Elder Options

Your Voice was Heard - But Our Advocacy Journey isn't over!

Due to the efforts of thousands of individuals and community advocates like you, the proposed elimination of Older Americans Act programs – including the SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) Program and Healthy Aging initiatives – will not move forward. Your advocacy made a real difference, and for that I am grateful.

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!

Right now, both the Senate and the House Appropriations Committees are working on the 2026 budget. We are urging our representatives to prioritize the Older Americans Act funding. The OAA is the foundational federal program that creates in-home and in-community solutions to the challenges that many older adults face as they age.

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

June Features

Medicare Fraud Prevention Month and

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Medicare Fraud Prevention Month focuses on the actions everyone can take to prevent Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse. The Senior Medicare Patrol is a national program, run locally by Elder Options, to educate Medicare beneficiaries and their loved ones about Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse. Our next Medicare Fraud Prevention Event is June 20th at the Trenton Senior Center. Join us for Freeze Medicare Fraud Event, 11:15 a.m. - 12:-00 p.m., Trenton Senior Center, 1439 SW CR 307A, Trenton, Florida 32693

In honor of Medicare Fraud Prevention Month, our very own SHINE/SMP Team came up with a jingle, to the tune of the Itsy Bitsy Spider, to sing to yourself and to send the phone scammers packing!

Join us in Alachua or Marion Counties for local WEAAD events!

The purpose of WEAAD is to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults. This year's events will feature speakers from the State Attorney's offices, law enforcement, Seniors vs. Crime and more!

For more information or to RSVP, contact Leslie Andrews at andrewsl@agingresources.org

Location	One Health 1714 SW 17th St. Ocala, FL 34471	Elder Care of Alachua County Senior Center 5701 NW 34th Blvd. Gainesville, FL 32653
Date	Thursday, June 19	Thursday, June 26
Time	1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.	9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Upcoming Special Events

(Click the below photo to register for each event)

Save the Dates

June:

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, June 15
Office Closed, Thursday, June 19

July:

UV Safety Month
Office Closed, Friday, July 4

Elder Options in the News

So nice they interviewed us twice! Ilene Silverman welcomed us back to her studio for a second interview! This time we featured Elder Options funding and volunteer opportunities! We invite you to watch on Sunday, June 29, at 1:00 p.m. on WUFT. We will share the show link in next month's newsletter!

Well done! The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) National Resource Center recognized Stephanie, our SMP Specialist who helped Marilyn learn about Scam calls.

SHINE Webinar Schedule

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.

June Schedule

Caregiver and Wellness Classes

Upcoming Classes

The following classes are starting soon. To learn more, and register, click on "Sign up for a Class Today!": link. Our website is searchable by city name.

Caregiver Support Groups