Health-care advice for seniors now a phone call away

For older adults in Westchester County in search of answers to their health care questions, a new option is available.

Westchester Library System”™s (WLS) Senior Benefits Information Centers have now added the SBIC Helpline to make accessing health care information more convenient. The helpline number is (914) 231-3260.

Those needing information about Medicare and other benefits can still walk into the benefit centers found in a number of area libraries but can now opt to have a telephone consultation with trained experts as well.

Elena Falcone, director of the WLS Office of Community Connections, said the expansion is timely.

“The demand has built as we”™ve been open, and it”™s only getting more so because of the confusion in the marketplace because of the health care exchanges,” she said.

The benefit centers, which started in 2006, have been addressing the growing demand, especially as older workers face numerous decisions as they approach retirement age or in many cases, adjust to life after being laid off. The walk-in service has expanded from two sites at its start to eight sites.

The centers were designed to not only help improve health care coverage but provide details about other benefits and services available to those age 60 or older. Its services are available for seniors, caregivers for seniors or those interested in pre-retirement planning for health coverage.

Trained volunteers, Falcone said, combine the latest information with compassion and personal experience.

Often the hardest part is getting started, with some seniors reluctant to seek help.“Some of it may be ”˜I”™m lonely,”™” Falcone said. “Some of it may be ”˜I”™m scared to ask for help.”™”

Volunteers realize the challenges, she added, and often spend nearly an hour with each client. “It”™s an amazingly personal conversation.”

The volunteers, who number about 45, are key to the program”™s success, she added. “They are passionate about people getting the services to which they are entitled,” she said.

Often there are followups, with all those served encouraged to assess their needs on an annual basis.

For more details, call Elena Falcone at (914) 231-3240 or email her at Elena@wlsmail.org.

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SENIOR COUNSELING SITES

In-person counseling services are available on weekdays at the following libraries:

”“       John C. Hart Memorial Library in Shrub Oak, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays.

”“       Mount Kisco Public Library, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays.

”“       Grinton I. Will Library in Yonkers, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays.

”“        The Warner Library in Tarrytown, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays.

”“       New Rochelle Public Library, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays.

”“       The Field Library in Peekskill, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays.

”“       Greenburgh Public Library, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays.

”“       Port Chester-Rye Brook Public Library, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays.

Those who are unable to visit in person may leave a message at the Senior Benefits Information Center (SBIC) helpline, (914) 231-3260. Leaving a name, phone number and interest (Medicare services or other benefits) will ensure a callback from a counselor within two business days.

Calls can also be arranged by filling out a request form online at westchesterlibraries.org/seniorbenefitsinformationcenters/askACounselor.

Thanks to a partnership with Westchester Independent Living Centers, a Spanish-language translator is available by appointment.

SBICs are possible through a partnership with the WLS and the Medicare Rights Center, a national nonprofit consumer service organization that works to ensure access to affordable health care for older adults and people with disabilities through counseling and advocacy, educational programs and public policy initiatives.