Age Spots: Hidden Gems

Jackie Dover

Clients often say they wish they had learned about Aging Matters earlier to receive help with previous issues. Aging Matters is like a hidden gem, a valuable service not enough people know about. With that in mind, I realized there are many programs and services that could be a benefit if more people knew about them.

The first hidden gem is Wolfner Library, a free library service for qualifying Missourians who are unable to use standard print-reading materials due to a physical or visual disability. Wolfner Library offers a wide variety of services, including:

• Braille

• Large print

• Fiction and nonfiction audio books for all ages

• More than 70 magazine subscriptions

• Loanable machines for those renting audio books

Materials are mailed to and from library patrons for free. That is right, there is no cost for these services. As an avid reader, I think this is one of the most amazing services available. If you would like more information, you can visit the Wolfner Library website at sos.mo.gov/wolfner, follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/wolfnerlibrary, or call (800) 392-2614.

Another little gem that has benefitted many seniors is the South Central Pension Rights Project. This free service assists anyone with a pension question or problem, regardless of age, income or value of the claim. If you have ever tried to find a pension from a company that changed names or ownership, you know how valuable this help is.

Pension counselors assist with:

• Answering questions about complicated pension laws and how they affect retirement

• Obtaining and explaining hard-to-find retirement publications, forms and other documentation

• Correcting pension miscalculations

• Claiming retirement benefits that have been denied

• Tracking down benefits from past employers

South Central Pension Rights Project serves Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. If you have questions, contact them at southcentralpension.org or (800) 443-2528.

Other little gems from Aging Matters are our Medicare Bootcamps. At a Bootcamp, we cover all the parts of Medicare, including when, where and how to enroll. We also discuss the cost, penalties and coverage. It is everything you want to know about Medicare but are afraid to ask.

We also have regional Scamborees. These events go into detail on how to protect yourself from scams and fraud, and what to do if you are a victim. These programs are held throughout the year in the Aging Matters service areas. We will be having a Scamboree and Medicare Bootcamps on Thursday, March 14, in Cape. Please call for more information or to reserve your spot. Our toll free number is (800) 392-8771; you can also check out our webpage, agingmatters2u.com/, or our Facebook, facebook.com/Aging-Matters.