All Posts in "Press Release"

If you’re looking for something beyond barbecue and parades for the Memorial Day weekend, Mountain View Funeral Home, Memorial Park and Crematory is hoping you’ll consider honoring our fallen military men and women by participating in one or more of the tributes being held at their location at 4100 Steilacoom Blvd SW in Lakewood.

There will be events throughout the weekend beginning with a dove release and music from a bagpiper at noon on Saturday, May 26, in the Veterans, Military, New Veteran and Responders Gardens.  At 2 p.m., a Tribute to Veterans Service will feature a keynote by Tommy Carson, a 21-year Army veteran of two wars.  A patriotic concert by saxophonist Darren Motamedy and ice cream social follow the service.

On Sunday, May 27, highlights will include a 7 p.m. concert by Denver’s Queen City Jazz Band, followed by refreshments and a rousing fireworks display.  A bagpipe and dove release will precede the concert in the Veterans, Military, New Veteran and Responders Gardens from 5 – 6 p.m.

On Monday, May 28, a flyover by McChord Air Force Base will lead the 2 p.m. Veterans Memorial Day Service. Major Reynold T. Muranaka, will keynote the service, which includes a special tribute to Gen. Shalikashvili and MSGT Llwellyn Chilson.  A bagpiper and dove release concludes the day.

Flowers will be onsite for purchase and free flags and grave location services will be available all weekend.  All events are free and open to the community. For more information, call 253-584-0252, or visit www.mountainviewtacoma.com.

Press Release by — May 22, 2012 in Everything Else

Buying a nice gift for your mother’s birthday is always a good idea. But people across the nation are discovering that the best gifts are often free.   You can show Mom how to save an estimated $4,000 a year on her Medicare prescription drug costs. Here’s how.

If your mother is covered by Medicare and has limited income and resources, she may be eligible for Extra Help — available through Social Security — to pay part of her monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and prescription co-payments. The Extra Help is estimated to be worth about $4,000 per year.

To figure out whether your mother is eligible, Social Security needs to know her income and the value of her savings, investments and real estate (other than the home she lives in). To qualify for the extra help, she must be receiving Medicare and have:

•   Income limited to $16,755 for an individual or $22,695 for a married couple living together. Even if her annual income is higher, she still may be able to get some help with monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and prescription co-payments. Some examples where income may be higher include if she and, if married, her husband:

—Support other family members who live with them;

—Have earnings from work; or

—Live in Alaska or Hawaii.

•   Resources limited to $13,070 for an individual or $26,120 for a married couple living together. Resources include such things as bank accounts, stocks, and bonds. We do not count her house or car as resources.

Social Security has an easy-to-use online application that you can help complete for your mom. You can find it at www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp. To apply by phone or have an application mailed to you, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask for the Application for Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs (SSA-1020). Or go to the nearest Social Security office.

To learn more about the Medicare prescription drug plans and special enrollment periods, visit www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048).

Mom will be grateful when you give her a useful gift this year: help her save an estimated $4,000 a year on Medicare prescription drugs. It won’t cost you anything more than a little bit of quality time with her — something you and Mom both want anyway. And don’t forget, these rules apply to Dad as well.

Press Release by — May 12, 2012 in Everything Else
AAA survey finds nearly half of senior drivers worry about no longer driving

Nearly half of senior drivers worry about losing their independence and mobility when it’s time to give up their car keys, according to a recent survey by the AAA.  As 10,000 Americans turn 65 years old every day, AAA is actively working to preserve the safe mobility of seniors across America.

“Planning, skills assessment and education are key steps to maintaining the safe mobility of senior drivers,” said AAA Washington spokesperson Jennifer Cook. “The good news is that a little effort now can really help seniors extend their safe driving years.”

These issues led AAA to create a comprehensive online resource to provide expert advice and helpful resources for older adults and their families—working to support them as they tackle the challenge of balancing safety and mobility.  SeniorDriving.AAA.com provides convenient, online access to a wealth of interactive material designed to assess and improve driving skills and reduce driving risks. These free resources include:

· AAA Roadwise Review – A computer-based screening tool that allows older drivers to measure changes in their functional abilities scientifically linked to crash risk.

· Drivers 65+: Check Your Performance –A self-rating form of questions, facts and suggestions for safe driving.

· Smart Features for Mature Drivers – A guide to help identify vehicle features that can assist drivers with the visual, physical and mental changes that are frequently encountered as they age.

To view results from AAA’s survey of older drivers visit NewsRoom.AAA.com.  For more information on AAA’s free resources for senior drivers and their families, visit SeniorDriving.AAA.com

Press Release by — May 7, 2012 in Everything Else

This year, National Volunteer Week takes place April 15-21. The theme is “Volunteers – Every One Counts.” The goal is to send a strong message to existing volunteers that they are valued, and to support potential volunteers by reinforcing that every single volunteer makes an important contribution to the broader community.

The Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) program honors it volunteers.  SHIBA volunteers provide free and unbiased health care access and information resources, as well as information and counseling services for evaluating, planning, and using health insurance and public health programs.

A brief history of SHIBA

  • In operation since 1979
  • Started by a volunteer in Skagit County
  • The first program of its kind in the nation
  • Recognized nationally as a model for health insurance consumer counseling
  • Inspired federal funding to create State Health Insurance Programs (SHIPs) in all states
  • Approximately 400 volunteers statewide
  • Twenty-two local sponsoring agencies representing all 39 Washington counties

SHIBA volunteer contributions in 2010

  • SHIBA volunteers counseled 37,562 clients
  • Served 11,479 folks at enrollment events
  • Provided outreach to more than 71,041 folks by email/fax/postal mail
  • Assisted 58,977 folks at 237 health fairs
  • Counseled 12,064 at 419 public presentations and workshops

In Washington state:

  • 34.4 percent of state residents volunteered – ranking Washington 10th nationwide.
  • Washington has consistently had more volunteers than the national average for the past decade.
  • Volunteers served an average of 39.8 hours per resident – ranking Washington 11th nationwide.
  •  Volunteers in Washingtone have consistently served more hours than in the rest of the country.

SHIBA works because of you.  Many thanks for what you give to your local communities and to SHIBA.   We offer many volunteer opportunities.   If you have any question or would like to become a volunteer, call 1-800-562-6900 or check us out on the web at www.insurance.wa.gov/shiba.

Press Release by — April 11, 2012 in Everything Else