Advocacy, Information and Assistance for Seniors

http://www.ready.pa.gov/BePrepared/PlanSpecialNeeds/Pages/Older-Pennsylvanians.aspx

In the event of a emergency, you may have to survive on your own for an extended period of time. For older Pennsylvanians this can present serious challenges, especially for people who need special care or services. ... See more

CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) revealed its new Medicare card design, which will remove social security numbers in an effort to combat identity theft and strengthen fraud protections.

CMS has assigned all people with Medicare benefits a new, unique Medicare number, which contains a combination of numbers and uppercase letters. The new Medicare card replaces the current Social Security-based number.

CMS will begin mailing the new cards to people with Medicare benefits in April 2018 to meet the statutory deadline for replacing all existing Medicare cards by April 2019. People with Medicare will receive their new Medicare card in the mail, and will be instructed to safely and securely destroy their current Medicare card and keep their new Medicare number confidential. The issuance of the new number will not change benefits that people with Medicare receive.

People with Medicare will also be able to see the design of the new Medicare card in the 2018 Medicare & You Handbook, which as you know are being mailed and will arrive in the mailboxes of about 58 million Americans, including roughly 2.5 million Pennsylvania Medicare beneficiaries, within the next two weeks.

There will be a 21-month transition period where doctors, healthcare providers, and suppliers will be able to either use their current Social Security Number-based Medicare Number or their new, unique Medicare number, to ease the transition. CMS will be working with healthcare providers to answer their questions and ensure they have the information they need to make a successful transition to the new Medicare number.

For more information, you can visit: www.cms.gov/newcard ... See more

The page could not be loaded. The CMS.gov Web site currently does not fully support browsers with “JavaScript” disabled. Please enable “JavaScript” and revisit this page or proceed with browsing CMS.gov with “JavaScript” disabled. Instructions for enabling “JavaScript” can be found here. Please note... ... See more

Americans are living longer, but are we living healthier? Share facts about #healthyaging from #NIH: http://bit.ly/2eM77KN

Use this social media infographic to share tips for better health and aging, like choosing healthy food and doing exercise and fun activities.

Learn how Alzheimer’s disease affects the brain and where research is headed in this new video from the National Institute on Aging at NIH: https://youtu.be/0GXv3mHs9AU

This 4-minute video shows how Alzheimer’s affects the human brain and looks at promising ideas to treat and prevent the disease.

People experiencing forgetfulness can use a variety of techniques that may help them stay healthy and deal with changes in their memory and mental skills. Here are some things to try:
• Learn a new skill.
• Stay involved in activities that can help both the mind and body.
• Volunteer in your community, at a school, or at your place of worship.
• Spend time with friends and family.
• Use memory tools such as big calendars, to-do lists, and notes to yourself.
• Put your wallet or purse, keys, and glasses in the same place each day.
• Don’t drink too much alcohol.
• Get help if you feel depressed for weeks at a time.
Visit our website to get more tips and learn about what to do if you start noticing memory problems. ... See more

Learn common signs of memory problems that may mean it's time to see a doctor, as well as helpful tips for dealing with forgetfulness.

When you are caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease, it’s important to make your own health a priority. Staying physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy will make you a better caregiver. Here are 3 tips on how to care for yourself while caring for others:
• Ask for help. Being able to take regular breaks from caregiving will help reduce stress and burnout.
• Get regular exercise. Find activities you enjoy and you’ll be more likely to stick with them. You don’t have to do it alone—partner up with your loved one for short walks or dancing.
• Eat healthy foods. Make sure to choose a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein.
Read the full tip sheet Alzheimer’s Caregiving Tips: Caring for Yourself on the ADEAR website and visit our Alzheimer’s caregiving page for more resources.

Share these tips on social media with this message:

#Caregivers—take care of yourself so you can take care of others. Get tips on making your #health a priority. http://bit.ly/2uavsSM ... See more

Caring for someone with Alzheimer's? Learn how to get help from family, friends, and others. Care for your own physical, mental, and spiritual health.

Our very own LeaAnn and Lisa enjoyed eclipse watching yesterday and we hope you did too!

We are hiring for a Service Coordinator. Please read the qualifications and email your resume to humanresources@usaaa17.org if they apply to you. 🙂

August 17, 2017 - Service Coordinator - p Union-Snyder Agency on Aging, Inc., the area agency on aging for Union & Snyder counties and a non-profit organization, is seeking qualified