SOUTH ALABAMA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION

Area Agency on Aging

MOBILE * BALDWIN * ESCAMBIA

November 2023

FROM THE AAA DIRECTOR

JULIE MCGEE

OUR SENIOR EXPOS ARE BACK...BETTER THAN EVER!

Thousands attended our Senior Lifestyle Expos in Mobile and Baldwin Counties

After a three-year hiatus due to the Covid pandemic, our Senior Lifestyle Expos are back! Our theme this year was Celebrating 50 Years of the Older Americans Act, which established Area Agencies on Aging. Our Expos featured aging services, health and wellness programs, Medicare assistance, senior vaccinations, free medial screenings, entertainment, door prizes, local vendors and Exhibitor health and wellness give-a-ways. All participants received a free tote bag (courtesy of Crowne Healthcare) and lunch was provided by our Senior Nutrition Program. An Expo favorite - the Wheel of Fortune – made a comeback, with Seniors getting a chance to spin the wheel and win special prizes donated by our partners.

Our Mobile County Expo was held at The Grounds, with more than 1,100 Seniors attending and 71 Exhibitors participating - the largest turnout in the history of our Expos. The Baldwin County Expo was held at the Baldwin Coliseum and close to 800 Seniors attended and were able to visit the booths of more than 60 Exhibitors.

We would like to especially recognize our Media Sponsor – NBC 15. The station ran hundreds of PSA’s in both counties to promote the event. Seniors were treated to a visit by Meteorologist Kelly Foster, who hosted a Wheel of Fortune with station give-a-ways. Also, we couldn’t have done it without our event Sponsors. These companies clearly have a commitment to Seniors: Crowne Health Care; Naro Audiology and Hearing Solutions; Blue Cross Blue Shield; United Health Care; Spire Energy; VIP Care; Baldwin EMC; Franklin Primary Health Center; Wellcare; Mostellar Medical Clinic; Springhill Home Health and Hospice; AARP of Mobile; The Fist Bank; Sage Health; CVS Pharmacy; Aetna; and The Grounds.

And finally, we held an Exhibitor Booth Contest. Our Exhibitors go all out to showcase products and services provided to Seniors to improve their quality of life. Mobile County: Best Information and Education - Simple Healthcare Solutions; Most Original - Sawdust Ranch Art; and Best Overall - VIP Care. Baldwin County: Best Information & Education - AARP of Mobile; Best Overall Booth - Springhill Home & Hospice; and Most Original - Answered Prayer Home Care Services.

Want to see more? Check out links to our Facebook page posts. We’ll be hosting Expos again next year! Check our Facebook page for announcements of our 2024 dates.

And finally, the holiday season can be challenging for Seniors, the disabled and their caregivers. Please know you can reach out to our Agency if you need services and support at 251-706-4680 or [email protected].

Wishing You the Best During the Holidays,

Julie McGee

CHECK OUT OUR EXPO FACEBOOK LINKS

Baldwin County Exhibitors

Baldwin County Participants

Mobile County Exhibitors

Mobile County Participants

Road Trip! Escambia County Agency on Aging Seniors

DIRECTORY OF SENIOR RESOURCES

Our directory features answers to aging, disability and caregiver questions; Medicare updates; and access to information on public benefits and other programs. And, the Senior Directory Listing provides current contact information for all things aging: volunteer opportunities; recreation or wellness programs; programs for financial security; in-home services for aging in place; and nursing homes and assisted living facilities. 

MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT ENDS DECEMBER 7

Seniors, the Disabled, Current and New Enrollees Need to Evaluate Plans

The Alabama State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers free, unbiased information and Medicare counseling and can assist with plan comparisons, enrollment and subsidy applications that can save you money. Call 800-243-5463 or 251-706-4680 or click below to make an appointment with a trained SHIP counselor.

UPCOMING EVENTS

NOVEMBER

Medicare Counselling

November 29

Mt. Vernon Senior Center

9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Click Here for Details

Older Relative Caregivers/GrandFriends Support Group

November 30

Gulf Shores Methodist Church

10:00 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Click Here for Details

DECEMBER

New to Medicare? Free Monthly Education Seminar

Held First Tuesday of Each Month

Next date: December 5

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. - AAA Office/GM&O Building

Click Here for Details

Medicare Counselling

December 6

Bay Minette Senior Center

9 a.m. 12 p.m.

Click Here for Details

SHIP/SMP Volunteer Christmas Party

December 12

SARPC-AAA Office GM&O Building

11 a.m.

Click Here for Details

MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT

Ends December 7

Click Here for Medicare Information

JANUARY

Matter of Balance - Mobile

January 9

West Regional Library (Mobile)

Classes held one day a week at 11 a.m.

Click Here for Details

HOLIDAY MEALS CAN BE COSTLY

A recent survey by the Grocery Retailers Association found the average cost of this year's holiday meal for 10 people is $61.17, down from $64.05 in 2022. But, still 25% higher than in 2019 before the pandemic.

We can help, with inflation fighting food assistance through SNAP. SNAP benefits can help you eat right when money is tight. SNAP benefits:

• average $104 a month
• may be increased based on certain medical deductions
• are placed on a debit card for tax free groceries

There is a simplified application process - approved for 3 years with only an annual certification - through the Alabama Elderly Simplified Application Project (AESAP) that makes it easier for those 60 and older to participate. The application process is private and easy with no office visit required and the application can be mailed, faxed, emailed, or completed online. Persons with no earned income (job or business) can self-declare their income. 

NEW DRUG APPROVED TO TREAT ALZHEIMER'S

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease and is the most common form of Dementia. While Alzheimer's prevention has no definitive answers yet, research has shown that we can take action to reduce our risk of developing it. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently granted full approval for a new Alzheimer’s treatment, Lecanemab. The drug has been shown to moderately slow cognitive and functional decline in early-stage cases of the disease.

The FDA gave the medication an accelerated approval based on amyloid plaque clearance - working to remove a sticky protein from the brain that is believed to cause the disease to advance. This is the first time in two decades that the FDA has granted full approval to a drug for Alzheimer’s. In a trial that involved 1,795 participants with early-stage, symptomatic Alzheimer’s, Lecanemab slowed clinical decline by 27% after 18 months of treatment - compared with those who received a placebo.

* November is designated as Alzheimer's Awareness Month to call attention to the impacts the disease has on communities.

COPING WITH THE HOLIDAYS

The holidays can be filled with joy, but also can be overwhelming and bring about feelings of sadness for Seniors, the disabled and their caregivers. Here are a few resources from the Area Agency on Aging that can help:

Visit a Senior Center

Senior Centers are a good way to connect during the loneliness of the holidays by socializing, having meals with friends and participating in programs designed for Seniors.

You can access a list of Senior Centers supported by the AAA here:

Find a Senior Center Near Me

Explore Caregiving Support

The AAA has programs that can help provide Caregiver respite. Holidays are busy times and having some time off from round the clock caregiving can provide you with a much needed break.

You can access AAA caregiver support programs here:

Find Caregiving Support

Discover New Resources

You can reach out to the AAA Aging Disability and Resource Center (ADRC). The ADRC can provide counselling and a benefits assessments for resources available to you that you not be aware of.

Find Resources

Take Charge of Your Business Matters

Holidays mean family, and there may be legal issues that need to be taken care of, such as wills, deeds and powers of attorney. The AAA has an elder law attorney that can help you gain control of important matters as you head into the new year.

Find Out How to Take Care of Legal Matters

10,000 Hours! RSVP RECOGNIZES THE WORK OF ITS VOLUNTEERS

The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) had the privilege of honoring its volunteers for their commitment to serving the community at the annual Volunteer Recognition Lunch held at PZK Hall in Robertsdale. Volunteers from Baldwin and Escambia Counties were treated to lunch and entertainment by Shining Talent Education & Recreation. 

As a special thanks, volunteers had a chance to win door prizes donated by Tractor Supply and Chick-fil-A, and a commercial-grade smoker donated by ACE hardware. Program Manager Kim Tate reported that volunteers contributed more than 10,000 hours of service to the community in 2022. These efforts included hospital service, public beautification projects, tax services, community activities and more.  AAA Director Julie McGee highlighted the benefits of volunteer work and its impact on the community. “Research has shown that in addition to the mental health benefits of volunteering, there is a benefit to the entire community. One hour of volunteer work has a $30 impact on local communities.” South Alabama RSVP recruits and trains Seniors 55 and older for meaningful volunteer opportunities in Baldwin and Escambia Counties.

FULL HOUSE AT OUR CAREGIVER COLLEGE

Our Agency's Caregiver Colleges provide tools for respite for caregivers through supportive services to help their loved one remain in the community for a longer period of time. Curriculum was presented by in-field experts and included understanding difficult behaviors of dementia; legal issues related to caregiving; long term care advocacy; the AARP "Preparing to Care" program; understanding palliative care; and information on Medicare assistance. The event also provide the opportunity for caregivers to engage with and be supported by their peers. A special thanks to Mobile's State Street A.M.E Zion Church for hosting our group. We also took the opportunity to say goodbye to our Alabama Cares Program Coordinator Della Sanchez. Della is retiring after 21 years of providing support to thousands of family caregivers.

RURAL CENTERS HELP SENIORS CONNECT

For Seniors living in more rural areas, a Senior Center can be a lifeline for those who need to connect with others and avoid isolation. Our Agency supports the work of these Centers, providing the opportunity to have daily congregate meals and enrichment programs. Highlighted this month: Wilmer Community Senior Center and the Mt. Vernon Senior Center.

AAA IN THE COMMUNITY

SENIOR CENTERS CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN!

Check out these costumes from the Atmore, Prichard, Saraland and Tillmans Corner Senior Centers. AAA supported Senior Centers are the place to have holiday meals with friends and enjoy education and enrichment programs.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY DELIVERS FOR SENIORS

Our partner- the Escambia County Agency on Aging - brings 139 meals to older adults in the county every day, about 640 meals delivered to Seniors each week. The Escambia County Commission has a new fleet of vehicles to ensure efficiency and reliability of meal delivery services. Pictured: Commissioners Karean Reynolds, Brandon Smith, Steven Dickey, Larry White, Chairman Raymond Wiggins; and Agency on Aging, Sheila Brown and Amy Bell.

AAA OUTREACH TEAM PROMOTES BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

The Hillsdale Senior Center had a Breast Cancer Awareness event and the AAA outreach team was on hand to provide program information. Cancer risk is known to increase with age. According to the National Cancer Institute, women 70 and older have a one in 24 chance of developing breast cancer at some point in their lives. Currently, the average age at diagnosis is 62, and almost 20% of those diagnosed are 75 or older.

RSVP STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS IN THE COMMUNITY

Our Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) served the community at the Annual Jubilee Festival of Arts in Daphne - hosted by the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce and partner City of Daphne. The event supports tourism and the arts, and is just one of the many volunteer opportunities for Seniors offered through the program.

SUPPORTING SEMMES GRANDFAMILIES

The AAA Alabama Cares program hosted a support group for Older Relative Caregivers/Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. It was a great turn out for seniors who needed to talk about issues among a group of their peers and learn about community resources.

GRAND BAY SENIORS PREVENTING FALLS

Among Seniors, a leading cause of death is complications resulting from falls. Grand Bay Seniors graduated from the Matter of Balance program, which teaches older adults how to avid falls and become more physically active.

AAA MEDICARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ENSURING CLIENTS ARE MAXIMIZING THEIR MEDICARE

Medicare Open Enrollment ends December 7, and it is a busy time for the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). SHIP hosted a Train-the-Trainer event to educate health care professionals on Medicare changes; participated in an information fair at Wind Creek Casino in Atmore; and offered free and unbiased help to Prichard Seniors to save money on Medicare costs and prescription drugs. "New to Medicare" seminars are held the 1st Tuesday of each month at the SARPC-AAA Office. Pictured far left: Prichard Mayor Jimmie Gardner, Center Manager Ms. Sumlin, Medicare Outreach Marcella Nettles, SHIP Regional Coordinator James Roberson.

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church Seniors learned how to take care of legal matters from the AAA Legal Assistance Program. AAA has an elder law attorney on staff and provides free assistance for no cost in non-criminal and non-fee generating matters. The church hosted its monthly Senior luncheon and staff educated the group on the importance of wills, power of attorney and advanced healthcare directives.

South Alabama Regional Planning Commission

Area Agency on Aging

Serving Mobile, Baldwin and Escambia Counties as a hub for information and services for adults aged 60 and older, their caregivers, and persons with disabilities.

ADRC Aging Hotline: information, counseling & benefits screening * Medicare counseling & Medicare Savings Program * Medicaid Waiver with choice of provider for in-home care * Prescription drug cost savings * Wellness classes * Legal counseling and Ombudsman advocacy for long-term care facilities * Caregiver support, education and respite services * Senior Nutrition Centers for hot lunches and recreation * Home-delivered meals and SNAP food assistance

South Alabama Regional Planning Commission

Area Agency on Aging

110 Beauregard Street

Mobile, Alabama 36602

251-706-4680

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