AOASCC News & Notes
TEARS 2021 Online Conference
October 28 - 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

If you are a professional in the the aging network, you know the impact of elder abuse, fraud and exploitation. Join us for your opportunity to receive invaluable training and support. More Information.
Caregiver Corner

If you are a caregiver for an older adult who lives in independent housing, either rental or owner occupied, you may be able to assist them in getting financial assistance that will help offset the high cost of home heating in New England. The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) is designed to help offset the winter heating costs of Connecticut's lower income households. No one wants a situation where an older adult has an interruption in heating caused by the inability to pay for fuel. CEAP is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Block Grant.

Community Action Agencies throughout the state are now open to take applications for this program. Don’t wait until there is a crisis. Winter heating assistance pays for a household’s primary heating source such as oil, natural gas, electricity, propane, kerosene, coal, wood, and wood pellets on behalf of eligible households. The amount of heat assistance may not be sufficient to cover a household’s entire winter heating cost, but it can make a significant difference in preventing disruption in fuel delivery.

To find the Community Action Agency for your town, call, 800 994-9422 to be connected with the Agency on Aging in your area, or visit the CEAP website,
Care for the Caregiver Support Group

Please join Patricia and Kathi every 2nd Tuesday of the month from 4pm-5pm via Zoom for our virtual support group. Our goal is to explore many topics related to caregiving as well as sharing your experiences with other caregivers. Support groups provide a safe and supportive environment and can provide additional tools that can help throughout your caregiving journey.

Call Patricia Soos at 203-785-8533 X3159 or email at psoos@aoascc.org to register. Once you are registered the Zoom link will be provided. 
Open Enrollment: October 15 – December 7.  

Your needs and the options available may change over time, so it ’s important to review your Medicare plan every year during Open Enrollment. Our CHOICES counselors can help you understand and compare options, so you can make choices that are best for you.

Call 800-994-9422 in the state of Connecticut and you will be connected with the Agency on Aging in your area. 

CHOICES is the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) where certified counselors are available to provide accurate, impartial information about Medicare. Find out more.
Watch for Fraud

Beware Connecticut of Medicare fraud! Here are some things to watch out for during Medicare Open Enrollment:

  • Beware of Phony Medicare Representatives – Pay attention to callers that sound like sales agents, even door to door sales agents.
  • Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) does not employ sales representatives or calls with threats to terminate Medicare insurance coverage.
  • Medicare will typically write Medicare beneficiaries as a form of communication.
  • COVID increased phony agents – Phony agents will claim they are calling from some legitimate government agencies.
Spotlight on Volunteers

How do our RSVP volunteers make a difference? Here are just a few older adults waiting to be matched with just the right volunteer.
  • A woman living alone. She has COPD so COVID-19 has made her even more isolated. She is open to phone calls but would love to have a visitor - that would be the frosting on the cake!
  • A man who lives with his wife who is his caregiver. They think a little separation would be helpful for both. He enjoys talking about golf, baseball.
  • A woman who would love to get out of the house once a week for a walk on the beach, cup of coffee or the senior center.
  • A veteran who would like a visitor who is lighthearted and likes animals.
  • A man who would love a visit during the day as his wife works and his physical disability restricts his community access. He loves his garden.

This just might be the perfect way for you to make a difference.

Is this You?

Less than half of eligible older adults; approximately three out of five seniors who qualify to receive SNAP are missing out on benefits—an estimated 5 million people in all.

Are you on of them? Visit our website for more information & to find out how SNAP can make your grocery dollars go further!