Area volunteers participated in training and learned more details about Medicare at a class sponsored by the Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging. (L-R, seated) Lee Swenson, Therese Campbell, Deade Johnson. (L-R, standing) Callie Taylor, Steve Deschene, Betsey Norgard, Mark Grueser, Dennis Leppanen, JoAnn Chesser, Tom Hill.
Steve Deschene of Grand Marais participated in a recent volunteer training in Duluth with the Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging to learn details about Medicare.
With the proficiency gained, these volunteers will go back into their home areas to serve Medicare recipients and caregivers. The three-hour training was sponsored by Arrowhead Regional Development Commission’s (ARDC’s) Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging and is part of the ongoing commitment to provide volunteers with Medicare knowledge and understanding.
At this training volunteers learned how to better use online tools to help people apply for “Extra Help” with their Medical Part D prescriptions drug costs; other topics included the use of the “Plan Finder” tool at www.medicare.gov and how to better assist clients complete forms for various programs they may qualify for.
“These well-trained volunteers play an important role in their community as they help people better understand the many facets of Medicare,” said Lee Swenson, volunteer coordinator with the agency.
If you have questions on Medicare or want to learn more about Medicare insurance options, supplemental insurance, finding out if you may qualify for assistance paying for prescription drugs, or learning about services for seniors and caregivers in your community, call the Senior LinkAge Line ® at 1-800-333-2433. If you are interested in volunteer opportunities with the Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging please call the same number.
The Arrowhead Regional Development Commission is a regional comprehensive planning and development agency serving the counties of Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake and St. Louis in Northeast Minnesota. ARDC’s mission is to serve the people of the Arrowhead Region by providing local units of government and citizen groups a means to work cooperatively in identifying needs, solving problems and fostering local leadership.
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