Food stamps and people with disabilities

Information on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program often called food stamps)

By Timothy Redd

Do you receive SNAP benefits?
If you answered "yes" there are many people in this country that are just like you. In 2013, 49.1 million Americans lived in households struggling with hunger, a stark number which includes 15.8 million children and 4.8 million seniors. Food insecurity is a daily reality for about one in seven households.

What is SNAP?
SNAP is a federal aid program administered by the US Department of Agriculture that provides food assistance to low- or no-income Americans. Formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, it now uses a debit card system to distribute benefits, so recipients pay for their purchases with an EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card. The amount that households receive depends on several factors, including location, but often averages to about $4 per person per day.

Food and Research Action Center, a hunger advocacy group, has been a prime promoter of the SNAP Challenge. Ellen Vollinger, FRAC’s legal director, said that because the congressional debate often centers around the program’s nearly $80 billion budget, the $4.50 figure is intended to “put in concrete terms” what the SNAP assistance means to ordinary Americans. While the Snap Program tackles food insecurity there are challenges for most recipients and for those with disabilities the challenges are often even greater. 

How many of you have gone to the local Department of Human Services to apply for benefits or re-certify? 
If you’ve had the experience you already know you are in for a long day. Often we as people with disabilities rely on public transit to get around and dealing with the massive crowd of people that frequent the local office. The crowd can be overwhelming and frustrating for many because there is no way in knowing how long the wait may be. People because of their disabilities may have less flexibility in their schedule. Medications, transportation, oxygen and other necessary programs can prevent some people with disabilities from fitting into the open scheduling that the department requires.

Here at MCIL we work with individuals who need assistance in applying for SNAP benefits. As mentioned earlier it’s not always easy and we have found that you must be a good self-advocate and know about the SNAP program to successfully navigate the bureaucracy.
For example, over the past three month a young single mother was in the process of re-certification. She made several trips to DHS to submit requested documentation. To her dismay, after checking on the status of her case she was informed that the information had not been received. Fortunately, each time she went in to submit her documents she had a submission receipt signed to serve as verification that she in fact did turn in the requested paperwork.  

A phone call to a supervisor did eventually re-certify her and she was retroactively paid. However, this is not a story of success, but of near total failure. The re-certification ordeal created an extreme financial hardship for this woman. It turns out, the woman was told, that multiple cases had been submitted by different case workers but none of them knew because the information is not shared.

There are many other challenges people with disabilities face when applying for SNAP benefits, such as: accessing the application in alternate formats and getting assistance needed for those with visual impairments, hearing, and speaking dis-fluency. Also, accessing the service windows are a challenge for many wheelchair users. If you are experiencing challenges with accessing benefits here are some tips that may be beneficial to you.

• When you submit documentation always ask for a receipt and have copies for yourself.
• Let someone know what type of assistance you need in order to apply or re-certify.
• Follow up within a week after submitting documentation to verify it has been received.
• If you miss an appointment or a phone interview be sure to call as soon as possible to reschedule.
• If you don’t receive a call for a scheduled interview contact you case worker immediately.

Friday Game Night

Food, fun and games with the Grey Panthers

By Bobbie Fields
The Grey Panthers Game Night kicked-off last Friday night full of fun, food, music, and games.  The Memphis Center for Independent Living Grey Panthers is a peer-to-peer support Group for the mature crowd. Big thanks to our members for going the extra mile to make the first game night a great event.  It would have never been a success without the help of each member who attended.

The Grey Panthers would like to thank the Direct Service Professionals for volunteering to serve and clean. A special thanks to Ms. Alecia for facilitating the Bingo game.  It was a lot of fun and excitement!

Also the food and drinks were enjoyed by everyone!

Life after 55 does not have to be boring, lonely, or isolated.  You are invited to come out and be a part of our vibrant Grey Panthers. If you would like to know about upcoming events; please contact Ms. Bobbie Fields Co-Facilitator at 901-726-6404 ext. 112 or Mr. Jerry Gamble Co-Facilitator 901-726-6404 ext. 122.

The Grey Panthers and Memphis History

Exploring Memphis with MCIL’s Grey Panthers

By Bobbie Fields
The Grey Panthers spent a fun filled afternoon at the Benjamin Hooks library on Poplar getting to know all about how politics, race and the press played a major role in some of our cities major events.

The Grey Panthers are a group organized with the Memphis Center for Independent Living to facilitate peer relationships and social interaction for people 55 and older. The Grey Panthers confront issues of dealing with disability, health, finances and civic life.

The keynote speaker for the event was former newspaper man, channel 3 commentator and Author Otis Sanford (Boss Crump and King Willie). His book gives a detailed account of how these men influenced our communities, city and even our way of thinking today.

Racism was a major concern during the turn of the last century in Memphis and Mr. Sanford told the group about many issues 100 years ago. Some of the key players in our city political history were Mayor Henry Loeb, Mayor Wyatt Chandler, and Mayor Robert “Dick” Hackett, Mayor Willie “king” Harrington, The Crumps and The Fords.

Events like this one is only a small sample of what The Grey Panthers are all about. We try to keep our seniors informed about health issues, our city and community while having fun. If you are age 55 and up we encourage you to come see and listen for yourself. We meet every 2nd Friday of the month from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm at The Memphis Center for Independent Living, 1633 Madison Ave. For more information please contact Jerry Gamble at (901) 726-6404 ext.122 or jerry@mcil.org and Bobbie Fields (901) 726-6404 ext. 112 or bobbie@mcil.org

The MATAplus Ride from Hell

Know about the service before you complain about it

By Bobbie Fields
Have you ever had one of those mornings where you wish you had just stayed in bed? That’s how I feel after my MATAplus ride this morning. 

As usual my bus arrived late which, quite naturally made me late to work. After getting on the bus I found out that three other riders had been added to driver’s manifest to be picked before my drop off.  

The first person got on the bus asking if she was the first to be dropped off, she started to complain when she learned she was not. She started ranting and bugging the driver about being late for her appointments. 

She scheduled an 8:30 am pickup for a 9:15 doctor’s appointment, I explained to her the importance of scheduling her ride earlier and taking into consideration the 30 minute pickup window and the fact this is a shared ride service.
 
The second rider, considering the fact that he has a visual impairment should’ve have requested to be called when the bus arrives. Riders who cannot see the bus have the same responsibility to meet the vehicle when it arrives and people who are blind may ask for a reasonable accommodation to be notified when the bus comes. Today however, we had to wait to wait 15 minutes before the second rider finally boarded the bus. 

The final rider we picked up seemed to think that she had a private car service because she wanted to bring the family along. They took forever to board the bus. 

All three of these people could have made this trip go much smoother simply by being prepared. The first one should have scheduled her ride at least an hour and a half before her scheduled appointment. The next person should have added to his profile a courtesy call request when making reservations.  The third person could have made sure that all those accompanying her were ready. Each MATAplus rider should consider the other people who ride the bus and the limited space. 

I would suggest if you want your own car service and you don’t need the accessibility of MATAplus, to consider Uber or one of the other transportation providers.  Each rider must consider the certain factors that come along with using a ride share. Know what MATAplus provides before you use and complain about the service.

What's New with MATAplus?

MATAplus and safety

By Bobbie Fields
I use MATAplus on a frequent basis and I often wonder how safe I am. Do you know how many times I have seen drivers and individuals working on the buses to get them running? Just in the past two weeks, there were two incidents where a

bus blew a tire while going down the street.  

I've seen MATA work on ramps, lifts, seats and restraints to get the buses back in service. With all I have seen, it makes me wonder how the taxes for our transportation services are spent and if MATA is effectively looking after our safety on the bus. MATA patrons are literally putting our lives on the line every day.

MATAplus continues to promise us that they have our best interests at heart. They promise to provide us with safe, clean buses and trained drivers. I am still waiting for them to fulfill that promise.

As a rider of MATAplus, you can call and ask about their maintenance schedule for the buses. You can ask how often the tires are checked, you may ask about regular tune-ups and oil changes. I know life is a gamble already but I would like to see more evidence that safety is important to MATA.

MATAplus Phone Games

MATA paratransit makes riders wait just to leave a voicemail

There is a disturbing practice at MATAplus that keeps people from getting assistance on the phone. For the paratransit system in Memphis, the phone is the primary way to make reservations and to cancel a ride. Often, riders will call only to be on hold and following a long wait, the call is put to voicemail. The system will tell you how many callers are in line ahead of you, but when you wait to reach the end, your call is not answered and you are dumped to voicemail.

“I have called MATAplus only to be put on hold in the queue for at least 10 minutes,” said Bobbie Fields of the Memphis Center for Independent Living, “then sent to voicemail when I was number one. I would like to see every rider who has experienced this to file a complaint against MATAplus.”

Paratransit riders who call often must speak to an operator and cannot just “leave a voicemail.” The experience of riders also shows that leaving a message or using the “chat” system do not ensure that MATA will get the message and respond. There is no way to negotiate additional times even if the message if left on the MATA system.

“On Sunday, January 1, I called MATA at 7:30 AM to cancel my rides for the day,” explained Janice Craven, a MATAplus rider. “The first ride was scheduled for 10:AM. I left a message and requested a call back to let me know the message was received. I called again at 8:45, stating the same information and saying this was my second call and second message. At 10:AM, a MATAplus Operator was in front of my house calling to ask if I still needed my ride for that day. I told them I had left 2 messages to cancel all my rides for the day.”

But the annoying issue with MATA is that the problem is not accurately reported. MATA administration says they answer calls quickly and the wait time is minimal. Of course, many patrons must wait, hang-up and call back. Realistically the wait time for the MATA customer is about twice as long, yet the phone system only reports the answer time and the wait time for each call. 

In November of 2016, MATA reported that they had 554 abandon MATAplus calls, 397 calls over three minutes and that 92 percent of the calls were answered. MATA administration did not report the total number of calls. MATA reported that the average wait time of a call to MATAplus was one minute and 18 seconds. Riders do not feel that the MATA Monthly Operation STAC Report is accurate about the phone system or the on-time performance. MATA has not produced the report since November 2016 when MCIL had questioned the validity of the numbers.

“All I know is my frustration is stifling like the heat on a summer day in Memphis,” said Allison Donald the new chairperson for the Specialized Transportation Advisory Committee at MATA. “I am sitting here watching the clock.  I am unsure whether the frustration will subside when I find that little piece of shade that arrives when my bus finally shows up. Will this be temporary relief like that glass of grandma’s sweet tea; or will I be left wanting more when I am still on the bus an hour and a half after my pick up?  I have tried everything but much like the Memphis heat MATAplus is insufferable.  I have come to realize that those individuals who want to pacify this issue of the poor service that is provided by MATAplus could not endure the heat that riders have to.”

January STAC Meeting Report

STAC Goals for 2017

By Allison Donald and Bobbie Fields
The January meeting of the Specialized Transportation Advisory Committee began with the introduction of new officers. Allison Donald, of the Memphis Center for Independent Living was elected Chairperson, June Mangum, chosen as Co-chair, and Savannah Morris, was voted in as Secretary.  LaBarbra Houston and Glenda Wade of MATA also attended the meeting with STAC members Rexcey Bowers, Russell Jones, Bobbie Fields, Christina Clift, and William Bass.

STAC is outlining its goals for this year and will continue to discuss goals at the February meeting. The first thing that STAC hopes to accomplish is a sit down meeting with the General Manager of MATA Ron Garrison.  STAC also has asked that a person with a disability serve on the MATA Board of Directors and the committee is going to educate riders about alternate modes of transportation. 

STAC wants to partner with MATAplus to include conditional eligibility in the recertification process.  Additionally, STAC and MATAplus this year will reintroduce its riders to the travel-training program. MATA offers travel training for people with disabilities to learn to use the fixed-route buses.

STAC is also looking for new members.  To be a STAC member you must be a MATAplus rider.  If you are interested in becoming a member please contact Ms. Bobbie Fields at bobbie@mcil.org. If you would like to attend a STAC meeting your next opportunity will be February 3rd at 2:00 pm at Café Eclectic.

General Help with MATAplus

How to file an effective complaint with MATAplus

By Timothy Redd and Bobbie Fields
Day in and out the phones constantly ring with people seeking transportation options.  MATAplus is not perfect, but it does not mean you should be silent. You can help MATAplus improve and work for other riders if you make suggestions and complaints about your experience on the bus.

This week MCIL wants to make sure you are able to exercise self-advocacy in transportation. If you find yourself with a grievance or suggestion for our partner MATAplus, we want you to review what will make an effective complaint. The information provided can be found in the MATAplus Rider’s Guide.  

If you have a suggestion, comment or a complaint use the following steps.

1. Call a Customer Service Specialist at 522-9175.
2. If you wish you can write: MATAplus 1370 Levee Road Memphis, TN 38108
3. Provide specific details to help MATA thoroughly address your suggestions, complaints or comments. Please remember to include the following information if you can when calling or writing:
• Your name, address, email and telephone number.
• Location, date and time of experience.
• Vehicle number and driver's name or badge number.
• Reservation or service agent's name.
• Explanation of incident, suggestion, or comment.
• If at all possible report the concern or complaint the same day that it occurred while it is fresh on your mind.
4. Complaints received by the Information Center Supervisor should be logged and numbered. MATA says the complaints will be processed and forwarded to the appropriate authorities for investigation.
5. Keep a copy of your complaint so you may know if it was fully addressed by MATA or if they responded to the appropriate issue.
6. MATA Customers should always ask for a complaint number. Write the complaint number down to track your complaint.
7. For specific paratransit customer support services, you may contact either: Glenda Wade at 901-722-7196 or LaBarbara Houston at 901-722-7138
8. You can also e-mail MATA at: mpluscertification@matatransit.com
9. Tell MCIL about your experience. Let us know good or bad how the suggestions to MATA go. It may help other riders and people with disabilities to know that they are not the only people having trouble. You may leave a comment on our Blog.

November MATAplus Report

The Monthly MATAplus run down

By Bobbie Fields
The members of the Memphis Specialized Transportation Advisory Committee met with representatives of MATAplus regarding their performance rate and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Specifically the ADA rule of communication and supplying materials in an alternate format for MATA riders. Ms. LaBarbara Houston and Ms. Glenda Wade said MATA now has the Rider’s Guide in braille, large print, and audio available upon request. You can find it on the MATA website as well. MATAplus is teaming up with MTAC to work on how the application process is being handle when it comes to a professional signing off on it.


The application on-line asks potential MATAplus riders if they can “climb three ten-foot steps.” The confusion is because the application question is abbreviated: 10’ when they intended to write 10” the abbreviation for ten inches. But the real frustration is that this simple mistake was pointed out to MATA over a year ago. The additional irony is that the application asks, in all caps and highlighted: DO NOT USE ABBREVIATIONS OR CODES. See the MATAplus application for yourself at: http://www.matatransit.com/sites/default/files/pdfs/MATAplus%20Application%202014.pdf


Ms. Wade made the comment that MATAplus is operating at a 90% on time rate and booking about 700 trips a day. If you are a rider of MATAplus and you are late for your appointment, you can call dispatch and ask to be put on “Will Call.” Will call simply means that you will call MATA when you’re ready to be picked up. You should also know that it might take at least an hour or more before you are picked up.


Ms. Houston said as of November 1, 2016 they have started to offer travel training to anyone who asks for it. They are also in the process of getting some more buses and hiring new drivers.


Even though MATA is trying to make changes in the way they handle business; the MATAplus riders feel they are still not meeting the needs of the disabled community. Buses are still “running down,” MATA terminology for running late for the names on their manifest, more than an hour. Some riders MATAplus doesn't pick-up at all. Despite all the problems with MATA they are still the best paratransit system that Memphis has to offer. If you want to know more about MATAplus just visit their website: www.matatransit.com.

Finding CHOICES in the community.

MCIL helps individuals remain in the community

By Bobbie Fields, Transition Coordinator
One consumer MCIL served this year is a fifty-six year old gentleman who was hospitalized due to a stroke in February of 2015. MCIL became involved when the hospital refused to continue treating him after his condition improved. In fact, they were threatening to release him out in the streets if his sister couldn't find a place for him to go.

The hospital wanted to send him to a nursing home and had not told him that he had the option to remain in the community. MCIL helped him apply for CHOICES, a program of  TENNCare Medicaid to help people live in their own home and not expensive institutions.

We met with the individual and his sister about his options as far as housing, healthcare, and the hospital responsibilities.  We also had a meeting with the hospital social worker and the administrative representative about their responsibilities and discharging him into an unsafe environment.

The consumer was given resources to help him begin the process of getting insurance, finding housing, and medical care. He eventually received home and community based services through the CHOICES Program and he was also able to find affordable, accessible, integrated housing from the list we provided.

Today, the MCIL consumer calls me periodically about his progress and to thank us for all of our help and support. He is thankful for MCIL helping him to remain independent in his community. He is excited about the start of basketball season and tells me he can't wait to catch a live game.

Renters’ Rights Day of Action

Memphis demands affordable, accessible and integrated housing

Homeless Organizing for Power and Equality (HOPE) assembled an action to promote Renters’ civil rights in the Memphis area and to work to produce real options for homeless individuals. The group rallied at Morris Park just after noon, a block away from the Memphis Housing Authority. HOPE lead a march to the door of the Housing Authority and demanded action by the new administrator.

“People with disabilities that need housing stand with the LGBTQ community, women, and others for housing justice in Memphis,” said Allison Donald of the Memphis Center for Independent Living who spoke at the rally. “We demand affordable, accessible and integrated housing.”

The group secured a meeting with the Memphis Housing Authority Executive Director Marcia Lewis who came out of the office to meet the group. Tony, a HOPE member, read the demands to Director Lewis in front of the MHA offices. HOPE activists held signs and chanted in the background.

“At the rally I learned that there are several people that don’t have access to a homeless shelter,” said Tim Redd of the Memphis Center for Independent Living. “Single mothers,  members of the LGBTQ community  and people with disabilities. I learned that for years HOPE has been advocating for the homeless.”
The event ended in with the group returning to Morris Park and enjoying a picnic in the shade.

"While attending The Renters Day of Action it dawned on me how much people with and without disabilities are fighting for the same things,” said Bobbie Fields of MCIL. “We all would like to have easy access to the basic needs of life, housing, transportation, food and social events."

Text of the HOPE letter:

Thursday, Sept. 22nd 2016

To: Marcia Lewis
Executive Director
Memphis Housing Authority
CC. Mayor Jim Strickland

Ms. Lewis,
We hope this letter finds you well and in good health, today members of Homeless Organizing for Power and Equality, H.O.P.E. left his letter and a request for a meeting at your office.

We are a grassroots organization made up exclusively of men and women who are formerly or currently experiencing homelessness in the city of Memphis. Many of our members have or are also tenants at some of Memphis Site Based Section 8 apartment complexes as well and as such we have many concerns that we would like to be able to share with you. We come today as part of a nation wide day of action for renters rights and housing justice with the Homes for All campaign and the Right to The City Alliance and have included the national coalitions list of demands inside. As Memphis has 55 units of affordable housing for every 100 qualified low income applicants, we see housing as the most pressing issue our community For the remaining purposes of this letter we wish to speak to local matters.

WE BELIEVE THAT ACCESS TO SAFE, AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE SHELTER IS A HUMAN RIGHT.

A. Memphis has no free shelters for men, less than 70 beds for women experiencing homelessness that are not for domestic violence or drug rehab, we have cases in some shelters where women are sexually harassed and access to shelter is tied to sexual exploitation. We have no shelter for the LGBT community and we have slumlords that economically exploit our people via taking their food stamps, work shelters that fail to pay a living wage and none of our shelters are 100% compliant with the AMERICAS WITH DISABILITIES ACT.

B.We call on the city of Memphis to create a new city run, free shelter for people experiencing homelessness, which is fully compliant with the ADA and provides shelter without religious mandates and is open to all of our people.

C. We call on the city of Memphis to enact an ordinance for minimum standards for all shelters including transparency and accountability to the consumer, ADA compliance new standards for sexual misconduct, standards for staff training and ethics and the creation of an oversight board within the executive branch made up of those currently and formerly unsheltered which will provide oversight into allegations of misconduct within shelters.

D. We call on Mayor Jim Strickland to DELAY the demolition of Foote Homes until after the promised 448 NEW units of HUD subsidized housing replacing Warren and Tulane are online.

E. We call for the adoption of the recommendations of the 2014 the Memphis Multifamily Housing Strategy report commissioned by the City of Memphis. F. We call for the Reserve Code Officer program training to include a section on apartment complexes and that the City work with Tenant Associations to recruit teams of tenants at all of Memphis Site Based Section 8 complexes for training and recruitment into the RCO program.

G. The Beers Van Gogh Peer Center is set to close and residents are being told that they will have to find another place to live. Beers Van Gogh provides housing and services for 10 unsheltered individuals who have disabilities. These people are losing their housing via no fault of their own and we call on the city to take action to rehouse them.

Ms Lewis, we appreciate all your efforts during the situations leading up to the relocations at the Warren and Tulane apartments and believe your experience at HUD in your former position gives you special insight in how systemic reforms can be enacted most effectively.

We seek to have our leadership meet with you at your earliest convenience to discuss these matters and how we can collectively move this city forward. Thank you and have a blessed day.

Toni Whitfield
President
Homeless Organizing for Power and Equality

Tamara Hendricks
Organizing Coordinator
Mid-South Peace and Justice Center
3573 Southern, Memphis,TN. 38111
901-725-4990

2016 Independent Living Team Lifesaver Award

2016 IL Team  Lifesaver  Award

Christina Clift

Lifesaver

Expertise in dealing with difficult individuals and ability to put out fires.

2016 IL Team  Lifesaver  Award

Michael Heinrich

Lifesaver

Stepped up to do payroll and accounting. Using valuable ability with dedication to MCIL.

2016 IL Team  Lifesaver  Award

Janice Craven

Lifesaver

Ready for anything. Stepping in to ECF and developing peer mentors. 

2016 IL Team  Lifesaver  Award

Allison Donald

Lifesaver

Willingness to step in to organize our community to reach justice and equality.

2016 IL Team  Lifesaver  Award

Bobbie Fields

Lifesaver

Community Ideal Award.

Making the Memphis community into a place we all want to live.

2016 IL Team  Lifesaver  Award

Timothy Redd

Lifesaver

Reinforcement Award. Stepping up to be part of the team.

More on the MATAplus Policies and Procedures

MATAPLUS and STAC WORKSHOP REPORT August 25, 2016

By Bobbie Fields
MATAplus and the Specialized Transportation Advisory Committee met to discuss some of the changes we both would like to see at MATA. STAC members in attendance included, Allison Donald, Rexcey Bowers, June Mangum, Christina Clift, Savannah Morris and Bobbie Fields. MATA representatives were Ms. Glenda Wade, LaBarbara Houston and Mr. Steven Fields. 

The topic of discussion centered on the daily operations of MATA and the buses. Ms. LaBarbara talk about the signing of the ADA, what paratransit is; the dispatcher’s duty, making reservations, applying for MATAplus, no shows, the driver’s duty and the appeal process.

The workshop didn’t focus on any of the management responsibilities or the policies and procedures. All of the material covered in the workshop could be found in the Riders Guide. I was expecting more about the ADA regulations and how they are implementing them into the day to day operation of MATA. 

Ms. LaBarbara supplied DATA from July, to give us an idea of how many people they serve daily and their performance. At the moment there are 7,877 rider’s registered, they made 18,048 trips for the month at a distance of 8.12 miles per trip. The average trip only lasted 32 minutes per person. They were able to transport 1.6 passenger per hour. They also claim to be at a 90 per cent on time performance rate.
 
Mr. Fields provided one of the new buses for our inspection. I agree that they are roomier and quieter than the other buses but it concerns me about how low they are to the ground. This may cause the buses to scrub the street and speed bumps in some places. The driver may not be able to take the bus on certain parking lots and driveways. There is a problem with the ramps deployment and storing system as well.

MATA has promised to hold more workshop like this one in the hope of becoming more transparent. I hope the next one will be more about the policies and procedures, funding, equipment and maintenance.

Caregivers and Alzheimer's

Fifth Annual Alzheimer’s Caregiver Conference

By Bobbie Fields
 
The Fifth Annual Alzheimer’s Caregiver Conference was about becoming an empowered caregiver. It can feel overwhelming to take care of a person with dementia, and may harm both if the caregiver is neglected.

Alzheimer’s is a disease of the brain that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. It is not a normal part of aging. The disease may cause a person to become confused, get lost in familiar places, misplace things or have trouble with language.

Brent Worthington, a former primary caregiver, is the author of “Things you never want to hear your grandmother say.”  He spoke about his experience with caring for his grandmother. Mr. Worthington said there were times when he had to be creative in order to get her to eat, bathe, dress and go to bed.

Dr. Brandon C. Baughman, Ph. D, Board Certified in Clinical Neuropsychology at the Semmes-Murphy Neurologic and Spine Institute; talked about the forms of Alzheimer’s such as Vascular dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Down Syndrome and Huntington’s disease just to name a few. He said more than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most common form of dementia accounting for 60 to 80 percent of all cases. That includes 11% of those age 65 and older and a third of those 85 and older. The disease also impacts more than 15 million family members, friends and caregivers.

For a caregiver to take good care of their family; they must also take care of themselves. There are ten signs of caregiver stress: denial, anger, social withdrawal, anxiety, depression, exhaustion, sleeplessness, irritability, lack of concentration and health problems. For caregivers who may have these signs, the Alzheimer’s Center has a 24/7 Support Helpline:  (800) 272-3900.

If you want to know more about Alzheimer’s Community Resources and the effect on caregivers; you can call the Alzheimer’s Association at (800) 272-3900 or visit the website alz.org. For information regarding Living Wills and Forms please call Ms. Jerry Ashley at (901) 415-3464 (Voicemail/leave message).  

MATAplus Rider’s Guide Problems

The Guide Confusing about fares and Service Area

By Bobbie Fields
The rider’s guide states that there is a fee to ride MATAplus but does not state the cost of each trip or the cost for any of the fare saving plans.

The cost for each trip is $3.50 each way, as long as you are traveling within the zone area where a fixed-route bus goes. There are additional fees for traveling outside the zone area that range from $5.50 all the way to $10.50, one way, to parts of Collierville, Germantown, Frasier, Westwood and Raleigh.

There are some programs that may save you a few dollars like the 21-RIDE MATAPLUS PASS. There is also a senior and disabled discount fare for riding the fixed route if you are certified to ride MATAplus. Seniors have an additional discount fare.

MATA website on MATAplus fares: http://www.matatransit.com/services/mataplus/fares/

The riders guide does not mention anything about the off peak hours schedule and how service to the zones. Some buses only run at peak times to the furthest zones, or in only one direction at times. It is not clear in the rider's guide how MATAplus serves these areas. The guide needs to explain how to schedule your ride in order to better manage your pick-up times.

There are a few more things wrong with the guide but it can wait. These are the things I am asked about the most.

The MATAplus Rider's Guide is published on the MCIL website: https://sites.google.com/site/mcilaction/mpridersguide