Senior Citizens Week is under way in Coral Gables, from Medicare fraud to Bitcoin

By Coral Gables Gazette staff

Senior Citizens Week got under way in Coral Gables on Monday, and by the time it wraps up Friday with golf, ice cream and a final round of activities, residents 50 and older will have had the chance to learn about Medicare fraud, artificial intelligence, Bitcoin, estate planning and pet CPR — some of it in the same afternoon.

The annual celebration, organized through the city’s Adult Activity Center at 2 Andalusia Ave., runs through Friday, Aug. 21, with more than two dozen presentations, demonstrations and activities spanning health, finance, safety and technology, along with daily outreach tables. Most events are free with registration, though space is limited and some fill quickly.

Monday: fraud, credit and flowers

The week opened Monday with a Medicare fraud prevention session led by SHINE specialist Liliana Rey, followed by a Dade County Federal Credit Union presentation on building and protecting credit.

MindBalance Psychiatry led an afternoon session on emotional well-being in aging, and the day closed with a $20 hands-on flower bouquet workshop. Outreach tables included Miami-Dade County’s mobile tax collector unit and Alliance for Aging and SHINE.

Tuesday: brain health and city sustainability

Tuesday’s programming leans toward health and wellness.

Baptist Health opens the day at 10 a.m. with a lecture connecting brain health, diabetes and nutrition, followed at 11 a.m. by a Coral Gables Sustainability Division presentation on the city’s environmental initiatives.

Baptist Health returns at noon with a presentation on Parkinson disease from Dr. Marmol. At 1 p.m., Dr. Ariele Gallardo closes the day with a lecture exploring Blue Zones principles and the roles of physical activity, nutrition, sleep and social connection in healthy aging. The session is sponsored by Coral Gables Crime Watch.

Wednesday: scams, technology and safety

Wednesday brings the week’s busiest schedule.

Humana opens at 10 a.m. with an introduction to artificial intelligence for seniors, led by field community executive Ana Mazzei. Interim HealthCare follows at 11:30 a.m. with a foot-health presentation from Dr. Jordan Katz.

The afternoon turns heavily toward fraud and personal protection. The State Attorney’s Office presents at 12:30 p.m. on fraud prevention, bullying, human trafficking and record-expungement resources. At 1:45 p.m., U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chief Attorney Advisor Lisa T. Roberts addresses investment fraud, romance scams and other schemes. Coral Gables Crime Watch closes the day at 3 p.m. with one-on-one help on property-fraud registration and alerts.

Thursday: estate planning, library resources and hands-on training

Thursday pairs financial and civic programming with the week’s most hands-on safety training.

Comfort Keepers, Nunez Estate Law & Title and Janney Montgomery Scott Wealth Management open at 10 a.m. with a session on wills, trusts, powers of attorney, wealth management and legacy planning.

At 11 a.m., the Miami-Dade Public Library System turns to library resources, gardening and its Seed Share program. The University of Miami’s McKnight Brain Institute presents “Sleep Smarter” at 12:30 p.m. as part of its “Aging Like a Pro” series.

The Coral Gables Police Department follows at 12:45 p.m. with a self-defense demonstration. The Fire Department leads an adult CPR and first-aid demonstration at 1:45 p.m., followed at 2:45 p.m. by a pet CPR demonstration on providing emergency care for household animals until professional help arrives. Only service animals are permitted inside the Adult Activity Center.

Friday: Bitcoin, smartphones and Senior Palooza

Friday shifts toward technology, financial protection and celebration.

The lineup includes a CarePlus-sponsored DocTalk, followed at 10:30 a.m. by a Bitcoin and cryptocurrency lunch-and-learn sponsored by The Palace. At 11 a.m., the Miami-Dade Public Library System offers Smartphone 101, with participants asked to bring their own Apple or Android devices.

At 12:30 p.m., Senior Citizens Advisory Board member Tom Wells and his wife, Diane Wells, present “Senior Smarts: Financial Protection.”

The week culminates from 1 to 3 p.m. with Senior Palooza, marking National Senior Citizens Day with Cooking with Norma, the Miami Mobile Golf Simulator, refreshments and other activities.

A city with a growing stake in aging well

The week also reflects a demographic reality for Coral Gables.

Nearly one in five city residents — 18.9 percent — is 65 or older, according to the latest Census Bureau QuickFacts data. Coral Gables also belongs to the World Health Organization’s Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities.

The Adult Activity Center’s work extends well beyond Senior Citizens Week. The center offers year-round fitness, leisure, learning and support programs for adults 50 and older. It also accepts applications for Miami-Dade County’s Golden Passport program, which provides free transit to eligible seniors and Social Security beneficiaries.

If you go…

Senior Citizens Week continues through Friday, Aug. 21, at the Adult Activity Center, 2 Andalusia Ave.

Most events are free with registration, although some activities carry a fee and space is limited. Complimentary valet parking is available across the street at The Palace, and free parking is available in the garage above the Adult Activity Center with validation at the Registration Office.

Registration and the full schedule are available through PlayGables. For information, call 305-461-6765 or email aacinfo@coralgables.com.

Author: Coral Gables Gazette News Staff