The last couple of years have been challenging year for everyone, and now more than ever, it is important that we learn to take care of our health and well-being. Thankfully, there are free resources available in your community to support Living Healthy in 2023. The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida is offering a FREE workshop for older adults and adults with disabilities who are living with one or more ongoing health conditions, such as diabetes, arthritis, pain, cancer, high cholesterol, depression, asthma, heart disease, or high blood pressure.
According to the Florida Department of Health, adults in SWFL are disproportionately hospitalized due to coronary heart disease, diabetes, and asthma. However, these chronic illnesses can be successfully managed, and their symptoms can be reduced. Part of managing almost any chronic condition involves making lifestyle changes. Our program can assist with developing the skills and confidence to self-manage your chronic health problems.
The Living Healthy workshop is a program to self-manage chronic conditions. Participants develop tools to support healthy nutrition, increase physical activity, manage pain and medication, and build a network of support through the shared experience of living with an ongoing health condition.
For further information, contact Gloria Lappost, Health and Wellness Coordinator at (239) 652-6914 or Clorivel.Lappost@AAASWFL.org. Now is the time to invest in your health!
To participate, you must reside in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, or Sarasota County.
Last Updated: July 10, 2024 by Leave a Comment
Be Prepared for Medicare Open Enrollment
SHINE is here to help. To learn about other counseling options, call the Helpline at 866-413-5337.
SHINE counselors are available Monday – Friday to assist you with Medicare’s Open Enrollment and all matters related to Medicare including access to preventive services, cost-saving programs and identifying and reporting Medicare fraud.
To prepare for your SHINE counseling session, review this handout.
Please complete the form and have it available for your counseling session.
Posted: September 29, 2023 by Leave a Comment
Protecting Yourself from Marketing Violations
During Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period, you will likely experience more marketing from private Medicare plans, like Medicare Advantage Plans and Part D plans. Companies try to reach consumers in various ways, like television commercials, radio ads, events, mailings, phone calls, and texts. The government has rules though, to protect you from forceful or misleading marketing. Knowing the rules and red flags can help you make the best choices for yourself during Open Enrollment. To learn more how you can protect yourself from marketing violations.
Posted: August 29, 2023 by Leave a Comment
Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period
Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7 and is the time of year when you can make certain changes to your Medicare coverage. The last change you make will take effect on January 1.
Take action during Open Enrollment to make sure your coverage will meet your needs in 2024.
SHINE will be offering in-person counseling events this fall, more information will be shared in the October newsletter. SHINE can help you make an informed decision for your Medicare coverage in 2024.
Learn more about what you need to know going into Medicare’s Open Enrollment.
Last Updated: December 6, 2024 by Leave a Comment
We’re Hosting Our First Community Health & Resource Fair on September 15, and You’re Invited!
As part of our 45-year anniversary celebration, we will be hosting our first Community Health & Resource Fair on Friday, September 15, 2023. The fair runs from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 2830 Winkler Avenue, Suite 112, Fort Myers, Florida 33196.
Who is this fair for?
Everyone is invited to come and get to know us! Free health screenings, community resources, education, giveaways and more will be available to those 60 and older, adults with disabilities, and their families and caregivers. Free lunch will be provided to the first 25 attendees to arrive thanks to the generosity of sponsors Florida Power & Light and Pacos Tacos. Additional refreshments available for purchase.
Screening and Services
To register for this free event, click on the link.
Funds raised will go toward assisting older adults and adults with disabilities in crisis when no other resources are available. Donations to support older adults in crisis are welcome, visit https://aaaswfl.org/how-to-help/donate/.
Posted: August 28, 2023 by Leave a Comment
STORM UPDATES from the Area Agency on Aging for SWFL
The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida (AAASWFL) offices will be closed for in-person visits on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 29 and 30, 2023, in preparation for Tropical Storm/Hurricane Idalia.
The AAASWFL team will continue to be available to assist Southwest Florida residents on the phone and over email. The Elder Helpline hours are Monday – Friday, from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.. Please call 866-413-5337 OR 866-41-ELDER for assistance.
Valuable resources to help you prepare for an upcoming storm:
AAASWFL will continue to share updates and resources on social media. You can find the Area Agency on Aging for SWFL on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
Want to know how you can help local seniors in crisis? Donate to the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida! Your contribution will help us continue our work in the community by meeting the known and emerging needs of seniors.
Posted: August 25, 2023 by Leave a Comment
New Florida Law Requires Vote-by-Mail Ballot Request After Each General Election
Recent Change in Florida Law: Expiry of Vote-by-Mail Ballot Requests
According to the new Florida law, all Vote-by-Mail ballot requests now expire after each general election. This means that if you wish to vote by mail in the 2024 elections, you must submit a new request for each election—Presidential Preference Primary, Primary, and General Elections.
Take Action Now: Request Your Vote-by-Mail Ballots
To ensure that you receive your Vote-by-Mail ballot for the 2024 elections, we encourage you to submit your requests to your County Supervisor of Elections as soon as possible!
Steps to Request Your Vote-by-Mail Ballot:
1. Locate your County’s Supervisor of Elections Click here for list of all Counties.
2. Locate the “Vote by Mail” section and follow the instructions provided to request a Vote-by-Mail ballot.
3. You may request a vote-by-mail ballot in person, by mail, email, fax or by phone.
4. Complete the necessary forms and submit your request for all elections: Presidential Preference Primary, Primary, and General Elections.
If you have any inquiries or concerns about the Vote-by-Mail process, please don’t hesitate to contact your County Supervisor of Election Office and they will gladly assist you.
Thank you to the Florida Council on Aging for making this information available with our community.
Posted: August 15, 2023 by Leave a Comment
Medigaps
Medigaps, what are they?
Medigaps are health insurance policies that offer standardized benefits to work only with Original Medicare (not with Medicare Advantage). They are sold by private insurance companies. If you have a Medigap, it pays part or all of certain remaining costs after Original Medicare pays first. It depends upon your Medigap plan type. Medigaps are designed to cover outstanding deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. People often refer to these charges as the “gaps” in Original Medicare’s coverage, hence the term “Medigap.” Some Medigaps may also cover health care costs that Medicare does not cover at all, like emergency care received when traveling abroad.
Download this helpful guide with tips on selecting a Medigap policy and where to go with questions.
Posted: July 27, 2023 by Leave a Comment
Commit to Living Healthy! Join a FREE Workshop to Manage Your Chronic Condition
The last couple of years have been challenging year for everyone, and now more than ever, it is important that we learn to take care of our health and well-being. Thankfully, there are free resources available in your community to support Living Healthy in 2023. The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida is offering a FREE workshop for older adults and adults with disabilities who are living with one or more ongoing health conditions, such as diabetes, arthritis, pain, cancer, high cholesterol, depression, asthma, heart disease, or high blood pressure.
According to the Florida Department of Health, adults in SWFL are disproportionately hospitalized due to coronary heart disease, diabetes, and asthma. However, these chronic illnesses can be successfully managed, and their symptoms can be reduced. Part of managing almost any chronic condition involves making lifestyle changes. Our program can assist with developing the skills and confidence to self-manage your chronic health problems.
The Living Healthy workshop is a program to self-manage chronic conditions. Participants develop tools to support healthy nutrition, increase physical activity, manage pain and medication, and build a network of support through the shared experience of living with an ongoing health condition.
For further information, contact Gloria Lappost, Health and Wellness Coordinator at (239) 652-6914 or Clorivel.Lappost@AAASWFL.org. Now is the time to invest in your health!
To participate, you must reside in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, or Sarasota County.
Last Updated: July 27, 2023 by Leave a Comment
Easing Arthritis Pain with Tai Chi
By: Gloria Lappost, Health & Wellness Coordinator
For many years, the Area Agency on Aging for SWFL (AAASWFL) has been offering free Tai Chi for Arthritis workshops to older adults in Southwest Florida. The low-impact exercise classes were developed by Dr. Paul Lam at the Tai Chi for Health Institute and have been taught worldwide as an effective program to increase flexibility, strength, and balance in the aging population. Tai Chi for Arthritis has been endorsed by the Arthritis Foundation and is credited as an effective fall prevention program by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The workshop involves a set of Six Basic Movements and Six Advance Movements, taught over the course of an eight-week workshop. Practice focuses on controlled breathing, improved posture, and appropriate weight shifting.
Participants of AAASWFL’s Tai Chi for Arthritis workshops have not only seen improvement in their balance, they have also noticed changes in their general overall health as a result of their increased physical activity. Participants report an improved comfortability with increasing activity and continuing a regular exercise routine as a result of the program.
Beginning a new exercise program can be intimidating at any age, but especially so for older adults who have become increasingly less active over time. It is wonderful to see people regaining their strength and mobility through gentle exercises and physical activity. The positive changes to their physical and mental well-being are priceless.
In order to provide Tai Chi for Arthritis workshops at no cost to participants, AAASWFL depends on local community volunteers to become certified and lead the classes. Individuals who are interested in a volunteer position with the Health & Wellness department are eligible to become certified in any of AAASWFL’s Health & Wellness programs at no cost to the individual. Tai Chi for Arthritis certification involves a workshop-based training with a Tai Chi for Health Institute Master Trainer. The certification course allows prospective trainers to dive further into the principles of Tai Chi and of creating safe and inclusive classroom environments for future Tai Chi practitioners.
For more information on Tai Chi for Arthritis classes or on how to become a certified Instructor, contact the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida at (866) 413-5337.
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