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• APPRISE
• Caregivers and Choices
• Choices Part One
• Choices Part Two


Episode: Caregivers and Choices

Serving as a caregiver can become overwhelming, both physically and emotionally. Blair Senior Services, Inc.’s Caregiver Support Program and Choices Program are working together to provide caregivers educational information on caregiving techniques, along with resources and support services available in their communities to help them through such times.
Listen to Lisa Moyer, Long Term Living Care Supervisor, and Sherry Pfister, CHOICES Care Manager, both of Blair Senior Services, Inc. share how the programs can help to reduce the caregiver’s stress and reinforce the care being provided. They will also provide information on the reimbursement component and qualifications of the program to help cover care provided by the caregiver such as hygiene needs, nutritional supplements, equipment, and personal care.

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Episode: APPRISE

Let’s face it: Medicare can be confusing. Enrollees encounter a lot of tough decisions when it comes to choosing the right coverage plan and sorting through all of the different benefit options. The process sometimes feels plastered with red tape and laden with unfamiliar jargon. And who can keep track of all the different policies and benefits for Medicare Parts A, B, and D, let alone all the private supplemental options that are out there?
Listen to John Vellone, APPRISE Volunteer, Melissa Hey, APPRISE Coordinator, and Jessica Lippert, APPRISE Regional Coordinator discuss Blair Senior Services, Inc.’s APPRISE counseling, a free service to help you understand your insurance benefits. The Pennsylvania Department of Aging created APPRISE to help Pennsylvania’s Medicare beneficiaries understand their health insurance options and make well-informed choices about their health and wellbeing.

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Episode: Choices Part One

CHOICES Program is an affordable option to help older adults live comfortably at home, while still receiving assistance if needed. In this Part One of Two podcasts, Sherry Pfister and Jessica Lego, CHOICES Care Managers at Blair Senior Services, Inc., share information on this first program of its kind offered by an Area Agency on Aging in Pennsylvania. Listen to learn more about this unique CHOICES Program.

Click the play button above to listen. | Click here to download.
*If you would like to increase the volume, please use your device’s volume control.


Episode: Choices Part Two

In Part Two of CHOICES Program podcasts, Sherry Pfister and Jessica Lego, CHOICES Care Managers at Blair Senior Services, Inc., share the how all of the CHOICES Program services are arranged by the CHOICES Care Manager, which eliminates the worry about scheduling, cancellations, or coordination of services. Care Managers are trained to assess and recommend any service that may benefit an individual, not simply those services available through the CHOICES Program. The consumer chooses only the services that are specific to their lifestyle and their needs including care management, in-home services, pet care, housekeeping, personal financial services, medication management, companionship, and shopping errands.
Listen to learn more about this unique program.

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*If you would like to increase the volume, please use your device’s volume control.

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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