Westborough SHINE counselor describes volunteer help, appointment process and local demand

Bill LaPrade told host Carolyn McLeod he began volunteering after reading a senior center newsletter and has provided SHINE counseling for 17 years, helping many Westborough residents and people who have moved away but return for assistance.

"I've been doing this now for 17 years and got to know a lot of people in Westborough," he said. He described alternating shifts with another counselor in Westborough and said many people call during open enrollment; he also gave appointment guidance (about an hour for a single appointment, 1.5 hours for couples).

LaPrade shared that typical savings from plan changes are in the "$300 to $400" range, with an occasional large saving (he cited one case of about $10,000 during COVID), and encouraged residents to call the senior center to schedule a free SHINE review during the open enrollment period.