WINTING? SPRINTER?
Hard to tell this time of year what season we are in or what the weather is going to bring us. In the span of three days this month, the weather went from snow to wind and freezing to ‘let’s run around in shorts and tank tops.’ Mother Nature doesn’t seem to want to make up her mind yet about our weather, so we just hang on for the ride and try to be prepared for whatever comes our way.
Being prepared is very important here in our desert home. Whether it’s for our weather extremes, disasters, emergencies, or for our healthcare needs, being prepared can make a huge difference to us. Being prepared for your healthcare can mean many things – choosing a health plan, selecting a doctor, and keeping track of medications are all critical to our well-being.
To help us with these choices, we are going to be having some informational seminars on Medicare for Newcomers and on Polypharmacy and keeping track of your various medications.
On March 6, we will have SCAN Health Plan here to talk to seniors about their Medicare supplement plan and its benefits. AND we will have FIND Food Bank here to work with signing up clients for CAL-FRESH benefits. Many seniors may not realize they are eligible for food stamps to supplement their income, so come down and find out how to apply!
On March 7, there will be a Fall Prevention Class at the Yucca Valley Senior Center (57088 Twentynine Palms Hwy) sponsored by Desert Oasis Healthcare. With falls being one of the number one ways seniors get hospitalized, this is a class you do not want to miss.
e will also be hosting Bill Proctor and Associates of United Health Care to answer your questions about various health plans and options – we will be sending out reminders when a firm date is set!
On March 8, 2019 at 10:00am we will have Julie Sarmiento at the 29 Palms Senior Center (6539 Adobe Rd) presenting ‘Medicare for Newcomers’ to help inform newcomers about Medicare and the various plans and options available to them.
On Monday, March 11 at 10:30am we will have Heidi Waldorf, R.N. presenting an informational seminar on Polypharmacy at the 29 Palms Senior Center (6539 Adobe Rd). Do you take more than one daily prescribed and/or over the counter medication? Do you have multiple medications for various health conditions? Nurse Waldorf will be discussing polypharmacy (the simultaneous use of multiple drugs by a single patient, for one or more conditions), its risks, and how you can work with your doctor to decrease these risks. In addition, Nurse Waldorf will be at the Senior Center each Tuesday in March from 9:30am to 1:00pm to sit down with you one-on-one to list all your medications and dosages for you to go over with your doctor or keep in case of emergency.
As you can see, even if the life (and the weather) isn’t predictable, we can always take steps to be prepared and ready for whatever it throws at us. So take control of your health, and get ready to spring towards a better life!
Peace, Love and Happiness!
Robin Schlosser,Executive Director