Page 8 - Jupiter Ocean Mile - September '22
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Page 8, Jupiter Ocean Mile
Medicare Corner With Kathy O
As an insurance agent or neighbors. In fact, my mom fell into this web of you know; if you choose a plan and enroll, you cannot add
who specializes in Medicare confusion, and I watched her struggle with navigating a local agent later. Your only resource is the 800 number
plans, I am often asked, plans as she moved between North Carolina and Florida on the back of your card.
“Why do I need a local and during annual enrollment each year. She had complex Most extra benefits of a local agent happen after you
agent?” Medicare can be medical issues and a fixed income so additional benefits enroll. I am a resource for my members. I can reorder lost
complex and confusing were very important to her. When I would ask her cards, answer benefit questions, give a list of specialists,
with all the different questions about her coverage, she had no idea and no one review notices, claim statements and so much more. The
options and all the mailers, to turn to for help. It broke my heart to see her struggle best part is there is no cost to you the Medicare recipient!
commercials that promise and frustrated me that I didn’t have the knowledge to help I’m an educator of Medicare Basics: I guide you
the moon, suggestions, her. I had a life and health license since 2008 but was only through enrollment. We meet one on one to review and
“facts” or stories you might trained in life insurance. I also did customer service for analyze your specific health situation and needs. We
hear from friends, relatives property and casualty but could not offer my own mom review the features and benefits and limitations of plans.
the type of support I could give my clients at work. A I also look up costs of medications, check out doctors and
networks and compare multiple plans with you.
close friend working with United Healthcare Medicare
Helping Poor plans encouraged me to take the training necessary to be I speak Medicare: Supplement, Drug Plan and
appointed and I joined him in 2013 working with Medicare
Advantage Plan. For a free Medicare plan review please
Readers consumers. My mom was my first client. call me. Kathy Olejniczak, agent, (561) 212-7640.
Many people are great at Internet research and can
analyze and choose a plan that works for them. But did
By Jim Forgan, Ph.D.,
Licensed School New Programming At La Posada
Psychologist
It can frustrate you and
your child when reading Helps Residents Navigate The
does not develop easily.
Sometimes the struggle
becomes a blame game Ever-Changing World Of Technology
of blaming the child for
not trying hard enough,
blaming a teacher for As tools and technologies continue to advance,
poor teaching, or even many seniors can feel left behind and overwhelmed
blaming yourself for not spending enough time reading by the growing list of programs, apps and websites
with your child. Ultimately, a child’s struggles are now utilized in everyday life. This digital divide
often related to a combination of factors including a was exacerbated by the pandemic, which drove
genetic predisposition for reading difficulty. Many times a rapid acceleration in the use of telehealth and
learning disabilities such as dyslexia occur within the other online services. While technology kept most
family tree. Americans connected to healthcare and loved ones,
To help your child you have many choices of doing countless seniors felt isolation and frustration as a
testing, tutoring, brain training, waiting, or talking with result of their lack of familiarity with technology.
the teacher. While testing and tutoring are preferred, the La Posada, a Kisco Senior Living community
one thing I recommend you do is not let your child lose located in Palm Beach Gardens, wants to help
the hope that they can become a great reader. When I its residents fill the digital gap. Through a partnership with In addition to guided lessons, DiPanni frequently holds
test poor readers I identify the root cause and most local organization, Social Savvy Seniors, the community has one-on-one sessions with residents to further assist them
effective reading program to help your child make the introduced programming to motivate participants to explore with their individual technology needs. One such individual,
most improvement as fast as possible. I also assess a the uses and benefits of technology and social media. Chuck Sawicki, is a passionate advocate for the Social Savvy
child’s self-esteem as some kids come in feeling defeated Founded in 2017 by Tiffany DiPanni, Social Savvy Seniors Seniors program and has received one-on-one training from
believing they have a broken brain. inspires seniors to enhance their quality of life by using DiPanni to help with his business. Through Social Savvy
I understand the struggles because I had a hard time technology. Through presentations, guided lessons and one-on- Senior’s Business for Boomers program, Sawicki has
reading sounding out words but I had a strong memory one sessions, the organization is educating La Posada residents been able to perfect his presentations, get emails promptly
so I could memorize well. During my childhood it and the greater Palm Beach senior community on how best to answered and master his personal devices to conduct
was common to collect things so as a 10-year-old use technology and social media to their advantage. business efficiently for his volunteer responsibilities in the
kid I collected beer cans. My dad drank the beer and Palm Beach County SCORE chapter.
I displayed the can’s colorful designs. My parents “I see Tiffany as a mentor,” noted Sawicki. “Many of
subscribed me to Beer Can Collectors of America and I us are intimidated by the rapid pace at which technology is
read articles about beer cans. We went on the brewery growing, but she is patient and encourages us to work with
tour at Busch Gardens. While these did not lead me to technology rather than against it.”
my career, the activities motivated me to read. The partnership between La Posada and Social Savvy
You might encourage your child to read about his or Seniors has also provided residents the ability to enjoy
her interests in Pokémon, Minecraft, arts and crafts, or modern amenities provided at the community, such as
Candy Crush. Support your child’s reading interests with voice-command devices and Touchtown, La Posada’s mobile
material and experiences. community-connection app. “Social Savvy Seniors has
To help poor readers, start with specialized tutoring given our residents confidence when using technology and
at reading centers like Lindamood Bell or the Reading social media,” said Rick Minichino, wellness director at La
Success Center in Palm City. I have some specialized “Growing up, I spent a lot of time around my grandmother Posada. “It makes daily responsibilities easier for them and
reading tutors at JimForgan.com/tutor. If money is tight, and her friends, which led me to notice that many seniors allows residents to stay connected with their families and
you can teach your child using the Barton Reading System lacked important personal connections to their families because fully engage in life at the community.”
at BartonReading.com. Reading is a skill so it can improve. they either weren’t using social media platforms or had As a Kisco Senior Living community, La Posada is
If you suspect dyslexia, call our office as we test difficulties trying to send texts or emails,” said DiPanni. “In a dedicated to offering enriching experiences that encourage
children ages 5.5 through college for dyslexia, ADHD/ digital age, most of us take these conveniences for granted, but residents to pursue their passions. The Social Savvy
ADD, giftedness, and other processing disorders. Visit many older generations grew up without modern technology, Seniors program is just one of many engaging programs
JimForgan.com or call (561) 625-4125. so they are missing out on the immense benefits technology and activities offered to residents daily. Along with tech-
can provide.” focused programming, wellness at La Posada includes
Social Savvy Seniors is conducting an ongoing multi-part upwards of 50 different programs that target each facet
Advertise, Send Articles. series at La Posada consisting of presentations and discussions of wellness including game and movie nights, exercise
about online security, social media, personal devices, fraud and classes, excursions to local areas of Palm Beach Gardens
Check Out Our Website! more. Since beginning the program six months ago, residents and much more.
www.seabreezepublications.com have vastly improved their tech-savvy skills, enabling them to “At La Posada, we consistently evaluate current events
better manage prescriptions, use online banking, avoid scams, and issues that affect our senior residents,” said Minichino.
video-chat with family, and even shop online independently. “Our primary goal is to provide a high quality of life, so we
Residents Bill and Marilyn Quinn have gained a wealth continuously pursue new programs and activities that will
of knowledge from the program. Although both required not only better their lives but inspire them to take charge of
different levels of assistance with technology, each of their their well-being.”
unique needs were addressed through Dipanni’s instruction.
While Bill received solutions to better manage his cellphone If you’re interested in learning more about life
and email, Marilyn used Dipanni’s advice to help her identify at La Posada, call 561.475.3386 today to schedule
scams and shop online safely. “My wife is the social director your personal tour and experience the La Posada
of our family,” laughed Bill. “Since we started participating lifestyle yourself. Visit mylaposada.com for more
in the program, she is always on Facetime with family and information.
friends and loves to shop online.”
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