(last year's volunteer training)
Ben Winker is the HICAP manager for the Area 1 Agency on Aging in Eureka. The local agency provides many services for seniors in the area.
HICAP (the Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program) provides free and objective information and counseling about Medicare. Volunteer counselors can help you understand your specific rights and health care options.
Counseling is provided to: persons 65 years of age or older and are eligible for Medicare, persons younger than age 65 years of age with a disability and are eligible for Medicare and persons soon to be eligible for Medicare. Education events are available for individuals of any age.
"Medicare is a complex program with lots of different questions and lots of individually tailored answers.," said Winker. "Many people have similar challenges but different outcomes. Coordinating benefits from multiple sources, like retirement group health plans and employment group health plans as well as MediCal can be complicated to understand and know the next steps. Our counselors are trained to see around the challenges and offer solutions or advocate actions that may help and to refer to resources that may offer other help."
"A1AA is the only local agency with CA registered Counselors, others may help but staying aware of changes and the implications for our older populations is what makes us stand out. Social Services refers people to us daily as well as the Medical, IHHS and many local case workers and in home help programs."
Currently Area 1 Agency on Aging has four paid staff counselors, Winker and 7 volunteers.
On March 12, there is an open house from 4 to 5:30 p.m. for volunteer opportunities, volunteer Driving, stay put services and the Area 1 Agency on Aging Give and Get Volunteer Fair. This will be at 434 7 th Street in Eureka.
Visit the Area 1 Agency on Aging at A1AA website<http://www.a1aa.org/> or Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/A1AA.org>.
This is fantastic John! Thanks for reaching out and helping our community stay strong and aware of options and help!
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