Hundreds Who Work with Seniors Will Join Us at Annual REACH Conference
East Texas AAA • October 1, 2019
October 2 -3, 2019 at Maude Cobb Activity Center in Longview
Approximately 350 nursing facility administrators, practitioners, caregivers and those who work with the senior population will receive training October 2 and 3, 2019, at the 28th Annual REACH Conference (Regional Education on Aging, Caregiving and Healthcare) at Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Center in Longview. The Conference is hosted each year by the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) which is administered by the East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG).
The conference, themed “Playing to Win!”
features distinguished speakers, dynamic panel discussions, and various networking opportunities.
“Once again, there is a distinguished line-up of speakers set to take the stage and captivate the audience at this two-day event. Taking into consideration the diversity of aging concerns, we have attempted to include local, state and national service providers and educators to address a variety of topics that may be of interest to anyone who works with older adults, their caregivers, or their families,” says Bettye Mitchell, Director of Aging Programs for the Area Agency on Aging.
Special keynote presentations include: LaDonna Gatlin – Tune Up Your Life, sister of the legendary country stars The Gatlin Brothers, LaDonna delivers solid content that equips audiences to “reach for the high notes” in life; Justin Jones-Fosu -Your WHY matters NOW, Justin will challenge the audience to identify or reconnect with their purpose and live it out now; Carmen Irwin – Medicare 2020, bringing policy, program and reimbursement updates for the Medicare program; Mark and Daniel Seguin – Cyber Security Training, offering techniques to drastically reduce chances of a costly data breach; Bettye Mitchell and Beverly J. Brown of the Area Agency on Aging – Come Let’s Talk: Senior Needs in Our Community, opening the dialogue on service delivery needs of our older adults, particularly in the most rural and remote communities in the region. Attendees will have the opportunity to choose from over 30 courses and achieve CEU credits at the conference.
REACH is partially funded by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. For more information, call the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas at (903) 218-6500 or visit our website at www.aaa-reachconference.org.
Media Contact:
(903) 218-6442
The Area Agency on Aging of East Texas (AAA) opened a new congregate meal site in Marshall on Monday, December 15th. Older adults, aged 60 and up, eligible for the Senior Nutrition Program will be able to enjoy a hot lunch, good conversation, and a friendly place to gather. Location George Washington Carver Community Center 2302 Holland St Marshall, TX 75670 Meal Hours Monday–Thursday 11:00 AM–12:30 PM Phone 903-923-8410 The Senior Nutrition Program supports adults age 60 and older through both congregate meals and home-delivered meals. These meals follow dietary guidelines and help older adults stay connected and healthy. For folks who can’t travel, home-delivered meals bring food, a wellness check, and a bit of company to their door. How to Enroll Adults age 60 and older can join the Senior Nutrition Program by contacting the provider for their county listed at: easttexasaaa.org/nutrition , or by receiving a referral from AAA staff. Caregivers who care for someone receiving home-delivered meals may also be referred for services by calling AAA. The Carver Community Center site will give more Marshall and Harrison County residents a place to eat, visit, and keep a steady routine. If you or someone you know could benefit, contact the AAA for assistance!
Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 until December 7, and people with Medicare will have more coverage options to consider. Plan costs and covered benefits have changed, so our Area Agency on Aging of East Texas (AAA) is offering benefits counseling assistance to encourage Medicare recipients to review their coverage choices and decide on the options that best fit their health needs. The changes Medicare recipients can make during Open Enrollment include: Joining a new Medicare Advantage Plan or Part D prescription drug plan Switching from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan Switching from a Medicare Advantage Plan to Original Medicare (with or without a Part D plan) “Medicare Open Enrollment allows you the opportunity to review your healthcare plan and check on your financial well-being, which could also help save costs and coverage,” says AAA Benefits Counselor Nellie Spencer. “Call us and talk to an unbiased, qualified Benefits Counselor. We are also your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and available free of charge to go over your options.” For assistance, please call the Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-442-8845 to speak to a qualified benefits counselor. Appointments can be made over the phone, in a virtual meeting, or in person. Local Open Enrollment presentations: Benefits counselors will also be available for appointments at these community events during the Open Enrollment period. To reserve your spot, call the Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-442-8845. Walk-ins will be accepted. Palestine Resource Center for Independent Living, 421 Avenue A, Palestine, TX Date: Tuesday, November 4th Time: 9:00 am-3:00 pm George Washington Carver Community Center, 2303 Holland St., Marshall, TX Date: Thursday, November 6th Time: 10:00 am-2:00 pm Mt. Zion C.M.E. Church, 104 State Hwy. 64, Ben Wheeler, TX Date: Thursday, November 13th Time: 1:00 pm-3:30 pm First Christian Church, 1920 Beaumont St., Jacksonville, TX Date: Thursday, November 20th Time: 9:00 am-12:00 pm Be on alert for these Medicare Open Enrollment scams: There are no "limited time offers." Medicare or a health plan calls and wants to send you a new health card for $299. You receive a call about a refund from last year's premiums or your drug plan cost. An agent tries to sign you up for a plan that you don't need, isn't right for you, or doesn't even exist. Watch out for fake RX cards offering significant discounts with little or no benefits. You receive a call offering significant discounts on a new health insurance plan. Agents can NOT cold call you. Tips on how to stop fraud during Open Enrollment: If it's "too good to be true," it probably is. Don't trust all the ads you see on TV. Review the plan BEFORE you join. Even if you're not switching, review your current plan to ensure it covers your doctors. Medicare will never call or visit. Medicare will only send information via postal mail service. Guard your Medicare card and number like a credit card. Don't give out your Medicare number except to your doctor or other providers. Don't let someone push you into making a fast decision. If you receive a call, especially from a number you do not recognize or anyone requesting personal information, hang up immediately. Know your health care options. Get help from your family, the Medicare website, or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which for East Texas is the AAA. No health care plan is allowed to cold call. Medicare plans can be viewed and compared at www.medicare.gov .
