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Briarfield celebrates
opening of new rehab unit

An Open House will be held on Friday, May 9 to celebrate the opening of The Suites at Briarfield, a new short-term rehabilitation unit at Briarfield at The Ridge in Mineral Ridge.  The event will be held from 2 pm to 4 pm and is open to the public.  The Suites offer private, hotel-like accommodations designed for short stays of a few days to a few weeks.  The upscale environment features a fully equipped rehabilitation gym, a spacious lounge and private rooms for the comfort of patients and family members.  Flat screen televisions, telephone and Internet access are just a few of the amenities available to patients. 
Since acquiring the center two years ago, renovations have been ongoing in order to provide the best possible care to the residents and patients who choose Briarfield at The Ridge.  According to Stacey Bettura, administrator, "From the beginning our goal was to expand and improve the services available to the community.  Our focus on care and quality has not changed."
Bettura points out that since taking over operations, many resources have gone into repairs that were long overdue.  "Things like a new roof and windows aren't as visible to the general public as new paint or decorations but were very important to the comfort and quality we could offer residents." 
After expanding the number of Medicare certified beds available, contracts were negotiated with major insurance networks in the area.  "Our goal is for people to be able to receive the care they need close to home," states Vickie Heller, marketing director for the company.
Last year, Nora's Place, an all-female dementia care unit was added to the services available and the assisted living unit received certification for the Medicaid Assisted Living Waiver program.  To date the company has added a program of supported independence in Senior Apartments located on the campus.  "In spite of the challenges we have faced along the way, we have continued to look forward and work toward improving the care and services we offer."
Briarfield Health Care Centers own and operate assisted living and skilled nursing centers in Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana counties.

Help your mom save $3,600
By Jim Mattes, Social Security Public Affairs

People all over the country are helping their moms save as much as $3,600 per year on the cost of prescription drugs.  You can too!
We all know the high cost of medicine can be a burden on mothers who have limited income and resources.  But there is extra help -- available through Social Security -- that could pay part of her monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments.  The extra help could be worth up of $3,600 per year. 
To figure out whether your mother is eligible, Social Security needs to know her income and the value of her savings, investments and real estate (other than the home she lives in).  To qualify for the extra help, she must be receiving Medicare and also have:
· Income limited to $15,600 for an individual or $21,000 for a married couple living together.  Even if her annual income is higher, she still may be able to get some help with monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments.  Some examples where income may be higher include if she or her spouse:
--Support other family members who live with them;
--Have earnings from work; or
--Live in Alaska or Hawaii; and
· Resources limited to $11,990 for an individual or $23,970 for a married couple living together. Resources include such things as bank accounts, stocks and bonds.  We do not count her house and car as resources.
Social Security has an easy-to-use online application that you can help complete for your mom.  You can find it at www.socialsecurity.gov.  To apply by phone or have an application mailed to you, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask for the Application for Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs (SSA-1020).  Or go to the nearest Social Security office.
To learn more about the Medicare prescription drug plans and special enrollment periods, visit www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048). 
So this Mother's Day, help your mom save up to $3,600 a year on her prescription drugs.  Long after the candy and flowers are gone, the extra help through Social Security will keep on giving.

Girard High School news

Congratulations Band!
Over 80 members of the Girard High School Marching Band recently traveled to Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia where they toured the nation's capital and performed at Busch Gardens.  Thanks to Mr. Opsitnik and the many parents and volunteers who made the trip such a success.

Senior Awards Luncheon:
The students of the Class of 2008 will be honored at the Girard High School Senior Awards Luncheon to be held at the Mahoning Country Club on Wednesday May 21^..  Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m.  Seniors are to report to school as on a regular school day, but will be released to go directly to the Mahoning Country Club at 11:15 a.m.  Attendance will be retaken at the Mahoning Country Club.
Parents and family of the Class of 2008 are welcome to join us for lunch at a cost of $12 per person.  Seniors eat for free.  Guests who wish to come after lunch for the awards presentations only, are welcome to arrive at 12:30 p.m.  Invitations have been mailed home.  Please RSVP if you plan to attend.
Many friends of the Girard City School District will be our guest to present awards.  Please consider joining us.  Members of the Senior Class will be dismissed immediately following the awards.

Visitation Day at GHS:
We will host Saint Rose School 8th grade students who are planning to attend 9th grade at Girard High School at Visitation Day on Wednesday May 7, 2008.  Interested Saint Rose students and their families are invited to join us at the High School Office at 8:30AM for a meeting with Mr. Ryser, the guidance department and GHS students.  Students and their families will learn about our school community, tour the facility, and spend time shadowing current GHS students.  Visitation Day will end following lunch at 1 p.m.

Drama Club Presents Cinderella:
The Girard High School Drama Club will present Cinderella May 16-18 at the Girard High School Auditorium. Friday May 16 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday May 17 at 7:30 p.m., Sunday May 18 at 2 p.m. Adults $5, Students $3, Senior Citizens $4 Cast members include Girard City School students in grades K-12.  Come and enjoy this wonderful show!