If you are one of the approximately 4,536 persons 65 and older in Churchill County, help to enhance independent living may only be a phone call or a website away.
Nevada Care Connections is the state’s established Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) and is administered by Access to Health Care Network (AHN). AHN acts as a single point of entry for long-term support for seniors age 60 and older, people with disabilities of any age, family members, and care providers. By calling 1-877-861-1893, you can get free, unbiased information provided by a trained resource navigator who can assess your needs to help you understand all available options for assistance and empower you to make informed decisions. Calls are received Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sherri Rice, chief executive officer for AHN, said housing, food, financial assistance, and transportation, are the top four issues callers are talking with resource navigators about. Rice added for some individuals case management is needed to monitor an individual’s plan and to alter plans if needs change.
AHN can also assist individuals in applying for the Medicare Savings Program, which if approved, can result in an individual saving up to $144.60 per month on Medicare Part B. The center can also assist people apply for Extra Help which can reduce prescription drug costs under Medicare Part D.
When you call the 877 number, you will reach a resource navigator with (AHN) which is based in Reno and Elko and covers Churchill, Washoe, Storey, Mineral and Pershing, White Pine, Lander, Eureka, Humboldt, Douglas and Elko counties. The AHN web address is https://www.accesstohealthcare.org/
Calling 211 is another service that can help senior citizens and all Nevadans. 211 provides information about health and human service programs available within the individual’s zip code. 211’s website is https://nevada211.org.
Last month U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto held a statewide virtual meeting with senior citizen leaders. Much of the discussion centered on food insecurity and COVID-19 relief. Senator Cortez Masto also announced that a new Senior Resource Guide is available from her office. The 140-page guide has information on numerous topics of interest to senior citizens from Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, veterans benefits, and housing, to scams perpetrated against senior citizens. The senior guide is available at ortezmasto.senate.gov/resource-guides. To obtain a hard copy of the guide, call either the senator’s rural or Reno office and they will mail one to you. The rural number is 775-225-1457. The Reno number is 775-686-5750.
Many readers of this newspaper are aware of the services offered by the Coalition for Senior Citizens/William N. Pennington Life Center (formerly known as the Churchill County Senior Center). One of the services provided by the center is Meals on Wheels. Lisa Erquiaga, executive director of the center, said they serve 300 nutritious meals a day. About 100 are picked up at a drive through and the other 200 are home delivered within a 10 mile radius of Fallon. Erquiaga said the center is still closed to the public during COVID, but staff are working and can be reached at 775-423-7096, email at [email protected], website is www.williamnpenningtonlifecenter.org and Facebook is
@WNPlifecenter.
Stan Cooper is a native of Fallon. He worked many years for AARP and resides in New Mexico.
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