When are you turning 65? Providing unbiased health insurance counseling is what Sourcewise Health Insurance Counselors do best: helping older adults and their companions to understand Medicare.

In anticipation of the national Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)—October 15–December 7, 2018—the Sourcewise Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP) will provide education throughout Santa Clara County (SCC) regarding 2019 Medicare plan changes and updates.

During the AEP, existing Medicare beneficiaries (already enrolled in Part A, Part B or both) may enroll in, switch, or drop a Medicare Part C or Part D plan. Medicare Advantage Part C members may possibly switch to a Medigap plan without underwriting.

The 2016–2020 Sourcewise Area Plan identifies a clear need for Spanish-speaking counselors. Sourcewise provides counseling in Spanish—and eight other languages—on the phone and in person.

Sourcewise prioritizes increasing awareness of underserved populations in SCC and has partnered with SCC’s Binational Health Week Initiative since 2014. Created in 2001, the Initiative raises awareness of and responds to unique health care challenges of Latinos. Sourcewise proudly continues this long-time partnership in 2018.

For SCC Latinos, improved health outcomes are visible over the last decade. However, Latinos continue to experience disparities with health and social indicators when compared to other populations.

Maritza Rodriguez of the SCC Public Health Department said, “In an effort to address these disparities, we have been committed to providing free services to the Latino population and to all residents here in Santa Clara County each October.”

Providing access to resources for Santa Clara County residents is among the highest priorities for Sourcewise. Beginning in mid-August, visit www.mysourcewise.com for information regarding community presentations and resource tables. Workshops are available for Medicare beneficiaries and their trusted companions.

Connect with a Sourcewise Health Insurance Counselor: (408) 350-3200, option 2 or email community@mysourcewise.com.

Older adults may be adversely affected when temperatures climb above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, especially when combined with age-related health conditions and medications.

“Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, especially when you don’t feel thirsty. Once you feel thirsty that means you are already dehydrated,” explains Rosie Jimenez, Director of South County Services. “As we get older, we tend to not drink as much water or only drink when we feel thirsty. This can be very dangerous especially in hot weather since severe dehydration can lead to hospitalization.”

Heat related illnesses can result in headaches, dizziness, confusion, and fainting.

Learn to identify and address each:

• Dehydration is a loss of water and electrolytes in the body; symptoms include weakness, muscle cramps, and confusion, and fainting.
• Heat exhaustion symptoms include heavy sweating or no sweating, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, paleness, cold or clammy skin, nausea/vomiting, and a fast, weak pulse.
• Heat stroke (caused by the above two) is a dangerous rise in body temperature. A normal body temperature is around 98.6°, and with heat stroke a person’s temperature may rise up to 103 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Call 911 if you or a loved one is experiencing the above symptoms. When caring for someone suffering heat stroke, only give them liquids if they are awake and able to swallow.

To treat these heat-related conditions, sip water or sports drinks with electrolytes which play a key role in regulating heartbeat.

Move to a cool, shady location and remove or loosen clothing. Apply cool water or moist cloths on wrists, ankles, armpits, and neck to lower body temperature.

Community Resource Specialists of Sourcewise can offer more information: (408) 350-3200, option 1.­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

Nearly 40 million unpaid adults provide care for seniors aged 65 and older in the U.S.; with nine out of ten in this group providing care for an aging parent.

Adult children and their aging parents are experiencing a unique family transition. With parents living longer, their children may now assume the role of caregiver for a decade or more.

Caregiving for a parent may start with one adult child assuming the primary role. While this arrangement may work well for a while, eventually other siblings—or in some cases step-siblings—may become more involved.

As more daily assistance is needed, the responsibilities of caregiving increase. Additional caregiving help may be necessary.

Siblings may have different ideas about their parents’ needs. Focus on the essentials required for good care. Then, develop a plan which all parties agree upon.

To ease the challenges siblings may face over parental care, consider these options:

• Hold a family meeting to help reach the goals of effective, shared decision-making.
• Focus on the facts.
• Listen to each other’s ideas and suggestions.
• Be willing to compromise.
• Be open to testing new ideas.
• Define roles for each family member. Caregiving is a shared responsibility.
• Keep communication lines open, especially when creating a plan of action.
• Seek advice from someone outside the family. An objective third party may provide a neutral, objective opinion when the family is divided on an important issue.
• Consider available resources: Sourcewise provides the Family Caregiver Support Program as a form of temporary respite for unpaid caregivers.

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

At age 68, James George—previously a caterer—had a desire to gain office experience. James specifically had a desire to put his warm personality to work in an effort to help others.

“Although his [James’] background is in the restaurant business and his technical office skills were minimal, he asked if he could be assigned to a host agency that helps people. James felt that … [he] would be very helpful to a host agency as he was learning new office skills,” states Henri Villalovoz, Director of Sourcewise Senior Employment Services.

Henri continues, “Silicon Valley Independent Living Center (SVILC) interviewed James and agreed to accept him…while providing supervised on-the-job training. James has now been assigned to SVILC for eight months and is very appreciated by SVILC’s management.”

James is happy to help people who appreciate him. He is thrilled with the Senior Employment Program, stating, “Sourcewise is kind of a life saver! I applied to several different positions and ran into dead ends. Then I saw an ad in the Metro and met with Sara and Wendy [of the Sourcewise Senior Employment Program.] They are truly wonderful and helpful.”

The Senior Community Services Employment Program (SCSEP) provides on-the-job training assignments at local community based organizations with a goal of transitioning to unsubsidized job placement. SCSEP provides employment opportunities for eligible low-income, unemployed seniors (age 55+) residing in Santa Clara County.

The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging states that local agencies such as Sourcewise have created a supportive opportunity to expand, train, and value the senior workforce to realize the economic benefits of aging in place.

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

As the designated Area Agency on Aging for Santa Clara County (SCC), Sourcewise continues to focus on improving access to support services for older adults, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities.

Over 1.3 million individuals 18 years and older live in SCC—17% are aged 60 or older— according to 2016 census data. Of those, 195,980 adults have a potential need for social services in SCC, and in fiscal year 2016-2017 (FY16-17), Sourcewise provided services to a total of 105,346 consumers.

The Sourcewise support network of critical services is available to all SCC adults 18 and older. Caregivers and others seeking to assist loved ones residing in SCC receive beneficial resources by taking the first step: contacting a Sourcewise Community Resource Specialist.

Community Resource Specialists offer information and education regarding available services, eligibility criteria, and guidance. Informational presentations given throughout the county educate community members about the Sourcewise services. In FY16-17, 23,099 individuals received personalized referrals of available services from Sourcewise.

Individuals are then offered a direct connection to other Sourcewise services, based on eligibility and need.

One of six direct services and an important safety net, Sourcewise Meals on Wheels (MOW) ensures that homebound adults, aged 60 or older, receive nutritious, home delivered meals–regardless of income. As stated in the 2016–2020 Sourcewise Area Plan, “In 2013, an adult aged 65 or older would require an income of nearly 2.5 times the federal poverty level in order to meet basic nutritional needs…”

In FY16-17, MOW provided 1.29 million meals to older adults in SCC; including meals at congregate sites. Sourcewise grantees partnering to provide seniors with access to nutritious meals include: Department of Aging and Adult Services, Yu-Ai-Kai, and the Health Trust.

Sourcewise provides an online directory of providers serving SCC: www.mysourcewise.com. The Resource Connection contains detailed contact information, eligibility criteria, and program details.