December 2025 Newsletter

Welcome to a month filled with excitement and wonder, marked by religious and cultural holidays, the winter solstice, and New Year's Eve! The beginning of this month is also your final opportunity to make the most of your Medicare coverage for the year ahead. Keep reading to learn more about how to commemorate the “Month of Giving”, the many benefits of chair yoga, an easy side dish recipe that'll be a fresh addition to your holiday table, interesting historical facts about December, and so much more!

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Celebrate December, The Month Of Giving

In the spirit of the holiday season, December is widely recognized as the Month of Giving. It's a time to reflect on generosity in all its forms. There are many meaningful ways to celebrate, whether by joining a volunteer initiative, contributing to a charity, or passing along thoughtful gifts to loved ones. Even donating gently used and good condition items can make a real difference to individuals and families in need. However you choose to participate, embracing the Month of Giving is a wonderful way to spread warmth, kindness and community during the festive holiday season.

SOURCE: National Today

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Chair Yoga: An Accessible Way To Stay Active And Elevate Your Wellbeing.

If you're seeking a gentle-yet-effective way to engage in physical activity, chair yoga has quickly become a popular choice among older adults. This accessible form of yoga, in which you use a sturdy chair as support, allows participants to perform poses without the worry of balance issues or joint strain. In fact, according to the National Institutes of Health, those who practice regularly experience improved flexibility, reduced stress, and enhanced focus. Chair yoga also enhances mental clarity by allowing participants to sharpen their attention and feel more engaged in the present moment. Experts affirm that chair yoga is safe for most adults of any age, even if you have chronic conditions. Compared to other types of yoga, chair yoga uses modified poses that keep participants grounded in a seated or standing position, eliminating the need to move to the floor. The intensity is lower, focusing on gentle stretches rather than vigorous or weight-bearing postures. You can find chair yoga classes at community centers, fitness facilities, and yoga studios. There are also many online options. If you have specific concerns about trying a new exercise, be sure to consult with your doctor.

SOURCES: National Institutes of Health and Koelsch Communities

Protect Yourself From High Out-Of-Pocket Costs With Short-Term Care Coverage.

Short-Term Care Coverage (STC) provides coverage for services that people often need when they can't manage daily tasks on their own. This can include care in nursing homes or assisted living facilities, help from in-home aides, and even certain prescription medications. While many people assume Medicare will handle these expenses, its coverage is limited and comes with specific eligibility requirements. STC can help bridge those gaps and often greatly reduce your out-of-pocket costs.

Let's talk to find out if STC is right for you. Please reach out anytime to discuss this or any of your insurance needs.

SOURCE: SmartAsset

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Good Taste, Good Health

A CREAMY-YET-CRISPY SIDE DISH FOR YOUR HOLIDAY TABLE:

MEDITERRANEAN WHITE BEAN SALAD.

This hearty bean salad recipe makes for a delicious, gluten-free side dish that's simple to put together. It can be made in ten minutes! The flavor is bright and herb-filled. It's a make-ahead side — which will be a big time saver on a busy night — that keeps perfectly in the fridge.

INGREDIENTS:

1 can of white cannellini beans or 1 cup of dried cannellini beans
½ a red pepper, diced finely
½ a red onion, sliced thinly
3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
1 lemon, juiced
1 garlic clove, minced
salt and pepper
1 teaspoon of honey (optional)
¼ cup of parsley, chopped
½ cup of feta cheese, crumbled

DIRECTIONS:

If using canned beans, drain and rinse the beans. If using dried beans, soak them overnight and cook them, according to package instructions.
To make the dressing, put the squeezed juice from one lemon into a bowl. Add the extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of pepper. You can also add one teaspoon of honey. Whisk all the ingredients together until fully combined. Taste it and adjust the seasoning, if desired.
In a large salad bowl, add the beans, bell pepper, onions, and parsley; stir. Add the feta cheese and stir gently; toss to combine.
Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. Makes four servings.

SOURCE: At the Immigrant's Table

Be In The Know With These December Facts.

December 4, 1791 – The Observer, now the oldest Sunday newspaper in the world, was first published in Britain.

December 5, 1933 – The 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was repealed. For nearly 14 years, it had outlawed the manufacture, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages throughout America.

December 8, 1980 – John Lennon, former member of the musical sensation The Beatles, was killed in New York City.

December 11, 1901 – The first transatlantic radio signal was transmitted by Guglielmo Marconi from Cornwall, England, to St. John's, Newfoundland.

December 16, 1944 – American big-band leader Glenn Miller, best remembered for Moonlight Serenade and In the Mood, vanished in a small plane over the English Channel.

SOURCE: The History Place

DECEMBER CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS: Bette Midler (December 1), Dick Van Dyke (December 13), Brad Pitt (December 18), Jane Fonda (December 21), Denzel Washington (December 28)

SOURCE: Holiday Insights

Check Out This Month's Senior Financial Glossary.

A BANK IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (BIN) is the first four to six numbers that appear on payment cards. BINs are found on credit cards, charge cards, prepaid cards, debit cards, and gift cards. These numbers allow transactions to be processed faster and help financial institutions identify fraudulent or stolen cards.

EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS) indicates how much money a company makes for each share of its stock. It is a widely-used metric for estimating corporate value. Generally speaking, the higher a company's EPS, the more profitable it is considered to be.

NETWORKING is the process of exchanging information and ideas among professionals to expand their connections, discover job opportunities, and stay informed about industry developments. It can be done in person or online. Effective networking isn't just about personal gain; it involves mutual relationships that can benefit all parties.