As a group effort I would like to make a directory of services and discounts available to seniors. The more information that the group provides the better the directory of information. What senior services are available in your country? What senior discounts are available? Make sure your provide what country these services are available. List as much information about the program that you can. You may already be aware of programs that are available to seniors. Please add this program here so it can be added to the directory. For additional information on senior programs you can contact your public library, and telephone directory. You can also surf the web which contains an incredible amount of helpful information for seniors. Our goal is to make a senior directory that will help and aid all seniors.
Good initiative,Wyldwynd... to start this thread.. about Belgian's senior citizens.. 65 plus people get free transport on any bus. a train ticket return will cost maybe like 3 U.S.dollars.. there are many benefits for telephone,museum visits.. all at reduced prizes..I bet it's the same in the U.K.. or many other European countries.. I live in the Limburg province..with Hasselt as capital.. in 1997 a Hasselt politician called Steve Stevaert.. of socialist political fraction..started a unique project worldwide.. he made public transport FREE in Hasselt town.. not only for senior citizens..no..for EVERYBODY... even for an American or Japanese tourist for that matter.. Stevaert also arranged free bus system for 65 plus people.. they get a kind of identification card..show it to busdriver.. free transport all over..we also get good healthcare.. old people's homes are run O.K..but politics are now.. in controversy..about how to keep on providing money.. for the eldery...like pension money etc... http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=201965 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_transport_in_Hasselt
Tiger your country has a excellent resource of public transportation. Transporation is one of the most common needs expressed by older people. In the U.S. free public transport is not available. In the United States seniors are offered discounts on public transportation. There are also community based programs and non-profit organizations that offer free transportation to seniors. Programs and discounts may vary from state to state; since each state has its own division of aging services. I will be posting a directory I started for the states so an individual can inquire information about senior services in their local area. There are also national discounts for transportation; for instance, airlines offer senior discounts.
Wyldwynd.. Here's a link on our healthcare system.. hope you will find some things which are useful.. old people get reduced rates at doctors consultations.. we call it *mutualiteit*they pay back an amount... on doctors visits,operations,hospital staying etc.. the medicines are prescribed by a doctor.. we go to a pharmacy..present a card called *SIS card* on that card..one can read by computer..our status.. status means..our place in health security system.. are we of that age??married??kids??etc.. sounds bit like Big brother..but..it's compulsory.. I bet an ideal country in Europe is Sweden.. they get a social democrat system.. we as well..but lots of political discussion here.. Tiger http://www.expatica.com/actual/article.asp?subchannel_id=46&story_id=1493
About pensions for the elderly etc... click social security system for some other information.. http://belgium.angloinfo.com/countries/belgium/socsec6.asp
Thank You Tiger for the link on your healthcare system. Here is a summary of the public healthcare system offered to seniors here in America: Social Security Social Security is based on the concept when you work, you pay taxes into the Social Security system, when you retire or become disabled, you, your spouse and your dependent children receive monthly benefits. Your survivors collect benefits when you die. Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for Social Security at any age. The Social Security taxes you and other workers pay into the system are used to pay for social security benefits. The Supplemental Security Income program is financed by general tax revenues, not Social Security taxes. Supplemental Security Income Supplemental Security Income is called "SSI." This program is run by Social Security but payments are financed by the general revenue funds of the U.S. Treasury. SSI makes monthly payments to people who have low incomes and few assets. To receive SSI you must be living in the U.S. or the Northern Mariana Islands and be 65 or older, blind, or disabled. You must also be a U.S. citizen or national. Medicare Medicare is a health insurance program for: People age 65 or older. People under age 65 with certain disabilities. People of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)or permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant. Original Medicare has two parts, Part A and Part B Part A (Hospital Insurance): Most people pay for Part A through their payroll taxes when they are working. Part A covers inpatient care in hospitals, critical access hospitals, skilled nursing facilities (not custodial or long-term care), and also hospice care and some home health care, once certain conditions are met. Part B (Medical Insurance): Most people pay a monthly premium for Part B. Medicare Part B helps cover doctors' services, outpatient hospital care, some other medical services that Part A doesn't cover, such as some of the services of physical and occupational therapists, and some home health care. Part B helps pay for these covered services and supplies when they are medically necessary. Note: There is also Medicare Part C called Medicare Advantage Note: Persons with Medicare who may need assistance with paying their Medicare Part B premiums can receive assistance through Medicaid. Medicare Enrollment Social Security Administration (SSA) is the agency responsible for enrolling persons into Medicare. Persons receiving retirement benefits or disability benefits will be automatically enrolled in Part B when they become eligible for Part A. For those persons who do not want Part B, they have the option of turning it down, since there is a monthly premium attached to Part B. Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): Begins 3 months before an individual's 65th birthday and ends three months after (seven-month period), when first eligible for Medicare Part A. For individuals who become eligible for Medicare due to disability or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or kidney failure, their IEP depends on the date the disability or treatment started. General Enrollment Period (GEP): This period applies to persons who did not enroll in Medicare Part B during their IEP. This period starts January 1st and ends March 31st of each year. However, a 10% surcharge will be added to the Part B premium for each 12-month period an individual was eligible to enroll and did not. Special Enrollment Period (SEP): There is SEP for Part B for persons who are 65 years or older are covered under a group health insurance plan, either through their own or spouse's present employment. This means that persons may delay enrolling in a Medicare Part B without having to pay the 10% premium surcharge for late enrollment. Medicaid Medicaid is health care assistance that helps people with low incomes and limited resources to obtain medical care for some or all of their bills. Medicaid also helps to pay for nursing home care. Medicaid programs differ from state to state. Eligibility is determined by the Certification Units and is based on family income, resources, and other factors. Examples are documents needed for eligibility determination are: Verification of U.S. Citizenship and age and Verification of resources Other documents may be required as well. Individuals who receive cash assistance from the Department of Human Services and are classified as "Categorically Needy" are automatically eligible for Medicaid. In addition, persons with Medicare who meet the eligibility requirements can receive assistance with paying their Medicare Part A deductible, Medicare Part B premium, and the share of allowable costs not covered by Medicare. Persons with both Medicare and Medicaid are called "Dual Eligibles" (DEs). Medigap A Medigap policy is available to persons who are seeking extra help (insurance coverage) with paying for services not covered by the Original Medicare Plan. A Medigap policy fills in the "gaps" in the Original Medicare Plan. Buying a Medigap policy is not mandatory. Medigap policies are offered by private insurance companies who must follow federal and state laws established to protect persons with Medicare.
Easter Seals has a National Accessible Travelers Database. The NATD stores information on accessible travel options in cities across the US. Entries include details on transit, paratransit, taxi, airport shuttles, and many other transportation services. http://projectaction.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=ESPA_travelers_search
October is energy awareness month. I added the weatherization assistance program to the energy assistance thread.
There are quite a few toll-free numbers phone lines that offer services to seniors. If one group cannot help you, generally the staff will refer you to a association that can answer your questions. Many organizations have local offices with staff who are assigned to find answers to questions. The following is a selective, but not exhaustive, list.(There a few numbers listed that are not toll-free) National Eye Care Project:1-800-222-3937 Access to Justice Legal Helpline: 1-800-200-3633 Alcohol Treatment and Information:1-800-422-1060 Alzheimer's Association: 1-800-272-3900 American Association of Retired Persons:1-800-424-3410 American Cancer Society:1-800-422-6237 Arthritis Foundation:1-800-283-7800 Association of Heart Disease Patients Inc.:1-800-241-6993 Community Health Accreditation Program:1-800-669-1656 Diabetes:1-800-344-4836 Elder Abuse Hotline:1-202-898-2586 Eldercare Locator Service:1-800-677-1116 Grief Recovery Institute:1-800-445-4808 National Council on Aging:1-800-424-9046 National HIV & AIDS Hotline:1-800-342-2437 National Rehabilitation Information Center:1-800-346-2742 Poison Control Network:1-800-722-5725 U.S. Department of Labor/Black Lung:1-800-366-4599 AARP American Association of Retired Persons:1-800-424-3410 American Association of Homes for the Aging: 202-783-2242 National Association of Area Agencies on Aging:202-296-8134 The National Citizen's Coalition for Nursing Home Reform:202-332-2275 Older Women's League:1-800-825-3695 National Senior Citizens Law Center:202-887-5820 Pension Rights Center:202-296-3776 Equal Employment Opportunity Commission:1-800-669-6820 Pension Benefit Guaranty:1-800-400-7242 U.S. Consumer Produce Safety Commission:1-800-638-2772 Social Security Administration:1-800-772-1213 Medicare(for questions or to obtain many free publications and manuels):1-800-633-4227 National Council of Senior Citizens:301-578-8800 If you already know the name of the organization you wish to call, a toll-free information line, 1-800-555-1212, can supply the organization's toll-free number.
