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About Blair Senior Services in Altoona, PA

Your Local Area Agency on Aging

Blair Senior Services, Inc. is part of the nation’s aging network. The Federal Older Americans Act of 1965 established the Federal Administration on Aging and in 1973, amendments to the Act mandated states to establish Area Agencies on Aging based on units known as Planning and Service Areas. Pennsylvania decided to designate counties as these Planning and Service Areas. In 1974, Blair Senior Services, Inc. was founded as the Area Agency on Aging for Blair County.

Serving Older Adults and Eligible Residents of All Ages

In addition to meeting the needs of older adults, Blair Senior Services, Inc. serves eligible residents of all ages through diverse programming and contracts that help provide transportation, housing, assessments, and volunteering. Our professional staff and volunteers are dedicated to the principles and values of dignity, empowerment, advocacy, and respect.

The Agency is governed by a fifteen member Board of Directors. Three Advisory Councils also offer input and guidance to Agency services and programs.

Financial Report and Four Year Plan

About Us

Many people in our area may be familiar with some of the services Blair Senior Services, Inc. provides, such as Meals on Wheels and Transportation. However, there is more to the Agency than you may realize. Blair Senior Services, Inc. is a hidden treasure within the community full of resources to help and support older adults and their caregivers. By calling Blair Senior Services, Inc., you can speak with an Intake Coordinator who will refer you to the appropriate services based on your needs. For more information, call (814) 946-1235.

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05/20/2021

​Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Aging today announced that older adults who will soon be turning 65 and are not yet enrolled in Medicare can attend a free virtual event to learn about their healthcare coverage options when enrolling for Medicare.

 

The "Welcome to Medicare" event on June 23, open from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., will feature national presentations from the State Health Insurance Assistance Programs on Medicare eligibility, enrollment and coverage options. Representatives will be available to answer questions and assist older adults with information to enable them to make choices on Medicare coverage that best meets their needs and lowers their costs.

 

In Pennsylvania, this program is known as APPRISE. Throughout the national presentation, staff from APPRISE will host an exhibit for Pennsylvania and will respond to Medicare questions and provide information about the program. The Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly (CARIE) – Pennsylvania's Senior Medicare Patrol – also will join APPRISE to discuss Medicare fraud prevention.

 

"We encourage anyone who is turning 65 soon to join our Virtual Welcome to Medicare Fair. Pennsylvania's Medicare Counseling Program is here to help older adults learn about signing up and navigating the complexities of Medicare, avoiding late enrollment penalties, and preventing fraud," said Susan Neff, APPRISE director. "We also invite those who attend to visit the Pennsylvania-specific virtual exhibit at any time during the event. The APPRISE and CARIE staff look forward to chatting with seniors about their Medicare enrollment concerns."

 

Older adults can register for this event here

 

The APPRISE Program has nearly 800 trained counselors in the commonwealth who provide free, confidential, objective, and easy-to-understand information about original Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans, prescription drug plans, and Medicare Supplement plans, and allows Medicare beneficiaries to compare plans and determine what best meets their needs and save them money.

To learn more about the APPRISE Program or becoming a volunteer, click here or call the APPRISE Helpline at 1-800-783-7067 .

MEDIA CONTACT: Jack Eilber, agingcomms@pa.gov

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Department Of Aging: June 23 Medicare Event Welcomes Future Beneficiaries With Information On Eligibility, Coverage Options