The Aging Waiver Program is an alternative option for a person to receive services in their home rather than going to a nursing facility. Services are based on the consumer’s needs as well as financial and medical eligibility requirements. “The…
This is a common question in most households across the country. However, for some Blair County senior citizens, purchasing and preparing a nutritious meal is not an option. The Home Delivered Meals Program, operated by Blair Senior Services, Inc., helps to combat food insecurity issues for eligible senior citizens by delivering wholesome meals. Over 145,000 meals are prepared and distributed each year in Blair County.
As we grow older our agility and ability to move changes, and our concern of falling grows stronger. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we have reason to be concerned. Each year, 2.8 million older people are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries with one out of five causing serious injury, such as broken bones or a head injury.
But there is good news. Blair Seniors Services, Inc. is offering two programs at their Senior Centers in hopes of teaching older adults ways to reduce falling. Healthy Steps in Motion (HSIM) is an exercise program designed for people of all fitness levels and strives to reduce the risk of falling by building body strength, increasing flexibility and improving balance.
Blair Senior Services, Inc. serves residents of all ages through diverse programming and in Senior Centers in Blair County and surrounding areas.
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
Department Of Aging: June 23 Medicare Event Welcomes Future Beneficiaries With Information On Eligibility, Coverage Options