SENIOR NOTES

Veterans’ benefits detailed at meeting

Veterans’ benefits will be discussed at the Laguna Beach Seniors general membership meeting, 12:30 p.m., Monday, at the senior center, 384 Legion St., Laguna Beach.

A member of the Orange County Veteran’s Service Office will make the presentation, substituting for Joe Ford, who was originally scheduled to attend but had to cancel, said Richard Moore of the American Legion.

In addition, a barbershop quartet will perform.

Attendees are asked to bring a can or two of fruit or vegetables, or a donation for Thanksgiving baskets for the needy.

Refreshments will be served.

For more information, call (949) 497-2441.

Friendly Visitor training planned

The Council on Aging-Orange County and Laguna Beach Seniors, Inc. are continuing their partnership on a project long overdue in Laguna Beach — Caring Connections-Friendly Visitors. This program reaches seniors who are homebound or living in nursing facilities without friends or family who visit.

A training for the program will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, at the Boys & Girls Club.

Those seniors who are benefiting from the Caring Connection-Friendly Visitor Program can look forward to a minimum one-hour visit each week from a person who is a trained volunteer and has donated their time to be a companion.

The Friendly Visitors are matched carefully to those they visit so as to maximize the relationship. The “friend” is screened and must pass a background check by local police. Qualifications of a good visitor encompass the ability to respect confidentiality, express warmth and empathy, and have the ability to communicate and listen well.

Currently one-third of Laguna Beach’s population is over 55, and many of those 65 years and older live alone. The structure of family has changed, and it is not unusual for someone 65 or more to live alone with family many miles away.

Those interested in becoming a friendly visitor and who want to register for the training should call Laguna Beach Seniors, Inc. at (949) 479-2441.

Refreshments will be served.

Senior health plan seminars offered

Changes in Medicare have altered the way seniors select their health-care coverage. In 2006, the federal government introduced an open enrollment period for Medicare beneficiaries requiring seniors to select HMO coverage at a certain time and then stick with that selection the remainder of the year. This year’s open enrollment starts Nov. 15 and closes Dec. 31, with one opportunity to change to another plan before April.

To better understand health-plan options, South Coast Medical Center, in cooperation with Monarch HealthCare, the largest group of private practice doctors in Orange County, are hosting free seminars called “Medicare Made Simple” to help seniors make decision that best fit their needs.

“Medicare Made Simple” covers how Medicare works and issues most important to seniors when selecting health-plan coverage.

Local seniors can learn more about today’s Medicare options at free presentations held at South Coast Medical Center on Wednesday, Nov. 29, from 1:30 to 3 p.m., and on Monday, Dec. 11, from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

To RSVP, call South Coast Medical Center at (949) 499-7202. South Coast Medical Center is located at 31872 Coast Highway.