Senior Spotlight By John Toscano

Military servicemen and women returning home from Iraq, Afghanistan or other overseas assignments should have a one-stop information resource center available to help them get reoriented once they're back home, City Councilmember Hiram Monserrate told Mayor Michael Bloomberg last week.

Monserrate, chair of the council Veterans Committee, called upon the mayor to include $5 million in the next city budget to establish Veterans Resource Centers in every borough. The lawmaker was supported in making and reiterating the request by 20 citywide veterans' groups and advocates. They feel it's a small price to pay for such a helpful service.

Monserrate (D- Corona), who's been waging a battle with City Hall on behalf of veterans of all wars, especially the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, stated: "With servicemen and women coming home every day, veterans have spent the past two years requesting a centralized resource center to help soldiers readjust to civilian life and to access needed health benefits. Veterans are making [had made] the request before the mayor's State of the City address and release of his preliminary budget for the upcoming year."

The mayor delivered the address last Wednesday and revealed that the city had several billion dollars in surplus funds from unanticipated revenues last year. It would appear to be a propitious time to provide the funds being sought by Monserrate and the city's veterans on behalf of military personnel coming back from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

PROTECTING SOCIAL SECURITY CHECKS: City Comptroller William Thompson, Jr. offers this advice to Social Security members to make sure their monthly checks do not get lost in the mail or go astray, causing much anxiety and necessitating cutting through a lot of red tape to get a replacement.

Thompson says, "Do you or someone you care about receive a regular Social Security payment by check? If so, consider switching to direct deposit into your bank account for this benefit.

"Just like the Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) program that is offered by the New York City retirement systems for city pension checks, direct deposit is the safest way to receive your payment. Your money goes straight into the account you designate, eliminating the risk of lost or stolen checks or forgeries.

"That means your chances of becoming a victim of financial crimes, such as identity theft or fraud, are significantly reduced. In addition your Social Security funds are credited to your bank account automatically each month- no travelling to a branch, waiting in lines or filling out paperwork."

To enroll in direct deposit for your Social Security check, call toll free 800-333-1795, sign up online at www.GoDirect.org or visit your local bank or credit union, Thompson advises.

We realize that many Social Security members have already taken advantage of Direct Deposit, but feel it doesn't hurt to put this reminder out for those who have not taken advantage of it or are just starting to collect Social Security benefits.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT LONGTERM CARE: For many seniors, long-term care is becoming a reality. It's a good idea for anyone who may be confronted with the choice in the future to know something about it. We mention this because in a recent issue of the AARP magazine, it was stated that not many people know anything about long-term care.

AARP conducted a survey which asked various such questions as how much long-term care costs and who pays for it.

The study surveyed 1,456 people ages 45 and up. The results showed that while 60 percent of respondents said they are familiar with long-term care services, only 8 percent even came close to correctly estimating the average monthly cost of a nursing home ($6,266). Most of the respondents- 63 percent- gave much lower cost estimates.

People also were wrong about who's responsible for paying for the services rendered. While 29 percent thought they were covered, only about 10 percent of older Americans have purchased longterm care insurance.

The whole point of the article was that with people living longer, there's a greater possibility that many of us will be confronted with someone dear to us needing nursing home care, so we should get detailed and accurate knowledge of what it will cost, how much we'll expect to pay for insurance to cover the costs and where the facilities are located. Let's start doing some homework!