Receiving these two benefits begins with filing ONE application: The Illinois Benefit Access Application! Are you eligible? One must be 65 or older, or over 16 and totally disabled; AND have an annual income from all sources under $27,610 for singles or $36,635 for couples. The application is good for two years. ALL applications must be submitted online. NO paper forms exist. You can do it yourself here or you can make an appointment with Margie and she will do it for you! Just call for an appointment and to learn what documents are needed.

Be prepared! This handy all-in-one blue packet contains information ready to grab in case of a medical emergency. It includes forms regarding health info, emergency contacts, advanced directives and more. It is placed in or on the fridge, where our local emergency personnel know to look for it. This is a collaborative effort between PTC and the Deerfield-Bannockburn Fire Department and is available at the PTC free of charge to local residents.

Join our wonderful group of family caregivers! Studies show that caregivers reduce their stress, enjoy improved health and provide better care when receiving support. ACES is a group of super people who are caring for a loved one, usually a spouse or parent. They gather twice a month for valuable information on relevant topics, leads on resources, and to share concerns and tips with other caregivers. You do not have to live with your care recipient to be considered a caregiver. Whether seeking information on resources or services or feeling stress or sadness from caring for a loved one, ACES can help. Come meet others in our community who like you, are caring for an older adult. We meet from 1:00 – 2:30 pm on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month in the PTC library.

If your care obligations keep you from attending ACES, we have solutions! Through our treasured partnership with Faith in Action Volunteers, we offer two respite options! On-site supervision at PTC is available for your loved one while you attend our ACES meeting. Care recipients must be comfortable being apart from their loved one, have appropriate behavior, and be able to use the restroom on their own. Pre-screening and reservations are required. A trained Faith In Action respite volunteer can come to your home, if needed, while you attend the meeting. This is based on availability and location and pre-screening is required. Both respite options never have a fee. Please call Margie Fischer at PTC for details.

Did you know there is a small fund available to assist lower income older adult residents that helps pay a portion of their membership and program fees at the Patty Turner Center? The GrandFriends Fund was originated and is supported by the fundraising efforts of the students at Caruso Middle School. What a great bunch of kids! Margie can provide eligibility and program information. Participation is strictly confidential.

The Deerfield area is one of the richest around when it comes to providing transportation services for older adults. Options include the Village Taxi Program; the West Deerfield Township handicapped-accessible “Going Places” van; a variety of specialty volunteer programs and the Lake County transportation grant. Programs vary in scope, eligibility and availability. Which ones are right for you? Contact Social Services for more information.

Our popular “Guide to Community Services for Older Adults and Their Families” contains lots of information on services and programs helpful to older adults. It describes the many governmental and charitable programs in the area.  The booklet is produced by our very own social service staff and tailored for use in our community.  Copies are on hand at the PTC. Thank you Whitehall of Deerfield for underwriting the cost of the printing.

Patty Turner Center proudly hosts an Alzheimer Association Support Group. It provides emotional, educational and social support for those family and friends of individuals with Alzheimer’s and other related dementias. It’s free and there is no need to sign-up; just drop in! The group meets on the 1st Monday of every month at 2:00 pm in the PTC conference room. It is intended for family caregivers of individuals in mid to later stages of dementia. For more information, call the Alzheimer Association, Greater Illinois Chapter at 800-272-3900 or go to alz.org/illinois and click on Support Groups.

PTC now has a low vision group. Meetings are enlightening, interactive and a great place to share ideas and tools to live meaningfully and independently.  Meetings are at 10:00 am on the 2nd Monday of odd numbered months. Meetings are FREE and open to the community. No matter your age or your town, if you are interested, join us!

West Deerfield Township has a grant program for residents with various disabilities aimed at improving their access to the community. Grants of up to $1000 per household/per year may be awarded to residents to help with solutions to increase  accessibility at home and in the community. Expenses which may qualify for this program include home remodeling/adaptation, mobility equipment, communication devices, etc. Older adults are encouraged to apply. The program is intended to assist WDT residents with the greatest financial need, but there is no stated income limit. Interested older adults may call Margie to ask questions about the program. Applications are made to WDT and kept strictly confidential. Forms are available at the Township office, the Patty Turner Center or online at westdeerfieldtownship.org. Grants are awarded on a quarterly basis. For more information, call West Deerfield Township or Social Services at the PTC.

If you have questions on the ABC and D’s of Medicare, ask SHIP! This Illinois Department on Aging program answers your questions about enrollment, drug plans, supplemental plans, advantage plans, subsidies and claims. Trained Senior Health Insurance Program volunteers provide FREE one-to-one information/counseling sessions. By appointment at PTC. Smart beneficiaries use SHIP because “The Best Choice is an Educated Choice!”

The rollout is beginning! Cards will be mailed between April 2018 – April 2019. Why? Social Security numbers are being removed to help keep your information more secure and protect your identity. You’ll get a new Medicare number that’s unique to you, and it will only be used for your Medicare coverage. The new card won’t change your coverage or benefits. You’ll get more information from Medicare when your new card is mailed. Here’s how you can get ready: Make sure your mailing address is up to date. If your address needs to be corrected, contact Social Security at ssa.gov/myaccount or 1-800-772-1213. Beware of scammers who may call you to ask personal or private information. Medicare will NOT call you. Understand that mailing everyone a new card will take some time. Your card might arrive at a different time than your friend’s or neighbor’s.

During tax season, IRS-Certified Volunteers from AARP will return to the PTC to provide help in completing simple tax returns. This FREE service will be available on Friday afternoons. Appointments are required. Please call (847) 940-4010 to make an appointment.