services (ACES) Project of the Community Service Society is seeking retired individuals age 55 years or older to serve as volunteer public benefit counselors dedicated to helping financially disadvantaged people. ACES volunteers assist clients with completing applications for public benefits and help correct benefit related problems.

Volunteers must attend a training that begins October 4, 2016. Upon completion, they are placed in agencies in one of the five boroughs to provide information on government benefits to low-income families, older adults, and individuals with disabilities. A personal interview, successful completion of the training, and a commitment of six hours per week for one year of volunteer service is required. Applicants must have advocacy, research, and computer skills, in addition to an interest in assisting low-income populations and learning about public benefit programs. No prior benefit experience is required. For more information, please contact Rebecca Haase at (212) 614-5482. To apply, go to: www.cssny.org/programs/entry/the-aces-project.

ACES is a program of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). Established more than 40 years ago, RSVP’s 2,500 volunteers contribute more than one million hours of service annually at close to 300 organizations in New York City. RSVP is part of the Community Service Society of New York, a nonprofit organization which advocates on behalf of the poor in the areas of education, affordable housing, health care, and income maintenance. For more information, please visit 50+ our website, www.cssny.org.

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COVER STORY — though increasingly impatiently — awaits word from higher ups in her government as well as the U.S. leaders to authorize the strike.

The film poses moral questions about collateral damage and drone warfare while at the same time delivering entertaining performances by the ensemble cast. Breaking Bad’s Aaron Paul, Captain Phillips breakout star Barkhad Abdi, Jeremy Northam and the late Alan Rickman, in his final role, also star.

Mirren, who received an Academy Award for her depiction of Elizabeth II in 2006’s The Queen, has received a lot of positive notices lately for her performances in 2015’s independent Nazi art theft drama Woman in Gold, and her supporting performance as a gossip columnists in the Hollywood blacklist drama Trumbo, spoke about playing a military officer with a great deal of responsibility resting on her shoulders as well as working again with Rickman, with whom she shares no scenes, but remembers fondly from previous projects.

Q: Could you talk about how this project first came together for you?

“When I received the script I didn’t know that there was this backstory, this originally being written for a man, and I so applaud Gavin, for casting me. Obviously, that was great for me, but any woman, and I love how [he] articulated it just now, that it takes it out of just being a boy’s movie about war, and it makes it much more universal that we are all a part of this conversation, and I really applaud [him] for that. I wish more directors had that point of view, and writers. I received the script, and it was an absolute page-turner, but I thought much more than that. I thought the subject matter was serious and threw up a conversation that I think we all need to be having. This is the reality of war in our present day and age, and I can only assume will become more, and more prevalent as we travel through time, so we need to discuss this, and really be aware of what the various issues are.”

Q: Did you know the writer, Guy Hibbert?

“Yes. I had worked with before, he’d written one of my “Prime Suspect” episodes, a wonderful one. It was really very, very powerful, so I had worked with him before.”

Q: Last month we lost a great actor, your co-star Alan Rickman.

What do you remember about working with him?

“Unfortunately in this film I didn’t actually get to work with Alan, because we all shot our pieces separately, but I have worked with Alan in the past. On the stage actually, not in movies. I think Alan would have been incredibly proud that this was his last movie, because what I love about it is that the Alan you see up on the screen is much closer to the real Alan Rickman that we all knew and loved. You see his intelligence, you see his wit, and you see his authority, and I think that, that was very much the Alan that we knew. The other characters that he played so brilliantly in the Harry Potter series, the baddie in Die Hard, and those sorts of things. I think the Alan that we see on the screen in this movie is very close to the real Alan. The inner soul of the film, I think is very much something that Alan would have identified with, and would have been very proud to be a part of.

Q: You spoke about the still moments in this movie, which are incredibly powerful and intense. For both of you, were there new tools in your toolbox that you were able to access playing these still moments out?

“We were very lucky. The film, in a way, happens in real time. The two hours that you watch it in is the two hours in which the film happens.

Gavin had done all the ground stuff before I came on board. I was the first up. The politicians (scenes) hadn’t been shot, the drone pilots hadn’t been shot, and we all shot completely separately from each other, for financial reasons. They couldn’t afford to bring us all to South Africa (which stood in for Kenya). We shot it in Cape Town, and we all stayed in the same hotels to save money. The people in the bunker with me were all

brought in and we’d just shot our stuff. When I was talking on the phone to Alan (Rickman), or to Aaron (Paul), I was actually talking to Gavin, or the first AD or the sound guy. (She laughs.)

“I’ve never shot a movie like this. It’s very complex because this director had to keep in his mind all his cuts, the rhythm of how people would be talking in this room, how it was going to interact with this, it was extraordinarily complex actually, and we spent half the day, Gavin and I, just thinking about how we were going to shoot it, in what sequence, how we were going to do it, so basically, very roughly, we shot the whole movie, as far as I was concerned — my character, in one direction from beginning to end, and then we turned around and shot the whole movie from beginning to end in another direction.”

“I’m really hoping that people will leave the theater, go out to dinner, and have very intense conversations about morality, philosophy, and all that.”

- Helen Mirren

Q: In doing this film what were some of the things that you found out about drones, and this sort of remote fighting that’s going on.

What surprised you about it, or affected you?

“I had no idea how far the technology has gone, and because it’s gone this far how far, therefore, will it go in the future in the next 10 or 20 years, that completely took me by surprise. You sort of read in the newspaper, ‘Oh, there was a drone attack on blah, blah,’ and you sort of go, ‘Oh, darn it.’ I’ve never really thought about it, and it made me really consider the reality of this stuff on the ground, the extraordinary way in which warfare has changed.

“I do remember my parents, who went through The Blitz in London, said the most terrifying thing about being bombed was not actually the German airplanes coming over ... it was what the Germans had invented, this thing called the doodlebug, which is just a very early form of drone warfare, which was an unmanned vehicle that came over and made this drone sound, and she said the terror was when you heard the sound stop, because when it stopped was when it dropped its bombs.”

Q: When you watched the completed film for the first time with the other parts of it that were not involved in, what did you think?

“I was thinking, “You know what, in a way it’s like a courtroom drama, and the audience is the jury, and when the jury leaves the theater at the end of the film, they’re going off to make their decisions about what is right and what is wrong, so I’m really hoping that people will leave the theater, go out to dinner, and have very intense conversations about morality, philosophy, and all that.”

Q: Are you working on something now?

“I’m about to start work on a film called “Collateral Beauty,” which is with Will Smith.”

50+ 50+ LifeStyles Oct./Nov. 2016 - Metro Edition • 50PlusNY.com

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Smart Weekly Pill Organizer/Reminder

CROSSWORDS

(Solution on page 4)

Across 1. Talk too much 5. “I don’t need to know that!” (abbr) 8. In a pigs eye?

12. Hot stuff 13. Sleep indicator 14. Axis of evil member 15. Ore suffix 16. Some reporters are accused of doing this 18. Briny veggie 20. Belongs to the Enterprise’s number 2 man 21. Virgil’s, Morgan’s, Wyatt’s and James’ surname 23. Undefined number 24. Better looking 28. This was a worry in Gulf War I 31. Through this, when travelling Down 1. A plane may appear as this 2. Latvian money (pl) 3. With (Fr.) 4. An NBA score 5. Forest age indicator?

6. South of the border country (abbr) 7. Rascals 8. Phillipine communist founders family 9. A type of personal locomotion 10. Slang for a US citizen 11. NBC, ABC and CBS use this (abbr) 17. ___ Locka 19. Once alive 22. 6 down cash 24. Lowest Army rank 25. A funnel shaped estuary 26. Congress offers too many of these 27. A fundamental element 29. Put into service

Solution on page 4 32. Begin 34. Baton Rouge school 35. Weight of an empty container 37. A good wish 39. You’re this type fan if you’re a NYer 41. A specific area 42. Cape in Oregon with shortest lighthouse 45. A place for a quick stay 49. A silicate mineral 51. The biggest landmass 52. A piece is easy?

53. A negative prefix 54. Book identifier (abbr) 55. A Cold War enemy 56. Obtain 57. A newsman may have this 30. It won’t go bang 33. This (Sp.) 36. Weirder 38. Chief of State of Vichy France 40. Perfect?

42. Nomadic Amazon tribe 43. EU diplomatic/foreign affair office (abbr) 44. Croon 46. Old gas station name 47. Not neocons (abbr) 48. Not nuts 50. One of 1042 Uriah’s surname 43 Nordic poems/epics 44 Book is one 46 Fat 47 My gosh!

48 IDs often (abbr.)

50 Military entertainment organization

50+ LifeStyles Oct./Nov. 2016 - Metro Edition • 50PlusNY.com

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agely (www.livesagely.com) announced the launch of its new Smart Weekly Pill Organizer, the first product of its kind offering an innovative design solving traditional pill box challenges. Along with it, Sagely also is debuting a free medication reminder app.

Made with food-safe, durable and BPA-free materials, the Sagely Smart Weekly Pill Organizer, available for $34.95 on Amazon, is specifically designed to be sleek and eyecatching, with features including: Seven individual containers big enough to fit multiple pills, including sizable multivitamins; Clear containers allowing for visual confirmation and accounting of pills; Two-sided flexible lids that lift easily even for those with manual dexterity issues; one side colored green, the other side blue, to differentiate morning and evening pills; Large lettering clearly denoting each day of the week; Containers kept together on a magnetized base allowing each compartment to be removed and easily tossed in a purse or bag when you’re on the go and; An innovative ‘PushThrough’ design allowing pills to be simply pushed through the perforated lid into the container (eliminating the risk of dropping or misplacing pills).

The Sagely medication reminder app prompts users to input details of each pill, quantity, dosage and times of day so users do not forget to take pills. Sagely’s proprietary alarm sounds and a notification pops up when it’s time to take medication. The Sagely app is available for iPhone and Android, and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

50+

Solution on page 4

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EPIC New York State Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) Eligiblity You must meet the following requirements:

You must be a New York State resident (permanent home address), at least 65 years of age, and not receiving full Medicaid benefits. You must have an annual income below $75,000 if single, or a combined annual income below $100,000 if married. You must be enrolled or eligible to be enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan (no exceptions). Seniors enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (HMO) plan can only join EPIC if their HMO includes Medicare Part D coverage.

Important Note: EPIC provides secondary coverage for Medicare Part D and EPIC-covered drugs purchased after any Medicare Part D deductible is met. EPIC also covers approved Part D-excluded drugs once a member is enrolled in Part D. EPIC helps pay the Medicare Part D drug plan premiums (up to the state LIS benchmark of $36.94 in 2015) for members with income up to $23,000 if single or $29,000 if married. Higher income members are required to pay their own Part D premiums but EPIC provides premium assistance by lowering their EPIC deductible.

EPIC has two plans based on income. The Fee

Plan is for members with income up to $20,000 if single or $26,000 if married. The Deductible Plan is for members with incomes ranging from $20,001 to $75,000 if single or $26,001 to $100,000 if married.

Income (What to Include/Exclude)

For purposes of your EPIC enrollment, household gross income is the previous year's total annual income of the senior or married spouses. It includes, but is not limited to: Federal adjusted gross household income as reported on your income tax return; Social Security payments (less Medicare premiums); Railroad retirement benefits; The taxable amount of IRA distributions and retirement annuities; Support money, including foster care support payments; Supplemental Security income; Tax-exempt interest; Worker's compensation; Gross amount of loss-of-time insurance; Cash public assistance and relief, other than medical assistance for the needy; Non-taxable strike benefits; Veterans' disability pensions; Lottery winnings.

It does not include: Food stamps; Medicare premiums; Medicaid; Scholarships; Grants;

Age of

Elegance

By Ethel Bennett

A

happy crowd of New York Senior America women were celebrating my return to New York at the August luncheon at the Pompei Restaurant in West Hempstead. It was such a wonderful surprise for me to see this gathering of 55 women so excited at my return to the Big Apple. Next month we will be meeting again at the Pompei Restaurant for our Halloween Birthday luncheon on October 27. As usual, the women come with original costumes for a fun filled afternoon.

September was a very busy month for our talent showcases. The Atria Senior Living center in Great Neck always enjoys our annual return. The A ARP meeting held at the Church on the Hill in Flushing always gets a standing ovation. Our performance for the veteran’s at the Northport VA Center is one of the bright spots of the year for Senior America. We know that they are enjoying our talents to the fullest. Our annual Fashion Show at the Crest Hollow CC September 22nd will be the highlight of the September calendar.

October 18 through 20 we will all be at the National Pageant in Atlantic City cheering on our Ms. New York Senior America, Dolores Hofman, who will be competing for the National Crown with 48 other contestants. Our Seasoned Steppers will also be performing on the stage at the Resorts International Hotel and are presently very busy rehearsing. Many of out

Surplus food; Payments made to veterans under the federal Veterans' Dioxin and Radiation Exposure Compensat ions Standards Act (Agent Orange); Payments made to individuals because of their status as victims of Nazi persecution. 50+

Contact Information: 1- 800-332-3742; E-mail: epic@health.state.ny.us. The address is: EPIC, P.O. Box 15018 , Albany, NY 12212-5018.

Cameo Club members will be going to Atlantic City to cheer on our Queen.

In anticipation of the New York State 2017 Pageant to be held in the spring of 2017, we are seeking possible participants. If you are 60-plus years and have a zest for life and a talent you can display on stage, charm and a positive attitude, call Marleen Schuss @ 516678-3242 for your interview and audition date. Or complete and return the coupon below or email Marleen Schuss at marleenschuss@aol.com.

Until next month: 50+ Ethel COUPON Women Must Be 60 Years or Over I would like to compete in the 2017 Ms. New York Senior America Pageant.

Name Address Telephone E-mail Address

Return to: Marleen Schuss, State Director 80 Banks Avenue - Apt. 2113, Rockville Centre, NY 11570 Or e-mail: marleenschuss@aol.com Phone: 516-678-3242 50+ LifeStyles Oct./Nov. 2016 - Metro Edition • 50PlusNY.com