|
July, 2025
- UV Safety Month
- Office Closed, Independence Day, Thursday, July 3, and Friday, July 4
August, 2025
- National Eye Exam Month
- Virtual Elder Law Panel, August 12
September, 2025
- Falls Prevention Month
- Office Closed, Labor Day, Monday, September 1
- Falls Prevention Event, ElderCare of Alachua County, Wednesday Septtember 24, 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
|
|
Elder Options in the News
|
|
|
We are pleased to share the latest episode of the Ilene Silverman Show! Special thanks to SHINE Volunteer, David Porter, for joining us. This episode was focused on the power of community involvement. If you are interested in supporting our mission, please consider volunteering, or making a donation that directly supports seniors, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers in our area. To watch the show, visit this LINK
|
|
|
SHINE hosts monthly virtual Medicare classes. To request SHINE counseling, call our Helpline at 1-800-262-2243 or visit www.floridashine.org to view counseling sites. Click the links below to view the schedule.
|
|
Caregiver and Wellness Classes
|
|
Upcoming Classes, 2025
The following classes are starting soon. To learn more, and register, click on the "Click Here to Sign up for a Wellness or Caregiver Class Today" link in the green box, below.
"Sign up for a Class Today!": link. Our website is searchable by city name.
Caregiver Support Groups
- Online via Zoom, second Monday of every month
- Gainesville, Florida, second and fourth Tuesday of every month
Savvy Caregiver Training
- Lecanto, Florida, August 6
- Gainesville, Florida, August 14
Diabetes Empowerment Education Program
- Gainesville, Florida, July 7
Coping with Caregiving
- Belleview, Florida, July 12
Caregiver Grief Support Group
- Online via Zoom, third Monday of every month
A Matter of Balance
- Gainesville, Florida, July 7
- Live Oak, Florida, August 4
- Branford, Florida, September 2
Virtual Law Panel
- Online via Zoom, August 12
|
|
|
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) Online
On June 11, Florida's Area Agencies on Aging gathered together online for a discussion about elder abuse, how to report abuse, and how to spot red flags of fraud. Over 365 participants joined us in the webinar, with more joining us online at watch parties throughout the state. Our very own Amy Thomas, Director of Community Care spoke about Health Care Fraud.
Click here to watch "Empower and Protect: Elder Abuse and Fraud Prevention"
|
|
|
Marion County's WEAAD
One Health hosted WEAAD on Thursday, June 19, 2025. We were so happy to partner with Marion Senior Services! Special thanks to our presenters: Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office and State Attorney Bill Gladson, Marion County Sheriff's Office and Lt. Paul Bloom, the Ocala Police Department, and Seniors vs Crime. We appreciate all of the vendors and community members who attended!
From left to right: Jennifer Martinez, Executive Director, Marion Senior Services, Senator Stan McClain, District 9, Lt. Paul Bloom and Lt. Clint Smith, Sgt. Tanya Rodriguez, Leslie Andrews, Elder Abuse Project Coordinator, Elder Options, and Bill Gladson, State Attorney, Fifth Judicial Circuit. Additional photos are available on our Facebook page.
|
|
|
Alachua County WEAAD
ElderCare of Alachua county hosted our WEAAD event on Thursday, July 26, 2025. The event featured speakers State Attorney Brian Kramer, Det. Cpl. Ryan McCazzio, Gainesville Police Department, Judy Harden, Seniors vs. Crime and Kristina Young, from Elder Options SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) team. Thank you to all who came to learn and the vendors who brought important information.
From left to right, Brian Kramer, State Attorney, Eighth Judicial District, Leslie Andrews, Elder Abuse Project Coordinator, Elder Options, Det. Cpl. Ryan McCazzio, Gainesville Police Department, Tom Mullins, Investigator, Office of the State Attorney. Additional photos are available on our Facebook page.
|
|
Eating for Prevention
Our Caregiver Support Team and Health Aging Team hosted a cooking demo and discussion about the link between brain health and our gut. Dr. Bikash Sahay, a guest speaker and an expert on gastrointestinal tract and its microbiota from the University of Florida, Department of Infectious Diseases & Immunology spoke about gut health and how it can impact the body. This packed class enjoyed making lunch together, and asking great questions. We look forward to more events like this in the future!
|
|
|
Medicare Fraud Prevention Month
June 2025 also featured SHINE SMP Medicare Fraud Prevention Month! Our team hosted over 14 events in our sixteen county area. They encouraged older adults and their families to Fight Fraud! If you were lucky enough to attend one of their events, you may have been officially deputized as a Fraud Fighter!
Check out SHINE team saddled up in cowboy hats and sheriff badges to take a stand against elder abuse this World Elder Abuse Awareness Day!
|
|
Your voice was heard - but our advocacy journey isn't over!
|
|
|
Your voices were heard. This is not only a major victory for seniors, but a powerful reminder that you can
make a difference. The programs we fought to protect, SHINE and Healthy Aging, are lifelines for so many individuals in our community. They empower people to age in their own homes and communities, make informed decisions, and maintain their independence. Thanks to your efforts,
we’ve made great progress—but there’s still more to do!
By supporting OAA programs, the federal government saves money. OAA programs help older adults stay healthier at home, avoiding expensive nursing home care, often paid for by Medicaid. The programs also support family caregivers, making it easier for them to continue providing care at home. When older adults remain in their homes and communities, they thrive. It's what most people want as they age, and it's the best deal for taxpayers!
At Elder Options, we are proud to stand up for services for our seniors and those with disabilities, but we can’t do it alone. Please continue reaching out to our representatives and demanding more for seniors!
If you’d like to stay engaged, there are many ways to make a difference—volunteer with one of our programs, attend an upcoming event, make a gift to support our mission, or simply share what you’ve learned with friends and neighbors. Every voice counts!
With gratitude and hope,
Katina Mustipher, Chief Executive Officer, Elder Options
Call or email our Senators and Representatives:
Senator Rick Scott - (202) 224-5274
https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/contact/share-your-opinion
Senator Ashley Moody - 202-224-3041
https://www.moody.senate.gov/share-your-opinion/
Find your representative here:
https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
|
|
|
|
