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Volunteer Opportunities

Through our VOICE Program (Volunteer Opportunities Involving Community Empowerment), individuals may volunteer their time and effort to support a number of vital programs and services that Blair Senior Services, Inc. provides directly. Trained volunteers may participate in the following programs:

PA MEDI Medicare Health Insurance Counseling Program

PA MEDI is a free health insurance counseling program designed to help older Pennsylvanians with Medicare. Through our PA MEDI counseling, Blair Senior Services, Inc. helps local seniors understand their health insurance options and make sound decisions about their coverage.

We are actively recruiting dedicated and resourceful volunteers to educate, counsel and assist local Medicare beneficiaries. As an PA MEDI volunteer, you will help members of your community understand their Medicare benefits and options, compare Medicare prescription drug plans, and complete applications for government programs that help pay Medicare expenses. Your work will have a real impact, as you help protect the health and finances of your peers. You may set your own schedule, and we will provide you with the training and support you need to be a successful PA MEDI volunteer. If you are looking for a truly rewarding volunteer opportunity, or for more information, please call our PA MEDI Coordinator at 946-1235 ext. 1016.

Seeking Domiciliary Care Providers

Domiciliary Care (Dom Care) homes are private residences that house up to three consumers who are unable to live independently due to a physical, visual or mental disability, or an age-related impairment.

Blair Senior Services, Inc. is actively recruiting individuals to serve as Dom Care providers. Providers open their home to up to three consumers, and they are responsible for providing meals, laundry and personal care to ensure that all of the consumer’s needs are met.

Interested Dom Care provider applicants should have room in their homes and time to provide assistance with daily living activities to individuals who require such assistance. Blair Senior Services, Inc., approves homes after meeting strict fire, safety, and health standards. Providers are paid a monthly stipend for each person residing in their home.

For more information about applying to serve as a Dom Care provider, please contact Stephanie Montford, the Domiciliary Care Program Coordinator, at (814) 946-1235.

Volunteer as an Ombudsman to Advocate for Long Term Care Residents

An Ombudsman volunteer acts as an advocate for individuals in long term care facilities. Ombudsman volunteers are trained to become more than just representatives of individuals in long term care; they are trained to become sources of information, agents of improvement and confidential advocates for consumer rights. To learn more about becoming a volunteer ombudsman, call (814) 296-6336.

Senior Center Volunteers Help Keep Our Programs Running

Blair Senior Services Inc. relies on committed and generous volunteers to help operate our Senior Centers. When volunteers assist with daily operations and programs and welcome new guests, they help foster a comfortable and thriving atmosphere within each Senior Center. If you are looking for an opportunity to meet people, share your skills, and exercise your body, mind and heart, volunteering at a Senior Center is for you. For more information on available volunteer opportunities, please call the Senior Center of your choice.  Please click on the following link to be directed to the Senior Centers page.

Free Training to Become a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Preparer

The VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program offers free tax preparation assistance to consumers who meet the eligibility requirements. Many of these consumers are unable to prepare their own returns or cannot afford the expense of a paid preparer.

All volunteers receive training in basic tax returns that meet both state and federal filing requirements. Trainings are conducted each November, December, and January.

For more information, please call Chelsey Rhodes at 946-1235 ext. 1091.

Opportunities at Blair Senior Services, Inc.

Blair Senior Services, Inc. has many programs and services to assist our older adults and their caregivers. They touch the lives of those one year of age to 100 years of age in very positive and personal ways. They accomplish this by creating dynamic and unique programs which cross over all ages and demographics. Consider becoming a Blair Senior Services, Inc. volunteer today! The rewards will be life changing for you and those you help. To learn more, 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