senior life – As weather changes, not too late to make sure home is safe and winterized

Because of other things happening in my life, I am late putting this column together.

This is important because we missed being able to celebrate "National Fall Prevention Awareness Day" on Sept. 22.

But it is not too late to take a survey of our homes, and make some changes, if needed.

Do you still have loose rugs or floor coverings? Do you have electric or phone cords lying out in areas where you walk?

Have you installed grab bars in your bathroom? Have you installed (or had installed) handrails in stairways?

Have you installed motion-sensor lights in stair ways, or hallways?

I am sure you have been told all of these things before but it never hurts to take a second look around your home.

Though we cannot prevent every fall, we can help reduce the likelihood of trips and slips that can lead to falls.

It is that time of year again....we have an opportunity to change our health insurance provider.

For several years now, we have been given the month of October to make any changes to our policies, which we have to live with the rest of the year.

Our mailbox has already been stuffed with various advertisements promoting "the best policy out there, for ME at the cheapest price available."

I know I will need health insurance, but I am also wary of advertisements like these.

If you have questions about your current policy, or about the advisability of switching to one of these "great" programs, I would not recommend only talking to an insurance company about their programs before making a decision.

The Area Agency on Aging 5 (1-800-421-7277) has a program about senior health insurance options.

They do not represent any one insurance company (they will not try to sell you something). but they have information about all the options that are out there, and can give you unbiased information.

The air has turned cooler, and soon we will be coping with cold weather and snow. Locally we do have a program which can help you keep warmer this winter.

The Community Action Council (330-297-1456) in Ravenna is the local agency responsible for the Ohio Weatherization Program.

If you are financially eligible (one-person household $25,760, or two-person household $34,840) you can apply for assistance by making an appointment with the staff of our Community Action Council.

They will arrange for a home inspection to verify your need, and assess what work needs to be done to help winterize your home.

Priority is given to senior citizens over the age of 60, individuals with disabilities, and those who received assistance from other programs such as HEAP.

This is the same agency that can help you with high heating bills this winter, with the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).

To apply for either of these programs you will need to provide documentation of need by providing recent energy bills, list of household members, and proof of citizenship or legal residency.