As the weather gets colder, it is important to take steps to stay healthy in our day to day. 

Cold and flu season can make it easier to get sick, especially if you spend more time indoors around other people. One way to protect yourself is by talking with your healthcare provider about which vaccines may be right for you.  

Vaccines can help prevent serious illnesses and keep you healthier throughout the season. It is also important to wash your hands often, eat healthy foods, stay active, and get enough sleep.  

Taking these simple steps can help you stay healthy and prepare for the colder months with confidence. 

Did you know that by 2030, 25% of California’s population is projected to be over the age of 65?  It can be difficult to know how to connect with people in different stages of life, so the Sourcewise Volunteer program is here to help facilitate these intergenerational connections through a variety of different volunteer projects and opportunities. Every individual brings their own unique experiences, perspectives, and talents. By creating diverse pathways to volunteer, we strive to ensure that everyone can find a meaningful way to contribute and make a positive impact in their community, such as:  

• Senior Wellness Calls: Help prevent social isolation and loneliness among homebound older adults through performing weekly check-in phone calls.
• Social Activities: Engage with older adults by completing arts and crafts or playing a fun game.
• Home Beautification Projects: Brighten up an older adult’s home through activities such as light landscaping, painting, organization, or decorating. 

An hour of your day may make all the difference in someone else’s life. Consider volunteering with Sourcewise to help everyone feel more connected and plugged into the community. Email volunteer@mysourcewise.com to learn about open and ongoing opportunities.

2026 has brought a lot of changes to Medi-Cal, including, but not limited to:  

• Reinstatement of the asset limit test for people over the age of 65 or with disabilities.  
• Changing federal rules and the change in classification of immigration statuses for Medi-Cal eligibility.   
• Freeze for enrollment for non-pregnant undocumented adults 19 and older who previously qualified for full-scope Medi-Cal.  

Beginning in January 2027, some individuals currently receiving Medi-Cal will be transitioned from receiving Medi-Cal via a managed care plan, such as Santa Clara Family Health Plan or Anthem, to receiving Fee-for-Service Medi-Cal.  

This transition may affect if you are:  

• Undocumented 
• In the five-year waiting period after getting a green card before you qualify for federal full-scope Medi-Cal  
• Considered Permanently Residing in the U.S. Under Color of Law (PRUCOL)  

Wondering if these changes will affect you? Make sure you check your mail regularly. The county will send you a letter if you will be impacted by this update. 

Have more questions regarding your Medi-Cal benefits? Sourcewise is here to provide clarity in these rapidly changing times. Call us today at (408) 350-3200, option 1 for assistance. 

Being a family caregiver is a role that is often taken on by an individual due to surprising and unforeseeable circumstances. For Joel, becoming a caregiver happened to him following his mother’s diagnosis with Stage 4 ovarian cancer. Overnight, he uprooted his life in Sacramento and moved in with his parents in Santa Clara County, becoming the full-time caregiver for his mother as she battled cancer and his father who had been experiencing early-stage dementia. His own life and career ambitions of becoming a UX designer and researcher were put on hold as he dove headfirst into managing the care of his parents.  

Suddenly, Joel was no longer just his parents’ son. He was their advocate – applying for reasonable accommodations within housing, communicating with their healthcare providers, submitting forms, and changing insurances. He was their driver and care coordinator, ensuring they could access their appointments and maintain their care at home and in-clinic. He was also their translator, bridging the critical gap many immigrants face in a healthcare system that can be highly complex and complicated, even for native English speakers.  

After two years of learning on-the-job and continually adapting to new challenges, Joel reached a breaking point. His mother’s social worker recommended he seek out caregiver support services for himself, so he found himself contacting Sourcewise. He connected with our Caregivers Network program and was awarded a caregiver respite grant to provide him with a much-needed reprieve from the physical stress and mental burden of caregiving.  

Initially, he was unsure how to use the respite care and how to spend the one hour a day he could now call his own. After some thought, Joel realized that one of the parts of himself he had lost was his creativity. As he had become consumed with the role of caregiver, he had left no outlets for himself to create. He had always felt joy through design and devising innovative solutions through tech, so he registered for an online accelerator program that provided education on how to use AI to build products.  

Drawing from his own life experiences, Joel built Handoff, a digital tool that enables a primary caregiver to use AI to generate a brief that summarizes their caregiving responsibilities. This brief can then be shared with another person, such as a respite caregiver, while the primary caregiver takes a break and can experience true rest knowing their loved one is receiving adequate support in their absence.  

To celebrate the end of the accelerator, there was competition for all the products built by the participants. Out of 206 submissions, Joel’s won first place! He was overjoyed not only for the recognition of his product and the further development of his professional skillset, but because he was able to create a tool that could provide meaningful support to other caregivers undergoing similar levels of stress and burnout. Upon reflection of his experience building Handoff, Joel shared:  

“When I was building my product, I loved learning about the caregiving crisis and the elder boom and finding ways to leverage my own experience as a full-time caregiver for both of my parents. There is an obvious need for caregiver support, and I know that firsthand because I am living it. I feel inspired to continue working on Handoff, possibly taking it further, and maybe even using it to jumpstart my career again. I already have a lot of other ideas about how to find creative solutions within the caregiving niche!”  

Family caregivers are the hidden backbone of the systems of care that allow many older adults in our community to age with dignity and in their own homes. November is designated as Family Caregiver Month to spread more awareness about the experience of family caregivers like Joel, and to celebrate everyone who provides care to a loved one. Encourage people in your life who may be acting as family caregivers to seek out assistance like respite grants or support groups. Making time for yourself is one of the most important things a caregiver can do. Take it from Joel: “You never know how long the journey of caregiving will be, and it is incredibly stressful. I need to take care of myself whatever way that I can.”  

Learn more about how Sourcewise proudly supports family caregivers in Santa Clara County by calling (408) 350-3200, option 1.

The holidays are right around the corner- a time for family, friends, and celebration. However, the holiday season may also bring feelings of dread or isolation. A few of us may have family members and friends who live far away or are unable to be reached. Small acts of kindness can go a really long way. Consider phoning someone you know who may potentially spend the holidays alone or make an effort to see them in person. A thoughtful conversation helps heal the soul.  

Get festive! Decorate your environment, take advantage of seasonal foods and beverages, and partake in seasonal activities. We only get to enjoy this for a short time, make the most of it. Putting together a gingerbread house is always fun. Most importantly, do not cherish your loved ones just because the holidays are here. Remember that they are in your life year-round and can be celebrated every day. 

From making a phone call to sending a holiday card, you can never truly know how big of an impact these acts of kindness and spreading of holiday cheer can have on someone. Take a moment to think about your loved ones and others in your community and how they might appreciate being shown a little extra love this season

Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is right around the corner! From October 15 through December 7, 2026, Medicare beneficiaries can review their current health and drug coverage and make changes for the 2027 plan year. Any changes you make will take effect on January 1, 2027.

What changes can you make during AEP? 

During this time, you can: 

• Enroll in, switch, or drop a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. 
• Join, switch, or drop* a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), which may include extra benefits like vision, dental, or hearing. 
• *Return to Original Medicare and, if you choose, add a stand-alone Part D plan. Look into the purchase of a Medigap supplement to cover the Original Medicare out- of-pocket costs, which could add up without extra coverage. 

You can make multiple changes, but only your last choice will take effect in January. 

Why review your coverage? 

Even if you’re happy with your current plan, it’s important to review your options every year. Plans can change their premiums, benefits, provider networks, and prescription drug formularies—or even terminate and leave the service area. New plans may also become available. Reviewing ensures that: 

• Your plan will still be available in 2027. 
• Your doctors and pharmacies are still in-network. 
• Your medications are still covered at the best price. 
• Your total costs (premiums, deductibles, copays) still fit your budget. 

Look for your plan’s Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) and Evidence of Coverage (EOC), which arrive each September. These notices explain what’s changing for the new year. 

How HICAP can help 

The Sourcewise Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP) is Santa Clara County’s free, unbiased Medicare resource. Our trained counselors can: 

• Review your coverage and explain plan changes. 
• Use the Medicare.gov Plan Finder to compare Part D and Advantage plans. 
• Help you apply for programs like Extra Help (which lowers drug costs) and Medi-Cal if you qualify. 

Appointments are available by phone, video, and in person at community centers and libraries throughout the county. View our HICAP counseling locations here. 

Protect yourself from scams 

Medicare has strict rules about marketing. Plans cannot call you, email you, or show up at your home without your permission. Be cautious if someone pressures you into enrolling. If you suspect fraud, errors, or abuse, contact your local Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) through Sourcewise. Don’t forget, Medicare, Social Security Administration, and Social Services will not call asking for your information. Call their real number if you are not sure about who is calling you. 

Get started today 

Don’t wait until the last week of AEP—review your options early. Call HICAP’s appointment hotline at (408) 350-3288 to schedule an appointment with a HICAP counselor. You can also view our Medicare AEP presentations on Zoom or at community locations. Visit mysourcewise.com/calendar for details. 

With support from HICAP, you can feel confident that your 2027 Medicare coverage works best for you.

Scam texts are more common than you think. Yet, they can be identified and handled safely. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to navigate them: 

Step 1: Read carefully and don’t react immediately. Scammers will approach you with a sense of urgency to get you to react quickly. “Act now!” “Verify immediately.” 

Step 2: Check the sender. Is the phone number unknown? Are they claiming to be your bank, but the phone number doesn’t match the one on your credit/debit card? These are both suspicious cues. 

Step 3: Watch out for them asking for any of your passwords, PINs, personal info or money. Links asking you to click to “confirm” or “update” are almost never safe. Scammers will want you to do something for them. 

Step 4: Don’t reply or engage with the text. Replying confirms your number is active and it makes you a target for more scams. Block, report, and delete the number.  

Step 5: Monitor your accounts. Always be sure to check your bank and credit statements frequently for unauthorized activity

A family caregiver is an unpaid relative, partner, friend, or neighbor who provides physical, emotional, or financial assistance to someone with a chronic illness, disability, or age-related condition. In Santa Clara County, family caregivers can access different respite options in order to have access to in-home care agencies or short-term facility stays to alleviate caregiving stress and prevent caregiver burnout 

Informal family caregivers may qualify for assistance through Sourcewise’s Family Caregiver Support Program, which connects caregivers to respite services, case management, support groups, and community resources. The Caregivers Network by Sourcewise offers short-term care grants up to $1,000 for eligible informal caregivers, with no insurance or income restrictions. 

Care recipients receiving Medi-Cal through Anthem can qualify for Sourcewise Community Supports – Respite. Care recipients must be dependent on care that is regularly provided by an informal caregiver, whether that is a relative, friend, or neighbor. Respite can be provided either in the home or out of the home at an adult day center at no cost to the family.  

Whether paid for out-of-pocket or by Medi-Cal, adult day programs often function as valuable outlets for both older adults and their caregivers. These programs offer social activities, meals, recreation, and supervision during daytime hours, helping older adults stay engaged while their caregivers work or take a much-needed break. 

Lastly, care recipients receiving Medi-Cal can qualify for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS). Available through the Santa Clara County Social Services Agency, this Medi-Cal program helps pay for home care providers to relieve family members or allows the family caregiver to receive financial compensation. 

For more information on family caregiver respite resources, contact a Community Resource Specialist at (408) 350-3200, option 1. 

Sourcewise is proud to announce the launch of our new Benefits Enrollment Center (BEC), helping to expand access to vital public benefits and support services for individuals and families throughout Santa Clara County. 

The Benefits Enrollment Center is designed to help older adults and caregivers navigate the often-complex benefits application process and connect with programs that can improve their quality of life. 

Our experienced staff can provide personalized assistance by helping clients: 

• Determine eligibility for available benefits 
• Complete and submit applications 
• Gather required documentation 
• Navigate renewals and reporting requirements 
• Access additional community resources and support services 

By offering one-on-one guidance, Sourcewise helps reduce barriers that often prevent individuals from receiving the benefits and services for which they may qualify. 

In addition to providing enrollment assistance for programs like Medi-Cal and CalFresh, the Benefits Enrollment Center connects residents with a variety of community programs that address basic needs and promote long-term stability and well-being. 

The launch of the Benefits Enrollment Center reflects Sourcewise’s ongoing commitment to empowering our community through accessible services, trusted guidance, and meaningful support. 

Wondering what benefits you qualify for? Reach out by calling (408) 350-3200, option 1 or emailing community@mysourcewise.com to get connected with a specialist.