As we continue to celebrate Older Americans Month (OAM) this May, we’re recognizing older adults and highlighting their impact in our community. With 2026’s theme as “Champion Your Health”, we will be spotlighting some of the older adults volunteering with our organization who are committed to aging well, healthily, and on their own terms. Some of the most visible older adults volunteering their time with us are the members of the Sourcewise Advisory Council.  

The Sourcewise Advisory Council serves Santa Clara County by advising Sourcewise and its Board of Directors on the needs of older adults and people with disabilities, through advocating for our most vulnerable residents and raising awareness about available resources. Members represent the county’s diverse communities, sharing local needs and bringing back critical information to improve access and equity. Through engagement with community groups, public officials, and other advocacy organizations, the Council strengthens programs and policies that enhance quality of life for older adults across Santa Clara County.

Each Advisory Council member has their own reason for joining Sourcewise. For Tom Picraux, joining Sourcewise was a deeply personal decision rooted in his childhood. He was raised on a small farm in Missouri, where they lived off the land and were part of a close-knit community. Just down the road from his home, and a core member of the community, was his grandmother – the matriarch of the family. From his grandmother and others, it was instilled in Tom from an early age to appreciate the value of the stories and lived experience of older adults. After a career as a research scientist and executive at a national laboratory, when it came time for him to retire and consider how he wanted to use the next chapter of his life, he knew he wanted to give back to the older adult community.  

Advocating for older adults and healthy aging is deeply important and personal to Tom.  

“From growing up in a rural community, I saw the tremendous importance of people reaching out to help older adults and the positive impact this had on the functioning of the entire community.” 

First, he joined the Los Gatos Community and the Senior Services Commission and was tasked with finding membership opportunities to help support the Commission. Following some research, he found Sourcewise. Once he joined the Advisory Council, this is what he shared about his observations on how Sourcewise makes an impact in the lives of older adults in the community: 

“So many lives are changed for the better by the things that Sourcewise does. In our dual suburban and urban environment of Santa Clara County, people don’t always know who to turn or how to get help. Through contacting Sourcewise, they can learn about important services we support such as home-delivered and congregate meals, community center operations, day care centers, information on available resources, etc. Sourcewise provides critical help for people to age in place and is of vital importance.” 

As a member of the Sourcewise Advisory Council, Tom has become fluent in existing resources for older adults and helps shape new resources to address institutional gaps and unmet needs. Council members spread the word about existing support services and organizations dedicated to older adults in Santa Clara County, and it is a role that brings a strong personal sense of contribution and greater sense of belonging to the community.  

As many of the Sourcewise Advisory Council members are older adults, there is no one better to advocate for the needs of the aging population in Santa Clara County than them. We are thankful for all their knowledge, lived experience, and heart for the community. The passion and work of members like Tom enable Sourcewise to continually improve our services and coordination with other community-based organizations, to ensure that everyone in Santa Clara County can be a champion of their own health.  

Sourcewise is happy to share that we will once again offer Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) market cards to eligible participants this summer. This program helps older adults buy healthy food while supporting local farmers in Santa Clara County. 

The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is a once‑a‑year benefit for low‑income seniors. The market cards can be used to buy fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey, and herbs. These foods are available at approved farmers markets, roadside stands, and community farm programs. The program helps seniors eat healthier foods and enjoy fresh produce during the summer months. It also helps local farmers by bringing more customers to farmers markets and small food businesses. 

To distribute the SFMNP benefit cards, Sourcewise staff will visit several farmers markets throughout Santa Clara County to distribute the SFMNP market cards. Cards will be given out on a first‑come, first‑serve basis, while supplies last. Because the number of market cards is limited, participants are encouraged to arrive early. 

The dates, times, and locations for market card distribution are still in development. Once all details are confirmed, Sourcewise will share this information via our website and social media pages. These updates will include the farmers market addresses, distribution times, and any special instructions. Participants should check these sources often so they do not miss important announcements. 

To get an SFMNP market card, residents must self‑certify that they meet the program rules. Self‑certification means participants confirm they qualify without needing to show documents. To be eligible, participants must meet all of the following requirements: 

• They have not already received the 2026 SFMNP benefit 
• They are 60 years old or older 
• Their household income is at or below 185% of the federal poverty level 

Sourcewise is proud to bring back this program for 2026, and we look forward to helping seniors enjoy fresh, healthy food while supporting local farmers this summer. 

For more information, contact a Community Resource Specialist at (408) 350-3200, option 1. 

People often find the term “palliative care” confusing, or they assume it refers to “hospice,” — which is only for people who are dying. Palliative care is for anyone with a serious or life-threatening illness, from time of diagnosis to time of death. Palliative care is an approach to care that reduces stress and pain by improving quality of life for patients and their families based on patient’s needs and wishes for care. It works alongside regular medical care, but treats patients holistically to address unmet physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs. 

A common diagnosis of people receiving palliative care is dementia.  Dementia is a brain disorder characterized by progressive and severe loss of cognitive, physical and autonomic functions as well as changes in mood, behavior, perception, and sleep. It robs people of their ability to carry out activities of daily living and increases their dependence on others for their daily care. 

Currently there is no cure for dementia. Palliative care offers tremendous benefits for patients and their families on their difficult journeys with dementia. 

Palliative care is provided through teams which can include physicians, nurses, social workers, occupational and physical therapists, and chaplains; who work together to “palliate” suffering and stress through early identification, correct assessment, and treatment of dementia symptoms. They also address practical needs, such as help with advance care planning, medical decision making, care transitions, and more. This is critical when someone loses their cognitive ability to understand, make decisions, and communicate their wishes to others. 

Studies have shown that palliative care not only improves health outcomes but reduces unnecessary hospitalization, health system encounters, and associated cost burdens for patients and families living with dementia. 

Many people need palliative care, but a low number actually receive it. To improve and expand palliative care, we need to raise awareness, improve health care policies and funding, provide better access to care for underserved groups, and more training for health care and social services workers. 

Every patient should know that if they receive a dementia diagnosis from their physician and aren’t referred to palliative care, they have the right to request a referral and to be covered by Medicare. Services are covered through Part B for doctor/nurse visits or Part A if provided during a hospital stay; to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Hospice, a form of palliative care generally recommended when a patient’s prognosis is six months or less, is also covered for dementia. 

 This May is Older Adults Month, take this time to talk about dementia and palliative care in our communities. Let’s work together to ensure that palliative care is available to everyone, regardless of income, age, race, or ethnicity.  

If you want more information or resources on Palliative care, call (408) 350-3200, then press option 1 to be connected to a Community Resource Specialist.

As of April 2024, about 67.3 million Americans receive at least part of their health insurance coverage through Medicare. Nearly 90% of Medicare beneficiaries are over the age of 65 and rely on Medicare to help subsidize the cost of their doctors’ appointments, prescriptions, and more (Forbes). Yet, according to data from the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP): “Medicare loses an estimated $60 billion each year due to fraud, errors, and abuse.” To draw attention to how easily Medicare fraud can occur, June 1 – 5 is recognized as Medicare Fraud Prevention Week to generate awareness, educate about common examples of Medicare fraud, and what to do if you notice it may be occurring.  

Medicare fraud most often occurs when:

• You were charged for a service you did not receive.  
• A doctor you do not know reaches out to enroll you in a service or to get a test that your treating physician did not order.  
• You are billed directly for a service by the medical provider or company, rather than through Medicare.  
• Someone asks for your Medicare number so you can receive “free” services or at a resource fair or community event to “check in.”  

This Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, learn how to prevent, detect, and report Medicare fraud for yourself and your loved ones.

• Prevent Medicare fraud by not answering calls from unknown numbers, learning about circulating scams, and by downloading the SMP mobile app: SMP Medicare Tracker. 
• Detect Medicare Fraud by learning how to properly read your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) to spot red flags and create a medicare.gov account to review claims.  
• Report potential Medicare fraud, such as mysterious items on your MSN or giving out your Medicare number to a suspicious individual or entity, by calling +1 (877) 808-2468 to be connected to your local Senior Medicare Patrol.  

If you want more information on resources for scams or more help understanding your Medicare options, call (408) 350-3200, option 1 to be connected to a Community Resource Specialist.

This year’s Older Americans Month (OAM) highlights the theme “Champion Your Health”. Join us in celebrating and highlighting all of the older adults in our community through supporting programs that support prevention, wellness, and personal responsibility for every person on their aging journey.  Learn more about Sourcewise programs and our community partners that are all working together to empower older adults to age with dignity and choice. 

Our Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP) has a real impact on enabling healthy aging through unbiased, free Medicare counseling. The program provides 1:1 Medicare counseling appointments with our trained Medicare counselors, many of whom are older adults themselves. The HICAP counselors may inform you about key Medicare plans that could affect your coverage and help ensure you are prepared for any unwanted health surprises. Remaining up-to-date on your insurance coverage and taking preventative measures is integral for any older adult or their loved one striving to age well. 

Our Care Management programs all work to support the wellness and personal responsibility aspects of healthy aging by connecting vulnerable adults with care managers. The Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP) is designed to help clients to remain living safely at home for as long as possible. Enhanced Care Management (ECM) assists clients in clinical and non-clinical circumstances to identify community-based programs and county resources that can help get them back on their feet.  Care management programs such as MSSP and ECM empower participants by providing person-centered and directed care, and by emphasizing wellness, allow anyone in their program to be a champion of their own health.  

Beyond our own internal programs, Sourcewise supports healthy aging in the community through partnerships with Hearts & Minds Activity Center and Avenidas. These two community-based organizations offer vital programs like adult day activity programs and caregiver support services that meet the diverse needs of the Santa Clara County population.   

This Older Americans Month, we can work together to create stronger support systems that help older adults feel valued, informed, and empowered. Call (408) 350-3200, option 1, to see how you can get involved today.  

Caregiving is meaningful work, but it can take a serious toll on the caregivers’ mental and physical health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the U.S., one in five adults provides care to a loved one, and studies show caregivers are more likely to experience higher levels of stress, depression, and poor mental health compared to adults who are not caregivers. 

What Is caregiver burnout? 

Caregiver burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion that occurs when the demands of caregiving outweigh their bandwidth and available support. Federal agencies including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recognize caregiver burnout as a public health issue that impacts both caregivers and the loves ones they care for. 

Common signs of burnout caregivers may experience include: [hopkinsmedicine.org]

• Ongoing fatigue, sleep problems, or frequent illness 
• Feelings of anxiety, sadness, irritability, or hopelessness
• Withdrawal from social activities and neglect of self care  

Coping tips recommend for caregivers: 

• Prioritize self care and regular health checkups 
• Seek peer support and counseling 
• Use respite care and community services 
• Access reliable caregiver education resources and planning tools 

Unpaid caregivers in Santa Clara County can access Caregivers Network by Sourcewise, which offers caregiver support groups, counseling, case management, and respite service, to reduce the possibility of burnout and to catch a break. 

If you identify as a caregiver, you are not alone and support is available. For more information on family caregiver resources, contact a Community Resource Specialist at (408) 350-3200, option 1. 

We take the time to celebrate Older Americans Month (OAM) every May to recognize older adults and highlight their impact in our community. As 2026’s theme is “Champion Your Health”, this May we will be spotlighting some of the older adults volunteering with our organization who are committed to aging well, healthily, and on their own terms.   

Since 1985, the Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP) at Sourcewise has served thousands of Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and advocates with assistance navigating their Medicare options. HICAP can help with nearly every aspect of the Medicare system, from selecting a new Part D drug plan, filing an appeal, applying for limited income programs that help with Medicare costs, and more. While the day-to-day operations of HICAP are run by full-time staff, the heart of HICAP is absolutely: the individuals who serve as our volunteer counselors. Each HICAP volunteer counselor receives extensive training and commits to a year of service, although many end up volunteering for over a decade.  

One of our Medicare counselors, Edward Oddo, began volunteering with HICAP entirely by chance. Born in the Bronx, New York City, Edward earned both his undergraduate degree and master’s degree before moving to California in 1972. In California, he worked at IBM for 45 years in various capacities, like software application development, planning, and marketing. After a satisfying career, he retired and began to embrace the next stage of his life, focusing on his roles as a husband, father, and grandfather.  

As Edward entered a new season of his life, he found himself plunged into the ecosystem of health insurance as he attempted to assist a relative with a disability apply for Medi-Cal. His relative already had health insurance through a private policy but wanted to transition to receiving coverage via Medi-Cal. Edward was at a loss on how to accomplish this until one of his former IBM colleagues referred him to HICAP. Following an enlightening appointment with a HICAP counselor, Edward was able to get his relative successfully onto Medi-Cal. Through that process, he also discovered a new calling as a HICAP counselor.  

When he had initially joined HICAP, he thought he needed to have all the answers for any Medicare question that a client might have during an appointment. However, as he assisted dozens of clients over the years, he realized that there was always more to learn and that it was okay to tell a client that while he didn’t have the answer during their appointment, he would research it and get back to them.  

Edward recalled a specific client whose case made his work as a HICAP counselor particularly rewarding. A client came to HICAP because she was looking for help moving from a Medicare Advantage plan to a Medigap plan due to a potentially terminal cancer diagnosis that required a level of treatment not covered by her existing plan. However, she was in a predicament. She did not qualify for any of the Guaranteed Issue criteria required to move to a Medigap policy, and so she was at a loss for how to proceed.  

Edward had never encountered this unique set of circumstances. Unsure of how to direct the client, he looked for guidance from other HICAP counselors. Together, they concluded that the client’s only option was that her existing Medicare Advantage plan would make changes that would qualify her to become eligible for Guaranteed Issue. Fortunately, the plan enacted the qualifying change and had an associated Medigap plan that she could transition coverage to. The client was able to successfully switch coverage and receive the life-saving treatment that she needed. For Edward, this experience was formative and impactful not only because of how he was able to help the client, but because of the collaboration and support he received from the HICAP staff.  

Edward has been a HICAP volunteer for over 10 years. Of his experience with HICAP and his approach to Medicare counseling he shared:  

“I have found my time as a HICAP counselor very challenging, rewarding, and fun. In my years as a volunteer counselor, my objective has been to not only use Medicare tools, but to help our clients learn how to use Medicare tools themselves. It is very consistent with the old proverb: ‘Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day. Teach a person how to fish and you feed them for a lifetime.’” 

For Edward, volunteering with HICAP has not only been a way for him to give back to the community, but a way to stay healthy and active. This Older Americans Month, consider taking inspiration from individuals like Edward who take a proactive approach to aging by staying active, involved in their community, and keeping a mind open and receptive to new ideas.  

Every May we proudly celebrate Older Americans Month (OAM) to recognize older adults and highlight their impact in our community. As 2026’s theme is “Champion Your Health”, this May we will be spotlighting a few of the older adults in our programs and volunteering with Sourcewise who are committed to aging well, healthily, and on their own terms.  

One of our cornerstone programs is the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). It provides adults 55 years of age and older with support to get back into the workforce. For Meilian Sung, SCSEP provided an opportunity to re-enter the workforce following a long stint of unemployment that began during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Originally from Taiwan, Meilian had a strong background in business operations, communications, and administrative technology. Once she came to California, she obtained her Medical Office Receptionist certificate from West Valley College and found work at a Chinese law firm, a dental office, and a doctor’s office.  

However, after the loss of her job, Meilian struggled to find a position that aligned with her skillset. When she was applying for state benefits, a county worker mentioned that she could possibly qualify for SCSEP with Sourcewise. Immediately, Meilian leapt at the opportunity. She quickly qualified for the program and, once she completed the application and enrollment process, landed a placement at one of our host agencies – a senior housing complex.  

Now, Meilian works as an administrative assistant and activity coordinator for residents of the housing complex. She is proud of the communication skills she has gained through her role. Through her work, she also can stay active and engaged with other older adults.  

Regarding what skills and experiences she has gained, Meilian shared:

“Returning to work boosts my confidence and well-being through developing social connections, structured routines, and skill updates. I’ve experienced many benefits including improved mental health, physical health, as well as better social support and financial resources.”  

Finally, when asked about her experience overall with SCSEP, she shared:

“It has been a great journey for me to join SCSEP. They have been extraordinarily helpful and instructive. It was definitely the right choice to join SCSEP.”  

We’re proud of older adults like Meilian who, despite facing adversity and challenges associated with aging, take the initiative to join programs like SCSEP. In doing so, they are not only developing new skills and empowering themselves but making a valuable and meaningful impact in the community. 

The number of scams reported in 2020 nearly doubled in comparison to previous years. After reviewing the data for 2025, there are different types of scams that are used more than others. While scams for free vacations and winning the lottery are still present, they aren’t nearly as present as some others. One scam that is trending these days is impersonation.

Scammers will pose as government agencies and businesses to take advantage of others. As per the FTC, the top government agencies that scammers disguised themselves as in 2025 were: 

1. DMV/Toll imposters 
2. Social Security Administration 
3. Federal Trade Commission 
4. US Customs and Border Protection
5. IRS 

Toll imposters were the most reported government imposter in 2025 with a significant increase in comparison to previous years. However, social security scams are the leading government imposter scam that people will actually fall victim to.

While similar, business imposters differ from government imposters in which they’ll pretend to be well known businesses. Rather than government entities. Some examples of business imposters can be: 

• Package delivery – will say there is a problem delivering a package you may not have ordered 
• Tech support – will ask for money to fix a nonexistent problem with your computer/phone  
• Jobs/fake recruiters – offer a job and ask that you reach out to them for more info. May ask that you pay for a training or certification

Scams will always be present and they can appear differently as time progresses. There will be different trends in the world like the rise of social media, for example. There can be new scams that others may begin to fall victim to that align with what’s popular in the present. Thus, those scams will be used more than others. Having an understanding that new scams can pop up as time passes, and to be cautious with them, may help keep you safe.

To report suspected scams or fraud, call the Federal Trade Commission at   
(877)-382-4357, from 9 AM-5 PM ET. Or visit reportfraud.ftc.gov 

If you are interested in learning more about protecting yourself against scams, speak with a Community Resource Specialist: (408)-350-3200, option 1.