Free Medicare Counseling Available at New Collier County Location

NAPLES, Fla. - July 30, 2018 - PRLog -- Collier County seniors with concerns about Medicare and other health insurance options now have a new opportunity for free insurance counseling in Naples. On July 24, the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida (AAASWFL) opened a new SHINE counseling site at the Judy Sullivan Family Resource Center of Catholic Charities.  At the new location, SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) counselors provide free, unbiased health insurance counseling by appointment every Tuesday through Friday.

The Judy Sullivan Family Resource Center of Catholic Charities is located at 3174 Tamiami Tr. E. in Naples, near the intersection of Tamiami Tr. and Airport-Pulling Rd.

Offered locally through the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida, SHINE empowers seniors, their caregivers and family members to make informed decisions about health care coverage.  By offering counseling at partner sites like the Judy Sullivan Family Resource Center of Catholic Charities, AAASWFL can reach more Medicare beneficiaries in Collier County.

SHINE counselors assist clients with Medicare, Medicaid, prescription assistance, and long-term care planning.  SHINE counselors can help seniors and people with disabilities find programs which may lower their prescription drug costs, provide prescription drugs at no cost, or help with Medicare Part B costs.

The new site will replace SHINE's temporary location at the Salvation Army Disaster Assistance Center. AAASWFL thanks the Salvation Army for their assistance in this transition.

In addition to the new Catholic Charities location, Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries can receive SHINE counseling services at several other Collier County locations:  The Alzheimer's Support Network (660 Tamiami Trail N., Naples), Goodlette Arms Apartments (950 Goodlette Rd., Naples) and the NCH Baker Hospital (350 Seventh St. N., Naples).  SHINE Counseling is also available for members only at the Naples Senior Center at JFCS (5025 Castello Dr., Naples).  Days and times at each location vary, and appointments are required.

To make an appointment at any of these sites, or to receive assistance by phone, call the AAASWFL's toll-free Elder Helpline at 1-866-413-5337. Additional counseling sites can be found on the SHINE website: http://www.floridashine.org.  SHINE is a volunteer program of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs.

The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida (http://www.aaaswfl.org) is a nonprofit organization serving Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Lee, and Sarasota Counties.  AAASWFL is the state's designated Aging and Disability Resource Center for Southwest Florida.  The organization is committed to helping adults ages 60 and over and people with disabilities to live with independence and dignity in their own homes and communities.  More information is available at www.aaaswfl.org or by calling the toll-free Helpline at 866-413-5337 (866-41-ELDER).
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that annually serves around 40,000 people in the ten-county area of Southwest Florida at 32 service locations. Catholic Charities delivers an array of comprehensive social services that move families and individuals beyond poverty and toward self-sufficiency. Programs and services are available at four Collier County locations in Naples and Immokalee including the Judy Sullivan Family Resource Center of Catholic Charities. The center aids low- to moderate-income families and individuals with a choice food pantry, an Empowerment Program, educational programs for adults and children, senior outreach, direct assistance for utilities and rent and prescriptions, refugee resettlement, the Weekend Power Pack Food Program and Undy Sunday project for children, and holiday food and gift distribution. For more information, please call the Judy Sullivan Family Resource Center of Catholic Charities at 239-793-0059.