August marks National Wellness Month, a time to prioritize our self-care, reduce stress, and create healthier habits to feel our best. At Sourcewise, we encourage older adults to use National Wellness Month as a time to focus on their wellness, with the goal of enhancing the overall quality of life.

Health vs Wellness—what’s the difference, anyway?
While the terms ‘health’ and ‘wellness’ are often presented jointly, there is often confusion on the difference between the two terms. As adults age, health tends to take priority, while wellness is often left out. Health has been defined by the World Health Organization as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Meanwhile, the Global Health Institute defines wellness as “the active pursuit of activities, choices, and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health.” In short: health is the goal, while wellness is the journey.

Self-care is only fair.
It is important to prioritize self-care, which is often neglected due to barriers created by work, family, and other stressors in our day-to-day lives. Self-care can present itself in many ways, including avoiding unhealthy habits, setting healthy boundaries, self-monitoring (looking for signs of improvement or deterioration), allowing yourself adequate rest or ‘down time,’ and recognizing mental/physical health issues—addressing them as necessary.

Ready to start your wellness journey?
It all starts with self-care and having a health goal in mind. Some of the ways to start living well include:  

• Increasing your water intake. 
• Adding more fruits and veggies into your meals. 
• Monitoring your sleep and adjusting for better sleep habits.
•  Joining a yoga, walking, or aerobics class. 
• Learning to meditate. 

If you’re interested in learning more about how Sourcewise supports wellness in older adults, contact a Community Resource Specialist at (408) 350-3200, option 1.  

Every year the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs from October 15 – December 7. To help Medicare beneficiaries prepare, here are common frequently asked questions and answers.  

“How do I know what kind of Medicare coverage I have?” 

Generally, beneficiaries have either Original Medicare coverage or Managed Medicare with a Medicare Advantage (MA) Plan.  

“How do I know if I have Original Medicare?” 

Your Medicare card is red, white, and blue, and you show it to doctors for health coverage. You may also have a card for medications from a Medicare drug plan that you show to your pharmacist. 

“How do I know if I have Managed Medicare with a MA Plan?” 

You already enrolled in Medicare Part A and B, but, in addition to the red, white and blue card, you have a card that has the word “Advantage” in it, says “HMO” or “PPO”, says the name of your primary care provider, and may show “Medicare Rx coverage” on the card.  

“If I have Original Medicare, what can I do during AEP?” 

You can re-evaluate your Medicare drug plan and join a plan with the lowest cost for 2026 with a good star rating or you can explore switching to a Managed Medicare HMO or PPO Plan.  

“If I have Managed Medicare through a MA Plan, what can I do during AEP?” 

Ensure that your doctor or medical group will still accept your plan. Last year, there were major disruptions to MA Plan doctors and hospital networks. You can also change MA HMO or PPO Plans. Lastly, you can switch back to Original Medicare and add a Part D Drug Plan.  

“How will I know if my plan is changing?” 

Medicare Part D and C plans must let you know if costs are going up or if your doctor network is changing. Look out for the plan’s Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) that may come by email or by mail.  

Although the AEP ends December 7th, members whose Medicare HMO or PPO are not continuing have more time to decide. If that happens to you, read and keep your plan letters for proof of your extended enrollment rights. To schedule a 1:1 appointment with one of our Medicare Counselors, call (408) 350-3200, option 1.  

As the gloomy rains of the wet season depart around June, summer begins to make its warm presence apparent. Summer brings joy, adventure, and new opportunities, but it also comes with intense heat. 

The importance of staying hydrated cannot be highlighted enough. It’s important to actively remain hydrated, rather than waiting until you feel thirsty, which may already be too late. Your body sweats to cool itself down. If it gets to a point where you are no longer sweating, this puts you at risk of having heat stroke or developing other forms of heat-related illness.  

Thankfully, this can be avoided if good habits are developed and practiced.  Some suggestions include:  

• Drinking plenty of water.  
• Limiting your activity during the hotter times of the day. 
•  Staying inside insulated areas with fans or air conditioning, such as a local cooling center, a movie theater, or an indoor mall.

Santa Clara County has numerous cooling centers throughout the region. County libraries and community centers often serve as cooling centers if you are in need of a place to cool down. Visit oem.santaclaracounty.gov  to see which locations are near you.  

Staying cool is integral to your health year round, but especially during the summer months. Remember to keep an eye out on friends, family, pets, and others you may come across as the weather continues to get warmer. 

For more information about cooling centers available in Santa Clara County, contact a Community Resource Specialist at (408) 350-3200, option 1.  

Adult day programs are community-based services designed to support older adults and individuals with disabilities during daytime hours. They provide a safe, welcoming environment where participants engage in social, recreational, and therapeutic activities tailored to their specific needs.  

These programs help reduce social isolation and encourage meaningful engagement. Participants enjoy mental stimulation through games, arts and crafts, or music, which promote cognitive health. Physical activities, adapted to varying abilities, support mobility, balance, and overall well-being. Emotional health is nurtured through companionship and the creation of a caring community. Trained staff prioritize health and safety by providing supervision, conducting regular health checks, and managing medication schedules, helping participants with chronic conditions and reducing health risks. 

Caregivers can also benefit significantly from adult day programs by gaining much-needed respite. This time allows them to rest, work, or manage personal responsibilities, helping to reduce stress and prevent burnout. Additionally, caregivers often receive professional guidance, access to support groups, and educational resources, improving their ability to provide quality care at home. 

Two Sourcewise grantees provide adult day programs are dedicated to providing caregiver respite and support to older adults with Alzheimer’s and dementia:  

• Hearts & Minds Activity Center focuses on individuals with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. They offer a person-centered, culturally sensitive approach that emphasizes dignity and memory care through meaningful activities such as art, music, and pet therapy in a positive environment.
• Live Oak Adult Day Services provides bilingual, specialized dementia care and programs that promote independence and social connection. Their offerings include adaptive exercise, crafts, music, and caregiver support like respite care and education, tailored to the community’s diverse needs. 

Adult day programs play an important role in improving participants’ quality of life and supporting family relationships by providing care for both the individuals and their caregivers.  

For more information about adult day programs available in Santa Clara County, contact a Community Resource Specialist at (408) 350-3200, option 1.