Information Overload

Sometimes after I have talked with (to) my husband for an hour or so he interrupts me saying "Too much information" or "information overload". This is my "hint" to let him go back to watching the TV program I had put on pause.

I feel as if you may feel the same way by the end of this article but I have so much information I really need to share it.

USDA Rural Development has home repair loans at 1% for up to 20 years. For example $5,000 borrowed at 1% interest for 20 years would have a payment of $23 per month. People must meet income credit requirements and the house must be owner occupied. In the 18 counties in Southeast Missouri that SEMO AAA serves the only place that Rural Development cannot make loans or grants is inside the city limits of Cape Girardeau.

They also have some grant funds for those 62 years of age or older. This is money that the senior does not have to pay back and it can be used for home repairs. If you need to make repairs to your home or want to purchase a new home you should check with your local Rural Development office, they have assistance to offer.

Wolfner Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped has services for Missourians who cannot use standard printed materials because of visual or physical limitations, either permanent or temporary. They loan books and magazines in audio form and Braille. Materials are delivered to readers by postage free mail and are returned in the same manner. Special players are also loaned free to persons who borrow the books.

They also provide access to NEWSLINE, and easy-to-use telephone service that "reads" all the text from various newspapers across the country via digital technology. The Southeast Missourian is one of the newspapers available. To learn more about the library call their toll free number 1-800-392-2614.

Lost life insurance policies could cause a problem for the beneficiary if the insured has passed away and no one knows where the life insurance policy is. "My mother had a life insurance policy, but I don't have a copy and I don't even know the name of the insurance company," this has been the situation many times, according to the Mo. Department of Insurance. They have created the Life Policy Locator service that will help consumers find lost life insurance policies or annuity contracts purchased in Missouri. People who believe they are beneficiaries, as well as executors and legal representatives can file a "search request form" with the Department of Insurance. Consumers and insurance companies with questions about the Life Policy Locator can contact the department's Insurance Consumer Hotline at 800-726-7390 or visit www.insurance.mo.gov.

December 7, 2011 is the last day to change your Medicare Part D prescription drug insurance for 2012. This closing date is three weeks earlier than ever before so if you want to check to see if your insurance coverage is still the best plan for you be sure to check before Dec. 7. We at the SEMO Area Agency on Aging will be glad to help you make that decision. Just call toll free 1-800-392-8771 or locally 335-3331 and ask for Ruth, Jackie or Liz.

I hope you didn't get "Information Overload" from reading this article. As always, if you have questions about any of this information just call me at the above listed number.