SPRINGFIELD – As Medicare open enrollment approaches at the end of this year, local older adults and their families are beginning to seek guidance.
Willamalane sponsors the Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) program for Lane County, which offers free, unbiased help with Medicare at the Adult Activity Center, 215 W. C St.. The program aims to help prevent fraud, abuse, and scams, and assists with Medicare appeals and other Medicare-related issues. Folks can get help comparing plans, understanding the basics, and navigating the Medicare.gov website.
“In the last year, the program served more than 900 people in Lane County,” said Whitney Hoshaw, Willamalane’s marketing and communications manager. Willamalane sponsors the SHIBA program for Lane County, a statewide network of trained volunteers who educate and advocate for people who have Medicare.
“This fall, we have free community lectures and free online tools and are hoping to help even more,” she said.
The next drop-in event is Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. The event is full, but you can request to be added to the waiting list.
Three spots are remaining for the Nov. 18 session.
Visit willamalane.org/activities/lectures and willamalane.org/shiba to view upcoming lectures and drop-in events.
There is also another lecture series taking place at Willamalane: The Five Elements of Health, where folks can delve into a series of free health and wellness lectures at Willamalane Adult Activity Center, led by Certified Health and Wellness Coach Ute Hostick, to explore impact of nutrition, digestion, and metabolism on energy levels, discover the importance of strength training for a healthy body foundation, and learn insights about stress and its positive effects. Registration is requested for each lecture.
