Elder Options activities for January 2024
ElderOptions wishes you a Happy New Year!
Did you celebrate by enjoying some Hoppin' John? Eating black-eyed peas and greens? Staying up late to watch the ball drop in Times Square? No matter your tradition, we wish you a happy and healthy new year!
Medicare Advantage Plan Open Enrollment
January 1 - March 31, 2024
Learn about Medicare Advantage Plan Open Enrollment at this link: www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/get-more-coverage/joining-a-plan.
View the SHINE Medicare Monthly Class Schedule
Medicare Basics
Wednesday, January 10, 2024, 2:00 - 3:30 pm
Register 24 hours in advance here: AgingResources-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUsduygqDojGtUzmsXuQ6mh5pZk-jC-hC0n,
Medicare Part C
Thursday, January 11, 2024, 10:00 - 11:30 pm
Register 24 hours in advance here: AgingResources-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYoce-qqTMiE93lTW4mry6UCkUtabwcih4n.
Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage
Thursday, January 11, 2024, 12:30 - 1:30 pm
Register 24 hours in advance here: AgingResources-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwodOGtrTosGdz2bunUDgdz-D4aGFZlpPPp.
NavigatingMedicare.gov
Wednesday, January 17, 2024 10:00 - 11:30 am
Register 24 hours in advance here: http://AgingResources-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYkc-uurjsuGNVWxELohfU9SUn6M72z2HlQ.
Long Term Care Planning
Thursday, Januay 18, 2024, 10:00 - 11:30 am
Register 24 hours in advance here: https://agingresources-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwvc-usqT0pE92JA0bp12ZBKHN0oi8-RJ3x.
Find other Classes and Workshops near you at this link:
AgingResources.org/events.
SHINE hosts the above live, online Zoom classes for those interested in learning more about Medicare, Medicare financial assistance and the latest in scams. You can join using a computer or by phone. Please register for the classes 24 hours in advance of the class. If you have a question about these classes, please email shine@agingresources.org or call 1-352-692-5209. For additional assistance, call your local Elder Helpline at 1-800-262-2243 or visit www.AgingResources.org.
To receive help from SHINE, call to schedule an appointment at a designated SHINE counseling site, or attend an enrollment event in your community, speak with a trained SHINE counselor at 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337). For a listing of SHINE counseling sites and enrollment events, please visit www.FloridaShine.org. To become a SHINE volunteer, visit www.FloridaShine.org.
Aging Matters
Elder Options is sponsoring a series of independently written articles focused on aging within our community. The series is called "Aging Matters, " and it runs each month in Gainesville, Florida's "Main Street Daily News." This month, the focus is on aging and food insecurity within the community. The article is, "Aging Matters: Food insecurity grows for area seniors;" read it here:
www.mainstreetdailynews.com/local-living/aging-matters-food-insecurity-seniors
Thank you, ElderOptions volunteers!
You made Warm Hearts, Warm Homes a success!
On Tuesday, December 5, volunteers and staff gathering to pack "Warm Hearts, Warm Homes" boxes sponsored by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. Sturdy totes were packed with cold weather items, such as hats, gloves, handwarmers, blankets, space heaters and more. They were distributed to seniors in need throughout our 16 county service area. We are grateful to those who packed and hand delivered these boxes!
No Cost COVID Testing Locations
People without health insurance do not have to pay for COVID-19 testing at certain locations. Search the CDC’s Testing Locator for a location near you. Visit TestingLocator.cdc.gov.
COVID Conversations
Our series returns this new year with a conversation about brain health and long COVID. Long COVID can include a wide range of ongoing health problems; these conditions can last weeks, months, or years. For more information, including symptoms, and how to get involved with Long COVID research, please visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects/index.html.
Recently, we had the opportunity to interview Dr. Vonetta Dotson, neuropsychologist, author, and speaker, on stress, anxiety, COVID and Long COVID. Dr. Dotson is the Healthy Aging Impact Fellow at the Federation of American Scientists. She is a Professor of Psychology and Gerontology at Georgia State University, where she conducts translational research on positive and negative modifiers of brain health in older adults. Our interview is available online here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYUeXUv9xDc; it will also be on Facebook later this month.
End Abuse in Later Life Training Kick off with the
National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL)
On Tuesday, December 12, The National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL) provided community training to partners in Marion County. Organized by Elder Options, and held at the Marion County Sheriff's Office, the training formally commenced a Community Coordinated Response Team to aid in developing responses and practices that enhance the current response to elder abuse victims.
The training was made possible by the grant awarded to Elder Options by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. If you are interested in additional training or resources contact our Elder Abuse Project Coordinator, Leslie Andrews, at (352) 672-3457 or email her at andrewsl@agingresources.org.
Sign up for the Elder Options monthly newsletter at this link:
AgingResources.org/news.
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.
Contact Elder Options
Office Location:
100 SW 75th Street
Suite 301
Gainesville, Florida 32607
Phone Number (Elder Helpline): 1-800-262-2243
Website: AgingResources.org
Email: Options@AgingResources.org