The Five Benefits of Companion Living for Seniors

(SARASOTA, FL, March 4, 2025)  A night of elegance, generosity, and Parisian flair unfolded on Feb. 28 as the sold-out City of Lights Gala welcomed more than 200 guests to Michaels on the Bay at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Inspired by the magic of the Moulin Rouge, this black-tie affair raised an unprecedented $350,000 to bring joy to Gulf Coast seniors while raising awareness of the critical services provided by Senior Friendship Centers for the areas aging population.City of Lights Photo Album | Senior Friendship Centers City of Lights Gala | Your ObserverThe evening began with a glamorous cocktail hour, gourmet dinner, and thrilling live auction. Guests were captivated by an extraordinary lineup of entertainment, including world-renowned contortionist and Cirque du Soleil alumna Ulzii Mergen; Dynasty Dance Stars, a troupe of professional ballroom dancers and performers with special needs; acclaimed aerial artists Rikki Hettig-Rolfe Meaux and Nick Slimick; and the Z Street Speakeasy Band, which transported attendees to the golden age of Parisian nightlife.As guests enjoyed passed hors doeuvres against the backdrop of a breathtaking Sarasota Bay sunset, an aerial Champagne angel welcomed them in true Moulin Rouge style. Upon moving into the main ballroom, attendees were greeted by Chief Advancement Officer Declan Sheehy, who underscored the significance of the event.This event embodies the evolving spirit of Senior Friendship Centers as we continue to expand and embrace the next generation of seniors, Sheehy said. Tonight, we welcome people of all generations to join in our mission of bringing joy into the lives of seniors through programs that educate, inspire, and uplift.Click here to view the entire City of Lights photo album!From Left Dr. Gaby Lorado, Event Chair, Lynne Anast, Advancement Officer, Performer Colleen Finazzo, and Declan Sheehy Chief Advancement Officer. Photo courtesy of Peter Acker.Sheehy extended heartfelt gratitude to the events major sponsors, including Double Diamond Sponsor the Doll-Loesel Foundation, along with other key supporters: Edmund Campbell, Jr., Marilyn Gerkin, Premier Physicians, Dale and Steve Adler, John Gill, Cindy and Michael Juceam, Caldwell Trust Company, Purmort & Martin, Joan and Dr. Bart Levenson, and Michael and Leigh Tesar. He also acknowledged media sponsors WSMR, WUSF, and NPR before introducing event chair Dr. Gaby Lodeiro.Originally from Buenos Aires and a Sarasota resident for over 20 years, Dr. Lodeiro is a licensed clinical psychologist, certified dementia practitioner, and certified Montessori dementia care professional. A dedicated advocate for seniors and caregivers, she took the stage to highlight the evenings deeper purpose.This evening is about so much more than fundraising, Dr. Lodeiro shared. It is about coming together as a community to say, We see you, we care for you, and we are here to make a difference.  Whether it is through programs that brighten their days, resources that power their independence, or opportunities to engage socially, every dollar raised here tonight will help transform the lives of our seniors.Following an exhilarating live auction and paddle raise, Senior Friendship Centers President and CEO Erin McLeod closed out the night with an impassioned message of gratitude.Ooh-la-la! Tonight, we have witnessed an extraordinary outpouring of generosity that will create tangible, life-changing impacts for older adults and their families, McLeod said. Because of you, they will receive not only the care and services they need but also the joy and human connection that make life truly meaningful.The City of Lights Gala was a dazzling success, reaffirming the power of community and philanthropy to support our seniors. For more information on Senior Friendship Centers and how you can get involved, visit seniorfriendshipcenters.org.Please contact Jodel Velarde at (828) 215 4018, jvelarde@friendshipcenters.org or tcardwell@friendshipcenters.org for more information or any questions.###About Senior Friendship Centers: The mission of Senior Friendship Centers is to build vibrant communities by advancing wellness, connection, and enrichment throughout the journey of aging. Since 1973 this organization has served people 50 and older in Sarasota, Charlotte, DeSoto, and Lee Counties with programs and services including activity centers, lifelong learning, dining centers and meals delivered to the homebound, caregiver support, adult day services, supportive aging services, and volunteer opportunities. For more information about Senior Friendship Centers, call (941) 955-2122 or visit www.friendshipcenters.org

Light the candles, put on your favorite song, and savor this moment you only turn 65 once! Forget sayings like A lady or gentleman never tells their age, because at ArchWell Health, we believe every birthday is a reason to celebrate. And every age brings new gifts.So if youre turning 65, theres more than Medicare to look forward to although that is one of the perks!Thats why were excited to unwrap this new series, Turning 65, over the coming months. Each post will highlight a different aspect of life in your mid 60s with a positive spin and practical insights.Here are the topics well cover between now and the fall:Understanding Aging: Part of growing older is learning how to listen to the beautiful machine that is you and knowing how to care for it in this new era. Weve got you covered.Drug Management: With increased age often comes an increased number of prescriptions, and thats OK. Weve got tips for managing them all with ease.Maximizing Independence: You might need help with a few things in this next life stage, but you can still keep that independent spirit too. Well show you the ways.Mental Health: There are definitely more things to worry about as you add more candles to the cake. And there are just as many things if not more to be excited about. Well talk about the serious stuff and how to look for the good in healthy ways.Why Turning 65 Is More Than a NumberWhen you were preparing for college, the workforce, marriage, or parenthood, you probably did some goal setting. Why not do the same now?Whether youre close to retirement, have no plans to stop working because you enjoy being busy, or youre caring for parents and possibly adult children and grandkids, take time during your 65th year to set some new goals for the future near term and long term.Start by setting the tone for adventure in this milestone year: create a bucket list of places you want to go, people you want to visit, hobbies you want to rekindle or try for the first time, or volunteer/paid jobs youd like to do.Schedule time to make progress on these goals each week. You dont have to make a big trip across the ocean maybe start by checking out a travel club at the local Y, or coming to an ArchWell Health Center for line dancing, Jeopardy, or Zumba.Understanding MedicareTurning 65 does not mean you suddenly understand Medicare and all its tricky moving parts. We get it! Its confusing, and it changes a lot so well start with the basics.Part C Medicare/Medicare Advantage plans have to cover everything that the Original Medicare plan does. Most also include Part D coverage and extra benefits like vision and dental coverage. You must keep paying your Part B premium and, in some cases, an additional Medicare Advantage premium. Your premium is your monthly bill for health insurance.Private companies also offer Medicare supplement plans (aka Medigap plans). These help you pay for things Parts A and B dont cover, like extra costs that come in the form of copays and deductibles.How and when do you enroll or switch plans?Open enrollment begins on October 15th. During this period, you can sign up for a new Medicare Advantage, Part D or Medigap plan from the Medicare website. Peruse plans and when you find the one you like, simply click the enroll button.You can also enroll by calling a health plan directly. Prefer a paper form? Just ask your ArchWell Health provider. Make sure to get that form in before December 7th when open enrollment ends.How do you choose the right coverage?If youre happy with the coverage you have, you dont have to do anything else unless your Medicare Advantage, Medigap or Part D drug plan will no longer be available.If youre not happy or you want to shop around do these two things next.Step one: Review your current plans Annual Notice of Change (ANOC), which comes in the mail in September. On the ANOC, youll find a list of:Any changes to costs like premiums, deductibles and copaysAny changes to the plans network of providers and pharmaciesAny changes to the plans drug list (formulary)If your Medicare plan is dropping your favorite doctor or health system, it might be time to find a new plan. Want a different provider? This is the time to find someone new. And if an expensive drug you take wont be covered anymore (or it moves to a higher level on the drug list, which makes the price go up), its time to consider a new plan.Step two: Visit the Medicare website. There, youll find a handy tool that lets you compare Medicare Advantage, Part D and Medigap plans in your area. Log in or enter your ZIP code, then choose the plan you want. You can study all the available options here too. With Medicare Advantage plans, youll see things like:The Medicare star rating, where 5 stars is the highest.The monthly premium and, good news! there are Medicare Advantage plans with $0 premiums.Total drug and premium costs (if youve entered your prescriptions).Other costs (like deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket costs).What extra benefits the plan includes.If youve logged in, you can even see a side-by-side comparison between your current plan and up to two others.Whats the difference between payer and provider?As you become more familiar with Medicare or if youve been around the healthcare block a few times youll probably hear terms like payers, providers and outcomes. Its important to know what these terms mean as you navigate Medicare.Insurance companies are the payers.Doctors, clinics, physical therapists, and centers like ArchWell Health are the providers.Choosing the right provider makes a difference when it comes to your healthcare experience and outcomes (positive results).Maybe you never paid much attention to your providers before: you were busy working, raising a family, or didnt know you had the opportunity to choose something or someone else. Now you know! And we encourage you for your 65th trip around the sun to prioritize your health by finding the right fit because your care matters.Planning Ahead: Legal, Financial and Lifestyle Planning TipsPlan now so you and your loved ones can have peace later. Many people put off things like writing a will or setting up advanced directives because they think I dont need that yet. But think of preparedness in terms of the whens, not the what ifs. Because ultimately, even if were turning 65 and see another 30 good years ahead of us, we all have to be ready for those moments.The beauty of planning ahead is that you can take your time, knocking out document after document in an orderly, unhurried way. Make sure you have a will, a power of attorney and healthcare proxy to make decisions for you if you become unable to do so, and draw up healthcare directives should the unthinkable happen.Set aside some time each month to look at retirement planning tools like retirement cost calculators, an estate planning checklist, or educational workshops and free legal clinics in your community. Working with a community or trusted partner can help you stay on track and get expert advice to reach your goals. They may also be able to point you in the direction of benefits and discounts available to those 65 and older.Read more about having successful conversations about care plans and how to keep your caregiving paperwork ducks in a row.Perks of Being 65 and WiserWho doesnt love free stuff? Check out this list of discounts and community-based resources to make 65 a banner year at a reduced rate, of course. Youve earned it!Get out and see the worldIts a great time to spread your wings or hit the trails and find new adventures without the high price tag. Here are a few notable offers:Travel by train and get 10% off rail fares through Amtrak.Prefer the bus? Greyhound offers 10% off for seniors too.Want to visit the National Parks across the US? A Senior Lifetime pass is $80, and an Annual Pass is $20.Car rentals: Hertz offers 20% off to those 50 and older, and other companies offer discounts to AARP members.Airline tickets: American Airlines and United both offer senior discounts. Check the website or ask customer service for more details as these may be limited to certain destinations.Stay close to home and save moneyWhether youre visiting the grandkids or looking to be a tourist in your own town, many movie theaters, restaurants, and museums offer senior discounts.Learn something new or study a subject youve always loved through discounted college courses or tuition free programs at universities near you.Want to work out at home for free, or at a local gym? Find out if your health plan participates with Silver Sneakers.Connect in the communityWhen youre not out seeing the world, stay plugged into your local neighborhood happenings through these senior-friendly resource hubs:AARP: The American Association of Retired Persons is still the top organization for all things aging and active older adults. Check out the website to see everything they have to offer for your later life decades.Local Senior Centers: Many cities and towns are still home to senior centers, which are supported by county-based AAAs (Area Agencies on Aging). Find the one closest to you to learn more.ArchWell Health centers: From friendly, caring providers who specialize in the care of seniors to vibrant community events, we have it all. Come visit us and say hello to a new era of wellness.ArchWell Health Celebrates YouWere all about celebrating our members every day birthday or not. Come with your Medicare questions, your nutrition challenges, or with an open mind to participate in our unique center activities focused on wellness for those 65 and up.About the AuthorJudith Ford, MD, Chief Clinical OfficerGrowing up with a father as a physician and a mother as a nurse, Judith Ford, a Medical Doctor (MD), has always had an interest in the medical field and caring for others. After attending college and medical school, she began practicing with a focus on taking care of older patients with complex conditions. With this mission in mind, the move to ArchWell Health was a natural fit. When not practicing medicine, shes spending time with her husband, Chris, and her children, Sara and Jane.

Exercise offers numerous health benefits, including lowering blood pressure, managing weight, and reducing stress. Another key benefit is its role in preventing type 2 diabetes. Fortunately, exercise doesnt need to be intense or strenuous to be effective. Activities like walking, gardening, or other enjoyable forms of light exercise can be just as beneficial. However, people with diabetes should keep certain considerations in mind while exercising.Important Considerations for Exercising with Diabetes:Stay Hydrated: Proper hydration is especially important for people with diabetes, as they are more prone to dehydration. Be sure to drink water before and after exercise, and take a water break every 20 minutes during physical activity.Foot Care: Pay attention to your feet. Physical activity can sometimes lead to redness, blisters, or sores. If you notice any sores that arent healing, contact your doctor for guidance.Monitor Blood Glucose Levels: Its crucial to test your blood sugar levels before and after exercise to ensure they are within a safe range. Monitoring your glucose levels helps you understand how exercise affects your body.Consult a Healthcare Professional: Before starting any exercise program, consult a doctor or physical therapist. They can advise you on which exercises are most suitable based on your individual health status.Exercise can greatly benefit people with diabetes, but staying mindful of these key considerations will help make it both safe and effective.