Wednesday, November 29, 2017

SENIORS ALIVE! YOUR DECEMBER ISSUE

HERE IS YOUR DECEMBER ISSUE OF SENORS ALIVE!

Lots going on in our area for our seniors. Look especially at the 'High Tailing It' on this Saturday, 9 December, 

This trip goes to Yankee Candle, Golden Corral buffet and the 'Bright Lights Tour.' 

The price for the transportation and tour is $25.00 per person. You're on your own for food at Golden Corral.

Check out the details in this issue today.

This trip is co-sponsored by GHSS and the town of Hillsborough.

Sunday, November 26, 2017

HERE'S A GREAT GIFT IDEA!








 At a loss what to get your favorite senior who doesn’t really need anything?  A Greater Hillsborough Services Gift Certificate (GHSS) can be purchased in any amount of your choice.  These certificates can be applied to any GHSS activity.  For details call Pat Mathison at
603-464-5029! 

Happy Holidays

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Too much of a good thing?

I must be one of the very few people in the world, or anyway my small corner of the world, who does not have a smartphone.

I know that because when I look around me the people I see are NOT looking around themselves. They are rapt in the small world of their smartphones.  Either talking to their smartphone or otherwise immersed in it.

The 'Tech Revolution' -- epitomized by the smartphone-- promises connection to a larger universe. Maybe. I'm not so sure, and at what price?

Spend a lot of time in the virtual world and you run the risk of becoming virtual yourself. Lose physical  interpersonal contact and you can become anonymous. Disembodied.

We seniors might be less susceptible to the lure of tech. Me, for example. Often we have a great responsibility in bringing up our grandchildren. We might recognise some of the downsides of addiction to the rush of multiple 'Like's' on Facebook, and shake our gray heads in dismay when all we can see of our family members at the dinner table is the tops of the heads, the rest of the head bent over the smartphone. But what we might see in particular cases we might not recognize in the larger world.

Here are some sobering statistics  drawn from a larger world than our own that should make us say "Enough already!" the next time the smartphone appears at the dinner table--or anywhere else for that matter!

Eighth graders who spend more than ten hours per week on social media are 56 percent more likely to say they are unhappy than those who spend less time. Eighth graders who are heavy users of social media increase their risk of depression by 27 percent. Teens who spend more than three hours per day on electronic devices are 35 percent more likely to have a risk factor for suicide, like making a plan to do it. Girls, especially hard hit, have experienced a 50 percent rise in depressive symptoms.

(and if these statistics are not sad enough by themselves, remember that the greatest number of deaths attributed to guns in the USA each year are suicides. If your grandchild is depressed enough to plan a suicide, a loaded, readily available gun in the house greatly increases the likelihood that that plan will succeed. You might also want to consider  securing your guns as we enter the Christmas season, which is a notorously difficult time for those suffering from depression)

Social media, smartphones and all that are business schemes and they need to make money. To make money they require our participation. Addiction, even.

How bad can that be?

Think about it!

Thursday, November 16, 2017

BEWARE OF. UTILITY COMPANY SCAMS

Utility companies in our region are reporting that customers are receiving calls that demand payment. These are scams.

The callers might tell you that you owe money on your power bill and that you must pay immediately. You are to go out and buy a prepaid debit card in the required amount and then call back with that card number.

Don't do it. Energy companies will never demand payment with a prepaid debit or gift card.

If this happens to you, don't panic and don't pay.

If you get a call or a home visit, or if something seems suspicious, call your local police right away. 

The Utilities Against Scams website provides information about scams and how you can protect yourself from identity theft. You can report suspicious activity to the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission at 271-2431.

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

HEALTHCARE OPEN SEASON

53,000 Granite Staters will be selecting or renewing a health plan through HealthCare.gov, through an agent, or directly from an insurance company.  

A lot of seniors find them selves caretakers of our children, so it  behooves us to become familiar with the insurance process, while we thank our lucky stars that we have Medicare.

Even if you like your 2017 plan, you should shop and compare your options for 2018. Minuteman will not offer plans in New Hampshire in 2018. Coverage is available through the Marketplace from three insurance companies (Ambetter, Harvard Pilgrim and Anthem).

Open season is shorter than has been in the past, running from 1 November through 15 December.

The Marketplace (www.HealthCare.gov) is your source for federally regulated and subsidized health insurance. If you have questions about or issues with using the Marketplace and obtaining coverage, please call the federal government at (800) 318-2596. (Once you have coverage, please contact the NH Insurance Department with questions or concerns, at 1-800-852-3416 or (603) 271-2261, or by email at consumerservices@ins.nh.gov.)

For an overview of how to get coverage in New Hampshire, the NH Insurance Department provides extensive information on plans, networks, help in finding a plan for you through navigators or brokers, how to file complaints and lots of other resources.  See also the NH Insurance Dept's NH HEALTH COST site for information about health insurance in New Hampshire and the open season.

Additional helpful sites are HealthInsurance.Org, where you can compare plans and obtain quotes, and Covering New Hampshire.

The HealthCare.gov 2018 plan preview tool is available and the interactive tool will help you to figure out how much of a subsidy the federal government will provide for you and your family to help you get health care. 

You don't have to do anything if you are happy with your current insurancee. If you had a policy that is no longer offered in New Hampshire and you don't do anything, you will be automatically enrolled in a plan that is deemed similar to your current plan; but that plan may not have a similar premium and your doctors and prescription drugs may not be in network.

Remember that the mandate to have health care still applies to 2018. 

Monday, November 6, 2017

November Seniors Alive!

Here is your November issue of Greater Hillsborough Senior Service's newsletter, Seniors Alive!.

Entering the Holiday Season, you will find a bunch of bus trips to musical events and shopping opportunities.

This month Seniors Alive! reminds you to get your flu shot. It'll probably be free, covered by your insurance, and is available at local pharmacies. Don't get caught this season!