Goodall Hospital - Senior Advocate Service

What is it?

Funded by Goodall Hospital, the Senior Advocate Service has become a free, centralized support system for elderly in need. In many instances, the Senior Advocate cooperates with other community agencies to help the elderly get needed services. The Senior Advocate has extensive knowledge of the issues facing seniors and can help with assessment of current needs and referrals to existing services. Common types of assistance, in addition to advocacy, may include Medicare D enrollment; advance directive planning; assistance and education in preventing fraud, exploitation, and abuse; and connection to resources for transportation, housing, home health care, and meals.

To better ensure that low-income elderly receive necessary health care, grant support is being sought by Goodall Hospital and the Senior Advocate Service to help leverage the cost of health care needs currently not covered under Medicare.

Who is it for?

Seniors, age 60 and over, and those acting on their behalf, such as their family members or community agencies. It is offered free of charge to those living in Goodall’s service area.

Why do they do it?

Through physicians and staff members, Goodall Hospital administration heard about the increasing social service needs within the community’s elderly. With no other central area for support, physician practices were struggling with finding services for their patients. The hospital believed it was its responsibility to provide support to the elderly which, in turn, also provided support to its medical practices.

Impact

Since its establishment six years ago, the program has directly impacted the lives of hundreds of the community’s elderly, many of whom are on very limited means. Since the program’s inception, the senior advocate has met with 8,886 individuals in need of support. In 2011, approximately 34 percent of senior clientele underwent restructuring of their individual benefit packages, leading to a collective estimated savings of more than $600,000.

Contact: Michelle Matt
Senior Advocate, Goodall Hospital
Telephone: 207-490-7606
E-mail: MMatt@goodallhospital.org