Senior Connections SeniorConnections_MayJune20

Social Security updates related to the COVID-19 Pandemic Celebrating together while apart The family of Elaine Klaustermeier, formerly of Lester Prairie, came up with some cre- ative ways to wish her a happy 95th birthday March 19. Klaustermeier is a resident at GlenFields Living with Care in Glencoe, which has visitor restrictions in place. Members of her family held up a birthday banner out- side of her window. They also created and sent a birthday video for her to watch on a com- puter at the residence. Klaustermeier received many cards and phone calls, and staff saw to it that her day was special, even without outside visitors. SUBMITTED PHOTOS One solution for oxygen at home, away, and for travel Introducing the INOGEN ONE – It’s oxygen therapy on your terms No more tanks to refi ll. No more deliveries. No more hassles with travel. The INOGEN ONE portable oxygen concentrator is designed to provide unparalleled freedom for oxygen therapy users. It’s small, lightweight, clinically proven for stationary and portable use, during the day and at night, and can go virtually anywhere — even on most airlines. Inogen accepts Medicare and many private insurances! Reclaim Your Freedom And Independence NOW! Call Inogen Today To Request Your FREE Info Kit 1-855-418-3428 16 Senior © 2020 Inogen, Inc. All rights reserved. MKT-P0108 Connections May/June 2020 SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Andrew Saul, Commissioner of So- cial Security, reminds the public that Social Security and Supplemental Se- curity Income (SSI) benefit payments will continue to be paid on time during the COVID-19 pandemic. The agency also reminds everyone to be aware of scammers, who try to take advantage of the pandemic to trick peo- ple into providing personal information, or payment via retail gift cards, wire transfers, internet currency, or by mail- ing cash, to maintain Social Security benefit payments or receive economic impact payments from the Department of the Treasury. “Social Security will pay monthly benefits on time and these payments will not be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” commissioner Saul said. “I want our beneficiaries to be aware that scammers may try to trick you into thinking the pandemic is stopping or somehow changing your social security payments, but that is not true. Don’t be fooled.” The Department of the Treasury will soon provide information about economic impact payments under the recently enacted law, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act. The US Treasury, not Social Security, will be making di- rect payments to eligible people. Do not call social security about these payments, as the agency does not have information to share. The agency continues to direct the public to its online self-service options whenever possible. Local offices are closed to the public, but are available by phone. People can find their local field office phone num- ber by accessing the field office locator. To allow available agents to provide better phone coverage, the agency tem- porarily changed the national 800 num- ber hours starting March 31. The hours are now 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. local time. The agency is experiencing longer than normal wait times on the 800 number and asks the public to remain patient, use its online services at www.socialse- curity.gov, or call their local office. Visit the agency’s COVID-19 web page at www.socialsecurity.gov/coro- navirus/ for important information and updates. The importance of social distancing WRIGHT COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH The ideal goal in fighting a pandemic is to halt the spread of disease. As the number of cases in Minnesota con- tinues to rise, every person should be taking measures to lessen the spread of COVID-19. Everyone should limit their public interactions. This is often referred to as social distancing. Work or attend school from home, cancel or postpone confer- ences and meetings, and visit loved ones electronically, rather than in person. If you do need to go out in public, en- sure there are 6 feet of space between yourself and others. Efforts likes this keep people farther apart, making the spread of disease less likely. This reduces the number of cases that are active at any given time, which in turn gives the health care system time to prepare and respond, without becom- ing overwhelmed. This is referred to as “flattening the curve.” Those who are at risk for getting COVID-19 should stay at home. Risk groups include older adults and people with serious medical conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease. If you are sick or not feeling well, stay home. People with an undiagnosed fe- ver and/or cough, or shortness of breath, should stay at home until: • seven days have passed since symp- toms first appeared; • no fever for at least 72 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication); and • other symptoms (such as cough or shortness of breath) have improved. If your illness worsens, call your health care provider immediately. If someone in your household isn’t feeling well, limit your public activity for 14 days, and monitor yourself for symptoms. Call the Wright County Coronavirus Hotline if you have any questions or concerns at 763-682-7607, or visit http:// www.co.wright.mn.us/945/Coronavi- rus-COVID-19. Senior Connections HJ.COM

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