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COMING OF AGE AREA AGENCY ON AGING IN THIS ISSUE A Conversation with Trudy Schuett - 2 2016 Aging in Arizona Conference Flyer - 3 Region IV News Roundup - 4 Employee Spotlight - 5 A SHIP Story: Why Benefits Counseling Matters - 6 Recipe: Simple Kale and White Bean Soup - 6 Support Groups of Western Arizona - 7

WACOG Area Agency on Aging Staff would like to wish everyone a happy and healthy new year!

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE WACOG is currently conducting a Community Needs and Assets Assessment, a periodic evaluation of our community and services. The Area Agency on Aging sent a citizen survey to all clients in mid November. This survey is critical to WACOG’s strategic planning and program development. If you have not already done so, please complete and return the survey as soon as possible. The Arizona Association of Area Agencies on Aging (AZ4A) is convening a statewide conference in Flagstaff in May. This is the first statewide aging conference in nearly ten years, and is an exciting time for AAAs across the state to share resources and brainstorm new methods to best serve Arizona’s growing senior population. 2015 marked the 50th anniversary of Medicare. Nationwide there are about 10,000 new Medicare beneficiaries every day, so funding for senior programs is more crucial than ever. The State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) is one of these key programs. Even though client contacts to SHIP increased by 270% between 2005 and 2014, Congress has proposed a 42% cut to program funding. Benefits Counseling under SHIP is one of WACOG-AAA’s most in-demand services, so please contact your congressional representatives to tell them the impact that cuts in SHIP and other senior programs would have on you. We want to thank all of you that supported WACOG through the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit. Your donations help us to fund services, match grant dollars, and implement improvements on the basis of our Community Needs and Assets Assessment. Gina Whittington Area Agency on Aging Interim Director

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A conversation with…

Trudy Schuett Trudy W. Schuett has served the senior population of Western Arizona as a member of the Regional Council on Aging (RCOA) and Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging (GACA) for over five years. This winter, Trudy is moving from Yuma to Maricopa County to live near her son and his family. We sat down with Trudy in October to discuss her advocacy for Western Arizona’s seniors, the reasons for her move, and what is so unique about this part of the state.

Trudy facilitated Region IV’s Senior Action Day in Kingman on October 6.

What are you most proud of from your service in GAGA and RCOA? It’s my ability to take the needs of Western Arizona to the great state of Maricopa—I’m the only one on GACA from this side of the state. Being part of RCOA has been a big help with that, because I know what’s happening here, and the challenges of providing services at a distance. What are some of the most pressing issues facing seniors? It is now, and it is going to continue to be, access to care. We have about 10,000 people turning 65 every day now, and that will continue for the next several years. I think some of the solution there has to come from the people themselves. They have to do things like live closer to their kids so they can get the help they need. I've been doing some reading and saw a video on the development of Sun City. It wasn't the first retirement community, but they pioneered the new way of life. They were pretty actively anti-child. They had to come up with a way to sell their houses—it was all marketing. That message filtered into our public consciousness. They said, “people don't want to raise somebody else’s children,” meaning grandchildren. I remember my dad saying that, in the early ’70s. And that’s where it came from—the marketing efforts to sell these retirement communities. Do you think there’s a backlash to that now? Yes, I believe so. From what I’ve see from my friends, they want to be part of their grandchildren’s lives, and they want to help out. So I am practicing what I preach. We’ve decided not to live in the same house, but on the same property, as our son and his wife, and two grandkids. We’ll be there to help out, because life is so busy these days. And they’ll be there to help out if we need it too. (CONTINUED ON PAGE 6)

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2016 Aging Summit

Aging in Arizona May 19-20, 2016

High Country Conference Center Flagstaff, Arizona Hosted by the Arizona Association of Area Agencies on Aging (AZ4A)

April 1, 2016: Deadline for early registration May 11, 2016: Final registration deadline Register online:

www.regonline.com/az4aagingsummit Sponsorships Available! Contact Kimberly Hoidal [email protected] or 520-305-3401

Cancellation Policy: $25 fee if registration cancelled on or before May 1, 2016. No refund after May 1.

Venue: High Country Conference Center 201 West Butler Avenue Flagstaff, Arizona 86001

Special Room Rates Drury Inn & Suites Flagstaff 300 South Milton Road Reservations at www.druryhotels.com or 800-325-0720. Group number 2254508.

Questions? Contact Area Agency on Aging NACOG toll-free 877-521-3500

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Region IV News Roundup In Yuma County… WACOG-AAA staff attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Senior Plant Beds Project at the City of Somerton’s Desert Valley Senior Center on October 29th.  Regional Center for Border Health sponsored the project, Somer ton resident, Davie Brooks Jr., donated his time to build the beds, and the Yuma County Public Health Services District assisted with the planting. They plan to use the bounty from their garden to make salsa for a salsa tasting contest next spring.     Pictured left to right: Louie Galaviz (City of Somerton Parks & Recreation Director), Enrique Luna (City of San Luis Senior Center Representative), Jose Yepez (City of Somerton Council Member), Javier Morales (RCBH Director of Public Health Initiatives), MariaJose Almazon (RCBH Executive Assistant to the President & CEO), Evelyn Gloria (Desert Valley Senior Center Board President), Dulce Castillo (Desert Valley Senior Center Site Manager), Tiffany Fraser (WACOGAAA), Jacqueline Romero (WACOG-AAA), and Juan Manuel Guerrero (Justice of the Peace).

In La Paz County… With a $2,500 grant from the Banfield Charitable Trust WACOG established a pet assistance program in collaboration with the Parker Community Senior Center. This program was implemented in October with the purchase of several hundred pounds of pet food. This was delivered to home-bound seniors in the county, helping seniors to continue living independently with the companionship of their beloved pets.

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In Mohave County… WACOG facilitated a Virtual Dementia Tour® for the Kingman Fire Department in late September and early October. A total of 41 Kingman Fire and Police Department staff participated. The tour simulates the sensory and cognitive experiences of seniors with dementia, with the goal of sensitizing public safety officers to the needs of seniors with dementia in both everyday and emergency situations.

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT Laura Falender

Laura joined the Area Agency on Aging as Program Development Specialist in September. She coordinates the monthly Networking for Community Resources meetings in Yuma, researches grant opportunities, and is responsible for this newsletter. In her free time she enjoys hiking and baking. “A man sees in the world what he carries in his heart.” - Goethe

Kevin Julle An Ombudsman Coordinator with AAA since 2012, Kevin became the Operations Manager in October. Kevin now supervises six employees in Central Intake and SHIP, and helps monitor provider contracts and budgets. Kevin enjoys spending his free time with his wife of 23 years and his two sons, and watches both boys participate in sports. “Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” - Lou Holtz

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SCHUETT, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 What are you optimistic about? This is a really great place to be. Yuma is an excellent place to raise your kids, and if you've got things like arthritis, the climate can’t be beat. And one of the great things about Yuma County is that the agencies really cooperate with each other. There's no one-upmanship and feuding. So that's one thing I'll miss, being part of all that. But at least I’ll know that the Area Agency on Aging and WACOG are still out here, and will continue to be. You can see some clips from our interview with Trudy on WACOG’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/Western-Arizona-Council-of-Governments-465924370222737/

A SHIP Story: Why Benefits Counseling Matters Medicare Open Enrollment, the time when Medicare beneficiaries can make changes to health insurance plans, ran from October 15 to December 7 2015, and WACOG held Medicare Blitz events throughout Mohave, La Paz and Yuma Counties.

A year ago, one woman discussed Part D Prescription Plans with a Benefits Counselor at a WACOG enrollment event. She thought she did not need a plan, since she did not take any prescriptions. The counselor advised her to enroll in a Part D plan to avoid a late enrollment penalty—and just in case. She chose a plan with the lowest monthly premium. Two months after her plan went into effect, the woman was diagnosed with Hepatitis C. Her treatment required an expensive and lengthy regimen of prescription drugs. After she reviewed her bills and Explanation of Benefits, she realized that her Part D plan saved her at least $60,000! Want to share your SHIP story? Call us at 1-800-782-1886. RECIPE: Simple Kale and White Bean Soup Cooler nights are perfect for soup, and this Tuscan-style soup is healthy, delicious, and can be modified with extra ingredients in your fridge. This is a soup that tastes even better the next day! INGREDIENTS: 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 cup diced onion 2 garlic cloves, chopped 32 oz. (1 box) low-sodium broth 4 cups chopped kale 1 14-oz. can diced tomatoes 1 14-oz. can cannellini (white) beans, drained 1 14-oz. can carrots or two large carrots, sliced

DIRECTIONS: In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook 2 minutes longer. Add broth, kale and tomatoes (and fresh carrots, if using) and cover. Cook 5 minutes or until kale is tender. Add beans and canned carrots and heat thoroughly. Serve with croutons, crusty bread, or parmesan cheese (optional).

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Support Groups of Western Arizona There is no cost for attending and no commitment to return - just a network of friends who care.

Alzheimer’s Association Lingenfelter Center 1099 Sunrise Ave. Kingman, AZ Every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. Copper Place Assisted Living 12234 S. Frontage Rd. Yuma, AZ 1st & 3rd Friday at 10:30 a.m. Emerald Springs Assisted Living 1475 S. 46th Ave. Yuma, AZ 1st and 3rd Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Cancer Support Group YRMC Corporate Center 399 West 32nd St. Yuma, AZ 2nd Monday at 7:00 p.m. 3629 Stockton Hill Rd Kingman, AZ 2nd Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. (928) 692-4665 Diabetes Support and Education 399 West 32nd Street Yuma, AZ 4-week course on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. Call (928) 782-4700 to register. KRMC Del E Webb Wellness Center 1719 Beverly Ave. Kingman, AZ Quarterly the last Tuesday of the month at 6:00 pm (January, April, July, & October). (928) 692-4607

For more information about these and other support groups in Western Arizona, contact our Central Intake specialists at 1-800-782-1886

Caregiver Support Group Hospice of Havasu 232 London Bridge Rd. LHC, AZ Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m. (888) 468-2111 Bullhead City Caregiver Support Group, 2728 Silver Creek Rd, Bldg. 2 1st Monday at 10:00 a.m. Register at (928) 704-1385 Kingman Caregiver Support Group 208 N. 4th St. Kingman, AZ 86401 3rd Thursday at 9:30 a.m. (800) 782-1886 Parkinson’s Disease Support Group KRMC Del E Webb Wellness Center 1719 Beverly Ave. Kingman, AZ 3rd Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. (928) 692-4640 Grief Support Group Hospice of Havasu Offered regularly in LHC, Parker, and Bullhead City/Ft. Mohave. Call (888) 468-2111 for dates and times. Don’t forget! If you haven't already, please complete the WACOG-AAA citizen survey ASAP online (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ wacogaaa15) or mail your paper copy to: Western Arizona Council of Governments Attn: Laura Falender 1235 S. Redondo Center Drive Yuma, AZ 85365-2039

Western Arizona Council of Governments 1235 S. Redondo Center Drive Yuma, Arizona 85365-2039

COMING OF AGE is a quarterly newsletter published by Western Arizona Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging, Region IV. 1-800-782-1886