NEW YORK, NY (July 16, 2013) — About 20 Queens seniors learned to send text messages, save contact information and use their phone in an emergency as part of EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care’s “Cell Phone Literacy for Older Adults” workshop. The free event, held July 11, was part of a monthly workshop series to help Queens seniors stay in touch with family members and social circles.
Nationally, 76 percent of older adults own a cell phone. However, health care solutions specialists at EmblemHealth’s Neighborhood Care in Cambria Heights recognized that many older adults were not aware of a cell phone’s most common features.
“A cell phone can have many benefits for a person’s health care and social interaction. At these events, we work with seniors to help them safely use their phone as a tool for staying in touch with family members via text, keeping track and adding doctor appointments to a calendar, and being able to call for help during a medical emergency, ” said Patricia McDonald, Community Liaison at EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care. “This program helps care for an entire person’s well-being, which is what EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care strives to do each day.”
EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care is a warm and inviting place where all members of the community can come in and meet face-to-face with EmblemHealth professionals to ask questions, get reliable information and solve problems. In addition, EmblemHealth members can discuss specific health care needs to make the most of their insurance benefits and the health care system.
For more information about EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care, including specific services offered and upcoming events, please visit www.ehnc.com or call 1-866-469-0999 .
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| Dorothy Phillip of Cambria Heights learns new features on her cell phone from Emeregildo Clark of EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care. | Left to Right: Melinda Allen, Harold Anderson and Alice Anderson discuss smartphone apps. |
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| Emeregildo Clark of EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care works with Janis Elder of Cambria Heights. | Front (left to right): Robert Gibbs is assisted by Emeregildo Clark of EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care. Back (left to right): Joyce Lewis of Queens Village asks Allandro Pierre of EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care questions about her cell phone. |
About EmblemHealth
EmblemHealth, Inc. provides quality health care coverage and administrative services to approximately 3.4 million people. Groups and individuals can choose from a variety of PPO, EPO and HMO plans, as well as coverage for prescription drugs and dental and vision care. EmblemHealth offers a choice of networks, including quality doctors and other health care professionals throughout the region, leading acute care hospitals across the tristate area, and physicians and hospitals across all 50 states. For more information, visit www.emblemhealth.com.