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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260414T073000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260414T200000
DTSTAMP:20260414T182644
CREATED:20251027T151405Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251027T151405Z
UID:10002471-1776151800-1776196800@nowincluded.com
SUMMARY:LGBTQIA+ Morning Meditation
DESCRIPTION:For many families\, memory concerns do not begin with a specialist. They begin at the kitchen table\, in a missed phone call\, a repeated question\, a bill left unpaid\, or a quiet moment when someone says\, “Something feels different.” But in low-income households\, noticing the problem is only the first hurdle. The next questions come fast: Who do we call? How much will this cost? Will Medicare cover it? What happens if we bring it up and the next step is too expensive to manage? That is what makes access and affordability such an important part of the story. A cognitive assessment can help catch changes in memory and thinking early\, but too many people do not know that Medicare may already cover an entry point into that process through the yearly Wellness Visit. For families living on fixed incomes\, juggling rent\, food\, medications\, transportation\, and caregiving\, a free preventive visit is not a small detail. It can be the difference between raising a concern early and waiting until a health crisis forces the issue. This is especially important in communities that already face barriers to care\, delayed diagnosis\, and lower access to specialty services. When a benefit like the Medicare Wellness Visit includes a chance to talk about memory and thinking at no extra cost\, it becomes more than a line in a policy document—It becomes a real pathway into care. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What A Cognitive Assessment Is\, In Plain Language				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									A cognitive assessment is a check on how the brain is handling everyday thinking skills. It may look at areas such as memory\, attention\, language\, decision-making\, problem-solving\, or changes in behavior. It is not the same thing as a full dementia diagnosis\, and it is not meant to label every small lapse as disease.1 Instead\, it helps a clinician notice whether there are signs that deserve a closer look. During a Medicare-covered cognitive assessment\, a doctor or other health care provider may review medical history and medications\, talk about symptoms\, look at how daily life is going\, identify social supports\, and decide whether more testing or a specialist referral is needed.2 Medicare also notes that a separate cognitive assessment visit can help establish or confirm a diagnosis like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and create a care plan.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What The Medicare Wellness Visit Has To Do With It				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									This is where access becomes especially important. Medicare’s yearly Wellness Visit is a preventive visit for people who have had Part B longer than 12 months.3 It is not a full routine physical. It is a visit designed to review health risks\, medications\, history\, preventive needs\, and planning for future care.3 One of the items that may be included is a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s disease.3 The visit is covered once every 12 months\, and Medicare says you pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment. (When a doctor “accepts assignment” in Medicare\, they have agreed to accept a Medicare-approved amount as full payment for any Medicare-covered service provided to you).3 It is also important to understand the difference between the free Wellness Visit and a more detailed follow-up. Medicare covers a separate cognitive assessment and care-planning visit under Part B when a clinician needs to take a closer look\, but that separate visit can involve cost-sharing. After the Part B deductible\, patients generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for that more detailed service.3 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Why This Assessment Matters				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes can have many causes. Sometimes the issue is dementia. Sometimes it may be medication side effects\, depression\, anxiety\, sleep problems\, delirium\, or another medical condition. That is exactly why it is so important not to ignore symptoms or self-diagnose too quickly.1 Medicare’s benefits guide specifically notes that trouble remembering\, learning new things\, concentrating\, or managing finances can be signs of cognitive impairment\, but that conditions like depression\, anxiety\, and delirium can also cause confusion.2 A cognitive assessment matters because it can help move the conversation from vague worry to clearer next steps. It can help answer questions like: Is this worth watching more closely?Do we need more testing?Is it affecting daily life?Could another health issue be contributing?Does the family need support now\, not later?								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That kind of clarity can be powerful. It does not solve everything in one appointment\, but it can help families act sooner and plan better. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Prognosis Means In This Conversation				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Prognosis means the likely course of a condition over time. In the setting of memory or thinking changes\, prognosis depends on what is actually causing the symptoms. That is why a cognitive assessment is so useful. It does not predict everyone’s future on its own. It helps identify whether there may be a mild issue\, a progressive condition like dementia\, or another problem that needs attention. Some causes of confusion may be treatable or reversible. Others may require long-term care planning and support. The larger point is that earlier detection can give people and families more time. More time to understand the diagnosis. More time to make decisions. More time to talk through safety\, finances\, caregiving\, treatment goals\, and community resources. The Alzheimer’s Association also highlights early detection and diagnosis as a key part of connecting patients to appropriate monitoring\, care planning\, and support.1 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How Common Cognitive Decline And Dementia Are				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes are more common than many families realize\, especially as people get older. CDC reports that 4.0% of adults age 65 and older have received a dementia diagnosis. But that number rises sharply with age\, reaching 13.1% among adults aged 85 and older.4 And dementia is only part of the story. There is also a larger group of older adults living with milder but still meaningful changes in memory and thinking. This is often called mild cognitive impairment\, or MCI. It does not always turn into dementia\, but it can be an important warning sign.4 That means many families are living in a gray area long before a diagnosis ever appears in the medical chart. Someone may still be dressing themselves\, making conversation\, and getting through most of the day\, but they may also be forgetting medications\, repeating questions\, getting confused about bills\, missing appointments\, or struggling with decisions that used to feel simple. These early changes are easy to dismiss\, especially when a family is already juggling work\, caregiving\, transportation\, and the cost of everyday life.4 It is also important to remember that diagnosed dementia numbers do not capture everyone who is struggling. Some people have symptoms but have never been formally evaluated. Others are told they are “just aging\,” or they delay bringing concerns up because of stigma\, fear\, or the cost of follow-up care. That underdiagnosis matters\, because families often end up getting answers only after a fall\, a hospitalization\, a medication mistake\, or another crisis forces the issue.4 This is why early cognitive assessment matters so much. It helps move people out of uncertainty and into a clearer conversation about what is happening\, what needs monitoring\, and what support may be needed next. It also reminds families that memory concerns are not rare\, and they are not something people have to wait on until things get worse.4 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Happens During The Visit				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The actual visit is usually straightforward. Medicare says the yearly Wellness Visit may include: a review of medical and family historya review of current prescriptionsroutine measurements like height\, weight\, and blood pressurea cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s diseasehealth advicea screening schedule for preventive servicesadvance care planningan optional social determinants of health risk assessment								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									If the provider is concerned about cognition\, they may ask more questions\, talk with a family member or caregiver\, review medications more closely\, or schedule a more detailed follow-up assessment.3 Medicare also notes that for a separate detailed cognitive assessment visit\, patients can bring a spouse\, friend\, or caregiver to help listen and answer questions. That can be incredibly helpful when memory concerns are part of the reason for the visit. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How To Access This Benefit For Free				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The process is usually simpler than people expect. First\, make sure the person has had Medicare Part B for more than 12 months. That is the general requirement for the yearly Wellness Visit.2Next\, call the primary care office and ask to schedule the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit\, sometimes just called the Medicare Wellness Visit. Medicare covers it once every 12 months.2								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									When you book the appointment\, ask whether the provider accepts assignment. As we learned above\, that matters because if the provider accepts assignment\, the visit costs nothing.2 Also ask whether anything discussed beyond the preventive visit could create extra billing\, since additional tests or services outside the covered preventive benefit may lead to coinsurance or other charges.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Before the appointment\, gather a few basics:				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									a list of medications\, including over-the-counter drugsany family history of dementia or major memory problemsnotes about changes in memory\, decision-making\, finances\, driving\, medications\, or daily routinesa trusted loved one who can describe what they have noticed\, if appropriate								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That preparation can make the visit more useful and make it easier for the clinician to see the full picture. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Self-Advocacy Language For Readers				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing what to say. If you or a loved one has an appointment soon\, try using these words: “I’d like to use the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit to talk about memory and thinking changes.” You can also say\, “I know a cognitive assessment can be part of this visit. Can we include that today?” If you are a family member or caregiver\, you can say\, “We’ve noticed changes in memory\, judgment\, or managing everyday tasks\, and we want to talk about whether more evaluation is needed.” And if cost is a concern\, it is okay to ask directly\, “Will this be covered as part of the Medicare Wellness Visit\, and are there any extra charges I should know about before we start?” Medicare itself advises people to ask what Medicare will actually cover when additional services are recommended. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					A Call To Action For The NOWINCLUDED Community				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory concerns deserve attention\, not silence. If you or someone you love has Medicare\, the yearly Wellness Visit may offer a free opening to talk about cognitive changes and ask for a cognitive assessment. That one step can help move a family from uncertainty to clearer answers\, better planning\, and stronger support. Inside the NOWINCLUDED app\, you can find trusted\, culturally aware health education to help you prepare for visits\, ask better questions\, and understand how benefits like Medicare fit into the bigger picture of access and equity. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					References				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Alzheimer’s Association. (2025). Cognitive Screening and Assessment. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-medical-professionals/cognitive-assessmentMedicare.gov. (2026). Cognitive assessment & care plan services. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cognitive-assessment-care-plan-servicesMedicare.gov. (2025). Yearly “Wellness” visits. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-wellness-visitsSanthosh\, C. (2024\, June 13). About 4% of US adults age 65 and older have a dementia diagnosis\, survey finds. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/about-4-us-adults-age-65-older-have-dementia-diagnosis-survey-finds-2024-06-13/NIH. (2023\, December 8). Cognitive Assessment Considerations: Understanding the Evidence. Retrieved from NIH – National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-assessment-considerations-understanding-evidenceAlzheimer’s Association. (2025). Health Equity. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/public-health-topics/health-equity
URL:https://nowincluded.com/event/lgbtqia-morning-meditation/2026-04-14/
LOCATION:Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Mental Health,Virtual
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260414T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260414T183000
DTSTAMP:20260414T182644
CREATED:20251021T151942Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251021T163850Z
UID:10000614-1776186000-1776191400@nowincluded.com
SUMMARY:Grieving Together: A 6- Week Series
DESCRIPTION:For many families\, memory concerns do not begin with a specialist. They begin at the kitchen table\, in a missed phone call\, a repeated question\, a bill left unpaid\, or a quiet moment when someone says\, “Something feels different.” But in low-income households\, noticing the problem is only the first hurdle. The next questions come fast: Who do we call? How much will this cost? Will Medicare cover it? What happens if we bring it up and the next step is too expensive to manage? That is what makes access and affordability such an important part of the story. A cognitive assessment can help catch changes in memory and thinking early\, but too many people do not know that Medicare may already cover an entry point into that process through the yearly Wellness Visit. For families living on fixed incomes\, juggling rent\, food\, medications\, transportation\, and caregiving\, a free preventive visit is not a small detail. It can be the difference between raising a concern early and waiting until a health crisis forces the issue. This is especially important in communities that already face barriers to care\, delayed diagnosis\, and lower access to specialty services. When a benefit like the Medicare Wellness Visit includes a chance to talk about memory and thinking at no extra cost\, it becomes more than a line in a policy document—It becomes a real pathway into care. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What A Cognitive Assessment Is\, In Plain Language				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									A cognitive assessment is a check on how the brain is handling everyday thinking skills. It may look at areas such as memory\, attention\, language\, decision-making\, problem-solving\, or changes in behavior. It is not the same thing as a full dementia diagnosis\, and it is not meant to label every small lapse as disease.1 Instead\, it helps a clinician notice whether there are signs that deserve a closer look. During a Medicare-covered cognitive assessment\, a doctor or other health care provider may review medical history and medications\, talk about symptoms\, look at how daily life is going\, identify social supports\, and decide whether more testing or a specialist referral is needed.2 Medicare also notes that a separate cognitive assessment visit can help establish or confirm a diagnosis like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and create a care plan.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What The Medicare Wellness Visit Has To Do With It				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									This is where access becomes especially important. Medicare’s yearly Wellness Visit is a preventive visit for people who have had Part B longer than 12 months.3 It is not a full routine physical. It is a visit designed to review health risks\, medications\, history\, preventive needs\, and planning for future care.3 One of the items that may be included is a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s disease.3 The visit is covered once every 12 months\, and Medicare says you pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment. (When a doctor “accepts assignment” in Medicare\, they have agreed to accept a Medicare-approved amount as full payment for any Medicare-covered service provided to you).3 It is also important to understand the difference between the free Wellness Visit and a more detailed follow-up. Medicare covers a separate cognitive assessment and care-planning visit under Part B when a clinician needs to take a closer look\, but that separate visit can involve cost-sharing. After the Part B deductible\, patients generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for that more detailed service.3 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Why This Assessment Matters				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes can have many causes. Sometimes the issue is dementia. Sometimes it may be medication side effects\, depression\, anxiety\, sleep problems\, delirium\, or another medical condition. That is exactly why it is so important not to ignore symptoms or self-diagnose too quickly.1 Medicare’s benefits guide specifically notes that trouble remembering\, learning new things\, concentrating\, or managing finances can be signs of cognitive impairment\, but that conditions like depression\, anxiety\, and delirium can also cause confusion.2 A cognitive assessment matters because it can help move the conversation from vague worry to clearer next steps. It can help answer questions like: Is this worth watching more closely?Do we need more testing?Is it affecting daily life?Could another health issue be contributing?Does the family need support now\, not later?								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That kind of clarity can be powerful. It does not solve everything in one appointment\, but it can help families act sooner and plan better. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Prognosis Means In This Conversation				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Prognosis means the likely course of a condition over time. In the setting of memory or thinking changes\, prognosis depends on what is actually causing the symptoms. That is why a cognitive assessment is so useful. It does not predict everyone’s future on its own. It helps identify whether there may be a mild issue\, a progressive condition like dementia\, or another problem that needs attention. Some causes of confusion may be treatable or reversible. Others may require long-term care planning and support. The larger point is that earlier detection can give people and families more time. More time to understand the diagnosis. More time to make decisions. More time to talk through safety\, finances\, caregiving\, treatment goals\, and community resources. The Alzheimer’s Association also highlights early detection and diagnosis as a key part of connecting patients to appropriate monitoring\, care planning\, and support.1 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How Common Cognitive Decline And Dementia Are				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes are more common than many families realize\, especially as people get older. CDC reports that 4.0% of adults age 65 and older have received a dementia diagnosis. But that number rises sharply with age\, reaching 13.1% among adults aged 85 and older.4 And dementia is only part of the story. There is also a larger group of older adults living with milder but still meaningful changes in memory and thinking. This is often called mild cognitive impairment\, or MCI. It does not always turn into dementia\, but it can be an important warning sign.4 That means many families are living in a gray area long before a diagnosis ever appears in the medical chart. Someone may still be dressing themselves\, making conversation\, and getting through most of the day\, but they may also be forgetting medications\, repeating questions\, getting confused about bills\, missing appointments\, or struggling with decisions that used to feel simple. These early changes are easy to dismiss\, especially when a family is already juggling work\, caregiving\, transportation\, and the cost of everyday life.4 It is also important to remember that diagnosed dementia numbers do not capture everyone who is struggling. Some people have symptoms but have never been formally evaluated. Others are told they are “just aging\,” or they delay bringing concerns up because of stigma\, fear\, or the cost of follow-up care. That underdiagnosis matters\, because families often end up getting answers only after a fall\, a hospitalization\, a medication mistake\, or another crisis forces the issue.4 This is why early cognitive assessment matters so much. It helps move people out of uncertainty and into a clearer conversation about what is happening\, what needs monitoring\, and what support may be needed next. It also reminds families that memory concerns are not rare\, and they are not something people have to wait on until things get worse.4 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Happens During The Visit				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The actual visit is usually straightforward. Medicare says the yearly Wellness Visit may include: a review of medical and family historya review of current prescriptionsroutine measurements like height\, weight\, and blood pressurea cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s diseasehealth advicea screening schedule for preventive servicesadvance care planningan optional social determinants of health risk assessment								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									If the provider is concerned about cognition\, they may ask more questions\, talk with a family member or caregiver\, review medications more closely\, or schedule a more detailed follow-up assessment.3 Medicare also notes that for a separate detailed cognitive assessment visit\, patients can bring a spouse\, friend\, or caregiver to help listen and answer questions. That can be incredibly helpful when memory concerns are part of the reason for the visit. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How To Access This Benefit For Free				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The process is usually simpler than people expect. First\, make sure the person has had Medicare Part B for more than 12 months. That is the general requirement for the yearly Wellness Visit.2Next\, call the primary care office and ask to schedule the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit\, sometimes just called the Medicare Wellness Visit. Medicare covers it once every 12 months.2								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									When you book the appointment\, ask whether the provider accepts assignment. As we learned above\, that matters because if the provider accepts assignment\, the visit costs nothing.2 Also ask whether anything discussed beyond the preventive visit could create extra billing\, since additional tests or services outside the covered preventive benefit may lead to coinsurance or other charges.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Before the appointment\, gather a few basics:				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									a list of medications\, including over-the-counter drugsany family history of dementia or major memory problemsnotes about changes in memory\, decision-making\, finances\, driving\, medications\, or daily routinesa trusted loved one who can describe what they have noticed\, if appropriate								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That preparation can make the visit more useful and make it easier for the clinician to see the full picture. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Self-Advocacy Language For Readers				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing what to say. If you or a loved one has an appointment soon\, try using these words: “I’d like to use the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit to talk about memory and thinking changes.” You can also say\, “I know a cognitive assessment can be part of this visit. Can we include that today?” If you are a family member or caregiver\, you can say\, “We’ve noticed changes in memory\, judgment\, or managing everyday tasks\, and we want to talk about whether more evaluation is needed.” And if cost is a concern\, it is okay to ask directly\, “Will this be covered as part of the Medicare Wellness Visit\, and are there any extra charges I should know about before we start?” Medicare itself advises people to ask what Medicare will actually cover when additional services are recommended. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					A Call To Action For The NOWINCLUDED Community				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory concerns deserve attention\, not silence. If you or someone you love has Medicare\, the yearly Wellness Visit may offer a free opening to talk about cognitive changes and ask for a cognitive assessment. That one step can help move a family from uncertainty to clearer answers\, better planning\, and stronger support. Inside the NOWINCLUDED app\, you can find trusted\, culturally aware health education to help you prepare for visits\, ask better questions\, and understand how benefits like Medicare fit into the bigger picture of access and equity. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					References				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Alzheimer’s Association. (2025). Cognitive Screening and Assessment. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-medical-professionals/cognitive-assessmentMedicare.gov. (2026). Cognitive assessment & care plan services. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cognitive-assessment-care-plan-servicesMedicare.gov. (2025). Yearly “Wellness” visits. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-wellness-visitsSanthosh\, C. (2024\, June 13). About 4% of US adults age 65 and older have a dementia diagnosis\, survey finds. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/about-4-us-adults-age-65-older-have-dementia-diagnosis-survey-finds-2024-06-13/NIH. (2023\, December 8). Cognitive Assessment Considerations: Understanding the Evidence. Retrieved from NIH – National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-assessment-considerations-understanding-evidenceAlzheimer’s Association. (2025). Health Equity. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/public-health-topics/health-equity
URL:https://nowincluded.com/event/grieving-together-a-6-week-series/2026-04-14/
LOCATION:Smith Center For Healing and the Arts\, 1632 U Street NW\, Washington\, DC\, 20009\, United States
CATEGORIES:Mental Health,Virtual
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260414T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260414T193000
DTSTAMP:20260414T182644
CREATED:20251021T170806Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251021T170806Z
UID:10001140-1776191400-1776195000@nowincluded.com
SUMMARY:Survivorship Support Group
DESCRIPTION:For many families\, memory concerns do not begin with a specialist. They begin at the kitchen table\, in a missed phone call\, a repeated question\, a bill left unpaid\, or a quiet moment when someone says\, “Something feels different.” But in low-income households\, noticing the problem is only the first hurdle. The next questions come fast: Who do we call? How much will this cost? Will Medicare cover it? What happens if we bring it up and the next step is too expensive to manage? That is what makes access and affordability such an important part of the story. A cognitive assessment can help catch changes in memory and thinking early\, but too many people do not know that Medicare may already cover an entry point into that process through the yearly Wellness Visit. For families living on fixed incomes\, juggling rent\, food\, medications\, transportation\, and caregiving\, a free preventive visit is not a small detail. It can be the difference between raising a concern early and waiting until a health crisis forces the issue. This is especially important in communities that already face barriers to care\, delayed diagnosis\, and lower access to specialty services. When a benefit like the Medicare Wellness Visit includes a chance to talk about memory and thinking at no extra cost\, it becomes more than a line in a policy document—It becomes a real pathway into care. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What A Cognitive Assessment Is\, In Plain Language				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									A cognitive assessment is a check on how the brain is handling everyday thinking skills. It may look at areas such as memory\, attention\, language\, decision-making\, problem-solving\, or changes in behavior. It is not the same thing as a full dementia diagnosis\, and it is not meant to label every small lapse as disease.1 Instead\, it helps a clinician notice whether there are signs that deserve a closer look. During a Medicare-covered cognitive assessment\, a doctor or other health care provider may review medical history and medications\, talk about symptoms\, look at how daily life is going\, identify social supports\, and decide whether more testing or a specialist referral is needed.2 Medicare also notes that a separate cognitive assessment visit can help establish or confirm a diagnosis like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and create a care plan.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What The Medicare Wellness Visit Has To Do With It				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									This is where access becomes especially important. Medicare’s yearly Wellness Visit is a preventive visit for people who have had Part B longer than 12 months.3 It is not a full routine physical. It is a visit designed to review health risks\, medications\, history\, preventive needs\, and planning for future care.3 One of the items that may be included is a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s disease.3 The visit is covered once every 12 months\, and Medicare says you pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment. (When a doctor “accepts assignment” in Medicare\, they have agreed to accept a Medicare-approved amount as full payment for any Medicare-covered service provided to you).3 It is also important to understand the difference between the free Wellness Visit and a more detailed follow-up. Medicare covers a separate cognitive assessment and care-planning visit under Part B when a clinician needs to take a closer look\, but that separate visit can involve cost-sharing. After the Part B deductible\, patients generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for that more detailed service.3 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Why This Assessment Matters				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes can have many causes. Sometimes the issue is dementia. Sometimes it may be medication side effects\, depression\, anxiety\, sleep problems\, delirium\, or another medical condition. That is exactly why it is so important not to ignore symptoms or self-diagnose too quickly.1 Medicare’s benefits guide specifically notes that trouble remembering\, learning new things\, concentrating\, or managing finances can be signs of cognitive impairment\, but that conditions like depression\, anxiety\, and delirium can also cause confusion.2 A cognitive assessment matters because it can help move the conversation from vague worry to clearer next steps. It can help answer questions like: Is this worth watching more closely?Do we need more testing?Is it affecting daily life?Could another health issue be contributing?Does the family need support now\, not later?								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That kind of clarity can be powerful. It does not solve everything in one appointment\, but it can help families act sooner and plan better. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Prognosis Means In This Conversation				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Prognosis means the likely course of a condition over time. In the setting of memory or thinking changes\, prognosis depends on what is actually causing the symptoms. That is why a cognitive assessment is so useful. It does not predict everyone’s future on its own. It helps identify whether there may be a mild issue\, a progressive condition like dementia\, or another problem that needs attention. Some causes of confusion may be treatable or reversible. Others may require long-term care planning and support. The larger point is that earlier detection can give people and families more time. More time to understand the diagnosis. More time to make decisions. More time to talk through safety\, finances\, caregiving\, treatment goals\, and community resources. The Alzheimer’s Association also highlights early detection and diagnosis as a key part of connecting patients to appropriate monitoring\, care planning\, and support.1 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How Common Cognitive Decline And Dementia Are				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes are more common than many families realize\, especially as people get older. CDC reports that 4.0% of adults age 65 and older have received a dementia diagnosis. But that number rises sharply with age\, reaching 13.1% among adults aged 85 and older.4 And dementia is only part of the story. There is also a larger group of older adults living with milder but still meaningful changes in memory and thinking. This is often called mild cognitive impairment\, or MCI. It does not always turn into dementia\, but it can be an important warning sign.4 That means many families are living in a gray area long before a diagnosis ever appears in the medical chart. Someone may still be dressing themselves\, making conversation\, and getting through most of the day\, but they may also be forgetting medications\, repeating questions\, getting confused about bills\, missing appointments\, or struggling with decisions that used to feel simple. These early changes are easy to dismiss\, especially when a family is already juggling work\, caregiving\, transportation\, and the cost of everyday life.4 It is also important to remember that diagnosed dementia numbers do not capture everyone who is struggling. Some people have symptoms but have never been formally evaluated. Others are told they are “just aging\,” or they delay bringing concerns up because of stigma\, fear\, or the cost of follow-up care. That underdiagnosis matters\, because families often end up getting answers only after a fall\, a hospitalization\, a medication mistake\, or another crisis forces the issue.4 This is why early cognitive assessment matters so much. It helps move people out of uncertainty and into a clearer conversation about what is happening\, what needs monitoring\, and what support may be needed next. It also reminds families that memory concerns are not rare\, and they are not something people have to wait on until things get worse.4 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Happens During The Visit				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The actual visit is usually straightforward. Medicare says the yearly Wellness Visit may include: a review of medical and family historya review of current prescriptionsroutine measurements like height\, weight\, and blood pressurea cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s diseasehealth advicea screening schedule for preventive servicesadvance care planningan optional social determinants of health risk assessment								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									If the provider is concerned about cognition\, they may ask more questions\, talk with a family member or caregiver\, review medications more closely\, or schedule a more detailed follow-up assessment.3 Medicare also notes that for a separate detailed cognitive assessment visit\, patients can bring a spouse\, friend\, or caregiver to help listen and answer questions. That can be incredibly helpful when memory concerns are part of the reason for the visit. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How To Access This Benefit For Free				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The process is usually simpler than people expect. First\, make sure the person has had Medicare Part B for more than 12 months. That is the general requirement for the yearly Wellness Visit.2Next\, call the primary care office and ask to schedule the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit\, sometimes just called the Medicare Wellness Visit. Medicare covers it once every 12 months.2								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									When you book the appointment\, ask whether the provider accepts assignment. As we learned above\, that matters because if the provider accepts assignment\, the visit costs nothing.2 Also ask whether anything discussed beyond the preventive visit could create extra billing\, since additional tests or services outside the covered preventive benefit may lead to coinsurance or other charges.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Before the appointment\, gather a few basics:				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									a list of medications\, including over-the-counter drugsany family history of dementia or major memory problemsnotes about changes in memory\, decision-making\, finances\, driving\, medications\, or daily routinesa trusted loved one who can describe what they have noticed\, if appropriate								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That preparation can make the visit more useful and make it easier for the clinician to see the full picture. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Self-Advocacy Language For Readers				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing what to say. If you or a loved one has an appointment soon\, try using these words: “I’d like to use the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit to talk about memory and thinking changes.” You can also say\, “I know a cognitive assessment can be part of this visit. Can we include that today?” If you are a family member or caregiver\, you can say\, “We’ve noticed changes in memory\, judgment\, or managing everyday tasks\, and we want to talk about whether more evaluation is needed.” And if cost is a concern\, it is okay to ask directly\, “Will this be covered as part of the Medicare Wellness Visit\, and are there any extra charges I should know about before we start?” Medicare itself advises people to ask what Medicare will actually cover when additional services are recommended. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					A Call To Action For The NOWINCLUDED Community				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory concerns deserve attention\, not silence. If you or someone you love has Medicare\, the yearly Wellness Visit may offer a free opening to talk about cognitive changes and ask for a cognitive assessment. That one step can help move a family from uncertainty to clearer answers\, better planning\, and stronger support. Inside the NOWINCLUDED app\, you can find trusted\, culturally aware health education to help you prepare for visits\, ask better questions\, and understand how benefits like Medicare fit into the bigger picture of access and equity. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					References				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Alzheimer’s Association. (2025). Cognitive Screening and Assessment. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-medical-professionals/cognitive-assessmentMedicare.gov. (2026). Cognitive assessment & care plan services. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cognitive-assessment-care-plan-servicesMedicare.gov. (2025). Yearly “Wellness” visits. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-wellness-visitsSanthosh\, C. (2024\, June 13). About 4% of US adults age 65 and older have a dementia diagnosis\, survey finds. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/about-4-us-adults-age-65-older-have-dementia-diagnosis-survey-finds-2024-06-13/NIH. (2023\, December 8). Cognitive Assessment Considerations: Understanding the Evidence. Retrieved from NIH – National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-assessment-considerations-understanding-evidenceAlzheimer’s Association. (2025). Health Equity. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/public-health-topics/health-equity
URL:https://nowincluded.com/event/survivorship-support-group/2026-04-14/
LOCATION:Smith Center For Healing and the Arts\, 1632 U Street NW\, Washington\, DC\, 20009\, United States
CATEGORIES:Mental Health,Virtual
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260415
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260416
DTSTAMP:20260414T182644
CREATED:20250715T172859Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250715T172859Z
UID:10000488-1776211200-1776297599@nowincluded.com
SUMMARY:Wellness Wednesdays at Esplanade at Aventura
DESCRIPTION:For many families\, memory concerns do not begin with a specialist. They begin at the kitchen table\, in a missed phone call\, a repeated question\, a bill left unpaid\, or a quiet moment when someone says\, “Something feels different.” But in low-income households\, noticing the problem is only the first hurdle. The next questions come fast: Who do we call? How much will this cost? Will Medicare cover it? What happens if we bring it up and the next step is too expensive to manage? That is what makes access and affordability such an important part of the story. A cognitive assessment can help catch changes in memory and thinking early\, but too many people do not know that Medicare may already cover an entry point into that process through the yearly Wellness Visit. For families living on fixed incomes\, juggling rent\, food\, medications\, transportation\, and caregiving\, a free preventive visit is not a small detail. It can be the difference between raising a concern early and waiting until a health crisis forces the issue. This is especially important in communities that already face barriers to care\, delayed diagnosis\, and lower access to specialty services. When a benefit like the Medicare Wellness Visit includes a chance to talk about memory and thinking at no extra cost\, it becomes more than a line in a policy document—It becomes a real pathway into care. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What A Cognitive Assessment Is\, In Plain Language				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									A cognitive assessment is a check on how the brain is handling everyday thinking skills. It may look at areas such as memory\, attention\, language\, decision-making\, problem-solving\, or changes in behavior. It is not the same thing as a full dementia diagnosis\, and it is not meant to label every small lapse as disease.1 Instead\, it helps a clinician notice whether there are signs that deserve a closer look. During a Medicare-covered cognitive assessment\, a doctor or other health care provider may review medical history and medications\, talk about symptoms\, look at how daily life is going\, identify social supports\, and decide whether more testing or a specialist referral is needed.2 Medicare also notes that a separate cognitive assessment visit can help establish or confirm a diagnosis like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and create a care plan.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What The Medicare Wellness Visit Has To Do With It				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									This is where access becomes especially important. Medicare’s yearly Wellness Visit is a preventive visit for people who have had Part B longer than 12 months.3 It is not a full routine physical. It is a visit designed to review health risks\, medications\, history\, preventive needs\, and planning for future care.3 One of the items that may be included is a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s disease.3 The visit is covered once every 12 months\, and Medicare says you pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment. (When a doctor “accepts assignment” in Medicare\, they have agreed to accept a Medicare-approved amount as full payment for any Medicare-covered service provided to you).3 It is also important to understand the difference between the free Wellness Visit and a more detailed follow-up. Medicare covers a separate cognitive assessment and care-planning visit under Part B when a clinician needs to take a closer look\, but that separate visit can involve cost-sharing. After the Part B deductible\, patients generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for that more detailed service.3 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Why This Assessment Matters				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes can have many causes. Sometimes the issue is dementia. Sometimes it may be medication side effects\, depression\, anxiety\, sleep problems\, delirium\, or another medical condition. That is exactly why it is so important not to ignore symptoms or self-diagnose too quickly.1 Medicare’s benefits guide specifically notes that trouble remembering\, learning new things\, concentrating\, or managing finances can be signs of cognitive impairment\, but that conditions like depression\, anxiety\, and delirium can also cause confusion.2 A cognitive assessment matters because it can help move the conversation from vague worry to clearer next steps. It can help answer questions like: Is this worth watching more closely?Do we need more testing?Is it affecting daily life?Could another health issue be contributing?Does the family need support now\, not later?								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That kind of clarity can be powerful. It does not solve everything in one appointment\, but it can help families act sooner and plan better. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Prognosis Means In This Conversation				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Prognosis means the likely course of a condition over time. In the setting of memory or thinking changes\, prognosis depends on what is actually causing the symptoms. That is why a cognitive assessment is so useful. It does not predict everyone’s future on its own. It helps identify whether there may be a mild issue\, a progressive condition like dementia\, or another problem that needs attention. Some causes of confusion may be treatable or reversible. Others may require long-term care planning and support. The larger point is that earlier detection can give people and families more time. More time to understand the diagnosis. More time to make decisions. More time to talk through safety\, finances\, caregiving\, treatment goals\, and community resources. The Alzheimer’s Association also highlights early detection and diagnosis as a key part of connecting patients to appropriate monitoring\, care planning\, and support.1 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How Common Cognitive Decline And Dementia Are				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes are more common than many families realize\, especially as people get older. CDC reports that 4.0% of adults age 65 and older have received a dementia diagnosis. But that number rises sharply with age\, reaching 13.1% among adults aged 85 and older.4 And dementia is only part of the story. There is also a larger group of older adults living with milder but still meaningful changes in memory and thinking. This is often called mild cognitive impairment\, or MCI. It does not always turn into dementia\, but it can be an important warning sign.4 That means many families are living in a gray area long before a diagnosis ever appears in the medical chart. Someone may still be dressing themselves\, making conversation\, and getting through most of the day\, but they may also be forgetting medications\, repeating questions\, getting confused about bills\, missing appointments\, or struggling with decisions that used to feel simple. These early changes are easy to dismiss\, especially when a family is already juggling work\, caregiving\, transportation\, and the cost of everyday life.4 It is also important to remember that diagnosed dementia numbers do not capture everyone who is struggling. Some people have symptoms but have never been formally evaluated. Others are told they are “just aging\,” or they delay bringing concerns up because of stigma\, fear\, or the cost of follow-up care. That underdiagnosis matters\, because families often end up getting answers only after a fall\, a hospitalization\, a medication mistake\, or another crisis forces the issue.4 This is why early cognitive assessment matters so much. It helps move people out of uncertainty and into a clearer conversation about what is happening\, what needs monitoring\, and what support may be needed next. It also reminds families that memory concerns are not rare\, and they are not something people have to wait on until things get worse.4 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Happens During The Visit				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The actual visit is usually straightforward. Medicare says the yearly Wellness Visit may include: a review of medical and family historya review of current prescriptionsroutine measurements like height\, weight\, and blood pressurea cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s diseasehealth advicea screening schedule for preventive servicesadvance care planningan optional social determinants of health risk assessment								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									If the provider is concerned about cognition\, they may ask more questions\, talk with a family member or caregiver\, review medications more closely\, or schedule a more detailed follow-up assessment.3 Medicare also notes that for a separate detailed cognitive assessment visit\, patients can bring a spouse\, friend\, or caregiver to help listen and answer questions. That can be incredibly helpful when memory concerns are part of the reason for the visit. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How To Access This Benefit For Free				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The process is usually simpler than people expect. First\, make sure the person has had Medicare Part B for more than 12 months. That is the general requirement for the yearly Wellness Visit.2Next\, call the primary care office and ask to schedule the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit\, sometimes just called the Medicare Wellness Visit. Medicare covers it once every 12 months.2								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									When you book the appointment\, ask whether the provider accepts assignment. As we learned above\, that matters because if the provider accepts assignment\, the visit costs nothing.2 Also ask whether anything discussed beyond the preventive visit could create extra billing\, since additional tests or services outside the covered preventive benefit may lead to coinsurance or other charges.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Before the appointment\, gather a few basics:				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									a list of medications\, including over-the-counter drugsany family history of dementia or major memory problemsnotes about changes in memory\, decision-making\, finances\, driving\, medications\, or daily routinesa trusted loved one who can describe what they have noticed\, if appropriate								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That preparation can make the visit more useful and make it easier for the clinician to see the full picture. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Self-Advocacy Language For Readers				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing what to say. If you or a loved one has an appointment soon\, try using these words: “I’d like to use the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit to talk about memory and thinking changes.” You can also say\, “I know a cognitive assessment can be part of this visit. Can we include that today?” If you are a family member or caregiver\, you can say\, “We’ve noticed changes in memory\, judgment\, or managing everyday tasks\, and we want to talk about whether more evaluation is needed.” And if cost is a concern\, it is okay to ask directly\, “Will this be covered as part of the Medicare Wellness Visit\, and are there any extra charges I should know about before we start?” Medicare itself advises people to ask what Medicare will actually cover when additional services are recommended. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					A Call To Action For The NOWINCLUDED Community				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory concerns deserve attention\, not silence. If you or someone you love has Medicare\, the yearly Wellness Visit may offer a free opening to talk about cognitive changes and ask for a cognitive assessment. That one step can help move a family from uncertainty to clearer answers\, better planning\, and stronger support. Inside the NOWINCLUDED app\, you can find trusted\, culturally aware health education to help you prepare for visits\, ask better questions\, and understand how benefits like Medicare fit into the bigger picture of access and equity. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					References				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Alzheimer’s Association. (2025). Cognitive Screening and Assessment. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-medical-professionals/cognitive-assessmentMedicare.gov. (2026). Cognitive assessment & care plan services. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cognitive-assessment-care-plan-servicesMedicare.gov. (2025). Yearly “Wellness” visits. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-wellness-visitsSanthosh\, C. (2024\, June 13). About 4% of US adults age 65 and older have a dementia diagnosis\, survey finds. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/about-4-us-adults-age-65-older-have-dementia-diagnosis-survey-finds-2024-06-13/NIH. (2023\, December 8). Cognitive Assessment Considerations: Understanding the Evidence. Retrieved from NIH – National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-assessment-considerations-understanding-evidenceAlzheimer’s Association. (2025). Health Equity. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/public-health-topics/health-equity
URL:https://nowincluded.com/event/wellness-wednesdays-at-esplanade-at-aventura/2026-04-15/
LOCATION:Esplanade at Aventura\, 19505 Biscayne Blvd\, Miami\, FL\, 33180\, United States
CATEGORIES:Fitness,Health & Wellness,Mental Health
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/avif:https://nowincluded.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Wellness-Wednesdays-at-Esplanade-at-Aventura.avif
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260415T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260415T120000
DTSTAMP:20260414T182644
CREATED:20251027T171402Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251027T171402Z
UID:10004352-1776249000-1776254400@nowincluded.com
SUMMARY:Outside the Lines: A Creative Art Studio
DESCRIPTION:For many families\, memory concerns do not begin with a specialist. They begin at the kitchen table\, in a missed phone call\, a repeated question\, a bill left unpaid\, or a quiet moment when someone says\, “Something feels different.” But in low-income households\, noticing the problem is only the first hurdle. The next questions come fast: Who do we call? How much will this cost? Will Medicare cover it? What happens if we bring it up and the next step is too expensive to manage? That is what makes access and affordability such an important part of the story. A cognitive assessment can help catch changes in memory and thinking early\, but too many people do not know that Medicare may already cover an entry point into that process through the yearly Wellness Visit. For families living on fixed incomes\, juggling rent\, food\, medications\, transportation\, and caregiving\, a free preventive visit is not a small detail. It can be the difference between raising a concern early and waiting until a health crisis forces the issue. This is especially important in communities that already face barriers to care\, delayed diagnosis\, and lower access to specialty services. When a benefit like the Medicare Wellness Visit includes a chance to talk about memory and thinking at no extra cost\, it becomes more than a line in a policy document—It becomes a real pathway into care. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What A Cognitive Assessment Is\, In Plain Language				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									A cognitive assessment is a check on how the brain is handling everyday thinking skills. It may look at areas such as memory\, attention\, language\, decision-making\, problem-solving\, or changes in behavior. It is not the same thing as a full dementia diagnosis\, and it is not meant to label every small lapse as disease.1 Instead\, it helps a clinician notice whether there are signs that deserve a closer look. During a Medicare-covered cognitive assessment\, a doctor or other health care provider may review medical history and medications\, talk about symptoms\, look at how daily life is going\, identify social supports\, and decide whether more testing or a specialist referral is needed.2 Medicare also notes that a separate cognitive assessment visit can help establish or confirm a diagnosis like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and create a care plan.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What The Medicare Wellness Visit Has To Do With It				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									This is where access becomes especially important. Medicare’s yearly Wellness Visit is a preventive visit for people who have had Part B longer than 12 months.3 It is not a full routine physical. It is a visit designed to review health risks\, medications\, history\, preventive needs\, and planning for future care.3 One of the items that may be included is a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s disease.3 The visit is covered once every 12 months\, and Medicare says you pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment. (When a doctor “accepts assignment” in Medicare\, they have agreed to accept a Medicare-approved amount as full payment for any Medicare-covered service provided to you).3 It is also important to understand the difference between the free Wellness Visit and a more detailed follow-up. Medicare covers a separate cognitive assessment and care-planning visit under Part B when a clinician needs to take a closer look\, but that separate visit can involve cost-sharing. After the Part B deductible\, patients generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for that more detailed service.3 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Why This Assessment Matters				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes can have many causes. Sometimes the issue is dementia. Sometimes it may be medication side effects\, depression\, anxiety\, sleep problems\, delirium\, or another medical condition. That is exactly why it is so important not to ignore symptoms or self-diagnose too quickly.1 Medicare’s benefits guide specifically notes that trouble remembering\, learning new things\, concentrating\, or managing finances can be signs of cognitive impairment\, but that conditions like depression\, anxiety\, and delirium can also cause confusion.2 A cognitive assessment matters because it can help move the conversation from vague worry to clearer next steps. It can help answer questions like: Is this worth watching more closely?Do we need more testing?Is it affecting daily life?Could another health issue be contributing?Does the family need support now\, not later?								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That kind of clarity can be powerful. It does not solve everything in one appointment\, but it can help families act sooner and plan better. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Prognosis Means In This Conversation				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Prognosis means the likely course of a condition over time. In the setting of memory or thinking changes\, prognosis depends on what is actually causing the symptoms. That is why a cognitive assessment is so useful. It does not predict everyone’s future on its own. It helps identify whether there may be a mild issue\, a progressive condition like dementia\, or another problem that needs attention. Some causes of confusion may be treatable or reversible. Others may require long-term care planning and support. The larger point is that earlier detection can give people and families more time. More time to understand the diagnosis. More time to make decisions. More time to talk through safety\, finances\, caregiving\, treatment goals\, and community resources. The Alzheimer’s Association also highlights early detection and diagnosis as a key part of connecting patients to appropriate monitoring\, care planning\, and support.1 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How Common Cognitive Decline And Dementia Are				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes are more common than many families realize\, especially as people get older. CDC reports that 4.0% of adults age 65 and older have received a dementia diagnosis. But that number rises sharply with age\, reaching 13.1% among adults aged 85 and older.4 And dementia is only part of the story. There is also a larger group of older adults living with milder but still meaningful changes in memory and thinking. This is often called mild cognitive impairment\, or MCI. It does not always turn into dementia\, but it can be an important warning sign.4 That means many families are living in a gray area long before a diagnosis ever appears in the medical chart. Someone may still be dressing themselves\, making conversation\, and getting through most of the day\, but they may also be forgetting medications\, repeating questions\, getting confused about bills\, missing appointments\, or struggling with decisions that used to feel simple. These early changes are easy to dismiss\, especially when a family is already juggling work\, caregiving\, transportation\, and the cost of everyday life.4 It is also important to remember that diagnosed dementia numbers do not capture everyone who is struggling. Some people have symptoms but have never been formally evaluated. Others are told they are “just aging\,” or they delay bringing concerns up because of stigma\, fear\, or the cost of follow-up care. That underdiagnosis matters\, because families often end up getting answers only after a fall\, a hospitalization\, a medication mistake\, or another crisis forces the issue.4 This is why early cognitive assessment matters so much. It helps move people out of uncertainty and into a clearer conversation about what is happening\, what needs monitoring\, and what support may be needed next. It also reminds families that memory concerns are not rare\, and they are not something people have to wait on until things get worse.4 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Happens During The Visit				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The actual visit is usually straightforward. Medicare says the yearly Wellness Visit may include: a review of medical and family historya review of current prescriptionsroutine measurements like height\, weight\, and blood pressurea cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s diseasehealth advicea screening schedule for preventive servicesadvance care planningan optional social determinants of health risk assessment								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									If the provider is concerned about cognition\, they may ask more questions\, talk with a family member or caregiver\, review medications more closely\, or schedule a more detailed follow-up assessment.3 Medicare also notes that for a separate detailed cognitive assessment visit\, patients can bring a spouse\, friend\, or caregiver to help listen and answer questions. That can be incredibly helpful when memory concerns are part of the reason for the visit. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How To Access This Benefit For Free				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The process is usually simpler than people expect. First\, make sure the person has had Medicare Part B for more than 12 months. That is the general requirement for the yearly Wellness Visit.2Next\, call the primary care office and ask to schedule the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit\, sometimes just called the Medicare Wellness Visit. Medicare covers it once every 12 months.2								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									When you book the appointment\, ask whether the provider accepts assignment. As we learned above\, that matters because if the provider accepts assignment\, the visit costs nothing.2 Also ask whether anything discussed beyond the preventive visit could create extra billing\, since additional tests or services outside the covered preventive benefit may lead to coinsurance or other charges.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Before the appointment\, gather a few basics:				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									a list of medications\, including over-the-counter drugsany family history of dementia or major memory problemsnotes about changes in memory\, decision-making\, finances\, driving\, medications\, or daily routinesa trusted loved one who can describe what they have noticed\, if appropriate								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That preparation can make the visit more useful and make it easier for the clinician to see the full picture. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Self-Advocacy Language For Readers				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing what to say. If you or a loved one has an appointment soon\, try using these words: “I’d like to use the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit to talk about memory and thinking changes.” You can also say\, “I know a cognitive assessment can be part of this visit. Can we include that today?” If you are a family member or caregiver\, you can say\, “We’ve noticed changes in memory\, judgment\, or managing everyday tasks\, and we want to talk about whether more evaluation is needed.” And if cost is a concern\, it is okay to ask directly\, “Will this be covered as part of the Medicare Wellness Visit\, and are there any extra charges I should know about before we start?” Medicare itself advises people to ask what Medicare will actually cover when additional services are recommended. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					A Call To Action For The NOWINCLUDED Community				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory concerns deserve attention\, not silence. If you or someone you love has Medicare\, the yearly Wellness Visit may offer a free opening to talk about cognitive changes and ask for a cognitive assessment. That one step can help move a family from uncertainty to clearer answers\, better planning\, and stronger support. Inside the NOWINCLUDED app\, you can find trusted\, culturally aware health education to help you prepare for visits\, ask better questions\, and understand how benefits like Medicare fit into the bigger picture of access and equity. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					References				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Alzheimer’s Association. (2025). Cognitive Screening and Assessment. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-medical-professionals/cognitive-assessmentMedicare.gov. (2026). Cognitive assessment & care plan services. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cognitive-assessment-care-plan-servicesMedicare.gov. (2025). Yearly “Wellness” visits. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-wellness-visitsSanthosh\, C. (2024\, June 13). About 4% of US adults age 65 and older have a dementia diagnosis\, survey finds. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/about-4-us-adults-age-65-older-have-dementia-diagnosis-survey-finds-2024-06-13/NIH. (2023\, December 8). Cognitive Assessment Considerations: Understanding the Evidence. Retrieved from NIH – National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-assessment-considerations-understanding-evidenceAlzheimer’s Association. (2025). Health Equity. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/public-health-topics/health-equity
URL:https://nowincluded.com/event/outside-the-lines-a-creative-art-studio-2/2026-04-15/
LOCATION:Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Art,Mental Health,Virtual
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260415T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260415T123000
DTSTAMP:20260414T182644
CREATED:20251027T171950Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251027T172158Z
UID:10004415-1776254400-1776256200@nowincluded.com
SUMMARY:Meditation and Mindfulness
DESCRIPTION:For many families\, memory concerns do not begin with a specialist. They begin at the kitchen table\, in a missed phone call\, a repeated question\, a bill left unpaid\, or a quiet moment when someone says\, “Something feels different.” But in low-income households\, noticing the problem is only the first hurdle. The next questions come fast: Who do we call? How much will this cost? Will Medicare cover it? What happens if we bring it up and the next step is too expensive to manage? That is what makes access and affordability such an important part of the story. A cognitive assessment can help catch changes in memory and thinking early\, but too many people do not know that Medicare may already cover an entry point into that process through the yearly Wellness Visit. For families living on fixed incomes\, juggling rent\, food\, medications\, transportation\, and caregiving\, a free preventive visit is not a small detail. It can be the difference between raising a concern early and waiting until a health crisis forces the issue. This is especially important in communities that already face barriers to care\, delayed diagnosis\, and lower access to specialty services. When a benefit like the Medicare Wellness Visit includes a chance to talk about memory and thinking at no extra cost\, it becomes more than a line in a policy document—It becomes a real pathway into care. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What A Cognitive Assessment Is\, In Plain Language				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									A cognitive assessment is a check on how the brain is handling everyday thinking skills. It may look at areas such as memory\, attention\, language\, decision-making\, problem-solving\, or changes in behavior. It is not the same thing as a full dementia diagnosis\, and it is not meant to label every small lapse as disease.1 Instead\, it helps a clinician notice whether there are signs that deserve a closer look. During a Medicare-covered cognitive assessment\, a doctor or other health care provider may review medical history and medications\, talk about symptoms\, look at how daily life is going\, identify social supports\, and decide whether more testing or a specialist referral is needed.2 Medicare also notes that a separate cognitive assessment visit can help establish or confirm a diagnosis like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and create a care plan.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What The Medicare Wellness Visit Has To Do With It				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									This is where access becomes especially important. Medicare’s yearly Wellness Visit is a preventive visit for people who have had Part B longer than 12 months.3 It is not a full routine physical. It is a visit designed to review health risks\, medications\, history\, preventive needs\, and planning for future care.3 One of the items that may be included is a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s disease.3 The visit is covered once every 12 months\, and Medicare says you pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment. (When a doctor “accepts assignment” in Medicare\, they have agreed to accept a Medicare-approved amount as full payment for any Medicare-covered service provided to you).3 It is also important to understand the difference between the free Wellness Visit and a more detailed follow-up. Medicare covers a separate cognitive assessment and care-planning visit under Part B when a clinician needs to take a closer look\, but that separate visit can involve cost-sharing. After the Part B deductible\, patients generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for that more detailed service.3 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Why This Assessment Matters				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes can have many causes. Sometimes the issue is dementia. Sometimes it may be medication side effects\, depression\, anxiety\, sleep problems\, delirium\, or another medical condition. That is exactly why it is so important not to ignore symptoms or self-diagnose too quickly.1 Medicare’s benefits guide specifically notes that trouble remembering\, learning new things\, concentrating\, or managing finances can be signs of cognitive impairment\, but that conditions like depression\, anxiety\, and delirium can also cause confusion.2 A cognitive assessment matters because it can help move the conversation from vague worry to clearer next steps. It can help answer questions like: Is this worth watching more closely?Do we need more testing?Is it affecting daily life?Could another health issue be contributing?Does the family need support now\, not later?								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That kind of clarity can be powerful. It does not solve everything in one appointment\, but it can help families act sooner and plan better. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Prognosis Means In This Conversation				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Prognosis means the likely course of a condition over time. In the setting of memory or thinking changes\, prognosis depends on what is actually causing the symptoms. That is why a cognitive assessment is so useful. It does not predict everyone’s future on its own. It helps identify whether there may be a mild issue\, a progressive condition like dementia\, or another problem that needs attention. Some causes of confusion may be treatable or reversible. Others may require long-term care planning and support. The larger point is that earlier detection can give people and families more time. More time to understand the diagnosis. More time to make decisions. More time to talk through safety\, finances\, caregiving\, treatment goals\, and community resources. The Alzheimer’s Association also highlights early detection and diagnosis as a key part of connecting patients to appropriate monitoring\, care planning\, and support.1 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How Common Cognitive Decline And Dementia Are				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes are more common than many families realize\, especially as people get older. CDC reports that 4.0% of adults age 65 and older have received a dementia diagnosis. But that number rises sharply with age\, reaching 13.1% among adults aged 85 and older.4 And dementia is only part of the story. There is also a larger group of older adults living with milder but still meaningful changes in memory and thinking. This is often called mild cognitive impairment\, or MCI. It does not always turn into dementia\, but it can be an important warning sign.4 That means many families are living in a gray area long before a diagnosis ever appears in the medical chart. Someone may still be dressing themselves\, making conversation\, and getting through most of the day\, but they may also be forgetting medications\, repeating questions\, getting confused about bills\, missing appointments\, or struggling with decisions that used to feel simple. These early changes are easy to dismiss\, especially when a family is already juggling work\, caregiving\, transportation\, and the cost of everyday life.4 It is also important to remember that diagnosed dementia numbers do not capture everyone who is struggling. Some people have symptoms but have never been formally evaluated. Others are told they are “just aging\,” or they delay bringing concerns up because of stigma\, fear\, or the cost of follow-up care. That underdiagnosis matters\, because families often end up getting answers only after a fall\, a hospitalization\, a medication mistake\, or another crisis forces the issue.4 This is why early cognitive assessment matters so much. It helps move people out of uncertainty and into a clearer conversation about what is happening\, what needs monitoring\, and what support may be needed next. It also reminds families that memory concerns are not rare\, and they are not something people have to wait on until things get worse.4 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Happens During The Visit				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The actual visit is usually straightforward. Medicare says the yearly Wellness Visit may include: a review of medical and family historya review of current prescriptionsroutine measurements like height\, weight\, and blood pressurea cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s diseasehealth advicea screening schedule for preventive servicesadvance care planningan optional social determinants of health risk assessment								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									If the provider is concerned about cognition\, they may ask more questions\, talk with a family member or caregiver\, review medications more closely\, or schedule a more detailed follow-up assessment.3 Medicare also notes that for a separate detailed cognitive assessment visit\, patients can bring a spouse\, friend\, or caregiver to help listen and answer questions. That can be incredibly helpful when memory concerns are part of the reason for the visit. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How To Access This Benefit For Free				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The process is usually simpler than people expect. First\, make sure the person has had Medicare Part B for more than 12 months. That is the general requirement for the yearly Wellness Visit.2Next\, call the primary care office and ask to schedule the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit\, sometimes just called the Medicare Wellness Visit. Medicare covers it once every 12 months.2								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									When you book the appointment\, ask whether the provider accepts assignment. As we learned above\, that matters because if the provider accepts assignment\, the visit costs nothing.2 Also ask whether anything discussed beyond the preventive visit could create extra billing\, since additional tests or services outside the covered preventive benefit may lead to coinsurance or other charges.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Before the appointment\, gather a few basics:				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									a list of medications\, including over-the-counter drugsany family history of dementia or major memory problemsnotes about changes in memory\, decision-making\, finances\, driving\, medications\, or daily routinesa trusted loved one who can describe what they have noticed\, if appropriate								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That preparation can make the visit more useful and make it easier for the clinician to see the full picture. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Self-Advocacy Language For Readers				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing what to say. If you or a loved one has an appointment soon\, try using these words: “I’d like to use the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit to talk about memory and thinking changes.” You can also say\, “I know a cognitive assessment can be part of this visit. Can we include that today?” If you are a family member or caregiver\, you can say\, “We’ve noticed changes in memory\, judgment\, or managing everyday tasks\, and we want to talk about whether more evaluation is needed.” And if cost is a concern\, it is okay to ask directly\, “Will this be covered as part of the Medicare Wellness Visit\, and are there any extra charges I should know about before we start?” Medicare itself advises people to ask what Medicare will actually cover when additional services are recommended. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					A Call To Action For The NOWINCLUDED Community				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory concerns deserve attention\, not silence. If you or someone you love has Medicare\, the yearly Wellness Visit may offer a free opening to talk about cognitive changes and ask for a cognitive assessment. That one step can help move a family from uncertainty to clearer answers\, better planning\, and stronger support. Inside the NOWINCLUDED app\, you can find trusted\, culturally aware health education to help you prepare for visits\, ask better questions\, and understand how benefits like Medicare fit into the bigger picture of access and equity. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					References				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Alzheimer’s Association. (2025). Cognitive Screening and Assessment. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-medical-professionals/cognitive-assessmentMedicare.gov. (2026). Cognitive assessment & care plan services. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cognitive-assessment-care-plan-servicesMedicare.gov. (2025). Yearly “Wellness” visits. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-wellness-visitsSanthosh\, C. (2024\, June 13). About 4% of US adults age 65 and older have a dementia diagnosis\, survey finds. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/about-4-us-adults-age-65-older-have-dementia-diagnosis-survey-finds-2024-06-13/NIH. (2023\, December 8). Cognitive Assessment Considerations: Understanding the Evidence. Retrieved from NIH – National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-assessment-considerations-understanding-evidenceAlzheimer’s Association. (2025). Health Equity. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/public-health-topics/health-equity
URL:https://nowincluded.com/event/meditation-and-mindfulness-2/2026-04-15/
LOCATION:Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Mental Health,Virtual
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260415T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260415T163000
DTSTAMP:20260414T182644
CREATED:20251027T154357Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251027T154357Z
UID:10002993-1776265200-1776270600@nowincluded.com
SUMMARY:Knitting on the Couch
DESCRIPTION:For many families\, memory concerns do not begin with a specialist. They begin at the kitchen table\, in a missed phone call\, a repeated question\, a bill left unpaid\, or a quiet moment when someone says\, “Something feels different.” But in low-income households\, noticing the problem is only the first hurdle. The next questions come fast: Who do we call? How much will this cost? Will Medicare cover it? What happens if we bring it up and the next step is too expensive to manage? That is what makes access and affordability such an important part of the story. A cognitive assessment can help catch changes in memory and thinking early\, but too many people do not know that Medicare may already cover an entry point into that process through the yearly Wellness Visit. For families living on fixed incomes\, juggling rent\, food\, medications\, transportation\, and caregiving\, a free preventive visit is not a small detail. It can be the difference between raising a concern early and waiting until a health crisis forces the issue. This is especially important in communities that already face barriers to care\, delayed diagnosis\, and lower access to specialty services. When a benefit like the Medicare Wellness Visit includes a chance to talk about memory and thinking at no extra cost\, it becomes more than a line in a policy document—It becomes a real pathway into care. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What A Cognitive Assessment Is\, In Plain Language				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									A cognitive assessment is a check on how the brain is handling everyday thinking skills. It may look at areas such as memory\, attention\, language\, decision-making\, problem-solving\, or changes in behavior. It is not the same thing as a full dementia diagnosis\, and it is not meant to label every small lapse as disease.1 Instead\, it helps a clinician notice whether there are signs that deserve a closer look. During a Medicare-covered cognitive assessment\, a doctor or other health care provider may review medical history and medications\, talk about symptoms\, look at how daily life is going\, identify social supports\, and decide whether more testing or a specialist referral is needed.2 Medicare also notes that a separate cognitive assessment visit can help establish or confirm a diagnosis like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and create a care plan.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What The Medicare Wellness Visit Has To Do With It				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									This is where access becomes especially important. Medicare’s yearly Wellness Visit is a preventive visit for people who have had Part B longer than 12 months.3 It is not a full routine physical. It is a visit designed to review health risks\, medications\, history\, preventive needs\, and planning for future care.3 One of the items that may be included is a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s disease.3 The visit is covered once every 12 months\, and Medicare says you pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment. (When a doctor “accepts assignment” in Medicare\, they have agreed to accept a Medicare-approved amount as full payment for any Medicare-covered service provided to you).3 It is also important to understand the difference between the free Wellness Visit and a more detailed follow-up. Medicare covers a separate cognitive assessment and care-planning visit under Part B when a clinician needs to take a closer look\, but that separate visit can involve cost-sharing. After the Part B deductible\, patients generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for that more detailed service.3 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Why This Assessment Matters				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes can have many causes. Sometimes the issue is dementia. Sometimes it may be medication side effects\, depression\, anxiety\, sleep problems\, delirium\, or another medical condition. That is exactly why it is so important not to ignore symptoms or self-diagnose too quickly.1 Medicare’s benefits guide specifically notes that trouble remembering\, learning new things\, concentrating\, or managing finances can be signs of cognitive impairment\, but that conditions like depression\, anxiety\, and delirium can also cause confusion.2 A cognitive assessment matters because it can help move the conversation from vague worry to clearer next steps. It can help answer questions like: Is this worth watching more closely?Do we need more testing?Is it affecting daily life?Could another health issue be contributing?Does the family need support now\, not later?								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That kind of clarity can be powerful. It does not solve everything in one appointment\, but it can help families act sooner and plan better. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Prognosis Means In This Conversation				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Prognosis means the likely course of a condition over time. In the setting of memory or thinking changes\, prognosis depends on what is actually causing the symptoms. That is why a cognitive assessment is so useful. It does not predict everyone’s future on its own. It helps identify whether there may be a mild issue\, a progressive condition like dementia\, or another problem that needs attention. Some causes of confusion may be treatable or reversible. Others may require long-term care planning and support. The larger point is that earlier detection can give people and families more time. More time to understand the diagnosis. More time to make decisions. More time to talk through safety\, finances\, caregiving\, treatment goals\, and community resources. The Alzheimer’s Association also highlights early detection and diagnosis as a key part of connecting patients to appropriate monitoring\, care planning\, and support.1 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How Common Cognitive Decline And Dementia Are				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes are more common than many families realize\, especially as people get older. CDC reports that 4.0% of adults age 65 and older have received a dementia diagnosis. But that number rises sharply with age\, reaching 13.1% among adults aged 85 and older.4 And dementia is only part of the story. There is also a larger group of older adults living with milder but still meaningful changes in memory and thinking. This is often called mild cognitive impairment\, or MCI. It does not always turn into dementia\, but it can be an important warning sign.4 That means many families are living in a gray area long before a diagnosis ever appears in the medical chart. Someone may still be dressing themselves\, making conversation\, and getting through most of the day\, but they may also be forgetting medications\, repeating questions\, getting confused about bills\, missing appointments\, or struggling with decisions that used to feel simple. These early changes are easy to dismiss\, especially when a family is already juggling work\, caregiving\, transportation\, and the cost of everyday life.4 It is also important to remember that diagnosed dementia numbers do not capture everyone who is struggling. Some people have symptoms but have never been formally evaluated. Others are told they are “just aging\,” or they delay bringing concerns up because of stigma\, fear\, or the cost of follow-up care. That underdiagnosis matters\, because families often end up getting answers only after a fall\, a hospitalization\, a medication mistake\, or another crisis forces the issue.4 This is why early cognitive assessment matters so much. It helps move people out of uncertainty and into a clearer conversation about what is happening\, what needs monitoring\, and what support may be needed next. It also reminds families that memory concerns are not rare\, and they are not something people have to wait on until things get worse.4 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Happens During The Visit				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The actual visit is usually straightforward. Medicare says the yearly Wellness Visit may include: a review of medical and family historya review of current prescriptionsroutine measurements like height\, weight\, and blood pressurea cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s diseasehealth advicea screening schedule for preventive servicesadvance care planningan optional social determinants of health risk assessment								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									If the provider is concerned about cognition\, they may ask more questions\, talk with a family member or caregiver\, review medications more closely\, or schedule a more detailed follow-up assessment.3 Medicare also notes that for a separate detailed cognitive assessment visit\, patients can bring a spouse\, friend\, or caregiver to help listen and answer questions. That can be incredibly helpful when memory concerns are part of the reason for the visit. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How To Access This Benefit For Free				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The process is usually simpler than people expect. First\, make sure the person has had Medicare Part B for more than 12 months. That is the general requirement for the yearly Wellness Visit.2Next\, call the primary care office and ask to schedule the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit\, sometimes just called the Medicare Wellness Visit. Medicare covers it once every 12 months.2								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									When you book the appointment\, ask whether the provider accepts assignment. As we learned above\, that matters because if the provider accepts assignment\, the visit costs nothing.2 Also ask whether anything discussed beyond the preventive visit could create extra billing\, since additional tests or services outside the covered preventive benefit may lead to coinsurance or other charges.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Before the appointment\, gather a few basics:				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									a list of medications\, including over-the-counter drugsany family history of dementia or major memory problemsnotes about changes in memory\, decision-making\, finances\, driving\, medications\, or daily routinesa trusted loved one who can describe what they have noticed\, if appropriate								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That preparation can make the visit more useful and make it easier for the clinician to see the full picture. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Self-Advocacy Language For Readers				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing what to say. If you or a loved one has an appointment soon\, try using these words: “I’d like to use the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit to talk about memory and thinking changes.” You can also say\, “I know a cognitive assessment can be part of this visit. Can we include that today?” If you are a family member or caregiver\, you can say\, “We’ve noticed changes in memory\, judgment\, or managing everyday tasks\, and we want to talk about whether more evaluation is needed.” And if cost is a concern\, it is okay to ask directly\, “Will this be covered as part of the Medicare Wellness Visit\, and are there any extra charges I should know about before we start?” Medicare itself advises people to ask what Medicare will actually cover when additional services are recommended. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					A Call To Action For The NOWINCLUDED Community				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory concerns deserve attention\, not silence. If you or someone you love has Medicare\, the yearly Wellness Visit may offer a free opening to talk about cognitive changes and ask for a cognitive assessment. That one step can help move a family from uncertainty to clearer answers\, better planning\, and stronger support. Inside the NOWINCLUDED app\, you can find trusted\, culturally aware health education to help you prepare for visits\, ask better questions\, and understand how benefits like Medicare fit into the bigger picture of access and equity. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					References				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Alzheimer’s Association. (2025). Cognitive Screening and Assessment. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-medical-professionals/cognitive-assessmentMedicare.gov. (2026). Cognitive assessment & care plan services. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cognitive-assessment-care-plan-servicesMedicare.gov. (2025). Yearly “Wellness” visits. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-wellness-visitsSanthosh\, C. (2024\, June 13). About 4% of US adults age 65 and older have a dementia diagnosis\, survey finds. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/about-4-us-adults-age-65-older-have-dementia-diagnosis-survey-finds-2024-06-13/NIH. (2023\, December 8). Cognitive Assessment Considerations: Understanding the Evidence. Retrieved from NIH – National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-assessment-considerations-understanding-evidenceAlzheimer’s Association. (2025). Health Equity. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/public-health-topics/health-equity
URL:https://nowincluded.com/event/knitting-on-the-couch/2026-04-15/
LOCATION:Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Mental Health,Virtual
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260415T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260415T180000
DTSTAMP:20260414T182644
CREATED:20251027T154600Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251027T154600Z
UID:10003254-1776272400-1776276000@nowincluded.com
SUMMARY:A Year of Living Mindfully
DESCRIPTION:For many families\, memory concerns do not begin with a specialist. They begin at the kitchen table\, in a missed phone call\, a repeated question\, a bill left unpaid\, or a quiet moment when someone says\, “Something feels different.” But in low-income households\, noticing the problem is only the first hurdle. The next questions come fast: Who do we call? How much will this cost? Will Medicare cover it? What happens if we bring it up and the next step is too expensive to manage? That is what makes access and affordability such an important part of the story. A cognitive assessment can help catch changes in memory and thinking early\, but too many people do not know that Medicare may already cover an entry point into that process through the yearly Wellness Visit. For families living on fixed incomes\, juggling rent\, food\, medications\, transportation\, and caregiving\, a free preventive visit is not a small detail. It can be the difference between raising a concern early and waiting until a health crisis forces the issue. This is especially important in communities that already face barriers to care\, delayed diagnosis\, and lower access to specialty services. When a benefit like the Medicare Wellness Visit includes a chance to talk about memory and thinking at no extra cost\, it becomes more than a line in a policy document—It becomes a real pathway into care. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What A Cognitive Assessment Is\, In Plain Language				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									A cognitive assessment is a check on how the brain is handling everyday thinking skills. It may look at areas such as memory\, attention\, language\, decision-making\, problem-solving\, or changes in behavior. It is not the same thing as a full dementia diagnosis\, and it is not meant to label every small lapse as disease.1 Instead\, it helps a clinician notice whether there are signs that deserve a closer look. During a Medicare-covered cognitive assessment\, a doctor or other health care provider may review medical history and medications\, talk about symptoms\, look at how daily life is going\, identify social supports\, and decide whether more testing or a specialist referral is needed.2 Medicare also notes that a separate cognitive assessment visit can help establish or confirm a diagnosis like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and create a care plan.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What The Medicare Wellness Visit Has To Do With It				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									This is where access becomes especially important. Medicare’s yearly Wellness Visit is a preventive visit for people who have had Part B longer than 12 months.3 It is not a full routine physical. It is a visit designed to review health risks\, medications\, history\, preventive needs\, and planning for future care.3 One of the items that may be included is a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s disease.3 The visit is covered once every 12 months\, and Medicare says you pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment. (When a doctor “accepts assignment” in Medicare\, they have agreed to accept a Medicare-approved amount as full payment for any Medicare-covered service provided to you).3 It is also important to understand the difference between the free Wellness Visit and a more detailed follow-up. Medicare covers a separate cognitive assessment and care-planning visit under Part B when a clinician needs to take a closer look\, but that separate visit can involve cost-sharing. After the Part B deductible\, patients generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for that more detailed service.3 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Why This Assessment Matters				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes can have many causes. Sometimes the issue is dementia. Sometimes it may be medication side effects\, depression\, anxiety\, sleep problems\, delirium\, or another medical condition. That is exactly why it is so important not to ignore symptoms or self-diagnose too quickly.1 Medicare’s benefits guide specifically notes that trouble remembering\, learning new things\, concentrating\, or managing finances can be signs of cognitive impairment\, but that conditions like depression\, anxiety\, and delirium can also cause confusion.2 A cognitive assessment matters because it can help move the conversation from vague worry to clearer next steps. It can help answer questions like: Is this worth watching more closely?Do we need more testing?Is it affecting daily life?Could another health issue be contributing?Does the family need support now\, not later?								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That kind of clarity can be powerful. It does not solve everything in one appointment\, but it can help families act sooner and plan better. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Prognosis Means In This Conversation				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Prognosis means the likely course of a condition over time. In the setting of memory or thinking changes\, prognosis depends on what is actually causing the symptoms. That is why a cognitive assessment is so useful. It does not predict everyone’s future on its own. It helps identify whether there may be a mild issue\, a progressive condition like dementia\, or another problem that needs attention. Some causes of confusion may be treatable or reversible. Others may require long-term care planning and support. The larger point is that earlier detection can give people and families more time. More time to understand the diagnosis. More time to make decisions. More time to talk through safety\, finances\, caregiving\, treatment goals\, and community resources. The Alzheimer’s Association also highlights early detection and diagnosis as a key part of connecting patients to appropriate monitoring\, care planning\, and support.1 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How Common Cognitive Decline And Dementia Are				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes are more common than many families realize\, especially as people get older. CDC reports that 4.0% of adults age 65 and older have received a dementia diagnosis. But that number rises sharply with age\, reaching 13.1% among adults aged 85 and older.4 And dementia is only part of the story. There is also a larger group of older adults living with milder but still meaningful changes in memory and thinking. This is often called mild cognitive impairment\, or MCI. It does not always turn into dementia\, but it can be an important warning sign.4 That means many families are living in a gray area long before a diagnosis ever appears in the medical chart. Someone may still be dressing themselves\, making conversation\, and getting through most of the day\, but they may also be forgetting medications\, repeating questions\, getting confused about bills\, missing appointments\, or struggling with decisions that used to feel simple. These early changes are easy to dismiss\, especially when a family is already juggling work\, caregiving\, transportation\, and the cost of everyday life.4 It is also important to remember that diagnosed dementia numbers do not capture everyone who is struggling. Some people have symptoms but have never been formally evaluated. Others are told they are “just aging\,” or they delay bringing concerns up because of stigma\, fear\, or the cost of follow-up care. That underdiagnosis matters\, because families often end up getting answers only after a fall\, a hospitalization\, a medication mistake\, or another crisis forces the issue.4 This is why early cognitive assessment matters so much. It helps move people out of uncertainty and into a clearer conversation about what is happening\, what needs monitoring\, and what support may be needed next. It also reminds families that memory concerns are not rare\, and they are not something people have to wait on until things get worse.4 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Happens During The Visit				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The actual visit is usually straightforward. Medicare says the yearly Wellness Visit may include: a review of medical and family historya review of current prescriptionsroutine measurements like height\, weight\, and blood pressurea cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s diseasehealth advicea screening schedule for preventive servicesadvance care planningan optional social determinants of health risk assessment								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									If the provider is concerned about cognition\, they may ask more questions\, talk with a family member or caregiver\, review medications more closely\, or schedule a more detailed follow-up assessment.3 Medicare also notes that for a separate detailed cognitive assessment visit\, patients can bring a spouse\, friend\, or caregiver to help listen and answer questions. That can be incredibly helpful when memory concerns are part of the reason for the visit. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How To Access This Benefit For Free				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The process is usually simpler than people expect. First\, make sure the person has had Medicare Part B for more than 12 months. That is the general requirement for the yearly Wellness Visit.2Next\, call the primary care office and ask to schedule the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit\, sometimes just called the Medicare Wellness Visit. Medicare covers it once every 12 months.2								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									When you book the appointment\, ask whether the provider accepts assignment. As we learned above\, that matters because if the provider accepts assignment\, the visit costs nothing.2 Also ask whether anything discussed beyond the preventive visit could create extra billing\, since additional tests or services outside the covered preventive benefit may lead to coinsurance or other charges.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Before the appointment\, gather a few basics:				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									a list of medications\, including over-the-counter drugsany family history of dementia or major memory problemsnotes about changes in memory\, decision-making\, finances\, driving\, medications\, or daily routinesa trusted loved one who can describe what they have noticed\, if appropriate								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That preparation can make the visit more useful and make it easier for the clinician to see the full picture. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Self-Advocacy Language For Readers				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing what to say. If you or a loved one has an appointment soon\, try using these words: “I’d like to use the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit to talk about memory and thinking changes.” You can also say\, “I know a cognitive assessment can be part of this visit. Can we include that today?” If you are a family member or caregiver\, you can say\, “We’ve noticed changes in memory\, judgment\, or managing everyday tasks\, and we want to talk about whether more evaluation is needed.” And if cost is a concern\, it is okay to ask directly\, “Will this be covered as part of the Medicare Wellness Visit\, and are there any extra charges I should know about before we start?” Medicare itself advises people to ask what Medicare will actually cover when additional services are recommended. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					A Call To Action For The NOWINCLUDED Community				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory concerns deserve attention\, not silence. If you or someone you love has Medicare\, the yearly Wellness Visit may offer a free opening to talk about cognitive changes and ask for a cognitive assessment. That one step can help move a family from uncertainty to clearer answers\, better planning\, and stronger support. Inside the NOWINCLUDED app\, you can find trusted\, culturally aware health education to help you prepare for visits\, ask better questions\, and understand how benefits like Medicare fit into the bigger picture of access and equity. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					References				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Alzheimer’s Association. (2025). Cognitive Screening and Assessment. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-medical-professionals/cognitive-assessmentMedicare.gov. (2026). Cognitive assessment & care plan services. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cognitive-assessment-care-plan-servicesMedicare.gov. (2025). Yearly “Wellness” visits. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-wellness-visitsSanthosh\, C. (2024\, June 13). About 4% of US adults age 65 and older have a dementia diagnosis\, survey finds. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/about-4-us-adults-age-65-older-have-dementia-diagnosis-survey-finds-2024-06-13/NIH. (2023\, December 8). Cognitive Assessment Considerations: Understanding the Evidence. Retrieved from NIH – National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-assessment-considerations-understanding-evidenceAlzheimer’s Association. (2025). Health Equity. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/public-health-topics/health-equity
URL:https://nowincluded.com/event/a-year-of-living-mindfully/2026-04-15/
LOCATION:Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Mental Health,Virtual
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260415T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260415T190000
DTSTAMP:20260414T182644
CREATED:20251027T145152Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251027T145152Z
UID:10001948-1776276000-1776279600@nowincluded.com
SUMMARY:Healing Circle for Young Adults with MBC
DESCRIPTION:For many families\, memory concerns do not begin with a specialist. They begin at the kitchen table\, in a missed phone call\, a repeated question\, a bill left unpaid\, or a quiet moment when someone says\, “Something feels different.” But in low-income households\, noticing the problem is only the first hurdle. The next questions come fast: Who do we call? How much will this cost? Will Medicare cover it? What happens if we bring it up and the next step is too expensive to manage? That is what makes access and affordability such an important part of the story. A cognitive assessment can help catch changes in memory and thinking early\, but too many people do not know that Medicare may already cover an entry point into that process through the yearly Wellness Visit. For families living on fixed incomes\, juggling rent\, food\, medications\, transportation\, and caregiving\, a free preventive visit is not a small detail. It can be the difference between raising a concern early and waiting until a health crisis forces the issue. This is especially important in communities that already face barriers to care\, delayed diagnosis\, and lower access to specialty services. When a benefit like the Medicare Wellness Visit includes a chance to talk about memory and thinking at no extra cost\, it becomes more than a line in a policy document—It becomes a real pathway into care. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What A Cognitive Assessment Is\, In Plain Language				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									A cognitive assessment is a check on how the brain is handling everyday thinking skills. It may look at areas such as memory\, attention\, language\, decision-making\, problem-solving\, or changes in behavior. It is not the same thing as a full dementia diagnosis\, and it is not meant to label every small lapse as disease.1 Instead\, it helps a clinician notice whether there are signs that deserve a closer look. During a Medicare-covered cognitive assessment\, a doctor or other health care provider may review medical history and medications\, talk about symptoms\, look at how daily life is going\, identify social supports\, and decide whether more testing or a specialist referral is needed.2 Medicare also notes that a separate cognitive assessment visit can help establish or confirm a diagnosis like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and create a care plan.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What The Medicare Wellness Visit Has To Do With It				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									This is where access becomes especially important. Medicare’s yearly Wellness Visit is a preventive visit for people who have had Part B longer than 12 months.3 It is not a full routine physical. It is a visit designed to review health risks\, medications\, history\, preventive needs\, and planning for future care.3 One of the items that may be included is a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s disease.3 The visit is covered once every 12 months\, and Medicare says you pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment. (When a doctor “accepts assignment” in Medicare\, they have agreed to accept a Medicare-approved amount as full payment for any Medicare-covered service provided to you).3 It is also important to understand the difference between the free Wellness Visit and a more detailed follow-up. Medicare covers a separate cognitive assessment and care-planning visit under Part B when a clinician needs to take a closer look\, but that separate visit can involve cost-sharing. After the Part B deductible\, patients generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for that more detailed service.3 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Why This Assessment Matters				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes can have many causes. Sometimes the issue is dementia. Sometimes it may be medication side effects\, depression\, anxiety\, sleep problems\, delirium\, or another medical condition. That is exactly why it is so important not to ignore symptoms or self-diagnose too quickly.1 Medicare’s benefits guide specifically notes that trouble remembering\, learning new things\, concentrating\, or managing finances can be signs of cognitive impairment\, but that conditions like depression\, anxiety\, and delirium can also cause confusion.2 A cognitive assessment matters because it can help move the conversation from vague worry to clearer next steps. It can help answer questions like: Is this worth watching more closely?Do we need more testing?Is it affecting daily life?Could another health issue be contributing?Does the family need support now\, not later?								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That kind of clarity can be powerful. It does not solve everything in one appointment\, but it can help families act sooner and plan better. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Prognosis Means In This Conversation				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Prognosis means the likely course of a condition over time. In the setting of memory or thinking changes\, prognosis depends on what is actually causing the symptoms. That is why a cognitive assessment is so useful. It does not predict everyone’s future on its own. It helps identify whether there may be a mild issue\, a progressive condition like dementia\, or another problem that needs attention. Some causes of confusion may be treatable or reversible. Others may require long-term care planning and support. The larger point is that earlier detection can give people and families more time. More time to understand the diagnosis. More time to make decisions. More time to talk through safety\, finances\, caregiving\, treatment goals\, and community resources. The Alzheimer’s Association also highlights early detection and diagnosis as a key part of connecting patients to appropriate monitoring\, care planning\, and support.1 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How Common Cognitive Decline And Dementia Are				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes are more common than many families realize\, especially as people get older. CDC reports that 4.0% of adults age 65 and older have received a dementia diagnosis. But that number rises sharply with age\, reaching 13.1% among adults aged 85 and older.4 And dementia is only part of the story. There is also a larger group of older adults living with milder but still meaningful changes in memory and thinking. This is often called mild cognitive impairment\, or MCI. It does not always turn into dementia\, but it can be an important warning sign.4 That means many families are living in a gray area long before a diagnosis ever appears in the medical chart. Someone may still be dressing themselves\, making conversation\, and getting through most of the day\, but they may also be forgetting medications\, repeating questions\, getting confused about bills\, missing appointments\, or struggling with decisions that used to feel simple. These early changes are easy to dismiss\, especially when a family is already juggling work\, caregiving\, transportation\, and the cost of everyday life.4 It is also important to remember that diagnosed dementia numbers do not capture everyone who is struggling. Some people have symptoms but have never been formally evaluated. Others are told they are “just aging\,” or they delay bringing concerns up because of stigma\, fear\, or the cost of follow-up care. That underdiagnosis matters\, because families often end up getting answers only after a fall\, a hospitalization\, a medication mistake\, or another crisis forces the issue.4 This is why early cognitive assessment matters so much. It helps move people out of uncertainty and into a clearer conversation about what is happening\, what needs monitoring\, and what support may be needed next. It also reminds families that memory concerns are not rare\, and they are not something people have to wait on until things get worse.4 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Happens During The Visit				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The actual visit is usually straightforward. Medicare says the yearly Wellness Visit may include: a review of medical and family historya review of current prescriptionsroutine measurements like height\, weight\, and blood pressurea cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s diseasehealth advicea screening schedule for preventive servicesadvance care planningan optional social determinants of health risk assessment								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									If the provider is concerned about cognition\, they may ask more questions\, talk with a family member or caregiver\, review medications more closely\, or schedule a more detailed follow-up assessment.3 Medicare also notes that for a separate detailed cognitive assessment visit\, patients can bring a spouse\, friend\, or caregiver to help listen and answer questions. That can be incredibly helpful when memory concerns are part of the reason for the visit. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How To Access This Benefit For Free				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The process is usually simpler than people expect. First\, make sure the person has had Medicare Part B for more than 12 months. That is the general requirement for the yearly Wellness Visit.2Next\, call the primary care office and ask to schedule the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit\, sometimes just called the Medicare Wellness Visit. Medicare covers it once every 12 months.2								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									When you book the appointment\, ask whether the provider accepts assignment. As we learned above\, that matters because if the provider accepts assignment\, the visit costs nothing.2 Also ask whether anything discussed beyond the preventive visit could create extra billing\, since additional tests or services outside the covered preventive benefit may lead to coinsurance or other charges.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Before the appointment\, gather a few basics:				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									a list of medications\, including over-the-counter drugsany family history of dementia or major memory problemsnotes about changes in memory\, decision-making\, finances\, driving\, medications\, or daily routinesa trusted loved one who can describe what they have noticed\, if appropriate								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That preparation can make the visit more useful and make it easier for the clinician to see the full picture. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Self-Advocacy Language For Readers				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing what to say. If you or a loved one has an appointment soon\, try using these words: “I’d like to use the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit to talk about memory and thinking changes.” You can also say\, “I know a cognitive assessment can be part of this visit. Can we include that today?” If you are a family member or caregiver\, you can say\, “We’ve noticed changes in memory\, judgment\, or managing everyday tasks\, and we want to talk about whether more evaluation is needed.” And if cost is a concern\, it is okay to ask directly\, “Will this be covered as part of the Medicare Wellness Visit\, and are there any extra charges I should know about before we start?” Medicare itself advises people to ask what Medicare will actually cover when additional services are recommended. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					A Call To Action For The NOWINCLUDED Community				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory concerns deserve attention\, not silence. If you or someone you love has Medicare\, the yearly Wellness Visit may offer a free opening to talk about cognitive changes and ask for a cognitive assessment. That one step can help move a family from uncertainty to clearer answers\, better planning\, and stronger support. Inside the NOWINCLUDED app\, you can find trusted\, culturally aware health education to help you prepare for visits\, ask better questions\, and understand how benefits like Medicare fit into the bigger picture of access and equity. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					References				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Alzheimer’s Association. (2025). Cognitive Screening and Assessment. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-medical-professionals/cognitive-assessmentMedicare.gov. (2026). Cognitive assessment & care plan services. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cognitive-assessment-care-plan-servicesMedicare.gov. (2025). Yearly “Wellness” visits. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-wellness-visitsSanthosh\, C. (2024\, June 13). About 4% of US adults age 65 and older have a dementia diagnosis\, survey finds. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/about-4-us-adults-age-65-older-have-dementia-diagnosis-survey-finds-2024-06-13/NIH. (2023\, December 8). Cognitive Assessment Considerations: Understanding the Evidence. Retrieved from NIH – National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-assessment-considerations-understanding-evidenceAlzheimer’s Association. (2025). Health Equity. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/public-health-topics/health-equity
URL:https://nowincluded.com/event/healing-circle-for-young-adults-with-mbc/2026-04-15/
LOCATION:Smith Center For Healing and the Arts\, 1632 U Street NW\, Washington\, DC\, 20009\, United States
CATEGORIES:Mental Health,Virtual
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260416T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260416T142000
DTSTAMP:20260414T182644
CREATED:20251027T154818Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251027T154818Z
UID:10003515-1776344400-1776349200@nowincluded.com
SUMMARY:Energy Balancing
DESCRIPTION:For many families\, memory concerns do not begin with a specialist. They begin at the kitchen table\, in a missed phone call\, a repeated question\, a bill left unpaid\, or a quiet moment when someone says\, “Something feels different.” But in low-income households\, noticing the problem is only the first hurdle. The next questions come fast: Who do we call? How much will this cost? Will Medicare cover it? What happens if we bring it up and the next step is too expensive to manage? That is what makes access and affordability such an important part of the story. A cognitive assessment can help catch changes in memory and thinking early\, but too many people do not know that Medicare may already cover an entry point into that process through the yearly Wellness Visit. For families living on fixed incomes\, juggling rent\, food\, medications\, transportation\, and caregiving\, a free preventive visit is not a small detail. It can be the difference between raising a concern early and waiting until a health crisis forces the issue. This is especially important in communities that already face barriers to care\, delayed diagnosis\, and lower access to specialty services. When a benefit like the Medicare Wellness Visit includes a chance to talk about memory and thinking at no extra cost\, it becomes more than a line in a policy document—It becomes a real pathway into care. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What A Cognitive Assessment Is\, In Plain Language				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									A cognitive assessment is a check on how the brain is handling everyday thinking skills. It may look at areas such as memory\, attention\, language\, decision-making\, problem-solving\, or changes in behavior. It is not the same thing as a full dementia diagnosis\, and it is not meant to label every small lapse as disease.1 Instead\, it helps a clinician notice whether there are signs that deserve a closer look. During a Medicare-covered cognitive assessment\, a doctor or other health care provider may review medical history and medications\, talk about symptoms\, look at how daily life is going\, identify social supports\, and decide whether more testing or a specialist referral is needed.2 Medicare also notes that a separate cognitive assessment visit can help establish or confirm a diagnosis like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and create a care plan.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What The Medicare Wellness Visit Has To Do With It				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									This is where access becomes especially important. Medicare’s yearly Wellness Visit is a preventive visit for people who have had Part B longer than 12 months.3 It is not a full routine physical. It is a visit designed to review health risks\, medications\, history\, preventive needs\, and planning for future care.3 One of the items that may be included is a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s disease.3 The visit is covered once every 12 months\, and Medicare says you pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment. (When a doctor “accepts assignment” in Medicare\, they have agreed to accept a Medicare-approved amount as full payment for any Medicare-covered service provided to you).3 It is also important to understand the difference between the free Wellness Visit and a more detailed follow-up. Medicare covers a separate cognitive assessment and care-planning visit under Part B when a clinician needs to take a closer look\, but that separate visit can involve cost-sharing. After the Part B deductible\, patients generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for that more detailed service.3 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Why This Assessment Matters				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes can have many causes. Sometimes the issue is dementia. Sometimes it may be medication side effects\, depression\, anxiety\, sleep problems\, delirium\, or another medical condition. That is exactly why it is so important not to ignore symptoms or self-diagnose too quickly.1 Medicare’s benefits guide specifically notes that trouble remembering\, learning new things\, concentrating\, or managing finances can be signs of cognitive impairment\, but that conditions like depression\, anxiety\, and delirium can also cause confusion.2 A cognitive assessment matters because it can help move the conversation from vague worry to clearer next steps. It can help answer questions like: Is this worth watching more closely?Do we need more testing?Is it affecting daily life?Could another health issue be contributing?Does the family need support now\, not later?								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That kind of clarity can be powerful. It does not solve everything in one appointment\, but it can help families act sooner and plan better. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Prognosis Means In This Conversation				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Prognosis means the likely course of a condition over time. In the setting of memory or thinking changes\, prognosis depends on what is actually causing the symptoms. That is why a cognitive assessment is so useful. It does not predict everyone’s future on its own. It helps identify whether there may be a mild issue\, a progressive condition like dementia\, or another problem that needs attention. Some causes of confusion may be treatable or reversible. Others may require long-term care planning and support. The larger point is that earlier detection can give people and families more time. More time to understand the diagnosis. More time to make decisions. More time to talk through safety\, finances\, caregiving\, treatment goals\, and community resources. The Alzheimer’s Association also highlights early detection and diagnosis as a key part of connecting patients to appropriate monitoring\, care planning\, and support.1 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How Common Cognitive Decline And Dementia Are				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes are more common than many families realize\, especially as people get older. CDC reports that 4.0% of adults age 65 and older have received a dementia diagnosis. But that number rises sharply with age\, reaching 13.1% among adults aged 85 and older.4 And dementia is only part of the story. There is also a larger group of older adults living with milder but still meaningful changes in memory and thinking. This is often called mild cognitive impairment\, or MCI. It does not always turn into dementia\, but it can be an important warning sign.4 That means many families are living in a gray area long before a diagnosis ever appears in the medical chart. Someone may still be dressing themselves\, making conversation\, and getting through most of the day\, but they may also be forgetting medications\, repeating questions\, getting confused about bills\, missing appointments\, or struggling with decisions that used to feel simple. These early changes are easy to dismiss\, especially when a family is already juggling work\, caregiving\, transportation\, and the cost of everyday life.4 It is also important to remember that diagnosed dementia numbers do not capture everyone who is struggling. Some people have symptoms but have never been formally evaluated. Others are told they are “just aging\,” or they delay bringing concerns up because of stigma\, fear\, or the cost of follow-up care. That underdiagnosis matters\, because families often end up getting answers only after a fall\, a hospitalization\, a medication mistake\, or another crisis forces the issue.4 This is why early cognitive assessment matters so much. It helps move people out of uncertainty and into a clearer conversation about what is happening\, what needs monitoring\, and what support may be needed next. It also reminds families that memory concerns are not rare\, and they are not something people have to wait on until things get worse.4 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Happens During The Visit				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The actual visit is usually straightforward. Medicare says the yearly Wellness Visit may include: a review of medical and family historya review of current prescriptionsroutine measurements like height\, weight\, and blood pressurea cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s diseasehealth advicea screening schedule for preventive servicesadvance care planningan optional social determinants of health risk assessment								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									If the provider is concerned about cognition\, they may ask more questions\, talk with a family member or caregiver\, review medications more closely\, or schedule a more detailed follow-up assessment.3 Medicare also notes that for a separate detailed cognitive assessment visit\, patients can bring a spouse\, friend\, or caregiver to help listen and answer questions. That can be incredibly helpful when memory concerns are part of the reason for the visit. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How To Access This Benefit For Free				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The process is usually simpler than people expect. First\, make sure the person has had Medicare Part B for more than 12 months. That is the general requirement for the yearly Wellness Visit.2Next\, call the primary care office and ask to schedule the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit\, sometimes just called the Medicare Wellness Visit. Medicare covers it once every 12 months.2								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									When you book the appointment\, ask whether the provider accepts assignment. As we learned above\, that matters because if the provider accepts assignment\, the visit costs nothing.2 Also ask whether anything discussed beyond the preventive visit could create extra billing\, since additional tests or services outside the covered preventive benefit may lead to coinsurance or other charges.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Before the appointment\, gather a few basics:				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									a list of medications\, including over-the-counter drugsany family history of dementia or major memory problemsnotes about changes in memory\, decision-making\, finances\, driving\, medications\, or daily routinesa trusted loved one who can describe what they have noticed\, if appropriate								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That preparation can make the visit more useful and make it easier for the clinician to see the full picture. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Self-Advocacy Language For Readers				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing what to say. If you or a loved one has an appointment soon\, try using these words: “I’d like to use the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit to talk about memory and thinking changes.” You can also say\, “I know a cognitive assessment can be part of this visit. Can we include that today?” If you are a family member or caregiver\, you can say\, “We’ve noticed changes in memory\, judgment\, or managing everyday tasks\, and we want to talk about whether more evaluation is needed.” And if cost is a concern\, it is okay to ask directly\, “Will this be covered as part of the Medicare Wellness Visit\, and are there any extra charges I should know about before we start?” Medicare itself advises people to ask what Medicare will actually cover when additional services are recommended. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					A Call To Action For The NOWINCLUDED Community				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory concerns deserve attention\, not silence. If you or someone you love has Medicare\, the yearly Wellness Visit may offer a free opening to talk about cognitive changes and ask for a cognitive assessment. That one step can help move a family from uncertainty to clearer answers\, better planning\, and stronger support. Inside the NOWINCLUDED app\, you can find trusted\, culturally aware health education to help you prepare for visits\, ask better questions\, and understand how benefits like Medicare fit into the bigger picture of access and equity. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					References				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Alzheimer’s Association. (2025). Cognitive Screening and Assessment. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-medical-professionals/cognitive-assessmentMedicare.gov. (2026). Cognitive assessment & care plan services. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cognitive-assessment-care-plan-servicesMedicare.gov. (2025). Yearly “Wellness” visits. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-wellness-visitsSanthosh\, C. (2024\, June 13). About 4% of US adults age 65 and older have a dementia diagnosis\, survey finds. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/about-4-us-adults-age-65-older-have-dementia-diagnosis-survey-finds-2024-06-13/NIH. (2023\, December 8). Cognitive Assessment Considerations: Understanding the Evidence. Retrieved from NIH – National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-assessment-considerations-understanding-evidenceAlzheimer’s Association. (2025). Health Equity. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/public-health-topics/health-equity
URL:https://nowincluded.com/event/energy-balancing/2026-04-16/
LOCATION:Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Mental Health,Virtual
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260418T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260418T120000
DTSTAMP:20260414T182644
CREATED:20251021T171855Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251021T171855Z
UID:10001340-1776502800-1776513600@nowincluded.com
SUMMARY:Nueva Vida Grupo de Apoyo (en  Español)
DESCRIPTION:For many families\, memory concerns do not begin with a specialist. They begin at the kitchen table\, in a missed phone call\, a repeated question\, a bill left unpaid\, or a quiet moment when someone says\, “Something feels different.” But in low-income households\, noticing the problem is only the first hurdle. The next questions come fast: Who do we call? How much will this cost? Will Medicare cover it? What happens if we bring it up and the next step is too expensive to manage? That is what makes access and affordability such an important part of the story. A cognitive assessment can help catch changes in memory and thinking early\, but too many people do not know that Medicare may already cover an entry point into that process through the yearly Wellness Visit. For families living on fixed incomes\, juggling rent\, food\, medications\, transportation\, and caregiving\, a free preventive visit is not a small detail. It can be the difference between raising a concern early and waiting until a health crisis forces the issue. This is especially important in communities that already face barriers to care\, delayed diagnosis\, and lower access to specialty services. When a benefit like the Medicare Wellness Visit includes a chance to talk about memory and thinking at no extra cost\, it becomes more than a line in a policy document—It becomes a real pathway into care. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What A Cognitive Assessment Is\, In Plain Language				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									A cognitive assessment is a check on how the brain is handling everyday thinking skills. It may look at areas such as memory\, attention\, language\, decision-making\, problem-solving\, or changes in behavior. It is not the same thing as a full dementia diagnosis\, and it is not meant to label every small lapse as disease.1 Instead\, it helps a clinician notice whether there are signs that deserve a closer look. During a Medicare-covered cognitive assessment\, a doctor or other health care provider may review medical history and medications\, talk about symptoms\, look at how daily life is going\, identify social supports\, and decide whether more testing or a specialist referral is needed.2 Medicare also notes that a separate cognitive assessment visit can help establish or confirm a diagnosis like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and create a care plan.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What The Medicare Wellness Visit Has To Do With It				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									This is where access becomes especially important. Medicare’s yearly Wellness Visit is a preventive visit for people who have had Part B longer than 12 months.3 It is not a full routine physical. It is a visit designed to review health risks\, medications\, history\, preventive needs\, and planning for future care.3 One of the items that may be included is a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s disease.3 The visit is covered once every 12 months\, and Medicare says you pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment. (When a doctor “accepts assignment” in Medicare\, they have agreed to accept a Medicare-approved amount as full payment for any Medicare-covered service provided to you).3 It is also important to understand the difference between the free Wellness Visit and a more detailed follow-up. Medicare covers a separate cognitive assessment and care-planning visit under Part B when a clinician needs to take a closer look\, but that separate visit can involve cost-sharing. After the Part B deductible\, patients generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for that more detailed service.3 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Why This Assessment Matters				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes can have many causes. Sometimes the issue is dementia. Sometimes it may be medication side effects\, depression\, anxiety\, sleep problems\, delirium\, or another medical condition. That is exactly why it is so important not to ignore symptoms or self-diagnose too quickly.1 Medicare’s benefits guide specifically notes that trouble remembering\, learning new things\, concentrating\, or managing finances can be signs of cognitive impairment\, but that conditions like depression\, anxiety\, and delirium can also cause confusion.2 A cognitive assessment matters because it can help move the conversation from vague worry to clearer next steps. It can help answer questions like: Is this worth watching more closely?Do we need more testing?Is it affecting daily life?Could another health issue be contributing?Does the family need support now\, not later?								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That kind of clarity can be powerful. It does not solve everything in one appointment\, but it can help families act sooner and plan better. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Prognosis Means In This Conversation				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Prognosis means the likely course of a condition over time. In the setting of memory or thinking changes\, prognosis depends on what is actually causing the symptoms. That is why a cognitive assessment is so useful. It does not predict everyone’s future on its own. It helps identify whether there may be a mild issue\, a progressive condition like dementia\, or another problem that needs attention. Some causes of confusion may be treatable or reversible. Others may require long-term care planning and support. The larger point is that earlier detection can give people and families more time. More time to understand the diagnosis. More time to make decisions. More time to talk through safety\, finances\, caregiving\, treatment goals\, and community resources. The Alzheimer’s Association also highlights early detection and diagnosis as a key part of connecting patients to appropriate monitoring\, care planning\, and support.1 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How Common Cognitive Decline And Dementia Are				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes are more common than many families realize\, especially as people get older. CDC reports that 4.0% of adults age 65 and older have received a dementia diagnosis. But that number rises sharply with age\, reaching 13.1% among adults aged 85 and older.4 And dementia is only part of the story. There is also a larger group of older adults living with milder but still meaningful changes in memory and thinking. This is often called mild cognitive impairment\, or MCI. It does not always turn into dementia\, but it can be an important warning sign.4 That means many families are living in a gray area long before a diagnosis ever appears in the medical chart. Someone may still be dressing themselves\, making conversation\, and getting through most of the day\, but they may also be forgetting medications\, repeating questions\, getting confused about bills\, missing appointments\, or struggling with decisions that used to feel simple. These early changes are easy to dismiss\, especially when a family is already juggling work\, caregiving\, transportation\, and the cost of everyday life.4 It is also important to remember that diagnosed dementia numbers do not capture everyone who is struggling. Some people have symptoms but have never been formally evaluated. Others are told they are “just aging\,” or they delay bringing concerns up because of stigma\, fear\, or the cost of follow-up care. That underdiagnosis matters\, because families often end up getting answers only after a fall\, a hospitalization\, a medication mistake\, or another crisis forces the issue.4 This is why early cognitive assessment matters so much. It helps move people out of uncertainty and into a clearer conversation about what is happening\, what needs monitoring\, and what support may be needed next. It also reminds families that memory concerns are not rare\, and they are not something people have to wait on until things get worse.4 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Happens During The Visit				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The actual visit is usually straightforward. Medicare says the yearly Wellness Visit may include: a review of medical and family historya review of current prescriptionsroutine measurements like height\, weight\, and blood pressurea cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s diseasehealth advicea screening schedule for preventive servicesadvance care planningan optional social determinants of health risk assessment								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									If the provider is concerned about cognition\, they may ask more questions\, talk with a family member or caregiver\, review medications more closely\, or schedule a more detailed follow-up assessment.3 Medicare also notes that for a separate detailed cognitive assessment visit\, patients can bring a spouse\, friend\, or caregiver to help listen and answer questions. That can be incredibly helpful when memory concerns are part of the reason for the visit. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How To Access This Benefit For Free				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The process is usually simpler than people expect. First\, make sure the person has had Medicare Part B for more than 12 months. That is the general requirement for the yearly Wellness Visit.2Next\, call the primary care office and ask to schedule the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit\, sometimes just called the Medicare Wellness Visit. Medicare covers it once every 12 months.2								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									When you book the appointment\, ask whether the provider accepts assignment. As we learned above\, that matters because if the provider accepts assignment\, the visit costs nothing.2 Also ask whether anything discussed beyond the preventive visit could create extra billing\, since additional tests or services outside the covered preventive benefit may lead to coinsurance or other charges.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Before the appointment\, gather a few basics:				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									a list of medications\, including over-the-counter drugsany family history of dementia or major memory problemsnotes about changes in memory\, decision-making\, finances\, driving\, medications\, or daily routinesa trusted loved one who can describe what they have noticed\, if appropriate								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That preparation can make the visit more useful and make it easier for the clinician to see the full picture. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Self-Advocacy Language For Readers				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing what to say. If you or a loved one has an appointment soon\, try using these words: “I’d like to use the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit to talk about memory and thinking changes.” You can also say\, “I know a cognitive assessment can be part of this visit. Can we include that today?” If you are a family member or caregiver\, you can say\, “We’ve noticed changes in memory\, judgment\, or managing everyday tasks\, and we want to talk about whether more evaluation is needed.” And if cost is a concern\, it is okay to ask directly\, “Will this be covered as part of the Medicare Wellness Visit\, and are there any extra charges I should know about before we start?” Medicare itself advises people to ask what Medicare will actually cover when additional services are recommended. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					A Call To Action For The NOWINCLUDED Community				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory concerns deserve attention\, not silence. If you or someone you love has Medicare\, the yearly Wellness Visit may offer a free opening to talk about cognitive changes and ask for a cognitive assessment. That one step can help move a family from uncertainty to clearer answers\, better planning\, and stronger support. Inside the NOWINCLUDED app\, you can find trusted\, culturally aware health education to help you prepare for visits\, ask better questions\, and understand how benefits like Medicare fit into the bigger picture of access and equity. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					References				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Alzheimer’s Association. (2025). Cognitive Screening and Assessment. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-medical-professionals/cognitive-assessmentMedicare.gov. (2026). Cognitive assessment & care plan services. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cognitive-assessment-care-plan-servicesMedicare.gov. (2025). Yearly “Wellness” visits. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-wellness-visitsSanthosh\, C. (2024\, June 13). About 4% of US adults age 65 and older have a dementia diagnosis\, survey finds. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/about-4-us-adults-age-65-older-have-dementia-diagnosis-survey-finds-2024-06-13/NIH. (2023\, December 8). Cognitive Assessment Considerations: Understanding the Evidence. Retrieved from NIH – National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-assessment-considerations-understanding-evidenceAlzheimer’s Association. (2025). Health Equity. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/public-health-topics/health-equity
URL:https://nowincluded.com/event/nueva-vida-grupo-de-apoyo-en-espanol/2026-04-18/
LOCATION:Smith Center For Healing and the Arts\, 1632 U Street NW\, Washington\, DC\, 20009\, United States
CATEGORIES:Mental Health,Virtual
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260418T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260418T120000
DTSTAMP:20260414T182644
CREATED:20251027T155101Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251027T155101Z
UID:10003777-1776506400-1776513600@nowincluded.com
SUMMARY:Painting for Life
DESCRIPTION:For many families\, memory concerns do not begin with a specialist. They begin at the kitchen table\, in a missed phone call\, a repeated question\, a bill left unpaid\, or a quiet moment when someone says\, “Something feels different.” But in low-income households\, noticing the problem is only the first hurdle. The next questions come fast: Who do we call? How much will this cost? Will Medicare cover it? What happens if we bring it up and the next step is too expensive to manage? That is what makes access and affordability such an important part of the story. A cognitive assessment can help catch changes in memory and thinking early\, but too many people do not know that Medicare may already cover an entry point into that process through the yearly Wellness Visit. For families living on fixed incomes\, juggling rent\, food\, medications\, transportation\, and caregiving\, a free preventive visit is not a small detail. It can be the difference between raising a concern early and waiting until a health crisis forces the issue. This is especially important in communities that already face barriers to care\, delayed diagnosis\, and lower access to specialty services. When a benefit like the Medicare Wellness Visit includes a chance to talk about memory and thinking at no extra cost\, it becomes more than a line in a policy document—It becomes a real pathway into care. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What A Cognitive Assessment Is\, In Plain Language				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									A cognitive assessment is a check on how the brain is handling everyday thinking skills. It may look at areas such as memory\, attention\, language\, decision-making\, problem-solving\, or changes in behavior. It is not the same thing as a full dementia diagnosis\, and it is not meant to label every small lapse as disease.1 Instead\, it helps a clinician notice whether there are signs that deserve a closer look. During a Medicare-covered cognitive assessment\, a doctor or other health care provider may review medical history and medications\, talk about symptoms\, look at how daily life is going\, identify social supports\, and decide whether more testing or a specialist referral is needed.2 Medicare also notes that a separate cognitive assessment visit can help establish or confirm a diagnosis like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and create a care plan.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What The Medicare Wellness Visit Has To Do With It				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									This is where access becomes especially important. Medicare’s yearly Wellness Visit is a preventive visit for people who have had Part B longer than 12 months.3 It is not a full routine physical. It is a visit designed to review health risks\, medications\, history\, preventive needs\, and planning for future care.3 One of the items that may be included is a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s disease.3 The visit is covered once every 12 months\, and Medicare says you pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment. (When a doctor “accepts assignment” in Medicare\, they have agreed to accept a Medicare-approved amount as full payment for any Medicare-covered service provided to you).3 It is also important to understand the difference between the free Wellness Visit and a more detailed follow-up. Medicare covers a separate cognitive assessment and care-planning visit under Part B when a clinician needs to take a closer look\, but that separate visit can involve cost-sharing. After the Part B deductible\, patients generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for that more detailed service.3 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Why This Assessment Matters				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes can have many causes. Sometimes the issue is dementia. Sometimes it may be medication side effects\, depression\, anxiety\, sleep problems\, delirium\, or another medical condition. That is exactly why it is so important not to ignore symptoms or self-diagnose too quickly.1 Medicare’s benefits guide specifically notes that trouble remembering\, learning new things\, concentrating\, or managing finances can be signs of cognitive impairment\, but that conditions like depression\, anxiety\, and delirium can also cause confusion.2 A cognitive assessment matters because it can help move the conversation from vague worry to clearer next steps. It can help answer questions like: Is this worth watching more closely?Do we need more testing?Is it affecting daily life?Could another health issue be contributing?Does the family need support now\, not later?								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That kind of clarity can be powerful. It does not solve everything in one appointment\, but it can help families act sooner and plan better. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Prognosis Means In This Conversation				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Prognosis means the likely course of a condition over time. In the setting of memory or thinking changes\, prognosis depends on what is actually causing the symptoms. That is why a cognitive assessment is so useful. It does not predict everyone’s future on its own. It helps identify whether there may be a mild issue\, a progressive condition like dementia\, or another problem that needs attention. Some causes of confusion may be treatable or reversible. Others may require long-term care planning and support. The larger point is that earlier detection can give people and families more time. More time to understand the diagnosis. More time to make decisions. More time to talk through safety\, finances\, caregiving\, treatment goals\, and community resources. The Alzheimer’s Association also highlights early detection and diagnosis as a key part of connecting patients to appropriate monitoring\, care planning\, and support.1 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How Common Cognitive Decline And Dementia Are				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes are more common than many families realize\, especially as people get older. CDC reports that 4.0% of adults age 65 and older have received a dementia diagnosis. But that number rises sharply with age\, reaching 13.1% among adults aged 85 and older.4 And dementia is only part of the story. There is also a larger group of older adults living with milder but still meaningful changes in memory and thinking. This is often called mild cognitive impairment\, or MCI. It does not always turn into dementia\, but it can be an important warning sign.4 That means many families are living in a gray area long before a diagnosis ever appears in the medical chart. Someone may still be dressing themselves\, making conversation\, and getting through most of the day\, but they may also be forgetting medications\, repeating questions\, getting confused about bills\, missing appointments\, or struggling with decisions that used to feel simple. These early changes are easy to dismiss\, especially when a family is already juggling work\, caregiving\, transportation\, and the cost of everyday life.4 It is also important to remember that diagnosed dementia numbers do not capture everyone who is struggling. Some people have symptoms but have never been formally evaluated. Others are told they are “just aging\,” or they delay bringing concerns up because of stigma\, fear\, or the cost of follow-up care. That underdiagnosis matters\, because families often end up getting answers only after a fall\, a hospitalization\, a medication mistake\, or another crisis forces the issue.4 This is why early cognitive assessment matters so much. It helps move people out of uncertainty and into a clearer conversation about what is happening\, what needs monitoring\, and what support may be needed next. It also reminds families that memory concerns are not rare\, and they are not something people have to wait on until things get worse.4 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Happens During The Visit				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The actual visit is usually straightforward. Medicare says the yearly Wellness Visit may include: a review of medical and family historya review of current prescriptionsroutine measurements like height\, weight\, and blood pressurea cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s diseasehealth advicea screening schedule for preventive servicesadvance care planningan optional social determinants of health risk assessment								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									If the provider is concerned about cognition\, they may ask more questions\, talk with a family member or caregiver\, review medications more closely\, or schedule a more detailed follow-up assessment.3 Medicare also notes that for a separate detailed cognitive assessment visit\, patients can bring a spouse\, friend\, or caregiver to help listen and answer questions. That can be incredibly helpful when memory concerns are part of the reason for the visit. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How To Access This Benefit For Free				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The process is usually simpler than people expect. First\, make sure the person has had Medicare Part B for more than 12 months. That is the general requirement for the yearly Wellness Visit.2Next\, call the primary care office and ask to schedule the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit\, sometimes just called the Medicare Wellness Visit. Medicare covers it once every 12 months.2								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									When you book the appointment\, ask whether the provider accepts assignment. As we learned above\, that matters because if the provider accepts assignment\, the visit costs nothing.2 Also ask whether anything discussed beyond the preventive visit could create extra billing\, since additional tests or services outside the covered preventive benefit may lead to coinsurance or other charges.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Before the appointment\, gather a few basics:				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									a list of medications\, including over-the-counter drugsany family history of dementia or major memory problemsnotes about changes in memory\, decision-making\, finances\, driving\, medications\, or daily routinesa trusted loved one who can describe what they have noticed\, if appropriate								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That preparation can make the visit more useful and make it easier for the clinician to see the full picture. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Self-Advocacy Language For Readers				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing what to say. If you or a loved one has an appointment soon\, try using these words: “I’d like to use the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit to talk about memory and thinking changes.” You can also say\, “I know a cognitive assessment can be part of this visit. Can we include that today?” If you are a family member or caregiver\, you can say\, “We’ve noticed changes in memory\, judgment\, or managing everyday tasks\, and we want to talk about whether more evaluation is needed.” And if cost is a concern\, it is okay to ask directly\, “Will this be covered as part of the Medicare Wellness Visit\, and are there any extra charges I should know about before we start?” Medicare itself advises people to ask what Medicare will actually cover when additional services are recommended. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					A Call To Action For The NOWINCLUDED Community				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory concerns deserve attention\, not silence. If you or someone you love has Medicare\, the yearly Wellness Visit may offer a free opening to talk about cognitive changes and ask for a cognitive assessment. That one step can help move a family from uncertainty to clearer answers\, better planning\, and stronger support. Inside the NOWINCLUDED app\, you can find trusted\, culturally aware health education to help you prepare for visits\, ask better questions\, and understand how benefits like Medicare fit into the bigger picture of access and equity. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					References				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Alzheimer’s Association. (2025). Cognitive Screening and Assessment. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-medical-professionals/cognitive-assessmentMedicare.gov. (2026). Cognitive assessment & care plan services. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cognitive-assessment-care-plan-servicesMedicare.gov. (2025). Yearly “Wellness” visits. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-wellness-visitsSanthosh\, C. (2024\, June 13). About 4% of US adults age 65 and older have a dementia diagnosis\, survey finds. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/about-4-us-adults-age-65-older-have-dementia-diagnosis-survey-finds-2024-06-13/NIH. (2023\, December 8). Cognitive Assessment Considerations: Understanding the Evidence. Retrieved from NIH – National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-assessment-considerations-understanding-evidenceAlzheimer’s Association. (2025). Health Equity. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/public-health-topics/health-equity
URL:https://nowincluded.com/event/painting-for-life/2026-04-18/
LOCATION:Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Art,Mental Health,Virtual
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260418T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260418T140000
DTSTAMP:20260414T182644
CREATED:20260413T200645Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260413T200757Z
UID:10004978-1776506400-1776520800@nowincluded.com
SUMMARY:Regional Wellness Day
DESCRIPTION:For many families\, memory concerns do not begin with a specialist. They begin at the kitchen table\, in a missed phone call\, a repeated question\, a bill left unpaid\, or a quiet moment when someone says\, “Something feels different.” But in low-income households\, noticing the problem is only the first hurdle. The next questions come fast: Who do we call? How much will this cost? Will Medicare cover it? What happens if we bring it up and the next step is too expensive to manage? That is what makes access and affordability such an important part of the story. A cognitive assessment can help catch changes in memory and thinking early\, but too many people do not know that Medicare may already cover an entry point into that process through the yearly Wellness Visit. For families living on fixed incomes\, juggling rent\, food\, medications\, transportation\, and caregiving\, a free preventive visit is not a small detail. It can be the difference between raising a concern early and waiting until a health crisis forces the issue. This is especially important in communities that already face barriers to care\, delayed diagnosis\, and lower access to specialty services. When a benefit like the Medicare Wellness Visit includes a chance to talk about memory and thinking at no extra cost\, it becomes more than a line in a policy document—It becomes a real pathway into care. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What A Cognitive Assessment Is\, In Plain Language				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									A cognitive assessment is a check on how the brain is handling everyday thinking skills. It may look at areas such as memory\, attention\, language\, decision-making\, problem-solving\, or changes in behavior. It is not the same thing as a full dementia diagnosis\, and it is not meant to label every small lapse as disease.1 Instead\, it helps a clinician notice whether there are signs that deserve a closer look. During a Medicare-covered cognitive assessment\, a doctor or other health care provider may review medical history and medications\, talk about symptoms\, look at how daily life is going\, identify social supports\, and decide whether more testing or a specialist referral is needed.2 Medicare also notes that a separate cognitive assessment visit can help establish or confirm a diagnosis like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and create a care plan.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What The Medicare Wellness Visit Has To Do With It				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									This is where access becomes especially important. Medicare’s yearly Wellness Visit is a preventive visit for people who have had Part B longer than 12 months.3 It is not a full routine physical. It is a visit designed to review health risks\, medications\, history\, preventive needs\, and planning for future care.3 One of the items that may be included is a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s disease.3 The visit is covered once every 12 months\, and Medicare says you pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment. (When a doctor “accepts assignment” in Medicare\, they have agreed to accept a Medicare-approved amount as full payment for any Medicare-covered service provided to you).3 It is also important to understand the difference between the free Wellness Visit and a more detailed follow-up. Medicare covers a separate cognitive assessment and care-planning visit under Part B when a clinician needs to take a closer look\, but that separate visit can involve cost-sharing. After the Part B deductible\, patients generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for that more detailed service.3 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Why This Assessment Matters				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes can have many causes. Sometimes the issue is dementia. Sometimes it may be medication side effects\, depression\, anxiety\, sleep problems\, delirium\, or another medical condition. That is exactly why it is so important not to ignore symptoms or self-diagnose too quickly.1 Medicare’s benefits guide specifically notes that trouble remembering\, learning new things\, concentrating\, or managing finances can be signs of cognitive impairment\, but that conditions like depression\, anxiety\, and delirium can also cause confusion.2 A cognitive assessment matters because it can help move the conversation from vague worry to clearer next steps. It can help answer questions like: Is this worth watching more closely?Do we need more testing?Is it affecting daily life?Could another health issue be contributing?Does the family need support now\, not later?								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That kind of clarity can be powerful. It does not solve everything in one appointment\, but it can help families act sooner and plan better. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Prognosis Means In This Conversation				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Prognosis means the likely course of a condition over time. In the setting of memory or thinking changes\, prognosis depends on what is actually causing the symptoms. That is why a cognitive assessment is so useful. It does not predict everyone’s future on its own. It helps identify whether there may be a mild issue\, a progressive condition like dementia\, or another problem that needs attention. Some causes of confusion may be treatable or reversible. Others may require long-term care planning and support. The larger point is that earlier detection can give people and families more time. More time to understand the diagnosis. More time to make decisions. More time to talk through safety\, finances\, caregiving\, treatment goals\, and community resources. The Alzheimer’s Association also highlights early detection and diagnosis as a key part of connecting patients to appropriate monitoring\, care planning\, and support.1 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How Common Cognitive Decline And Dementia Are				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes are more common than many families realize\, especially as people get older. CDC reports that 4.0% of adults age 65 and older have received a dementia diagnosis. But that number rises sharply with age\, reaching 13.1% among adults aged 85 and older.4 And dementia is only part of the story. There is also a larger group of older adults living with milder but still meaningful changes in memory and thinking. This is often called mild cognitive impairment\, or MCI. It does not always turn into dementia\, but it can be an important warning sign.4 That means many families are living in a gray area long before a diagnosis ever appears in the medical chart. Someone may still be dressing themselves\, making conversation\, and getting through most of the day\, but they may also be forgetting medications\, repeating questions\, getting confused about bills\, missing appointments\, or struggling with decisions that used to feel simple. These early changes are easy to dismiss\, especially when a family is already juggling work\, caregiving\, transportation\, and the cost of everyday life.4 It is also important to remember that diagnosed dementia numbers do not capture everyone who is struggling. Some people have symptoms but have never been formally evaluated. Others are told they are “just aging\,” or they delay bringing concerns up because of stigma\, fear\, or the cost of follow-up care. That underdiagnosis matters\, because families often end up getting answers only after a fall\, a hospitalization\, a medication mistake\, or another crisis forces the issue.4 This is why early cognitive assessment matters so much. It helps move people out of uncertainty and into a clearer conversation about what is happening\, what needs monitoring\, and what support may be needed next. It also reminds families that memory concerns are not rare\, and they are not something people have to wait on until things get worse.4 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Happens During The Visit				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The actual visit is usually straightforward. Medicare says the yearly Wellness Visit may include: a review of medical and family historya review of current prescriptionsroutine measurements like height\, weight\, and blood pressurea cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s diseasehealth advicea screening schedule for preventive servicesadvance care planningan optional social determinants of health risk assessment								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									If the provider is concerned about cognition\, they may ask more questions\, talk with a family member or caregiver\, review medications more closely\, or schedule a more detailed follow-up assessment.3 Medicare also notes that for a separate detailed cognitive assessment visit\, patients can bring a spouse\, friend\, or caregiver to help listen and answer questions. That can be incredibly helpful when memory concerns are part of the reason for the visit. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How To Access This Benefit For Free				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The process is usually simpler than people expect. First\, make sure the person has had Medicare Part B for more than 12 months. That is the general requirement for the yearly Wellness Visit.2Next\, call the primary care office and ask to schedule the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit\, sometimes just called the Medicare Wellness Visit. Medicare covers it once every 12 months.2								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									When you book the appointment\, ask whether the provider accepts assignment. As we learned above\, that matters because if the provider accepts assignment\, the visit costs nothing.2 Also ask whether anything discussed beyond the preventive visit could create extra billing\, since additional tests or services outside the covered preventive benefit may lead to coinsurance or other charges.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Before the appointment\, gather a few basics:				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									a list of medications\, including over-the-counter drugsany family history of dementia or major memory problemsnotes about changes in memory\, decision-making\, finances\, driving\, medications\, or daily routinesa trusted loved one who can describe what they have noticed\, if appropriate								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That preparation can make the visit more useful and make it easier for the clinician to see the full picture. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Self-Advocacy Language For Readers				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing what to say. If you or a loved one has an appointment soon\, try using these words: “I’d like to use the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit to talk about memory and thinking changes.” You can also say\, “I know a cognitive assessment can be part of this visit. Can we include that today?” If you are a family member or caregiver\, you can say\, “We’ve noticed changes in memory\, judgment\, or managing everyday tasks\, and we want to talk about whether more evaluation is needed.” And if cost is a concern\, it is okay to ask directly\, “Will this be covered as part of the Medicare Wellness Visit\, and are there any extra charges I should know about before we start?” Medicare itself advises people to ask what Medicare will actually cover when additional services are recommended. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					A Call To Action For The NOWINCLUDED Community				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory concerns deserve attention\, not silence. If you or someone you love has Medicare\, the yearly Wellness Visit may offer a free opening to talk about cognitive changes and ask for a cognitive assessment. That one step can help move a family from uncertainty to clearer answers\, better planning\, and stronger support. Inside the NOWINCLUDED app\, you can find trusted\, culturally aware health education to help you prepare for visits\, ask better questions\, and understand how benefits like Medicare fit into the bigger picture of access and equity. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					References				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Alzheimer’s Association. (2025). Cognitive Screening and Assessment. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-medical-professionals/cognitive-assessmentMedicare.gov. (2026). Cognitive assessment & care plan services. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cognitive-assessment-care-plan-servicesMedicare.gov. (2025). Yearly “Wellness” visits. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-wellness-visitsSanthosh\, C. (2024\, June 13). About 4% of US adults age 65 and older have a dementia diagnosis\, survey finds. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/about-4-us-adults-age-65-older-have-dementia-diagnosis-survey-finds-2024-06-13/NIH. (2023\, December 8). Cognitive Assessment Considerations: Understanding the Evidence. Retrieved from NIH – National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-assessment-considerations-understanding-evidenceAlzheimer’s Association. (2025). Health Equity. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/public-health-topics/health-equity
URL:https://nowincluded.com/event/regional-wellness-day/
LOCATION:Birmingham Crossplex\, 2337 Bessemer Rd\, Birmingham\, AL\, 35208\, United States
CATEGORIES:Health & Wellness
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://nowincluded.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/shutterstock_2553012887-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260418T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260418T150000
DTSTAMP:20260414T182644
CREATED:20260318T174843Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260318T174843Z
UID:10004910-1776506400-1776524400@nowincluded.com
SUMMARY:RUSH Health & Wellness Fair
DESCRIPTION:For many families\, memory concerns do not begin with a specialist. They begin at the kitchen table\, in a missed phone call\, a repeated question\, a bill left unpaid\, or a quiet moment when someone says\, “Something feels different.” But in low-income households\, noticing the problem is only the first hurdle. The next questions come fast: Who do we call? How much will this cost? Will Medicare cover it? What happens if we bring it up and the next step is too expensive to manage? That is what makes access and affordability such an important part of the story. A cognitive assessment can help catch changes in memory and thinking early\, but too many people do not know that Medicare may already cover an entry point into that process through the yearly Wellness Visit. For families living on fixed incomes\, juggling rent\, food\, medications\, transportation\, and caregiving\, a free preventive visit is not a small detail. It can be the difference between raising a concern early and waiting until a health crisis forces the issue. This is especially important in communities that already face barriers to care\, delayed diagnosis\, and lower access to specialty services. When a benefit like the Medicare Wellness Visit includes a chance to talk about memory and thinking at no extra cost\, it becomes more than a line in a policy document—It becomes a real pathway into care. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What A Cognitive Assessment Is\, In Plain Language				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									A cognitive assessment is a check on how the brain is handling everyday thinking skills. It may look at areas such as memory\, attention\, language\, decision-making\, problem-solving\, or changes in behavior. It is not the same thing as a full dementia diagnosis\, and it is not meant to label every small lapse as disease.1 Instead\, it helps a clinician notice whether there are signs that deserve a closer look. During a Medicare-covered cognitive assessment\, a doctor or other health care provider may review medical history and medications\, talk about symptoms\, look at how daily life is going\, identify social supports\, and decide whether more testing or a specialist referral is needed.2 Medicare also notes that a separate cognitive assessment visit can help establish or confirm a diagnosis like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and create a care plan.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What The Medicare Wellness Visit Has To Do With It				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									This is where access becomes especially important. Medicare’s yearly Wellness Visit is a preventive visit for people who have had Part B longer than 12 months.3 It is not a full routine physical. It is a visit designed to review health risks\, medications\, history\, preventive needs\, and planning for future care.3 One of the items that may be included is a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s disease.3 The visit is covered once every 12 months\, and Medicare says you pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment. (When a doctor “accepts assignment” in Medicare\, they have agreed to accept a Medicare-approved amount as full payment for any Medicare-covered service provided to you).3 It is also important to understand the difference between the free Wellness Visit and a more detailed follow-up. Medicare covers a separate cognitive assessment and care-planning visit under Part B when a clinician needs to take a closer look\, but that separate visit can involve cost-sharing. After the Part B deductible\, patients generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for that more detailed service.3 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Why This Assessment Matters				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes can have many causes. Sometimes the issue is dementia. Sometimes it may be medication side effects\, depression\, anxiety\, sleep problems\, delirium\, or another medical condition. That is exactly why it is so important not to ignore symptoms or self-diagnose too quickly.1 Medicare’s benefits guide specifically notes that trouble remembering\, learning new things\, concentrating\, or managing finances can be signs of cognitive impairment\, but that conditions like depression\, anxiety\, and delirium can also cause confusion.2 A cognitive assessment matters because it can help move the conversation from vague worry to clearer next steps. It can help answer questions like: Is this worth watching more closely?Do we need more testing?Is it affecting daily life?Could another health issue be contributing?Does the family need support now\, not later?								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That kind of clarity can be powerful. It does not solve everything in one appointment\, but it can help families act sooner and plan better. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Prognosis Means In This Conversation				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Prognosis means the likely course of a condition over time. In the setting of memory or thinking changes\, prognosis depends on what is actually causing the symptoms. That is why a cognitive assessment is so useful. It does not predict everyone’s future on its own. It helps identify whether there may be a mild issue\, a progressive condition like dementia\, or another problem that needs attention. Some causes of confusion may be treatable or reversible. Others may require long-term care planning and support. The larger point is that earlier detection can give people and families more time. More time to understand the diagnosis. More time to make decisions. More time to talk through safety\, finances\, caregiving\, treatment goals\, and community resources. The Alzheimer’s Association also highlights early detection and diagnosis as a key part of connecting patients to appropriate monitoring\, care planning\, and support.1 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How Common Cognitive Decline And Dementia Are				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes are more common than many families realize\, especially as people get older. CDC reports that 4.0% of adults age 65 and older have received a dementia diagnosis. But that number rises sharply with age\, reaching 13.1% among adults aged 85 and older.4 And dementia is only part of the story. There is also a larger group of older adults living with milder but still meaningful changes in memory and thinking. This is often called mild cognitive impairment\, or MCI. It does not always turn into dementia\, but it can be an important warning sign.4 That means many families are living in a gray area long before a diagnosis ever appears in the medical chart. Someone may still be dressing themselves\, making conversation\, and getting through most of the day\, but they may also be forgetting medications\, repeating questions\, getting confused about bills\, missing appointments\, or struggling with decisions that used to feel simple. These early changes are easy to dismiss\, especially when a family is already juggling work\, caregiving\, transportation\, and the cost of everyday life.4 It is also important to remember that diagnosed dementia numbers do not capture everyone who is struggling. Some people have symptoms but have never been formally evaluated. Others are told they are “just aging\,” or they delay bringing concerns up because of stigma\, fear\, or the cost of follow-up care. That underdiagnosis matters\, because families often end up getting answers only after a fall\, a hospitalization\, a medication mistake\, or another crisis forces the issue.4 This is why early cognitive assessment matters so much. It helps move people out of uncertainty and into a clearer conversation about what is happening\, what needs monitoring\, and what support may be needed next. It also reminds families that memory concerns are not rare\, and they are not something people have to wait on until things get worse.4 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Happens During The Visit				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The actual visit is usually straightforward. Medicare says the yearly Wellness Visit may include: a review of medical and family historya review of current prescriptionsroutine measurements like height\, weight\, and blood pressurea cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s diseasehealth advicea screening schedule for preventive servicesadvance care planningan optional social determinants of health risk assessment								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									If the provider is concerned about cognition\, they may ask more questions\, talk with a family member or caregiver\, review medications more closely\, or schedule a more detailed follow-up assessment.3 Medicare also notes that for a separate detailed cognitive assessment visit\, patients can bring a spouse\, friend\, or caregiver to help listen and answer questions. That can be incredibly helpful when memory concerns are part of the reason for the visit. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How To Access This Benefit For Free				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The process is usually simpler than people expect. First\, make sure the person has had Medicare Part B for more than 12 months. That is the general requirement for the yearly Wellness Visit.2Next\, call the primary care office and ask to schedule the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit\, sometimes just called the Medicare Wellness Visit. Medicare covers it once every 12 months.2								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									When you book the appointment\, ask whether the provider accepts assignment. As we learned above\, that matters because if the provider accepts assignment\, the visit costs nothing.2 Also ask whether anything discussed beyond the preventive visit could create extra billing\, since additional tests or services outside the covered preventive benefit may lead to coinsurance or other charges.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Before the appointment\, gather a few basics:				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									a list of medications\, including over-the-counter drugsany family history of dementia or major memory problemsnotes about changes in memory\, decision-making\, finances\, driving\, medications\, or daily routinesa trusted loved one who can describe what they have noticed\, if appropriate								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That preparation can make the visit more useful and make it easier for the clinician to see the full picture. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Self-Advocacy Language For Readers				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing what to say. If you or a loved one has an appointment soon\, try using these words: “I’d like to use the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit to talk about memory and thinking changes.” You can also say\, “I know a cognitive assessment can be part of this visit. Can we include that today?” If you are a family member or caregiver\, you can say\, “We’ve noticed changes in memory\, judgment\, or managing everyday tasks\, and we want to talk about whether more evaluation is needed.” And if cost is a concern\, it is okay to ask directly\, “Will this be covered as part of the Medicare Wellness Visit\, and are there any extra charges I should know about before we start?” Medicare itself advises people to ask what Medicare will actually cover when additional services are recommended. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					A Call To Action For The NOWINCLUDED Community				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory concerns deserve attention\, not silence. If you or someone you love has Medicare\, the yearly Wellness Visit may offer a free opening to talk about cognitive changes and ask for a cognitive assessment. That one step can help move a family from uncertainty to clearer answers\, better planning\, and stronger support. Inside the NOWINCLUDED app\, you can find trusted\, culturally aware health education to help you prepare for visits\, ask better questions\, and understand how benefits like Medicare fit into the bigger picture of access and equity. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					References				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Alzheimer’s Association. (2025). Cognitive Screening and Assessment. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-medical-professionals/cognitive-assessmentMedicare.gov. (2026). Cognitive assessment & care plan services. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cognitive-assessment-care-plan-servicesMedicare.gov. (2025). Yearly “Wellness” visits. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-wellness-visitsSanthosh\, C. (2024\, June 13). About 4% of US adults age 65 and older have a dementia diagnosis\, survey finds. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/about-4-us-adults-age-65-older-have-dementia-diagnosis-survey-finds-2024-06-13/NIH. (2023\, December 8). Cognitive Assessment Considerations: Understanding the Evidence. Retrieved from NIH – National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-assessment-considerations-understanding-evidenceAlzheimer’s Association. (2025). Health Equity. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/public-health-topics/health-equity
URL:https://nowincluded.com/event/rush-health-wellness-fair/
LOCATION:Bethel New Life\, 1150 North Lamon Avenue\, Chicago\, IL\, 60651\, United States
CATEGORIES:Health & Wellness
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://nowincluded.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-18-124651.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260418T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260418T170000
DTSTAMP:20260414T182644
CREATED:20260113T203141Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260114T143311Z
UID:10004675-1776506400-1776531600@nowincluded.com
SUMMARY:All Things Cancer and Wellness Expo
DESCRIPTION:For many families\, memory concerns do not begin with a specialist. They begin at the kitchen table\, in a missed phone call\, a repeated question\, a bill left unpaid\, or a quiet moment when someone says\, “Something feels different.” But in low-income households\, noticing the problem is only the first hurdle. The next questions come fast: Who do we call? How much will this cost? Will Medicare cover it? What happens if we bring it up and the next step is too expensive to manage? That is what makes access and affordability such an important part of the story. A cognitive assessment can help catch changes in memory and thinking early\, but too many people do not know that Medicare may already cover an entry point into that process through the yearly Wellness Visit. For families living on fixed incomes\, juggling rent\, food\, medications\, transportation\, and caregiving\, a free preventive visit is not a small detail. It can be the difference between raising a concern early and waiting until a health crisis forces the issue. This is especially important in communities that already face barriers to care\, delayed diagnosis\, and lower access to specialty services. When a benefit like the Medicare Wellness Visit includes a chance to talk about memory and thinking at no extra cost\, it becomes more than a line in a policy document—It becomes a real pathway into care. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What A Cognitive Assessment Is\, In Plain Language				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									A cognitive assessment is a check on how the brain is handling everyday thinking skills. It may look at areas such as memory\, attention\, language\, decision-making\, problem-solving\, or changes in behavior. It is not the same thing as a full dementia diagnosis\, and it is not meant to label every small lapse as disease.1 Instead\, it helps a clinician notice whether there are signs that deserve a closer look. During a Medicare-covered cognitive assessment\, a doctor or other health care provider may review medical history and medications\, talk about symptoms\, look at how daily life is going\, identify social supports\, and decide whether more testing or a specialist referral is needed.2 Medicare also notes that a separate cognitive assessment visit can help establish or confirm a diagnosis like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and create a care plan.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What The Medicare Wellness Visit Has To Do With It				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									This is where access becomes especially important. Medicare’s yearly Wellness Visit is a preventive visit for people who have had Part B longer than 12 months.3 It is not a full routine physical. It is a visit designed to review health risks\, medications\, history\, preventive needs\, and planning for future care.3 One of the items that may be included is a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s disease.3 The visit is covered once every 12 months\, and Medicare says you pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment. (When a doctor “accepts assignment” in Medicare\, they have agreed to accept a Medicare-approved amount as full payment for any Medicare-covered service provided to you).3 It is also important to understand the difference between the free Wellness Visit and a more detailed follow-up. Medicare covers a separate cognitive assessment and care-planning visit under Part B when a clinician needs to take a closer look\, but that separate visit can involve cost-sharing. After the Part B deductible\, patients generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for that more detailed service.3 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Why This Assessment Matters				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes can have many causes. Sometimes the issue is dementia. Sometimes it may be medication side effects\, depression\, anxiety\, sleep problems\, delirium\, or another medical condition. That is exactly why it is so important not to ignore symptoms or self-diagnose too quickly.1 Medicare’s benefits guide specifically notes that trouble remembering\, learning new things\, concentrating\, or managing finances can be signs of cognitive impairment\, but that conditions like depression\, anxiety\, and delirium can also cause confusion.2 A cognitive assessment matters because it can help move the conversation from vague worry to clearer next steps. It can help answer questions like: Is this worth watching more closely?Do we need more testing?Is it affecting daily life?Could another health issue be contributing?Does the family need support now\, not later?								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That kind of clarity can be powerful. It does not solve everything in one appointment\, but it can help families act sooner and plan better. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Prognosis Means In This Conversation				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Prognosis means the likely course of a condition over time. In the setting of memory or thinking changes\, prognosis depends on what is actually causing the symptoms. That is why a cognitive assessment is so useful. It does not predict everyone’s future on its own. It helps identify whether there may be a mild issue\, a progressive condition like dementia\, or another problem that needs attention. Some causes of confusion may be treatable or reversible. Others may require long-term care planning and support. The larger point is that earlier detection can give people and families more time. More time to understand the diagnosis. More time to make decisions. More time to talk through safety\, finances\, caregiving\, treatment goals\, and community resources. The Alzheimer’s Association also highlights early detection and diagnosis as a key part of connecting patients to appropriate monitoring\, care planning\, and support.1 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How Common Cognitive Decline And Dementia Are				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes are more common than many families realize\, especially as people get older. CDC reports that 4.0% of adults age 65 and older have received a dementia diagnosis. But that number rises sharply with age\, reaching 13.1% among adults aged 85 and older.4 And dementia is only part of the story. There is also a larger group of older adults living with milder but still meaningful changes in memory and thinking. This is often called mild cognitive impairment\, or MCI. It does not always turn into dementia\, but it can be an important warning sign.4 That means many families are living in a gray area long before a diagnosis ever appears in the medical chart. Someone may still be dressing themselves\, making conversation\, and getting through most of the day\, but they may also be forgetting medications\, repeating questions\, getting confused about bills\, missing appointments\, or struggling with decisions that used to feel simple. These early changes are easy to dismiss\, especially when a family is already juggling work\, caregiving\, transportation\, and the cost of everyday life.4 It is also important to remember that diagnosed dementia numbers do not capture everyone who is struggling. Some people have symptoms but have never been formally evaluated. Others are told they are “just aging\,” or they delay bringing concerns up because of stigma\, fear\, or the cost of follow-up care. That underdiagnosis matters\, because families often end up getting answers only after a fall\, a hospitalization\, a medication mistake\, or another crisis forces the issue.4 This is why early cognitive assessment matters so much. It helps move people out of uncertainty and into a clearer conversation about what is happening\, what needs monitoring\, and what support may be needed next. It also reminds families that memory concerns are not rare\, and they are not something people have to wait on until things get worse.4 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Happens During The Visit				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The actual visit is usually straightforward. Medicare says the yearly Wellness Visit may include: a review of medical and family historya review of current prescriptionsroutine measurements like height\, weight\, and blood pressurea cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s diseasehealth advicea screening schedule for preventive servicesadvance care planningan optional social determinants of health risk assessment								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									If the provider is concerned about cognition\, they may ask more questions\, talk with a family member or caregiver\, review medications more closely\, or schedule a more detailed follow-up assessment.3 Medicare also notes that for a separate detailed cognitive assessment visit\, patients can bring a spouse\, friend\, or caregiver to help listen and answer questions. That can be incredibly helpful when memory concerns are part of the reason for the visit. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How To Access This Benefit For Free				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The process is usually simpler than people expect. First\, make sure the person has had Medicare Part B for more than 12 months. That is the general requirement for the yearly Wellness Visit.2Next\, call the primary care office and ask to schedule the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit\, sometimes just called the Medicare Wellness Visit. Medicare covers it once every 12 months.2								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									When you book the appointment\, ask whether the provider accepts assignment. As we learned above\, that matters because if the provider accepts assignment\, the visit costs nothing.2 Also ask whether anything discussed beyond the preventive visit could create extra billing\, since additional tests or services outside the covered preventive benefit may lead to coinsurance or other charges.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Before the appointment\, gather a few basics:				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									a list of medications\, including over-the-counter drugsany family history of dementia or major memory problemsnotes about changes in memory\, decision-making\, finances\, driving\, medications\, or daily routinesa trusted loved one who can describe what they have noticed\, if appropriate								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That preparation can make the visit more useful and make it easier for the clinician to see the full picture. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Self-Advocacy Language For Readers				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing what to say. If you or a loved one has an appointment soon\, try using these words: “I’d like to use the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit to talk about memory and thinking changes.” You can also say\, “I know a cognitive assessment can be part of this visit. Can we include that today?” If you are a family member or caregiver\, you can say\, “We’ve noticed changes in memory\, judgment\, or managing everyday tasks\, and we want to talk about whether more evaluation is needed.” And if cost is a concern\, it is okay to ask directly\, “Will this be covered as part of the Medicare Wellness Visit\, and are there any extra charges I should know about before we start?” Medicare itself advises people to ask what Medicare will actually cover when additional services are recommended. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					A Call To Action For The NOWINCLUDED Community				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory concerns deserve attention\, not silence. If you or someone you love has Medicare\, the yearly Wellness Visit may offer a free opening to talk about cognitive changes and ask for a cognitive assessment. That one step can help move a family from uncertainty to clearer answers\, better planning\, and stronger support. Inside the NOWINCLUDED app\, you can find trusted\, culturally aware health education to help you prepare for visits\, ask better questions\, and understand how benefits like Medicare fit into the bigger picture of access and equity. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					References				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Alzheimer’s Association. (2025). Cognitive Screening and Assessment. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-medical-professionals/cognitive-assessmentMedicare.gov. (2026). Cognitive assessment & care plan services. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cognitive-assessment-care-plan-servicesMedicare.gov. (2025). Yearly “Wellness” visits. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-wellness-visitsSanthosh\, C. (2024\, June 13). About 4% of US adults age 65 and older have a dementia diagnosis\, survey finds. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/about-4-us-adults-age-65-older-have-dementia-diagnosis-survey-finds-2024-06-13/NIH. (2023\, December 8). Cognitive Assessment Considerations: Understanding the Evidence. Retrieved from NIH – National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-assessment-considerations-understanding-evidenceAlzheimer’s Association. (2025). Health Equity. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/public-health-topics/health-equity
URL:https://nowincluded.com/event/all-things-cancer-and-wellness-expo/
LOCATION:DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Philadelphia Center City\, 237 South Broad Street\, Philadelphia\, PA\, 19107\, United States
CATEGORIES:Health & Wellness
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://nowincluded.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/https___cdn.evbuc_.com_images_1168536363_1959311702013_1_original.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260418T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260418T150000
DTSTAMP:20260414T182644
CREATED:20260113T214211Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260114T143104Z
UID:10004686-1776510000-1776524400@nowincluded.com
SUMMARY:Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo
DESCRIPTION:For many families\, memory concerns do not begin with a specialist. They begin at the kitchen table\, in a missed phone call\, a repeated question\, a bill left unpaid\, or a quiet moment when someone says\, “Something feels different.” But in low-income households\, noticing the problem is only the first hurdle. The next questions come fast: Who do we call? How much will this cost? Will Medicare cover it? What happens if we bring it up and the next step is too expensive to manage? That is what makes access and affordability such an important part of the story. A cognitive assessment can help catch changes in memory and thinking early\, but too many people do not know that Medicare may already cover an entry point into that process through the yearly Wellness Visit. For families living on fixed incomes\, juggling rent\, food\, medications\, transportation\, and caregiving\, a free preventive visit is not a small detail. It can be the difference between raising a concern early and waiting until a health crisis forces the issue. This is especially important in communities that already face barriers to care\, delayed diagnosis\, and lower access to specialty services. When a benefit like the Medicare Wellness Visit includes a chance to talk about memory and thinking at no extra cost\, it becomes more than a line in a policy document—It becomes a real pathway into care. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What A Cognitive Assessment Is\, In Plain Language				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									A cognitive assessment is a check on how the brain is handling everyday thinking skills. It may look at areas such as memory\, attention\, language\, decision-making\, problem-solving\, or changes in behavior. It is not the same thing as a full dementia diagnosis\, and it is not meant to label every small lapse as disease.1 Instead\, it helps a clinician notice whether there are signs that deserve a closer look. During a Medicare-covered cognitive assessment\, a doctor or other health care provider may review medical history and medications\, talk about symptoms\, look at how daily life is going\, identify social supports\, and decide whether more testing or a specialist referral is needed.2 Medicare also notes that a separate cognitive assessment visit can help establish or confirm a diagnosis like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and create a care plan.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What The Medicare Wellness Visit Has To Do With It				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									This is where access becomes especially important. Medicare’s yearly Wellness Visit is a preventive visit for people who have had Part B longer than 12 months.3 It is not a full routine physical. It is a visit designed to review health risks\, medications\, history\, preventive needs\, and planning for future care.3 One of the items that may be included is a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s disease.3 The visit is covered once every 12 months\, and Medicare says you pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment. (When a doctor “accepts assignment” in Medicare\, they have agreed to accept a Medicare-approved amount as full payment for any Medicare-covered service provided to you).3 It is also important to understand the difference between the free Wellness Visit and a more detailed follow-up. Medicare covers a separate cognitive assessment and care-planning visit under Part B when a clinician needs to take a closer look\, but that separate visit can involve cost-sharing. After the Part B deductible\, patients generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for that more detailed service.3 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Why This Assessment Matters				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes can have many causes. Sometimes the issue is dementia. Sometimes it may be medication side effects\, depression\, anxiety\, sleep problems\, delirium\, or another medical condition. That is exactly why it is so important not to ignore symptoms or self-diagnose too quickly.1 Medicare’s benefits guide specifically notes that trouble remembering\, learning new things\, concentrating\, or managing finances can be signs of cognitive impairment\, but that conditions like depression\, anxiety\, and delirium can also cause confusion.2 A cognitive assessment matters because it can help move the conversation from vague worry to clearer next steps. It can help answer questions like: Is this worth watching more closely?Do we need more testing?Is it affecting daily life?Could another health issue be contributing?Does the family need support now\, not later?								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That kind of clarity can be powerful. It does not solve everything in one appointment\, but it can help families act sooner and plan better. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Prognosis Means In This Conversation				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Prognosis means the likely course of a condition over time. In the setting of memory or thinking changes\, prognosis depends on what is actually causing the symptoms. That is why a cognitive assessment is so useful. It does not predict everyone’s future on its own. It helps identify whether there may be a mild issue\, a progressive condition like dementia\, or another problem that needs attention. Some causes of confusion may be treatable or reversible. Others may require long-term care planning and support. The larger point is that earlier detection can give people and families more time. More time to understand the diagnosis. More time to make decisions. More time to talk through safety\, finances\, caregiving\, treatment goals\, and community resources. The Alzheimer’s Association also highlights early detection and diagnosis as a key part of connecting patients to appropriate monitoring\, care planning\, and support.1 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How Common Cognitive Decline And Dementia Are				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes are more common than many families realize\, especially as people get older. CDC reports that 4.0% of adults age 65 and older have received a dementia diagnosis. But that number rises sharply with age\, reaching 13.1% among adults aged 85 and older.4 And dementia is only part of the story. There is also a larger group of older adults living with milder but still meaningful changes in memory and thinking. This is often called mild cognitive impairment\, or MCI. It does not always turn into dementia\, but it can be an important warning sign.4 That means many families are living in a gray area long before a diagnosis ever appears in the medical chart. Someone may still be dressing themselves\, making conversation\, and getting through most of the day\, but they may also be forgetting medications\, repeating questions\, getting confused about bills\, missing appointments\, or struggling with decisions that used to feel simple. These early changes are easy to dismiss\, especially when a family is already juggling work\, caregiving\, transportation\, and the cost of everyday life.4 It is also important to remember that diagnosed dementia numbers do not capture everyone who is struggling. Some people have symptoms but have never been formally evaluated. Others are told they are “just aging\,” or they delay bringing concerns up because of stigma\, fear\, or the cost of follow-up care. That underdiagnosis matters\, because families often end up getting answers only after a fall\, a hospitalization\, a medication mistake\, or another crisis forces the issue.4 This is why early cognitive assessment matters so much. It helps move people out of uncertainty and into a clearer conversation about what is happening\, what needs monitoring\, and what support may be needed next. It also reminds families that memory concerns are not rare\, and they are not something people have to wait on until things get worse.4 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Happens During The Visit				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The actual visit is usually straightforward. Medicare says the yearly Wellness Visit may include: a review of medical and family historya review of current prescriptionsroutine measurements like height\, weight\, and blood pressurea cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s diseasehealth advicea screening schedule for preventive servicesadvance care planningan optional social determinants of health risk assessment								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									If the provider is concerned about cognition\, they may ask more questions\, talk with a family member or caregiver\, review medications more closely\, or schedule a more detailed follow-up assessment.3 Medicare also notes that for a separate detailed cognitive assessment visit\, patients can bring a spouse\, friend\, or caregiver to help listen and answer questions. That can be incredibly helpful when memory concerns are part of the reason for the visit. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How To Access This Benefit For Free				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The process is usually simpler than people expect. First\, make sure the person has had Medicare Part B for more than 12 months. That is the general requirement for the yearly Wellness Visit.2Next\, call the primary care office and ask to schedule the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit\, sometimes just called the Medicare Wellness Visit. Medicare covers it once every 12 months.2								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									When you book the appointment\, ask whether the provider accepts assignment. As we learned above\, that matters because if the provider accepts assignment\, the visit costs nothing.2 Also ask whether anything discussed beyond the preventive visit could create extra billing\, since additional tests or services outside the covered preventive benefit may lead to coinsurance or other charges.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Before the appointment\, gather a few basics:				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									a list of medications\, including over-the-counter drugsany family history of dementia or major memory problemsnotes about changes in memory\, decision-making\, finances\, driving\, medications\, or daily routinesa trusted loved one who can describe what they have noticed\, if appropriate								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That preparation can make the visit more useful and make it easier for the clinician to see the full picture. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Self-Advocacy Language For Readers				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing what to say. If you or a loved one has an appointment soon\, try using these words: “I’d like to use the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit to talk about memory and thinking changes.” You can also say\, “I know a cognitive assessment can be part of this visit. Can we include that today?” If you are a family member or caregiver\, you can say\, “We’ve noticed changes in memory\, judgment\, or managing everyday tasks\, and we want to talk about whether more evaluation is needed.” And if cost is a concern\, it is okay to ask directly\, “Will this be covered as part of the Medicare Wellness Visit\, and are there any extra charges I should know about before we start?” Medicare itself advises people to ask what Medicare will actually cover when additional services are recommended. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					A Call To Action For The NOWINCLUDED Community				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory concerns deserve attention\, not silence. If you or someone you love has Medicare\, the yearly Wellness Visit may offer a free opening to talk about cognitive changes and ask for a cognitive assessment. That one step can help move a family from uncertainty to clearer answers\, better planning\, and stronger support. Inside the NOWINCLUDED app\, you can find trusted\, culturally aware health education to help you prepare for visits\, ask better questions\, and understand how benefits like Medicare fit into the bigger picture of access and equity. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					References				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Alzheimer’s Association. (2025). Cognitive Screening and Assessment. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-medical-professionals/cognitive-assessmentMedicare.gov. (2026). Cognitive assessment & care plan services. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cognitive-assessment-care-plan-servicesMedicare.gov. (2025). Yearly “Wellness” visits. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-wellness-visitsSanthosh\, C. (2024\, June 13). About 4% of US adults age 65 and older have a dementia diagnosis\, survey finds. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/about-4-us-adults-age-65-older-have-dementia-diagnosis-survey-finds-2024-06-13/NIH. (2023\, December 8). Cognitive Assessment Considerations: Understanding the Evidence. Retrieved from NIH – National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-assessment-considerations-understanding-evidenceAlzheimer’s Association. (2025). Health Equity. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/public-health-topics/health-equity
URL:https://nowincluded.com/event/bill-pickett-invitational-rodeo/2026-04-18/1/
LOCATION:Georgia International Horse Park\, 1996 Centennial Olympic Pkwy\, Conyers\, GA\, 30013\, United States
CATEGORIES:Food & Culture
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://nowincluded.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ATL-April-Back-2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260418T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260418T160000
DTSTAMP:20260414T182644
CREATED:20260113T204218Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260113T215902Z
UID:10004676-1776517200-1776528000@nowincluded.com
SUMMARY:EmpowerMOM
DESCRIPTION:For many families\, memory concerns do not begin with a specialist. They begin at the kitchen table\, in a missed phone call\, a repeated question\, a bill left unpaid\, or a quiet moment when someone says\, “Something feels different.” But in low-income households\, noticing the problem is only the first hurdle. The next questions come fast: Who do we call? How much will this cost? Will Medicare cover it? What happens if we bring it up and the next step is too expensive to manage? That is what makes access and affordability such an important part of the story. A cognitive assessment can help catch changes in memory and thinking early\, but too many people do not know that Medicare may already cover an entry point into that process through the yearly Wellness Visit. For families living on fixed incomes\, juggling rent\, food\, medications\, transportation\, and caregiving\, a free preventive visit is not a small detail. It can be the difference between raising a concern early and waiting until a health crisis forces the issue. This is especially important in communities that already face barriers to care\, delayed diagnosis\, and lower access to specialty services. When a benefit like the Medicare Wellness Visit includes a chance to talk about memory and thinking at no extra cost\, it becomes more than a line in a policy document—It becomes a real pathway into care. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What A Cognitive Assessment Is\, In Plain Language				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									A cognitive assessment is a check on how the brain is handling everyday thinking skills. It may look at areas such as memory\, attention\, language\, decision-making\, problem-solving\, or changes in behavior. It is not the same thing as a full dementia diagnosis\, and it is not meant to label every small lapse as disease.1 Instead\, it helps a clinician notice whether there are signs that deserve a closer look. During a Medicare-covered cognitive assessment\, a doctor or other health care provider may review medical history and medications\, talk about symptoms\, look at how daily life is going\, identify social supports\, and decide whether more testing or a specialist referral is needed.2 Medicare also notes that a separate cognitive assessment visit can help establish or confirm a diagnosis like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and create a care plan.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What The Medicare Wellness Visit Has To Do With It				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									This is where access becomes especially important. Medicare’s yearly Wellness Visit is a preventive visit for people who have had Part B longer than 12 months.3 It is not a full routine physical. It is a visit designed to review health risks\, medications\, history\, preventive needs\, and planning for future care.3 One of the items that may be included is a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s disease.3 The visit is covered once every 12 months\, and Medicare says you pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment. (When a doctor “accepts assignment” in Medicare\, they have agreed to accept a Medicare-approved amount as full payment for any Medicare-covered service provided to you).3 It is also important to understand the difference between the free Wellness Visit and a more detailed follow-up. Medicare covers a separate cognitive assessment and care-planning visit under Part B when a clinician needs to take a closer look\, but that separate visit can involve cost-sharing. After the Part B deductible\, patients generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for that more detailed service.3 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Why This Assessment Matters				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes can have many causes. Sometimes the issue is dementia. Sometimes it may be medication side effects\, depression\, anxiety\, sleep problems\, delirium\, or another medical condition. That is exactly why it is so important not to ignore symptoms or self-diagnose too quickly.1 Medicare’s benefits guide specifically notes that trouble remembering\, learning new things\, concentrating\, or managing finances can be signs of cognitive impairment\, but that conditions like depression\, anxiety\, and delirium can also cause confusion.2 A cognitive assessment matters because it can help move the conversation from vague worry to clearer next steps. It can help answer questions like: Is this worth watching more closely?Do we need more testing?Is it affecting daily life?Could another health issue be contributing?Does the family need support now\, not later?								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That kind of clarity can be powerful. It does not solve everything in one appointment\, but it can help families act sooner and plan better. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Prognosis Means In This Conversation				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Prognosis means the likely course of a condition over time. In the setting of memory or thinking changes\, prognosis depends on what is actually causing the symptoms. That is why a cognitive assessment is so useful. It does not predict everyone’s future on its own. It helps identify whether there may be a mild issue\, a progressive condition like dementia\, or another problem that needs attention. Some causes of confusion may be treatable or reversible. Others may require long-term care planning and support. The larger point is that earlier detection can give people and families more time. More time to understand the diagnosis. More time to make decisions. More time to talk through safety\, finances\, caregiving\, treatment goals\, and community resources. The Alzheimer’s Association also highlights early detection and diagnosis as a key part of connecting patients to appropriate monitoring\, care planning\, and support.1 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How Common Cognitive Decline And Dementia Are				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes are more common than many families realize\, especially as people get older. CDC reports that 4.0% of adults age 65 and older have received a dementia diagnosis. But that number rises sharply with age\, reaching 13.1% among adults aged 85 and older.4 And dementia is only part of the story. There is also a larger group of older adults living with milder but still meaningful changes in memory and thinking. This is often called mild cognitive impairment\, or MCI. It does not always turn into dementia\, but it can be an important warning sign.4 That means many families are living in a gray area long before a diagnosis ever appears in the medical chart. Someone may still be dressing themselves\, making conversation\, and getting through most of the day\, but they may also be forgetting medications\, repeating questions\, getting confused about bills\, missing appointments\, or struggling with decisions that used to feel simple. These early changes are easy to dismiss\, especially when a family is already juggling work\, caregiving\, transportation\, and the cost of everyday life.4 It is also important to remember that diagnosed dementia numbers do not capture everyone who is struggling. Some people have symptoms but have never been formally evaluated. Others are told they are “just aging\,” or they delay bringing concerns up because of stigma\, fear\, or the cost of follow-up care. That underdiagnosis matters\, because families often end up getting answers only after a fall\, a hospitalization\, a medication mistake\, or another crisis forces the issue.4 This is why early cognitive assessment matters so much. It helps move people out of uncertainty and into a clearer conversation about what is happening\, what needs monitoring\, and what support may be needed next. It also reminds families that memory concerns are not rare\, and they are not something people have to wait on until things get worse.4 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Happens During The Visit				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The actual visit is usually straightforward. Medicare says the yearly Wellness Visit may include: a review of medical and family historya review of current prescriptionsroutine measurements like height\, weight\, and blood pressurea cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s diseasehealth advicea screening schedule for preventive servicesadvance care planningan optional social determinants of health risk assessment								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									If the provider is concerned about cognition\, they may ask more questions\, talk with a family member or caregiver\, review medications more closely\, or schedule a more detailed follow-up assessment.3 Medicare also notes that for a separate detailed cognitive assessment visit\, patients can bring a spouse\, friend\, or caregiver to help listen and answer questions. That can be incredibly helpful when memory concerns are part of the reason for the visit. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How To Access This Benefit For Free				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The process is usually simpler than people expect. First\, make sure the person has had Medicare Part B for more than 12 months. That is the general requirement for the yearly Wellness Visit.2Next\, call the primary care office and ask to schedule the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit\, sometimes just called the Medicare Wellness Visit. Medicare covers it once every 12 months.2								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									When you book the appointment\, ask whether the provider accepts assignment. As we learned above\, that matters because if the provider accepts assignment\, the visit costs nothing.2 Also ask whether anything discussed beyond the preventive visit could create extra billing\, since additional tests or services outside the covered preventive benefit may lead to coinsurance or other charges.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Before the appointment\, gather a few basics:				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									a list of medications\, including over-the-counter drugsany family history of dementia or major memory problemsnotes about changes in memory\, decision-making\, finances\, driving\, medications\, or daily routinesa trusted loved one who can describe what they have noticed\, if appropriate								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That preparation can make the visit more useful and make it easier for the clinician to see the full picture. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Self-Advocacy Language For Readers				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing what to say. If you or a loved one has an appointment soon\, try using these words: “I’d like to use the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit to talk about memory and thinking changes.” You can also say\, “I know a cognitive assessment can be part of this visit. Can we include that today?” If you are a family member or caregiver\, you can say\, “We’ve noticed changes in memory\, judgment\, or managing everyday tasks\, and we want to talk about whether more evaluation is needed.” And if cost is a concern\, it is okay to ask directly\, “Will this be covered as part of the Medicare Wellness Visit\, and are there any extra charges I should know about before we start?” Medicare itself advises people to ask what Medicare will actually cover when additional services are recommended. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					A Call To Action For The NOWINCLUDED Community				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory concerns deserve attention\, not silence. If you or someone you love has Medicare\, the yearly Wellness Visit may offer a free opening to talk about cognitive changes and ask for a cognitive assessment. That one step can help move a family from uncertainty to clearer answers\, better planning\, and stronger support. Inside the NOWINCLUDED app\, you can find trusted\, culturally aware health education to help you prepare for visits\, ask better questions\, and understand how benefits like Medicare fit into the bigger picture of access and equity. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					References				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Alzheimer’s Association. (2025). Cognitive Screening and Assessment. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-medical-professionals/cognitive-assessmentMedicare.gov. (2026). Cognitive assessment & care plan services. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cognitive-assessment-care-plan-servicesMedicare.gov. (2025). Yearly “Wellness” visits. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-wellness-visitsSanthosh\, C. (2024\, June 13). About 4% of US adults age 65 and older have a dementia diagnosis\, survey finds. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/about-4-us-adults-age-65-older-have-dementia-diagnosis-survey-finds-2024-06-13/NIH. (2023\, December 8). Cognitive Assessment Considerations: Understanding the Evidence. Retrieved from NIH – National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-assessment-considerations-understanding-evidenceAlzheimer’s Association. (2025). Health Equity. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/public-health-topics/health-equity
URL:https://nowincluded.com/event/empowermom/
LOCATION:The Gathering Spot ATL\, 384 Northyards Blvd. NW\, Atlanta\, GA\, 30313\, United States
CATEGORIES:Black Maternal Health,Health & Wellness,Mental Health,Women
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://nowincluded.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/emcare2u-empowermom-event-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260418T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260418T223000
DTSTAMP:20260414T182644
CREATED:20260113T214211Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260114T143104Z
UID:10004687-1776540600-1776551400@nowincluded.com
SUMMARY:Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo
DESCRIPTION:For many families\, memory concerns do not begin with a specialist. They begin at the kitchen table\, in a missed phone call\, a repeated question\, a bill left unpaid\, or a quiet moment when someone says\, “Something feels different.” But in low-income households\, noticing the problem is only the first hurdle. The next questions come fast: Who do we call? How much will this cost? Will Medicare cover it? What happens if we bring it up and the next step is too expensive to manage? That is what makes access and affordability such an important part of the story. A cognitive assessment can help catch changes in memory and thinking early\, but too many people do not know that Medicare may already cover an entry point into that process through the yearly Wellness Visit. For families living on fixed incomes\, juggling rent\, food\, medications\, transportation\, and caregiving\, a free preventive visit is not a small detail. It can be the difference between raising a concern early and waiting until a health crisis forces the issue. This is especially important in communities that already face barriers to care\, delayed diagnosis\, and lower access to specialty services. When a benefit like the Medicare Wellness Visit includes a chance to talk about memory and thinking at no extra cost\, it becomes more than a line in a policy document—It becomes a real pathway into care. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What A Cognitive Assessment Is\, In Plain Language				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									A cognitive assessment is a check on how the brain is handling everyday thinking skills. It may look at areas such as memory\, attention\, language\, decision-making\, problem-solving\, or changes in behavior. It is not the same thing as a full dementia diagnosis\, and it is not meant to label every small lapse as disease.1 Instead\, it helps a clinician notice whether there are signs that deserve a closer look. During a Medicare-covered cognitive assessment\, a doctor or other health care provider may review medical history and medications\, talk about symptoms\, look at how daily life is going\, identify social supports\, and decide whether more testing or a specialist referral is needed.2 Medicare also notes that a separate cognitive assessment visit can help establish or confirm a diagnosis like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and create a care plan.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What The Medicare Wellness Visit Has To Do With It				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									This is where access becomes especially important. Medicare’s yearly Wellness Visit is a preventive visit for people who have had Part B longer than 12 months.3 It is not a full routine physical. It is a visit designed to review health risks\, medications\, history\, preventive needs\, and planning for future care.3 One of the items that may be included is a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s disease.3 The visit is covered once every 12 months\, and Medicare says you pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment. (When a doctor “accepts assignment” in Medicare\, they have agreed to accept a Medicare-approved amount as full payment for any Medicare-covered service provided to you).3 It is also important to understand the difference between the free Wellness Visit and a more detailed follow-up. Medicare covers a separate cognitive assessment and care-planning visit under Part B when a clinician needs to take a closer look\, but that separate visit can involve cost-sharing. After the Part B deductible\, patients generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for that more detailed service.3 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Why This Assessment Matters				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes can have many causes. Sometimes the issue is dementia. Sometimes it may be medication side effects\, depression\, anxiety\, sleep problems\, delirium\, or another medical condition. That is exactly why it is so important not to ignore symptoms or self-diagnose too quickly.1 Medicare’s benefits guide specifically notes that trouble remembering\, learning new things\, concentrating\, or managing finances can be signs of cognitive impairment\, but that conditions like depression\, anxiety\, and delirium can also cause confusion.2 A cognitive assessment matters because it can help move the conversation from vague worry to clearer next steps. It can help answer questions like: Is this worth watching more closely?Do we need more testing?Is it affecting daily life?Could another health issue be contributing?Does the family need support now\, not later?								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That kind of clarity can be powerful. It does not solve everything in one appointment\, but it can help families act sooner and plan better. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Prognosis Means In This Conversation				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Prognosis means the likely course of a condition over time. In the setting of memory or thinking changes\, prognosis depends on what is actually causing the symptoms. That is why a cognitive assessment is so useful. It does not predict everyone’s future on its own. It helps identify whether there may be a mild issue\, a progressive condition like dementia\, or another problem that needs attention. Some causes of confusion may be treatable or reversible. Others may require long-term care planning and support. The larger point is that earlier detection can give people and families more time. More time to understand the diagnosis. More time to make decisions. More time to talk through safety\, finances\, caregiving\, treatment goals\, and community resources. The Alzheimer’s Association also highlights early detection and diagnosis as a key part of connecting patients to appropriate monitoring\, care planning\, and support.1 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How Common Cognitive Decline And Dementia Are				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes are more common than many families realize\, especially as people get older. CDC reports that 4.0% of adults age 65 and older have received a dementia diagnosis. But that number rises sharply with age\, reaching 13.1% among adults aged 85 and older.4 And dementia is only part of the story. There is also a larger group of older adults living with milder but still meaningful changes in memory and thinking. This is often called mild cognitive impairment\, or MCI. It does not always turn into dementia\, but it can be an important warning sign.4 That means many families are living in a gray area long before a diagnosis ever appears in the medical chart. Someone may still be dressing themselves\, making conversation\, and getting through most of the day\, but they may also be forgetting medications\, repeating questions\, getting confused about bills\, missing appointments\, or struggling with decisions that used to feel simple. These early changes are easy to dismiss\, especially when a family is already juggling work\, caregiving\, transportation\, and the cost of everyday life.4 It is also important to remember that diagnosed dementia numbers do not capture everyone who is struggling. Some people have symptoms but have never been formally evaluated. Others are told they are “just aging\,” or they delay bringing concerns up because of stigma\, fear\, or the cost of follow-up care. That underdiagnosis matters\, because families often end up getting answers only after a fall\, a hospitalization\, a medication mistake\, or another crisis forces the issue.4 This is why early cognitive assessment matters so much. It helps move people out of uncertainty and into a clearer conversation about what is happening\, what needs monitoring\, and what support may be needed next. It also reminds families that memory concerns are not rare\, and they are not something people have to wait on until things get worse.4 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Happens During The Visit				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The actual visit is usually straightforward. Medicare says the yearly Wellness Visit may include: a review of medical and family historya review of current prescriptionsroutine measurements like height\, weight\, and blood pressurea cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s diseasehealth advicea screening schedule for preventive servicesadvance care planningan optional social determinants of health risk assessment								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									If the provider is concerned about cognition\, they may ask more questions\, talk with a family member or caregiver\, review medications more closely\, or schedule a more detailed follow-up assessment.3 Medicare also notes that for a separate detailed cognitive assessment visit\, patients can bring a spouse\, friend\, or caregiver to help listen and answer questions. That can be incredibly helpful when memory concerns are part of the reason for the visit. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How To Access This Benefit For Free				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The process is usually simpler than people expect. First\, make sure the person has had Medicare Part B for more than 12 months. That is the general requirement for the yearly Wellness Visit.2Next\, call the primary care office and ask to schedule the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit\, sometimes just called the Medicare Wellness Visit. Medicare covers it once every 12 months.2								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									When you book the appointment\, ask whether the provider accepts assignment. As we learned above\, that matters because if the provider accepts assignment\, the visit costs nothing.2 Also ask whether anything discussed beyond the preventive visit could create extra billing\, since additional tests or services outside the covered preventive benefit may lead to coinsurance or other charges.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Before the appointment\, gather a few basics:				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									a list of medications\, including over-the-counter drugsany family history of dementia or major memory problemsnotes about changes in memory\, decision-making\, finances\, driving\, medications\, or daily routinesa trusted loved one who can describe what they have noticed\, if appropriate								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That preparation can make the visit more useful and make it easier for the clinician to see the full picture. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Self-Advocacy Language For Readers				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing what to say. If you or a loved one has an appointment soon\, try using these words: “I’d like to use the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit to talk about memory and thinking changes.” You can also say\, “I know a cognitive assessment can be part of this visit. Can we include that today?” If you are a family member or caregiver\, you can say\, “We’ve noticed changes in memory\, judgment\, or managing everyday tasks\, and we want to talk about whether more evaluation is needed.” And if cost is a concern\, it is okay to ask directly\, “Will this be covered as part of the Medicare Wellness Visit\, and are there any extra charges I should know about before we start?” Medicare itself advises people to ask what Medicare will actually cover when additional services are recommended. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					A Call To Action For The NOWINCLUDED Community				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory concerns deserve attention\, not silence. If you or someone you love has Medicare\, the yearly Wellness Visit may offer a free opening to talk about cognitive changes and ask for a cognitive assessment. That one step can help move a family from uncertainty to clearer answers\, better planning\, and stronger support. Inside the NOWINCLUDED app\, you can find trusted\, culturally aware health education to help you prepare for visits\, ask better questions\, and understand how benefits like Medicare fit into the bigger picture of access and equity. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					References				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Alzheimer’s Association. (2025). Cognitive Screening and Assessment. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-medical-professionals/cognitive-assessmentMedicare.gov. (2026). Cognitive assessment & care plan services. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cognitive-assessment-care-plan-servicesMedicare.gov. (2025). Yearly “Wellness” visits. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-wellness-visitsSanthosh\, C. (2024\, June 13). About 4% of US adults age 65 and older have a dementia diagnosis\, survey finds. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/about-4-us-adults-age-65-older-have-dementia-diagnosis-survey-finds-2024-06-13/NIH. (2023\, December 8). Cognitive Assessment Considerations: Understanding the Evidence. Retrieved from NIH – National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-assessment-considerations-understanding-evidenceAlzheimer’s Association. (2025). Health Equity. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/public-health-topics/health-equity
URL:https://nowincluded.com/event/bill-pickett-invitational-rodeo/2026-04-18/3/
LOCATION:Georgia International Horse Park\, 1996 Centennial Olympic Pkwy\, Conyers\, GA\, 30013\, United States
CATEGORIES:Food & Culture
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://nowincluded.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ATL-April-Back-2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260419T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260419T170000
DTSTAMP:20260414T182644
CREATED:20260109T202634Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260109T202751Z
UID:10004642-1776596400-1776618000@nowincluded.com
SUMMARY:Holistic Health & Healing Expo (Drexel Hill\,PA)
DESCRIPTION:For many families\, memory concerns do not begin with a specialist. They begin at the kitchen table\, in a missed phone call\, a repeated question\, a bill left unpaid\, or a quiet moment when someone says\, “Something feels different.” But in low-income households\, noticing the problem is only the first hurdle. The next questions come fast: Who do we call? How much will this cost? Will Medicare cover it? What happens if we bring it up and the next step is too expensive to manage? That is what makes access and affordability such an important part of the story. A cognitive assessment can help catch changes in memory and thinking early\, but too many people do not know that Medicare may already cover an entry point into that process through the yearly Wellness Visit. For families living on fixed incomes\, juggling rent\, food\, medications\, transportation\, and caregiving\, a free preventive visit is not a small detail. It can be the difference between raising a concern early and waiting until a health crisis forces the issue. This is especially important in communities that already face barriers to care\, delayed diagnosis\, and lower access to specialty services. When a benefit like the Medicare Wellness Visit includes a chance to talk about memory and thinking at no extra cost\, it becomes more than a line in a policy document—It becomes a real pathway into care. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What A Cognitive Assessment Is\, In Plain Language				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									A cognitive assessment is a check on how the brain is handling everyday thinking skills. It may look at areas such as memory\, attention\, language\, decision-making\, problem-solving\, or changes in behavior. It is not the same thing as a full dementia diagnosis\, and it is not meant to label every small lapse as disease.1 Instead\, it helps a clinician notice whether there are signs that deserve a closer look. During a Medicare-covered cognitive assessment\, a doctor or other health care provider may review medical history and medications\, talk about symptoms\, look at how daily life is going\, identify social supports\, and decide whether more testing or a specialist referral is needed.2 Medicare also notes that a separate cognitive assessment visit can help establish or confirm a diagnosis like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and create a care plan.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What The Medicare Wellness Visit Has To Do With It				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									This is where access becomes especially important. Medicare’s yearly Wellness Visit is a preventive visit for people who have had Part B longer than 12 months.3 It is not a full routine physical. It is a visit designed to review health risks\, medications\, history\, preventive needs\, and planning for future care.3 One of the items that may be included is a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s disease.3 The visit is covered once every 12 months\, and Medicare says you pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment. (When a doctor “accepts assignment” in Medicare\, they have agreed to accept a Medicare-approved amount as full payment for any Medicare-covered service provided to you).3 It is also important to understand the difference between the free Wellness Visit and a more detailed follow-up. Medicare covers a separate cognitive assessment and care-planning visit under Part B when a clinician needs to take a closer look\, but that separate visit can involve cost-sharing. After the Part B deductible\, patients generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for that more detailed service.3 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Why This Assessment Matters				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes can have many causes. Sometimes the issue is dementia. Sometimes it may be medication side effects\, depression\, anxiety\, sleep problems\, delirium\, or another medical condition. That is exactly why it is so important not to ignore symptoms or self-diagnose too quickly.1 Medicare’s benefits guide specifically notes that trouble remembering\, learning new things\, concentrating\, or managing finances can be signs of cognitive impairment\, but that conditions like depression\, anxiety\, and delirium can also cause confusion.2 A cognitive assessment matters because it can help move the conversation from vague worry to clearer next steps. It can help answer questions like: Is this worth watching more closely?Do we need more testing?Is it affecting daily life?Could another health issue be contributing?Does the family need support now\, not later?								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That kind of clarity can be powerful. It does not solve everything in one appointment\, but it can help families act sooner and plan better. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Prognosis Means In This Conversation				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Prognosis means the likely course of a condition over time. In the setting of memory or thinking changes\, prognosis depends on what is actually causing the symptoms. That is why a cognitive assessment is so useful. It does not predict everyone’s future on its own. It helps identify whether there may be a mild issue\, a progressive condition like dementia\, or another problem that needs attention. Some causes of confusion may be treatable or reversible. Others may require long-term care planning and support. The larger point is that earlier detection can give people and families more time. More time to understand the diagnosis. More time to make decisions. More time to talk through safety\, finances\, caregiving\, treatment goals\, and community resources. The Alzheimer’s Association also highlights early detection and diagnosis as a key part of connecting patients to appropriate monitoring\, care planning\, and support.1 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How Common Cognitive Decline And Dementia Are				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes are more common than many families realize\, especially as people get older. CDC reports that 4.0% of adults age 65 and older have received a dementia diagnosis. But that number rises sharply with age\, reaching 13.1% among adults aged 85 and older.4 And dementia is only part of the story. There is also a larger group of older adults living with milder but still meaningful changes in memory and thinking. This is often called mild cognitive impairment\, or MCI. It does not always turn into dementia\, but it can be an important warning sign.4 That means many families are living in a gray area long before a diagnosis ever appears in the medical chart. Someone may still be dressing themselves\, making conversation\, and getting through most of the day\, but they may also be forgetting medications\, repeating questions\, getting confused about bills\, missing appointments\, or struggling with decisions that used to feel simple. These early changes are easy to dismiss\, especially when a family is already juggling work\, caregiving\, transportation\, and the cost of everyday life.4 It is also important to remember that diagnosed dementia numbers do not capture everyone who is struggling. Some people have symptoms but have never been formally evaluated. Others are told they are “just aging\,” or they delay bringing concerns up because of stigma\, fear\, or the cost of follow-up care. That underdiagnosis matters\, because families often end up getting answers only after a fall\, a hospitalization\, a medication mistake\, or another crisis forces the issue.4 This is why early cognitive assessment matters so much. It helps move people out of uncertainty and into a clearer conversation about what is happening\, what needs monitoring\, and what support may be needed next. It also reminds families that memory concerns are not rare\, and they are not something people have to wait on until things get worse.4 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Happens During The Visit				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The actual visit is usually straightforward. Medicare says the yearly Wellness Visit may include: a review of medical and family historya review of current prescriptionsroutine measurements like height\, weight\, and blood pressurea cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s diseasehealth advicea screening schedule for preventive servicesadvance care planningan optional social determinants of health risk assessment								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									If the provider is concerned about cognition\, they may ask more questions\, talk with a family member or caregiver\, review medications more closely\, or schedule a more detailed follow-up assessment.3 Medicare also notes that for a separate detailed cognitive assessment visit\, patients can bring a spouse\, friend\, or caregiver to help listen and answer questions. That can be incredibly helpful when memory concerns are part of the reason for the visit. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How To Access This Benefit For Free				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The process is usually simpler than people expect. First\, make sure the person has had Medicare Part B for more than 12 months. That is the general requirement for the yearly Wellness Visit.2Next\, call the primary care office and ask to schedule the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit\, sometimes just called the Medicare Wellness Visit. Medicare covers it once every 12 months.2								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									When you book the appointment\, ask whether the provider accepts assignment. As we learned above\, that matters because if the provider accepts assignment\, the visit costs nothing.2 Also ask whether anything discussed beyond the preventive visit could create extra billing\, since additional tests or services outside the covered preventive benefit may lead to coinsurance or other charges.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Before the appointment\, gather a few basics:				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									a list of medications\, including over-the-counter drugsany family history of dementia or major memory problemsnotes about changes in memory\, decision-making\, finances\, driving\, medications\, or daily routinesa trusted loved one who can describe what they have noticed\, if appropriate								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That preparation can make the visit more useful and make it easier for the clinician to see the full picture. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Self-Advocacy Language For Readers				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing what to say. If you or a loved one has an appointment soon\, try using these words: “I’d like to use the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit to talk about memory and thinking changes.” You can also say\, “I know a cognitive assessment can be part of this visit. Can we include that today?” If you are a family member or caregiver\, you can say\, “We’ve noticed changes in memory\, judgment\, or managing everyday tasks\, and we want to talk about whether more evaluation is needed.” And if cost is a concern\, it is okay to ask directly\, “Will this be covered as part of the Medicare Wellness Visit\, and are there any extra charges I should know about before we start?” Medicare itself advises people to ask what Medicare will actually cover when additional services are recommended. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					A Call To Action For The NOWINCLUDED Community				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory concerns deserve attention\, not silence. If you or someone you love has Medicare\, the yearly Wellness Visit may offer a free opening to talk about cognitive changes and ask for a cognitive assessment. That one step can help move a family from uncertainty to clearer answers\, better planning\, and stronger support. Inside the NOWINCLUDED app\, you can find trusted\, culturally aware health education to help you prepare for visits\, ask better questions\, and understand how benefits like Medicare fit into the bigger picture of access and equity. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					References				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Alzheimer’s Association. (2025). Cognitive Screening and Assessment. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-medical-professionals/cognitive-assessmentMedicare.gov. (2026). Cognitive assessment & care plan services. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cognitive-assessment-care-plan-servicesMedicare.gov. (2025). Yearly “Wellness” visits. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-wellness-visitsSanthosh\, C. (2024\, June 13). About 4% of US adults age 65 and older have a dementia diagnosis\, survey finds. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/about-4-us-adults-age-65-older-have-dementia-diagnosis-survey-finds-2024-06-13/NIH. (2023\, December 8). Cognitive Assessment Considerations: Understanding the Evidence. Retrieved from NIH – National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-assessment-considerations-understanding-evidenceAlzheimer’s Association. (2025). Health Equity. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/public-health-topics/health-equity
URL:https://nowincluded.com/event/holistic-health-healing-expo-drexel-hillpa/
LOCATION:The Drexelbrook\, 4700 Drexelbrook Dr\, Drexel Hill\, PA\, 19026\, United States
CATEGORIES:Festival/Market,Health & Wellness
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://nowincluded.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Drexel-Hill-HHH-Expo.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260420T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260420T123000
DTSTAMP:20260414T182644
CREATED:20251027T150132Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251027T150132Z
UID:10002131-1776682800-1776688200@nowincluded.com
SUMMARY:Room for Grief
DESCRIPTION:For many families\, memory concerns do not begin with a specialist. They begin at the kitchen table\, in a missed phone call\, a repeated question\, a bill left unpaid\, or a quiet moment when someone says\, “Something feels different.” But in low-income households\, noticing the problem is only the first hurdle. The next questions come fast: Who do we call? How much will this cost? Will Medicare cover it? What happens if we bring it up and the next step is too expensive to manage? That is what makes access and affordability such an important part of the story. A cognitive assessment can help catch changes in memory and thinking early\, but too many people do not know that Medicare may already cover an entry point into that process through the yearly Wellness Visit. For families living on fixed incomes\, juggling rent\, food\, medications\, transportation\, and caregiving\, a free preventive visit is not a small detail. It can be the difference between raising a concern early and waiting until a health crisis forces the issue. This is especially important in communities that already face barriers to care\, delayed diagnosis\, and lower access to specialty services. When a benefit like the Medicare Wellness Visit includes a chance to talk about memory and thinking at no extra cost\, it becomes more than a line in a policy document—It becomes a real pathway into care. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What A Cognitive Assessment Is\, In Plain Language				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									A cognitive assessment is a check on how the brain is handling everyday thinking skills. It may look at areas such as memory\, attention\, language\, decision-making\, problem-solving\, or changes in behavior. It is not the same thing as a full dementia diagnosis\, and it is not meant to label every small lapse as disease.1 Instead\, it helps a clinician notice whether there are signs that deserve a closer look. During a Medicare-covered cognitive assessment\, a doctor or other health care provider may review medical history and medications\, talk about symptoms\, look at how daily life is going\, identify social supports\, and decide whether more testing or a specialist referral is needed.2 Medicare also notes that a separate cognitive assessment visit can help establish or confirm a diagnosis like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and create a care plan.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What The Medicare Wellness Visit Has To Do With It				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									This is where access becomes especially important. Medicare’s yearly Wellness Visit is a preventive visit for people who have had Part B longer than 12 months.3 It is not a full routine physical. It is a visit designed to review health risks\, medications\, history\, preventive needs\, and planning for future care.3 One of the items that may be included is a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s disease.3 The visit is covered once every 12 months\, and Medicare says you pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment. (When a doctor “accepts assignment” in Medicare\, they have agreed to accept a Medicare-approved amount as full payment for any Medicare-covered service provided to you).3 It is also important to understand the difference between the free Wellness Visit and a more detailed follow-up. Medicare covers a separate cognitive assessment and care-planning visit under Part B when a clinician needs to take a closer look\, but that separate visit can involve cost-sharing. After the Part B deductible\, patients generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for that more detailed service.3 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Why This Assessment Matters				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes can have many causes. Sometimes the issue is dementia. Sometimes it may be medication side effects\, depression\, anxiety\, sleep problems\, delirium\, or another medical condition. That is exactly why it is so important not to ignore symptoms or self-diagnose too quickly.1 Medicare’s benefits guide specifically notes that trouble remembering\, learning new things\, concentrating\, or managing finances can be signs of cognitive impairment\, but that conditions like depression\, anxiety\, and delirium can also cause confusion.2 A cognitive assessment matters because it can help move the conversation from vague worry to clearer next steps. It can help answer questions like: Is this worth watching more closely?Do we need more testing?Is it affecting daily life?Could another health issue be contributing?Does the family need support now\, not later?								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That kind of clarity can be powerful. It does not solve everything in one appointment\, but it can help families act sooner and plan better. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Prognosis Means In This Conversation				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Prognosis means the likely course of a condition over time. In the setting of memory or thinking changes\, prognosis depends on what is actually causing the symptoms. That is why a cognitive assessment is so useful. It does not predict everyone’s future on its own. It helps identify whether there may be a mild issue\, a progressive condition like dementia\, or another problem that needs attention. Some causes of confusion may be treatable or reversible. Others may require long-term care planning and support. The larger point is that earlier detection can give people and families more time. More time to understand the diagnosis. More time to make decisions. More time to talk through safety\, finances\, caregiving\, treatment goals\, and community resources. The Alzheimer’s Association also highlights early detection and diagnosis as a key part of connecting patients to appropriate monitoring\, care planning\, and support.1 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How Common Cognitive Decline And Dementia Are				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes are more common than many families realize\, especially as people get older. CDC reports that 4.0% of adults age 65 and older have received a dementia diagnosis. But that number rises sharply with age\, reaching 13.1% among adults aged 85 and older.4 And dementia is only part of the story. There is also a larger group of older adults living with milder but still meaningful changes in memory and thinking. This is often called mild cognitive impairment\, or MCI. It does not always turn into dementia\, but it can be an important warning sign.4 That means many families are living in a gray area long before a diagnosis ever appears in the medical chart. Someone may still be dressing themselves\, making conversation\, and getting through most of the day\, but they may also be forgetting medications\, repeating questions\, getting confused about bills\, missing appointments\, or struggling with decisions that used to feel simple. These early changes are easy to dismiss\, especially when a family is already juggling work\, caregiving\, transportation\, and the cost of everyday life.4 It is also important to remember that diagnosed dementia numbers do not capture everyone who is struggling. Some people have symptoms but have never been formally evaluated. Others are told they are “just aging\,” or they delay bringing concerns up because of stigma\, fear\, or the cost of follow-up care. That underdiagnosis matters\, because families often end up getting answers only after a fall\, a hospitalization\, a medication mistake\, or another crisis forces the issue.4 This is why early cognitive assessment matters so much. It helps move people out of uncertainty and into a clearer conversation about what is happening\, what needs monitoring\, and what support may be needed next. It also reminds families that memory concerns are not rare\, and they are not something people have to wait on until things get worse.4 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Happens During The Visit				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The actual visit is usually straightforward. Medicare says the yearly Wellness Visit may include: a review of medical and family historya review of current prescriptionsroutine measurements like height\, weight\, and blood pressurea cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s diseasehealth advicea screening schedule for preventive servicesadvance care planningan optional social determinants of health risk assessment								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									If the provider is concerned about cognition\, they may ask more questions\, talk with a family member or caregiver\, review medications more closely\, or schedule a more detailed follow-up assessment.3 Medicare also notes that for a separate detailed cognitive assessment visit\, patients can bring a spouse\, friend\, or caregiver to help listen and answer questions. That can be incredibly helpful when memory concerns are part of the reason for the visit. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How To Access This Benefit For Free				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The process is usually simpler than people expect. First\, make sure the person has had Medicare Part B for more than 12 months. That is the general requirement for the yearly Wellness Visit.2Next\, call the primary care office and ask to schedule the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit\, sometimes just called the Medicare Wellness Visit. Medicare covers it once every 12 months.2								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									When you book the appointment\, ask whether the provider accepts assignment. As we learned above\, that matters because if the provider accepts assignment\, the visit costs nothing.2 Also ask whether anything discussed beyond the preventive visit could create extra billing\, since additional tests or services outside the covered preventive benefit may lead to coinsurance or other charges.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Before the appointment\, gather a few basics:				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									a list of medications\, including over-the-counter drugsany family history of dementia or major memory problemsnotes about changes in memory\, decision-making\, finances\, driving\, medications\, or daily routinesa trusted loved one who can describe what they have noticed\, if appropriate								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That preparation can make the visit more useful and make it easier for the clinician to see the full picture. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Self-Advocacy Language For Readers				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing what to say. If you or a loved one has an appointment soon\, try using these words: “I’d like to use the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit to talk about memory and thinking changes.” You can also say\, “I know a cognitive assessment can be part of this visit. Can we include that today?” If you are a family member or caregiver\, you can say\, “We’ve noticed changes in memory\, judgment\, or managing everyday tasks\, and we want to talk about whether more evaluation is needed.” And if cost is a concern\, it is okay to ask directly\, “Will this be covered as part of the Medicare Wellness Visit\, and are there any extra charges I should know about before we start?” Medicare itself advises people to ask what Medicare will actually cover when additional services are recommended. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					A Call To Action For The NOWINCLUDED Community				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory concerns deserve attention\, not silence. If you or someone you love has Medicare\, the yearly Wellness Visit may offer a free opening to talk about cognitive changes and ask for a cognitive assessment. That one step can help move a family from uncertainty to clearer answers\, better planning\, and stronger support. Inside the NOWINCLUDED app\, you can find trusted\, culturally aware health education to help you prepare for visits\, ask better questions\, and understand how benefits like Medicare fit into the bigger picture of access and equity. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					References				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Alzheimer’s Association. (2025). Cognitive Screening and Assessment. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-medical-professionals/cognitive-assessmentMedicare.gov. (2026). Cognitive assessment & care plan services. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cognitive-assessment-care-plan-servicesMedicare.gov. (2025). Yearly “Wellness” visits. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-wellness-visitsSanthosh\, C. (2024\, June 13). About 4% of US adults age 65 and older have a dementia diagnosis\, survey finds. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/about-4-us-adults-age-65-older-have-dementia-diagnosis-survey-finds-2024-06-13/NIH. (2023\, December 8). Cognitive Assessment Considerations: Understanding the Evidence. Retrieved from NIH – National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-assessment-considerations-understanding-evidenceAlzheimer’s Association. (2025). Health Equity. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/public-health-topics/health-equity
URL:https://nowincluded.com/event/room-for-grief/2026-04-20/
LOCATION:Smith Center For Healing and the Arts\, 1632 U Street NW\, Washington\, DC\, 20009\, United States
CATEGORIES:Mental Health,Virtual
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260420T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260420T123000
DTSTAMP:20260414T182644
CREATED:20251027T151139Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251027T151139Z
UID:10002211-1776684600-1776688200@nowincluded.com
SUMMARY:The Mindful Cancer Journey
DESCRIPTION:For many families\, memory concerns do not begin with a specialist. They begin at the kitchen table\, in a missed phone call\, a repeated question\, a bill left unpaid\, or a quiet moment when someone says\, “Something feels different.” But in low-income households\, noticing the problem is only the first hurdle. The next questions come fast: Who do we call? How much will this cost? Will Medicare cover it? What happens if we bring it up and the next step is too expensive to manage? That is what makes access and affordability such an important part of the story. A cognitive assessment can help catch changes in memory and thinking early\, but too many people do not know that Medicare may already cover an entry point into that process through the yearly Wellness Visit. For families living on fixed incomes\, juggling rent\, food\, medications\, transportation\, and caregiving\, a free preventive visit is not a small detail. It can be the difference between raising a concern early and waiting until a health crisis forces the issue. This is especially important in communities that already face barriers to care\, delayed diagnosis\, and lower access to specialty services. When a benefit like the Medicare Wellness Visit includes a chance to talk about memory and thinking at no extra cost\, it becomes more than a line in a policy document—It becomes a real pathway into care. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What A Cognitive Assessment Is\, In Plain Language				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									A cognitive assessment is a check on how the brain is handling everyday thinking skills. It may look at areas such as memory\, attention\, language\, decision-making\, problem-solving\, or changes in behavior. It is not the same thing as a full dementia diagnosis\, and it is not meant to label every small lapse as disease.1 Instead\, it helps a clinician notice whether there are signs that deserve a closer look. During a Medicare-covered cognitive assessment\, a doctor or other health care provider may review medical history and medications\, talk about symptoms\, look at how daily life is going\, identify social supports\, and decide whether more testing or a specialist referral is needed.2 Medicare also notes that a separate cognitive assessment visit can help establish or confirm a diagnosis like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and create a care plan.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What The Medicare Wellness Visit Has To Do With It				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									This is where access becomes especially important. Medicare’s yearly Wellness Visit is a preventive visit for people who have had Part B longer than 12 months.3 It is not a full routine physical. It is a visit designed to review health risks\, medications\, history\, preventive needs\, and planning for future care.3 One of the items that may be included is a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s disease.3 The visit is covered once every 12 months\, and Medicare says you pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment. (When a doctor “accepts assignment” in Medicare\, they have agreed to accept a Medicare-approved amount as full payment for any Medicare-covered service provided to you).3 It is also important to understand the difference between the free Wellness Visit and a more detailed follow-up. Medicare covers a separate cognitive assessment and care-planning visit under Part B when a clinician needs to take a closer look\, but that separate visit can involve cost-sharing. After the Part B deductible\, patients generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for that more detailed service.3 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Why This Assessment Matters				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes can have many causes. Sometimes the issue is dementia. Sometimes it may be medication side effects\, depression\, anxiety\, sleep problems\, delirium\, or another medical condition. That is exactly why it is so important not to ignore symptoms or self-diagnose too quickly.1 Medicare’s benefits guide specifically notes that trouble remembering\, learning new things\, concentrating\, or managing finances can be signs of cognitive impairment\, but that conditions like depression\, anxiety\, and delirium can also cause confusion.2 A cognitive assessment matters because it can help move the conversation from vague worry to clearer next steps. It can help answer questions like: Is this worth watching more closely?Do we need more testing?Is it affecting daily life?Could another health issue be contributing?Does the family need support now\, not later?								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That kind of clarity can be powerful. It does not solve everything in one appointment\, but it can help families act sooner and plan better. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Prognosis Means In This Conversation				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Prognosis means the likely course of a condition over time. In the setting of memory or thinking changes\, prognosis depends on what is actually causing the symptoms. That is why a cognitive assessment is so useful. It does not predict everyone’s future on its own. It helps identify whether there may be a mild issue\, a progressive condition like dementia\, or another problem that needs attention. Some causes of confusion may be treatable or reversible. Others may require long-term care planning and support. The larger point is that earlier detection can give people and families more time. More time to understand the diagnosis. More time to make decisions. More time to talk through safety\, finances\, caregiving\, treatment goals\, and community resources. The Alzheimer’s Association also highlights early detection and diagnosis as a key part of connecting patients to appropriate monitoring\, care planning\, and support.1 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How Common Cognitive Decline And Dementia Are				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes are more common than many families realize\, especially as people get older. CDC reports that 4.0% of adults age 65 and older have received a dementia diagnosis. But that number rises sharply with age\, reaching 13.1% among adults aged 85 and older.4 And dementia is only part of the story. There is also a larger group of older adults living with milder but still meaningful changes in memory and thinking. This is often called mild cognitive impairment\, or MCI. It does not always turn into dementia\, but it can be an important warning sign.4 That means many families are living in a gray area long before a diagnosis ever appears in the medical chart. Someone may still be dressing themselves\, making conversation\, and getting through most of the day\, but they may also be forgetting medications\, repeating questions\, getting confused about bills\, missing appointments\, or struggling with decisions that used to feel simple. These early changes are easy to dismiss\, especially when a family is already juggling work\, caregiving\, transportation\, and the cost of everyday life.4 It is also important to remember that diagnosed dementia numbers do not capture everyone who is struggling. Some people have symptoms but have never been formally evaluated. Others are told they are “just aging\,” or they delay bringing concerns up because of stigma\, fear\, or the cost of follow-up care. That underdiagnosis matters\, because families often end up getting answers only after a fall\, a hospitalization\, a medication mistake\, or another crisis forces the issue.4 This is why early cognitive assessment matters so much. It helps move people out of uncertainty and into a clearer conversation about what is happening\, what needs monitoring\, and what support may be needed next. It also reminds families that memory concerns are not rare\, and they are not something people have to wait on until things get worse.4 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Happens During The Visit				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The actual visit is usually straightforward. Medicare says the yearly Wellness Visit may include: a review of medical and family historya review of current prescriptionsroutine measurements like height\, weight\, and blood pressurea cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s diseasehealth advicea screening schedule for preventive servicesadvance care planningan optional social determinants of health risk assessment								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									If the provider is concerned about cognition\, they may ask more questions\, talk with a family member or caregiver\, review medications more closely\, or schedule a more detailed follow-up assessment.3 Medicare also notes that for a separate detailed cognitive assessment visit\, patients can bring a spouse\, friend\, or caregiver to help listen and answer questions. That can be incredibly helpful when memory concerns are part of the reason for the visit. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How To Access This Benefit For Free				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The process is usually simpler than people expect. First\, make sure the person has had Medicare Part B for more than 12 months. That is the general requirement for the yearly Wellness Visit.2Next\, call the primary care office and ask to schedule the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit\, sometimes just called the Medicare Wellness Visit. Medicare covers it once every 12 months.2								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									When you book the appointment\, ask whether the provider accepts assignment. As we learned above\, that matters because if the provider accepts assignment\, the visit costs nothing.2 Also ask whether anything discussed beyond the preventive visit could create extra billing\, since additional tests or services outside the covered preventive benefit may lead to coinsurance or other charges.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Before the appointment\, gather a few basics:				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									a list of medications\, including over-the-counter drugsany family history of dementia or major memory problemsnotes about changes in memory\, decision-making\, finances\, driving\, medications\, or daily routinesa trusted loved one who can describe what they have noticed\, if appropriate								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That preparation can make the visit more useful and make it easier for the clinician to see the full picture. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Self-Advocacy Language For Readers				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing what to say. If you or a loved one has an appointment soon\, try using these words: “I’d like to use the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit to talk about memory and thinking changes.” You can also say\, “I know a cognitive assessment can be part of this visit. Can we include that today?” If you are a family member or caregiver\, you can say\, “We’ve noticed changes in memory\, judgment\, or managing everyday tasks\, and we want to talk about whether more evaluation is needed.” And if cost is a concern\, it is okay to ask directly\, “Will this be covered as part of the Medicare Wellness Visit\, and are there any extra charges I should know about before we start?” Medicare itself advises people to ask what Medicare will actually cover when additional services are recommended. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					A Call To Action For The NOWINCLUDED Community				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory concerns deserve attention\, not silence. If you or someone you love has Medicare\, the yearly Wellness Visit may offer a free opening to talk about cognitive changes and ask for a cognitive assessment. That one step can help move a family from uncertainty to clearer answers\, better planning\, and stronger support. Inside the NOWINCLUDED app\, you can find trusted\, culturally aware health education to help you prepare for visits\, ask better questions\, and understand how benefits like Medicare fit into the bigger picture of access and equity. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					References				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Alzheimer’s Association. (2025). Cognitive Screening and Assessment. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-medical-professionals/cognitive-assessmentMedicare.gov. (2026). Cognitive assessment & care plan services. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cognitive-assessment-care-plan-servicesMedicare.gov. (2025). Yearly “Wellness” visits. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-wellness-visitsSanthosh\, C. (2024\, June 13). About 4% of US adults age 65 and older have a dementia diagnosis\, survey finds. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/about-4-us-adults-age-65-older-have-dementia-diagnosis-survey-finds-2024-06-13/NIH. (2023\, December 8). Cognitive Assessment Considerations: Understanding the Evidence. Retrieved from NIH – National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-assessment-considerations-understanding-evidenceAlzheimer’s Association. (2025). Health Equity. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/public-health-topics/health-equity
URL:https://nowincluded.com/event/the-mindful-cancer-journey/2026-04-20/
LOCATION:Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Mental Health,Virtual
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260420T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260420T193000
DTSTAMP:20260414T182644
CREATED:20251021T153620Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251021T163807Z
UID:10000659-1776708000-1776713400@nowincluded.com
SUMMARY:Cancer Support Group
DESCRIPTION:For many families\, memory concerns do not begin with a specialist. They begin at the kitchen table\, in a missed phone call\, a repeated question\, a bill left unpaid\, or a quiet moment when someone says\, “Something feels different.” But in low-income households\, noticing the problem is only the first hurdle. The next questions come fast: Who do we call? How much will this cost? Will Medicare cover it? What happens if we bring it up and the next step is too expensive to manage? That is what makes access and affordability such an important part of the story. A cognitive assessment can help catch changes in memory and thinking early\, but too many people do not know that Medicare may already cover an entry point into that process through the yearly Wellness Visit. For families living on fixed incomes\, juggling rent\, food\, medications\, transportation\, and caregiving\, a free preventive visit is not a small detail. It can be the difference between raising a concern early and waiting until a health crisis forces the issue. This is especially important in communities that already face barriers to care\, delayed diagnosis\, and lower access to specialty services. When a benefit like the Medicare Wellness Visit includes a chance to talk about memory and thinking at no extra cost\, it becomes more than a line in a policy document—It becomes a real pathway into care. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What A Cognitive Assessment Is\, In Plain Language				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									A cognitive assessment is a check on how the brain is handling everyday thinking skills. It may look at areas such as memory\, attention\, language\, decision-making\, problem-solving\, or changes in behavior. It is not the same thing as a full dementia diagnosis\, and it is not meant to label every small lapse as disease.1 Instead\, it helps a clinician notice whether there are signs that deserve a closer look. During a Medicare-covered cognitive assessment\, a doctor or other health care provider may review medical history and medications\, talk about symptoms\, look at how daily life is going\, identify social supports\, and decide whether more testing or a specialist referral is needed.2 Medicare also notes that a separate cognitive assessment visit can help establish or confirm a diagnosis like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and create a care plan.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What The Medicare Wellness Visit Has To Do With It				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									This is where access becomes especially important. Medicare’s yearly Wellness Visit is a preventive visit for people who have had Part B longer than 12 months.3 It is not a full routine physical. It is a visit designed to review health risks\, medications\, history\, preventive needs\, and planning for future care.3 One of the items that may be included is a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s disease.3 The visit is covered once every 12 months\, and Medicare says you pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment. (When a doctor “accepts assignment” in Medicare\, they have agreed to accept a Medicare-approved amount as full payment for any Medicare-covered service provided to you).3 It is also important to understand the difference between the free Wellness Visit and a more detailed follow-up. Medicare covers a separate cognitive assessment and care-planning visit under Part B when a clinician needs to take a closer look\, but that separate visit can involve cost-sharing. After the Part B deductible\, patients generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for that more detailed service.3 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Why This Assessment Matters				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes can have many causes. Sometimes the issue is dementia. Sometimes it may be medication side effects\, depression\, anxiety\, sleep problems\, delirium\, or another medical condition. That is exactly why it is so important not to ignore symptoms or self-diagnose too quickly.1 Medicare’s benefits guide specifically notes that trouble remembering\, learning new things\, concentrating\, or managing finances can be signs of cognitive impairment\, but that conditions like depression\, anxiety\, and delirium can also cause confusion.2 A cognitive assessment matters because it can help move the conversation from vague worry to clearer next steps. It can help answer questions like: Is this worth watching more closely?Do we need more testing?Is it affecting daily life?Could another health issue be contributing?Does the family need support now\, not later?								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That kind of clarity can be powerful. It does not solve everything in one appointment\, but it can help families act sooner and plan better. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Prognosis Means In This Conversation				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Prognosis means the likely course of a condition over time. In the setting of memory or thinking changes\, prognosis depends on what is actually causing the symptoms. That is why a cognitive assessment is so useful. It does not predict everyone’s future on its own. It helps identify whether there may be a mild issue\, a progressive condition like dementia\, or another problem that needs attention. Some causes of confusion may be treatable or reversible. Others may require long-term care planning and support. The larger point is that earlier detection can give people and families more time. More time to understand the diagnosis. More time to make decisions. More time to talk through safety\, finances\, caregiving\, treatment goals\, and community resources. The Alzheimer’s Association also highlights early detection and diagnosis as a key part of connecting patients to appropriate monitoring\, care planning\, and support.1 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How Common Cognitive Decline And Dementia Are				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes are more common than many families realize\, especially as people get older. CDC reports that 4.0% of adults age 65 and older have received a dementia diagnosis. But that number rises sharply with age\, reaching 13.1% among adults aged 85 and older.4 And dementia is only part of the story. There is also a larger group of older adults living with milder but still meaningful changes in memory and thinking. This is often called mild cognitive impairment\, or MCI. It does not always turn into dementia\, but it can be an important warning sign.4 That means many families are living in a gray area long before a diagnosis ever appears in the medical chart. Someone may still be dressing themselves\, making conversation\, and getting through most of the day\, but they may also be forgetting medications\, repeating questions\, getting confused about bills\, missing appointments\, or struggling with decisions that used to feel simple. These early changes are easy to dismiss\, especially when a family is already juggling work\, caregiving\, transportation\, and the cost of everyday life.4 It is also important to remember that diagnosed dementia numbers do not capture everyone who is struggling. Some people have symptoms but have never been formally evaluated. Others are told they are “just aging\,” or they delay bringing concerns up because of stigma\, fear\, or the cost of follow-up care. That underdiagnosis matters\, because families often end up getting answers only after a fall\, a hospitalization\, a medication mistake\, or another crisis forces the issue.4 This is why early cognitive assessment matters so much. It helps move people out of uncertainty and into a clearer conversation about what is happening\, what needs monitoring\, and what support may be needed next. It also reminds families that memory concerns are not rare\, and they are not something people have to wait on until things get worse.4 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Happens During The Visit				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The actual visit is usually straightforward. Medicare says the yearly Wellness Visit may include: a review of medical and family historya review of current prescriptionsroutine measurements like height\, weight\, and blood pressurea cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s diseasehealth advicea screening schedule for preventive servicesadvance care planningan optional social determinants of health risk assessment								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									If the provider is concerned about cognition\, they may ask more questions\, talk with a family member or caregiver\, review medications more closely\, or schedule a more detailed follow-up assessment.3 Medicare also notes that for a separate detailed cognitive assessment visit\, patients can bring a spouse\, friend\, or caregiver to help listen and answer questions. That can be incredibly helpful when memory concerns are part of the reason for the visit. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How To Access This Benefit For Free				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The process is usually simpler than people expect. First\, make sure the person has had Medicare Part B for more than 12 months. That is the general requirement for the yearly Wellness Visit.2Next\, call the primary care office and ask to schedule the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit\, sometimes just called the Medicare Wellness Visit. Medicare covers it once every 12 months.2								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									When you book the appointment\, ask whether the provider accepts assignment. As we learned above\, that matters because if the provider accepts assignment\, the visit costs nothing.2 Also ask whether anything discussed beyond the preventive visit could create extra billing\, since additional tests or services outside the covered preventive benefit may lead to coinsurance or other charges.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Before the appointment\, gather a few basics:				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									a list of medications\, including over-the-counter drugsany family history of dementia or major memory problemsnotes about changes in memory\, decision-making\, finances\, driving\, medications\, or daily routinesa trusted loved one who can describe what they have noticed\, if appropriate								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That preparation can make the visit more useful and make it easier for the clinician to see the full picture. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Self-Advocacy Language For Readers				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing what to say. If you or a loved one has an appointment soon\, try using these words: “I’d like to use the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit to talk about memory and thinking changes.” You can also say\, “I know a cognitive assessment can be part of this visit. Can we include that today?” If you are a family member or caregiver\, you can say\, “We’ve noticed changes in memory\, judgment\, or managing everyday tasks\, and we want to talk about whether more evaluation is needed.” And if cost is a concern\, it is okay to ask directly\, “Will this be covered as part of the Medicare Wellness Visit\, and are there any extra charges I should know about before we start?” Medicare itself advises people to ask what Medicare will actually cover when additional services are recommended. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					A Call To Action For The NOWINCLUDED Community				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory concerns deserve attention\, not silence. If you or someone you love has Medicare\, the yearly Wellness Visit may offer a free opening to talk about cognitive changes and ask for a cognitive assessment. That one step can help move a family from uncertainty to clearer answers\, better planning\, and stronger support. Inside the NOWINCLUDED app\, you can find trusted\, culturally aware health education to help you prepare for visits\, ask better questions\, and understand how benefits like Medicare fit into the bigger picture of access and equity. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					References				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Alzheimer’s Association. (2025). Cognitive Screening and Assessment. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-medical-professionals/cognitive-assessmentMedicare.gov. (2026). Cognitive assessment & care plan services. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cognitive-assessment-care-plan-servicesMedicare.gov. (2025). Yearly “Wellness” visits. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-wellness-visitsSanthosh\, C. (2024\, June 13). About 4% of US adults age 65 and older have a dementia diagnosis\, survey finds. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/about-4-us-adults-age-65-older-have-dementia-diagnosis-survey-finds-2024-06-13/NIH. (2023\, December 8). Cognitive Assessment Considerations: Understanding the Evidence. Retrieved from NIH – National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-assessment-considerations-understanding-evidenceAlzheimer’s Association. (2025). Health Equity. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/public-health-topics/health-equity
URL:https://nowincluded.com/event/cancer-support-group/2026-04-20/
LOCATION:Smith Center For Healing and the Arts\, 1632 U Street NW\, Washington\, DC\, 20009\, United States
CATEGORIES:Mental Health,Virtual
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260420T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260420T193000
DTSTAMP:20260414T182644
CREATED:20251021T154056Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251021T163724Z
UID:10000780-1776708000-1776713400@nowincluded.com
SUMMARY:Caregiver Support Group
DESCRIPTION:For many families\, memory concerns do not begin with a specialist. They begin at the kitchen table\, in a missed phone call\, a repeated question\, a bill left unpaid\, or a quiet moment when someone says\, “Something feels different.” But in low-income households\, noticing the problem is only the first hurdle. The next questions come fast: Who do we call? How much will this cost? Will Medicare cover it? What happens if we bring it up and the next step is too expensive to manage? That is what makes access and affordability such an important part of the story. A cognitive assessment can help catch changes in memory and thinking early\, but too many people do not know that Medicare may already cover an entry point into that process through the yearly Wellness Visit. For families living on fixed incomes\, juggling rent\, food\, medications\, transportation\, and caregiving\, a free preventive visit is not a small detail. It can be the difference between raising a concern early and waiting until a health crisis forces the issue. This is especially important in communities that already face barriers to care\, delayed diagnosis\, and lower access to specialty services. When a benefit like the Medicare Wellness Visit includes a chance to talk about memory and thinking at no extra cost\, it becomes more than a line in a policy document—It becomes a real pathway into care. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What A Cognitive Assessment Is\, In Plain Language				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									A cognitive assessment is a check on how the brain is handling everyday thinking skills. It may look at areas such as memory\, attention\, language\, decision-making\, problem-solving\, or changes in behavior. It is not the same thing as a full dementia diagnosis\, and it is not meant to label every small lapse as disease.1 Instead\, it helps a clinician notice whether there are signs that deserve a closer look. During a Medicare-covered cognitive assessment\, a doctor or other health care provider may review medical history and medications\, talk about symptoms\, look at how daily life is going\, identify social supports\, and decide whether more testing or a specialist referral is needed.2 Medicare also notes that a separate cognitive assessment visit can help establish or confirm a diagnosis like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and create a care plan.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What The Medicare Wellness Visit Has To Do With It				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									This is where access becomes especially important. Medicare’s yearly Wellness Visit is a preventive visit for people who have had Part B longer than 12 months.3 It is not a full routine physical. It is a visit designed to review health risks\, medications\, history\, preventive needs\, and planning for future care.3 One of the items that may be included is a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s disease.3 The visit is covered once every 12 months\, and Medicare says you pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment. (When a doctor “accepts assignment” in Medicare\, they have agreed to accept a Medicare-approved amount as full payment for any Medicare-covered service provided to you).3 It is also important to understand the difference between the free Wellness Visit and a more detailed follow-up. Medicare covers a separate cognitive assessment and care-planning visit under Part B when a clinician needs to take a closer look\, but that separate visit can involve cost-sharing. After the Part B deductible\, patients generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for that more detailed service.3 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Why This Assessment Matters				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes can have many causes. Sometimes the issue is dementia. Sometimes it may be medication side effects\, depression\, anxiety\, sleep problems\, delirium\, or another medical condition. That is exactly why it is so important not to ignore symptoms or self-diagnose too quickly.1 Medicare’s benefits guide specifically notes that trouble remembering\, learning new things\, concentrating\, or managing finances can be signs of cognitive impairment\, but that conditions like depression\, anxiety\, and delirium can also cause confusion.2 A cognitive assessment matters because it can help move the conversation from vague worry to clearer next steps. It can help answer questions like: Is this worth watching more closely?Do we need more testing?Is it affecting daily life?Could another health issue be contributing?Does the family need support now\, not later?								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That kind of clarity can be powerful. It does not solve everything in one appointment\, but it can help families act sooner and plan better. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Prognosis Means In This Conversation				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Prognosis means the likely course of a condition over time. In the setting of memory or thinking changes\, prognosis depends on what is actually causing the symptoms. That is why a cognitive assessment is so useful. It does not predict everyone’s future on its own. It helps identify whether there may be a mild issue\, a progressive condition like dementia\, or another problem that needs attention. Some causes of confusion may be treatable or reversible. Others may require long-term care planning and support. The larger point is that earlier detection can give people and families more time. More time to understand the diagnosis. More time to make decisions. More time to talk through safety\, finances\, caregiving\, treatment goals\, and community resources. The Alzheimer’s Association also highlights early detection and diagnosis as a key part of connecting patients to appropriate monitoring\, care planning\, and support.1 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How Common Cognitive Decline And Dementia Are				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes are more common than many families realize\, especially as people get older. CDC reports that 4.0% of adults age 65 and older have received a dementia diagnosis. But that number rises sharply with age\, reaching 13.1% among adults aged 85 and older.4 And dementia is only part of the story. There is also a larger group of older adults living with milder but still meaningful changes in memory and thinking. This is often called mild cognitive impairment\, or MCI. It does not always turn into dementia\, but it can be an important warning sign.4 That means many families are living in a gray area long before a diagnosis ever appears in the medical chart. Someone may still be dressing themselves\, making conversation\, and getting through most of the day\, but they may also be forgetting medications\, repeating questions\, getting confused about bills\, missing appointments\, or struggling with decisions that used to feel simple. These early changes are easy to dismiss\, especially when a family is already juggling work\, caregiving\, transportation\, and the cost of everyday life.4 It is also important to remember that diagnosed dementia numbers do not capture everyone who is struggling. Some people have symptoms but have never been formally evaluated. Others are told they are “just aging\,” or they delay bringing concerns up because of stigma\, fear\, or the cost of follow-up care. That underdiagnosis matters\, because families often end up getting answers only after a fall\, a hospitalization\, a medication mistake\, or another crisis forces the issue.4 This is why early cognitive assessment matters so much. It helps move people out of uncertainty and into a clearer conversation about what is happening\, what needs monitoring\, and what support may be needed next. It also reminds families that memory concerns are not rare\, and they are not something people have to wait on until things get worse.4 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Happens During The Visit				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The actual visit is usually straightforward. Medicare says the yearly Wellness Visit may include: a review of medical and family historya review of current prescriptionsroutine measurements like height\, weight\, and blood pressurea cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s diseasehealth advicea screening schedule for preventive servicesadvance care planningan optional social determinants of health risk assessment								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									If the provider is concerned about cognition\, they may ask more questions\, talk with a family member or caregiver\, review medications more closely\, or schedule a more detailed follow-up assessment.3 Medicare also notes that for a separate detailed cognitive assessment visit\, patients can bring a spouse\, friend\, or caregiver to help listen and answer questions. That can be incredibly helpful when memory concerns are part of the reason for the visit. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How To Access This Benefit For Free				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The process is usually simpler than people expect. First\, make sure the person has had Medicare Part B for more than 12 months. That is the general requirement for the yearly Wellness Visit.2Next\, call the primary care office and ask to schedule the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit\, sometimes just called the Medicare Wellness Visit. Medicare covers it once every 12 months.2								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									When you book the appointment\, ask whether the provider accepts assignment. As we learned above\, that matters because if the provider accepts assignment\, the visit costs nothing.2 Also ask whether anything discussed beyond the preventive visit could create extra billing\, since additional tests or services outside the covered preventive benefit may lead to coinsurance or other charges.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Before the appointment\, gather a few basics:				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									a list of medications\, including over-the-counter drugsany family history of dementia or major memory problemsnotes about changes in memory\, decision-making\, finances\, driving\, medications\, or daily routinesa trusted loved one who can describe what they have noticed\, if appropriate								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That preparation can make the visit more useful and make it easier for the clinician to see the full picture. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Self-Advocacy Language For Readers				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing what to say. If you or a loved one has an appointment soon\, try using these words: “I’d like to use the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit to talk about memory and thinking changes.” You can also say\, “I know a cognitive assessment can be part of this visit. Can we include that today?” If you are a family member or caregiver\, you can say\, “We’ve noticed changes in memory\, judgment\, or managing everyday tasks\, and we want to talk about whether more evaluation is needed.” And if cost is a concern\, it is okay to ask directly\, “Will this be covered as part of the Medicare Wellness Visit\, and are there any extra charges I should know about before we start?” Medicare itself advises people to ask what Medicare will actually cover when additional services are recommended. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					A Call To Action For The NOWINCLUDED Community				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory concerns deserve attention\, not silence. If you or someone you love has Medicare\, the yearly Wellness Visit may offer a free opening to talk about cognitive changes and ask for a cognitive assessment. That one step can help move a family from uncertainty to clearer answers\, better planning\, and stronger support. Inside the NOWINCLUDED app\, you can find trusted\, culturally aware health education to help you prepare for visits\, ask better questions\, and understand how benefits like Medicare fit into the bigger picture of access and equity. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					References				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Alzheimer’s Association. (2025). Cognitive Screening and Assessment. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-medical-professionals/cognitive-assessmentMedicare.gov. (2026). Cognitive assessment & care plan services. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cognitive-assessment-care-plan-servicesMedicare.gov. (2025). Yearly “Wellness” visits. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-wellness-visitsSanthosh\, C. (2024\, June 13). About 4% of US adults age 65 and older have a dementia diagnosis\, survey finds. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/about-4-us-adults-age-65-older-have-dementia-diagnosis-survey-finds-2024-06-13/NIH. (2023\, December 8). Cognitive Assessment Considerations: Understanding the Evidence. Retrieved from NIH – National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-assessment-considerations-understanding-evidenceAlzheimer’s Association. (2025). Health Equity. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/public-health-topics/health-equity
URL:https://nowincluded.com/event/caregiver-support-group/2026-04-20/
LOCATION:Smith Center For Healing and the Arts\, 1632 U Street NW\, Washington\, DC\, 20009\, United States
CATEGORIES:Mental Health,Virtual
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260421T073000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260421T200000
DTSTAMP:20260414T182644
CREATED:20251027T151405Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251027T151405Z
UID:10002472-1776756600-1776801600@nowincluded.com
SUMMARY:LGBTQIA+ Morning Meditation
DESCRIPTION:For many families\, memory concerns do not begin with a specialist. They begin at the kitchen table\, in a missed phone call\, a repeated question\, a bill left unpaid\, or a quiet moment when someone says\, “Something feels different.” But in low-income households\, noticing the problem is only the first hurdle. The next questions come fast: Who do we call? How much will this cost? Will Medicare cover it? What happens if we bring it up and the next step is too expensive to manage? That is what makes access and affordability such an important part of the story. A cognitive assessment can help catch changes in memory and thinking early\, but too many people do not know that Medicare may already cover an entry point into that process through the yearly Wellness Visit. For families living on fixed incomes\, juggling rent\, food\, medications\, transportation\, and caregiving\, a free preventive visit is not a small detail. It can be the difference between raising a concern early and waiting until a health crisis forces the issue. This is especially important in communities that already face barriers to care\, delayed diagnosis\, and lower access to specialty services. When a benefit like the Medicare Wellness Visit includes a chance to talk about memory and thinking at no extra cost\, it becomes more than a line in a policy document—It becomes a real pathway into care. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What A Cognitive Assessment Is\, In Plain Language				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									A cognitive assessment is a check on how the brain is handling everyday thinking skills. It may look at areas such as memory\, attention\, language\, decision-making\, problem-solving\, or changes in behavior. It is not the same thing as a full dementia diagnosis\, and it is not meant to label every small lapse as disease.1 Instead\, it helps a clinician notice whether there are signs that deserve a closer look. During a Medicare-covered cognitive assessment\, a doctor or other health care provider may review medical history and medications\, talk about symptoms\, look at how daily life is going\, identify social supports\, and decide whether more testing or a specialist referral is needed.2 Medicare also notes that a separate cognitive assessment visit can help establish or confirm a diagnosis like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and create a care plan.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What The Medicare Wellness Visit Has To Do With It				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									This is where access becomes especially important. Medicare’s yearly Wellness Visit is a preventive visit for people who have had Part B longer than 12 months.3 It is not a full routine physical. It is a visit designed to review health risks\, medications\, history\, preventive needs\, and planning for future care.3 One of the items that may be included is a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s disease.3 The visit is covered once every 12 months\, and Medicare says you pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment. (When a doctor “accepts assignment” in Medicare\, they have agreed to accept a Medicare-approved amount as full payment for any Medicare-covered service provided to you).3 It is also important to understand the difference between the free Wellness Visit and a more detailed follow-up. Medicare covers a separate cognitive assessment and care-planning visit under Part B when a clinician needs to take a closer look\, but that separate visit can involve cost-sharing. After the Part B deductible\, patients generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for that more detailed service.3 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Why This Assessment Matters				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes can have many causes. Sometimes the issue is dementia. Sometimes it may be medication side effects\, depression\, anxiety\, sleep problems\, delirium\, or another medical condition. That is exactly why it is so important not to ignore symptoms or self-diagnose too quickly.1 Medicare’s benefits guide specifically notes that trouble remembering\, learning new things\, concentrating\, or managing finances can be signs of cognitive impairment\, but that conditions like depression\, anxiety\, and delirium can also cause confusion.2 A cognitive assessment matters because it can help move the conversation from vague worry to clearer next steps. It can help answer questions like: Is this worth watching more closely?Do we need more testing?Is it affecting daily life?Could another health issue be contributing?Does the family need support now\, not later?								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That kind of clarity can be powerful. It does not solve everything in one appointment\, but it can help families act sooner and plan better. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Prognosis Means In This Conversation				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Prognosis means the likely course of a condition over time. In the setting of memory or thinking changes\, prognosis depends on what is actually causing the symptoms. That is why a cognitive assessment is so useful. It does not predict everyone’s future on its own. It helps identify whether there may be a mild issue\, a progressive condition like dementia\, or another problem that needs attention. Some causes of confusion may be treatable or reversible. Others may require long-term care planning and support. The larger point is that earlier detection can give people and families more time. More time to understand the diagnosis. More time to make decisions. More time to talk through safety\, finances\, caregiving\, treatment goals\, and community resources. The Alzheimer’s Association also highlights early detection and diagnosis as a key part of connecting patients to appropriate monitoring\, care planning\, and support.1 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How Common Cognitive Decline And Dementia Are				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes are more common than many families realize\, especially as people get older. CDC reports that 4.0% of adults age 65 and older have received a dementia diagnosis. But that number rises sharply with age\, reaching 13.1% among adults aged 85 and older.4 And dementia is only part of the story. There is also a larger group of older adults living with milder but still meaningful changes in memory and thinking. This is often called mild cognitive impairment\, or MCI. It does not always turn into dementia\, but it can be an important warning sign.4 That means many families are living in a gray area long before a diagnosis ever appears in the medical chart. Someone may still be dressing themselves\, making conversation\, and getting through most of the day\, but they may also be forgetting medications\, repeating questions\, getting confused about bills\, missing appointments\, or struggling with decisions that used to feel simple. These early changes are easy to dismiss\, especially when a family is already juggling work\, caregiving\, transportation\, and the cost of everyday life.4 It is also important to remember that diagnosed dementia numbers do not capture everyone who is struggling. Some people have symptoms but have never been formally evaluated. Others are told they are “just aging\,” or they delay bringing concerns up because of stigma\, fear\, or the cost of follow-up care. That underdiagnosis matters\, because families often end up getting answers only after a fall\, a hospitalization\, a medication mistake\, or another crisis forces the issue.4 This is why early cognitive assessment matters so much. It helps move people out of uncertainty and into a clearer conversation about what is happening\, what needs monitoring\, and what support may be needed next. It also reminds families that memory concerns are not rare\, and they are not something people have to wait on until things get worse.4 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Happens During The Visit				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The actual visit is usually straightforward. Medicare says the yearly Wellness Visit may include: a review of medical and family historya review of current prescriptionsroutine measurements like height\, weight\, and blood pressurea cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s diseasehealth advicea screening schedule for preventive servicesadvance care planningan optional social determinants of health risk assessment								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									If the provider is concerned about cognition\, they may ask more questions\, talk with a family member or caregiver\, review medications more closely\, or schedule a more detailed follow-up assessment.3 Medicare also notes that for a separate detailed cognitive assessment visit\, patients can bring a spouse\, friend\, or caregiver to help listen and answer questions. That can be incredibly helpful when memory concerns are part of the reason for the visit. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How To Access This Benefit For Free				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The process is usually simpler than people expect. First\, make sure the person has had Medicare Part B for more than 12 months. That is the general requirement for the yearly Wellness Visit.2Next\, call the primary care office and ask to schedule the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit\, sometimes just called the Medicare Wellness Visit. Medicare covers it once every 12 months.2								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									When you book the appointment\, ask whether the provider accepts assignment. As we learned above\, that matters because if the provider accepts assignment\, the visit costs nothing.2 Also ask whether anything discussed beyond the preventive visit could create extra billing\, since additional tests or services outside the covered preventive benefit may lead to coinsurance or other charges.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Before the appointment\, gather a few basics:				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									a list of medications\, including over-the-counter drugsany family history of dementia or major memory problemsnotes about changes in memory\, decision-making\, finances\, driving\, medications\, or daily routinesa trusted loved one who can describe what they have noticed\, if appropriate								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That preparation can make the visit more useful and make it easier for the clinician to see the full picture. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Self-Advocacy Language For Readers				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing what to say. If you or a loved one has an appointment soon\, try using these words: “I’d like to use the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit to talk about memory and thinking changes.” You can also say\, “I know a cognitive assessment can be part of this visit. Can we include that today?” If you are a family member or caregiver\, you can say\, “We’ve noticed changes in memory\, judgment\, or managing everyday tasks\, and we want to talk about whether more evaluation is needed.” And if cost is a concern\, it is okay to ask directly\, “Will this be covered as part of the Medicare Wellness Visit\, and are there any extra charges I should know about before we start?” Medicare itself advises people to ask what Medicare will actually cover when additional services are recommended. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					A Call To Action For The NOWINCLUDED Community				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory concerns deserve attention\, not silence. If you or someone you love has Medicare\, the yearly Wellness Visit may offer a free opening to talk about cognitive changes and ask for a cognitive assessment. That one step can help move a family from uncertainty to clearer answers\, better planning\, and stronger support. Inside the NOWINCLUDED app\, you can find trusted\, culturally aware health education to help you prepare for visits\, ask better questions\, and understand how benefits like Medicare fit into the bigger picture of access and equity. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					References				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Alzheimer’s Association. (2025). Cognitive Screening and Assessment. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-medical-professionals/cognitive-assessmentMedicare.gov. (2026). Cognitive assessment & care plan services. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cognitive-assessment-care-plan-servicesMedicare.gov. (2025). Yearly “Wellness” visits. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-wellness-visitsSanthosh\, C. (2024\, June 13). About 4% of US adults age 65 and older have a dementia diagnosis\, survey finds. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/about-4-us-adults-age-65-older-have-dementia-diagnosis-survey-finds-2024-06-13/NIH. (2023\, December 8). Cognitive Assessment Considerations: Understanding the Evidence. Retrieved from NIH – National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-assessment-considerations-understanding-evidenceAlzheimer’s Association. (2025). Health Equity. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/public-health-topics/health-equity
URL:https://nowincluded.com/event/lgbtqia-morning-meditation/2026-04-21/
LOCATION:Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Mental Health,Virtual
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260421T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260421T130000
DTSTAMP:20260414T182644
CREATED:20251027T151632Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251027T151632Z
UID:10002733-1776772800-1776776400@nowincluded.com
SUMMARY:Chair Yoga
DESCRIPTION:For many families\, memory concerns do not begin with a specialist. They begin at the kitchen table\, in a missed phone call\, a repeated question\, a bill left unpaid\, or a quiet moment when someone says\, “Something feels different.” But in low-income households\, noticing the problem is only the first hurdle. The next questions come fast: Who do we call? How much will this cost? Will Medicare cover it? What happens if we bring it up and the next step is too expensive to manage? That is what makes access and affordability such an important part of the story. A cognitive assessment can help catch changes in memory and thinking early\, but too many people do not know that Medicare may already cover an entry point into that process through the yearly Wellness Visit. For families living on fixed incomes\, juggling rent\, food\, medications\, transportation\, and caregiving\, a free preventive visit is not a small detail. It can be the difference between raising a concern early and waiting until a health crisis forces the issue. This is especially important in communities that already face barriers to care\, delayed diagnosis\, and lower access to specialty services. When a benefit like the Medicare Wellness Visit includes a chance to talk about memory and thinking at no extra cost\, it becomes more than a line in a policy document—It becomes a real pathway into care. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What A Cognitive Assessment Is\, In Plain Language				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									A cognitive assessment is a check on how the brain is handling everyday thinking skills. It may look at areas such as memory\, attention\, language\, decision-making\, problem-solving\, or changes in behavior. It is not the same thing as a full dementia diagnosis\, and it is not meant to label every small lapse as disease.1 Instead\, it helps a clinician notice whether there are signs that deserve a closer look. During a Medicare-covered cognitive assessment\, a doctor or other health care provider may review medical history and medications\, talk about symptoms\, look at how daily life is going\, identify social supports\, and decide whether more testing or a specialist referral is needed.2 Medicare also notes that a separate cognitive assessment visit can help establish or confirm a diagnosis like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and create a care plan.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What The Medicare Wellness Visit Has To Do With It				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									This is where access becomes especially important. Medicare’s yearly Wellness Visit is a preventive visit for people who have had Part B longer than 12 months.3 It is not a full routine physical. It is a visit designed to review health risks\, medications\, history\, preventive needs\, and planning for future care.3 One of the items that may be included is a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s disease.3 The visit is covered once every 12 months\, and Medicare says you pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment. (When a doctor “accepts assignment” in Medicare\, they have agreed to accept a Medicare-approved amount as full payment for any Medicare-covered service provided to you).3 It is also important to understand the difference between the free Wellness Visit and a more detailed follow-up. Medicare covers a separate cognitive assessment and care-planning visit under Part B when a clinician needs to take a closer look\, but that separate visit can involve cost-sharing. After the Part B deductible\, patients generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for that more detailed service.3 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Why This Assessment Matters				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes can have many causes. Sometimes the issue is dementia. Sometimes it may be medication side effects\, depression\, anxiety\, sleep problems\, delirium\, or another medical condition. That is exactly why it is so important not to ignore symptoms or self-diagnose too quickly.1 Medicare’s benefits guide specifically notes that trouble remembering\, learning new things\, concentrating\, or managing finances can be signs of cognitive impairment\, but that conditions like depression\, anxiety\, and delirium can also cause confusion.2 A cognitive assessment matters because it can help move the conversation from vague worry to clearer next steps. It can help answer questions like: Is this worth watching more closely?Do we need more testing?Is it affecting daily life?Could another health issue be contributing?Does the family need support now\, not later?								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That kind of clarity can be powerful. It does not solve everything in one appointment\, but it can help families act sooner and plan better. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Prognosis Means In This Conversation				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Prognosis means the likely course of a condition over time. In the setting of memory or thinking changes\, prognosis depends on what is actually causing the symptoms. That is why a cognitive assessment is so useful. It does not predict everyone’s future on its own. It helps identify whether there may be a mild issue\, a progressive condition like dementia\, or another problem that needs attention. Some causes of confusion may be treatable or reversible. Others may require long-term care planning and support. The larger point is that earlier detection can give people and families more time. More time to understand the diagnosis. More time to make decisions. More time to talk through safety\, finances\, caregiving\, treatment goals\, and community resources. The Alzheimer’s Association also highlights early detection and diagnosis as a key part of connecting patients to appropriate monitoring\, care planning\, and support.1 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How Common Cognitive Decline And Dementia Are				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes are more common than many families realize\, especially as people get older. CDC reports that 4.0% of adults age 65 and older have received a dementia diagnosis. But that number rises sharply with age\, reaching 13.1% among adults aged 85 and older.4 And dementia is only part of the story. There is also a larger group of older adults living with milder but still meaningful changes in memory and thinking. This is often called mild cognitive impairment\, or MCI. It does not always turn into dementia\, but it can be an important warning sign.4 That means many families are living in a gray area long before a diagnosis ever appears in the medical chart. Someone may still be dressing themselves\, making conversation\, and getting through most of the day\, but they may also be forgetting medications\, repeating questions\, getting confused about bills\, missing appointments\, or struggling with decisions that used to feel simple. These early changes are easy to dismiss\, especially when a family is already juggling work\, caregiving\, transportation\, and the cost of everyday life.4 It is also important to remember that diagnosed dementia numbers do not capture everyone who is struggling. Some people have symptoms but have never been formally evaluated. Others are told they are “just aging\,” or they delay bringing concerns up because of stigma\, fear\, or the cost of follow-up care. That underdiagnosis matters\, because families often end up getting answers only after a fall\, a hospitalization\, a medication mistake\, or another crisis forces the issue.4 This is why early cognitive assessment matters so much. It helps move people out of uncertainty and into a clearer conversation about what is happening\, what needs monitoring\, and what support may be needed next. It also reminds families that memory concerns are not rare\, and they are not something people have to wait on until things get worse.4 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Happens During The Visit				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The actual visit is usually straightforward. Medicare says the yearly Wellness Visit may include: a review of medical and family historya review of current prescriptionsroutine measurements like height\, weight\, and blood pressurea cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s diseasehealth advicea screening schedule for preventive servicesadvance care planningan optional social determinants of health risk assessment								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									If the provider is concerned about cognition\, they may ask more questions\, talk with a family member or caregiver\, review medications more closely\, or schedule a more detailed follow-up assessment.3 Medicare also notes that for a separate detailed cognitive assessment visit\, patients can bring a spouse\, friend\, or caregiver to help listen and answer questions. That can be incredibly helpful when memory concerns are part of the reason for the visit. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How To Access This Benefit For Free				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The process is usually simpler than people expect. First\, make sure the person has had Medicare Part B for more than 12 months. That is the general requirement for the yearly Wellness Visit.2Next\, call the primary care office and ask to schedule the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit\, sometimes just called the Medicare Wellness Visit. Medicare covers it once every 12 months.2								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									When you book the appointment\, ask whether the provider accepts assignment. As we learned above\, that matters because if the provider accepts assignment\, the visit costs nothing.2 Also ask whether anything discussed beyond the preventive visit could create extra billing\, since additional tests or services outside the covered preventive benefit may lead to coinsurance or other charges.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Before the appointment\, gather a few basics:				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									a list of medications\, including over-the-counter drugsany family history of dementia or major memory problemsnotes about changes in memory\, decision-making\, finances\, driving\, medications\, or daily routinesa trusted loved one who can describe what they have noticed\, if appropriate								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That preparation can make the visit more useful and make it easier for the clinician to see the full picture. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Self-Advocacy Language For Readers				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing what to say. If you or a loved one has an appointment soon\, try using these words: “I’d like to use the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit to talk about memory and thinking changes.” You can also say\, “I know a cognitive assessment can be part of this visit. Can we include that today?” If you are a family member or caregiver\, you can say\, “We’ve noticed changes in memory\, judgment\, or managing everyday tasks\, and we want to talk about whether more evaluation is needed.” And if cost is a concern\, it is okay to ask directly\, “Will this be covered as part of the Medicare Wellness Visit\, and are there any extra charges I should know about before we start?” Medicare itself advises people to ask what Medicare will actually cover when additional services are recommended. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					A Call To Action For The NOWINCLUDED Community				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory concerns deserve attention\, not silence. If you or someone you love has Medicare\, the yearly Wellness Visit may offer a free opening to talk about cognitive changes and ask for a cognitive assessment. That one step can help move a family from uncertainty to clearer answers\, better planning\, and stronger support. Inside the NOWINCLUDED app\, you can find trusted\, culturally aware health education to help you prepare for visits\, ask better questions\, and understand how benefits like Medicare fit into the bigger picture of access and equity. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					References				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Alzheimer’s Association. (2025). Cognitive Screening and Assessment. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-medical-professionals/cognitive-assessmentMedicare.gov. (2026). Cognitive assessment & care plan services. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cognitive-assessment-care-plan-servicesMedicare.gov. (2025). Yearly “Wellness” visits. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-wellness-visitsSanthosh\, C. (2024\, June 13). About 4% of US adults age 65 and older have a dementia diagnosis\, survey finds. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/about-4-us-adults-age-65-older-have-dementia-diagnosis-survey-finds-2024-06-13/NIH. (2023\, December 8). Cognitive Assessment Considerations: Understanding the Evidence. Retrieved from NIH – National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-assessment-considerations-understanding-evidenceAlzheimer’s Association. (2025). Health Equity. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/public-health-topics/health-equity
URL:https://nowincluded.com/event/chair-yoga/2026-04-21/
LOCATION:Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Mental Health,Virtual
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260421T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260421T133000
DTSTAMP:20260414T182645
CREATED:20251021T171043Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251021T171043Z
UID:10001200-1776774600-1776778200@nowincluded.com
SUMMARY:Multiple Myeloma Cancer Support Group
DESCRIPTION:For many families\, memory concerns do not begin with a specialist. They begin at the kitchen table\, in a missed phone call\, a repeated question\, a bill left unpaid\, or a quiet moment when someone says\, “Something feels different.” But in low-income households\, noticing the problem is only the first hurdle. The next questions come fast: Who do we call? How much will this cost? Will Medicare cover it? What happens if we bring it up and the next step is too expensive to manage? That is what makes access and affordability such an important part of the story. A cognitive assessment can help catch changes in memory and thinking early\, but too many people do not know that Medicare may already cover an entry point into that process through the yearly Wellness Visit. For families living on fixed incomes\, juggling rent\, food\, medications\, transportation\, and caregiving\, a free preventive visit is not a small detail. It can be the difference between raising a concern early and waiting until a health crisis forces the issue. This is especially important in communities that already face barriers to care\, delayed diagnosis\, and lower access to specialty services. When a benefit like the Medicare Wellness Visit includes a chance to talk about memory and thinking at no extra cost\, it becomes more than a line in a policy document—It becomes a real pathway into care. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What A Cognitive Assessment Is\, In Plain Language				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									A cognitive assessment is a check on how the brain is handling everyday thinking skills. It may look at areas such as memory\, attention\, language\, decision-making\, problem-solving\, or changes in behavior. It is not the same thing as a full dementia diagnosis\, and it is not meant to label every small lapse as disease.1 Instead\, it helps a clinician notice whether there are signs that deserve a closer look. During a Medicare-covered cognitive assessment\, a doctor or other health care provider may review medical history and medications\, talk about symptoms\, look at how daily life is going\, identify social supports\, and decide whether more testing or a specialist referral is needed.2 Medicare also notes that a separate cognitive assessment visit can help establish or confirm a diagnosis like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and create a care plan.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What The Medicare Wellness Visit Has To Do With It				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									This is where access becomes especially important. Medicare’s yearly Wellness Visit is a preventive visit for people who have had Part B longer than 12 months.3 It is not a full routine physical. It is a visit designed to review health risks\, medications\, history\, preventive needs\, and planning for future care.3 One of the items that may be included is a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s disease.3 The visit is covered once every 12 months\, and Medicare says you pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment. (When a doctor “accepts assignment” in Medicare\, they have agreed to accept a Medicare-approved amount as full payment for any Medicare-covered service provided to you).3 It is also important to understand the difference between the free Wellness Visit and a more detailed follow-up. Medicare covers a separate cognitive assessment and care-planning visit under Part B when a clinician needs to take a closer look\, but that separate visit can involve cost-sharing. After the Part B deductible\, patients generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for that more detailed service.3 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Why This Assessment Matters				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes can have many causes. Sometimes the issue is dementia. Sometimes it may be medication side effects\, depression\, anxiety\, sleep problems\, delirium\, or another medical condition. That is exactly why it is so important not to ignore symptoms or self-diagnose too quickly.1 Medicare’s benefits guide specifically notes that trouble remembering\, learning new things\, concentrating\, or managing finances can be signs of cognitive impairment\, but that conditions like depression\, anxiety\, and delirium can also cause confusion.2 A cognitive assessment matters because it can help move the conversation from vague worry to clearer next steps. It can help answer questions like: Is this worth watching more closely?Do we need more testing?Is it affecting daily life?Could another health issue be contributing?Does the family need support now\, not later?								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That kind of clarity can be powerful. It does not solve everything in one appointment\, but it can help families act sooner and plan better. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Prognosis Means In This Conversation				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Prognosis means the likely course of a condition over time. In the setting of memory or thinking changes\, prognosis depends on what is actually causing the symptoms. That is why a cognitive assessment is so useful. It does not predict everyone’s future on its own. It helps identify whether there may be a mild issue\, a progressive condition like dementia\, or another problem that needs attention. Some causes of confusion may be treatable or reversible. Others may require long-term care planning and support. The larger point is that earlier detection can give people and families more time. More time to understand the diagnosis. More time to make decisions. More time to talk through safety\, finances\, caregiving\, treatment goals\, and community resources. The Alzheimer’s Association also highlights early detection and diagnosis as a key part of connecting patients to appropriate monitoring\, care planning\, and support.1 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How Common Cognitive Decline And Dementia Are				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes are more common than many families realize\, especially as people get older. CDC reports that 4.0% of adults age 65 and older have received a dementia diagnosis. But that number rises sharply with age\, reaching 13.1% among adults aged 85 and older.4 And dementia is only part of the story. There is also a larger group of older adults living with milder but still meaningful changes in memory and thinking. This is often called mild cognitive impairment\, or MCI. It does not always turn into dementia\, but it can be an important warning sign.4 That means many families are living in a gray area long before a diagnosis ever appears in the medical chart. Someone may still be dressing themselves\, making conversation\, and getting through most of the day\, but they may also be forgetting medications\, repeating questions\, getting confused about bills\, missing appointments\, or struggling with decisions that used to feel simple. These early changes are easy to dismiss\, especially when a family is already juggling work\, caregiving\, transportation\, and the cost of everyday life.4 It is also important to remember that diagnosed dementia numbers do not capture everyone who is struggling. Some people have symptoms but have never been formally evaluated. Others are told they are “just aging\,” or they delay bringing concerns up because of stigma\, fear\, or the cost of follow-up care. That underdiagnosis matters\, because families often end up getting answers only after a fall\, a hospitalization\, a medication mistake\, or another crisis forces the issue.4 This is why early cognitive assessment matters so much. It helps move people out of uncertainty and into a clearer conversation about what is happening\, what needs monitoring\, and what support may be needed next. It also reminds families that memory concerns are not rare\, and they are not something people have to wait on until things get worse.4 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Happens During The Visit				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The actual visit is usually straightforward. Medicare says the yearly Wellness Visit may include: a review of medical and family historya review of current prescriptionsroutine measurements like height\, weight\, and blood pressurea cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s diseasehealth advicea screening schedule for preventive servicesadvance care planningan optional social determinants of health risk assessment								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									If the provider is concerned about cognition\, they may ask more questions\, talk with a family member or caregiver\, review medications more closely\, or schedule a more detailed follow-up assessment.3 Medicare also notes that for a separate detailed cognitive assessment visit\, patients can bring a spouse\, friend\, or caregiver to help listen and answer questions. That can be incredibly helpful when memory concerns are part of the reason for the visit. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How To Access This Benefit For Free				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The process is usually simpler than people expect. First\, make sure the person has had Medicare Part B for more than 12 months. That is the general requirement for the yearly Wellness Visit.2Next\, call the primary care office and ask to schedule the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit\, sometimes just called the Medicare Wellness Visit. Medicare covers it once every 12 months.2								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									When you book the appointment\, ask whether the provider accepts assignment. As we learned above\, that matters because if the provider accepts assignment\, the visit costs nothing.2 Also ask whether anything discussed beyond the preventive visit could create extra billing\, since additional tests or services outside the covered preventive benefit may lead to coinsurance or other charges.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Before the appointment\, gather a few basics:				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									a list of medications\, including over-the-counter drugsany family history of dementia or major memory problemsnotes about changes in memory\, decision-making\, finances\, driving\, medications\, or daily routinesa trusted loved one who can describe what they have noticed\, if appropriate								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That preparation can make the visit more useful and make it easier for the clinician to see the full picture. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Self-Advocacy Language For Readers				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing what to say. If you or a loved one has an appointment soon\, try using these words: “I’d like to use the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit to talk about memory and thinking changes.” You can also say\, “I know a cognitive assessment can be part of this visit. Can we include that today?” If you are a family member or caregiver\, you can say\, “We’ve noticed changes in memory\, judgment\, or managing everyday tasks\, and we want to talk about whether more evaluation is needed.” And if cost is a concern\, it is okay to ask directly\, “Will this be covered as part of the Medicare Wellness Visit\, and are there any extra charges I should know about before we start?” Medicare itself advises people to ask what Medicare will actually cover when additional services are recommended. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					A Call To Action For The NOWINCLUDED Community				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory concerns deserve attention\, not silence. If you or someone you love has Medicare\, the yearly Wellness Visit may offer a free opening to talk about cognitive changes and ask for a cognitive assessment. That one step can help move a family from uncertainty to clearer answers\, better planning\, and stronger support. Inside the NOWINCLUDED app\, you can find trusted\, culturally aware health education to help you prepare for visits\, ask better questions\, and understand how benefits like Medicare fit into the bigger picture of access and equity. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					References				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Alzheimer’s Association. (2025). Cognitive Screening and Assessment. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-medical-professionals/cognitive-assessmentMedicare.gov. (2026). Cognitive assessment & care plan services. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cognitive-assessment-care-plan-servicesMedicare.gov. (2025). Yearly “Wellness” visits. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-wellness-visitsSanthosh\, C. (2024\, June 13). About 4% of US adults age 65 and older have a dementia diagnosis\, survey finds. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/about-4-us-adults-age-65-older-have-dementia-diagnosis-survey-finds-2024-06-13/NIH. (2023\, December 8). Cognitive Assessment Considerations: Understanding the Evidence. Retrieved from NIH – National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-assessment-considerations-understanding-evidenceAlzheimer’s Association. (2025). Health Equity. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/public-health-topics/health-equity
URL:https://nowincluded.com/event/multiple-myeloma-cancer-support-group/2026-04-21/
LOCATION:Smith Center For Healing and the Arts\, 1632 U Street NW\, Washington\, DC\, 20009\, United States
CATEGORIES:Mental Health,Virtual
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260421T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260421T183000
DTSTAMP:20260414T182645
CREATED:20251021T151942Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251021T163850Z
UID:10000615-1776790800-1776796200@nowincluded.com
SUMMARY:Grieving Together: A 6- Week Series
DESCRIPTION:For many families\, memory concerns do not begin with a specialist. They begin at the kitchen table\, in a missed phone call\, a repeated question\, a bill left unpaid\, or a quiet moment when someone says\, “Something feels different.” But in low-income households\, noticing the problem is only the first hurdle. The next questions come fast: Who do we call? How much will this cost? Will Medicare cover it? What happens if we bring it up and the next step is too expensive to manage? That is what makes access and affordability such an important part of the story. A cognitive assessment can help catch changes in memory and thinking early\, but too many people do not know that Medicare may already cover an entry point into that process through the yearly Wellness Visit. For families living on fixed incomes\, juggling rent\, food\, medications\, transportation\, and caregiving\, a free preventive visit is not a small detail. It can be the difference between raising a concern early and waiting until a health crisis forces the issue. This is especially important in communities that already face barriers to care\, delayed diagnosis\, and lower access to specialty services. When a benefit like the Medicare Wellness Visit includes a chance to talk about memory and thinking at no extra cost\, it becomes more than a line in a policy document—It becomes a real pathway into care. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What A Cognitive Assessment Is\, In Plain Language				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									A cognitive assessment is a check on how the brain is handling everyday thinking skills. It may look at areas such as memory\, attention\, language\, decision-making\, problem-solving\, or changes in behavior. It is not the same thing as a full dementia diagnosis\, and it is not meant to label every small lapse as disease.1 Instead\, it helps a clinician notice whether there are signs that deserve a closer look. During a Medicare-covered cognitive assessment\, a doctor or other health care provider may review medical history and medications\, talk about symptoms\, look at how daily life is going\, identify social supports\, and decide whether more testing or a specialist referral is needed.2 Medicare also notes that a separate cognitive assessment visit can help establish or confirm a diagnosis like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and create a care plan.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What The Medicare Wellness Visit Has To Do With It				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									This is where access becomes especially important. Medicare’s yearly Wellness Visit is a preventive visit for people who have had Part B longer than 12 months.3 It is not a full routine physical. It is a visit designed to review health risks\, medications\, history\, preventive needs\, and planning for future care.3 One of the items that may be included is a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s disease.3 The visit is covered once every 12 months\, and Medicare says you pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment. (When a doctor “accepts assignment” in Medicare\, they have agreed to accept a Medicare-approved amount as full payment for any Medicare-covered service provided to you).3 It is also important to understand the difference between the free Wellness Visit and a more detailed follow-up. Medicare covers a separate cognitive assessment and care-planning visit under Part B when a clinician needs to take a closer look\, but that separate visit can involve cost-sharing. After the Part B deductible\, patients generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for that more detailed service.3 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Why This Assessment Matters				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes can have many causes. Sometimes the issue is dementia. Sometimes it may be medication side effects\, depression\, anxiety\, sleep problems\, delirium\, or another medical condition. That is exactly why it is so important not to ignore symptoms or self-diagnose too quickly.1 Medicare’s benefits guide specifically notes that trouble remembering\, learning new things\, concentrating\, or managing finances can be signs of cognitive impairment\, but that conditions like depression\, anxiety\, and delirium can also cause confusion.2 A cognitive assessment matters because it can help move the conversation from vague worry to clearer next steps. It can help answer questions like: Is this worth watching more closely?Do we need more testing?Is it affecting daily life?Could another health issue be contributing?Does the family need support now\, not later?								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That kind of clarity can be powerful. It does not solve everything in one appointment\, but it can help families act sooner and plan better. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Prognosis Means In This Conversation				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Prognosis means the likely course of a condition over time. In the setting of memory or thinking changes\, prognosis depends on what is actually causing the symptoms. That is why a cognitive assessment is so useful. It does not predict everyone’s future on its own. It helps identify whether there may be a mild issue\, a progressive condition like dementia\, or another problem that needs attention. Some causes of confusion may be treatable or reversible. Others may require long-term care planning and support. The larger point is that earlier detection can give people and families more time. More time to understand the diagnosis. More time to make decisions. More time to talk through safety\, finances\, caregiving\, treatment goals\, and community resources. The Alzheimer’s Association also highlights early detection and diagnosis as a key part of connecting patients to appropriate monitoring\, care planning\, and support.1 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How Common Cognitive Decline And Dementia Are				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes are more common than many families realize\, especially as people get older. CDC reports that 4.0% of adults age 65 and older have received a dementia diagnosis. But that number rises sharply with age\, reaching 13.1% among adults aged 85 and older.4 And dementia is only part of the story. There is also a larger group of older adults living with milder but still meaningful changes in memory and thinking. This is often called mild cognitive impairment\, or MCI. It does not always turn into dementia\, but it can be an important warning sign.4 That means many families are living in a gray area long before a diagnosis ever appears in the medical chart. Someone may still be dressing themselves\, making conversation\, and getting through most of the day\, but they may also be forgetting medications\, repeating questions\, getting confused about bills\, missing appointments\, or struggling with decisions that used to feel simple. These early changes are easy to dismiss\, especially when a family is already juggling work\, caregiving\, transportation\, and the cost of everyday life.4 It is also important to remember that diagnosed dementia numbers do not capture everyone who is struggling. Some people have symptoms but have never been formally evaluated. Others are told they are “just aging\,” or they delay bringing concerns up because of stigma\, fear\, or the cost of follow-up care. That underdiagnosis matters\, because families often end up getting answers only after a fall\, a hospitalization\, a medication mistake\, or another crisis forces the issue.4 This is why early cognitive assessment matters so much. It helps move people out of uncertainty and into a clearer conversation about what is happening\, what needs monitoring\, and what support may be needed next. It also reminds families that memory concerns are not rare\, and they are not something people have to wait on until things get worse.4 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Happens During The Visit				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The actual visit is usually straightforward. Medicare says the yearly Wellness Visit may include: a review of medical and family historya review of current prescriptionsroutine measurements like height\, weight\, and blood pressurea cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s diseasehealth advicea screening schedule for preventive servicesadvance care planningan optional social determinants of health risk assessment								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									If the provider is concerned about cognition\, they may ask more questions\, talk with a family member or caregiver\, review medications more closely\, or schedule a more detailed follow-up assessment.3 Medicare also notes that for a separate detailed cognitive assessment visit\, patients can bring a spouse\, friend\, or caregiver to help listen and answer questions. That can be incredibly helpful when memory concerns are part of the reason for the visit. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How To Access This Benefit For Free				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The process is usually simpler than people expect. First\, make sure the person has had Medicare Part B for more than 12 months. That is the general requirement for the yearly Wellness Visit.2Next\, call the primary care office and ask to schedule the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit\, sometimes just called the Medicare Wellness Visit. Medicare covers it once every 12 months.2								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									When you book the appointment\, ask whether the provider accepts assignment. As we learned above\, that matters because if the provider accepts assignment\, the visit costs nothing.2 Also ask whether anything discussed beyond the preventive visit could create extra billing\, since additional tests or services outside the covered preventive benefit may lead to coinsurance or other charges.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Before the appointment\, gather a few basics:				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									a list of medications\, including over-the-counter drugsany family history of dementia or major memory problemsnotes about changes in memory\, decision-making\, finances\, driving\, medications\, or daily routinesa trusted loved one who can describe what they have noticed\, if appropriate								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That preparation can make the visit more useful and make it easier for the clinician to see the full picture. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Self-Advocacy Language For Readers				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing what to say. If you or a loved one has an appointment soon\, try using these words: “I’d like to use the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit to talk about memory and thinking changes.” You can also say\, “I know a cognitive assessment can be part of this visit. Can we include that today?” If you are a family member or caregiver\, you can say\, “We’ve noticed changes in memory\, judgment\, or managing everyday tasks\, and we want to talk about whether more evaluation is needed.” And if cost is a concern\, it is okay to ask directly\, “Will this be covered as part of the Medicare Wellness Visit\, and are there any extra charges I should know about before we start?” Medicare itself advises people to ask what Medicare will actually cover when additional services are recommended. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					A Call To Action For The NOWINCLUDED Community				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory concerns deserve attention\, not silence. If you or someone you love has Medicare\, the yearly Wellness Visit may offer a free opening to talk about cognitive changes and ask for a cognitive assessment. That one step can help move a family from uncertainty to clearer answers\, better planning\, and stronger support. Inside the NOWINCLUDED app\, you can find trusted\, culturally aware health education to help you prepare for visits\, ask better questions\, and understand how benefits like Medicare fit into the bigger picture of access and equity. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					References				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Alzheimer’s Association. (2025). Cognitive Screening and Assessment. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-medical-professionals/cognitive-assessmentMedicare.gov. (2026). Cognitive assessment & care plan services. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cognitive-assessment-care-plan-servicesMedicare.gov. (2025). Yearly “Wellness” visits. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-wellness-visitsSanthosh\, C. (2024\, June 13). About 4% of US adults age 65 and older have a dementia diagnosis\, survey finds. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/about-4-us-adults-age-65-older-have-dementia-diagnosis-survey-finds-2024-06-13/NIH. (2023\, December 8). Cognitive Assessment Considerations: Understanding the Evidence. Retrieved from NIH – National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-assessment-considerations-understanding-evidenceAlzheimer’s Association. (2025). Health Equity. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/public-health-topics/health-equity
URL:https://nowincluded.com/event/grieving-together-a-6-week-series/2026-04-21/
LOCATION:Smith Center For Healing and the Arts\, 1632 U Street NW\, Washington\, DC\, 20009\, United States
CATEGORIES:Mental Health,Virtual
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260421T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260421T191500
DTSTAMP:20260414T182645
CREATED:20251027T161346Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251027T161346Z
UID:10004263-1776794400-1776798900@nowincluded.com
SUMMARY:Gentle PM Yoga
DESCRIPTION:For many families\, memory concerns do not begin with a specialist. They begin at the kitchen table\, in a missed phone call\, a repeated question\, a bill left unpaid\, or a quiet moment when someone says\, “Something feels different.” But in low-income households\, noticing the problem is only the first hurdle. The next questions come fast: Who do we call? How much will this cost? Will Medicare cover it? What happens if we bring it up and the next step is too expensive to manage? That is what makes access and affordability such an important part of the story. A cognitive assessment can help catch changes in memory and thinking early\, but too many people do not know that Medicare may already cover an entry point into that process through the yearly Wellness Visit. For families living on fixed incomes\, juggling rent\, food\, medications\, transportation\, and caregiving\, a free preventive visit is not a small detail. It can be the difference between raising a concern early and waiting until a health crisis forces the issue. This is especially important in communities that already face barriers to care\, delayed diagnosis\, and lower access to specialty services. When a benefit like the Medicare Wellness Visit includes a chance to talk about memory and thinking at no extra cost\, it becomes more than a line in a policy document—It becomes a real pathway into care. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What A Cognitive Assessment Is\, In Plain Language				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									A cognitive assessment is a check on how the brain is handling everyday thinking skills. It may look at areas such as memory\, attention\, language\, decision-making\, problem-solving\, or changes in behavior. It is not the same thing as a full dementia diagnosis\, and it is not meant to label every small lapse as disease.1 Instead\, it helps a clinician notice whether there are signs that deserve a closer look. During a Medicare-covered cognitive assessment\, a doctor or other health care provider may review medical history and medications\, talk about symptoms\, look at how daily life is going\, identify social supports\, and decide whether more testing or a specialist referral is needed.2 Medicare also notes that a separate cognitive assessment visit can help establish or confirm a diagnosis like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and create a care plan.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What The Medicare Wellness Visit Has To Do With It				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									This is where access becomes especially important. Medicare’s yearly Wellness Visit is a preventive visit for people who have had Part B longer than 12 months.3 It is not a full routine physical. It is a visit designed to review health risks\, medications\, history\, preventive needs\, and planning for future care.3 One of the items that may be included is a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s disease.3 The visit is covered once every 12 months\, and Medicare says you pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment. (When a doctor “accepts assignment” in Medicare\, they have agreed to accept a Medicare-approved amount as full payment for any Medicare-covered service provided to you).3 It is also important to understand the difference between the free Wellness Visit and a more detailed follow-up. Medicare covers a separate cognitive assessment and care-planning visit under Part B when a clinician needs to take a closer look\, but that separate visit can involve cost-sharing. After the Part B deductible\, patients generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for that more detailed service.3 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Why This Assessment Matters				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes can have many causes. Sometimes the issue is dementia. Sometimes it may be medication side effects\, depression\, anxiety\, sleep problems\, delirium\, or another medical condition. That is exactly why it is so important not to ignore symptoms or self-diagnose too quickly.1 Medicare’s benefits guide specifically notes that trouble remembering\, learning new things\, concentrating\, or managing finances can be signs of cognitive impairment\, but that conditions like depression\, anxiety\, and delirium can also cause confusion.2 A cognitive assessment matters because it can help move the conversation from vague worry to clearer next steps. It can help answer questions like: Is this worth watching more closely?Do we need more testing?Is it affecting daily life?Could another health issue be contributing?Does the family need support now\, not later?								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That kind of clarity can be powerful. It does not solve everything in one appointment\, but it can help families act sooner and plan better. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Prognosis Means In This Conversation				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Prognosis means the likely course of a condition over time. In the setting of memory or thinking changes\, prognosis depends on what is actually causing the symptoms. That is why a cognitive assessment is so useful. It does not predict everyone’s future on its own. It helps identify whether there may be a mild issue\, a progressive condition like dementia\, or another problem that needs attention. Some causes of confusion may be treatable or reversible. Others may require long-term care planning and support. The larger point is that earlier detection can give people and families more time. More time to understand the diagnosis. More time to make decisions. More time to talk through safety\, finances\, caregiving\, treatment goals\, and community resources. The Alzheimer’s Association also highlights early detection and diagnosis as a key part of connecting patients to appropriate monitoring\, care planning\, and support.1 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How Common Cognitive Decline And Dementia Are				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes are more common than many families realize\, especially as people get older. CDC reports that 4.0% of adults age 65 and older have received a dementia diagnosis. But that number rises sharply with age\, reaching 13.1% among adults aged 85 and older.4 And dementia is only part of the story. There is also a larger group of older adults living with milder but still meaningful changes in memory and thinking. This is often called mild cognitive impairment\, or MCI. It does not always turn into dementia\, but it can be an important warning sign.4 That means many families are living in a gray area long before a diagnosis ever appears in the medical chart. Someone may still be dressing themselves\, making conversation\, and getting through most of the day\, but they may also be forgetting medications\, repeating questions\, getting confused about bills\, missing appointments\, or struggling with decisions that used to feel simple. These early changes are easy to dismiss\, especially when a family is already juggling work\, caregiving\, transportation\, and the cost of everyday life.4 It is also important to remember that diagnosed dementia numbers do not capture everyone who is struggling. Some people have symptoms but have never been formally evaluated. Others are told they are “just aging\,” or they delay bringing concerns up because of stigma\, fear\, or the cost of follow-up care. That underdiagnosis matters\, because families often end up getting answers only after a fall\, a hospitalization\, a medication mistake\, or another crisis forces the issue.4 This is why early cognitive assessment matters so much. It helps move people out of uncertainty and into a clearer conversation about what is happening\, what needs monitoring\, and what support may be needed next. It also reminds families that memory concerns are not rare\, and they are not something people have to wait on until things get worse.4 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Happens During The Visit				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The actual visit is usually straightforward. Medicare says the yearly Wellness Visit may include: a review of medical and family historya review of current prescriptionsroutine measurements like height\, weight\, and blood pressurea cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s diseasehealth advicea screening schedule for preventive servicesadvance care planningan optional social determinants of health risk assessment								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									If the provider is concerned about cognition\, they may ask more questions\, talk with a family member or caregiver\, review medications more closely\, or schedule a more detailed follow-up assessment.3 Medicare also notes that for a separate detailed cognitive assessment visit\, patients can bring a spouse\, friend\, or caregiver to help listen and answer questions. That can be incredibly helpful when memory concerns are part of the reason for the visit. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How To Access This Benefit For Free				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The process is usually simpler than people expect. First\, make sure the person has had Medicare Part B for more than 12 months. That is the general requirement for the yearly Wellness Visit.2Next\, call the primary care office and ask to schedule the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit\, sometimes just called the Medicare Wellness Visit. Medicare covers it once every 12 months.2								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									When you book the appointment\, ask whether the provider accepts assignment. As we learned above\, that matters because if the provider accepts assignment\, the visit costs nothing.2 Also ask whether anything discussed beyond the preventive visit could create extra billing\, since additional tests or services outside the covered preventive benefit may lead to coinsurance or other charges.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Before the appointment\, gather a few basics:				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									a list of medications\, including over-the-counter drugsany family history of dementia or major memory problemsnotes about changes in memory\, decision-making\, finances\, driving\, medications\, or daily routinesa trusted loved one who can describe what they have noticed\, if appropriate								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That preparation can make the visit more useful and make it easier for the clinician to see the full picture. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Self-Advocacy Language For Readers				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing what to say. If you or a loved one has an appointment soon\, try using these words: “I’d like to use the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit to talk about memory and thinking changes.” You can also say\, “I know a cognitive assessment can be part of this visit. Can we include that today?” If you are a family member or caregiver\, you can say\, “We’ve noticed changes in memory\, judgment\, or managing everyday tasks\, and we want to talk about whether more evaluation is needed.” And if cost is a concern\, it is okay to ask directly\, “Will this be covered as part of the Medicare Wellness Visit\, and are there any extra charges I should know about before we start?” Medicare itself advises people to ask what Medicare will actually cover when additional services are recommended. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					A Call To Action For The NOWINCLUDED Community				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory concerns deserve attention\, not silence. If you or someone you love has Medicare\, the yearly Wellness Visit may offer a free opening to talk about cognitive changes and ask for a cognitive assessment. That one step can help move a family from uncertainty to clearer answers\, better planning\, and stronger support. Inside the NOWINCLUDED app\, you can find trusted\, culturally aware health education to help you prepare for visits\, ask better questions\, and understand how benefits like Medicare fit into the bigger picture of access and equity. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					References				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Alzheimer’s Association. (2025). Cognitive Screening and Assessment. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-medical-professionals/cognitive-assessmentMedicare.gov. (2026). Cognitive assessment & care plan services. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cognitive-assessment-care-plan-servicesMedicare.gov. (2025). Yearly “Wellness” visits. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-wellness-visitsSanthosh\, C. (2024\, June 13). About 4% of US adults age 65 and older have a dementia diagnosis\, survey finds. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/about-4-us-adults-age-65-older-have-dementia-diagnosis-survey-finds-2024-06-13/NIH. (2023\, December 8). Cognitive Assessment Considerations: Understanding the Evidence. Retrieved from NIH – National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-assessment-considerations-understanding-evidenceAlzheimer’s Association. (2025). Health Equity. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/public-health-topics/health-equity
URL:https://nowincluded.com/event/gentle-pm-yoga-2/2026-04-21/
LOCATION:Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Fitness,Mental Health,Virtual
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260422
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260423
DTSTAMP:20260414T182645
CREATED:20250715T172859Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250715T172859Z
UID:10000489-1776816000-1776902399@nowincluded.com
SUMMARY:Wellness Wednesdays at Esplanade at Aventura
DESCRIPTION:For many families\, memory concerns do not begin with a specialist. They begin at the kitchen table\, in a missed phone call\, a repeated question\, a bill left unpaid\, or a quiet moment when someone says\, “Something feels different.” But in low-income households\, noticing the problem is only the first hurdle. The next questions come fast: Who do we call? How much will this cost? Will Medicare cover it? What happens if we bring it up and the next step is too expensive to manage? That is what makes access and affordability such an important part of the story. A cognitive assessment can help catch changes in memory and thinking early\, but too many people do not know that Medicare may already cover an entry point into that process through the yearly Wellness Visit. For families living on fixed incomes\, juggling rent\, food\, medications\, transportation\, and caregiving\, a free preventive visit is not a small detail. It can be the difference between raising a concern early and waiting until a health crisis forces the issue. This is especially important in communities that already face barriers to care\, delayed diagnosis\, and lower access to specialty services. When a benefit like the Medicare Wellness Visit includes a chance to talk about memory and thinking at no extra cost\, it becomes more than a line in a policy document—It becomes a real pathway into care. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What A Cognitive Assessment Is\, In Plain Language				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									A cognitive assessment is a check on how the brain is handling everyday thinking skills. It may look at areas such as memory\, attention\, language\, decision-making\, problem-solving\, or changes in behavior. It is not the same thing as a full dementia diagnosis\, and it is not meant to label every small lapse as disease.1 Instead\, it helps a clinician notice whether there are signs that deserve a closer look. During a Medicare-covered cognitive assessment\, a doctor or other health care provider may review medical history and medications\, talk about symptoms\, look at how daily life is going\, identify social supports\, and decide whether more testing or a specialist referral is needed.2 Medicare also notes that a separate cognitive assessment visit can help establish or confirm a diagnosis like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and create a care plan.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What The Medicare Wellness Visit Has To Do With It				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									This is where access becomes especially important. Medicare’s yearly Wellness Visit is a preventive visit for people who have had Part B longer than 12 months.3 It is not a full routine physical. It is a visit designed to review health risks\, medications\, history\, preventive needs\, and planning for future care.3 One of the items that may be included is a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s disease.3 The visit is covered once every 12 months\, and Medicare says you pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment. (When a doctor “accepts assignment” in Medicare\, they have agreed to accept a Medicare-approved amount as full payment for any Medicare-covered service provided to you).3 It is also important to understand the difference between the free Wellness Visit and a more detailed follow-up. Medicare covers a separate cognitive assessment and care-planning visit under Part B when a clinician needs to take a closer look\, but that separate visit can involve cost-sharing. After the Part B deductible\, patients generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for that more detailed service.3 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Why This Assessment Matters				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes can have many causes. Sometimes the issue is dementia. Sometimes it may be medication side effects\, depression\, anxiety\, sleep problems\, delirium\, or another medical condition. That is exactly why it is so important not to ignore symptoms or self-diagnose too quickly.1 Medicare’s benefits guide specifically notes that trouble remembering\, learning new things\, concentrating\, or managing finances can be signs of cognitive impairment\, but that conditions like depression\, anxiety\, and delirium can also cause confusion.2 A cognitive assessment matters because it can help move the conversation from vague worry to clearer next steps. It can help answer questions like: Is this worth watching more closely?Do we need more testing?Is it affecting daily life?Could another health issue be contributing?Does the family need support now\, not later?								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That kind of clarity can be powerful. It does not solve everything in one appointment\, but it can help families act sooner and plan better. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Prognosis Means In This Conversation				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Prognosis means the likely course of a condition over time. In the setting of memory or thinking changes\, prognosis depends on what is actually causing the symptoms. That is why a cognitive assessment is so useful. It does not predict everyone’s future on its own. It helps identify whether there may be a mild issue\, a progressive condition like dementia\, or another problem that needs attention. Some causes of confusion may be treatable or reversible. Others may require long-term care planning and support. The larger point is that earlier detection can give people and families more time. More time to understand the diagnosis. More time to make decisions. More time to talk through safety\, finances\, caregiving\, treatment goals\, and community resources. The Alzheimer’s Association also highlights early detection and diagnosis as a key part of connecting patients to appropriate monitoring\, care planning\, and support.1 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How Common Cognitive Decline And Dementia Are				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes are more common than many families realize\, especially as people get older. CDC reports that 4.0% of adults age 65 and older have received a dementia diagnosis. But that number rises sharply with age\, reaching 13.1% among adults aged 85 and older.4 And dementia is only part of the story. There is also a larger group of older adults living with milder but still meaningful changes in memory and thinking. This is often called mild cognitive impairment\, or MCI. It does not always turn into dementia\, but it can be an important warning sign.4 That means many families are living in a gray area long before a diagnosis ever appears in the medical chart. Someone may still be dressing themselves\, making conversation\, and getting through most of the day\, but they may also be forgetting medications\, repeating questions\, getting confused about bills\, missing appointments\, or struggling with decisions that used to feel simple. These early changes are easy to dismiss\, especially when a family is already juggling work\, caregiving\, transportation\, and the cost of everyday life.4 It is also important to remember that diagnosed dementia numbers do not capture everyone who is struggling. Some people have symptoms but have never been formally evaluated. Others are told they are “just aging\,” or they delay bringing concerns up because of stigma\, fear\, or the cost of follow-up care. That underdiagnosis matters\, because families often end up getting answers only after a fall\, a hospitalization\, a medication mistake\, or another crisis forces the issue.4 This is why early cognitive assessment matters so much. It helps move people out of uncertainty and into a clearer conversation about what is happening\, what needs monitoring\, and what support may be needed next. It also reminds families that memory concerns are not rare\, and they are not something people have to wait on until things get worse.4 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Happens During The Visit				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The actual visit is usually straightforward. Medicare says the yearly Wellness Visit may include: a review of medical and family historya review of current prescriptionsroutine measurements like height\, weight\, and blood pressurea cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s diseasehealth advicea screening schedule for preventive servicesadvance care planningan optional social determinants of health risk assessment								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									If the provider is concerned about cognition\, they may ask more questions\, talk with a family member or caregiver\, review medications more closely\, or schedule a more detailed follow-up assessment.3 Medicare also notes that for a separate detailed cognitive assessment visit\, patients can bring a spouse\, friend\, or caregiver to help listen and answer questions. That can be incredibly helpful when memory concerns are part of the reason for the visit. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How To Access This Benefit For Free				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The process is usually simpler than people expect. First\, make sure the person has had Medicare Part B for more than 12 months. That is the general requirement for the yearly Wellness Visit.2Next\, call the primary care office and ask to schedule the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit\, sometimes just called the Medicare Wellness Visit. Medicare covers it once every 12 months.2								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									When you book the appointment\, ask whether the provider accepts assignment. As we learned above\, that matters because if the provider accepts assignment\, the visit costs nothing.2 Also ask whether anything discussed beyond the preventive visit could create extra billing\, since additional tests or services outside the covered preventive benefit may lead to coinsurance or other charges.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Before the appointment\, gather a few basics:				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									a list of medications\, including over-the-counter drugsany family history of dementia or major memory problemsnotes about changes in memory\, decision-making\, finances\, driving\, medications\, or daily routinesa trusted loved one who can describe what they have noticed\, if appropriate								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That preparation can make the visit more useful and make it easier for the clinician to see the full picture. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Self-Advocacy Language For Readers				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing what to say. If you or a loved one has an appointment soon\, try using these words: “I’d like to use the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit to talk about memory and thinking changes.” You can also say\, “I know a cognitive assessment can be part of this visit. Can we include that today?” If you are a family member or caregiver\, you can say\, “We’ve noticed changes in memory\, judgment\, or managing everyday tasks\, and we want to talk about whether more evaluation is needed.” And if cost is a concern\, it is okay to ask directly\, “Will this be covered as part of the Medicare Wellness Visit\, and are there any extra charges I should know about before we start?” Medicare itself advises people to ask what Medicare will actually cover when additional services are recommended. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					A Call To Action For The NOWINCLUDED Community				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory concerns deserve attention\, not silence. If you or someone you love has Medicare\, the yearly Wellness Visit may offer a free opening to talk about cognitive changes and ask for a cognitive assessment. That one step can help move a family from uncertainty to clearer answers\, better planning\, and stronger support. Inside the NOWINCLUDED app\, you can find trusted\, culturally aware health education to help you prepare for visits\, ask better questions\, and understand how benefits like Medicare fit into the bigger picture of access and equity. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					References				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Alzheimer’s Association. (2025). Cognitive Screening and Assessment. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-medical-professionals/cognitive-assessmentMedicare.gov. (2026). Cognitive assessment & care plan services. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cognitive-assessment-care-plan-servicesMedicare.gov. (2025). Yearly “Wellness” visits. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-wellness-visitsSanthosh\, C. (2024\, June 13). About 4% of US adults age 65 and older have a dementia diagnosis\, survey finds. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/about-4-us-adults-age-65-older-have-dementia-diagnosis-survey-finds-2024-06-13/NIH. (2023\, December 8). Cognitive Assessment Considerations: Understanding the Evidence. Retrieved from NIH – National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-assessment-considerations-understanding-evidenceAlzheimer’s Association. (2025). Health Equity. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/public-health-topics/health-equity
URL:https://nowincluded.com/event/wellness-wednesdays-at-esplanade-at-aventura/2026-04-22/
LOCATION:Esplanade at Aventura\, 19505 Biscayne Blvd\, Miami\, FL\, 33180\, United States
CATEGORIES:Fitness,Health & Wellness,Mental Health
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/avif:https://nowincluded.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Wellness-Wednesdays-at-Esplanade-at-Aventura.avif
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260422T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260422T163000
DTSTAMP:20260414T182645
CREATED:20251027T154357Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251027T154357Z
UID:10002994-1776870000-1776875400@nowincluded.com
SUMMARY:Knitting on the Couch
DESCRIPTION:For many families\, memory concerns do not begin with a specialist. They begin at the kitchen table\, in a missed phone call\, a repeated question\, a bill left unpaid\, or a quiet moment when someone says\, “Something feels different.” But in low-income households\, noticing the problem is only the first hurdle. The next questions come fast: Who do we call? How much will this cost? Will Medicare cover it? What happens if we bring it up and the next step is too expensive to manage? That is what makes access and affordability such an important part of the story. A cognitive assessment can help catch changes in memory and thinking early\, but too many people do not know that Medicare may already cover an entry point into that process through the yearly Wellness Visit. For families living on fixed incomes\, juggling rent\, food\, medications\, transportation\, and caregiving\, a free preventive visit is not a small detail. It can be the difference between raising a concern early and waiting until a health crisis forces the issue. This is especially important in communities that already face barriers to care\, delayed diagnosis\, and lower access to specialty services. When a benefit like the Medicare Wellness Visit includes a chance to talk about memory and thinking at no extra cost\, it becomes more than a line in a policy document—It becomes a real pathway into care. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What A Cognitive Assessment Is\, In Plain Language				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									A cognitive assessment is a check on how the brain is handling everyday thinking skills. It may look at areas such as memory\, attention\, language\, decision-making\, problem-solving\, or changes in behavior. It is not the same thing as a full dementia diagnosis\, and it is not meant to label every small lapse as disease.1 Instead\, it helps a clinician notice whether there are signs that deserve a closer look. During a Medicare-covered cognitive assessment\, a doctor or other health care provider may review medical history and medications\, talk about symptoms\, look at how daily life is going\, identify social supports\, and decide whether more testing or a specialist referral is needed.2 Medicare also notes that a separate cognitive assessment visit can help establish or confirm a diagnosis like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and create a care plan.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What The Medicare Wellness Visit Has To Do With It				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									This is where access becomes especially important. Medicare’s yearly Wellness Visit is a preventive visit for people who have had Part B longer than 12 months.3 It is not a full routine physical. It is a visit designed to review health risks\, medications\, history\, preventive needs\, and planning for future care.3 One of the items that may be included is a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s disease.3 The visit is covered once every 12 months\, and Medicare says you pay nothing if your provider accepts assignment. (When a doctor “accepts assignment” in Medicare\, they have agreed to accept a Medicare-approved amount as full payment for any Medicare-covered service provided to you).3 It is also important to understand the difference between the free Wellness Visit and a more detailed follow-up. Medicare covers a separate cognitive assessment and care-planning visit under Part B when a clinician needs to take a closer look\, but that separate visit can involve cost-sharing. After the Part B deductible\, patients generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for that more detailed service.3 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Why This Assessment Matters				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes can have many causes. Sometimes the issue is dementia. Sometimes it may be medication side effects\, depression\, anxiety\, sleep problems\, delirium\, or another medical condition. That is exactly why it is so important not to ignore symptoms or self-diagnose too quickly.1 Medicare’s benefits guide specifically notes that trouble remembering\, learning new things\, concentrating\, or managing finances can be signs of cognitive impairment\, but that conditions like depression\, anxiety\, and delirium can also cause confusion.2 A cognitive assessment matters because it can help move the conversation from vague worry to clearer next steps. It can help answer questions like: Is this worth watching more closely?Do we need more testing?Is it affecting daily life?Could another health issue be contributing?Does the family need support now\, not later?								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That kind of clarity can be powerful. It does not solve everything in one appointment\, but it can help families act sooner and plan better. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Prognosis Means In This Conversation				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Prognosis means the likely course of a condition over time. In the setting of memory or thinking changes\, prognosis depends on what is actually causing the symptoms. That is why a cognitive assessment is so useful. It does not predict everyone’s future on its own. It helps identify whether there may be a mild issue\, a progressive condition like dementia\, or another problem that needs attention. Some causes of confusion may be treatable or reversible. Others may require long-term care planning and support. The larger point is that earlier detection can give people and families more time. More time to understand the diagnosis. More time to make decisions. More time to talk through safety\, finances\, caregiving\, treatment goals\, and community resources. The Alzheimer’s Association also highlights early detection and diagnosis as a key part of connecting patients to appropriate monitoring\, care planning\, and support.1 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How Common Cognitive Decline And Dementia Are				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory and thinking changes are more common than many families realize\, especially as people get older. CDC reports that 4.0% of adults age 65 and older have received a dementia diagnosis. But that number rises sharply with age\, reaching 13.1% among adults aged 85 and older.4 And dementia is only part of the story. There is also a larger group of older adults living with milder but still meaningful changes in memory and thinking. This is often called mild cognitive impairment\, or MCI. It does not always turn into dementia\, but it can be an important warning sign.4 That means many families are living in a gray area long before a diagnosis ever appears in the medical chart. Someone may still be dressing themselves\, making conversation\, and getting through most of the day\, but they may also be forgetting medications\, repeating questions\, getting confused about bills\, missing appointments\, or struggling with decisions that used to feel simple. These early changes are easy to dismiss\, especially when a family is already juggling work\, caregiving\, transportation\, and the cost of everyday life.4 It is also important to remember that diagnosed dementia numbers do not capture everyone who is struggling. Some people have symptoms but have never been formally evaluated. Others are told they are “just aging\,” or they delay bringing concerns up because of stigma\, fear\, or the cost of follow-up care. That underdiagnosis matters\, because families often end up getting answers only after a fall\, a hospitalization\, a medication mistake\, or another crisis forces the issue.4 This is why early cognitive assessment matters so much. It helps move people out of uncertainty and into a clearer conversation about what is happening\, what needs monitoring\, and what support may be needed next. It also reminds families that memory concerns are not rare\, and they are not something people have to wait on until things get worse.4 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					What Happens During The Visit				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The actual visit is usually straightforward. Medicare says the yearly Wellness Visit may include: a review of medical and family historya review of current prescriptionsroutine measurements like height\, weight\, and blood pressurea cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia\, including Alzheimer’s diseasehealth advicea screening schedule for preventive servicesadvance care planningan optional social determinants of health risk assessment								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									If the provider is concerned about cognition\, they may ask more questions\, talk with a family member or caregiver\, review medications more closely\, or schedule a more detailed follow-up assessment.3 Medicare also notes that for a separate detailed cognitive assessment visit\, patients can bring a spouse\, friend\, or caregiver to help listen and answer questions. That can be incredibly helpful when memory concerns are part of the reason for the visit. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					How To Access This Benefit For Free				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									The process is usually simpler than people expect. First\, make sure the person has had Medicare Part B for more than 12 months. That is the general requirement for the yearly Wellness Visit.2Next\, call the primary care office and ask to schedule the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit\, sometimes just called the Medicare Wellness Visit. Medicare covers it once every 12 months.2								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									When you book the appointment\, ask whether the provider accepts assignment. As we learned above\, that matters because if the provider accepts assignment\, the visit costs nothing.2 Also ask whether anything discussed beyond the preventive visit could create extra billing\, since additional tests or services outside the covered preventive benefit may lead to coinsurance or other charges.2 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Before the appointment\, gather a few basics:				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									a list of medications\, including over-the-counter drugsany family history of dementia or major memory problemsnotes about changes in memory\, decision-making\, finances\, driving\, medications\, or daily routinesa trusted loved one who can describe what they have noticed\, if appropriate								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									That preparation can make the visit more useful and make it easier for the clinician to see the full picture. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					Self-Advocacy Language For Readers				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing what to say. If you or a loved one has an appointment soon\, try using these words: “I’d like to use the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit to talk about memory and thinking changes.” You can also say\, “I know a cognitive assessment can be part of this visit. Can we include that today?” If you are a family member or caregiver\, you can say\, “We’ve noticed changes in memory\, judgment\, or managing everyday tasks\, and we want to talk about whether more evaluation is needed.” And if cost is a concern\, it is okay to ask directly\, “Will this be covered as part of the Medicare Wellness Visit\, and are there any extra charges I should know about before we start?” Medicare itself advises people to ask what Medicare will actually cover when additional services are recommended. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					A Call To Action For The NOWINCLUDED Community				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Memory concerns deserve attention\, not silence. If you or someone you love has Medicare\, the yearly Wellness Visit may offer a free opening to talk about cognitive changes and ask for a cognitive assessment. That one step can help move a family from uncertainty to clearer answers\, better planning\, and stronger support. Inside the NOWINCLUDED app\, you can find trusted\, culturally aware health education to help you prepare for visits\, ask better questions\, and understand how benefits like Medicare fit into the bigger picture of access and equity. 								\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n					References				\n				\n					\n				\n		\n					\n				\n				\n									Alzheimer’s Association. (2025). Cognitive Screening and Assessment. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-medical-professionals/cognitive-assessmentMedicare.gov. (2026). Cognitive assessment & care plan services. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/cognitive-assessment-care-plan-servicesMedicare.gov. (2025). Yearly “Wellness” visits. Retrieved from Medicare.gov: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-wellness-visitsSanthosh\, C. (2024\, June 13). About 4% of US adults age 65 and older have a dementia diagnosis\, survey finds. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/about-4-us-adults-age-65-older-have-dementia-diagnosis-survey-finds-2024-06-13/NIH. (2023\, December 8). Cognitive Assessment Considerations: Understanding the Evidence. Retrieved from NIH – National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-assessment-considerations-understanding-evidenceAlzheimer’s Association. (2025). Health Equity. Retrieved from Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/public-health-topics/health-equity
URL:https://nowincluded.com/event/knitting-on-the-couch/2026-04-22/
LOCATION:Virtual Event
CATEGORIES:Mental Health,Virtual
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