Provides a link to experts on Medicare, prescription drug expense assistance, forms assistance, community-based resources, and caregiver planning and support. Service of the Minnesota Board on Aging in partnership with Minnesota's local area agencies on aging. It is the state's federally designated State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP). Information, education, counseling, and one-to-one assistance for Medicare beneficiaries. These services are provided free at the Senior Center or in the home if mobility is a problem: - Advice on Medicare and comparable medical insurance policies - Help research Medicare Part D options- Sort out and help process Medicare bills.

Connects and provides older adults and their caregivers with services in their community to allow them to live long, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes. Services include: - Food Assistance: Congregate dining locations offering low-cost meals, low-cost frozen meals, home-delivered meals, NAPS, and SNAP - Healthy Living: Blood pressure checks, fall prevention screenings, telehealth conferences, Tai Chi and yoga sessions, and stretching/balance education - Information Services: Offers memory loss education and Dementia Friends, Medicare counseling and assistance, fraud/scam identification and prevention, assistance with internet search, assistance with Healthcare Directives and Power of Attorney forms, and classes to older adults - Mobile Community Center: Brings services and socialization to the door or community. The vehicle is equipped with high-speed internet, flat-screen TV, applications for programs, and meeting space for coffee and conversation. - Social: Offers card parties, coffee and conversation time, caregiver respite, karaoke parties, video calls and chats with friends, and social media assistance

- Community Supports: Connects individuals with community supports such as home health care, meal preparation/delivery, transportation, hiring someone to assist with bathing or dressing, and to find assistance with house or yard work - Health Insurance Counseling: Provides answers to individuals regarding Medicare and other health care questions, including next step information with Social Security and Medicare if individuals are moving from their home - Housing Resources: Assists individuals in understanding housing options such as assisted living requirements, housing with services, and comparing housing services and costs - MnCHOICES Assessments: Connects individuals with the free, in-person MnCHOICES assessment available in their county. MnCHOICES can help individuals see if they qualify for programs that will help pay for services in the community. - Preadmission Screening: Manage (PAS) Preadmission screening for anyone planning to be admitted into nursing home for the state of Minnesota - Prescription drug assistance: Provides assistance to find ways to reduce prescription drug costs and helps find manufacturers' patient assistance programs and helps to complete applications.

Assistance to households in need of help navigating the resources available in the community to provide short-term economic supports. Including: - Medicare (Medicare counselors) - MNSure (MNSure navigators) - SNAP - Social Security and Disability Benefits

Handles questions regarding Medicare eligibility and benefits for qualified railroad retirement beneficiaries

Provides a wide variety of recreational, educational, social, and cultural activities, including: - Advanced Care Planning - Cards, bingo - Computer classes - Exercise, ceramics, and painting classes - Foot care clinic - Health information lectures - Medicare health insurance counseling - Outings and extended travel - Weight loss support groups - Women's support groups - Woodworking instruction

Staff are available to answer questions about clients' existing BlueCross plan or help clients choose a new one, assistance includes: Discuss options to fit unique health and lifestyle needs Learn about Original Medicare, including what it does and doesn't cover and how to sign up Review existing coverage and get advice to ensure plans continue to meet needs

Connects and provides older adults and their caregivers with services in their community to allow them to live long, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes. Services include: - Food Assistance: Congregate dining locations offering low-cost meals, low-cost frozen meals, home-delivered meals, NAPS, and SNAP - Healthy Living: Blood pressure checks, fall prevention screenings, telehealth conferences, Tai Chi and yoga sessions, and stretching/balance education - Information Services: Offers memory loss education and Dementia Friends, Medicare counseling and assistance, fraud/scam identification and prevention, assistance with internet search, assistance with Healthcare Directives and Power of Attorney forms, and classes to older adults - Mobile Community Center: Brings services and socialization to the door or community. The vehicle is equipped with high-speed internet, flat-screen TV, applications for programs, and meeting space for coffee and conversation. - Social: Offers card parties, coffee and conversation time, caregiver respite, karaoke parties, video calls and chats with friends, and social media assistance

- Card games - Foot clinic - Guest speakers once per month - Medicare/supplementary insurance advocate - Meeting space available for rent - Senior dining; spouses may participate regardless of age - Bring a Friend Day potluck every month

Older adult activity center which provides: - Arts and craft activities - Billiards - Bingo - Book club - Club Prior Pantry - Exercise and Tai Chi classes - Field trips - Foot care - Health insurance counseling for Medicare and Medical Assistance, choosing a supplement or Part D Plan, assisting with health insurance forms and more - Knitting - Polka dancing lessons - Salsa dancing lessons - Walking Club

Social Services: - Community resource referrals for housing, shelter, food shelf, chemical dependency treatment, and emergency and crisis support - Medical insurance application and eligibility assistance - Medical transportation - Medicare questions - Tribal benefit information Community Health Programs: - Breastfeeding Support and Education - Cancer screening education and navigation - Diabetes education, including class and support groups - Enrollment and navigation of Minnesota Department of Health Sage Cancer Screening Program - HIV/Hep C testing and Harm Reduction education and resource navigation - Nutrition counseling - Smoking cessation and navigation

Connects and provides older adults and their caregivers with services in their community to allow them to live long, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes. Services include: - Food Assistance: Congregate dining locations offering low-cost meals, low-cost frozen meals, home-delivered meals, NAPS, and SNAP - Healthy Living: Blood pressure checks, fall prevention screenings, telehealth conferences, Tai Chi and yoga sessions, and stretching/balance education - Information Services: Offers memory loss education and Dementia Friends, Medicare counseling and assistance, fraud/scam identification and prevention, assistance with internet search, assistance with Healthcare Directives and Power of Attorney forms, and classes to older adults - Mobile Community Center: Brings services and socialization to the door or community. The vehicle is equipped with high-speed internet, flat-screen TV, applications for programs, and meeting space for coffee and conversation. - Social: Offers card parties, coffee and conversation time, caregiver respite, karaoke parties, video calls and chats with friends, and social media assistance

Information and referral services: - Will assess needs of the client, educate about available services, and assist the client in getting access to services. Includes information, application assistance, and advocacy. - Sites offering this program include: Blackduck and 2 sites in Bemidji

Provides application assistance for any adult enrolling in any public assistance program in Minnesota. Assists individuals with identifying and applying for support with food, utilities, healthcare, and more. Additional services include: - Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (EAP) - Rent assistance - Prescription savings programs - Medicaid/Medical assistance - Medicare Part D Extra Help/Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) - Medicare Savings Program - Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Stamps - MNSure

Provides application assistance for any adult enrolling in any public assistance program in Minnesota. Assists individuals with identifying and applying for support with food, utilities, healthcare, and more. Additional services include: - Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (EAP) - Rent assistance - Prescription savings programs - Medicaid/Medical assistance - Medicare Part D Extra Help/Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) - Medicare Savings Program - Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Stamps - MNSure

Provides information on available resources and how to access the following: - Advocacy - Area senior resource fair - Assistance accessing resources and programs - Assistance with making choices about housing - Medicare program education - Senior housing tours - Support groups

- Disability benefits - Fraud Prevention and Reporting - Medicare - PASS - Plan to Achieve Self Support - Retirement benefits - Social Security Card Center - Supplemental Security Income - Survivor benefits - Ticket to Work

Connects and provides older adults and their caregivers with services in their community to allow them to live long, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes. Services include: - Food Assistance: Congregate dining locations offering low-cost meals, low-cost frozen meals, home-delivered meals, NAPS, and SNAP - Healthy Living: Blood pressure checks, fall prevention screenings, telehealth conferences, Tai Chi and yoga sessions, and stretching/balance education - Information Services: Offers memory loss education and Dementia Friends, Medicare counseling and assistance, fraud/scam identification and prevention, assistance with internet search, assistance with Healthcare Directives and Power of Attorney forms, and classes to older adults - Mobile Community Center: Brings services and socialization to the door or community. The vehicle is equipped with high-speed internet, flat-screen TV, applications for programs, and meeting space for coffee and conversation. - Social: Offers card parties, coffee and conversation time, caregiver respite, karaoke parties, video calls and chats with friends, and social media assistance

- Provides information, benefits counseling, and assistance with Medicare questions or concerns - Takes reports on suspicious and fraudulent activities relating to Medicare programs - Website provides information about finding providers, medical equipment, suppliers, and compare procedure costs NOTE: This is the federal agency that oversees the Medicare Program

Senior Advocates can provide assistance with advanced health care directives, health insurance claims, landlord/tenant issues, Medicare appeals, and Medicare fraud. In addition, PEARLS counslient offers emotional support for depression. These are dementia-friendly programs and support services.

Offer congregate meals through Lutheran Social Services (LSS). Volunteer opportunities for seniors and communities to share their talents, skills, and gifts. Offers services such as health and safety checks, nutrition information, and foot care. Also offers weekly activities such as cards, puzzles, and bingo.

Provides information on available resources and how to access the following: - Advocacy - Area senior resource fair - Assistance accessing resources and programs - Assistance with making choices about housing - Medicare program education - Senior housing tours - Support groups

- Chair Tai Chi - Daily card games - Eight hour defensive driving classes held monthly - Enrichment programs and educational classes, weekly painting classes, craft activities, community service groups, travel talks, woodcarvers group, men and women monthly breakfast, and educational coffee talks - Foot care clinic four days a month - Four hour driving refresher courses available three times a month - Health Programs: Blood pressure monitoring; vision and hearing testing; pharmacy clinics - Hearing aid cleaning by appointment basis each month - Medicare information/health insurance counseling - Senior fitness classes - Social and recreational activities - Strength and balance classes three times a week with two sessions - Sunrise Stretch exercise classes three times a week - Trips and tours including facility tours, garden tours, memorial tours, bus tours, day cruises, festivals, theater, casino, and extended - overnight trips

Statewide charity care program for Medicare beneficiaries. Participating providers agree to accept Medicare as payment for enrollees and waive out-of-pocket charges. The program is designed to bridge the financial gap between what Medicare pays to healthcare providers and what enrollees are responsible for paying out-of-pocket. ?A card is issued to those who qualify. Note: Medicare Partners (MP) is not insurance and does not pay any bills.

Provides assistance with Medicare Health Plans.