Meet 17-Year-Old Volunteer Jason Mazzella
Why Did You Start Delivering Meals on Wheels? 
I was supposed to go on a teen tour this summer, but it was canceled due to COVID-19. My mom didn't want me to sit around all summer and play video games. She asked me to do some community service and suggested I volunteer at SAGE delivering Meals on Wheels (along with her since I didn't have my driver's license yet.) 

What Surprised You About Delivering Meals? 
I wasn't excited when my Mom first told me I was doing this, especially because I was used to sleeping late in the summer. I had to get up early on delivery days. But after I did it a few times, I started to like it. The people on our route were really nice. They were happy to see me when I brought the meals to their door. One woman always mentioned how hungry she was when I arrived. I felt good knowing I was helping her and others in my community. 

What Was Your Most Memorable Delivery? 
One of my favorite clients is a sweet couple on our route. The man once offered me a five dollar tip and said I was doing such a good job! I declined, but it was nice to know that he really appreciated the work I was doing. 
Another scarier delivery was one when we drove up to a client's house and there was an ambulance and police at the door. The policeman didn't have any information on the woman, but my Mom gave him her name and contact information. We also left the meal with the police officer who put it in the house so she would have something to eat when she got home. All-day, I was thinking about her, hoping she was okay and luckily she was.

One Thing I Want People to Know about Meals on Wheels... 
I was surprised by how many people in our neighborhood have meals delivered. I didn't realize how many people rely on Meals on Wheels: couples, people who live alone, younger people with health issues, etc. I hope people know it is available if they need it. 
The Magic of a Loving a Pet - Real or Robotic
Watch as this client welcomes her new pup.
To help older adults lacking sensory stimulation while the Spend-A-Day program remains temporarily closed, robotic pets as well as other interactive toys were recently distributed to a number of Spend-A-Day participants. Funded by a grant from the Grotta Foundation, robotics provide activity engagement while participants are home. The response has been very positive, said Recreation Manager, Susan Wirth. "Our clients need the cognitive stimulation while they are home. This definitely helps."Text Link
Your Holiday Shopping Can Help SAGE
This season when you shop on Amazon you can help SAGE just by going to Amazon Smile and selecting SAGE Eldercare as your charity of choice HERE.

By doing so, .05% of anything you purchase will automatically go to SAGE every time you shop. It adds up. We appreciate you thinking of SAGE..... and shopping!
Subaru Supports SAGE in Subaru Share the Love Event
Exciting news! For the thirteenth year running, SAGE's Meals on Wheels is participating in 
the Subaru Share the Love Event. Subaru and its retailers have helped Meals on Wheels to deliver more than 2 million meals nationwide to seniors in need.
 
Why does Subaru support Meals on Wheels? Too many seniors are struggling to stay independent and healthy. One in four seniors lives alone in isolation and one in seven seniors might not know where they will get their next meal. This is simply unacceptable, which is why Meals on Wheels provides nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks to vulnerable older adults in Berkeley Heights, New Providence, Millburn/ Short Hills, Mountainside, Summit and Springfield. This vital support keeps older adults in their own homes, where they want to be.
 
"We are very grateful for the funding we've received from Subaru in the past and hope we can benefit again this year," said Marianne Kranz, SAGE's Interim Executive Director. "These grants enable us to serve additional older adults in our communities who really need our help with the delivery of daily hot meals and safety checks."
 
HERE'S HOW IT WORKS
 
November 19, 2020, through January 4, 2021, for every new Subaru vehicle purchased or leased, Subaru will donate $250 to the customer's choice of participating charities. Meals on Wheels is one of four national participating charities and has been since the inception of the event. As a member of Meals on Wheels America, SAGE will receive a share of the donation from Subaru vehicles sold in New Jersey.
 
For more information, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/sharethelove.
Medicare Open Enrollment. Did You Know...
Part D drug plans change every year - the drugs that are covered change, tiers (and pricing) change, and premiums change. For example, Mutual of Omaha's Rx Value plan's premium is $24.90 in 2020 and will be $97.70 in 2021. 

SHIP Counselors can help you find the right plan. Changes can be made now through December 7th. SHIP of Union County (with offices at SAGE) offers free, confidential and objective help with Medicare benefits.  Counselors are trained and certified by the NJ Department of Human Services. Counseling will be conducted by telephone and Zoom this year. Group Zoom presentations are also available weekly.  
Call 908-273-6999 or email SHIP@SAGEEldercare.org. 
Have you had the Conversation (Zoom in Spanish)
Have you had the conversation? Join experts from Atlantic Health System on December 10th at 7 pm to find out how to communicate your wishes about end-of-life care and decision making to loved ones and medical professionals. 
This Your Decisions Matter ZOOM webinar will be in Spanish.
To register please call: 973-971-7259.
For questions and more information email: yourdecisionsmatter@sageeldercare.org.or call: 908-598-5511.