Lakewood Ranch – Medicare beneficiaries, their caregivers, and family members who have questions or concerns about Medicare and related health insurance topics have a new place to turn. The Senior Connection Center will be partnering with Meals on Wheels PLUS to provide Medicare counseling through the SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) Program. Current, and soon-to-be beneficiaries, their caregivers and family can call to schedule an appointment with a specially-trained volunteer of the SHINE Program at the new Daybreak Adult Day Center recently opened by Meals on Wheels PLUS office located at 10920 East State Road 70 in Lakewood Ranch.

SHINE is a program of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs that empowers Medicare beneficiaries to make informed decisions about their health care coverage. SHINE volunteer counselors through the Senior Connection Center provide free, unbiased information and counseling at sites across Manatee, Polk, Hillsborough, Highlands, and Hardee counties, and will now also help elders at the new Lakewood Ranch location.

Every day SHINE volunteers answer questions about Medicare, Medicaid, prescription assistance, long-term care planning, and more. The new site at Daybreak Adult Day Center will allow the program to reach more community members who may be unaware of SHINE and the benefits the program offers. SHINE volunteer counselors can even assist eligible Medicare beneficiaries to find programs that lower prescription drug costs or provide prescription drugs at no cost.

Because service hours vary, please make an appointment for Medicare counseling at Daybreak Adult Day Center by calling the local Elder Helpline at 1-800-336-2226. For more information, you may also call 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337), or visit us online at www.floridashine.org.