AOASCC News & Notes
May is Older Americans Month - Celebrate with us!
Come & be inspired to find your inner artist!

Opening Reception
May 17th - 4:00-7:00 p.m.
Sponsored by
Returning to Work

C.H. is a retired school teacher who taught history for twenty-seven years in the Connecticut public-school system. She enjoyed the rapport she had with her students and has warm memories of her pupils attentively listening and absorbing enthralling tales of the past. She always felt that encouraging children to think outside the box creates individualism, wisdom, and a desire to strive. She states that to this day, on the rare occasions when she encounters her former students, they remember her with great fondest and thank her for instilling these life lessons.

With great regret she had to retire early from teaching so that she could take care of her ailing parent on a full-time basis. She was a caregiver for five years. During this time she gained an insight to the challenges on taking care of the elderly and the skills required to do so. As she would later say, “I was fortunate to be successful in the care I gave my mother and feel It has made me a stronger individual.”

She is now ready and willing to return to the workforce because she still has places to go and people to see. She understands the frustrations and disappointments that she will, and has encountered, as a senior looking for work. Yet she believes in her heart that there are employers out there who are looking for someone just like her.
 
UPDATE: C.H. found seasonal work in Wallingford. She enjoyed it tremendously, though at first it was hard on her body, since she was standing for hours. Yet she overcame the difficulty and strived, making friends and earning the respect of her supervisors. 

She is back with the agency's employment program, STEPS, because as she puts it “It is nice to have people to guide me with the application process and who are generous with their time. I am very grateful.”   

Older Americans Month 2018

Every May, the Administration on Aging leads our nation's observance of Older American's Month. The 2018 theme,  Engage at Every Age , emphasizes that you are never too old (or young) to take part in activities that can enrich your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It also celebrates the many ways in which older adults make a difference in our communities.

Take the Selfie Challenge!
  This year, the AOA wants to see how you stay engaged so that you can help inspire others to do the same. Snap a selfie or have someone take your picture participating in activities that improve your mental and physical well-being. Then, post your image to social media using the hashtag #OAM18.

Send a message to our facebook page or info@aoascc.org so we can post it as well! 
Upcoming Opportunities

Seeking Professionals & Volunteers to
Lead Live Well Diabetes Workshops

Do you want to help individuals feel more in control and build their self confidence in managing their lives with Diabetes? Receive everything you need to be a successful leader of this evidence-based and nationally recognized program. Find out how.
Caregiver Workshops
Support and learning for family caregivers caring for loved ones with dementia. Find out more.
Caregiver Corner  

Making healthcare decisions for someone is a big responsibility. We want to honor the wishes of the person we’re caring for but that isn’t always easy. There are some things you can do to make it easier. Use the checklist below to help you prepare.

Advanced planning check list

1.      Start the conversation early
The sooner you begin the conversation about what your loved one wants, the better chance you’ll have of being prepared to make decisions. These conversations aren’t always easy. Often times, people need to make several attempts before the full story is revealed.
2.       Create documents
Memory fades. Create documents to ensure you know what you and you loved agreed to.
3.      Review documents regularly
Ideas and opinions may change over time. It’s helpful to review the documents periodically to make sure you and your loved one are on the same page.
4.      Put documents in one place
Put Advanced planning documents in one place with the other important papers you need such as healthcare insurance cards, birth certificates, life insurance information.
5.      Make copies
Make copies of the healthcare wishes your loved one has expressed and bring them with you when the time comes to make decisions to show healthcare providers.
6.      Give permission to health care providers to talk with family in advance
Create a signed document with your family member that gives the healthcare providers permission to talk with you about his/her medical issues. Having this in writing will save you a lot of time and frustration when the time comes that you need to have end of life conversations. Consider having it notarized.
7.      Plan details of funeral in advance
It is much easier to arrange a funeral when you know what the person wanted and you can honor their last request. Have that discussion. Include information about religious services, caskets, wakes, cremation, attire. All the details you’ll have to make decisions about. It is so much easier to make arrangements when following the wishes of your loved one.

CHOICES 

If you are on Medicare you have rights. Although there are many rules related to Medicare, there are also rights to which you are entitled. If you believe your rights are being violated, you have the right to file a complaint about the violation. Listed below are the rights that Medicare ensures. They come from the Medicare.gov website. Familiarize yourself with your rights and if you believe one of your rights has been violated you can ask for help filing a claim. For some claims, the Agency on Aging can assist you 1-800-994-9422. For other claims it may be necessary to seek the assistance of an attorney. The Center for Medicare Advocacy can be a helpful resource in this instance. Contact them at (860) 456 7790

You have the right to: 
  • Be treated with dignity and respect at all times.
  • Be protected from discrimination. Every company or agency that works with Medicare must obey the law, and can't treat you differently because of your race, color, national origin, disability, age, religion, or sex.
  • Have your personal and health information kept private.
  • Get information in a way you understand from Medicare, health care providers, and, under certain circumstances, contractors: What’s covered. What Medicare pays. How much you have to pay.
  • Have your questions about Medicare answered.
  • Have access to doctors, specialists, and hospitals.
  • Learn about your treatment choices in clear, culturally sensitive way that you can understand, and participate in treatment decisions.
  • Get Medicare-covered services in an emergency.
  • Get a decision about health care payment, coverage of services, or prescription drug coverage. If you disagree with the decision of your claim, you have the right to file an appeal.
SNAP - Getting help with the cost of groceries

Older Americans Month shines a spotlight on what it takes to age well in America. Health is a key component of staying independent and active, and that starts with eating nutritious food. SNAP helps older adults afford the food they need—get them enrolled with this online resource

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