If you have a choice of where to get your groceries, pick a store that is clean and well supplied. If it is also busy, the stock is probably more likely to turn over quickly.

Many people say a successful trip to the grocery store starts with a shopping list. Throughout the week, try to keep a list of food and supplies you need. Keeping to a list helps you follow a budget because you will be less likely to buy on impulse. A prepared grocery list will help you choose healthy types of foods.

When making your shopping list, check your staples. Staples are nice to have around if you can’t go grocery shopping.

A trip to the grocery store can be a chore for anyone, but as you get older, you might have some new reasons for not going. For example, getting around a big food store might be difficult. What can you do?

Some stores have motorized carts, which you can use.

Ask if there is an employee who can help you reach things or push your cart.

If your store has a pharmacy department, you might find a seat there if you get tired.

Plan to shop at a time of day when you are rested.

If it’s a busy grocery store, try to pick a time when it might not be so crowded; that way you won’t have to stand in a long check-out line.

If you don’t have enough energy to walk around a shop looking for the ingredients for your meal then you can get the food delivered to your door. All you have to do is cook it! Check out this Sun Basket Review & $100 Promo Code if it’s something you would be interested in.

Check with your local Area Agency on Aging to see if there are volunteers in your area who can help.

If you can find a farmers’ market or vegetable stand nearby during the growing season, fruits and vegetables might cost less than in the grocery store. Local Harvest can also direct you to farmers’ markets in your area.

You might also be able to get some help from the federal government to pay for vegetables and fruits from farmers’ markets through the Seniors F armers’ Market Nutrition Program. They provide coupons you can use at farmers’ markets and roadside stands.

For More Information on Shopping for Healthy Foods

Local Harvest
www.localharvest.org

National Association of Area Agencies on Aging
1-202-872-0888
[email protected]
www.n4a.org

National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs
1-202-682-6899
www.nanasp.org

Eldercare Locator
1-800-677-1116 (toll-free)
https://eldercare.acl.gov

Fall is in full swing, meaning colorful foliage, delicious pumpkin treats, and—perhaps best of all—cooler weather! While you may be celebrating the end of an unbearable summer, it’s important to remember that cooler weather can also mean greater risk of getting sick.

Here’s a list of four vaccines that Medicare helps pay for and that you should talk with your doctor about to help protect yourself from illness this winter and beyond.

Influenza Vaccine:Why is it important for older adults to get the flu shot? Older adults—even if you are healthy—are at higher risk when it comes to the flu due to age-related weakening of our immune systems, making it more difficult for us to fight off disease.

The flu vaccine is a once a year, cost-free Medicare Part B benefit. For Original Medicare, you must use a physician or healthcare provider who accepts Medicare, and for Medicare Advantage, you may have to use an in-network doctor or pharmacy.

Shingles Vaccine: Shingles is a painful skin rash that’s caused by the same virus responsible for chickenpox. Shingles is less contagious than chickenpox, and can only be passed on to another person up until the point when the infected person’s blisters begin to scab. Even after shingles passes, long-term pain can linger.

Researchers believe that the age-related weakening of our immune systems can trigger the “reawakening” of the dormant chickenpox virus.

All Medicare Part D drug plans, or Medicare Advantage plans that include prescription coverage, typically cover the shingles vaccine.

Pneumococcal Vaccine: Pneumococcal disease causes severe infections throughout the bloodstream and/or key organs. While you may not have heard of pneumococcal disease, you have probably heard of the conditions that result from this disease, including pneumonia and meningitis.

The pneumococcal vaccine is a cost-free benefit covered by Medicare Part B. For Original Medicare, you must use a physician or healthcare provider who accepts Medicare, and for Medicare Advantage, you may have to use an in-network doctor or pharmacy.

Hepatitis B Vaccine: What is the hepatitis B virus? Hepatitis B (or hep B) is a contagious virus that infects the liver. Acute hep B, which usually lasts a few weeks, often mimics symptoms similar to the flu, like fever and nausea. Chronic hep B is long-term, often has no symptoms at all, and can cause liver damage or death.

Why is it important for older adults to get the hepatitis B vaccine? The liver and its function change as you age, making hep B more prevalent among older adults. Your risk of contracting hepatitis B increases if you have hemophilia, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), diabetes, or other conditions that lower resistance to infection. Acute hep B is particularly dangerous for older adults because there is no specific treatment for the symptoms.

Make a plan to get vaccinated today!

Getting these vaccines is an important part of healthy aging, and they also help ensure the health of your friends and family. Call your doctor today to see if these vaccines are right for your health, and then check with your Medicare provider about where you can get them. If you know someone who may not be vaccinated, share this information with them so they can take the next step toward protecting themselves.

Want to help your community while also helping yourself? Then consider becoming one of RSVP’s trained, certified Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance instructors.

Training for new volunteer instructors is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, October 12 and 13. The program provides active retirees a way to serve their community through teaching the free classes while also improving their own balance and staying fit.

The two-day training, led by the Master Trainer, will be held in Camarillo, but volunteers can teach in any of Oxnard RSVP’s 12-week classes in the four west county cities served (Oxnard, Camarillo, Ventura and Pt. Hueneme).

After training, volunteers must practice at least 30 hours before being certified to teach; often those trained practice together for support. Attendance at quarterly in-services will be required of volunteers.

No experience is necessary, but volunteers must be age 55 or older and make a six-month commitment to teach three hours per week. Since instructors work as teams, time away for illness or short vacations is possible.

For more information on the instructor training or to make an appointment to be interviewed for the position, please call 805-385-8023. There are currently three Ventura classes and two each in Oxnard and Camarillo.

A federal grant received by the City of Oxnard and its RSVP program funds the free exercise classes, which follow curriculum developed at the Oregon Research Institute (in Oregon) where studies showed improved strength and balance, increased mobility and reduced incidence of falls among seniors who participated in the classes.

Classes consist of a core eight-form routine of Yang-style Tai Chi with built-in exercise variations. It teaches participants balance skills and good body alignment by using coordinated and flowing movements. The classes are intended for adults age 60 and older who can walk easily with or without assistive devices.

RSVP is a volunteer recruitment and placement program, helping people 55 and older find volunteer positions that match their interests, talent and available time.  The Oxnard RSVP has almost 575 members and is sponsored by the City of Oxnard.  To learn more about being an RSVP member or to discuss other volunteer opportunities, call 805-385-8023.