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SOUTH ALABAMA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION
Area Agency on Aging
MOBILE * BALDWIN * ESCAMBIA
MAY 2023
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Aging Disability and Resource Center
AGING HOTLINE:251-706-4680 or 800-243-5463
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FROM THE AAA DIRECTOR
JULIE MCGEE
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COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY ENDS; HOW YOU MAY BE IMPACTED
It's hard to believe it's been three years - January 21 of 2020 when the first U.S. case was diagnosed - since the Covid pandemic began impacting our lives. With the Covid Health Emergency ending, many Seniors and those with disabilities may be required to pay for services that were free under the public health emergency.
Medicaid Coverage
Seniors were not removed from the rolls during the pandemic period. The state began mailing letters in February, letting you know if you need to complete a Medicaid renewal form. Make sure your contact information is current with the Medicaid agency, check your mail and fill out all forms quickly and completely.
Medicare Coverage Changes
The three-day hospitalization requirement that Medicare patients had to meet before continued care at a skilled nursing facility - suspended during the pandemic - is now back in place. The pandemic requirements that Medicare Advantage plans were required to charge in-network prices for care provided at out-of-network facilities has also ended.
Covid-19 Testing
Laboratory tests for COVID-19 that are ordered by your provider will still be covered with no out-of-pocket costs for people with Medicare. Over-the-counter (OTC) tests will still be available, but there may be out-of-pocket costs. We have prepared a fact sheet for you:
Get the Covid Testing Facts
Please reach out if you need assistance,
Julie McGee
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AAA DIRECTOR JULIE MCGEE RECEIVES 2023 MOBILE COUNTY HEALTH LEADERSHIP AWARD FROM THE MOBILE MEDICAL MUSEUM
Congratulations to Julie McGee for being selected as one of the annual award winners recognized as local leaders in education, awareness and action around Mobile's most urgent community health issues.
Learn More About McGee's Decades-Long Commitment to Public Health:
Click Here for Public Health Service History
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JUNE
New to Medicare? Free Monthly Seminar Series
Tuesday, June 6/9 a.m. – 12 p.m. - AAA Office/GM&O Building
Click Here for Details
Dementia Friendly Community Memory Cafe'
Wednesday, June 21/9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Baldwin County Annex Revenue Commission Auditorium (Robertsdale)
Click Here for Details
GO PURPLE! Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month
Senior Medicare Patrol Fraud Week
June 5-9
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
June 15
JULY
Caregiver College: Enhance Skills to Care for Your Loved One
Tuesday, July 18/10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
First Methodist Church (Brewton)
Click Here for Details
OCTOBER
Mobile County Senior Expo
Thursday, October 5/9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
The Grounds (Greater Gulf State Fairgrounds)
Baldwin County Senior Expo
Thursday, October 12/9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Baldwin County Coliseum and Fairgrounds (Robertsdale Coliseum)
Click Here for Expo Details
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AAA CELEBRATES OLDER AMERICANS MONTH WITH EVENTS THROUGHOUT SOUTH ALABAMA
More than a thousand Seniors, vendors and community volunteers participated in local Older Americans Month celebration events. Highlights included giveaways, games, service providers/vendors sharing community resources, and the Alabama Department of Senior Services presentation of proclamations in honor of our older adults. A special thanks to the more than 50 vendors that participated in our OAM events.
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ABBA SHRINE - MOBILE COUNTY
Vendor meet and greets, door prizes and dancing were the highlights of Mobile County's event celebrating our community's Seniors.
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ROBERTSDALE COLISEUM - BALDWIN COUNTY
Thank you to our partner, the Baldwin County Council on Aging, for an event with vendor games, special giveaways and a picnic lunch for Baldwin County's Seniors.
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FLOMATON SENIOR CENTER - ESCAMBIA COUNTY
The Escambia County Agency on Aging's event highlights included a cake walk, an "electric slide" dance competition and Walmart gift card giveaways donated by CREAMER DOZIER.
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MATTER OF BALANCE (MOB)
SENIORS FOCUS ON FALLS PREVENTION
Did you know that complications resulting from falls are a leading cause of death for older adults? Seniors from the Inner City Mission, First Fairhope Church and the Semmes Senior Centers took the challenge to tame their fear of falls and become more physically active. A special thanks to volunteer instructors Steve Kohrman, Ralph Sandler and Henry and Debbie Leidheiser for leading classes, and Dr. Bobbie Ragler for inspiring participants with personal goals and healthy routines routines. AAA Director Julie McGee presented certificates of completion to graduates.
MOB is a series of eight, two-hour sessions designed to helps participants view falls/the fear of falling as controllable, set realistic goals for increasing activity, change their environment to reduce fall risk factors, promote exercise to increase strength and balance, and become more confident in managing falls.
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ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF SENIOR SERVICES (ADSS)
2022 ANNUAL REPORT
ALABAMA A DEMENTIA FRIENDLY STATE
The ADSS is charged with carrying out the provisions of the Older Americans Act of 1965, and administers statewide programs on aging covering all 67 counties through Regional Planning Commissions and local Area Agencies on Aging (AAA). Led by Commissioner Jean Brown, the department promotes the dignity and independence of older adults and the disabled through a comprehensive and coordinated system of quality services. Currently, Alabama is the only state in the southeast that has completed the work for the designation of a "Dementia-Friendly State." With 10,000 Alabamians turning 65 each day, and age being the greatest risk factor for dementia, the state is raising awareness, reducing stigma and supporting statewide “Dementia Friendly Community” events.
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PUBLIC HEALTH UPDATE: COVID-19 VACCINATIONS AND BOOSTERS REMAIN IMPORTANT TO PROTECTING YOUR HEALTH
Even as the Covid public health emergency ends, Seniors remain at a higher risk for health issues due to Covid than any other group. For many older adults and those with ongoing conditions like heart disease and diabetes, the vaccine can prevent severe illness or death from the Coronavirus, including the highly contagious and infectious Delta variant.
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U.S. CENSUS REPORT AND THE GRAYING OF AMERICA
The U.S. Census Bureau's "2020 Census Demographic Profile and Demographic and Housing Characteristics" shows the impact of aging in America. Key takeaways:
It’s All About the Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964)
The 65+ population more than doubled between 1940 and 2020. In 2020, there were 55.8 million 65+ in the U.S. (16.8% of total population), up 38.6% from 40.3 million in 2010.
The Older Adult Male Group Growing Faster Than Females
For people age 70 and over, the male population experienced a larger growth rate between 2010 and 2020 (42.2%) than females (29.5%).
Grandfamilies are Growing
6.1 million or 8.4% of children under age 18 lived in their grandparents’ home, up from 5.8 million (7.9%) in 2010.
Living a Century is Becoming More Commonplace
Centenarians grew 50% since 2010, the fastest recent census-to-census percent change for that age group.
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HEALTHY, LOW COST AND DELICIOUS:
SUMMER PRODUCE RECIPES
For Seniors that are trying to live frugally and save money on groceries, it often seems too hard to eat healthy on a budget. Here are tips to get the most out of produce.
1. SHOP THE SALES. Take a minute to check the grocery store flyer to see what fruits and vegetables are on sale that week.
2. FREEZE IT BEFORE IT SPOILS. Try freezing produce in storage bags.
3. CHECK BULK PRICES. For some things, it’s much cheaper to buy bulk quantities.
4. BUY FROZEN. Frozen fruits and vegetables are typically not only cheaper, but also are just as nutritious. They can actually be more nutritious because they are harvested at the peak of ripeness.
5. WEIGH PREPACKAGED BAGS. Those three-pound bags of produce never all weigh exactly three pounds. Weigh your bag to make sure you are getting what you pay for.
Learn more about SNAP benefits that can help you eat right when money is tight: SNAP Inflation Fighting Food Assistance.
If you haven't applied for the $50 Farmers Market Voucher, contact the Aging Hotline at 251-706-4680 or 800-243-5463.
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COMING IN JUNE...
CHECK OUR FACEBOOK FOR FUN FACTS AND INFORMATION
GO PURPLE! Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month
Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month is observed in June as an opportunity to spread the word about and discuss Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Here are six facts people with Alzheimer's want you to know:
- My Alzheimer’s diagnosis does not define me
- If you want to know how I am doing, just ask me
- Yes, younger people can have dementia
- Please don’t debate my diagnosis or tell me I don’t look like I have Alzheimer’s
- Understand sometimes my words and actions are not me, it’s my disease
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World Elder Abuse Awareness Day June 15
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) was launched on June 15, 2006 by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations. The day highlights the need to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.
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Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Fraud Week June 5-9
SMP empowers and assist Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers, to protect, detect, and report healthcare fraud, errors, and abuse. SMP provides information to Medicare beneficiaries, answers questions, and assists with referrals to CMS and law enforcement as needed.
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LET US HELP YOU WATCH!
TAKE OFF ON "THE BATCHELOR," "THE GOLDEN BATCHELOR," TO PREMIERE IN THE FALL
Senior "The Bachelor" fans get ready! ABC has announced that "The Golden Bachelor," an unscripted series in which an eligible older bachelor will date older women in the hopes of finding a partner to share the "sunset years of life" with. If you would like to stream the event, we have a program - the Affordable Connectivity Program - that can provide low cost wifi and internet services. Cut your cord, stream your favorite television programs and save $2,600 or more! Call 251-706-4680 or 800-243-5463.
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AAA also celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Senior Nutrition Program. Baldwin County Seniors were treated to a picnic lunch served by staff and volunteers, supported by the Senior Nutrition Program. Senior Nutrition Centers are community centers where Seniors can have meals with friends and participate in education and recreation programs. | |
Elder Law Attorney Brittney Bragg talks with Seniors about legal counselling services provided by the AAA. | |
Regional Coordinator State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) James Roberson and volunteers answer Medicare questions. | |
Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Volunteer Coordinator Dawne Biggs with Tax program volunteer Kathe Harn. | |
AAA Director Julie McGee (L) and Alabama Department of Senior Services Keyanna Kinloch (R). ADSS presented a proclamation in honor of Older Americans Month | |
Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) feel good story! Tax program volunteer Charles Hill was awarded a Quilt of Valor in recognition of his military service. What's more heartwarming, his fellow tax program volunteer Rick Coulson arranged the special gift. Rick's wife, Carolyn, made the quilt that was presented at the Fairhope Methodist Church ceremony. Pictured (L-R): Rick Coulson; Charles Hill; Faye Hill; Carolyn Coulson. | |
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South Alabama Regional Planning Commission
Area Agency on Aging
Serving Mobile, Baldwin and Escambia Counties as a hub for information and services for adults aged 60 and older, their caregivers, and persons with disabilities.
ADRC Aging Hotline: information, counseling & benefits screening * Medicare counseling & Medicare Savings Program * Medicaid Waiver with choice of provider for in-home care * Prescription drug cost savings * Wellness classes * Legal counseling and Ombudsman advocacy for long-term care facilities * Caregiver support, education and respite services * Senior Nutrition Centers for hot lunches and recreation * Home-delivered meals and SNAP assistance with the high cost of groceries
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South Alabama Regional Planning Commission
Area Agency on Aging
110 Beauregard Street
Mobile, Alabama 36602
251-706-4680
View on Map
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