Category: Resources and Tips

The single barrier to communicating with older people is how information is presented in the print form or audibly. The font size on text materials, mainly hard copy and visual displays such as television, is too small to read.  Product labels and instructions, particularly for medications, are hard to decipher. Page layouts are often confusing…

Our in-depth, one-on-one Medicare insurance counseling sessions are designed to help Medicare beneficiaries and their families, friends, and caregivers. During open enrollment, Robert Cohen, a long-time SHIBA counselor for the CoA, helps hundreds of people make the right choices for each individual situation.  “I try to steer people in the right direction, so they can…

Feelings of isolation and loneliness are on the rise and the lockdown has exasperated the problem. Many seniors don’t know where to turn. They didn’t plan to worry about surviving a pandemic. But life doesn’t come with a script or any guarantees. By providing access to the information seniors need, and services such as Medicare…

As we age, the inevitable happens. Friends and relatives pass away. Social circles become smaller. Married couples lose a spouse. Physical limitations limit activities when an aging adult can no longer drive, has mobility issues, hearing difficulties, or trouble following a conversation. Anyone of these scenarios can leave an older adult feeling very lonely and…

Over the course of our life time, our circumstances are likely to change. Information, answers to questions, and access to resources aren’t always easy to obtain. That’s where Bob Bailey comes in. As our Information and Resource Specialist, he’s always happy to help answer inquiries from an aging adult, their caregivers, or concerned children. Bob…

With self-isolation as the new normal, you may be missing your usual outings with family, bridge games, religious services, book clubs, or casual social visits and other ways you like to be entertained.   That makes staying entertained while staying safe at home is now more important than ever. Here we’ve shared dozens of suggestions adapted…

The Federal Trade Commission has received more than 15,000 COVID-19 related consumer fraud and scam complaints — and almost half of those were in the first nine days of April. Learn how to protect you and your family.

In this time of quarantine and social distancing, it can be hard to fill the days. Perhaps you’re missing your grandchildren, or just wishing there were good sports on television.  There are many ways to keep in touch, and keep busy, even during this strange time.  Council on Aging of Central Oregon has created a…

Storytelling brings people together. Here are some great questions to ask senior grandparents, neighbors, and friends.

If a health condition prevents you from working and living an independent life, it may be time to apply for disability benefits.

Older adults and their loved ones should know the differences between Medicare and Medicaid to better understand their options for medical coverage.