Representative PRSRT STD

U.S. POSTAGE

Bob Godshall PAID

HARRISBURG, PA
rd
53 District
SPECIAL REPORT TO SENIORS
PERMIT NO. 529

FALL 2009

Dear Friends: What You Need To

During our senior years, there are many new issues and problems that
Know About Swine Flu
arise and we may not always know where to go for help. Often those
questions are health related and there are resources available through By now, you have undoubtedly heard
your local senior center, Area Agencies on Aging or the Pennsylvania about the H1N1 virus, commonly re-
Department of Health. ferred to as swine flu.
Sometimes the issues concerning us are legal ones. This newsletter Findings by the Centers for Disease
contains news about a comprehensive legal guide available through Control (CDC)
the Pennsylvania Bar Association. show people
In this issue, I am also providing updates on benefit programs such as age 25 and
PACE/PACENET and LIHEAP, and information about disabilities, and phy- yo u n ge r t o
sician responsibilities concerning fitness to operate a motor vehicle. be at great-
Senior centers provide good opportunities to meet others and main- est risk of con-
tain an active lifestyle. The Generations in Souderton and the PEAK tracting the vi-
Center in Lansdale are good examples. I had the opportunity to see rus. However,
many of you at the PEAK Center’s recent health fair. If you haven’t most deaths
taken advantage of the programs and friendships awaiting you there, from swine flu
it is not too late! are among
Finally, if I may be of assistance to you, please contact my district people age
office at (215) 368-3500. We have state forms and access to informa- 25 to 49. The regular seasonal influenza
tion and resources to assist you. virus actually poses a greater risk for
Have a safe and healthy fall season. senior citizens.
Symptoms of swine flu are similar to
those of other strains of the influenza
virus including fever, cough, sore throat,
body aches, headache, chills and fa-
tigue. In some instances, vomiting and
diarrhea have also been reported. Like-
wise, the precautions are also the same.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health
Free Legal Resource Available offers the following recommendations:

The Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) publishes A Guide to Legal Issues  Wash hands frequently
for Pennsylvania Senior Citizens. In it, you will find guidance on financial and  Get plenty of rest
estate planning, elder care, wills and trusts, income tax preparation, Social  Manage stress levels
Security and retirement benefits, insurance, consumer protection and fraud  Drink plenty of fluids
prevention, housing options and long-term care to name just a few.
To access a copy of the legal guide online, go to the PBA’s Web site at
www.pabar.org or you may contact the PBA at 800-932-0311 ext. 2280 for continued on page 2
permission to reprint.

BOBGODSHALL.COM
 SWINE FLU ...
continued from page 1
 Maintain a steady diet
of nutritious foods including
fruits and vegetables high
in antioxidants
 Avoid close contact with
people who are ill
Everyday actions such as covering
your nose and mouth when coughing
or sneezing can reduce the spread of
illness. Avoiding crowds and keeping
supplies of over-the-counter medica-
tions, alcohol-based hand sanitizers,
tissues and other related items can
also help protect you and loved
ones.
If you do get sick, contact your
physician or health care provider
immediately. If symptoms such as
difficulty breathing or shortness of
breath, pain or pressure in the chest
or abdomen, sudden dizziness or con-
fusion are exhibited, seek emergency
medical treatment.
For more information on the swine
flu, visit the Pennsylvania Depart-
ment of Health’s Web site at www.
h1n1inpa.com or my Web site at
www.BobGodshall.com.
Heating Assistance Now Available
to Qualified Households
Pennsylvania’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) began
accepting applications for cash grants on Nov. 2, and crisis grants will be avail-
able on Jan. 4, 2010.
LIHEAP helps low-income people pay their heating bills through home energy
assistance grants and crisis grants. Cash grants are awarded based on household
income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. Crisis grants are provided
in the event of a heating emergency, including broken heating equipment or
leaking lines that must be fixed or replaced, lack of fuel, termination of utility
service or danger of being without fuel or of having utility service terminated. In
most counties, assistance with home heating crisis situations is available 24 hours
a day.
Applications are available at the Montgomery County Assistance Office,
1931 New Hope St. in Norristown or by calling (610) 270-3500. Applications
are also available from local utility companies and community service agencies,
such as Area Agencies on Aging or community action agencies. LIHEAP cash grant
applications are available online at compass.state.pa.us.
Income eligibility guidelines are as follows:
HOUSEHOLD SIZE INCOME LIMIT
1 $16,245
2 $21,855
3 $27,465
4 $33,075
5 $38,685
6 $44,295
7 $49,905
8 $55,515
9 $61,125
10 $66,735
$ 5,610 for each additional person
For complete eligibility requirements or additional information on LIHEAP, visit
my Web site at www.BobGodshall.com and click on “LIHEAP Information.”

Prescription Drug Assistance

Available to Qualified Applicants
Senior citizens who rely on prescription drugs to stay
healthy may qualify for financial assistance through the
state’s PACE and PACENET prescription drug assistance
programs.
To be eligible for PACE, applicants must be at least
65 years old and residents of Pennsylvania for at least
90 consecutive days prior to applying. In addition, ap-
plicants must have had a total income for the preceding
calendar year of less than $14,500 for a single person,
or less than $17,700 combined for a married couple.
Persons enrolled in PACE will pay a $6 co-payment
for each generic prescription medication or $9 co-pay-
ment for each brand-name prescription drug.
PACENET applicants must also be residents of Pennsylvania for at least 90 consecutive days prior to application and be
age 65 or older. In addition, they must have had a total income for the preceding calendar year between $14,500 and
$23,500 for a single person, or between $17,700 and $31,500 combined for a married couple.
Persons enrolled in PACENET must pay a nominal monthly premium at the pharmacy, plus $8 for generic prescription
drugs and $15 for brand-name drugs.
Both PACE and PACENET coordinate benefits with Medicare Part D.
For more information on PACE or PACENET, please call 1-800-225-7223 or visit the HEALTH links on my Web site at
www.BobGodshall.com.

www.BobGo
 Doctors
Disability and Aging: Required
What You Need to Know to Report
Conditions
Over the next 20 years, Pennsylvania’s older adult population will increase
That Threaten
by more than one million people, climbing from 15 percent today to more than
22 percent of the state’s total population. According to national research and Motorists
statistics, the likelihood of developing a disability increases markedly with
Pennsylvania law requires medi-
age. The U.S. Department of Health Office on Disability reports that for those cal professionals to report anyone
between 65 and 69 years of age, an estimated 44.9 percent had some form of driving age who has been diag-
of disability, 30.7 percent had a severe disability, and 8.1 percent needed nosed with a condition that could
personal assistance to cope with a disability. impair his or her ability to operate
The U.S. Department of Health also reports that individuals with disabilities a motor vehicle safely.
are at much higher risk of developing secondary conditions, defined as prevent- This reporting system plays a
vital role in ensuring that anyone
able physical, mental and social disorders resulting directly or indirectly from possessing a driver’s license is
an initial disabling condition. Chronic pain, weight problems, fatigue, difficulty medically fit to drive safely. Once
with mobility, falls and injuries, difficulty sleeping, muscle spasms, and bowel a report is made, the Pennsylva-
and bladder problems are most strongly associated with those already af- nia Department of Transportation
fected by some sort of disability. Finding ways to address the initial disabling (PennDOT) will conduct an evalu-
condition can help prevent and treat the associated secondary conditions. ation of the driver to determine
whether revocation or restrictions
To help Pennsylvanians cope with disabilities and access all the resources
on driving are necessary. PennDOT
available to them, Accessible PA is a joint effort between the Pennsylvania may also ask the driver to complete
departments of Aging, Education, Health, Labor and Industry, and Public Wel- a driver’s examination, or no action
fare. Launched in 1997 by Gov. Tom Ridge to bring together agencies that may be taken.
provide multiple services to disabled Pennsylvanians, Accessible PA provides While it is devastating for some
information on a variety of programs and services available to residents, to lose their driving privileges, it is
including education, employment, health care, home and community based more devastating for the families
of those who have been injured or
services, long-term care, and rehabilitation. For more information, visit www. killed by impaired drivers.
BobGodshall.com and select “Accessible PA”. For more information, contact the
Further information is also available by contacting Montgomery County Ag- PennDOT’s Department of Driver
ing and Adult Services, which is responsible for the planning and implementa- and Vehicle Services toll free at 1-
tion of several services and programs to help older Pennsylvanians and their 800-932-4600, or online at www.
families. Many of those services are available on the Web at www.montcopa. dmv.state.pa.us. Select “Driver
Safety.”
org./mcaas or by calling (610) 278-3601.

Applications Now Available

for Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program
Applications for Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate
program are now available.
Eligible participants can receive a rebate of up to $650
based on rent or property taxes paid in 2008. The program
benefits eligible Pennsylvanians who are at least 65 years
old, widows and widowers 50 years or older, and persons
18 years or older with disabilities.
Eligibility income limits for homeowners are set at the
following levels, excluding 50 percent of Social Security,
Supplemental Security Income, and Railroad Retirement Tier
1 benefits:
 $0 to $8,000, maximum $650 rebate
(Homeowners and renters)
 $8,001 to $15,000, maximum $500 rebate
(Homeowners and renters)
 $15,001 to $18,000, maximum $300 rebate
(Homeowners only)
 $18,001 to $35,000, maximum $250 rebate
(Homeowners only)
Six weeks after a resident submits an application, he or
she may visit the site to check the status of the rebate by
entering the following information:
 Social Security number
 Date of birth
 Anticipated rebate amount
The new service will allow applicants to confirm the status,
rebate amount and the date a rebate is expected to be
mailed or direct deposited.
Residents are reminded to provide all the necessary
income, property tax or rental information required to pro-
cess claims quickly and accurately. Applications are due by
June 30. The Department of Revenue will begin distributing
rebate checks on July 1.
Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms are available by
contacting my district office at (215) 368-3500 or by visiting
my Web site at www.BobGodshall.com. To check the status
of a rebate, individuals can visit my Web site and click on
“Where’s My Property Tax Refund?”
The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is one of many
initiatives supported by the Pennsylvania Lottery, which
dedicates its proceeds to support programs for older Penn-
sylvanians. Since the program began in 1971, more than
$4 billion has been paid to qualified applicants.

odshall.com
 PEAK Center Hosts Free Health Fair
The PEAK Center in Lansdale held its annual health fair on Oct. 23, performing free screenings on about 70 guests who
came to the center during the two-hour screening period.
The PEAK Center promotes wellness and quality of life for adults age 50 and older. The annual health fair gives older
Fighting Osteoporosis
The clocks have been turned back and frosty weather is
on its way. While the winter months keep many of us indoors,
that is no reason to refrain from physical and mental exercise
that keeps our bodies and minds active. One side effect
from a sedentary lifestyle is osteoporosis -- a disease that
weakens bones, making them more susceptible to break.
Millions of Americans are stricken with osteoporosis, result-
ing in the all-too-common broken hip, backbone, wrists and
other joints. Because of the nature of the disease, it often
progresses without notice until an injury occurs.
While the disease affects many individuals, certain groups
are at an increased risk. Caucasian and Asian women are
most susceptible to developing osteoporosis. Other common
risk factors include:
 A family history of osteoporosis.
 A broken bone during adulthood.
 Early menopause or surgical removal of ovaries.
 Calcium deficiency.
 Frequent and prolonged use of
certain medications.
 Small body frame.
 Extended bed rest.
These risk factors are only some of the factors that lead
to the disease, but it started with being diagnosed with os-
teopenia or low bone mass. This is the biggest warning sign
a doctor can give you that it is time to start taking action
to keep your bones healthy. Osteopenia does not have to
lead to osteoporosis.
Representative Robert Godshall
Capitol Office: 150 Main Capitol
Harrisburg PA 17120-2053
Phone: (717) 783-6428 / FAX: (717) 787-7424
adults the opportunity to receive free
health screenings for stroke, blood pres-
sure, heart disease, hearing and more.
Dr. James Bumgardner of Grand View
Hospital also conducted a seminar titled
Joint Pain and You.
The PEAK center serves about 3,000
senior citizens in the boroughs of Lans-
dale, Hatfield and North Wales, and
the townships of Towamencin, Worcester,
Upper Gwynedd, Hatfield and Mont-
gomery.
Dorothy Patzek, RN, BSN, clinical
coordinator of the Grand View
Hospital Home Care Department,
took my blood pressure during the
PEAK Center’s recent health fair.
Fortunately, there are tests to check for low bone density.
A common test is known as a DXA test (Dual energy X-ray
Absorptiometry). Despite its odd name, the test is similar
to any other X-ray you may have had and can accurately
gauge an individual’s bone density.
There are numerous measures that individuals of any age
can take to decrease their risk of osteoporosis. Keeping
one’s bones healthy almost always starts with getting enough
vitamin D, which plays an important role in allowing your
body to absorb calcium. Vitamin D can be found in eggs,
fatty fish, cereal and milk fortified with vitamin D. According
to the National Institute on Aging, individuals between the
ages of 51 and 70 should get 400 international units (IU)
of Vitamin D per day. Individuals 70 and older should get
600 IUs. The recommended daily allowance of calcium for
persons 50 and older is 1,200 milligrams.
Another important factor in promoting healthy bones is
exercise. Regular weight-bearing exercise such as walking,
jogging and tennis are great ways to help prevent osteo-
porosis. Balancing exercises are also helpful because they
can prevent falls that lead to broken bones.
Certain risk factors could make you more susceptible to
osteoporosis, such as being over age 65, taking medications
to treat arthritis or thyroid conditions, smoking, alcohol con-
sumption, and a history of abnormal menstrual cycles.
It is never too early to start thinking about osteoporosis.
Please be sure to consult your doctor about the things you
can do to prevent this disease.
District Office: 1702 Cowpath Road
Hatfield, PA 19440
Phone: (215) 368-3500 / FAX: (215) 361-4220
Web site: BobGodshall.com