As Connecticut and the rest of the U.S. leave the COVID-19 pandemic behind, senior centers are welcoming back participants they have not seen in a while, at least, not in person.

While senior centers across the U.S. were forced to limit their programs, they still managed to find ways to reach out to people who rely on them.

A National Council on Aging survey found senior centers help older adults feel connected, especially if they face barriers in their community.

Yvette Huyghue-Pannell, director of senior services for the Bloomfield Senior Center, noted the need for connection during the pandemic led to the creation of the Day Brighteners program.

"Someone came to your door, they rang your doorbell," Huyghue-Pannell recounted. "You weren't afraid to open the door for someone that you knew, have a brief conversation, and then in a bag -- that they either handed to you, if you felt that you could do that, gloved -- they would then hand you a bag that had some kind of treat in it."

A 2021 survey published in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society showed loneliness has been a common feeling among seniors during the pandemic. Around 23% of those surveyed reported increased loneliness or sadness, and 37% said they had greater feelings of social disconnection.

Gov. Ned Lamont has allocated $10 million for senior center improvements, $9 million to municipalities, and additional funds to the state's Department of Aging and Disability Services for statewide senior center activities.

As centers continue to rebound from the COVID crisis, Huyghue-Pannell observed people are eager to come back. She added the center is also working to accommodate lingering uneasiness about post-pandemic life.

"If you need to wear a mask, if you need to stay distant from other people, whatever way that you feel comfortable, come as you are," Huyghue-Pannell urged. "We welcome everyone, and that's always what we do."

She added hybrid programs over Zoom and in-person have become a staple of the center. Meanwhile, in-person and even some travel-abroad programs are continuing since restrictions have been lifted.

Dementia, a disease with profound effects on families, loved ones and caregivers, affects more than 55 million people globally, including 6 million in the U.S.

New research shows people can reduce their risks by making even small changes in their daily routines, for example, through exercise and eating more vegetables.

Sarah Lock, senior vice president for policy at AARP, said there are also important steps policymakers can take to make it easier for people to maintain healthy behaviors.

"When we do that, we can disrupt dementia," Lock asserted. "That's a really exciting possibility, given that so many of us -- as our nation is aging -- are facing that risk."

Dementia is the third-largest cause of death in the nation for people age 70 and older, and two-thirds of Americans have at least one major potential risk factor. People who smoke five cigarettes per day have a 16% higher dementia risk than nonsmokers. People with prediabetes face a 25% increased risk, which rises to 50% with full-blown diabetes. Prolonged exposure to air pollution is also a major dementia risk factor.

Other risk factors include alcohol use, depression, high body mass index, hearing loss, hypertension, low education, physical inactivity, social isolation and traumatic brain injury. Lock pointed out policies to reduce these risks can vary by state. For example, in Colorado, physical inactivity may not be as big of a
problem as in other states, but hearing loss is relatively high.

"We can suggest to policymakers that they focus on ways to help people screen and correct for hearing loss," Lock noted. "In Colorado, that might be a wiser use of public dollars, to go after the problem that seems to be biggest in your state."

Lock added the goal of the research is to offer people pathways to better brain health and to give older Americans more quality time with their loved ones. The findings were released by the new Dementia Risk Reduction Project, a collaboration between AARP, the Alzheimer's Disease Data Initiative and the University of Washington.

Changes coming to Medicare in 2025 could be beneficial for Oregon residents who are eligible for the program.

Oregonians who qualify for Medicare are now in the open enrollment period through Dec. 7, which allows them to search for health coverage plans to best suit their needs.

Ryan Kibby, Oregon Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance project director for the Oregon Department of Human Services, said there will be expanded care options for dementia patients with the Guiding and Improved Dementia Experience or GUIDE program.

"Some of the resources available through GUIDE would include a 24-hour support line, caregiver training and up to $2,500 a year for respite services," Kibby outlined. "That's really just going to help benefit the people who are providing these family caregiver services."

There will also be expanded mental health benefits for people with Medicare in 2025. In 2023, nearly 920,000 Oregonians were enrolled in Medicare. People can get free help to find coverage through Oregon's SHIBA program, either on its website or at 800-722-4134.

Kibby pointed out another major improvement in 2025 is prescription drug costs will be capped.

"There will be a lower maximum to pay for covered drugs, under both Medicare Part D policies and Medicare Advantage drug coverage," Kibby explained. "The maximum amount that people will pay in 2025 is $2,000, and they won't have to pay anything for covered drugs once they reach that amount."

Prescription payment plans will be an option for people who cannot pay in full up-front. The out-of-pocket cost cap also eliminates a gap in coverage, known as the "donut hole," which some have experienced in the past. While Medicare cannot cover prescriptions specifically for weight loss, people can access these drugs for treatment of conditions like Type 2 diabetes.


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November is National Family Caregivers Month and AARP Wyoming is working to meet rising demand for caregiver resources.

About 58,000 Wyomingites provide needed care for sick or elderly family members or loved ones, estimated to be more than 54 million hours of unpaid labor per year, according to AARP Wyoming.

The group launched a "Care for Caregivers" series last year to help people navigate common issues like financial planning, safety and mobility, end-of-life decisions and more.

Stella Montano, volunteer president of AARP Wyoming, who helped develop the series and is a caregiver herself, said many people who take on such duties do not consider themselves caregivers but they should acknowledge the real workload the role can be.

"Have you noticed that maybe your parents are aging and you're assuming more responsibilities? Or has someone been diagnosed with something that you might have to have oversight of their medical needs?" Montano asked. "People don't believe they're caregivers. But they still have a lot of responsibilities."

The series was first offered in Sheridan and expanded this year to Casper, Newcastle and Cheyenne. AARP also offers resources on its website.

The structure of the workshops recognizes caregivers' needs. There are free meals for attendees and respite care offered on-site for loved ones brought along to a session. Montano noted they are designed to be as accessible as possible.

"I really stress to caregivers, to not do it alone," Montano urged. "There is help out there."

She added Sheridan's VA Medical Center has also tapped into the programming and began recording videos of the sessions this year, which will be available online soon.