Our Vision:
A community where everyone has the opportunity to age successfully.

Our Mission:
To promote the independence, dignity, and well-being of adults through service, education, and advocacy.
A Word from the Director, Jen Teague
Fall is quickly approaching! The leaves are changing colors and the cooler air is starting to arrive. At the Council on Aging of Buncombe County (COAbc), we take this time to begin to prepare for one our busiest times of the year. With the Medicare and Affordable Care Act open enrollment periods right around the corner, we are seeing (and feeling) an uptick in our calls and appointments. Our call-in numbers at the COAbc double during September, October, and November.
 
As the longer evenings begin to take hold and the sweltering heat of summer breaks, many of our clients are left with increased electric bills and additional heating costs. COAbc assists with heating assistance applications beginning in November. We are also fortunate to be able to provide electric heaters for some of our clients that have no other way to heat their homes. 

As we look towards the fall and the upcoming holiday season, we remain grateful for your support and ask that you remember the older adults in your life: your neighbors, your families, and your friends. Remember to check on them. Remind them to review their Medicare prescription drug plans. Ask them to call us if they need heating assistance, and to reach out to us for help with any of the programs that we provide. 

We appreciate your donations and continued support as this work would not happen without you. 
Service Updates
Medicare Open Enrollment: Your Chance to Optimize your Health Insurance and Save Money
You already have Medicare. Why should you care about the Medicare Open Enrollment? Well, for starters, this may be your only chance during the year to change certain parts of your Medicare coverage.  From year to year Medicare Part “D” Drug Plans change the list of drugs they cover. They may change the premiums they charge, and they may change the copays you pay at the pharmacy. What does this mean for you? The drug plan you have this year may not be the best drug plan for you next year. The same holds true for drug coverage under a Medicare Advantage Plan.

Are you dissatisfied with your healthcare insurance coverage? Even if you are satisfied with your current coverage, it pays to look at other options that may better meet your needs for the upcoming year. Having the best Medicare insurance plan, that suits your particular healthcare requirements, can save you large amounts of money and bring you peace of mind! Who doesn’t want that?  

The Medicare Open Enrollment, or Annual Election, runs from October 15th through December 7 th . This is the time of the year when you can:

·       Evaluate and change your  Part D prescription drug plan
·         Evaluate and change your  Medicare Advantage plan  
·       Change from a Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare,
including a Part D drug plan
·     Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan

Any change you make during this period is effective on January 1, 2020.
It may first seem like evaluating your Medicare coverage options is overwhelming, but once you understand your choices, it will be easier for you to decide how you want to get your Medicare coverage.

If you would like help in choosing the best Medicare insurance coverage for you, contact the Council on Aging of Buncombe County at 828-277-8288 for an appointment with a Medicare counselor. 
Welcome to the Benefits Enrollment Center!
In partnership with the National Council on Aging, COAbc continues to serve Buncombe County seniors through its Benefits Enrollment Center (BEC). The purpose of the Center is to find and enroll low-income Medicare beneficiaries into public benefit programs that they are eligible for, such as: Medicaid, Medicare Part D Extra Help, Medicare Savings Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The BEC can be contacted for individual questions, presentation requests, and/or community outreach opportunities. When a client calls requesting information about program eligibility, they will be directed to the Benefits Enrollment Specialist, Grace Collins. After a short phone screening, an appointment will be scheduled for application assistance. With the support of community partners, the BEC has numerous appointment sites throughout Buncombe County. Clients will meet one-on-one with an enrollment specialist and will receive assistance enrolling in all benefit programs they are eligible for. Here's what a recent client had to say about the wonderful work of the BEC:

“I had the good fortune to meet Grace at the Senior Opportunities Center in Asheville a few months ago. After a couple of conversations... she let me know that there might be some relief for the struggles I was experiencing. As a senior, they were mostly financial, juggling the basics: food, shelter and health care expenses, all on a small fixed income. She and I made an appointment to go over all of my paperwork. We met one-on-one and completed all the paperwork and she told me what I should expect. She helped me apply for [SNAP], relief on some of my monthly insurance premiums, and told me about some other benefits I might apply for in the future when I am eligible.

This was a very good experience in a stressful time of life. I cannot thank Grace enough for her assistance. I am going to recommend her and COA to some friends who are in financial difficulties. I also recommend the COA's services to anyone in need. They exist to help us and help to make life easier!”

-Elizabeth, Council on Aging of Buncombe County client
What Clients Are Saying
"Tim was a tremendous help! Husband wishes he had come here for advice. So grateful! Thank you."
-Medicare Client

"Susan Wilson is fantastic to work with. She's bright and knows her business. We found her to be very pleasant and helpful. We could not have navigated through all this without her. Thank you Susan!"
-Affordable Care Act Client

"I am very thankful for the services of your agency, and Billie was wonderful."
-Resource Coordination Client

Agency Announcement
Introducing Our Donor Tree
Get to know our annual donor tree. This tree was created to recognize the many generous donors who support the Council on Aging of Buncombe County. Each leaf represents a donor that has given at least $200 dollars. With the generosity of our supporters, we are able to provide over 10,000 services each year to older adults. Stop by our office today to check it out!

If you would like your name on our donor tree, call us at (828) 277-8288.
Ways to Give
Donate to the Council on Aging through continuous, monthly, or one time
giving. If you would like to give continuously, you can do so through your PayPal account. If you do not have a PayPal account please call us at (828) 277-8288 for assistance setting up a continuous donation. For monthly or one time contributions, visit our website.
Amazon Smile
Did you know that when you shop with Amazon Smile, a percentage of your purchase could go to the Council on Aging of Buncombe County?

Every time you purchase an item through Amazon, you could be helping older adults in Buncombe County through COAbc.

This is one of the easiest ways to donate. Simply bookmark this  link  and support us every time you shop!

Drop Off Donations
Material In-Kind donations are greatly appreciated and are needed to better serve our clients. Below are products we accept:

  • Non-perishable food items
  • Nutritional drinks (Ensure, Glucerna, Orgain, etc.)
  • Incontinence supplies (Depends and Pull-ups in small, medium and large sizes)
  • Cleaning Supplies
  • Cellphones

COAbc is not able to accept durable medical equipment. However, if you have items you'd like to donate, call us and we can direct you to an agency in need.
Estate Gifts & Honorariums
Please consider making a gift to help support older adults in our community through planned giving.

Your legacy demonstrates the values you hold dear, and COAbc takes seriously your commitment to pay it forward. Learn how you can make a real impact and benefit COAbc in your estate planning.

Please contact us with any questions and to inform us about your intent to bequeath a future gift to COAbc. 
Volunteer Superstars
Volunteers play a big role here at COAbc. From helping our clients' save money on their Medicare plans to delivering monthly food bags, our volunteers help us achieve our mission. In each newsletter, we want to recognize COAbc's volunteers for all that they do to serve our clients!
Sue Adams
Sue Adams is a Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) counselor. She has been a Medicare counselor at COAbc for over five years. Sue is very knowledgeable and thorough in her counseling sessions. Sue is always willing to help train new volunteers and teach them on how to make the Medicare process easier to navigate. She recently started presenting at our Medicare classes.

We asked Sue why she volunteers and she said, " I love what I do. I love helping people understand how Medicare works and how to make the choices that work for each individual."

For all of the years that she has volunteered with us, and for all of her outstanding work, Sue is this issues Medicare Volunteer Superstar!
Julie Moore
Julie Moore is our Resource Coordinator Volunteer Superstar! Julie has been volunteering at COAbc for over a year. Julie is one of our most dedicated volunteers. She is a volunteer for our Call A Ride program and for our Homebound Food Delivery program. She is always going above and beyond to help serve our clients.

When asked why she volunteers, Julie said , "I continue volunteering because I love helping the elderly. It’s always been my calling to help those in need and it warms my heart to be there for them. Some are so desperate for someone to talk to and when their door opens, and you see the smile on their faces, it makes it all worth it. They appreciate it so much and makes them feel good to know that someone cares."

Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events!
Festival of Trees

The Council on Aging of Buncombe County and The Falls Coalition of Henderson County invite you to a day of festivities, entertainment and charity. This event will include a chance to bid on beautifully decorated one-of-a-kind trees and wreaths. You can also enjoy a tasty treat from the available food trucks and meet with local agencies and vendors.

Date: Saturday, December 7th, 2019.

Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

Location: Western North Carolina AG Center Boone Building, 761 Boylston Hwy Fletcher, NC 28732.

Successful Aging 2020

SAVE THE DATE

June 2020
We want to hear from you!
What part of fall are you most excited about?
Colder Weather
Football Season
Autumn Leaves
Council on Aging of Buncombe County | 46 Sheffield Cir, Asheville, NC 28803
828.277.8288 | COAbc.org | info@COAbc.org