Penobscot County is a wonderful place to live, but it recently got a little better.

“The Penobscot County commissioners teamed up with the National Association of Counties to take advantage of educational and financial benefits that would be helpful to our residents,” said Barbara Veilleux, Penobscot County employee and a member of the Health Advisory Council which reviews all types of health related issues for the county.

“One of these benefits, sponsored by NACO,” Veilleux said, “is a prescription drug discount card, which can be used by anyone, but is geared to the uninsured or underinsured. But we’ve had people with good insurance save money with it, as well.”

So just how does this card work, and how do you get one of your own?

“Getting a card is very easy,” said Veilleux. “Just go to your town or city hall and pick one up along with the list of participating pharmacies. Elderly and disabled homebound individuals can call me at 942-8566 and I will mail one to them. The only requirement to get and use the card is that you live and-or work in Penobscot County.”

Let’s break it down, because this is one of those rare instances in life when something that seems too good to be true, is in fact completely true and legitimate.

. The card is free for the asking.

. There is no fee, and no premium as it is not an insurance card.

. The savings average about 20 percent on covered prescriptions. Some may be more, some may be less.

. There are no limits on the number of times the card can be used, and only one card is needed per family.

. To start using the card, just present it to your pharmacy when purchasing medications.

. Best of all, the card covers medications for pets – if the prescriptions can be filled in a pharmacy, not at the vet’s office.

Sheriff Glen Ross just saved $40 on a medication for his dog. A friend of mine is saving 10 percent on her dog’s insulin and diabetic supplies.

“Penobscot County residents have saved over $5,000 since the inception of the program. There is no reason people in Penobscot should not get this card,” said Veilleux. “And even people with insurance can use it. It does not provide a discount on co-pays for people with a prescription plan, but if a drug is not covered on a person’s plan, this card might work. And even more money can be saved for those who use maintenance drugs and shop mail order or online at naco.advancerx.com.”

For seniors, this card may help while they are in the Medicare part D doughnut hole, or may cover drugs that their plan does not. For specifics on how this card affects a Medicare part D plan, call Eastern Agency on Aging at 941-2865. We will also help you figure out if the Penobscot County card covers your individual prescriptions.

There is no downside to the Penobscot County Prescription Drug Card, so hop on the phone or head to your town office and start saving money today.

To obtain more information or to receive a card of your own, call Veilleux at 942-8566 or call NACO at 1 (877) 321-2652.

The days are getting darker. This can spell disaster for our elderly or disabled citizens who venture outside late in the day.

Every year there are more accidents between cars and older people that result in fatalities. So EAA, in partnership with the Penobscot County TRIAD, is promoting a new program called “Vest Dressed for Safety.”

“We want our active residents to be highly visible when going outdoors,” said Noelle Merrill, executive director of EAA. “The wearing of reflective vests could possibly prevent a tragedy.”

For more information on how to get a lightweight reflective vest or other such equipment, call EAA.

Carol Higgins is director of communications at Eastern Agency on Aging. For information on EAA, call 942-1865, (800) 432-7812, e-mail info@eaaa.org, or log on www.eaaa.org. TTY 992-0150.