Face masks are recommended but not required to be worn at ARC.
ARC is one of the largest senior services centers in the state of Illinois, offering daily exercise programs and over 50 free activities per month, including art classes, lectures, music enrichment, cards and games, Peace Meal and so much more. ARC is dedicated to providing programs that promote healthy aging. Read on to learn more about a few highlighted programs or check out our monthly newsletter below for full activity and exercise calendars and descriptions of programs and classes on schedule this month!
If the Our Publication widget above is not allowing you to download the monthly newlsetter, click the blue button below to navigate through the same steps. You can also view the newsletter as a full-screen PDF.
Mondays, 7:00 - 11:00 AM & 4:00 - 7:00 PM
Tuesdays, 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM (Beginners) & 3:00 - 7:00 PM (Experienced)
Wednesdays, 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 4:00 - 7:00 PM (Experienced)
Wednesdays, 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Beginners)
Thursdays, 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM & 3:00 - 7:00 PM
Fridays, 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Saturdays, 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Click Here to Learn More About Pickleball Rules
NO OPEN PICKLEBALL W, Feb. 8th from
10 AM - 2 PM & W, Feb. 15th all day
Internet TV: T, February 7th & TH, February 16th, 1:00 - 2:45 PM
Tired of paying that high Cable TV bill? The Tech Tutor, will show you step by-step how many of us are saving $50 - $100/month by gradually moving from watching Cable TV channels to Internet Streaming TV channels. Using your same internet connection, you can still watchyour favorite shows, movies, sports, local news, Netflix, & more! Nancy will compare costs of local Internet Service Providers and streaming subscription services; plus she’ll show you how to set-up aninexpensive device to a TV so you can save $$$! Registration required. Register at ARC or on the GymMaster Member Portal.
Android Apps:
TH, February 23rd, 1 - 2:30 PM
iPhone Apps:
TH, February 23rd, 3 - 4:30 PM
If you have questions about downloading and installing a "safe" App on your
Smartphone, this class is for you! We'll go over step-by-step handouts and instructions on how to install & uninstall an App, how to use QR codes, plus Nancy will share with you some Apps to help make your life easier, safer, and fun! Registration required. Register at ARC or on the GymMaster Member Portal.
Android Basics:
TH, February 9th, 1 - 2:30 PM
iPhone Basics:
TH, February 9th, 3-4:30 PM
Join us to learn how to: organize your "Home Screen", increase your font size, set-up "Speed Dialing," or “Favorites”, send a text message and add a photo, and more! With step-by-step handouts and instructions, you’ll make your phone adjustments and get plenty of hands-on practice! Registration required. Register at ARC or on the GymMaster Member Portal.
IFE: Long-Term Care:
TH, February 23rd, 11 AM
Behind the curtain - An inside look at life insurance and annuities Topics discussed: Term Vs. Permanent Life Insurance– pros and cons, Utilizing insurance to save significant
taxes, Living benefits, Life insurance and Long-Term Care (LTC), Four types of annuities broken down, When do
annuities fit into a plan?, When do annuities fail?, How to coordinate both with other investments. Presenter: Bernie Wrezinski
Registration required. Register at ARC, by calling 309-888-9099 or on the GymMaster Member Portal.
Real Estate Presentation with Mark Clauss:
M, February 27th, 10:30 AM
Thinking of buying or selling in 2023? Learn how the home market has changed to get your maximum value and best experience. Realtor Mark Clauss will share some current market data, explain how things have changed over the past several years, share tips for being successful in the current market, and will answer questions you may have. Registration required. Register at ARC, by calling 309-888-9099 or on the GymMaster Member Portal.
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Caregiver Support: CCSI & The Alzheimer's Association - February 1st, 2 - 3 PM Are you a current or past family caregiver? Are you feeling stressed, tired, alone, overwhelmed, and/or burnt out? Caregiver support group meetings may be able to help! Caregiver support groups offer not only peer support, but resources in our communities, referrals to additional support, possible funding opportunities, and problem solving. If you feel you need a listening ear to validate what you’re going through as a caregiver, this support group may be for you! Caregiving is not easy and we’re here to help!
Caregiver Support: CCSI & Sugar Creek Alzheimer's Special Care Center - February 7th, 9:30 AM Are you a current or past family caregiver? Are you feeling stressed, tired, alone, overwhelmed, and/or burnt out? Caregiver support groups offer not only peer support, but resources in our communities, referrals to additional support, possible funding opportunities, and problem solving. If you feel you need a listening ear to validate what you’re going through as a caregiver, this support group may be for you! Join this group on the first Tuesday of each month at ARC! Coordinated by CCSI and Sugar Creek Alzheimer’s Special Care Center.
Grief Support Groups
Led by Lisa Flanagan, Carle Hospice Bereavement Coordinator. These programs will meet in person at ARC for the month of January.
Men's Grief Support: W, February 8th & 22nd, 2 - 3:30 PM Open to members/non-members of ARC, men who are grieving the death of a spouse or other significant person/other.
New to Grief Support: TH, Jan. 19th - March 9th, 5 - 7 PM
Grief support group open for up to 8 people who are within 6 months of the death of a loved one; Six weeks of mutual support and grief education facilitated by Lisa Flanagan, LCSW, Carle Hospice Bereavement Coordinator; No charge; confidential. Please contact Lisa Flanagan at lisa.flanagan@carle.com or 309.268.2057 prior to group.
Parkinson's Support Group: T, February 21st, 1:00 PM
The Parkinson’s Support Group meets onthe third Tuesday of each month. This month, the group will participate in a 30-minute chair yoga demo with ARC instructor Ada Rediger.
Susie Watkins, RN, Ph.D., who is an Assistant Professor at Mennonite College of Nursing, offers volunteer health promotion nursing services on Thursdays from 11 AM - 1 PM. During those times Susie will check vital signs including blood pressure, record blood pressures on patient-specific logs, provide patient education, and collect ideas on health promotion topics.
ISU nursing faculty and students will also be at ARC 7:30 - 2:30 Feb. 20th, 22nd & 27th to provide mental health & blood pressure screens, wellness education, 15 min. relaxation massages and more.
Appointments at ARC can be made by calling 309-888-9099 and choosing option
2. All appointment dates for the 2023 season will open at the same time and will be filled on a first come, first served basis.
Tax assistance at ARC will run 1/30/23 - 4/11/23 and will take place on ARC's second
floor. Use west side north entrance to go
to second floor.
Services are free to:· Married taxpayers with combined income less than $60,000, Single taxpayers with dependents and income less than $60,000, Single taxpayers with no dependents and income less than $40,000.
Make sure to bring the following
documents with you to your drop- off
appointment: Social Security Cards or
Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers for all individuals on the tax return, Valid Photo ID for taxpayer and spouse, All W-2s and 1099s to document your income, Form 1095A if you had marketplace insurance, Form 1098T for any college students on your return, a copy of last year’s tax return, & bank account and routing number for direct deposit of refund.
All sites will operate with an
APPOINTMENT ONLY drop-off/pick-up model following these guidelines:
· Face masks will be optional for clients and volunteers· If you or anyone in your household are feeling ill, we ask you to reschedule your appointment
· Pick-up appointments will be scheduled at
your drop-off time
- Weather emergency closings will be announced as soon as possible at
www.bnfreetaxservices.org
Intro to the Arts Series: Martha Tyner - Orpheus Mandolin Orchestra: F, February 10th, 10 AM
The Orpheus Mandolin Orchestra, from Bloomington-Normal, is a classical mandolin ensemble, dedicated to preserving and promoting a tradition of community musical ensembles popular at the turn of the 20th Century, presenting a variety of rags, dance tunes and marches from that era. In this Intro to the Arts Series program, you'll learn more about the history of the Orpheus Mandolin Orchestra and the intrument itself. Registration required.
Register at ARC, by calling 309-888-9099 or on the GymMaster Member Portal.
Local Interest Speaker Series: Jack Keefe: Echoes of Purple and Gold: F, February 17th, 10 AM Jack Keefe is one of the newest authors in Bloomington-Normal. He will discuss his book, Echoes of Purple and Gold, a collection of local history stories you probably won’t find in other history books. Instead of local history celebrities like Abraham Lincoln, John Wesley Powell and others, this book tells many stories about grass roots level people who not only built McLean County, but also who kept it together with their blood sweat and tears. The notable exceptions may be Charles Buffalo Jones, who mentored western writer Zane Grey; and General Custer, who travelled our streets in search of macaroons for his wife’s birthday. Registration required. Registration required. Register at ARC, by calling 309-888-9099 or on the GymMaster Member Portal.
Cognition, Hearing & Age: T, February 14th, 9 AM
This program will present information about cognition, hearing, the impact of age, and factors that influence cognitive hearing processes. This presentation will include a lecture with example visuals and discussion to learn more about your own cognition
and hearing! This is the first lecture in a 6-part series, including lectures, screenings,
and training sessions. Programs in the series will be offered throughout the months of February through April. This series will be presented by graduate speech-language pathology and audiology students, under the supervision and mentorship of faculty in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department at Illinois State University. Registration required. Register at ARC, by calling 309-888-9099 or on the GymMaster Member Portal.
Stress Busters for Family Caregivers: F, February 24th - April 21st, 10:30 AM - 12PM
Are you a caregiver for a loved one with dementia and struggle to find time to care
for yourself? This 9-week class is for you! Stress Busters teaches you ways to care foryourself while enhancing the care you provide to your loved one. The practical tools,resources, and group insight shared in this healthy-aging class will help you be the best caregiver for your loved one while learning the importance of also taking care of YOU! There is no charge for this class and all materials are supplied. Call CCSI at 309-661-6400 to register as space is limited! Weekly meeting topics are listed on page 18 of the February newsletter for those who want to note what will be covered throughout the class.
Hearing & Cognitive Screenings: T, February 28th, 8 - 10 AM
ARC has partnered with Illinois State University’s Speech and Hearing Clinic
once again to offer Free Adult Hearing & Cognitive Screenings. Call 309-888- 9099 on
or after January 25th to schedule your free cognitive and hearing screening.
Alzheimer's Disease in Underserved Communities: TH, February 16th, 10 AM
We know that Alzheimer's disproportionately affects underserved and underrepresented populations in the United States. To better serve these communities, the Alzheimer's Association is participating in a statewide campaign to increase awareness of Alzheimer's disease in Black Communities and provide education to address the disproportionate impact of Alzheimer’s and
dementia. Registration required. Register at ARC, by calling 309-888-9099 or on the GymMaster Member Portal.
Sept 15 — Sept 22, 2023 • 8 Days • 10 Meals
Highlights: Jackson Hole, Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Deadwood, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, Mt. Rushmore, Badlands National Park
Click HERE to learn more.
December 04 — December 08, 2023 • 5 Days • 5 Meals
Highlights: Greenwich Village, Wall Street, Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, 9/11 Memorial, 9/11 Museum, Broadway Show
Click HERE to learn more.
March 14 — March 21, 2024 • 8 Days • 9 Meals
Highlights: Dublin, Christ Church Cathedral, Blarney Castle, Dingle Peninsula, Farm Visit, Cliffs of Moher, Whiskey Distillery, Castle Stay
Click HERE to learn more.
February 2023
Noontime meals are served Monday-Friday and are available to persons 60+. There is a suggested donation of $3.50 for each meal. Participants are served a well-balanced meal containing at least 1/3 of the daily adult nutritional requirements. To make your reservation, call ARC at 888-9099, press 1 and leave a message with your name and reservation date at least one day in advance of the reservation date by Noon.
SHIP counselors are trained, certified, and experienced in offering one-on-one information for all aspects of Medicare, health insurance and drug plans. A program of ARC, SHIP provides assistance, explanations, and plan comparisons. There is never a cost, sales, or any insurance affiliations. SHIP is especially helpful for those new to Medicare who are trying to navigate the system and meet deadlines or to anyone wanting to lower current costs and understand options. Help is available by individual appointment at various times each month. Call ARC at 309-888-9099, and a counselor will return your call to set an appointment. Walk-in hours are available on the 2nd Thursday and 4th Monday of each month ONLY. Walk-ins start at 1 PM with no appointment needed and operate on a first come, first served basis. Help is available by individual appointment various times each month as well. Call ARC at 309-888-9099 and press 3 to leave a message for the SHIP team. A counselor will return your call to set an appointment. SHIP is a program of the Illinois Department on Aging.
Click HERE to visit the official Medicare site.
Click HERE to learn more about SHIP & the Illinois Department on Aging.
Medicare Scam Caution
An ARC member recently received genetic testing materials they had not requested. Further investigation determined it was a scam and the result could have been very expensive for Medicare and for the individual. While Medicare may approve certain narrow, medically necessary genetic testing, this must be done through your doctor. Unsolicited genetic testing offers are most likely not legitimate. Be very careful in giving out your Medicare number as that can result in charges to Medicare without your knowledge. Suspicious genetic testing services (or any other illegitimate charges showing on your Medicare Summary Notices) should be reported to the SHIP team at ARC, or directly to the Senior Medicare Patrol (800) 699-9043.
SHIP remains available through ARC and will follow any COVID protocols currently in place for the ARC facility. In addition to in-person sessions and dependent on your circumstances, the counseling sessions may involve a computer (ZOOM) meeting or a phone conversation. Please call ARC and leave a message on the SHIP line.
Medicare and the Coronavirus
Here is a summary of the coverage provided by Medicare:
· Medicare covers the lab tests for COVID-19. You pay no out-of-pocket costs.
· Medicare covers all medically necessary hospitalizations. This includes if you're diagnosed with COVID-19 and might otherwise have been discharged from the hospital after an inpatient stay, but instead you need to stay in the hospital under quarantine.
· Vaccine distribution is underway across the United States. Specifics regarding local access are available from the Mclean County Health Department. Medicare insurance plans will cover vaccine costs, if any.
· If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, you have access to these same benefits. Medicare allows these plans to waive cost-sharing for COVID-19 lab tests. Many plans offer additional telehealth benefits beyond the ones described below. Check with your plan about your coverage and costs.
· Scammers may use the coronavirus national emergency to take advantage of people while they’re distracted. As always, guard your Medicare card like a credit card, check Medicare claims summary forms for errors, and if someone calls asking for your Medicare Number, hang up! More information is available from the official website https://www.medicare.gov
More about Medicare’s Part D prescription drug plans
Question: I currently have a Part D drug plan and would like to know when I can change to another plan. Do I have that option at any time?
Answer: In general, someone who has Part D plan can only choose another plan during Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) October 15-December 7. Selections made during the AEP go into effect January 1 the following year. Appointments are available each fall with ARC SHIP counselors to help those with Part D select the best plan for the following year. This annual option to change is also available to anyone who has a Medicare Advantage plan that includes Pt D. However, there are a number of special circumstances when someone could qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) and could switch plans outside the outside the annual period. A few examples included moving outside a plan’s service area, qualifying for Social Security “Extra Help”, or residing in a long-term care facility. A SEP may also be available for someone who believes they were provided incorrect or misleading information when they enrolled in their current plan. Please contact SHIP if you would like to change plans and feel a special circumstance may apply.
Disclaimer: The questions and answers in this column are intended to provide additional understanding on relevant Medicare topics. For additional explanations specific to your situation, please call ARC and request that a SHIP counselor contact you. You may also utilize SHIP walk-in hours on the 2nd Thursday and 4th Monday at 1:00.
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