The mission of berks encore is to develop aging-confident individuals to enhance their ability to live well later in life.

Human Services , Senior Centers , Seniors

Apprise:apprise is the state health insurance assistance program (ship) for pennsylvanians age 60 and over. The pennsylvania department of aging created apprise to help older pennsylvanians understand their health insurance options under medicare and make sound decisions about what is best for them. Apprise counselors are specially trained volunteers. Issues handled through the apprise program range from health insurance counseling regarding medicare, hmos, supplemental insurance, medical assistance, and long-term care insurance. In addition to face-to-face counseling, the volunteers answer a toll-free telephone hotline one day a week. There were 4,844 individuals assisted in 2017. home delivered meals:the organization provides meals on wheels services to senior citizens throughout berks county on a daily basis. A total of 150,937 meals were delivered to homebound seniors and the disabled with the help of 661 volunteers donating 33,260 hours of service to the meals on wheels program in 2017. senior community center services:provides older adults, 60 years and over (and spouses) with a nutritionally balanced noon meal in a congregate setting with supportive services consisting of outreach activities, companionship, health and wellness, nutrition education, recreational activities, information and referral, health screenings, exercise classes, arts/crafts, games, education, computer instruction, case management, and social and cultural activities. There were 43,208 meals provided and 76,563 partiicpant visits to 6 senior centers in 2017. Certified and master trainers provide education in the evidenced-based programs: chronic disease self-management, a matter of balance fall prevention program, fire and fall prevention, healthy eating, and diabetes self-management. Comprehensive information and referral services are available, assistance with enrollment in snap and other government benefit programs for seniors, bill paying (fee-based), grocery shopping, and free income tax preparation services. There were 11,987 contacts made and 2,200 tax returns prepared by 52 volunteers in 2017. Senior citizens clubs and retiree organizations throughout berks county are affiliated with the organization. The clubs and organizations each receive a program resource book, information about speakers, newsletters, and inclusion of club news in the organizaton's newspaper. There were 65,000 individuals who received the newspaper in 2017. Training for club officers is held. The organization also assists seniors who wish to establish new clubs.