Regardless of the area you live in, there are ‘must dos’ for the summer months for Alaskans. It is a time to plant, gather, harvest and, for many, fish. On the Kenai Peninsula, fishing is active with subsistence, dipnetting, setnetting, drift fishing and just plain fishing. And that is often followed by smoking, freezing and canning. All of this in preparation for the winter months, along with tending the gardens, and fighting with the birds as to who will get berries. It is also a time for building and repairing the structures we call home. We almost need winter to recuperate, and yet there is the joy and satisfaction of knowing we have added to our winter bounty by what we do now.

Medicare is still something we must attend to. Depending on your birth date, you could be in your Initial Enrollment Period. Or maybe you need to adjust your Part D drug plan. Maybe you have moved to Alaska from a different state – there are important steps you should take.

Medicare can be a complex and confusing program. Hopefully I can provide some clarity. Whatever your Medicare questions are, give me call so we can work on solutions together. I am available Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can call me at 907-262-2322. Just ask for Lee.

Lee Coray-Ludden is a Medicare counselor based at the Soldotna Senior Center.