New Seniors Out Speaking (SOS) Coordinator Pat Esposito Leads Volunteer Program Through Fall Open Enrollment

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--SOS Engages Older Adults,
Spreads Clear and Accurate Medicare Information--

New York, NY– A new coordinator, Pat Esposito, is now leading Westchester County Seniors Out Speaking (SOS), a volunteer model that since 2001 has trained older adults in Westchester to help their friends and neighbors understand Medicare and related health coverage. To help Westchester residents during the Fall Open Enrollment Period, which began on October 15 and runs through December 7, Ms. Esposito is leading a special educational initiative that includes expanded counseling at Westchester’s local libraries, programs at senior centers, and presentations at local and county health fairs. During Fall Open Enrollment, people with Medicare can change their health and drug coverage options without restriction.

“We are thrilled to have Pat at the helm of our Seniors Out Speaking team in Westchester, particularly during this busy enrollment season,” said Joe Baker, president of the Medicare Rights Center. “Programs like SOS help us get the word out to people with Medicare that now is the time to review their coverage. And this year, the enrollment season ends earlier—on December 7—so people should review their coverage by Thanksgiving instead of later in the year.”

“It is rewarding to work with a team of professionally trained volunteers who can present information on complicated issues such as Medicare in a way that Medicare beneficiaries can understand,” said Esposito. “It is a wonderful experience to see seniors, knowledgeable of their rights and benefits under Medicare, begin to make more educated choices in managing their health care.”

Seniors Out Speaking events include Medicare Minutes—short, engaging presentations on timely Medicare topics presented at local sites on a monthly basis—and Medicare and Health Advocacy Programs, which train members of the community to become health advocates for themselves and their peers. Medicare beneficiaries can also get one-on-one counseling on Medicare and related benefits at Senior Benefits Information Centers, which are managed in cooperation with the Westchester Library System.

The following events and services are free and open to the public:

Medicare/Health Advocacy Programs

• Somers Library
  Topic: Understanding Your Medicare Prescription Drug Options
  Thursday, November 3 at 6 p.m.
  914-232-5717

• Anthony Veteran Park Multi-Purpose Center (Greenburgh)
  Topic: Understanding Your Medicare Prescription Drug Options
  Tuesday, November 15 at 11 a.m.
  914-963-8985

Senior Benefits Information Centers

• Grinton I. Will Library (Yonkers)
  Tuesdays, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Thursdays, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  914-269-7138

• John C. Hart Memorial Library (Shrub Oak)
  Tuesdays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  914-269-7137

• Mount Kisco Public Library
  Wednesdays, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  914-269-7764

• Warner Library (Tarrytown)
  Wednesdays, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  914-269-7765

• Peekskill Field Library
  Thursdays, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  914-265-5286

• New Rochelle Library
  Fridays, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  914-265-5287

Learn more about Westchester SOS and watch a video about the SOS program.