Dear Friend,
Last year, our communities faced enormous challenges with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and extreme weather events. It’s my sincere hope that this newsletter finds you and your families safe and healthy as we embark upon another year full of growth, journey, and discovery together. We are resilient, and I know we will get through this together.
Michigan seniors are a particularly resilient group who have lived experiences too numerous to count, and who have thus earned the right to enjoy their future with dignity and financial security. As your State Senator, my goal is to make sure you can spend these unprecedented times focusing on what matters most to you, and I’m working hard in Lansing to ensure that we provide the stability you deserve.
Every letter, email, and call to our office has helped me to better represent you, and I hope to continue hearing from you as we begin a new year that I know will be filled with better opportunities. If you would like to share your ideas or need assistance regarding state government, you can contact my office by calling me toll-free at (855) DIST007 (855-347-8007), or (517) 373-7350. You can also email me at SenDPolehanki@senate.michigan.gov.
Working for You,
Dayna Polehanki
State Senator
7th District
Website: SenatorPolehanki.com
Email: SenDPolehanki@senate.michigan.gov
Toll-free: (855) 347-8007
Click here to review newsletter in PDF version
SENIOR SERVICE NUMBERS TO ASSIST YOU
“Help is just a phone call away. Please cut out and save these useful numbers in case you need assistance.” — Sen. Polehanki
Adult Home Help/Chore Services ………………………………..(800) 292-2550
Adult Protective Services,
for reports of suspected abuse and neglect ………………….(855) 444-3911
Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division,
for cases of identity theft ………………………………………….(877) 765-8388
Attorney General, Offi ce of Elder Abuse ……………………….(800) 242-2873
Bridge Card (EBT) – Customer Service ………………………..(888) 678-8914
COVID-19 Hotline …………………………………………………….(888) 535-6136
Disability Ombudsman ……………………………………………..(800) 288-5923
Domestic Violence Hotline …………………………………………(800) 799-7233
Elder Care Services ………………………………………………….(800) 677-1116
Elder Law of Michigan, Inc. ……………………………………….(866) 400-9164
Energy Assistance ………………………………………………………………… 2-1-1
Home Heating Tax Credit Status …………………………………(517) 636-4486
Medicaid Customer Help …………………………………………..(800) 642-3195
Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) …………..(800) 803-7174
Medicare, includes Part D for pharmacy ………………………(888) 633-4227
Medicare Savings Program ……………………………………….(800) 772-1213
MI Enrolls – Medicaid Managed Care ………………………….(888) 367-6557
Michigan Department of Health & Human Services,
Medicaid Benefi ciary Support ……………………………………(800) 642-3195
Michigan Long-Term Care Ombudsman ………………………(866) 485-9393
Michigan Stroke Network ………………………………………….(866) 522-8676
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency ……………………………….(800) 642-4838
National Alliance on Mental Illness ……………………………..(810) 232-6498
Nursing Home Complaints…………………………………………(800) 882-6006
Relay Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing ……………………………….. 7-1-1
Sexual Assault Crisis Intervention ……………………………….(517) 372-6666
Social Security Administration ……………………………………(800) 772-1213
State SSI Supplement ………………………………………………(800) 481-4774
Substance Abuse Hotline ………………………………………….(800) 662-4357
Suicide Prevention Crisis Hotline ………………………………..(800) 273-8255
TAX statements for Adult Home Help …………………………..(800) 292-2550
The Emergency Food Assistance Program ……………………(734) 721-4470
THAW – The Heat and Warmth Fund ………………. (800) 866-THAW (8429)
The Senior Alliance Area Agency on Aging 1-C ……………..(734) 722-2830
Volunteers of America Michigan …………………………………(248) 945-0101
Wayne County Health Department ………………………………(734) 727-7100
Wayne County Meals on Wheels …………………………………(734) 259-7584
Wayne County Senior Services ………..(734) 326-5202 or (800) 851-1454
Wayne County Veterans Services ……………………………….(313) 224-5045
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM MEDICARE SCAMS
The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) are warning seniors to protect themselves and their personal information from potential scams and high-pressure sales tactics.
Fraudsters posing as Medicare “representatives” are calling unsuspecting consumers about their Medicare coverage and asking for Medicare ID numbers or other personal information, such as a Social Security Number or date of birth. Once the scammers have this information, they can use it to make unauthorized changes to your Medicare plan.
DIFS and MDHHS have some important tips for protecting yourself:
• Never give your Medicare number or other personal information to an unknown caller. You are always able to get information on Medicare plans without providing an ID number. The only time the Medicare ID number is required is when you are actively enrolling in a plan.
• Do not give out your personal information if someone calls or visits your home and says they’re from Medicare. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will never call or send someone to your home to ask for personal information or check your Medicare number.
• Don’t trust caller ID. Scammers use technology to make it look like they are calling from a legitimate business or government agency.
• Ignore anyone who calls saying you must join their prescription drug plan, or you will lose your Medicare coverage. While it is true that there may be a penalty if you delay enrolling in the Medicare prescription drug plan (also known as Part D), that coverage is voluntary.
• Don’t trust mailers that appear to be government communications but are advertisements for private companies. These mailers will sometimes have a disclaimer, but it is buried in small print.
If you have questions or concerns about your Medicare coverage, DIFS and MDHHS urge you to contact Medicare directly at Medicare.gov or by calling (800) 633-4227.
Insurance fraud, including Medicare fraud, results in higher health care costs for participants and taxpayers alike. That is why it’s so important to know how to protect your Medicare card and number. If you or a loved one has experienced this type of scam or high-pressure tactic, contact DIFS at Michigan.gov/DIFSComplaints or call (877) 999-6442 to file a complaint.
Wayne County Senior Services
3600 Commerce Court, Building E, Wayne, MI 48184
(734) 326-5202 or (800) 851-1454
seniornutrition@waynecounty.com
If you’re looking for information about aging well, check out the seniors’ section of the Wayne County Senior Services website at waynecounty.com/departments/seniorservices. Many resources are available for volunteering, donations, meals, legal issues, and local services, as well as other valuable information. Be sure to check out their Senior Resource Directory — it has quite a bit of good information!
THE SENIOR ALLIANCE’S FRIENDLY REASSURANCE PROGRAM FOR AGES 60+
The Senior Alliance’s Friendly Reassurance Program is designed to help homebound
individuals aged 60 and older remain independent in their own homes for as long as possible by providing reassuring telephone calls, social support, and safety checks. This program aims to reduce isolation and help program participants feel safer and more connected to their community.
Program Services
• Ongoing telephone calls to a homebound individual
• The call is placed at a prearranged time each day
• Calls can be made up to five days a week, Monday through Friday
• Calls are made by TSA trained staff
• This service is provided at no cost
• If the recipient does not answer the phone, a procedure of safety checks is followed
Participant Information
• Must be temporarily or permanently homebound
• Be age 60 or older
• Must agree to program guidelines
Please call The Senior Alliance to learn more at (800) 815-1112.
COVID-19: SOLACE DURING SECLUSION
Anxiety. Depression. Stress. The isolation accompanying social distancing can heighten them all, particularly more for seniors, who are in a higher-risk category for contracting COVID-19.
While it’s perfectly fine to take a walk in the neighborhood and enjoy some fresh air, seniors
should still take precautions when out and about. Wear a mask if you go to the doctor’s office or grocery store and maintain a social distance of at least six feet from others.
Here are some other coping strategies for weathering the pandemic:
• Connect with friends and family through phone calls, social media, and video chatting
• Call your neighbors just to say hello and see how they’re doing
• Reach out to more distant friends or family to reignite old relationships
• Take breaks from the media and avoid watching the news all the time
• Stretch, eat balanced meals, sleep, and exercise regularly
• Maintain routines, especially if you are already under treatment for mental illness
• Contact your health care provider if you feel overwhelmed
SENATE BILL 3: Repealing the Retirement Tax
In 2011, the Michigan Legislature decided to relieve corporations of $1.64 billion in taxes and ASSISTANCE shifted $1.4 billion of that amount to the people of Michigan in the process when they passed taxes on seniors’ pensions. The three-tiered taxation system created in 2012 to generate this lost revenue meant that seniors have been paying more of their hardworking dollars in taxes ever since.
These existing taxes are unfair for our seniors and, during the worst pandemic of a century, it’s unconscionable that corporations are allowed to post record profits while Wayne County seniors continue to foot the bill for the state’s tax shortcomings.
Removing this unfair, tiered tax system remains a priority of mine in the Legislature, which is why I co-sponsored Senate Bill 3. This bill would eliminate the tiered approach to taxing pensions and treat every retired person — no matter their age or date of birth — the same under Michigan’s pension tax law. I look forward to working with my colleagues on this legislation this year.
COVID-19: INFORMATION & RESOURCES
Our health care professionals and public servants have been hard at work since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, making sure that everyone has access to important information and resources. Even as more people can get vaccinated, it’s important that all of us continue to do our part to stay safe and stop the spread of this virus by wearing a mask in public spaces, staying at least six feet apart from others, and
avoiding crowded indoor places when possible.
State of Michigan
COVID-19 Hotline (888) 535-6136
Michigan.gov/Coronavirus
Michigan.gov/COVIDvaccine
Wayne County
Wayne County Health Department
COVID-19 Public Information Line (734) 287-7870
WayneCounty.com/COVID19
Meals on Wheels
Wayne County Meals on Wheels
30712 Michigan Ave., Westland, MI 48186 | (734) 259-7584
As a community, it’s important for us to support our older loved ones who, after a lifetime of hard work, continue to give back so much and serve as the backbone of our neighborhoods. If you are a senior, or if you know of someone who is, and are living on a fixed income and struggling to pay for nutritious food due to expensive prescription drug costs, rising utility rates, increased rent, and more, please know that Meals on Wheels can help.
This program helps senior citizens eat nutritious meals by providing five per week to homebound, older adults. They also offer liquid nutrition for those who are unable to eat solid food and who have a prescription from their physician.
To qualify for Meals on Wheels, an adult must be:
• 60 years of age or older;
• Homebound (e.g. unable to
leave home without assistance
and unable to drive);
• Unable to cook for themself;
• Have no one willing or
available to prepare meals on a
regular basis; and,
• Able to feed themself.
For more information or to determine if you’re eligible for Meals on Wheels, contact Wayne County Meals on Wheels at (734) 259-7584.
HOME HEATING ASSISTANCE
In the dead of winter, heating bills can become a burden that cause many to struggle just to keep their house warm but, fortunately, The Heat and Warmth (THAW) Fund can help.
THAW has multiple utility assistance programs available, including affordable payment plans for customers of DTE’s Low Income Self-Sufficiency Plan (LSP) and the Consumers Energy Consumers Affordable Resource for Energy (CARE) plan. They also offer resources for utility payment assistance
and/or state emergency relief.
See which program you may qualify for at THAWFund.org/Programs or call (800) 866-THAW (8429).
In addition, here are some helpful phone numbers if you have questions about your heating bill:
DTE Energy: (800) 477-4747
SEMCO Energy: (800) 624-2019
Consumers Energy: (800) 477-5050
Michigan Gas Utilities: (800) 401-6402