For more than two decades, John Ward has been a steady and compassionate volunteer presence at Trellis, offering guidance, information and support to older adults navigating the often-confusing world of Medicare. As a SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) counselor, John provides one-on-one Medicare counseling at both the Coon Rapids Senior Center and the Brooklyn Center Library, along with phone consultations for those unable to meet in person.
John’s volunteer journey began 20 years ago, sparked by a small note in an AARP bulletin calling for Medicare volunteers. Newly retired and beginning to make Medicare decisions of his own, John decided to take the leap. After completing the training, he was quickly immersed in the whirlwind of the Medicare Part D rollout. “It was meeting after meeting and a lot of confusion,” he recalls. But the mental challenge and opportunity to help others proved to be a meaningful and rewarding experience—one that continues to this day.
“Helping people keeps me coming back,” says John.
Over the years, John has done far more than one-on-one counseling. He has given public presentations—Medicare 101 and Medicare annual updates—and he is preparing to add a presentation on fraud and scams to his repertoire. John has done outreach at community events and has even served on the community outreach committee with Stratis Health, an opportunity that grew out of his connection with Trellis.
“John is a very committed Trellis volunteer. He is always looking to further his knowledge and challenge himself,” says Linda Vue, volunteer and outreach operations coordinator.
What really stands out is John’s deep commitment to staying mentally active and socially connected—partly inspired by a personal connection to Alzheimer’s disease. “I’ve seen what happens when people isolate themselves or stop learning,” he says. “This keeps my mind sharper. My doctor even told me that what I’m doing is probably helping stave off Alzheimer’s.”
John’s approach to Medicare counseling is rooted in empathy and respect. “The first thing I do is get to know the person. I make sure they understand everything we talk about is private. I don’t lecture—I listen and guide.” Whether it’s helping someone fill out a county assistance application or decoding confusing Medicare plan documents, he aims to provide clarity and options, never letting someone leave feeling unsupported.
In every call, presentation, or one-on-one meeting, John brings compassion, patience, and a wealth of knowledge. And in return, he has found purpose, connection, and a community of people striving to make the world a little better—one conversation at a time.
Trellis is always looking for volunteers to support older adults and caregivers in a variety of ways. Please visit our volunteer page to see how you can volunteer and join our mission to help people thrive as we age!
