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.

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.

- 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

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

- Certified health insurance counselors assist and provide one-on-one assistance with Medicare, Medical Assistance, Medicare supplemental insurance including health maintenance organizations (HMOs), long-term care insurance, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Savings Programs, other health insurance options, special enrollment and entitlement situations, applications and appeal assistance with Medicaid programs, military health benefits, Federal Employee Health Plan, Railroad Employee Health Plan, COBRA, ERISA - Comprehensive information on community programs, services, and housing referrals for seniors and caregivers - Help to organize medical bills, assist with filing and appealing claims and sending claims in for review, reconsideration, or appeals, where appropriate, and assist with applications - Outreach and educational opportunities for older adults, caregivers, and professionals - Provide assistance in locating information on and completing applications for prescription drug coverage options/prescription discount programs - Provide Senior Surf Days for free basic computer and internet training to seniors and caregivers - Staff and volunteers offer to research referrals and follow-up to assure connection was made with appropriate referral sources

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

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

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.

A free statewide service of the Minnesota Board on Aging in partnership with Minnesota's area agencies on aging. When an individual needs personalized, ongoing guidance, has complex health, or caregiving needs, Minnesota Aging Pathways can help older adult Minnesotans and caregivers find answers and connect to the service they need. Services include: - Community Supports: Connects older adults with services, such as home health care, meal preparation/delivery, transportation, chore services, and more. Helps older adults with complex needs who may have multiple health conditions, memory concerns, recent hospital discharge, or individuals with caregiving stress. - Health Insurance Counseling: Helps older adults with Medicare, plan changes, coverage questions, appeals, cost help, and other health care questions, including next step information with Social Security. - Housing Resources: Helps older adults understand their housing options facing major life transitions such as locating assisted living facilities, nursing care, or housing instability - Preadmission Screening (PAS): Manages preadmission screening for anyone planning to be admitted into nursing home in Minnesota - Prescription Drug Assistance: Helps older adults find ways to reduce prescription drug costs and find manufacturers' patient assistance programs - Website of Resources: Offers a website to locate resources throughout the state for help with the home, medical costs, tax preparation, legal/advocacy, housing, transportation, food programs, benefits, health care, mental health, and more. Website is still currently in the development stage. Visit website at https://mn.gov/adresources/. NOTE: Older adults who have a case manager or care coordinator or may have questions about county program and eligibility should be referred elsewhere. The individual should be referred to their case manager, care coordinator, or county agency.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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.

- 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

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

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