Volunteers Needed To Teach Health Advocacy Skills And Medicare Benefits To Westchester Residents, USA

Main Category: Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP
Article Date: 17 Jul 2007 - 1:00 PST

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The Medicare Rights Center is recruiting Westchester volunteers age 50+ for two Westchester programs-Health Advocacy Workshops and Seniors Out Speaking on Medicare (SOS Medicare).

Health Advocacy Workshops

Volunteers will facilitate Health Advocacy Workshops and teach Westchester residents how to advocate for themselves, family members and friends in an increasingly complex health care system. Topics include "How to Talk to Your Doctor," "How to Navigate a Hospital Stay," and "Understanding Your Health Care Coverage." The workshops will be held at senior centers, libraries, and senior residences in lower Westchester. The Health Advocacy Workshop is recruiting for its second program year; over 300 Westchester residents have already attended the workshop.

Seniors Out Speaking on Medicare (SOS Medicare)

Volunteers give presentations on Medicare benefits, rights and options at senior centers, senior residences and libraries on a monthly basis, and also provide free, one-on-one Medicare counseling. Since 2001, SOS Medicare, a prize-winning program, has reached thousands of Westchester residents, and continues to help people understand Medicare, including how Original Medicare compares to Medicare private health plan options, as well as the complex Part D drug benefit and how it will work with New York State's EPIC program.

"As health care becomes more complicated and costly, patient advocacy training plays an important role in getting good care," said Lois Steinberg, Ph.D., Director of the Westchester programs of the Medicare Rights Center, a non-profit, New York City-based, national consumer service organization. "We are empowering Westchester residents to help themselves and others navigate the health care system and get the care they need."

Volunteers for both the Health Advocacy Workshop and SOS Medicare are required to attend four half-day training sessions. The next training sessions will be held the week of September 24 in White Plains. Registration is required.

Volunteers must meet the following requirements:

-- Westchester resident
-- age 50+
-- computer literate
-- good communications skills, including public speaking
-- some knowledge of the health care system is a plus (health care professionals are encouraged to volunteer)
-- excellent interpersonal skills

Volunteers for these Westchester programs will be trained and supported by staff from the Medicare Rights Center.

To apply, learn more about becoming a Health Advocacy Workshop or SOS Medicare volunteer, or to schedule either program for your organization, contact 1-800-480-2060, ext. 6231, or 212-204-6231.

Dr. Steinberg, a resident of Larchmont, was named a Purpose Prize Fellow by Civic Ventures, as part of its major initiative to recognize Americans over 60 who are leading a new age of social innovation and tackling the toughest problems in their own communities.

Both the Health Advocacy Workshops and SOS Medicare are funded by the Helen A. Benedict Foundation; Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services; the Community Fund of Bronxville, Eastchester, Tuckahoe, Inc.; Assemblyman George Latimer; Assemblywoman Amy Paulin; and Senator Suzie Oppenheimer.

Medicare Rights Center (MRC) is the largest independent source of health care information and assistance in the United States for people with Medicare. Founded in 1989, MRC helps older adults and people with disabilities get good, affordable health care. Founded in 1989, MRC helps older adults and people with disabilities get high-quality, affordable health care.

http://www.medicarerights.org