The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs between October 15 and December 7, every year. The Sourcewise Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP) offers services by appointment over the phone and by video conference. Face-to-face appointments are now available at select community centers and libraries.

Each year, drug and managed health plans may change premiums, benefits, and out-of-pocket costs (like deductibles and copayments/coinsurance) for the upcoming 2023 year as described in your September “Annual Notice of Change”. The AEP allows existing Medicare recipients to look at their previous Medicare selections and adapt as needed:

• 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 Medicare system of MA Part C and instead use Original Medicare, a PDP, and Medigap for greater physician, provider, or facility flexibility.

HICAP Counselors can help you review changes, identify options, and help arrange your Medicare to meet your needs for 2023. HICAP will host AEP presentations called, “Medicare’s 2022 Annual Enrollment Period and Updates for 2023” via Zoom and at various community organizations throughout the county to keep you informed about the latest plan options and changes.

To prepare for an appointment, create a Medicare.gov account, especially if you take several medications. You can then view your Medicare history, including a list of recently filled prescriptions. HICAP Counselors can more quickly help you find the lowest-cost drug plan on the Medicare.gov Plan Finder.

Save money on Medicare Part D drug costs through the Low-Income Subsidy program (also called “Extra Help”). To qualify for partial Extra Help income must be less than $2,061 per month for singles and$2,289 per month for couples. Or apply for Medi-Cal which includes Extra Help for Medicare recipients, and it has similar income limits.

Sourcewise HICAP counseling is free, unbiased, and available to Medicare-eligible Santa Clara County residents. To attend the “Medicare’s 2022 Annual Enrollment Period and Updates for 2023” presentations, visit the Sourcewise website at mysourcewise/calendar.com. To schedule a one-on-one counseling session with a HICAP counselor,  visit our Medicare Counseling Appointments webpage or speak with a Community Resource Specialist at (408) 350-3200, option 1  for more information.

Do you want to grow old in your own home? Many older adults want to “age in place” – stay in their own homes as they get older – but may have concerns about safety, getting around, or other daily activities. Living at home as you age requires careful planning. A few changes could make your home easier and safer to live in and help you continue to live independently.

A list of some home modifications to help you or your loved one to help age in place:

• Do not use area rugs and check that all carpets are fixed firmly to the floor.
• Replace handles on doors or faucets with ones that are comfortable for you to use.
• Install grab bars near toilets and in the tub or shower.
• Reduce fall hazards: place non-slip strips or non-skid mats on tile and wood floors or surfaces that may get wet.
• Place light switches at the top and bottom of stairs and remember to turn on night lights.
• Install a ramp with handrails to the front door.

In addition to modifying your home, a large part of aging at home with dignity is about becoming familiar with other resources at your disposal. A fall prevention program can help you or your loved one gain more confidence and become aware of other possible risk factors that may affect mobility. 

Our Dignity at Home Fall Prevention Program assists with:   

• Fall & Risk Assessment 
• Individualized Fall Intervention 
• Fall Prevention Education 
• Injury Prevention Strategies

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

The Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP) is a case management program at Sourcewise designed to help older adults who are at risk of nursing home placement to remain living safely at home. MSSP has been part of Sourcewise since 1986 and serves frail older adults in Santa Clara County who are 65 years of age or older and have Medi-Cal with no share of cost.

The Multipurpose Senior Services program served 460 clients in the last fiscal year. MSSP care managers support clients, their families, and caregivers to put services and care in a place that helps clients be safe and well cared for at home.

MSSP care managers help clients obtain:

• Medical care and durable medical or safety equipment
• Help with finding caregivers
• Advocacy for a reassessment of In-Home Support Service hours
• Help find free or low-cost transportation services for medical appointments or community outings
• Access to food or nutrition programs
• Help finding senior centers or day programs to attend
• Internet services and devices, as well as many other services that clients may need help them remain living safely in their homes

Every client is assigned a social worker and nurse case manager who works with the client and family to create an individual care plan that outlines how MSSP will help the client. The client’s care manager calls to check on the client every month by phone to find out how they are doing, check that services are in place, and what services are still needed. Clients or their families can call the care managers at any time and expect a prompt response. A client’s care manager can be that “go-to” person to solve problems, find services, and seek support. Clients are reassessed annually to make sure the care manager understands their needs and that their care plan is updated.

MSSP has culturally diverse care management staff. When possible, we match clients with a care manager fluent in their native language. In cases where we do not have a care manager available who speaks in the client’s native language, we will ask for the help of a family member or friend to aid in the communication process.  If there is no English-speaking family member available to assist us, we have access to a translation service.

To begin the prescreening process, speak with a Community Resource Specialist: (408) 350-3200, option 1.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, millions of Americans are in the “Sandwich Generation”, which cares for both children and aging parents. Being a Sandwich Generation caregiver to both a child and an older adult may be extremely difficult at times, and you may find yourself overwhelmed.

In the article, “Lessen the Squeeze: Caregiver Coping Skills,” Carolyn K. Shultz, shares a few different skills one can use to help ease the burden of being a dual caregiver. Based on her own caregiving experiences, she mentions, “some of the same skills and strategies you use in everyday life such as planning, organizing, and communicating can be used effectively for achieving a satisfying, fulfilling and well-balanced life caring for your loved ones. “It is always best to structure your day, preparing well in advance to meet your own needs and those of your loved ones should undoubtedly be your first step.” To best understand your parents’ needs, you can sit down with them and talk, and get to know their daily needs more in-depth. It does not have to be all at once, and you can have weekly check-ins with one another.

Caregivers are not alone and there are always resources available to you should you need them. As a caregiver, you have access to different resources such as the “Family Medical Leave Act” should you need time off work. Learn to set limits and stay healthy. To ensure your loved ones are receiving the best care, ensure you are healthy and well first. Start small and set goals, a couple of ideas to start is by taking that morning walk and limiting your fast food. As said by Schultz, “If you’re not taking care of yourself, how can you take care of others?”.

To learn more on how to plan ahead to ensure you are taking care of your well-being as a Sandwich Generation caregiver, speak with a Community Resource Specialist: (408) 350-3200, option 1.

Alzheimer’s disease is a serious condition that most commonly affects older adults of any background or origin, especially among people whose family has a history of Alzheimer’s. As we get older, it is encouraged to get checked up and get a diagnosis. November is Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, and it is an especially good reminder to learn more about this type of dementia, how to spot it, and how to cope with it. Whether it’s during November or any other time of the year, understanding Alzheimer’s disease can improve the quality of life for those with previously undiagnosed Alzheimer’s.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as of 2020, 5.8 million Americans are known to be living with Alzheimer’s disease and this number is expected to triple to 14 million by 2060. While it is commonly assumed to only affect older adults, the disease can also affect individuals under age 65. Though the risk is much lower among younger people, the risk increases with age, doubling every five years beyond age 65.

Some of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s include memory loss that disrupts daily life, trouble with money or bills, decreased or poor judgment, difficulty completing daily tasks, and changes in mood personality, or behaviors. While there is no known cure for this disease, early diagnosis can help with treatment to manage the symptoms, slow the disease’s progress, and maintain brain health.

Alzheimer’s Awareness Month is a time to help raise awareness of this disease and to show support for those living with it. There are a number of ways you can help raise awareness, show support, and fight Alzheimer’s disease.

To learn more about promoting Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, speak with a Community Resource Specialist: (408) 350-3200, option 1.