It’s time to get down to the serious part of winter preparation for senior citizens.

First, for many, is the need for fuel. Some seniors and families took advantage of the LIHEAP (heating assistance) program last year and others contacted the Citizens Energy Oil Heat Program. Different income structures apply to each of these plans, depending on age, how many in the household, etc.

Citizens Energy has some information on its Web site, and has recently announced it will begin taking applications on Dec. 3 and stop processing applications and requests on Feb. 29, 2008.

We will be watching the news and newspapers for more information on how to apply for both of these programs, and report on it in this column. In the meantime, gather your information together that may be asked for, including how much fuel you used last year and what it cost, where you purchased it, your annual income and number of people in your household and their ages. All of this data is used by the assistance agencies to help low income families and seniors.

If you find yourself in need, do not hesitate to ask for help. After all, the tax dollars you spend year after year help fund these programs. Each year when one of these programs is advertised, or even in the case of subsidized housing for elderly, we hear someone ranting about getting something for nothing. I don’t see it that way at all. I see older people whose income is less but whose expenses continue to rise, getting a return on all the taxes they paid for the better part of their lives. Our taxes helped pay the government-funded pensions and medical insurance of some of those who criticize the loudest.

One of the things on my list of things to do before cold weather sets in is to get all the blankets, comforters, coverlets and quilts washed. While I’m at it, I’ll check at the area thrift stores to see if they have anything I might (or really might not) need. The other day at Goodwill in Windham, they had several king-sized comforters, all cotton, and they looked brand new. At $4.99 it was a bargain! Flannel sheets are the most wonderful thing in the winter, too, especially if you live in one of those drafty old houses! Electric blankets just aren’t the same!

The second thing on the “get ready for winter” list is a flu shot. We haven’t read or heard about any shortages this year and several agencies have set their schedules for various clinics. The flu shot cost is covered for seniors under the Medicare program. I noticed a sign in the door at the grocery store that there will be flu shots there, too. We printed the schedule of clinics from Home Health early in September, but if you missed it, here it is again.

Home Health accepts Medicare Part B and Anthem/Blue Cross as payment. You must bring your insurance card with you. All clinics open to people age 9 and older. Parental consent required for children under 18. Flu shots cost $30 if you do not have insurance.

For updates, call the Flu Hot Line, 1-800-747-4358 or 1-800-747-4FLU, or visit the website, www.homehealth.org.

Wed., Oct. 10, 9 to11 a.m., Steep Falls Fire Barn

Mon., Oct. 22, 9:30 to11: 30 a.m., Casco Senior Mealsite

Tue. Oct. 23, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., Scarborough Town Hall

Tue. Oct. 30, 10 a.m. to noon, Gorham, St. Anne’s Church

Tue. Oct. 30, 2-5:30 p.m., Lake Region High School, Naples

Wed., Oct. 31, 9 to 11 a.m., St. Bartholomew’s Church, Cape Elizabeth

Thu. Nov. 1, 9 to 11:30 a.m., SMAAA Office, Scarborough

Thu. Nov. 1, 9 to 11 a.m., Methodist Church, Naples

Tue. Nov. 13, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., Middle School, Cape Elizabeth

Thu. Nov. 15, 2 to 4:30 p.m., Windham Town Hall gym

Mon., Nov. 19, 2 to 4 p.m., Gorham High School

Tue. Nov. 20, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., Gray/New Gloucester High School

Wed., Nov. 28, 3-5 p.m., Bridgton Memorial School

Other winter reminders include getting a bucket of salted sand which you can use on your steps and walkway. Do this before it gets cold enough for water to freeze. Some towns provide this free at the town sand pile, but you need to have a container and a really rugged pair of arms to carry it. Don’t try lifting it yourself. Call your local public works department.

Check your birdfeeders to make sure you can get to them if there is snow, and clean them out before filling with seeds. Cardinals are arriving and they love anything orange (including oranges).

Stock up on non-perishable food that you can use in case the power is lost during a storm. And get a non-electric can opener. Some cans now have those “easy open” tabs but unless you have a lot of strength, you may need a can opener. New ones are much easier to use than the old timers. Splurge and get yourself one of the newer kind.

And remember, if you or someone you know find that getting a meal is just not something you can do easily, call Southern Maine Agency on Aging and find out about Meals on Wheels. Volunteers deliver meals every day to thousands of people in Maine and the rest of the country. Call 1-800-427-7411 for more information.