With Community Leaders and Partners in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Lee and Sarasota Counties
The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida (AAASWFL) recently honored community partners and local leaders from across the seven counties they serve as part of its 45-year anniversary celebration. The private event was held at their offices in Fort Myers in gratitude of those who have supported their efforts serving older adults and adults with disabilities in the counties of Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Lee, and Sarasota counties. Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and refreshments, followed by a brief presentation by Wendy Boaz, chairman of the board and Maricela Morado, president and CEO.
AAASWFL Team
From left to right: Gloria Lappost, Health & Wellness Coordinator, AAASWFL; Albert Griffith, Representative from Senator Jonathan Martin’s office; Maricela Morado, President and CEO, AAASWFL
Left to right: Wendy Boaz-Hayes, Board Chair, AAASWFL; Tim Stanley, Commissioner, Glades County District 5; Maricela Morado, President and CEO, AAASWFL
Left to right: Mary Wernentin, Director of Supportive Aging, Senior Friendship Centers; Maricela Morado, President and CEO, AAASWFL; Tami Bailey, Manager of Grants Senior and Social Services, Collier County Government
Left to right: Christine LoConte, Volunteer Center Manager, United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties; Tish Sargent, Donor Engagement Specialist, United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties; Marcia Turner, Vice President – Community Engagement and Major Gifts, United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties
Kathleen Rice; Mary Bartoshuk, Advisory Council Chair, AAASWFL
Christopher Parfitt, Senior Director, Hodges University; Maricela Morado, President and CEO, AAASWFL; Teresa Araque, Vice President, Marketing and External Communications, Hodges University
Valerine Oliver, Director of Client Services, AAASWFL; Maricela Morado, President and CEO, AAASWFL; Dan Katz, Board member, AAASWFL; Wendy Boaz-Hayes, Board Chair, AAASWFL
Area Agency on Aging for SWFL offers Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of Elders (ANE) Training.
This is a comprehensive training for professionals who work with older adults. The ANE training raises awareness about the types of abuse, risk factors, and the reporting process. If you would like to schedule an ANE Training for your professionals, call Gloria Lappost, Elder Abuse Prevention Coordinator at: 239-652-6914.
(Top photo: Left to Right – Camilita Aldridge, Lynn Medini, Hallie Devlin, Jennifer Vander May, and Millie Nunez / Bottom photo: Left to Right – Lynn Medini, Hallie Devlin, Maricela Morado, Quinton Ford)
SHINE counselor, Lynn Medini, celebrated 9 years of service; she’ll be retiring from her volunteer role in May.
When approaching turning 65, Lynn attended a SHINE-hosted Medicare presentation and soon followed up on how to become a SHINE-trained counselor. Her first experience as a counselor was during Medicare’s fall open enrollment period; Lynn shared that people were showing up, one after the next, to meet with SHINE counselors. With all of the excitement, she was so busy that she never had the chance to think about eating the lunch she had packed. “Even better was the feeling that I got when, after explaining how plans work and what clients should be aware of in the future, you watch the lightbulb go off on clients’ faces. I was really hooked by that feeling!”
Hallie Devlin, Local Coordinator for Collier and S. Lee counties, shared her thoughts about Lynn.
“Lynn has been the essence of what a SHINE counselor should be. She has been a caring, knowledgeable and reliable volunteer as well as an incredibly hard worker during annual open enrollment for the past nine years. Her expertise, comradeship and good humor will be missed by all of us working in Collier and south Lee, most especially by Nancy Malecek who has been her counseling partner covering Bonita/Estero for several years. We wish Lynn well in all aspects of her life but will miss her at SHINE.”
On April 18, the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida honored those committed to their volunteer role with Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders (SHINE); a free, unbiased Medicare education and counseling program. The importance of their role in helping those eligible for and currently enrolled in Medicare, as well as caregivers, is evident as trained volunteers help with navigating the intricacies of Medicare.
Thank you to all our dedicated SHINE volunteers who are committed to our mission, you are focused and hardworking. You persevere in challenging circumstances and continue to strive for excellence in all you do, making a difference and delivering service with a smile.
45 Year Anniversary Celebration Community Health Resource Fair – A great way to celebrate, share resources and connect with community members on Friday, September 15, at 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida in Fort Myers.
Established in 1963, Older Americans Month (OAM) is celebrated every May. Led by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), OAM is a time for us to acknowledge the contributions and achievements of older Americans, highlight important trends, and strengthen our commitment to honoring our older citizens.
This year’s theme, Aging Unbound, offers an opportunity to explore a wide range of aging experiences and to promote the importance of enjoying independence and fulfillment by paving our own paths as we age. This May, join us as we recognize the 60th anniversary of OAM and challenge the narrative on aging. Here are some ways we can all participate in Aging Unbound:
Embrace the opportunity to change. Find a new passion, go on an adventure, and push boundaries by not letting age define your limits. Invite creativity and purpose into your life by trying new activities in your community to bring in more growth, joy, and energy.
Explore the rewards of growing older. With age comes knowledge, which provides insight and confidence to understand and experience the world more deeply. Continue to grow that knowledge through reading, listening, classes, and creative activities.
Stay engaged in your community. Everyone benefits when everyone is connected and involved. Stay active by volunteering, working, mentoring, participating in social clubs, and taking part in activities at your local senior center or elsewhere in the community.
Form relationships. As an essential ingredient of well-being, relationships can enhance your quality of life by introducing new ideas and unique perspectives. Invest time with people to discover deeper connections with family, friends, and community members.
Call Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida’s Health and Wellness Coordinator at (239) 652-6914 to learn about upcoming workshops near you, or visit https://aaaswfl.org/events/ for a list of free events available to older adults in Southwest Florida.
For more information, visit the official OAM website, follow ACL on Twitter and Facebook, and join the conversation using #OlderAmericansMonth.
Navigating Medicare can be complicated, but trained volunteers can help by answering questions and providing personalized guidance to those who need it. We want your help to support members of your community as they enroll in Medicare for the first time, review plan options, or troubleshoot problems. SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) provides unbiased support to Medicare beneficiaries and their families so they can make informed decisions about their care and benefits.
You can help people in your community navigate Medicare. For some, it offers a chance to give something back to their community. For others, it provides an opportunity to develop new skills or build on existing experience and knowledge. In Florida your local SHIP program is SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders). Learn more about volunteering with SHINE.
During the month of April, we’ll be celebrating our SHINE volunteers. We look forward to sharing more in our May newsletter. Make sure to sign up to receive our newsletters if aren’t already receiving them.
This month’s focus is on understanding how to communicate well with your health care provider, know your rights if a provider does not think your care will be covered, seek a second and third opinion if needed, and identify billing errors. Click here to learn more.
Florida Hurricane Ian survivors (60+ years old) may be eligible for Hurricane Ian recovery assistance.
Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida currently has Hurricane Ian funds available within the Agnes Laitinen Unmet Needs Crisis Fund. This fund is used to assist older adults and adults with disabilities in crisis when no other resources are available.
Please contact 866-413-5337 to complete the application and learn about next steps.
Call now as funds are only available until March 31.
Posted: May 22, 2023 by Leave a Comment
Agency on Aging Celebrates Serving SWFL for 45 Years
With Community Leaders and Partners in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Lee and Sarasota Counties
The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida (AAASWFL) recently honored community partners and local leaders from across the seven counties they serve as part of its 45-year anniversary celebration. The private event was held at their offices in Fort Myers in gratitude of those who have supported their efforts serving older adults and adults with disabilities in the counties of Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Lee, and Sarasota counties. Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and refreshments, followed by a brief presentation by Wendy Boaz, chairman of the board and Maricela Morado, president and CEO.
Posted: May 2, 2023 by Leave a Comment
Did You Know…AAASWFL Offers ANE Training?
Area Agency on Aging for SWFL offers Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of Elders (ANE) Training.
This is a comprehensive training for professionals who work with older adults. The ANE training raises awareness about the types of abuse, risk factors, and the reporting process. If you would like to schedule an ANE Training for your professionals, call Gloria Lappost, Elder Abuse Prevention Coordinator at: 239-652-6914.
Posted: May 2, 2023 by Leave a Comment
Volunteer Spotlight: Celebrating 9 Years with SHINE
SHINE counselor, Lynn Medini, celebrated 9 years of service; she’ll be retiring from her volunteer role in May.
When approaching turning 65, Lynn attended a SHINE-hosted Medicare presentation and soon followed up on how to become a SHINE-trained counselor. Her first experience as a counselor was during Medicare’s fall open enrollment period; Lynn shared that people were showing up, one after the next, to meet with SHINE counselors. With all of the excitement, she was so busy that she never had the chance to think about eating the lunch she had packed. “Even better was the feeling that I got when, after explaining how plans work and what clients should be aware of in the future, you watch the lightbulb go off on clients’ faces. I was really hooked by that feeling!”
Hallie Devlin, Local Coordinator for Collier and S. Lee counties, shared her thoughts about Lynn.
“Lynn has been the essence of what a SHINE counselor should be. She has been a caring, knowledgeable and reliable volunteer as well as an incredibly hard worker during annual open enrollment for the past nine years. Her expertise, comradeship and good humor will be missed by all of us working in Collier and south Lee, most especially by Nancy Malecek who has been her counseling partner covering Bonita/Estero for several years. We wish Lynn well in all aspects of her life but will miss her at SHINE.”
Posted: May 2, 2023 by Leave a Comment
Making a Difference and Delivering Service with a Smile!
On April 18, the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida honored those committed to their volunteer role with Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders (SHINE); a free, unbiased Medicare education and counseling program. The importance of their role in helping those eligible for and currently enrolled in Medicare, as well as caregivers, is evident as trained volunteers help with navigating the intricacies of Medicare.
Thank you to all our dedicated SHINE volunteers who are committed to our mission, you are focused and hardworking. You persevere in challenging circumstances and continue to strive for excellence in all you do, making a difference and delivering service with a smile.
We appreciate you!
Last Updated: May 2, 2023 by Leave a Comment
Save the Date
Posted: April 28, 2023 by Leave a Comment
Challenge the Narrative of Aging: Aging Unbound
Established in 1963, Older Americans Month (OAM) is celebrated every May. Led by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), OAM is a time for us to acknowledge the contributions and achievements of older Americans, highlight important trends, and strengthen our commitment to honoring our older citizens.
This year’s theme, Aging Unbound, offers an opportunity to explore a wide range of aging experiences and to promote the importance of enjoying independence and fulfillment by paving our own paths as we age.
This May, join us as we recognize the 60th anniversary of OAM and challenge the narrative on aging. Here are some ways we can all participate in Aging Unbound:
Call Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida’s Health and Wellness Coordinator at (239) 652-6914 to learn about upcoming workshops near you, or visit https://aaaswfl.org/events/ for a list of free events available to older adults in Southwest Florida.
For more information, visit the official OAM website, follow ACL on Twitter and Facebook, and join the conversation using #OlderAmericansMonth.
Posted: March 28, 2023 by Leave a Comment
April is National Volunteer Month!
Navigating Medicare can be complicated, but trained volunteers can help by answering questions and providing personalized guidance to those who need it. We want your help to support members of your community as they enroll in Medicare for the first time, review plan options, or troubleshoot problems. SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) provides unbiased support to Medicare beneficiaries and their families so they can make informed decisions about their care and benefits.
You can help people in your community navigate Medicare. For some, it offers a chance to give something back to their community. For others, it provides an opportunity to develop new skills or build on existing experience and knowledge. In Florida your local SHIP program is SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders). Learn more about volunteering with SHINE.
During the month of April, we’ll be celebrating our SHINE volunteers. We look forward to sharing more in our May newsletter. Make sure to sign up to receive our newsletters if aren’t already receiving them.
Posted: March 28, 2023 by Leave a Comment
Medicare Minute: Talking to Your Doctor
This month’s focus is on understanding how to communicate well with your health care provider, know your rights if a provider does not think your care will be covered, seek a second and third opinion if needed, and identify billing errors. Click here to learn more.
Posted: March 21, 2023 by Leave a Comment
Hurricane Ian Recovery Funds Available to Seniors in SWFL
Florida Hurricane Ian survivors (60+ years old) may be eligible for Hurricane Ian recovery assistance.
Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida currently has Hurricane Ian funds available within the Agnes Laitinen Unmet Needs Crisis Fund. This fund is used to assist older adults and adults with disabilities in crisis when no other resources are available.
Please contact 866-413-5337 to complete the application and learn about next steps.
Call now as funds are only available until March 31.
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