Two free webinars in “Learning from COVID-19: Lessons from Experts in the Field of Aging” series,

June 12: “Impact on Age-Friendly Communities and Immigrant Families”

June 26: “Scams and Benefit Updates” plus “Caregiving During COVID-19”

TRENTON, NJ (June 4, 2020) – The New Jersey Foundation for Aging (NJFA) is hosting two free webinars in their June series on “Learning from COVID-19: Lessons from Experts in the Field of Aging” series. Sponsored by Archer Law Office, LLC, and AARP New Jersey, the webinars will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on Fridays June 12 and 26. Melissa Chalker, Executive Director of the NJFA, will moderate.

Topics covered are “Impact on Age-Friendly Communities and Immigrant Families” on June 12 and “Scams and Benefit Updates” plus “Caregiving During COVID-19” on June 26. For more information and to register, visit njfoundationforaging.org or call 609-421-0206.

“Impact on Age-Friendly Communities and Immigrant Families” on June 12 features Katie York, Lifelong Montclair, and Jonelle Rodriguez, American Friends Service Committee.

York of Lifelong Montclair will cover the most pressing issues her organization has faced during the COVID-19 crisis, such as food security and social isolation. She will explain how these issues were addressed with partners like the local soup kitchen, Kiwanis chapter, library, and local businesses and organizations that donated time and resources. Keeping older residents engaged and active at home was paramount. York will also discuss how they worked with seniors to determine the best virtual platform for programming, resulting in a strong turnout for online classes.

Rodriguez of American Friends Service Committee will talk about the barriers faced by immigrant seniors in accessing need-based services and benefits that can assist in preventing vulnerability. Navigating public benefit systems while adhering to immigration-based policies for these benefits can be a complex process, she notes. She will show how the COVID-19 pandemic has complicated this process even further, and how service providers assisting with increasing access for their clients can be effective in providing support and guidance.

“Scams and Benefits Update” plus “Caregiving During COVID-19” on June 26 features Charles Clarkson, Senior Medicare Patrol of NJ; Frank Winter, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and Christine Newman, AARP New Jersey (not pictured).

Medicare loses an estimated $60 billion each year to fraud, errors and abuse, notes Charles Clarkson of the Senior Medicare Patrol of NJ. Every day, these issues affect countless beneficiaries nationwide. Now, with the health care crisis that’s affecting everyone, there’s a new twist to Medicare fraud: COVID-19. Clarkson will show how to protect yourself against Medicare fraud and how to detect and report it.

Frank Winter of CMS will discuss how you can help your clients navigate Medicare enrollment and access care during the COVID-19 pandemic. He will also present information on Medicare’s resources, accessing telemedicine and preparing for “virtual open enrollment” in the fall.

Christine Newman of AARP NJ will explain how COVID-19 emphasizes the need for accessible tele-health services for caregivers and earned sick leave to allow workers to care for loved ones/care recipients. She will also cover questions to ask if your loved one is in a nursing home, why better transparency in nursing homes is needed, the importance of having an established caregiving plan and what elements should be in that plan.

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The New Jersey Foundation for Aging (www.njfoundationforaging.org) is the only statewide nonprofit organization focused solely on providing leadership in public policy and education to enable older adults to live with independence and dignity in their communities. In addition to its policy leadership role, the NJFA produces the award-winning Aging Insights, a monthly half-hour TV program promoting dialogue on critical issues for older adults and caregivers. The show can be seen on more than 70 public-access stations and at www.njfoundationforaging.org/aging-insights. The NJFA also presents an annual conference (currently scheduled for July 24, 2020) offering development opportunities and best practices for professionals entrusted with caring for seniors.