Florida - Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte Counties

The health and well-being of the aging population is a topic of vital importance. One area of concern that requires attention is the high prevalence of malnutrition among older adults.According to a study by (Hamirudin AH et al. in 2016), an alarming 83% of those over the age of 65 are at risk for malnutrition.One solution that has proven highly effective in combating this issue, is adult day care.Not only does adult day care provide a safe environment where seniors can engage socially, intellectually, and emotionally, but it can also significantly improve their food intake.This article explores how adult day care can enhance the dietary habits of older adults, particularly when dining is a communal activity. The Power of Eating in CompanyResearch has long shown that humans are innately social creatures. We thrive in communal settings and our behaviors, including eating habits, are greatly influenced by the company we keep.A study published by the National Academy Press in Washington D.C. in 2005 uncovered that when people eat in a social setting, they tend to consume up to 50% more food than those who eat alone.Why does this happen? Well, the explanation lies in the psychology of eating.Eating is not merely a physiological need; it is also a social and emotional experience.Being in the company of others during meals makes eating a more enjoyable activity, extending meal times and encouraging better food intake. Adult Day Care: A Nutritive Social Hub for SeniorsSo, how can we leverage this power of communal dining to help our older adults eat better? The answer is simple: through adult day centers.Adult day care centers serve as a nexus between health care and social engagement for older adults, offering programs that include meals, meaningful activities, and opportunities for social interaction.As such, these centers are well-positioned to apply the concept of social dining to improve food intake among seniors.In these settings, meal times become an occasion for social interaction and enjoyment, rather than just another necessary daily task.The experience of eating together can help seniors feel more connected and less isolated. In turn, this can improve both their appetite and their overall mood.Furthermore, the meals served in adult day care centers are typically designed with seniors specific nutritional needs in mind.These meals not only meet the dietary requirements of older adults but also incorporate variety and flavors that can stimulate seniors appetites. The Impact on Seniors HealthThe benefits of increased food intake in seniors go far beyond just addressing the risk of malnutrition.Proper nutrition plays a crucial role in maintaining a robust immune system, preserving bone health, and promoting overall wellbeing.Therefore, the simple act of communal dining in an adult day care setting can have profound implications for seniors health.Moreover, by fostering an environment where seniors feel less isolated and more connected to their peers, adult day care centers can also help combat other common issues in aging populations, such as depression and cognitive decline. Adult day centers hold immense potential in leveraging the power of communal dining to enhance seniors food intake and overall well-being.While combatting malnutrition among seniors is a multifaceted challenge, adult day centers offer a potent tool to address this issue head-on.Given the substantial benefits, it is vital for society to recognize and invest in adult day. It the perfect solution to help our older adults lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.Together, we can redefine the golden years for our seniors, ensuring they are filled with health, happiness, and hearty meals.

You dont have to be a U.S. citizen to be eligible for Medicare. If you are not a U.S. citizen, but are lawfully present, you may be able to get Medicare coverage, depending on your situation.  There are two ways non-citizens can be eligible for Medicare. Lets learn how.Do you qualify for Federal Disability or Retirement benefits?You will qualify for Medicare if you qualify to receive or currently receive:Social Security retirement benefitsRailroad Retirement Benefits (RRB)Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)Regardless of your citizenship or how long you have lived in the U.S., if you qualify for these benefits, you qualify for Medicare.These benefits are tied to your U.S. work history, or the work history of a spouse or sometimes family member. Even if you have not been in the U.S. long or have not worked long enough, you may still qualify based on your spouses work history or benefits.If you arent sure if you qualify for these benefits or have enough work history, contact the Social Security Administration (SSA).*If youre eligible and ready to enroll, or have questions about Medicare eligibility and enrollment, you should contact SSA. You can call the national helpline (800-772-1213), go to www.ssa.gov, or visit your local branch to enroll.Are you a lawful permanent resident who has lived in the U.S. for 5+ years?If you meet both of these requirementsyou are a lawful permanent resident and have been in theU.S. for 5 years prior to enrolling in Medicareyou are eligible for Medicare:Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs)  LPRs are non-citizens who are allowed to live in the U.S. indefinitely. To get LPR status and a green card, you must apply with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.Five-Year Residency Requirement  The five years begins the day someone arrives in the U.S. with the intention of establishing a home, not just visiting. You can still leave the U.S. temporarily, meaning for no more than six months.*Use the National Immigration Legal Services Directory to find immigration service providers in your area. You can find the directory at www.immigrationadvocates.org/legaldirectory/.Be aware of people trying to steal your Medicare numberMedical identity theft happens when someone steals your personal information and uses it to get medical treatment or equipment and bills your insurance for it. Healthcare companies can try to reach people in various ways, like television commercials, radio ads, events, mailings, phone calls, and text messages. Some of them may be legitimate, but some could potentially be scammers trying to steal your personal and/or medical identity information.Protect your Medicare and/or health ID number and only share it with your health care provider or trusted person. Protect your Medicare card like you would a credit card. Scammers have various ways of stealing someones Medicare number and other personal information.Detect medical identity theft by reading your Medicare statements often. If you see services or prescriptions that you didnt know about or receive, your Medicare and/or health ID number could be considered compromised.Report potential medical identity theft to your local SMP. It can affect your medical and health insurance records, and your ability to receive services or equipment in the future when it is medically needed. It can also lead to incorrect costs for both you and the Medicare program. Reasons to report:You gave out your Medicare and/or health ID number:Over the phone or internet to someone offering additional benefits, durable medical equipment, genetic testing, COVID-19 testing/supplies, back braces, etc.At a fair or other gathering as a check-in or to receive free servicesIn response to a television or radio commercial, Facebook ad, postcard, or print ad requesting a Medicare numberYou are contacted by a debt collection company for a provider bill  you do not oweYou received boxes of bracers, testing kits, or other medical supplies in the mail that you did not requestA Medicare and/or a Medicare Advantage plan denies or limits your coverage or benefit because of a medical condition you do not haveDownload the full handout with local SHIP/SMP contact information to resources and directories (pdf).For more information call 866-413-5337 or email shineinfo@aaaswfl.org for assistance in Southwest Florida.The Medicare Rights Center is the author of portions of the content in these materials but is not responsible for any content not authored by the Medicare Rights Center. This document was supported, in part, by grant numbers 90SATC0002 and 90MPRC0002 from the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy.

Since the earliest days of my childhood, music, and the power of music, has been evident to me. No matter your age, ability, or interest, music has a way of sparking sensational feelings and memories within us. As we start to age, the benefits of music continues to have a significant impact on our cognitive and speech skills. It is the single most powerful force due to the release of potent chemicals in the brain such as dopamine.Many have found that the use of music as a form of therapy is one way to improve cognition but also to reach those who are already cognitively impaired. The Older Americans Act defined music therapy as the use of musical or rhythmic interventions specifically selected by a music therapist to accomplish the restoration, maintenance, or improvement of social or emotional functioning, mental processing, or physical health of an older individual.  Lets take a deeper look into how music therapy can help seniors improve their everyday life.Cognitive skills: Music can help seniors process their thoughts and maintain memories. Many people associate music with past events, and just hearing a song can evoke a memory even many years after an event. For older adults suffering from Dementia, music from their childhood or young adult years has proven to be effective in obtaining a positive response and involvement, even when they can no longer communicate.Speech skills: Music therapy has been proven to help older adults answer questions, make decisions, and speak clearer. It can help slow the deterioration of speech and language skills in dementia patients; studies have shown that even when an Alzheimers patient loses the ability to speak, they can still recognize and even hum or sing their favorite song.Stress Reduction: Some caregivers have difficulty managing their aging loved ones stress and agitation. Playing music they enjoy can help relax and ease the aggressive behaviors. Slow songs like lullabies can help prepare your loved one for bed or deal with changes to their routines that may cause agitation.Physical Skills: Music can inspire movement in seniors. With music comes dancing, after all. Music and dancing promote coordination and can help with walking and endurance. Even if your loved one is not mobile, music can inspire toe tapping and clapping, thus getting the blood flowing once again.Social Skills: Increased social interaction with caregivers and others is another benefit music can offer seniors. It encourages bonding with others, which in turn can help alleviate feelings of loneliness and depression.If you are not using music in your everyday routines, try slowly introducing it into your daily routines. Soon you will notice increased alertness, improved speech, and increased social skills. All of these in conjunction will soon lead to an increased physical activity. That is the power of music. I want to share with you that one of my favorite songs is Good Life by OneRepublic. This song instantly makes me want to dance, which in turn, puts me in a happy mood. Do you have a song that always sparks a memory or sensational feeling?

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT AGING IN TO MEDICAREMost people look forward to becoming eligible for Medicare, but aging in to the program can be intimidating. Theres a lot to learn! We hit the streets to find out what some Medicare-age folks really think of the whole process.  Rebecca knows the basics, I know that when I turned 65, I was able to partake of Medicare that I had paid into for years. And Linda found the process a bit confusing, It should be a lot more simple, she says. Im just saying it would be easier for all of us. Deborah is a healthcare provider and she admits it could be more clear, I think right now, in terms of my contemporaries, my peers, that will be going on Medicare, they dont necessarily understand it. Definitely do your research, because you generally only have seven months to sign up for Medicare the first time. Your Initial Enrollment Period, or IEP, begins three months prior to the month of your 65th birthday, includes the month of your birthday, and ends three months after your birthday month. Of course, there are exceptions, like continuing to work past 65, or being covered under a spouses plan, or moving states even counties. Procrastinate and you could end up paying a penalty of an additional monthly fee for life. Some Medicare-age folks whove already been through the process of enrolling shared their advice:  Maybe start a little early, just so you can get questions answered before the last minute. Piers adds, Perhaps not the simplest thing, but I found somebody who could help me understand the various letters of the alphabet and it then became clear.  Easy as A, B, C, D. There are four parts to Medicare: Parts A and B, or Original Medicare are managed by the federal government. Part A is hospital coverage and  Part B is so-called doctor coverage. But this combo is not your only choice. You also have the option to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Part C. These plans are administered by commercial insurers and are backed by Medicare. They are often low-to-no cost, limit out-of-pocket expenses, and offer additional coverage like prescription drugs, vision and dental, gym memberships, transportation, or stipends for over-the-counter needs. Only need prescription drug coverage? Then a Medicare Part D Plan is for you. Even learning the lingo can be a lot. Just ask Linda, It is overwhelming and confusing, she says.  Trying to figure out the donuts and all that stuff, adds her Medicare-age counterpart. Thats where Millennium Medicare Connect and our trusted Medicare Navigators at Healthshare360 can help. You have questions and weve got your answers.  Linda offers some final words of wisdom, Be patient and its a journey, but you can get your answers.  Connect with us today at YourMedicareConnect.com   Resources: Medicare.gov