Press Release             

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Deane Beebe
Communications Director
212-204-6219
E-mail
Medicare Rights Center

July 13, 2006

Volunteers Needed to Teach Health Care Advocacy Skills to Westchester Residents

-- Volunteer Training is Set for September --

New York, NY – S.O.S. Medicare is launching a Westchester health advocates program and seeking volunteers age 50+ interested in teaching Westchester residents how to advocate for themselves, family members and friends in an increasingly complex health care system.

“Trained volunteers will arm other Westchester residents with the knowledge and skills required to have a better health care experience – and more positive health outcomes,” said Lois Steinberg, Ph.D., Director of S.O.S. Medicare, a program of the Medicare Rights Center, a non-profit, New York City-based, national consumer service organization.

“Our goal is to empower people to help themselves and others get the care they need, when they encounter the health care system,” said Dr. Steinberg.

The volunteer training is comprised of four, half-day sessions to instruct the volunteers on how to teach other Westchester older adults, or their adult children, how to navigate through the health care system and get needed care. Workshop topics will include how to find a good doctor; how to get your doctor to listen to your concerns; what should be included in an annual physical; understanding your health care coverage; and how to navigate a hospital stay.

Health advocate volunteers are required to attend the four, half-day sessions which will be held from September 25th – 28th in White Plains at 1:00 p.m. To apply, learn more about becoming a Westchester health advocate volunteer, or schedule a health advocacy workshop for your organization, contact Lois Steinberg at 914-833-3827.

The following qualifications are needed to become a Westchester health advocacy volunteer:

  1. Westchester resident
  2. age 50+
  3. excellent public speaking skills
  4. computer literate
  5. fluency in Spanish is a plus
  6. some knowledge of the health care system is preferable (nurses, social workers and other health care professionals are encouraged to volunteer).

Since 2001, S.O.S. Medicare (Seniors Out Speaking on Medicare) has sponsored hundreds of presentations on Medicare benefits, rights and options for thousands of Westchester residents. More recently, the program has helped thousands of residents understand the new Medicare drug benefit and enroll in private Medicare drug plans.

S.O.S. Medicare volunteers recently received the “Adult Group Volunteer Spirit Award” from Westchester Volunteer Center of United Way.

_________________________________