From Harvest to Health: Gather today, plan for tomorrow

by: Alexa M. Ten Eyck and Rachel Stanley

October is harvest season throughout the Stockbridge area. Fields are to be cleared while gardens give up the last of their produce. Preparations begin for the colder months ahead. Annual harvests are also a time to take stock of the yield. This process of taking stock is valuable; it makes it possible to evaluate resources needed to strategize and sustain through changing seasons. Harvest season and the concept associated with the process of harvesting help us make thoughtful decisions about the year ahead.

Taking stock is just as valuable when applied to active aging and future health needs. The Stockbridge Area Senior Center supports this through education and access to resources that help older adults remain informed and involved in decisions affecting their lives. This fall, that effort includes helping Medicare beneficiaries prepare for the coming year. Medicare coverage changes from one year to the next, and those changes affect how well an existing plan fits one’s needs. Reviewing coverage before making decisions for 2027 provides time to take stock of those changes and consider whether current coverage remains appropriate.

The Stockbridge Area Senior Center eagerly hosts “The ABCs of Medicare” on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 1 p.m. Presented by Kevin Gebhard, the program provides an overview of Medicare with information about important coverage changes for the coming year. Medicare beneficiaries and their families are welcome to attend.

For those who would benefit from an individual review, prescheduled, one-on-one Medicare SHIP appointments will be available Nov. 5. “SHIP” stands for the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, which provides unbiased, personalized assistance to Medicare beneficiaries. Participants can review current coverage and learn how available options apply to their individual circumstances. A red, white, and blue Medicare card should be brought to the appointment, along with a current medication list that includes dosages when possible.

Just as the harvest provides an opportunity to take stock before another season begins, fall provides an opportunity to look ahead at health coverage before another year begins. Gathering information today provides a stronger yield for sustaining the decisions of tomorrow and helps individuals remain active participants in planning for the year ahead.

Medicare education and counseling opportunities are supported by the Tri-County Office on Aging and Madison Miller, BSHA. For more information about “The ABCs of Medicare” or to schedule a Nov. 5 SHIP appointment, contact the Stockbridge Area Senior Center.

Alexa M. Ten Eyck is president of the Stockbridge Area Senior Center board of directors and Rachel Stanley is the Center’s director. Experience firsthand a sense of connection and well-being at the SASC. For information, visit stockbridgeareaseniors.org, call 517- 480-0353, or stop in at 219 W. Elm St.