Medicare can be confusing but help is available

If you live in the Lakes Region, you may want to take advantage of special seminars hosted by Southern Maine Agency on Aging. If you cannot travel to Windham, check with SMAA for a seminar near you. The agency serves York and Cumberland counties. Toll free phone is 800-427-7411.

A few years ago, I personally met with a representative from SMAA to get information about what was available for housing and some other issues. This was a great meeting, as everything was explained so clearly and it was surprising to find out about all the benefits available.

At that time, I was amazed at the kindness, knowledge and understanding provided. Whether it’s tax rebates, housing or fuel assistance, they can give you information and help guide you through this “aging” process. Learning about Medicare should be the first step, as there are so many preconceived notions about what it will and will not take care of – and each year is more involved. The experts from SMAA can make it much easier.

On Tuesdays, March 6 and 20, the Southern Maine Agency on Aging will offer a Medicare seminar and counseling at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church at 919 Roosevelt Trail, Windham.

A “Welcome to Medicare” seminar is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon. In addition to the Medicare seminar, there will be one-on-one counseling with volunteer Medicare advocates available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The seminar and counseling are intended to help you sort through your Medicare options, answer questions – and to help you enroll.

Every Tuesday a Benefit Specialist will also be available at the church from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to Medicare assistance, Owen O’Donnell will provide benefit counseling (tax and rent rebate, food stamps, fuel assistance, etc.) for area residents.

Call the Southern Maine Agency on Aging to register for the upcoming seminar or to make a one-on-one appointment with a Medicare Advocate or the Benefit Specialist at 207-396-6500 or 1-800-427-7411. Further opportunities for these services will occur at the same times and location in March and April.

Visit the website at www.smaaa.org to learn more about the many other services that are available, including Meals on Wheels.

Kay Soldier welcomes reader ideas for column topics of interest to seniors. She can be reached by email at [email protected], or write to 114 Tandberg Trail, Windham, ME 04062.