Save Money On Prescriptions—Join EPIC
By John Toscano

Senior citizens who have been buffeted by ever-rising costs of prescription drugs, fuel and Medicare premiums, won’t get much help from the annual Social Security benefit cost of living adjustment (COLA). Next year beneficiaries will receive an average $13 a month increase.

The COLA comes to just 1.4 percent, the lowest since the 1.3 percent increase in 1999. The reason it is so low is the low inflation generated by a sluggish economy.

The paltry COLA increase brought this comment from AARP official William D. Novelli: "For the majority of retirees, today’s COLA announcement may be the only good economic news of the year. While savings may have stagnated, health costs have increased and investments have lost value. At least Social Security benefits have kept pace with inflation."

But with prescription drugs increasing by 8 percent and a Medicare premium increase of 8.74 percent coming, Mike Burgess of New York Statewide Seniors Action Counsel, sees the COLA increase as not reflecting a happy year for most people.

Burgess added, "There are concerns that we should have a cost-of-living increase for elderly Americans that reflects what they spend their money on."

For several years, seniors’ advocates have been saying the COLA for the elderly should be based on items which take up the bulk of their spending, such as prescription drugs, heating fuel and rent.

START SR. ESCORTS: A Senior Citizens Escort program is being initiated at the 115th Police Precinct in Jackson Heights by the precinct’s Auxiliary Police unit, the precinct announced last week.

The new program has designated an Escort Coverage area to provide the service to seniors living within it—69th to 90th Streets from Roosevelt Avenue to Northern Boulevard.

Seniors within the designated area must call (718) 533-2031 to schedule the service, which will include two Auxiliary Police Officers for each senior. The reservation must be confirmed at least 48 hours before the service is to take place.

The service will operate Monday to Friday from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The escorts can accompany the senior only to a location within the coverage area and then back home. These short trips can be to a supermarket, a house of worship, a bank, a restaurant or for any other legitimate purpose, as long as it is within the coverage area.

However, according to the announcement of the new program, the Escort Service stated: "We may be able to accommodate other locations based on availability." It also said those running the program hope to expand coverage in early 2003.

To make a reservation for an escort, call (718) 533-2031.

INVITATION TO EXERCISE: The news bulletin we received from the Cunningham Park Seniors says:

"Take a leisurely or energizing walk around the track this winter—indoor exercise—free program, free refreshments. Sit, relax, socialize, or play in your own warm environment just for you—cards, board games, table top games, music, dance, read, form clubs."

The program will run to June from Monday to Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those interested can drop in at Cunningham Park, 193rd Street and Aberdeen Road, the Play School Building in the second parking field (car entrance at Francis Lewis Boulevard, south of Union Turnpike. For more information, call Barbarette Williams, the program director, at (718) 740-1999.

DISCOUNT DRUG CARD PLAN UNDERWAY: Congress adjourned last Thursday without enacting any law to help relieve seniors of their prescription drug costs. According to some Washington sources, there will not be any such law passed until possibly next year and only if one party makes major gains in the November 5 elections, enough so that one party has control of both houses of Congress.

Meanwhile, the administration of President George W. Bush is going ahead with its plans to create prescription drug discount cards, which can save a senior about 10 to 15 percent a year on drug costs. However, the president’s authority to create a discount drug program has been challenged in the courts, so some doubt still exists as to whether the cards will ever come in to existence.

According to the October issue of the AARP Bulletin, the government Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the agency charged with setting up the drug discount card program, hopes to have the cards ready to issue by next spring.

ALERT ABOUT FLU, PNEUMONIA: Last Friday, the city Department for the Aging (DFTA), in collaboration with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, held a special senior wellness forum, "Flu and Pneumonia: What Every Senior Needs to Know" at the JASA Rochdale Village Senior Center in Jamaica.

At the forum, a Department of Health representative explained how seniors can protect themselves from the serious illnesses associated with flu and pneumonia, why it’s especially important for seniors to get a flu shot every year, and where they can receive free flu and pneumonia shots. DFTA plans to hold similar forums at other locations. For more information, call (212) 442-1111, or speak to your doctor about free flu and pneumonia shots. It is very important.

MEETINGS: AARP Jackson Heights Chapter No. 991 will feature a talk by social worker Phyllis Tompkins on various problems seniors may have at its Wednesday, November 6 meeting at 1 p.m. at The Jewish Center of Jackson Heights, 37-06 77th St., Jackson Heights.

On the same day, at the AARP Chapter No. 2889 meeting in Elmhurst, Sally and Paul Praver will present "A Hysterical, Historical Journey." The meeting starts at 12:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 54-05 Seabury St., Elmhurst.