AOASCC News & Notes
A Community Conversation - Friday, December 13th
The State Unit on Aging (SUA) is writing a new three-year strategic plan encompassing services for older adults in Connecticut, with an emphasis on programs funded by the Older Americans Act. We need input from older adults, caregivers and Aging Network professionals. Find out more.
7,000 Calls Answered Last Year

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Caregiver Corner - Adult Day Centers

Adult Day Centers are effective resources to help you care for your loved one at home and still make certain there is time for you to focus your time and attention on activities beside caregiving. Many caregivers resist using this resource: your loved one isn’t interested; there’s a cost involved; it’s too hard to get him/her there; (s)he might need me and I won’t be available. All true, but all can be addressed. 
  • Very few people aspire to attend an adult day center (ADC), however, once given the opportunity to participate, almost all like it.
  • There is a cost, but there’s a cost for almost everything in life. Some things are worth the cost. Also, many of the ADCs have scholarships for persons to participate if there is a genuine need. Your relative doesn’t have to attend every day to get a benefit from participation. Some people only attend once per week. Depending on the model center you select, they may be able to provide shower and shampoo service. For many caregivers, the bath is one of the most difficult challenges. The ADC can provide that with trained staff, in fully accessible bath facilities. That alone is worth the price of participation. 
  • Most of the ADCs provide transportation that can accommodate people with mobility problems.
  • It’s true that you won’t be there if (s)he needs you, but, at some point in the caregiver journey, it’s important to discover that you can’t be all things. Caregivers who survive their caregiving journey realize we all need help to be a successful caregiver.

To get information about ADCs in our region, click here or call 203 785 8533 and ask to speak with an information counselor.
CHOICES- Routine Dental Care

If you are a Medicare recipient, you probably know that original Medicare doesn’t cover dental care. Why? When Medicare was enacted, it explicitly excluded coverage for routine dental care and restorative oral care. There are a few exceptions, where hospitalization is involved, such as a broken jaw following an auto accident.

As an older adult on Medicare, you probably are aware of the fact that the need for routine dental care is essential as we age. Poor dental care is associated with a host of health problems such as heart disease and digestive illnesses. In addition, the condition of one’s mouth, such as ill-fitting dentures, cavities, missing teeth are factors in the tendency of many older adults to isolate themselves. As we learn more about aging, with the aging of the Baby Boom generation, we’re learning about the physical and psychological risks of isolation. It’s important that older adults feel their appearance is appropriate if they are going to remain engaged in society. Failing to provide access to dental care pushes older adults more to the fringes of society.

You may ask, : “Doesn’t Medicare Advantage cover dental care?” Yes, it does, but Advantage plans aren’t the best option for all Medicare eligible people. If it isn’t the right Medicare option to meet your needs, should you be forced to enroll in an advantage plan just to get dental benefits?
The Center for Medicare Advocacy has made access to dental benefits a priority. If you would like information about what you can do to help change Medicare regulations to include dental benefits, contact Communications@MedicareAdvocacy.org .     

If you want information about Medicare advantage plans that provide dental benefits, call CHOICES at 800-994-9422.
Did You Know?

 “We are a nation of generous people,” said Barbara Stewart, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service. Many have answered the call to service. According to the latest Volunteering in America r eport the spirit of generosity is on the rise.
  • More Americans than ever are volunteering – the nation’s volunteer rate reached a record high at 30.3 percent.
  • 77 million Americans volunteered nearly 6.9 billion hours, worth an estimated $167 billion in economic value.
  • Volunteers donate to charity (nearly 80 percent) at twice the rate of Americans who don’t participate in community service.
  • Half of all Americans (52.2 percent) donated at least $25 to charity. 
  • Volunteers more frequently participate in civic organizations, fix things in the community, attend public meetings, do favors for neighbors, and vote in local elections. nonprofit programs count on the generosity of strangers.
  • The best way to get involved is to act locally.
We always need volunteers in our Foster Grandparent, Senior Companion RSVP programs.
  • Join our corps of volunteers that provided over 150,000 hours of service to the Greater New Haven area.
  •  Encourage a friend or neighbor to join us.
  • Make volunteer service a part of your New Year’s resolution.
Help with Groceries

Help celebrate the December holidays without breaking the bank. Here ares some thrifty recipes that will save money and still create a special meal. Healthy, Thrifty Holiday Menus

And if you are one of the 1 in 3 older adults eligible for SNAP but haven't applied: apply today at  BenefitsCheckUp.org/getSNAP or for more information, visit our website.