We want to make sure older Floridians never feel alone, especially this holiday season. DOEA and the Northwest Florida Area Agency on Aging have launched Together Apart: Holidays at Heart to ensure seniors are aware of local resources.
Visit HolidaysAtHeart.org.
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Registration required. To register in advance click the date of your preference below.
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January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month,
an important time to spread the word about this sight-stealing disease.
Currently, more than 3 million people in the United States have glaucoma. The National Eye Institute projects this number will reach 4.2 million by 2030, a 58 percent increase.
Glaucoma is called "the sneak thief of sight" since there are no symptoms and once vision is lost, it's permanent. As much as 40% of vision can be lost without a person noticing.
Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. Moreover, among African American and Latino populations, glaucoma is more prevalent. Glaucoma is 6 to 8 times more common in African Americans than Caucasians.
Combined with our aging population, we can see an epidemic of blindness looming if we don't raise awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations to preserve vision. The World Health Organization estimates that 4.5 million people worldwide are blind due to glaucoma.
Help Raise Awareness
Talk to Your Family About Glaucoma
In the United States, approximately 120,000 are blind from glaucoma, accounting for 9% to 12% of all cases of blindness. Here are some ways you can help raise awareness:
- Talk to friends and family about glaucoma. If you have glaucoma, don’t keep it a secret. Let your family members know.
- To learn more visit www.glaucoma.org.
- Request to have a free educational booklet sent to you or a friend.
Did you know? Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers glaucoma tests once every 12 months if you’re at high risk for glaucoma.
If you are on Medicare and have questions regarding Medicare’s Preventive and Screening Services, call the Elder Helpline at 866-413-5337 and request SHINE counseling.
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Your Local SHINE-Senior Medicare Patrol Program can assist.
If you are contacted or fall victim to any of the following situations,
please call the Elder Helpline at 866-413-5337 and
request to speak with a SHINE counselor.
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JANUARY 2021 Webinar Schedule
SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders)
will be hosting virtual classes for anyone interested in learning more about Medicare!
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Medicare Advantage and its Open Enrollment Period (MA-OEP)
January 1 – March 31
Did you know that Medicare Advantage plans have their own enrollment period?
Yes, they do, and it’s not the same as the one that just ended. If you are dissatisfied with your current Advantage plan you have a single opportunity to switch to a new plan during the first quarter every year.
To learn more, join SHINE on Wednesday, January 27 as we talk in-depth about Part C as well as the option to switch to a new plan by March 31.
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Medicare and Enrollment Periods,
there are a few.
Have you heard the saying, “set it and forget it”? That does not apply to Medicare, changes occur annually even periodically. For instance, did you know that every year, January 1 – March 31, two enrollment periods occur simultaneously?
*Medicare Part B General Enrollment Period - a chance for someone to enroll in Part B (Medical insurance) if they missed their Initial or Special Enrollment Periods.
*Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period - a single opportunity for someone currently enrolled in an advantage plan, that is not meeting their needs, to switch back to Original Medicare or another advantage plan.
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Medicare assistance from the safety of your home, SHINE is here to help.
SHINE trained counselors continue to provide services with your safety in mind; you can speak with a SHINE counselor by phone. SHINE counselors are able to assist with matters related to Medicare, including access to preventive services, cost-saving programs, and identifying and reporting Medicare fraud.
To request help with Medicare, please call the Elder Helpline at 866-413-5337. To learn more about the SHINE program or Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida, visit:
www.floridashine.org or www.AAASWFL.org
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Last month the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) Safe Mobility for Life Coalition partnered with the Florida Department of Elder Affairs’ Area Agencies on Aging to distribute informative safety materials through Meals on Wheels programs across the state for Older Driver Safety Awareness Week from December 7-11, 2020.
The goal was to encourage people to stay safe while remaining mobile. With the right resources, people can make informed choices on how to get around and remain independent and active even after transitioning from driving. Online resources to help Florida’s aging population build a transportation plan are also available online. Floridians are encouraged to visit http://safemobilityfl.com/ to learn more on how to build and implement a well-rounded transportation plan that fits their unique needs. Find out how to incorporate options such as walking to a nearby transit stop, requesting a ride to a local shopping center, or biking to nearby homes of friends and family.
Susan Alexander, FISH of SANDCAP and Jennifer Vander May, AAASWFL
Locally, in partnership with Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida and the Safe Mobility for Life Coalition, F.I.S.H. of SANCAP distributed materials to seniors through various opportunities including its virtual Friendly Faces Lunch where meals were delivered to a participant’s home while participating via Zoom, its senior box program and daily food pantry.
“This is wonderful and beneficial information for our seniors. Thanks again for thinking of us for this partnership,” shared Susan Alexander, Senior Services and Community Engagement Director of F.I.S.H. of SANCAP.
To learn more about F.I.S.H. of SANCAP and support the terrific work they do in our community, visit https://www.fishofsancap.org/.
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Naples Senior Center Virtual Dementia Respite Program
The Naples Senior Center for the last 6 years has run a Dementia Respite Support Program for individuals, residing at home, who have a medical diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and their caregivers. This program provides socialization and activities to stimulate short and long term memory, help decrease agitation, reduce anxiety, strengthen communication skills and increase self-esteem. This is an evidence based program that centers on the Brookdale Model and the Teepa Snow model of Positive Approach to Dementia which integrates what is known about functional brain changes that occur with dementing conditions.
Who Should Participate?
Seniors who want to participate in a program designed to support their brain health and physical wellbeing through discussion, exercise, brain games, and music in a safe and relaxing environment.
Activities Include:
Brain Fitness Activities
Stretching and Movement
Music Therapy
Peer support and engagement
Programs currently meet via Zoom several times throughout the week. Accommodations for low hearing is available and support with technology assistance is available.
For More Information:
Please contact Simona Staicu-Levy, Dementia Programs Coordinator at
239-325-4444 or sstaicu-levy@naplesseniorcenter.org.
*This program receives funding through the Area Agency on Aging Southwest Florida.
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