January 14, 202
CONTACT: joyce ellen lippman, 925-9554
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Comment sought on funding priorities

Community input is sought to create Senior Friendly Communities throughout this area and ensure that limited federal monies are meeting the priority needs of senior citizens through the work of the Area Agency on Aging.

The Central Coast Commission for Senior Citizens, Area Agency on Aging, announces that four (4) public hearings will be held throughout San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties in January 2020 to secure comment from the public.

“With the uncertainty of funding from the federal and state budgets, it is imperative that we hear from senior citizens, caregivers and other interested persons about the priority needs as we attempt to have a ‘senior-friendly’ community,” announced Jim Talbott, President of the Board of Directors. “These are very difficult times and we need to be sure we are on the right track.”

“In developing the draft Plan for 2020/21, the Area Agency on Aging decided to project that federal and state funding remained stable” continued Mr. Talbott. “That may be a positive outlook but there are no indications of what changes may be sought by either the state or federal administrations. The Area Agency on Aging services are basic services – designed to ensure safety and security for older persons and caregivers in this two county region.”

“Annually the Area Agency on Aging prepares a Draft Area Plan which presents a proposed allocation of Older Americans Act monies to address the needs of senior citizens in greatest social and economic need in the two county region,” continued Mr. Talbott. “This year it is especially important to look at our funding priorities and ensure they help us to maintain a senior friendly community.

“This year with Governor Newsom convening a Task Force to develop a Master Plan on Aging for California, we want to look at our local priorities within the context of the Framework drafted by this group, continued Mr. Talbott. “Attendees will help to examine the framework and review the draft Area Plan priorities within that framework.

“All interested persons are invited to attend and present comment at the public hearings,” continued Mr. Talbott. ” The intent of the public hearings is to receive community comment regarding the priorities, goals and objectives of the Area Agency on Aging for the first year (2020/21) of the four year Area Plan , which are outlined in the Draft Area Plan.”

“The Area Plan expresses the intent of the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) to implement the goals and objectives of the Older Americans Act,” announced Barry Marks, Chair, AAA Advisory Council. “We are responsible for over $2.7 million for supportive, health and nutrition services to assist older persons and caregivers to remain safe and secure in their own homes.”

“We want to hear from the community whether our Plans for the expenditure of these federal monies are properly targeted,” continued Mr. Marks. “The basic question is how to allocate the limited federal revenues to maintain a senior friendly community?

Public comment on the DRAFT Planning and Service Area Plan can be provided at either a public hearing or in writing to the Area Agency on Aging office by February 3, 2020. The email address is: seniors@KCBX.net .The public hearing schedule is:
in Paso Robles: Friday, January 31, 2020 at the Senior Center, 270 Scott St., beginning at 11:30 a.m.

in San Luis Obispo City: Thursday, January 30, 2020 at the City/ County Public Library, beginning at 1:00 p.m.

in Santa Barbara: Monday, January 27, 2020 at the Carrillo Community Center, 100 E. Carrillo St., beginning at 10 a.m.

in Santa Maria: Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at the Area Agency on Aging office, 528 S. Broadway, beginning at 10 a.m.

“The Draft Area Plan has been prepared by the members of the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council and Board of Directors to ensure the development of a community based system of social and nutrition services in the two county region,” continued Mr. Marks. “The challenges ahead for the Area Agency on Aging include support of a social service system which strengthens the capacities of older persons in greatest social and economic need within the financial constraints imposed by federal and state governments.”

Copies of the Draft Planning and Service Area Plan are available at the local libraries and the Area Agency on Aging office. All interested persons are invited to attend the hearings. Persons needing accommodation must contact the Area Agency on Aging by January 15, 2018.

For more information contact Mrs. lippman, AAA Director at 925-9554.
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The Area Agency on Aging is pleased to announce the availability of a $20.00 coupon booklet for low income senior citizens for the purchase of fruits and vegetables at certified Farmers Markets in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties.

‘The Area Agency on Aging has established ten sites for the distribution of the free Senior Farmers Market coupons thanks to the cooperation of our local certified markets,’ announced joyoce ellen lippman, Executive Director, Area Agency . ‘Seniors interested in applying for the Senior Farmers Market coupons should attend the distribution site nearest them. A schedule of the distribution sites is below.’

The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is a 100 percent federally funded program which provides low-income seniors with check booklets that can be used to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables at Certified Farmers’ Markets (CFM). The program is administered nationally by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Services Agency (USDA, FNS), and in California, by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).
“CDFA partners with California’s Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) to distribute the SFMNP check booklets which include 5 checks redeemable for $4 each”, continued Mr. Marks. “The AAAs serve this purpose well because they administer several senior programs on a local level.”

‘At the check distribution sites, seniors that meet the age (60 years or older) and low income eligibility (up to $1,926.00 a month) requirements receive one $20 check booklet a year and nutrition education information,’ continued Ms. lippman. “Fruits and vegetables are an important component of a healthy diet. I hope seniors will avail themselves of these coupons and enhance their diet with fruits and vegetables with these free coupons.’
The distribution sites include:

In San Luis Obispo County:

• Arroyo Grande Certified Farmers Market – Wednesday, June 26, 2019
  8:30 a.m.- 11 a.m. Smart & Final, 1464 E. Grand Ave
• Templeton Certified Farmers Market – Saturday, July 6, 2019
  9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 6th and Crocker St., Tempton
• Baywood/Los Osos Certified Farmers Market – Monday, July 15, 2019
  2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. 2nd Street Santa Maria Avenue, Baywood
• SLO Saturday Morning Certified Farmers Market – Saturday, July 20, 2019
  8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. World Market Parking Lot, 25 Madonna Rd., San Luis Obispo
• Paso Robles Certified Farmers Market – Tuesday, July 23, 2019
  9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 11th and Spring St., Paso Robles

In Santa Barbara County:

• Carpinteria Certified Farmers market – Thursday, August 8, 2019
  3:00- 6:30 p.m. 800 block of Linden Ave, Carpenteria
• Goleta, Camino Real Farmers Market – Sunday, August 25, 2019
  10 a.m.- 2 p.m. 7004 MarketPlace Dr., Goleta
• Downtown Santa Barbara City Farmers Market – Saturday, August 31, 2019
  8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Corner of Santa Barbara & Cota Streets, Santa Barbara
• Lompoc Certified Farmers Market – Friday, August 16, 2019
  2 p.m.- 6 p.m. Oceano & H Streets, Lompoc
• Santa Maria Certified Farmers Market – Wednesday, August 21, 2019
  Noon- 4 p.m. Broadway and Main in Fallas Parking Lot, Santa Maria

For more information please telephone joyce ellen lippman, Executive Director at (805) 925-9554, (805) 965-3288, (805) 541-0384 or 1-800-510-2020.

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Get additional information by downloading the forms below:

Thank you to the following organizations for supporting this show:

The Senior Resource Directory for Santa Barbara County has been updated and is available free of charge throughout Santa Barbara County.

‘A committee with representatives of local senior services has worked to update and prepare the 2019/21 Senior Resource Directory for Santa Barbara County’, announced Barry Jay Marks, Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council Chairperson.  ‘The Senior Resource Directory is developed to assist older persons and caregivers in developing plans to meet the care needs of family and friends.’

‘The 106- page Senior Resource Directory is available free of charge and can be picked up at local senior centers and health care facilities’, continued Mr. Marks. ‘Additionally, homebound older persons can have a copy mailed to them by telephoning the Area Agency on Aging at 925-9554 or 965-3288.’

‘The Senior Resource Directory has been developed to empower the older person’, stated Mr. Marks.  ‘With information about resources and services, an older person can maintain control of their lives, planning to meet their needs.’

‘The Senior Resource Directory has information about all the major areas concerning older person,’ continued Mr. Marks.  ‘Topics covered range from transportation services, planning for Incapacity, shared housing, veteran’s benefits and elder abuse reporting. Do you need information about medical services, or in home supportive services?’

‘The Senior Resource Directory is also valuable for adult children of aging parents’, continued Mr. Marks. ‘Many adults have parents in the 80’s and 90’s and are concerned and want to learn about available services that can assist in securing their parents safe living at home. Perhaps in home services or home repair to eliminate steps or install grab bars are needed. The Directory can help locate these services.’

For more information about the Senior Resource Directory or services and resources available for older persons, please telephone the Area Agency on Aging at 965-3288 or 925-9554.

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• Medicare Drug
  Plan Finder Tool

HICAP can help

HICAP can help with your open enrollment questions

HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program) is offering free Medicare Part D drug searches during the open enrollment period of October 15^th through December 7^th.

“HICAP recommends that Medicare beneficiaries review their Medicare Part D plans annually”, stated Jim Talbott, President, Central Coast Commission for Senior Citizens. “Each year the Prescription Drug Plans (Part D of Medicare) change the monthly premiums, deductible, formularies, gap coverage and pharmacy networks. So it is important that beneficiaries review their current Plan to see how it will meet their needs in 2017. And they also can review and consider the other Drug Plans available in California to find the best plan to meet their needs.”

“Since 2006 Medicare beneficiaries have had access to prescription drug coverage offered by private plans, either stand- alone prescription drug plans or Medicare Advantage drug plans”, continued Mr. Talbott. “Since 2006 the share of Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in a Part D Plan has increased from 52% to 71% of all eligible beneficiaries.”

“HICAP is funded by both the State and federal governments to serve as advocates for Medicare beneficiaries”, continued Mr. Talbott. “To secure the free Prescription Drug Plan search services contact HICAP and complete a worksheet. HICAP uses the medicare.gov website to complete the search for each person based on their prescription drug utilization. A custom search result is prepared that presents the three least expensive drug plans for that person among the 30 Plans available in California.”

HICAP offers free and unbiased counseling and information on Medicare issues. HICAP does not sell, recommend, or endorse any insurance product, agent, insurance company, or health plan. Part D drug searches are a service of the Central Coast Commission for Senior Citizens, HICAP with financial assistance, in whole or in part, through a grant from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid services, the federal Medicare agency.

For more information about the Medicare Part D drug searches, contact the local HICAP office at (805) 928-5663, seniors@kcbx.net, or www.centralcoastseniors.org

The Advisory Council of the Central Coast Commission for Senior Citizens, Area Agency on Aging (AAA), announces that the California Property Tax Postponement Program for eligible senior citizens has been reinstated and will be accepting Applications effective October 1, 2016.

“The Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council is pleased to announce the reinstatement of a prograsm suspended due to the recession in 2009 by the State Legislature,” stated Barry Jay Marks, Chair, Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council. ‘Back in 2014, this AAA Advisory Council supported AB 2231 which would reinstate the State Controller’s Property Tax Postponement Program.”

“Eligibility for the Program has been revised and a finite allocation is available”, continued Mr. Marks. “Therefore, it is important to be ready to submit an Application to the State Controller’s Office on October 1st. Applications will not be accepted prior to October 1st.”

“For more information about the reinstatement of the Property Tax Postponement Program please call the Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-510 – 2020”, continued Mr. Marks. “Senior Connection volunteers are trained specialized Information & Assistance specialists.”

“The Area Agency on Aging (AAA) Advisory Council advocates on behalf of older persons,” concluded Mr. Marks. “The Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council is looking for new members. We are looking for retired persons who have an interest in helping senior citizens and enjoy advocacy and reviewing the issues and legislation.”

For additional information contact Barry Jay Marks, Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council Chair, or Mrs. lippman, AAA Director, at 925-9554 or 1-800-510-2020.

Flyer

Every Ten Years the White House Host a The White house Conference on Aging.  Below is a link that will take you to the Final Report.

http://whitehouseconferenceonaging.gov/2015-WHCOA-Final-Report.pdf

Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Medicaid and Medicare programs, this Visualizing Health Policy infographic provides details about the reach and demographics of these programs.

The White House Conference on Aging, a decennial event, has been confirmed for Monday, July 13, 2015 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. PST. This Conference will include an event in Washington D.C. with limited attendance and ‘watch’ sites throughout the Nation.

“Three ‘watch’ sites are planned for the Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties area”, announced Amy Mallett, Chair, Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council. “These ‘watch’ sites will be live-streamed and provide an opportunity to share our ideas and inputs as well as promote local conversation about the issues of aging.”

“Cosponsoring these ‘watch’ sites are the Santa Barbara Foundation, Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County departments of Social Services”, continued Ms. Mallett. “In preparation for the White House Conference on Aging we held a local public forum to gather inputs. These inputs were sent to the White House Conference on Aging and a short report was prepared.”

“ These ‘watch’ sites are open to all interested persons,” continued Ms. Mallett. “Bring your ideas to improve the quality of life for older adults. The WHCOA has identified four common themes: Retirement Security, Healthy Aging, Long Term services and supports and Elder Justice. Based on the local public forum we added a fifth theme of Family Caregiver.”

“This AAA urges that the WHCOA strongly advocate for the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act,” stated joyce ellen lippman, Area Agency on Aging Director. “The Older Americans Act is the foundation of home and community based services that facilitate aging- in- place. The Act hasn’t been reauthorized in a timely fashion and a bill (S.192) is now in the Senate to accomplish reauthorization.”

Local Watch Sites

The three ‘watch’ sites will be held beginning at 7 a.m. at:

In San Luis Obispo City:
County Department of Social Services, 3433 S. Higuera St., Room 101

In Santa Barbara City:
Santa Barbara Foundation, 1111 Chapala St., Suite 200

In Santa Maria:
Area Agency on Aging, 528 S. Broadway

“Join us for the entire day or several hours”, continued Ms. Mallett. “Come share in the conversation with local colleagues.”

For more information contact Mrs. lippman at 805-925-9555 or 1-800-510-2020.

Use the form below to request information by mail.

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General Information Publications

2015/17 Santa Barbara County Senior Resource Directory

Consumer Guides

Hiring In Home Help Guide

Reverse Mortgage Info

Annuities and Elders

Funeral Buyers Guide

Choosing a Credit Counselor

What Seniors Should Know Before Hiring a Contractor

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On April 14, 2015, the Senate overwhelmingly (92 to 8) passed H.R. 2 which repeals and replaces the flawed Medicare physician reimbursement system…

Click on the link below for locations and phone numbers to make your appointment today.  For more information give us a call at (805) 928-2552

http://ccfreetax.org/

From Paul Greenwood, Deputy District Attorney and Head of Elder Abuse Prosecutions for San Diego County’s District Attorney’s Office:

A few weeks ago I shared the story about the mother of a former prosecutor colleague who had been scammed out of over $60,000 – after believing that her grandson was in a South American jail.

My office is aggressively investigating this case – and we have already executed at least ten search warrants.

In the meantime the victim has been courageous enough to go on camera and relate her experience…

Here it is…

Stand Up Against Elder Abuse

The Central Coast Commission for Senior Citizens is releasing a new Emergency Survival Guide for Older Adults.  The guide provides information about things seniors can do to stay safe before, during and after major emergencies like fires, earthquakes and tsunami’s.  As with all of the services provided by the Central Coast Commission for senior citizens, the information is free.

The Guide has updated information including registering for Reverse 911 Alerts. “Many emergency agencies are turning to the Internet and smart phone apps to get information out in the event of a major emergency.  While more seniors are able to get information through Twitter and Facebook, close to 100% can benefit from Reverse 911.”  said Jim Talbott, President, Board of Directors.

The Guide includes information on emergency radio stations, creating a survival kit and setting up evacuation plans.  “Seniors are vulnerable in times of disaster.” declared Talbott.  “We want to give them practical information to help them stay safe in an emergency.”

If you would like to have multiple copies to distribute to your group, or community contact Senior Connection by phone at 800-510-2020

The federal government released on Thursday a new five-star rating system for home health agencies, hoping to bring clarity to a fast-growing but fragmented corner of the medical industry where it’s often difficult to distinguish good from bad.