Elder Options activities and resources for Oct. and Nov. 2023
October 3, 10, 11 and 28, 2023 (online)
SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) will be hosting LIVE online Zoom classes, hosted by the PSA3 SHINE Team, for anyone interested in learning more about Medicare, Medicare Financial Assistance and the latest in Scams! You can join via computer or by phone! Please register for the classes 24 hours in advance of the class. If you have questions about these classes, please email shine@agingresources.org or call 1 (352) 692-5209. For additional lassistance, call your local Elder Helpline at 1-800-262-2243 or visit www.agingresources.org. To become a SHINE volunteer, visit www.floridashine.org.
Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, 10:00 - 11:30 am: Medicare Basics
Register in advance here: https://agingresources-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMscO6sqj8iE9FvSr9r86vN5f-atM2dHg2p
Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, 12:30 - 2:00 pm: Medicare Part C
Register in advance here: https://agingresources-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcodeypqjwpHtAnwR0oosIHmC2wKjdch0Kf
Tuesday, Oct 3, 2023, 2:30 - 3:30 pm: Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage
Register in advance here: https://agingresources-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMpdeyrqjgpH9yENi3moLogwdLCp5Je8UHn
Martes, 10 de Octubre de 2023, 1:00 - 2:30 pm: Medicare 101
Registrarse con Anticipación aqui: https://agingresources-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZElcOyhrT8iEtYffbHYwEtY9X2jjZdaH4Qa
Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, 10:00 - 11:30 am: Navigating Medicare.gov
Register in advance here: https://agingresources-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMtduGrpjwpHdeiZuWZQb5OKAdm72KR9n4C
Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, 1:00 - 2:30 pm: Long Term Care Planning
Register in advance here: https://agingresources-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUvdOyvqDstH9TGm_8sLPgVnxvwOvZQwhPX
Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, 10:00 - 11:00 am: Medicare Open Enrollment Q & A
Register in advance here: https://agingresources-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIlceqqqjIpH9A8VTts1nYfS0_-yt_mk-wG
Tuesday, October 3, 2023, 1:00 - 3:00 pm:
Elder Law Panel (in-person)
Location: Alachua County Headquarters Library, 401 E.University Ave., Meeting Room A, Gainesville, Florida
This FREE seminar about elder law will cover important topics, such as Advance Directives, Power of Attorney, Guardianship, Living Will, Medicaid Eligibility, and will also include a Question and Answer Session. Register here: https://agingresources.org/event/elder-law-panel-2/. For details, contact Amanda Sparkman by email at Sparkman@AgingResources.org.
Wednesday, October 4, 2023, 10:00 am:
Elder Options Open House Session (online or in-person)
Interested in learning more about our Open House sessions? Visit online or at the Elder Options office, located at 100 SW 75th Street, Suite 301 in Gainesville, Florida 32607. Learn about Elder Options's services and resources, such as the Elder Helpline, Medicare counseling, wellness programs and caregiver classes. For details abot the Open House Session or to register, call (800) 262-2243 or email Bianca at blackshearb@agingresources.org.
Tuesday, October 10, 2023, 10:00 am:
Elder Abuse Neglect and Exploitation Training (online)
If you a Professional or Direct Service Provider who works directly with the senior population, this training may be for you! Our Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Training is provided virtually (online) via Zoom, on the second Tuesday of every month from 10:00 am to 11:15 am. Certificates are provided. Register for one of our monthly trainings here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEvcuqorT8oGtIT7zQFNmPyxqbOnzM9GfTC#/registration. We look forward to seeing you!
October 15 through December 7, 2023:
Medicare Open Enrollment
To join a Medicare health plan, in general, you must:
Have Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance).
Live in the service area of the plan you want to join.
Be a U.S. citizen or lawfully present in the U.S.
Have your Medicare Number and your Part A and/or Part B coverage start dates. This information can be found on your Medicare card.
You can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) or Medicare drug plan (Part D) only during the Open Enrollment Period, during October 15 through December 7, 2023. To learn more, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227); TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048 or visit https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/get-more-coverage/joining-a-plan.
November 8, 2023, 9:30 am - 2:00 pm:
Gainesville Caregiver Conference
Location: The Villages at Gainesville, 8000 NW 27 Blvd., Gainesville, Florida 32606
November is National Family Caregivers Month. For information about this conference, please contact the Caregiver Support Team by phone at 352-692-5233 or by email at caregiversupport@agingresources.org.
November 15, 2023, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm:
Ocala Caregiver Conference
Location: One Health Center, SW 17th Ave., Ocala, Florida 34471
November is National Family Caregivers Month. For information about this conference, please contact the Caregiver Support Team by phone at 352-692-5233 or by email at caregiversupport@agingresources.org.
Elder Options Events Page
Find a Class or Workshop near you here: https://agingresources.org/events/.
Information on Flu Vaccines
Protect yourself and loved ones this flu season by getting the flu vaccine. For more information on flu vaccines visit: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/season/faq-flu-season-2023-2024.htm.
Elder Options Needs Home Improvement Contractors in its 16-County Area
Elder Options is seeking licensed and insured contractors in our 16 county area to complete home improvement tasks.
Our 16-county area of service includes the following counties: Alachua, Bradford, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Lafayette, Lake, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Sumter, Suwannee, and Union counties. For more information call Lisa at 352-378-6649, extension 2148, or email kanarekl@agingresources.org.
Combatting Contractor Fraud - Aging Resources
How does the contractor scam work? In this scam, scammers (usually working in teams of two or more) canvass neighborhoods with older residents, knocking on doors to inform the occupants that something in the home needs fixing. Usually, they are routine repairs such as a hole in the roof, a clogged pipe, or gutter work. The scammers demand payment up front and then say that after further inspecting the problem, it is more serious and will require more work (and more money). If they do any work to “repair” the problem, the work is usually low quality because the scammers are unlicensed. In one variation of this scam, one scammer works to distract the homeowner while another enters the home to steal money and valuables. Most reputable home contractors will not approach you about repairs to your home. In another variation of this scam, a scammer may put out false advertisement in a newspaper or online and appear to be reputable. However, this is not always the case and can involve fraudulent contracts to obtain payment, or the contractor may be involved in insurance fraud.
Tips on how to avoid being a victim of contractor fraud:
• Obtain more than one bid for the job
• Pay special attention to contractors who intend to bill your home insurance
• Insist that the contract be in writing
• Don’t pay the contractor before you read and sign a contract
• Don’t pay the contractor more than 1/3 of the contract price to begin work
• Sign a contract before the work begins and keep a copy for your records
• Contract must state the exact work to be done and include start and completion dates along with the total cost of the project (be specific)
• Obtain the name, physical address (not P.O. box) and phone number of the contractor.
• Get the license number and the name the license is under (this information should be listed on the contract)
• Check to see if the contractor is registered with the State of Florida by going to: Sunbiz.org and conducting a name search on the Division of Corporations site.
• Check for complaints with the Better Business Bureau
• Never make final payment until you are completely satisfied with the work
Resources if you or someone you know has been impacted by contractor fraud:
• The Florida Department of Elder Affairs has a hotline to report elder abuse, including exploitation at 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873) or TTY 1-800-955-8771. The Department of Elder Affairs has a toll-free Florida Senior Legal Helpline that provides free legal advice and brief service by phone to eligible seniors age 60 and older at 1-888-895-7873.
• The Florida Attorney General has announced a Senior Protection Team, whose focus is protecting Florida’s seniors from civil, criminal, and healthcare fraud. You can learn more about the team and report senior fraud here. You can also call the Fraud Hotline at 1-866-966-7226.
• The Seniors vs. Crime Project Senior Sleuths assist people involved in civil disputes with contractors and other businesses or individuals who may have defrauded or otherwise taken advantage of them financially. There is no charge. The Seniors vs. Crime Hotline phone numbe is 1-800-203-3099.
Parkinson's Disease (PD) Support Groups and Resources Offered by U.F.
Parkinson's Support Groups and Resources can be found at the Univesity of Florida's (U.F.) Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases. Learn more online at https://fixel.ufhealth.org. For information on groups and classes, email Amanda Fessenden at Amenda.Fessenden@neurology.ufl.edu. The institure is located at 3009 Williston Road in Gainesville, Florida 32608; the phone number is (352) 294-5400.
Resources offered at the institute include:
Zoom online meeting held on the third Friday of every month (Oct. 20, Nov. 17, and Dec. 15, 2023).
Parkinson's disease Educational Day for new Parkinson's disease patients and caregivers
A small group, live class held once every 3 months
First Friday 'Caregivers Only Support Group' (Oct. 6, Nov. 3, and Dec. 1, 2023)
Online meeting, via Zoom, on the first Friday of every month (Oct. 6, Nov. 3, and Dec. 1, 2023),
Annual Parkinson’s disease educational symposium
Half-day event, typically held on a Saturday in Spring
Sign up for the Elder Options monthly newsletter:
Sign up for the Elder Options monthly newesletter here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/hBTH05S/elderoptions?source_id=6f64598a-dcfc-48a9-9e51-e5ab9acb88e4&source_type=em&c=P46Z2PC6SLtYkp1PbOR3ahXDzZo2bOnJumd9pQ-o05W9gNZgga46hQ==.
About Elder Options
The Mid-Florida Area Agency on Aging, Inc. (d/b/a Elder Options) was established in 1977 as a private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. Elder Options is the state-designated area agency on aging (AAA), Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC), and Helpline (1-800-262-2243).
The agency is charged with administering state and federal grant-funded programs and providing direct services to benefit elders, people with disabilities, and their informal caregivers in a 16-county Planning and Service Area (PSA) in North Central Florida, which includes: Alachua, Bradford, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Lafayette, Lake, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Sumter, Suwannee, and Union counties.
Office Location:
100 SW 75th Street
Suite 301
Gainesville, Florida 32607
Phone Number (Elder Helpline): 1-800-262-2243
Website: https://agingresources.org/
Email: Options@AgingResources.org