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Our Third Annual Community Resource Fair is Almost Here!

Our annual community resource fair is back! Last year we had an incredible turnout from the community and we hope to see old and new faces alike this year.

Unfamiliar with our popular annual free event? 

The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida (AAASWFL) proudly invites older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers to its third annual Community Resource Fair—an event designed to connect attendees to vital services and support. This year it will be held on Friday, September 12, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at our offices in Fort Myers, 2830 Winkler Avenue, Suite 112.

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with a wide range of exhibitors offering free resources and expert guidance. Lee Health will be on-site providing balance screenings, and SHINE counselors will be available to assist with Medicare questions. AAASWFL’s information and referral staff will also be present to help connect attendees with local services.

The Alzheimer’s Association’s Brain Bus, a mobile exhibit focused on dementia education and awareness, will be on-site. Additional exhibitors include Florida Power & Light (FPL), sharing tips on lowering utility costs, and Sam’s Club, offering membership opportunities, and many more!

Free raffle prizes will be drawn throughout the event, including exciting donated items like Ring Doorbells and Echo Shows.

If you plan to attend AAASWFL’s 2025 Community Resource Fair, please complete this brief Event Registration Form.

 

Move More, Hurt Less: Free Arthritis-Friendly Exercise Program – Special Kickoff Event with HSS at NCH in Naples

 

If you or someone you love is living with arthritis, joint pain, or mobility challenges, the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida (AAASWFL) offers free evidence-based exercise program designed specifically for adults aged 60 and older across Southwest Florida. In September, we will be partnering with HSS at NCH to offer this program in Naples and it kicks off with a special event you won’t want to miss.

What Is the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program?

The Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program (AFEP) offers gentle, joint-safe movements that can be done seated or standing. Led by trained instructors, these sessions help improve flexibility, reduce pain, and boost overall well-being. Whether you’re managing arthritis or simply looking for a safe way to stay active, AFEP is a welcoming and effective option.

Kickoff Event Details

Join us for a fun and informative launch event where you can preview the program, meet the team, and explore cutting-edge wellness tools.

Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025
Time: Arrive at 8:45 AM Program runs 9:00–9:45 AM
Location: HSS at NCH, 11190 Health Park Blvd, Building 2, Naples, FL

What to Expect

  • DARI Motion Tracker Demo: Get a personalized printout showing how your body moves
  • Anti-Gravity Treadmill Experience: Try a low-impact walking tool used by top athletes and rehab centers
  • Program Overview: Learn how AFEP can support your health goals, with insights from AAASWFL experts
Why It Matters

Staying active is one of the best ways to manage arthritis and maintain independence. This program is completely free, open to the public, and tailored to meet the needs of older adults in our community.

How to Register

Call our health and wellness specialist, Gloria Longoria, at 239-652-6914 to reserve your spot. Space is limited, so don’t wait! 

Let’s move toward better health — together.

Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey

In June 2025, CMS released the MCBS – Overview Infographic, providing a quick reference guide on the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS). Conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago, this ongoing study aims to gather valuable information from Medicare beneficiaries.

Note that beneficiaries may be contacted by NORC on behalf of CMS, which is an exception to usual guidelines. For further details, and to verify the study and the interviewer, refer to the following:

  1. For more information, visit the MCBS Respondent page at https://mcbs.norc.org/
  2. Confirm the letters you received match those posted at Medicare.gov, the MCBS Selection Letter
  3. Visit the following website and enter the interviewer ID number and last name https://www.norc.org/WorkingWithNORC/Pages/survey-participants.aspx

Thank you for participating!

Medicare Minute: Choosing Between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage

People with Medicare often wonder whether to choose Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan. Learn the key differences to help you choose the best option for your needs.

Original Medicare

The traditional program offered directly through the federal government.

  • Includes Part A (inpatient coverage) and Part B (outpatient coverage)
  • Red, white and blue insurance card to show your providers
  • Taken by most doctors in the country
  • Limits on how much doctors can charge if they accept Original Medicare
Medicare Advantage

Private plans that contract with and receive payment from the federal government to provide Medicare benefits.

  • Also called MA plans, Medicare private health plans or Part C
  • Insurance card from the specific plan’s company to show providers
  • Must provide same benefits as Original Medicare, but can have different rules (like provider networks), costs and restrictions
  • Can cover benefits that Original Medicare cannot

You may choose one option and later decide to try the other. Be aware that there are limitations on when you can make these changes. Your Medigap (supplement to Original Medicare) options may be more limited outside of the first 6 months that you’re enrolled in Medicare after the age of 65.

Click here to download a table that compares Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage by costs, Medigap supplement insurance, provider access, referrals, drug coverage, Medicare Advantage supplemental benefits, and Out-of-pocket limits.

Remember that there are several different kinds of Medicare Advantage plans. If you’re interested in joining a plan, speak to a plan representative to learn more.

Watch Out for Misleading Marketing

Health insurance companies try to reach people in various ways, like television commercials, radio ads, events, mailings, phone calls, and texts. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has rules for how companies can sell Medicare Advantage plans and Part D plans. These rules protect Medicare beneficiaries from aggressive or misleading marketing. 

Before you enroll in a plan, make sure you understand:

  • What the plan covers
  • How it affects your Medicare benefits and other health benefits (like Medicaid or your retiree/union coverage)
  • Whether your doctors are in-network
  • Whether the plan covers the drugs you need

An agent or broker should never pressure or mislead you into joining a plan. They should also never offer gifts to sign up or say they were sent by Medicare or Social Security.  If you feel an insurance agent has pressured or misled you, you should save all their information. This might include:

  • Agent’s business card
  • Dates and times of phone calls
  • Marketing handouts
  • Recorded messages
  • Emails

You should report this to your local Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) or State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHINE). Your SMP or SHINE Medicare counselors can help you review the concern and report it to CMS as a potential marketing violation. Contact information for your local SMP and SHINE teams by calling 866-413-5337 or emailing shineinfo@aaaswfl.org

Your local SHINE counselors can also help you seek a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to switch plans if you are misled into a plan that does not cover the services you need.  

Who to contact for help:

  • Call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHINE) at 866-413-5337 to compare your Medicare coverage options.
  • Go to www.Medicare.gov for online help comparing private plans in your area. You can enroll online or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (633-4227).
  • Contact a private plan directly before enrolling to confirm its coverage and rules.
  • Call your Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) if you experienced misleading marketing.

 

The Medicare Rights Center is the author of portions of the content in these materials but is not responsible for any content not authored by the Medicare Rights Center. This document is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $2,534,081 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. government.

Never Sign Anything in Exchange for ‘Free’ Services – It’s a Scam!

Medicare.gov has shared the latest scam targeting older adults!

Scammers, sometimes posing as salespeople, are offering “free” services or gifts. Beware, they may be trying to trick you into signing up for hospice care without your knowledge.

How it works:

  1. Scammers text, call, email, post fake ads, or even knock on your door.
  2.  They offer “free” gifts or in-home perks, like cooking or cleaning services, protein shakes, medical equipment, or groceries.
  3.  In exchange, they may ask for your Medicare Number and ask you to sign a paper.
  4.  They’re tricking you into signing up for hospice care, so they can fraudulently bill Medicare for services in your name.
Remember: Never give out your Medicare Number and don’t sign anything for free services — it’s a scam.

Follow this link for details on Reporting Medicare Fraud and Abuse.

If you think you may have experienced fraud, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or report it online at Medicare.gov/fraud.

Hospice care is for people who are terminally ill — and is a serious decision to be made only between you and your doctor.

New SWFL HomeShare Program in Lee and Collier Counties

The Home Coalition is launching the SWFL Senior HomeShare program in Lee and Collier Counties.

It will match older adults who are looking for affordable housing with seniors who have extra space in their homes.

We want to hear from you — whether you’re looking for housing, thinking about opening your home to a housemate, or you would like to lend your opinions to help us build a project that will best serve seniors.

Your answers will help us design a safe, supportive program that meets the real needs of older adults in our community.

This survey should take about 10–15 minutes. All questions are optional, and your responses will be kept private.

At the end of the survey, you’ll have the option to share your name and contact information if you’re interested in participating in the program or being contacted in the future.

Medicare Minute: Medigap Policies and Why You Should Be Reading Your Medicare Statements

Original Medicare Part B covers 80% of most services, leaving 20% and other out-of-pocket costs, like deductibles or inpatient copays. Medigaps help cover these costs.

What are they?

Medigaps are health insurance policies that offer standardized benefits to work with Original Medicare. They don’t work with Medicare Advantage plans. Medigaps are sold by private insurance companies. If you have a Medigap, it pays part or all of the costs after Original Medicare pays first. Medigaps may also cover health care costs that Medicare does not cover at all—for example, care when traveling abroad.

Choosing a Medigap

Insurance companies may offer up to 10 different Medigap policies to choose from: A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N. Each lettered policy is standardized. This means that all policies labeled with the same letter have the same benefits. Companies may sell the same Medigap for different prices, even though they have the same coverage. Note: Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin have different Medigap plans.

Listed below are things you should consider when choosing a Medigap plan. Make sure to review the Medigap chart on the next page for more information.

  • Plan A offers the most basic coverage. It’s often the least expensive. 
  • Plans F, C, and G are the most comprehensive Medigaps. They generally cost the most. 
  • Plans F and C are only available if you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. 
  • Medigap plans are guaranteed renewable. That means that as long as you pay the premium, you can keep your plan. However, premiums may change yearly. 
  • Shop around. Different insurance companies charge different premiums for the exact same policy.

Download a full breakdown of Medigap policy benefits.

Read Your Medicare Statements

It is very important to understand and read your Medicare statements:

  • If you have Original Medicare, with or without a Medigap, you should receive Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs).
    • Note: You receive MSNs every four months or you can also see them online at your Medicare.gov account.
  •  If you have a Medicare Advantage plan or Part D (prescription drug) plan, you should receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB).

Your Medicare statements explain what services and items were billed, the Medicare-approved amount for each line item, and the amount that you may owe. Remember that MSNs and EOBs are not bills. 

Reading your MSNs and EOBs is an important strategy for detecting potential Medicare fraud, errors, or abuse.

Keep the following tips in mind: 

  • Review your or your loved one’s Medicare statements as soon as they arrive. 
  • Confirm that everything listed on your statement is accurate—in other words, that you actually received and requested all listed services or items. 
  • Keep notes of your medical appointments and compare them to your statements to ensure that your MSN or EOB is accurate. 
  • Contact your health care provider or plan if you have any questions or notice any errors on your MSNs or EOBs. Your health care provider should be able to correct any billing mistakes that they have made. 
  • Contact the SMP for a printed My Health Care Tracker (which helps you keep track of your appointments) or to receive assistance on how to read your Medicare statements.
NEW! SMP Medicare Tracker Mobile Application: The app includes a digital My Health Care Tracker, the ability to report fraud, the SMP Fraud Busters game, scam alerts, fraud schemes, and news. To learn more, go to smpresource.org/app and download from the Apple or Google stores.

Who to contact for help:

  • Call us (866) 413-5337, your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), in Florida its called SHINE, to learn about Medigap enrollment rules and to get help comparing plan options. 
  • Go to the Medicare.gov website for online help comparing Medigaps in your area.
  • If you decide to purchase a Medigap, call the plan directly to purchase the policy.
  • Call us (866) 413-5337, your Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), if you find any errors on your statements and your provider will not fix them. SMPs help Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers prevent, detect, and report potential Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse.

The Medicare Rights Center is the author of portions of the content in these materials but is not responsible for any content not authored by the Medicare Rights Center. The included document is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $2,534,081 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. government.

What’s the SAVVY Caregiver Program?

The SAVVY Caregiver Program: Empowering Caregivers of Individuals with Dementia-Related Illnesses

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or a dementia-related illness can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to go through it alone. The SAVVY Caregiver Program offers family caregivers the skills, strategies, and support they need to confidently manage the challenges of caregiving.

This free six-session, evidence-based training is being offered across the seven counties we serve in Southwest Florida. Designed for family and informal caregivers, the program helps reduce caregiver distress, burden, and depression—while increasing confidence and effectiveness in your caregiving role.

What You’ll Gain:

  • A deeper understanding of dementia progression and how it affects daily life
  • Tools to better manage day-to-day caregiving responsibilities
  • Ways to access and use family and community resources
  • Self-care techniques to reduce stress and avoid burnout
  • Confidence and a renewed sense of purpose in your caregiving journey

The SAVVY Caregiver Program is based on research and proven to help caregivers make the most of the time they have with their loved one. Whether you’re new to caregiving or seeking new tools, this program provides meaningful, actionable support.

Ready to Register?

Find upcoming dates in your area on our event calendar. Contact our health and wellness specialist Tiah Thompson at tiah.thompson@aaaswfl.org or call 239-652-6900 ext. 58240 to register.

Can’t Find One Near You?

To schedule a SAVVY Caregiver Program in your area or find a nearby session, call our Helpline at 866-413-5337. 

Let us help you take care of yourself—so you can better care for those you love. 

Support Caregivers: How TCARE Helps Ease Stress and Prevent Burnout

Caring for a loved one is a profound and rewarding experience, but it can also be overwhelming. Many caregivers juggle responsibilities while managing their own emotional and physical well-being, often without the support they need. That’s where TCARE steps in—providing essential resources to help caregivers navigate their journey with confidence and ease.

What Is TCARE?

TCARE is a free caregiver support program designed to provide relief for family caregivers through personalized assistance and valuable resources. Whether you’re supporting an aging parent, spouse, or loved one, TCARE helps you manage stress, prevent burnout, and find the right solutions for your situation.

How TCARE Can Help

Caregivers face unique challenges, and TCARE offers practical support tailored to each person’s needs, including:

  • Personalized Care Plans – Guidance on managing responsibilities while caring for yourself.
  • Support Groups & Counseling – Emotional support and expert advice to help navigate the caregiving journey.
  • Respite Care & Financial Assistance – Relief options to ease the burden and ensure caregivers have time to recharge.

Get Started Today

You don’t have to do this alone. The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida is here to help connect you with TCARE and other vital programs. Call our helpline at 866-413-5337 or take a brief online screening to begin the enrollment process for TCARE.

Caregiving is challenging, but support is available. Let’s make sure caregivers get the help they deserve!