SENIOR CITIZENS OF PATAGONIA, INC.

Senior Citizens of Patagonia needs volunteer drivers to transport seniors and people with disabilities from the Patagonia, Sonoita, Elgin and Canelo areas to hospitals, medical and dental appointments, and shopping.

There are four vans, three stationed at Patagonia’s garden apartments and one at the Sonoita fire department.

Ordinary driver’s licenses and a good driving record are required.

If interested, please leave your name and phone number at the Patagonia Senior Center (394-2494).

We will return your call promptly.

Whether you’re nearing retirement age, have a significant disability or are struggling to meet your basic needs, you may be entitled to Social Security. This federal program includes several different components that can provide valuable financial assistance regardless of your age. Here’s what you need to know about eligibility and how to claim your benefits. https://www.caring.com/caregivers/social-security/

What are Medicare Advantage Plans?

The mission of Medicare Advantage Plans is to help current and future subscribers develop their understanding of Medicare so that they can navigate this complex system with confidence. The most recent guide was designed to walk seniors and their families through the different medicare plans to find the best one that meets both their medical and financial needs.  You can learn more about some of the helpful guides here:  

• https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/types-of-medicare-health-plans/medicare-advantage-plans
• https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/12026-Understanding-Medicare-Advantage-Plans.pdf
• https://www.medicare.gov/what-medicare-covers/what-medicare-health-plans-cover/medicare-advantage-plans-cover-all-medicare-services

What is Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)?

Medigap is Medicare Supplement Insurance that helps fill “gaps” in Original Medicare and is sold by private companies. Original Medicare pays for much, but not all, of the cost for covered health care services and supplies. A Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy can help pay some of the remaining health care costs, like:

• Copayments
• Coinsurance
• Deductibles
• For more information:
• https://www.medicare.gov/supplements-other-insurance/whats-medicare-supplement-insurance-medigap

What is SHIP?

The mission of the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is to empower, educate, and assist Medicare-eligible individuals, their families, and caregivers through objective outreach, counseling, and training, to make informed health insurance decisions that optimize access to care and benefits. SHIPs assist people in obtaining coverage through options such as Original Medicare (Parts A & B), Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D), and Medicare Supplement (Medigap). SHIPs also assist beneficiaries with limited income to apply for programs, such as Medicaid, Medicare Savings Program and Extra Help/Low Income Subsidy, which help pay for or reduce healthcare costs. The SHIP coordinator for this area is Elsa Centeno, ecenteno@seago.org. 

For more information:

https://acl.gov/programs/connecting-people-services/state-health-insurance-assistance-program-ship 

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare cancer that develops in the mesothelium, the protective linings that cover various organs.

This type of cancer most commonly affects the linings of the lungs (pleura) or abdomen (peritoneum). In rare cases, mesothelioma tumors can grow in the linings of the heart (pericardium) or testes (tunica vaginalis).

The only proven cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos.

For more information: https://www.mesotheliomahope.com/

Best Mobility Exercises for Seniors (2021): Your Complete Guide

The SEAGO Area Agency on Aging serves people in Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, and Santa Cruz Counties, age 60 and over, their unpaid family caregivers, and disabled adults. The goal of an Area Agency on Aging is to enable older adults to maintain maximum independence and dignity in their homes, long-term care, and communities.

We are pleased to sponsor these fun and interactive sessions and classes for mature learners, designed to help you stay active and engaged, learn new things, and support healthy aging.

Use coupon code: SEAGO to waive any fees associated with small group classes.

https://www.getsetup.io/partner/SEAGO?fbclid=IwAR2Y6uic1O92V6PxKLWigx-07YvS62Ldi7N5tW8cnMpNQ79g8wMyUMhMuqY

Key questions to ask your doctor:

1. What type of dementia do I have?
2. What’s the difference between Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia?
3. What caused my dementia?
4. What is the likely course of decline? How long do I have?
5. What symptoms, other than memory loss, can I expect, and what will the pace of decline be?
6. What can I do to slow the decline? (What medicines are effective and what results can I expect from them? What lifestyle changes will be helpful?)
7. What about advertised supplements and programs that claim to cure Alzheimer’s disease?
8. Where can I go to learn more about dementia?
9. What help is available to guide me through my illness?
10. If I have a problem that might be related to my dementia, whom should I call?
11. What plans should I make now to prepare for a time when I can be less engaged in making decisions?
12. How should I select a family or friend caregiver?
13. What are reasonable goals for me now and in the future?
14. How can I preserve what matters to me?
15. As the disease progresses, will I suffer?
16. I’m afraid of becoming dependent and a burden. Will that happen?
17. When will I need to get help in the home or go to a facility?
18. Should I tell people about my diagnosis?
19. Should I continue to interact with people even though they might notice that something about me is different?
20. What are the chances that my children will get dementia? Is there anything they can do to prevent getting dementia?

This resource guide is provided by the Legacy Foundation of Southern Arizona and contains a listing of all of the health and wellness organizations available in our local community. We hope you use this resource guide to find the services you need to help yourself and others.

https://legacyfoundationresourceguide.org

This Resource Guide does not provide medical advice. If you believe you are having a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.