A P R I L , M A Y , J U N E 2 0 1 7

COMING OF AGE

AREA AGENCY ON AGING

IN THIS ISSUE

4th Western Arizona Conference on Aging - 2

Conference Registration Form - 3

Last Minute Tax Tips - 4

REST for Caregivers - 5

Spotlight on SNAP - 5

Spring Awareness Calendar - 6

Support Groups of Western Arizona - 7

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE Happy spring! WACOG AAA is busy planning for our 4th Western Arizona Conference on Aging, which we are hosting on May 18-19, 2017 at the Pivot Point Conference Center in Yuma. Now is your last chance to register, either online or with the form on page 3.

The conference will feature keynote speaker Sandy Markwood, CEO of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a). N4a is a national leader in helping Washington set policy priorities that affect older adults and Area Agencies on Aging. One key issue this spring is the impact on older adults that the proposed repeal of the Affordable Care Act (also referred to as ACA or Obamacare) would have. For “pre-Medicare” adults age 54-65, the health insurance Marketplace has provided health insurance coverage at far more affordable rates than what was available before the ACA. The ACA has helped Medicare beneficiaries too. Among other things, it has enabled older adults to access free preventative health services such as health screenings and disease prevention/health promotion programs. The ACA also helped 11 million Medicare beneficiaries save $20.8 billion on prescription drugs between 2010 and 2015 with the gradual closing of the “doughnut hole,” the Part D prescription drug coverage gap.

If you have questions about your Medicare or other benefits, we encourage you to contact WACOG-AAA’s SHIP Benefits Counselors or our Benefits Enrollment Center. You can always reach us at 1-800-782-1886.

Gina Whittington Area Agency on Aging Interim Director

PAGE 2 APRIL, MAY, JUNE 2017

Last call for registration!

Register online: https://wacog-aaa.regfox.com-2017-conference

Or use form on next page

The 4th Western Arizona Conference on Aging, hosted by WACOG AAA, will be held on May 18-19, 2017 at the Pivot Point Conference Center in Yuma.

TENTATIVE CONFERENCE AGENDA

May 18, 20177:30 – 5:00 Registration All Day Virtual Dementia Tour9:30 – 10:50 Welcome & Keynote (Sandy

Markwood, n4a)10:50 – 11:10 Coffee Break / Vendor Booths11:10 – 12:10 Breakout Sessions 1

Healthy Aging 1: Tai Chi Exercise for Fall Prevention: What is the Scientific Evidence? (Ruth Taylor-Piliae, PhD, RN, FAHA, University of Arizona)

Elder Abuse 1: Scams and Identity Theft (Betty Delano, Arizona Attorney General’s Office)

Caregiver 1: In the Moment (Karen Stobbe)

12:10 – 1:20 Lunch1:20 – 2:20 Breakout Sessions 2

Healthy Aging 2: Creative Aging 1. Transforming Junk into Treasure: Creating a Personal Artifact (Shari Keith, B.F.A., M.A.Ed)

Elder Abuse 2: Taskforce Against Senior Abuse (Betty Delano, AGO)

Caregiver 2: In the Moment (Karen Stobbe)

2:30 – 3:30 Breakout Sessions 3Healthy Aging 3: Creative Aging 2.

Transforming Lives & Communities through the Arts (Alex Nelson, Arizona Commission on the Arts)

Elder Abuse 3: Life Care Planning (Betty Delano, AGO)

Caregiver 3: In the Moment (Karen Stobbe)

3:30 – 3:50 Coffee Break / Vendor Booths3:50 – 5:00 Alzheimer’s Research Update

(Morgen Hartford, Alzheimer’s Association)5:00 – 7:00 Reception

May 19, 2017 7:30 – 8:30 Breakfast / Registration8:40 – 9:40 Breakout Sessions 4

Healthy Aging 4: Social Determinants of Health (Rachel Peterson, University of Arizona Center on Aging)

Elder Abuse 4: Scams and Fraud; Elder Abuse and Neglect (Janet Torricellas, Better Business Bureau and Omara Nava, Adult Protective Services)

Caregiver 4: In the Moment (Karen Stobbe)

9:40-10:00 Coffee Break/ Vendors10:00-11:30 Baby Boomers (Dana Kennedy,

AARP) 11:30-11:45 Closing Remarks

4th Western Arizona

Conference on Aging

PAGE 3 APRIL, MAY, JUNE 2017

4th Western Arizona Conference on Aging REGISTRATION FORM

Submit to: Western Arizona Council of Governments, attn. Laura Falender

1235 S. Redondo Center Drive, Yuma, AZ 85365 Fax 928-782-3526 | Questions? Call WACOG at 1-800-782-1886

May 18-19, 2017 | Yuma, AZ | Pivot Point Conference Center

Western Arizona Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging invites you to attend the 4th Western Arizona Conference on Aging

If you have internet access, please register online at https://wacog-aaa.regfox.com/2017-conference

You may also make payment with a credit card when you register online.

May 18, 2016 | 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | Registration and continental welcome breakfast begin at 7:30 a.m. | Conference Reception 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

May 19, 2016 | 8:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. | Continental breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m.

Contact Information

________________________________ First Name Last Name

________________________________ Address

_______________________________ City State Zip

________________________________ Email Phone Occupation / Position Title

________________________________ Organization

________________________________ REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Breakout Learning Tracks � Caregiver Track � Elder Abuse Track � Healthy Aging Track

� Virtual Dementia Tour

Please select this option if you would like to participate in the Virtual Dementia Tour. Sign up for a time slot at the conference to gain insight into daily life with dementia.

� May 18 Reception ($0.00) 5:00 p.m. reception. Please RSVP by checking this option. CEUs: Please select your desired Continuing Education Credits (pending)

� Social Work � Nursing � Care Facility Management � AZ POST

Registration Options

� Early Registration (available until April 1, 2017) ($100.00)

� Registration ($125.00) � Senior 60+ ($75.00) � Student with valid student ID

($75.00) � Family Caregiver ($75.00)

� Respite for Family Caregivers If you want to attend but need someone to care for your loved one, free respite is available. Please check here if you would like us to contact you with more information.

TOTAL PAYMENT: $________.00 Make check payable to WACOG AAA

PAGE 4 APRIL, MAY, JUNE 2017

It’s that time of the year to file to your taxes and there are a couple of options that can help make it easier for you.

First, it is important to note that the filing deadline to submit 2016 tax returns this year is Tuesday, April 18, rather than the traditional April 15 date, according to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This year, April 15 falls on a Saturday and this would usually move the filing deadl ine to the fo l lowing Monday. However, Emancipation Day, a legal holiday in the District of Columbia, will be observed on that April 17, which pushes

the nation’s filing deadline to April 18, the IRS said. Under the tax law, legal holidays in the District of Columbia affect the filing deadline across the nation.

As for filing taxes, there is free tax preparation assistance through the United Way and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. To qualify, your income must be $56,000 or less. The locations in Yuma are: • Martin Luther King Center, 300 S. 13th Avenue in Yuma on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 5

p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Saturdays 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. • WACOG, 1235 S. Redondo Center Drive. Thursdays 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. • United Way Office, 180 W. 1st Street, Suite B. Thursdays 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Drop off only. No appointment is needed. Please bring: • A valid driver’s license or photo ID card. • A Social Security card, SSN verification letter or the Individual Taxpayer Identification

Number (ITIN) for all persons listed on the return. • All wage/income statements. • Copies of last year’s state and federal tax returns, if available. • Your checking or savings account number for Direct Deposit of any refund you may be

eligible for. • Both spouses need to be present to prepare a joint tax return. • Health care coverage Form 1095 A, B or C.

In Kingman, WACOG staff members are assisting the United Way in tax preparation on Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the WACOG offices at 208 North 4th Street. For information, call 928-753-6720.

For tax assistance in Lake Havasu City or La Paz County, call the River Cities United Way at 928-855-6333. For help in Bullhead City or Laughlin, call 928-758-1030. The website is www.rivercitiesunitedway.org.

And if you need to file an extension for your taxes, you can do so, however, an extension of time to file your return does not grant you any extension of time to pay your taxes, the IRS said. April 18 is the deadline for most to pay taxes owed and avoid penalty and interest charges.

L a s t M i n u t e T a x T i p s

PAGE 5 APRIL, MAY, JUNE 2017

REST for Caregivers Being a caregiver for a loved one is rewarding for many, but also demanding. Respite for family caregivers gives them the chance to destress and recharge. In January, WACOG Area Agency on Aging facilitated the first REST Program training in the state of Arizona. The REST program equips respite workers with skills and tools to provide q u a l i t y r e s p i t e t o f a m i ly caregivers.

Seven people completed our first REST training in Yuma, and we look forward to expanding REST throughout Western Arizona!

Spotlight on SNAPDid you know that WACOG offers application assistance with SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program? SNAP is also called Nutrition Assistance in Arizona.

Benefits of SNAP:

There is no cost to apply, and WACOG staff can provide personalized application assistance to Medicare beneficiaries.

SNAP is available to seniors, including those not living with children. Eligibility is based on income, expenses, and countable resources (the resource limit is $3,250 for households with someone age 60+).

Anyone found eligible for SNAP can get the help. You will not be taking benefits away from someone else if you apply.

You can get SNAP even if you already receive other benefits such as food boxes, Social Security, or Medicaid, assuming income limits are met.

The minimum SNAP benefit is $16, but the average per-person allotment is $120 per month. Even if you only qualify for $16, every extra dollar helps. The benefits also roll over month to month.

The SNAP benefits are loaded onto an Electronic Benefits Transfer card, which looks just like a regular debit card.

Want to learn more? Call WACOG at 1-800-782-1886 and ask for more information about the Benefits Enrollment Center.

PAGE 6 APRIL, MAY, JUNE 2017

SPRING AWARENESS CALENDAR

National Volunteer Appreciation Month (April)

WACOG is celebrating our volunteers this spring with a coffee-fueled theme, “Thanks a Latte for All You Do.” Volunteers make a huge difference at WACOG and so many other nonprofit organizations in our communities. Join us in April in appreciating their efforts, and check the June issue of Coming of Age for a recap of WACOG’s Volunteer Appreciation events!

Older Americans Month (May)

The 2017 Older Americans Month (OAM) theme is Age Out Loud. This theme is intended to give aging a new voice—one that reflects what today’s older adults have to say about aging. What it means to age has changed, and OAM 2017 is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate what getting older looks like today.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15)

Why does elder abuse remain such an “invisible” problem? Like other forms of interpersonal violence, elder abuse usually occurs behind closed doors. Many victims are reluctant to report abuse because they may: • Feel ashamed and embarrassed, particularly if a family member is the abuser • Be afraid that the abuser will get in trouble • Worry that they will be forced to live in a nursing home—and this sometimes happens • Feel guilty or somehow to blame • Be in denial that the abuse is occurring, or unaware that what they are experiencing is abuse or neglect.

What can you do to stop elder abuse? If you believe that an elder is in a life-threatening situation, contact 911 or the local police or sheriff ’s department.

Help raise awareness by: • Talking about the issue • Challenging injustice and ageist stereotypes • Writing letters to the editor.

Be a “sentinel”: • Keep in contact and talk with your older friends, neighbors, and relatives frequently • Be aware and alert for the possibility of abuse • Look around and take note of what may be happening with your older neighbors and acquaintances • Ask questions and listen.

PAGE 7 APRIL, MAY, JUNE 2017

Support Groups of Western Arizona 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 5:30 p.m. Somerton Public Library (in Spanish) 240 Canal St. Somerton, AZ 4th Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.

Cancer Support Groups Hope Brigade Yuma: 1st Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. at 899 E. Plaza Circle #2, Yuma, AZ; 3rd Monday at 12:00 p.m. at 2375 Ridgeview Dr. Yuma, AZ (928) 581-9436 or (928) 920-0669 KRMC 1719 Beverly Ave. Kingman, AZ Cancer Support: 2nd Tuesday at 2:00 p.m.; Caregivers of Cancer Patients: 4th Tuesday at 2:00 p.m., both in Hualapai Room (928) 692-4665

Grief Support Groups Hospice of Havasu Offered regularly in LHC, Parker, and Bullhead City/Ft. Mohave. Call (888) 468-2111 for dates and times. Joshua Springs/Hospice Compassus 2995 Desert Sky Blvd, BHC. Joshua Springs Private Dining Room, 3rd Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. (928) 763-6433

For more information about these and other support groups in Western Arizona, contact our Central Intake specialists at

1-800-782-1886

Caregiver Support Groups Bullhead City Caregiver Support Group WARMC, 2735 Silver Creek Rd., Bldg. 2 1st Monday at 10:00 a.m. Register at (928) 704-1385 Hospice of Havasu 365 S. Lake Havasu Ave. LHC, AZ Every Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. (888) 468-2111 Kingman Caregiver Support Group 208 N. 4th St. Kingman, AZ 3rd Thursday at 9:30 a.m. (800) 782-1886 Quartzsite Caregiving Alliance Quartzsite Senior Center, 40 N. Moon Mountain Ave. Quartzsite, AZ 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. (928) 927-7882

Parkinson’s Disease Support Groups KRMC Del E Webb Wellness Center 1719 Beverly Ave. Kingman, AZ 3rd Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. (928) 692-4640 Daybreaker’s Cafe, 10800 E. North Frontage Rd. Yuma, AZ 1st Monday at 9:00 am (928) 246-2876

Diabetes Support and Education Havasu Community Health Foundation 2126 McCulloch Blvd N, Ste. 5, LHC, AZ 2nd Wednesday at 12:00 p.m., October-May (928) 453-8190 Joshua Springs, 2995 Desert Sky Blvd. BHC, 2nd Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. (602) 460-4437 KRMC 1719 Beverly Ave. Kingman, AZ Last Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. (January, April, July, October). (928) 692-4607

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