“Participating in a community service activity…provides an informal way for our team members to build bonds and get to know each other better in a meaningful context,” explains Sharon Hume, Adobe’s spokesperson.

Sourcewise received the donation for distribution to its Care Management clients. Sourcewise Care Management serves older adults by helping clients remain safely at home or adjust to their home, following a stay in the hospital, skilled nursing facility, or intermediate care facility.

The need for a wheelchair is common. Wheelchairs are a “covered item by Medicare when needed for indoor mobility but not covered when only needed for outdoor activities such as: going on medical appointments; socialization, shopping etc.,” explains Elisa Alarcon, Director of Sourcewise Care Management. The wheelchairs are a source of comfort, support towards movement, and independence for low-income clients of Sourcewise.

“With great gratitude, our family would like to thank you for the wheelchair. My father [had] slowly stopped going out to family trips or activities due to his unstableness in walking…,” expressed the family of a wheelchair recipient.

Over 140,000 individuals have some type of disability in Santa Clara County, according to the 2016–2020 Sourcewise Area Plan on Aging. Fifty percent of Santa Clara County residents with one or more disability are aged 65 years or older.

Corporate and consumer donations are an important component in serving this valued community. In FY 16-17, Sourcewise assisted 105,356 individuals living in Santa Clara County.

To make a financial contribution to Sourcewise, visit http://www.mysourcewise.com/commitment.

Learn more about the services offered by Sourcewise in support of the Santa Clara County community at www.mysourcewise.com, or call (408) 350-3200, option 1.

A common goal is to become more physically active and maintain that exercise habit throughout the year.

For older adults, exercise assists with maintaining independence, healthy bones and joints, and reducing risk of chronic diseases.

Fortunately, 28–34 percent of adults ages 65–74 and 35–44 percent of adults 75 and older are already physically active, based on a 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

However, a 2015 New Year’s Resolution study by the Statistic Brain Research Institute concluded the lowest success rates are in the 50+ age group with only 8 percent confirming they maintained their resolutions through the entire year.

Staying motivated depends on your personality and preference. You control your schedule; choose activities that fit your needs.

Being physically active is more about moving and less about how intense the movement is. “Some physical activity is better than none. Adults who sit less and do any amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity gain some health benefits,” states the U.S Department of Health and Human Services in a 2018 study on Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.

Get motivated and get moving:

• Create realistic goals.
• Focus daily on the benefits of exercising.
• Find activities you enjoy.
• Track your progress.
• Post your goal in visible areas.

Always seek advice from your doctor when you begin to engage in new physical activities or diets.

Take this time to reflect on your past experiences from the previous year and create new goals for this year.

Additional resources are available to assist with your goal of health and wellness. Contact a Community Resource Specialist of Sourcewise: (408) 350-3200, option 1.

Prepare for tax season:

• Review your withholding.
• Review the tax law.
• Review your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
• Find the forms you need to file.
• Look for resources available to you.
• Perform a Paycheck Checkup to determine if adjusting your withholding could eliminate extra taxes you may owe this season:https://www.irs.gov/paycheck-checkup
• Submit a new Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw4p.pdf
• Make additional estimated tax payments if your current income withholding does not cover the 2018 tax you owe by using the Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals worksheet to determine your estimated payments:https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1040-es

When prepping for your refund and to determine if you will receive a smaller refund due to the new laws:

• Evaluate your expected refund amount.
• Review the Publication 5307, Tax Reform Basics for Individuals and Families for more information:https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5307.pdf
• Renew your ITIN and ensure it has not expired.

The 2018 Form 1040 has been redesigned and replaces the 1040A and 1040EZ forms. If you file electronically, you will be required to have your 2017 Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) to sign your return: https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/definition-of-adjusted-gross-income. If you use the same software you have used in previous years, you do not need to enter your 2017 AGI.

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

For the last eight years, SVILC has been a longstanding partner as a host contributing to the success of the program. A valued partner and resource for Sourcewise Senior Employment Services, Pai shows her merit through her dedication and work ethic.“She [Pai] has shown a lot of patience and goes above and beyond to help guide her participants with effective on-the-job training,” states Henri Villalovoz, Director of Senior Employment Services.

Under Pai’s direction at SVILC, the hosting agency provides supervised on-the-job training to an assigned participant of Sourcewise Senior Employment Services. This relationship provides the participant an opportunity to learn and update professional skills, gain self-confidence, impress their supervisor with their job performance and at times may be offered a permanent, direct employment position within their host training agency.

Pai has consistently contributed to Sourcewise Senior Employment Services at both SVILC locations in Gilroy and San Jose. In Fiscal Year 2017/2018, Pai has supervised three participants, including one in their Gilroy office.

“SCSEP [Sourcewise Senior Employment Services] has provided us the opportunity to assist our host participants to increase their quality of life, rise above obstacles by providing opportunities to enhance existing skills, train for a new career and find a rewarding job,” Pai said.

Sourcewise provides training environments through important partnerships with 12 other local organizations, including, but not limited to: Second Harvest Food Bank; Heart of the Valley Services for Seniors; and Catholic Charities John XXIII Multiservice Center.

To learn more about the Sourcewise Senior Employment Services, call: (408) 350-3200, option 5.

While 54 percent of all caregivers have regular access to internet, 37 percent of Hispanic/Latino seniors do not know or have not looked for information on senior services, according to a caregiver focus group and a random digital dial survey conducted in 2015 by Sourcewise.

In April 2019, the 6th Annual Alzheimer’s Latino Conference—generously sponsored by local organizations, government, and councilmembers—provides resources and education in Spanish, in San Jose, CA.

“What we have learned to date is that Hispanics/Latinos face a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease so it’s crucial to raise awareness by providing educational presentations,” said Liliana Kaszuba, Community Relations Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association and a key event organizer for the conference.

Accessing available community resources allows caregivers to focus on caring for their loved one and their own health.

In Santa Clara County, 71 percent of Hispanic/Latino seniors fell below the Elder Index, compared to 41 percent of Caucasians 65+, according to the Sourcewise 2016-2020 Area Plan on Aging. Add to that a difficulty to meet basic needs such as transportation, medical care, and housing for 45 percent of Latino seniors and the need for caregivers to provide assistance is even more crucial.

For a third year, Sourcewise contributes planning and staffing support to the valuable Alzheimer’s Latino Conference.

Previous attendees of the Latino Conference consistently express appreciation for the amount and quality of information received. An anonymous attendee stated, “I loved it, it was very informative. We appreciate all the support.”

Register for the 2019 conference at San Jose Latino Conference 2019 or by calling Sandra Green at (408) 372-9919. On March 01, 2019, access the conference website.

For information on local resources, connect to a Sourcewise Community Resource Specialist: (408) 350-3200, option 1 or community@mysourcewise.com.