Outreach

OUTREACH Ordering at-home COVID tests? Outreach can help

On January 14, the White House announced a new initiative to help ensure Americans have COVID-19 tests on hand in case they are needed. The website to order at-home testing kits — at no cost — is now live and accepting orders. People who do not have Internet access or who need additional assistance with ordering can call 1-800-2320233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) to place their orders, or they can reach out to our Outreach Department at 815-6229230 at WCSC.

The Eldercare Locator and the Disability Information and Assistance Line (DIAL) also can assist older adults and people with disabilities with placing orders if they need additional help, connect people to accessible instructions, and help with administering the tests. Both phone lines are staffed Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. • Older adults can call the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116 Monday-Friday or visit the website to chat live or browse resources.

• People with disabilities can contact DIAL by calling 888-677-1199 or by emailing DIAL@usaginganddisability.org. The DIAL information specialists are trained to work with people of various communications abilities, including spending as much time as needed to understand callers. Deaf and hard-of-hearing people can reach DIAL using the 711/Video Relay Service (VRS). To use this free service, simply dial 711 to be connected via text with a communications assistant. (For people who do not communicate through speech, sign language or VRS, email is the best option to communicate with DIAL.)

Two important notes:

• There are enough kits to fill orders for every residential address in the country. • Orders began shipping at the end of January, both for people who placed their orders via the online form in the days when only the online form was available and those who began ordering when the phone lines became available.

Welcome to the newest member of LCCOA’s family

Join me in welcoming our newest member to the Lee County Council on Aging family, Kathy Schmidt. Kathy comes to us with a recent four-year background as a volunteer counselor with the Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP). During most of that time she was volunteering with the Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging. We are ecstatic to have her here with us, bringing a wealth of Medicare knowledge already with her and ready to dive in with both feet forward and learn the rest of what we can offer to all of you. As most of you know, our SHIP certificaKathy Schmidt tions allow us to provide you that Medicare education, Part D and Medicare Advantage Plan comparisons and enrollments, scam prevention, appeals and more. Having someone who is already knowledgeable in this field helps us to help all of you. It is one of the most important parts of our Outreach Department, and our role as your Elder Benefits Specialist.

Kathy will be here on Mondays and Fridays to help in all areas of Outreach, but with a special focus on anything to do with Medicare. Please help us to make her feel welcome as she begins her journey with us here at LCCOA.

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