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The Aging and Disability Resource Center

   8700 Tesoro Drive, Suite 700
   San Antonio, Texas 78217-6228
(210) 477-3275 
1-866-231-4922 
 
   
October 2014 eBLAST
 

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Getting Around Bexar County and the Surrounding Alamo Region

 

In this newsletter:

 

Feature Story

 

Medicare AEP

 

No More Falls

 

 

Age Well Live Well

 

Veterans' Corner

 

The Face of BAAA

 

Upcoming Events

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Alamo AAA


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October is another action packed month at The Alamo Service Connection (ASC)---- the Aging and Disability Resource Center for the AACOG region. We would like to provide you with the following newsworthy information. Our goal is to have an informed community that promotes personal choice and is connected to long term services and supports.
feature
 
BEXAR AAA CARE COORDINATION LENDS A HELPING HAND!  

 

Juan Perez (name changed to protect client's identity) served his country honorably in the Korean War. After serving his country, he lived a productive life as a hard-working aircraft mechanic, raised a family, and lost a beloved wife too early in life. In recent years Mr. Perez learned to live with kidney and prostate cancer in 2009, colon cancer in 2010, bladder cancer in 2011, recurrent liver cancer in 2012, and paralysis of his right side from a stroke in 2013. Through all this Mr. Perez has maintained a positive outlook on life and has made the best of his circumstances.

When burglars stole his stove and refrigerator this summer while he was at a doctor appointment, Mr. Perez took the set-back in stride. He called 211 and was referred to the Bexar Area Agency on Aging. A case manager met with him one day, and he had a new refrigerator and stove the next. Mr. Perez was amazed and delighted, and expressed his gratitude that Bexar Area Agency on Aging exists to help seniors in need.

The Bexar Area Agency on Aging Care Coordination team is a group of experienced and highly qualified professionals who help people like Mr. Perez solve problems and find solutions to continue living independently and with dignity.  Care Coordination is funded by the Older Americans Act, which is intended to work alongside Medicare to promote Healthy Aging and Independent Living.

Care Coordinators help seniors 60 and older, family caregivers caring for a senior, and grandparents, or other elderly relatives, 55 and older, caring for a child 18 and under, in place of the parents.  Services are available for all people in these groups who reside in Bexar County.  Priority is given to low income and very vulnerable people because funding may be limited.

The Alamo Service Connection (ASC) is available to anyone who has questions about aging, disability, veterans and family caregiving.  ASC can help you determine if Care Coordination or some other group can answer your needs.  Call (210) 477-3275 or toll free at 1-866-231-4922.

To learn more about Care Coordinators, click here.

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The Area Agency on Aging is having a training for helping professionals.  This free workshop on October 17th  is called "Area Agencies on Aging: Your Partner in Serving Seniors, Veterans, and Persons with Disabilities". 

(click here for flyer)

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mippa
   
 Medicare Open Enrollment is Almost Here

 

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Health Information Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP)
A program of the Alamo Area Council of Governments
and the Alamo and Bexar Area Agencies on Aging.

The Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP) is almost upon us. Each year, Medicare allows everyone who is enrolled in Medicare Part C - also known as Medicare Advantage Plans - and Part D Prescription Drug Plans to change plans during the Annual Election Period (sometimes called Open Enrollment). The AEP is from

October 15th thru December 7th each year. Changes made during the AEP will become effective on January 1.
 

For more information download our flyer Don't Get All Shook Up About Medicare 

 

ASC Logo Get free and impartial personalized Medicare counseling on decisions about coverage; help with claims, billing or appeals; and information on programs for people with limited income and resources.  Call The Alamo Service Connection and ask to speak to a benefits counselor today at (210) 477-3275 or toll free at 1-866-231-4922

 

Alamo Area (Counties) Flyer


 

Bexar County Events - English


 

Bexar County Events - Spanish


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Fall brings us cooler temperatures, thoughts of autumn leaves, and the FLU. It has been recognized for many years that people 65 years and older are at greater risk of serious complications from the flu compared with young, healthy adults.

Download a fact sheet on what everyone over 65 should know about Flu.

 

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falls

 

   
No More Falls Awareness
  
Every 15 seconds, an older adult is seen in an Emergency Department for a fall-related injury. Nationally, falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries for those aged 65 and over. Moreover, the chances of falling and being seriously injured in a fall increase with age. (NCOA press release Sept. 2014)     

Preventing Fall logo 2013

 

In September we celebrated the 7th Annual Falls Awareness Day.  The kickoff celebration featured demonstrations and activities to raise awareness and develop strength and balance to help prevent falls.

 

 

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age
  Age well Live Well
Welcome to the NEW Age Well Live Well Newsletter
 

The mission of Age Well Live Well is to collaborate as a community to promote and provide opportunities for all individuals to be active and healthy throughout their lives.

 

The goals of this program are:

  1. to improve the physical health of Texans

  2. to provide opportunities for volunteerism with older adults and people with disabilities

  3. to create awareness of aging issues and resources offered through the Age Well, Live Well partners and the aging and disability network

  4. to engage in community collaborative partnerships that benefit everyone.

 

 

The next Age Well Live Well meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 12th, 1:30 pm at AACOG. 

 

Click the following link for

Upcoming Bexar Matter of Balance Classes 

 

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vets

 
Veterans Corner
 
The mission of the Alamo Service Connection (ASC) is to connect seniors, veterans and people with disabilities to services in our area.  ASC's Veteran Services Coordinator is a retired Master Sergeant with plenty of firsthand knowledge of military life and adjusting to civilian life.  He is available to assist veterans, their families and surviving spouses with information and referral, as well as guidance on maneuvering through the system of military benefits.  For more information, got to www.askasc.org or call (210) 477-3275 or toll free at
1-866-231-4922.
 
The San Antonio Coalition for Veterans and Families (SACVF) is an information and networking group that meets at AACOG on the 1st Wednesday of every month from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm in the Notzon Board Room.
This month SACVF has a special Halloween Treat!  They are hosting Halloween for Heroes - a Halloween Party honoring our military Heroes and benefitting The San Antonio Coalition for Veterans and Families.  To reserve your ticket please click here. Sponsorships are also available (click here for details).

The VA is holding "Fall Into Health" a Patient Education Fair at South Texas VA Hospital, 7400 Merton Minter Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78229, on Thursday, October 30th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. It will be held in the 1st floor recreation room 1B.  (click here for flyer).
 
 
face
Meet the Face of the Bexar Area Agency on Aging...
 
Belinda "Bel" Murguia, BAAA Care Coordinator
story submitted by Laura Ledesma
                            
Belinda Murguia
Belinda "Bel" Murguia

A new addition to our ASC Newsletter will be to introduce our readers to the staff and volunteers who make up the Bexar Area Agency on Aging. Every month we will highlight a department, and one member from that team.

 

We want to begin with the Care Coordination Department, which is the heart and soul of the organization - the staff on the front lines who are out in the community, meeting with people requesting help.  BAAA is fortunate to have four Care Coordinators and the Lead Care Specialist.

 

Belinda "Bel" Murguia has been a BAAA Care Coordinator for four months.  She came to us from the Alamo Local Authority where she worked for four years as a Services Coordination Specialist in the home and Community-Based Services Program.

 

Prior to coming to work at the Alamo Area Council of Governments Bel has worked as a Family Advocacy Program Educator and a Counselor working with at-risk populations.

 

When asked what she likes most about her new position or working with seniors, Bel responded, "I'm passionate about providing services to this population.  It is so rewarding to provide services and receive a call from my clients who say thank you for providing assistance in such a timely manner. That makes my day."

 

Bel has a very active social life.  She especially has an interest in working with the homeless of San Antonio, and is very actively involved in her church community.  She loves to travel and has been to Europe, the Holy Land, South America, Canada, and various cities within the United States, including several trips to Hawaii.

 

Bel loves to visit her daughter and three grandchildren in Virginia whenever possible.  In addition to her daughter, Bel also has three sons, one of whom is active military - three of her four children have served their country in the Army.  Lastly, she loves to dance, walk by the Riverwalk for exercise, and has a special attachment to her "grand dog."

 

Bel received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Our Lady of the Lake University, and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Webster University.

 

Welcome Bel!

 

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events
Upcoming Events
 
These are some other events we would like you to be aware of:
 
Monday, October 13, 2014 - Columbus Day - AACOG Offices are  OPEN
 
Wednesday, October 15, 2014 - Senior Casework Fair - 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Willie Cortez Senior Multi-Service Center. 
(click here for flyer)

Friday, October 17, 2014Area Agency on Aging Partner Training - 8:30 am to 12:30 at AACOG.
(click here for flyer)
 
Monday, October 20, 2014 - Early Voting Begins
VOTE Texas Facts
 
Friday, October 24, 2014 - Medina County Womens' Conference
(click here for more information)
 
Sunday, October 26, 2014 - AccessAbility Fest - from 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at El Mercado (Market Square), 514 W. Commerce, in downtown San Antonio, 78207.
(click here to visit their website)   (flyer)
 
Friday, October 31, 2014 - SPOOKTACULAR Fun Walk & Health Fair - from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at Commander's House, A walk along the river starts off this event, followed by a health fair and costume contest. Come & Trick or Treat with us! 
(click here for flyer)
 
Friday, October 31, 2014 - OASIS Wicked 5k Walk - from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at O.P. Schnabel Park.
(click here for flyer)
 
Sunday, November 2, 2014 - Center on Independent Living (COIL) 9th Annual Charity Auction - 9:30 am to 2:30 pm at Crown of Life Lutheran Church.
 (click here for more information)
 
Permission to reproduce, reprint
 
This newsletter may be reproduced and all articles may be reproduced and/or reprinted without permission when credit is given to the Alamo Service Connection, a publication of the AACOG Area Agencies on Aging, and the ASC website www.askasc.org is listed.

 

Alamo Service Connection
The Aging and Disability Resource Center
 
A community partnership working together for you: Alamo Area Agency on Aging, Bexar Area Agency on Aging, Alamo Local Authority for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (ALA-IDD),  Bexar County, City of San Antonio Program for Seniors and Families, Center on Independent Living (COIL), San Antonio Food Bank, Goodwill Industries of San Antonio/Bexar County, San Antonio Coalition for Veterans (SACV), San Antonio Independent Living Services (SAILS), Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (TDADS), Texas Health/Human Services Commission, and United Way of San Antonio/Bexar County. 
Contact Information 
To submit suggestions, articles, news releases, links or events to be considered for use in the next issue, please send them no later than October 24, 2014 (in a MSWord format, attachments in PDF format) as an attachment to an email message to Donna Teall, email: [email protected]; Voice (210) 918-1305; Fax: (210) 225-5937.