Prime Times Briefs

Wood Co. Committee on Aging offering memory screenings
        Are you concerned about memory loss? Interested in finding out how your memory is now as a baseline for future comparison?
        On Nov. 12 from 10-12 p.m. the Wood County Committee on Aging (WCCOA) will be offering free, confidential memory screenings and information about successful aging at the Wood County Senior Center, located at 305 North Main St. in Bowling Green.
        Earlier in the day at 9 a.m. join WCCOA for a presentation by the Rehabilitation Hospital of Northwest Ohio on Traumatic Brain Injuries. Participants will also have the opportunity to visit with several vendors, play brain games and win prizes.
        A memory screening is like many other routine health check-ups. It’s a simple, non-invasive test designed to gauge memory, language skills and other intellectual functions. Each screening takes approximately 30 minutes, and while the result is not a diagnosis, it can suggest if someone should see a physician for a full evaluation.
        Register by calling WCCOA at 419-353-5661 or 800-367-4935, or e-mail programs@wccoa.net.
        The National Memory Screening program is an initiative of the Alzheimer's Foundation of America. Learn more at nationalmemoryscreening.org.        
 
Honoring veterans
        All Veterans are cordially invited to a Commemoration Pinning Ceremony sponsored by Stein Hospice, the Ottawa County Veterans Service Office and Ottawa County Senior Resources Wednesday, Nov. 13 at the Oak Harbor Senior Center, 8180 W. SR 163, Oak Harbor. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. The ceremony will follow at noon.
        The event is free for all veterans and their spouses. For more info, call 419-898-6459.
 
Perrysburg Commons events
        Perrysburg Commons Retirement Center will host a trio of events in November:
        A Veteran’s Day Breakfast will be held Monday, Nov. 11 at 8 a.m. Heartland of Perrysburg, located at 10540 Fremont Pike, Perrysburg. will be serving a complimentary breakfast to all veterans. Schaller American Legion will present a flag ceremony at 8:30 a.m.
        A Community Euchre Tournament will be held Friday, Nov. 15 at 1 p.m. Attendees are invited to enjoy a fun afternoon with refreshments and prizes. The tournament is held the third Friday monthly.
        The St. Luke’s Family Medicine Lecture Series continues Wednesday, Nov. 27 at 10:30 a.m. This month’s topic will be “Depression and Anxiety,” presented by Dr. Manny Jean-Louis. A complimentary lunch will be served following the presentation. RSVP requested at 419-874-1931.
 
Alzheimer’s Support
           Magruder Hospital will host the monthly Alzheimer’s Support Group Monday, Nov. 11 at 9 a.m. in the Conference Center, 915 Fulton St., Port Clinton.
          Meeting on the second Monday of each month, the group provides helpful tips, education, encouragement and resources to family, friends and caregivers of anyone dealing with dementia and memory loss.
        For more information about this program as well as other support groups, events and screenings, visit www.magruderhospital.com and click on the events calendar.
 
Socks for Seniors
        Ottawa Count Senior Resources is hosting its fifth Socks for Seniors collection for the 2019 holiday season.
        Senior Resources is collecting new socks and blankets for homebound seniors. The items collected will be distributed to all of the county’s 250-plus home-delivered meal clients during the month of December.
        Socks for Seniors is a non-profit community service project geared toward helping senior citizens keep their feet warm during the winter months. In addition to traditional grip slippers or athletic tube socks, whimsical, funky and holiday socks are welcome.
        Collection points include all Ottawa County senior centers, the Ottawa County Senior Resources Main Office, Riverview Healthcare Campus Main Lobby and the Ottawa County Courthouse.
        Call 419-898-6459 for details about the collection. Visit socksforseniors.com for more details about Socks for Seniors.
 
Holiday open house & resource fair set
        Ottawa County Senior Resource’s annual Holiday Open House & Resource Fair will be held Wednesday, Dec. 4 from 11 a.m. -2 p.m. at the Ottawa County Fairgrounds, Building 3 – White Barn, 7880 W. SR 163, Oak Harbor.
        The event, which is open to seniors, caregivers and the community, will feature more than 40 vendor booths, a Fishbowl Auction and a 50/50 raffle. Candy Miller will provide entertainment. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be served throughout the event.
        Senior Resources will be collecting new socks and blankets for the Socks for Seniors campaign and pet food for the “Senior Resources Loves Pets” program, which helps seniors feed their beloved animals. All those who bring a donated item will receive a free raffle ticket.
        The event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 11 a.m. and the final auction will begin at 1:30 p.m.
        For more details, call Ottawa County Senior Resources at 419-898-6459.
 
Holiday Bazaar
        Oregon Senior Center, located at 4350 Navarre Ave., Oregon, will present a Holiday Bazaar Friday, Dec. 6 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
        The bazaar will feature crafts, unique gifts, raffles and a bake sale.
        Bakers and vendors interested in more information may call 419-698-7078.
 
Jingle & Mingle Luncheon
        Lake Schools will present a Senior Citizen Jingle & Mingle Luncheon Friday, Dec. 20 at 1 p.m. at Lake High School.
        Seniors are invited to enjoy lunch and performances by Lake Flyer students.
        To RSVP and or request transportation, contact Lisa Feather at 419-661-6526.
 
Social Security  benefit increase
        Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for nearly 69 million Americans will increase 1.6 percent in 2020, the Social Security Administration announced today.
        The 1.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 63 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2020.
        Increased payments to more than 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on Dec. 31, 2019. (Note: some people receive both Social Security and SSI benefits.) The Social Security Act ties the annual COLA to the increase in the Consumer Price Index as determined by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.
        Some other adjustments that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages. Based on that increase, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $137,700 from $132,900.
        Social Security and SSI beneficiaries are normally notified by mail in early December about their new benefit amount. Most people who receive Social Security payments will be able to view their COLA notice online through their my Social Security account. People may create or access their my Social Security account online at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
        Information about Medicare changes for 2020, when announced, will be available at www.medicare.gov. For Social Security beneficiaries receiving Medicare, Social Security will not be able to compute their new benefit amount until after the Medicare premium amounts for 2020 are announced. Final 2020 benefit amounts will be communicated to beneficiaries in December through the mailed COLA notice and my Social Security’s Message Center.
        The Social Security Act provides for how the COLA is calculated. To read more, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/cola.