RSVP Digest


October 2022

Volume 1: Issue 4


Welcome
Janet McCoy, RSVP Manager

Welcome to autumn. Here is to enjoying the cooling temperatures and pumpkin spice everything! 


For those of us in a certain age demographic, it is also the season for having our mailbox, email and voice mail stuffed with sales pitches about Medicare.

Consequently, the speaker at our Lunch and Learn program this month will offer tips on how to sort through conflicting Medicare information and make wise choices. You will also learn how to avoid becoming a victim of Medicare fraud. See below for more details and to reserve your seat.


I also want to welcome Family-Funeral and Cremation to the RSVP team. They are our lunch sponsor for the fourth quarter of 2022. We are grateful for their financial support. The funds will be used to purchase meals from local businesses for our monthly Lunch and Learn events. Thank you to Chris Jensen and staff at Family-Funeral and Cremation!

Save the Date for Lunch & Learn

Community Room at United Way of West Florida

1301 W. Government Street

October 25 @ 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.


Medicare is complicated! This month's program will provide unbiased, free health insurance counseling about Medicare including benefits, selecting a prescription plan, how to file claims and appeals, and much more. Consider bringing your questions and all that Medicare "stuff" you are getting in the mail.

 

You will also learn how to protect yourself from Medicare abuse and fraud. This includes recognizing billing errors and realizing if you have become a target of Medicare fraud. Most importantly, you will learn how to file fraud reports.


Marti Hearn is our guest speaker. She is a liaison for SHINE--Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders. Marti leads a team of trained counselors in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton Counties. They help seniors with all their Medicare issues at no cost.  


Reservations are required to ensure enough food is ordered. More details will follow in the "RSVP: Mid-Month Blast." There is no cost to attend the event.

Pre-Register

Community Partner Spotlight: 

Manna Food Pantries

Manna Food Pantries partnered with RSVP to offer a Leisure Learning class through the University of West Florida. Thirteen participants age 55+ attended this September 21 event at Manna's facility on North E Street in Pensacola. 


They toured the warehouse, learned about how Manna fights hunger and food insecurity in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, and volunteered to pack some bags and sort cans. Leisure Learning members also donated 77 pounds of nonperishable food items that equates to 83 healthy meals for neighbors in need!

Sondra Massraf, Office and Volunteer Coordinator, explaining the sorting and packing procedures in the warehouse.

Kerri Smayda, Associate Executive Director, defining food insecurity and describing Manna's services.

Lunch Host Spotlight:

West Florida Public Libraries - Pensacola

Library staff members Lindsey Corey (left) and Mazzie Garrett (right) were the presenters for the RSVP Lunch and Learn at the Pensacola Public Library on September 27. 


Mazzie took RSVP members and guests on a tour of the facility. Lindsey presented mini-workshops including: (1) Overview: West Florida Public Libraries; (2) Meet LIBBY: The one tap reading app from your library; and (3) Internet Safety for Seniors.


Email Janet McCoy, RSVP Manager, if you would like a PDF version of Lindsey's PowerPoint slides. This information packed, 60-page document is available in color or black-and-white.

Healthy Tips:

Keep Hackers Away


Librarian Lindsey Corey shared tips on internet safety at September's Lunch and Learn at the Pensacola Public Library. Highlights included:

  • A secure password is the first step to keeping hackers away.
  • Secure passwords are complex andbest approach is to use a sentence or phrase.
  • Use different passwords for each account then record each of them in a password log.
  • Avoid using personal information in your passwords such as your birthday, anniversary or grandchildren's names.
  • Don't help criminals--avoid sharing vacation dates, layout of your home, or any personal information that could be used to harm/steal from you or to gather intel about you for future hacking.