“I feel like somewhat of a lifesaver when it comes to my work as a Medicare counselor for the Senior LinkAge Line® at Trellis,” says Janet Warwick. She is a devoted volunteer who uses these words joyfully, as she describes the reaction of older Minnesotans as she leads them through the Medicare maze. “I save them from some stress along the way.”
Feeling the need to help
Before becoming a Trellis volunteer, Janet worked in human resources for the State of Minnesota judicial branch. She worked with state judges who were transitioning to retirement and she learned everything she needed to know to help them. During the process, she realized she was pretty good at this work, including walking judges through the details of Medicare. “People said I was helpful, and they could rely on the information, so I thought I should volunteer and help more people. Unfortunately, I couldn’t do that while I was working full time.”
When she retired a few years later, Janet was trained through Trellis to become a certified Medicare insurance counselor. In 2005, she began counseling people as the roll-out of Medicare Part D began. Her dedication to the people she served quickly became apparent, as she provided support at people’s homes and in community centers. She says, “I like feeling that people are confident in the information I give them. I will do my best to simplify Medicare for people. People are getting hundreds of mailings from different sources, and they’re overwhelmed. I get a good feeling when I ease their stress.”
Medicare is a process
“Medicare is a process. I need to listen to the client and hear what they’re saying about their health concerns, so I can be sensitive to their needs and come up with solutions.” Always wishing she had more time with people, Janet presents Medicare information as though she is describing how to make a dish she’s made a thousand times for someone who is making it for the first time.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and water damage from a fire in her condo building, Janet couldn’t meet with people in 2020 and early 2021. She was happy to see clients again last October — wearing a mask and practicing social distancing — at the West 7th Community Center in St. Paul and the Thompson Community Center in West St. Paul.
Janet says, “The knowledge I’ve acquired through my work with Trellis and the Senior LinkAge Line has been helpful to so many people.” Janet has made “Medicare 101” presentations, staffed health fairs and volunteered to talk with people at the Dakota County Fair and the Minnesota State Fair.
The rewards of volunteering
Janet found one of her counseling experiences to be extra rewarding. “I worked with a couple who hadn’t opened the bills they were getting from their insurance company because they were so overwhelmed by Medicare and didn’t know where to start. They had dug themselves in, but I was able to help them sort through it all and get things figured out.”
As Janet gives, she also receives. “When I’m volunteering and assisting people with Medicare, my mind is always active and engaged. I keep studying to keep current, and I’m always learning new things. That’s the advantage of being a volunteer. Trellis brings changes to my attention, and it also impacts me.”
Janet says she feels highly valued as a Trellis volunteer. “I love doing Medicare counseling, and I’m here to help you.”
The Senior LinkAge Line is a free, statewide service of the Minnesota Board on Aging in partnership with Trellis. The Senior LInkAge Line helps older Minnesotans and individuals who are caregivers find answers and connect to the services and support they need.
