CLEWISTON — Future and current Medicare beneficiaries are encouraged to attend a free presentation about the ins and outs of Medicare on Wednesday, April 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Clewiston Public Library. Medicare 101 will be offered by the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida and SHINE/SMP (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders/Senior Medicare Patrol). The Clewiston Public Library is located at 120 W. Osceola Ave.

Medicare 101 is a well-rounded presentation covering the basics of Medicare for those soon to be eligible as well as those currently on Medicare. Participants will learn the basics of Medicare Parts A, B, C and D, discover more about the many plan options available.

The Medicare 101 presentation will feature professionally trained counselors from the SHINE/SMP program. The Florida Department of Elder Affairs’ SHINE program provides free, unbiased information and assistance for Florida Medicare beneficiaries year-round as they carefully evaluate their health care options. SHINE is administered locally by the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida (AAASWFL).

SHINE empowers seniors, their caregivers, and family members to make informed decisions about health care coverage. SHINE counselors can also help beneficiaries understand benefits available through Medicare, like preventative health care services. Additionally, SHINE counselors assist low-income Medicare beneficiaries with applying for cost-savings programs. As part of the national SMP program, counselors also educate beneficiaries to protect, detect, and report potential errors, fraud, and abuse with their Medicare coverage.

For more information about the Medicare 101 presentation, or to receive one-on-one Medicare counseling assistance from SHINE, individuals may contact The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida’s Helpline at 866-413-5337 (866-41-ELDER). AAASWFL provides SHINE counseling services at locations across Southwest Florida. For a listing of SHINE counseling sites and public events in our area, visit www.FloridaSHINE.org.

Currently celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida is a nonprofit organization serving Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Lee, and Sarasota Counties. The organization is committed to connecting older adults (ages 60 and over) and people with disabilities to resources and assistance for living safely with independence and dignity. AAASWFL is the state’s designated Aging and Disability Resource Center for Southwest Florida. More information is available at www.aaaswfl.org.