Baby Boomers needed to help with Medicare

PASSAGES is looking for “baby boomers” or other individuals who have a desire to help people with Medicare navigate through the complex system of healthcare coverage options.

Boomers’ computer and analytical skills are extremely valuable and needed.

Research has proved that volunteering is beneficial to the volunteer, and that there is a strong relationship between volunteering and the health of volunteers. Volunteers have lower mortality, greater functional ability, and lower rates of depression.

Comparisons of the health benefits of volunteering for different age groups have shown that older volunteers are the most likely to receive greater benefits from volunteering.

After 32 to 40 hours training plus internship, HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program) volunteers help clients understand Medicare, including supplemental and drug insurance, Medicare health plans and long-term care coverage.

Volunteers become registered with the California Department of Aging and provide answers to many questions and problems that confront Medicare recipients.

Training will be from March 23 to March 27 in Chico. Interested candidates can call Tim Sonnenburg at 898-6641 for more information and an application.

HICAP is a program of PASSAGES, a service of California State University, Chico that supports the lives of adults in the communities it serves. For more information about PASSAGES services go to www.passagescenter.org.