The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) occurs from October 15–December 7, 2018.

Medicare beneficiaries (enrolled in Part A, Part B or both) may join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage (MA) Part C HMO or Part D plan. Medicare Advantage members may go back to Original Medicare, but adding a Medicare Supplement Plan (Medigap) without having to answer medical questions will depend on the MA Plan they intend to drop—starting your research early may provide you flexibility.

Attend a free, educational presentation provided by Sourcewise Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP). Call Sourcewise HICAP at (408) 350-3200 option 2 or visit www.mysourcewise.com to view our counseling sites and scheduled presentations.

Sourcewise HICAP helps Medicare beneficiaries by providing unbiased and objective information. HICAP Counselors complete rigorous, ongoing training and are registered with the California Department of Aging.

When Medicare AEP concludes, other enrollment periods begin: January 1, 2019–March 31, 2019 for both the new Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MAOEP) and the General Enrollment Period (GEP).

For MAOEP: MA Plan members may switch to a different MA plan or drop an MA plan and revert to Original Medicare with a drug plan. Guaranteed enrollment in a Medigap plan, which minimizes Original Medicare out-of-pocket costs, will depend on which MA plan is dropped. Still, a Medigap may be issued if someone has none of the medical conditions listed in the application.

For GEP: Enroll in Medicare Part B or Premium Part A if you missed your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period and Special Enrollment Period.

HICAP also guides those at the federal poverty level who cannot afford Premium Part A; ask about the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary program.

Sourcewise HICAP counseling is free and available to eligible Santa Clara County residents. Contact the Sourcewise Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program: (408) 350-3200, option 2.

“Sourcewise celebrates the generational diversity, experience, and skills seniors possess,” said Henri Villalovoz, Director of Senior Employment Services and Meals on Wheels for Sourcewise.

On September 26, 2018, Sourcewise recognized five Santa Clara County residents and employers for outstanding achievements at the annual National Employ Older Workers Week luncheon.

The National Employ Older Worker’s Week is observed the last week of September and is a nationwide effort to highlight contributions made by the 55 and older workforce.

Expanding economic opportunities for older workers in Santa Clara County, Sourcewise provides Senior Employment Services; one of the nation’s first programs to help low-income, unemployed individuals aged 55+ to find employment through personalized career counseling, on-the-job training, and transition to unsubsidized employment.

For the past 19 years, Villalovoz has developed one of the most successful programs in California, which he attributes to the strong, mutually-beneficial collaborations with community based organizations and local employers.

Villalovoz said, “Our effective partner organizations and dedicated staff make us successful in meeting annual goals to provide older adults with training and on-the-job experience, which is invaluable in today’s quickly changing environment.”

The following individuals exemplified dedication, commitment, and excellence to the elder workforce in Santa Clara County. This year’s honorees include:

Employee of the Year

Samar Quasto, Administrative Operations for Catholic Charities. Now working full-time as an Administrative Assistant for Catholic Charities

Supervisor Award

Pai Venegas, Director of Programs of Silicon Valley Independent Living Center

Nelson Leonor, Employment Program Manager for EDD Workforce—America’s Job Center

Host Training Agency of the Year Award

Work2future Foundation, accepted by Casandra Nash, Facility Manager

Employer of the Year Award

Eila Phailibus Latif, Deputy Director Economic Development Services, Catholic Charities

Learn more about Sourcewise Senior Employment Services: (408) 350-3200, option 5.

Diabetes can be prevented or delayed. Your best chance for preventing Type 2 Diabetes is to choose lifestyle changes that work for you long term.

According to the 2016—2020 Sourcewise Area Plan, older adults are 18% more likely than younger adults (8%) to contract chronic conditions like diabetes and 16% of older adults are at risk for prediabetes versus only 10% of younger adults.

Depending on your age, weight, and other factors, you may be at higher risk of developing prediabetes or Type 2 Diabetes. Making healthy lifestyle changes can greatly lower your risk.

To prevent Type 2 Diabetes and/or prediabetes:

• Watch your weight
• Make healthy food choices
• Increase your physical activity
• Lower your stress level
• Talk with your doctor about healthy cholesterol levels
• Maintain healthy blood pressure

Resources and services dedicated to preventing the onset of diabetes in our local community are available. The Centers for Chronic Disease Control and Prevention National Diabetes Prevention Program has created a partnership with the Santa Clara County Public Health Department to provide education for individuals who are at risk for prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes. The program encourages healthy lifestyle choices through close interactions with other program members. For more information, visit https://www.sccgov.org/sites/phd/collab/dpi/Pages/dpi.aspx.

Connect with your local American Diabetes Association to learn if you are at risk for developing prediabetes: http://www.stopdiabetes.com/get-the-facts/risk-test.html.

Get involved: November is recognized as Diabetes Awareness month. Wear the color blue on November 14 and show your support for World Diabetes Day to raise global awareness of diabetes.

Learn more about diabetes and diabetes prevention. Speak with a Community Resource Specialist at (408) 350-3200, option 1.

Older adults who have an active social life have been linked to a stronger sense of wellbeing and a longer life span. According to the AARP Foundation’s “Isolation Framework Project” of 2012, an estimated one in five adults over age 50—at least eight million—are affected by isolation.

The average American’s circle of confidants declined by one-third between 1985 and 2006 according to an American Sociological Association study. The negative health consequences of chronic isolation are harmful for all adults.

“On average, people with strong social ties live more than four years longer than others, with social relationships predicting longevity better than factors such as alcoholism, high blood pressure or obesity,” stated Timothy B. Smith, a professor of counseling psychology at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, as reported by Tim Appelo in an AARP article published July 10, 2018.

Strengthen your social network:

• Schedule a time each day to call or visit someone special to you.
• Invite family or friends over for tea or coffee.
• Use social media like Meetups to find local groups of others with similar interests.
• Stay in touch with long-distance friends with phone calls or write an old-fashioned letter.
• Visit your local community or senior center, to access a variety of programs.
• Introduce yourself to your neighbors.
• Be physically active by joining a walking club.

San Jose’s Happy Hollow Park & Zoo helps adults ages 50 and over to improve their health by providing the Senior Safari Walkabout program. The park opens on select Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. for older adults who benefit from free admission and parking to enjoy animal meet-and-greets, other fun activities, and giveaways.

For more information, visit www.HHPZ.org or call (408) 794-6400.

Seventy-two percent of a senior’s net worth is tied up in their home equity, according to the U.S. Census. Today’s caregivers—80% to be exact—often inherit the responsibility of managing and settling their loved one’s estate after they have passed away.

“Settling an estate is a rough job,” explains Matt Paxton, extreme cleaning expert and Legacy Navigator founder. “Imagine trying to empty out a house that your parents have lived in for 40 years, full of photographs, papers, outdated furniture and old china. You have to figure out what to do with all this stuff, and you have to do it when you’re overwhelmed by grief.”

Responses from a 2017 National Care Survey by Legacy Navigator found a significant amount of caregivers reported the responsibility of managing their loved one’s finances, the sale of the estate, and organizing all their belongings to be an especially difficult part of the grieving process.

In Santa Clara County, one in four residents will be over age 65 by 2060, as stated in the Sourcewise Area Plan on Aging 2016-2020. As the aging population rises, support resources for caregivers should follow. In fact, opportunities exist for families, employers, aging seniors, and caregivers to create much needed supportive networks.

Family members can offer assistance with caregiver responsibilities; employers can look at existing benefits and make changes to support the caregiver role; care recipients can start downsizing and bestowing assets while still living, and caregivers can build and incorporate self-care strategies.

Learn more about caregiver resources. Contact a Sourcewise Community Resource Specialist: (408) 350-3200, option 1.