The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) will start on October 15 and last through December 7, 2021. Sourcewise Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP) Counselors have adapted to serve Santa Clara County residents’ needs amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each year, plans may change premiums, benefits, and out-of-pocket costs (like deductibles and copayments/coinsurance) for the upcoming 2022 year. The AEP allows Medicare beneficiaries to respond and adapt their Medicare needs such as:

• Change, enroll in, or drop a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan (PDP).
• Enroll in or change a Medicare Advantage (MA) Part C HMO or PPO plan for its extra benefits and managed network.
• Leave the managed system of MA and instead use Original Medicare, a PDP, and Medigap for a greater physician, provider, or facility flexibility. 

HICAP Counselors can help you review changes, identify options, and help arrange your Medicare options to meet your needs for 2022. HICAP will host AEP presentations called Medicare’s 2021 Annual Enrollment Period and Updates for 2022 via Zoom to keep you informed on the latest plan options and changes.

To keep clients safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, HICAP will provide counseling services by phone and, when possible, by video conference. To prepare for an appointment, sign up for a Medicare.gov account, especially if you take several medications. You can gain access to your Medicare history, including a list of recently filled prescriptions. HICAP Counselors can help you find the lowest cost drug plan on the Medicare.gov Plan Finder. If you do not have an account, HICAP Counselors will still assist you.

Save money on Medicare Part D drug costs through the Low-Income Subsidy program (also called “Extra Help”). To qualify, the income must be less than $2,177.50 each month for couples and $1,610 each month for singles; and savings or assets less than $29,520 and $14,790 respectively. If you are still working, the income limits can be higher since roughly half your wages would not be counted.

Sourcewise HICAP counseling is free, unbiased, and available to Medicare eligible Santa Clara County residents. To attend Medicare’s 2021 Annual Enrollment Period and Updates for 2022 presentation or to schedule a one-on-one counseling session with a HICAP counselor, call (408) 350-3200, option 2, or visit the Sourcewise website at mysourcewise.com/calendar.

The Sourcewise Advisory Council plays a vital role in advocating for the diverse needs of older adults in Santa Clara County. Members of the Advisory Council participate in planning future services provided and funded by Sourcewise. Members are involved in the development and tracking of legislation affecting older adults at all levels of government. For example, several members of the Advisory Council serve on the California Senior Legislature, where new legislation supporting older adults is developed and lobbied each year.

At the monthly Advisory Council meetings, members discuss senior and caregiver community activities, exchange information about upcoming events, and learn about programs and services provided by Sourcewise. Guest speakers inform members of current needs and issues facing older adults. Tom, Advisory Council member states, “A major benefit of serving on the council is learning about the broad array of programs and services to help older adults in the county.”

Members represent the diverse cultural and ethnic communities, cities and supervisor districts within the county. Members inform the council of community needs and activities and report to their communities on the activities of Sourcewise. They also serve on committees that advocate for specific needs, such as health or transportation. Serving on the Advisory Council is an opportunity to make friends and work with a group of passionate advocates and their communities.

We invite you to learn more about the Advisory Council by visiting mysourcewise.com/support-sourcewise/advisory-council/ or contact Elizabeth Brown, Area Planner, at ebrown@mysourcewise.com or call (408) 350-3200, option 1 for information about membership opportunities.

Sleep is important for people of all ages to stay in good health. As people age, other health conditions can play a role in sleep patterns and lead to inadequate sleep that can have a further impact on the person’s health.  Inadequate sleep can lead to an increased risk for a variety of health conditions.

According to the National Institution on Aging, it is considered a myth that older adults require less sleep than younger individuals. The amount of sleep that a person needs can decrease from infancy to adulthood, but this trend appears to stop around age 60. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society recommends adults age 18 or older get seven or more hours of sleep per night.

Numerous studies have found that lack of adequate sleep over time can increase a person’s risk of developing serious medical conditions including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Researchers estimate that between 40% and 70% of older adults have chronic sleep disorders and up to half of the cases may be undiagnosed. Chronic sleep disorders such as insomnia, nocturia, sleep apnea, or other sleep disruption conditions can interfere with their ability to get quality sleep. Interference in a person’s sleep pattern can impact their quality of life and daily activities.

Older adults can take steps to improve their sleep hygiene and develop habits to get quality sleep. Such habits include exercise, remove electronic devices from the bedroom, avoid large meals and caffeine before bedtime, and be consistent by going to bed at the same time each night and getting up at the same time each morning (including on the weekends).

To learn more about sleep hygiene, speak with a Community Resource Specialist: (408) 350-3200, option 1.

Utilizing smart devices, like tablets can make older adults’ lives better in several ways. Tablets can help magnify text on the screens, allow you to jot down key details to save as reminders, and so much more.

While many older adults do not have the same familiarity with recent technologies as the younger generations who grew up in the computer era, user-friendly technical devices still have many benefits to offer. Sourcewise is offering the Connections, Health, Aging & Technology (CHAT) Program. In partnership with the California Department of Aging, the program provides an iPad tablet for limited time and training. Devices are limited and available while supplies last.

To be eligible for the CHAT Program, you must:

• Not currently own a tablet
• Be 60 years of age or older, or
• Be an informal caregiver (18 or older) of an older adult or an adult with a disability
• Be a resident of Santa Clara County
• Live alone

Researchers in a study published in the journal Healthcare (2019) analyzed that many times “frustration” with new technology made older adults unsure of their ability to use it, leaving them unmotivated to even try. By providing the tools needed to use these smart devices efficiently, we can help older adults be able to live fuller lives right from the comfort of their homes by giving them the confidence to use technology to order medication, schedule appointments, and exchange messages with their families.

With the Sourcewise CHAT Program, we can help bridge the technological divide and significantly improve the quality of life for eligible participants.

To learn more about the CHAT Program, call (408) 350-3200, option 1, or email tech@mysourcewise.com.

Celebrated each November, the National Family Caregivers (NFC) Month, is a time to recognize and honor family caregivers across the country. The Caregiver Action Network (CAN) organization began promoting the national recognition of family caregivers back in 1994.

In 1997, Bill Clinton signed the first NFC Presidential Proclamation and every president since has followed suit by issuing an annual proclamation recognizing and honoring family caregivers each November.

Each year CAN hosts the national observance and shares education, peer support, and resources to family caregivers. CAN offers a different theme each year and the theme for 2021 is #CaregiverAnd. This year’s theme encourages family caregivers to celebrate the identities and passions that enrich their life. Many times, your role as a family caregiver can overshadow your identity and emphasize the care you provide for your loved one. Your sense of self makes your life complete. This is a component of self-care that can prevent caregiver burnout.

According to research conducted by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), families are the primary source of support to older adults and people with disabilities in the U.S. Caregiving can take a significant emotional, physical, and financial toll. With nearly half of all caregivers over the age of 50, many are vulnerable to a decline in their health.

Celebrating family caregivers during NFC month enables all of us:

• To raise awareness of family caregiver issues
• To celebrate the efforts of family caregivers
• To educate family caregivers about self-identification
• To increase support for family caregivers

Additional studies conducted by the ACL demonstrated that coordinated support services can reduce caregiver depression, anxiety, stress, and enable them to provide care longer, which could potentially avoid or delay the need for costly institutional care.

To learn more about National Family Caregivers Month, speak with a Community Resource Specialist: (408) 350-3200, option 1.