By Michele Taranto

What’s Free with Medicare

Medicare beneficiaries must pay many out-of-pocket costs, including, monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and doctor and prescription co-payments. Many seniors may not be aware, however, of the many FREE services Medicare, offers, such as preventive screenings, vaccines, and counseling. 

Welcome to Medicare Visit

Yearly Wellness Visit

Vaccines

Diabetes Screenings

Depression Screenings

Mammograms

Colorectal Cancer Screenings

Lung Cancer Screenings

Prostate Screenings

Smoking Counseling

Alcohol Counseling

Nutrition Therapy

For more details on the above benefits, visit www.aarp.org/health/medicare-insurance/info-2023/free-medicare-services.

Protect Your Property Deed

The ads for deed protection are all over tv. There are many scams where people are taking out mortgages on a property they do not own. There is a cost for deed safety  through these services, but first, there are a few things to know about Property Deeds.

What is a Property Deed?

A property deed is a document that transfers ownership from one person to another. The deed for a house in Norwood is held at the Norfolk Registry of Deeds.

Whose Name is on a Deed?

Whether there is a mortgage on the property or not, the homeowner(s) name is on the Deed. If there is a mortgage on the property, the bank holds a lien on the property.

How to Protect Your Deed

A homeowner signature is needed to transfer a Deed. Transferring the Deed should never be done under pressure and should likely be overseen by an attorney. Visit the Norfolk Registry of Deeds periodically to view a property’s deed history.

What to Watch for:

Never just disregard mail if it is mailed to the home, especially tax and home related items, but in another name. This could be a sign that someone has transferred the Deed to another name or is using that address.

Medicare Open Enrollment

The Medicare Open Enrollment Period runs through Dec. 7. This gives enrollees a chance to review and make changes to their current Medicare coverage. For more information, contact the Norwood Senior Center, at 781-762-1201 to schedule an appointment with a SHINE Counselor.

HESSCO Holiday Meals

The mission of the HESSCO Holiday Meal project is to provide a meal to homebound elders in the HESSCO service area who will be home alone during the holidays. The Christmas meal will be a stuffed boneless chicken breast dinner and will be delivered on Friday, Dec. 22. 

You do not have to be a HESSCO client to receive a meal. If you live in Norwood, are 60 years of age or older, and will be home alone on the holiday, call Kathleen at the Norwood Senior Center, at 781-762-1201, ext. 3, with your name, address, phone number and emergency contact information. Order by Thursday, December 7, to order a Christmas meal. 

Events

Dec. 8

Norwood Senior Center Holiday Luncheon

Entertainment by the Elderly Brothers. Cost is $10. For more information or to sign up, call 781-762-1201. 

Dec. 12

Norwood Woman’s Club Meeting

Knights of Columbus Hall, 572 Nichols St.

12:30 p.m.

Illusionist and magician Barry McDonough will bring his excitement and fun to brighten the holiday season. A light lunch will be served. Guests are welcomed. Yearly dues are $35. Please bring one item for the ecumenical food pantry to each meeting. For questions, call Trina at 781-762-8173.

Dec. 15

December Monthly Ballroom Dance 

Norwood Senior Center, 275 Prospect St.

7-10 p.m.

The Friends of the Norwood Council on Aging will be sponsoring their monthly Ballroom Dance, music by Dave Valerio. Cost is $12 per person. Coffee, tea, desserts, and water will be served and door prizes will be awarded. Newcomers of all ages are welcome. To stay up to date on ‘Friends’ events, visit their Facebook page: Friends Of The Norwood Council On Aging | Facebook

Dec. 16

Musical Saturday Concert Series: A Gathering of Celtic and Christmas Music

Morrill Memorial Library

1 p.m.

A Gathering of Celtic and Christmas combines the music, stories, and a wee bit of history from Scotland, Ireland, and England into a program that will keep audiences on the edge of their seat. There will be singing, laughing, clapping and perhaps a bit of foot stomping. Songs will include familiar, and perhaps not so familiar, Christmas songs and tunes, and instruments will include the guitar, bouzouki, and autoharp. The concert is interactive; questions and input from the audience are encouraged and become part of the event. To register, visit https://www.norwoodlibrary.org/morrillcalendar/ or call the Reference Desk at 781-769-0200, x2.