ALPENA — Healthcare can be confusing, not just for seniors, but for anyone trying to navigate the choices in front of them when faced with an unexpected health crisis.

All community members are invited to come learn how to be prepared to take charge of their own healthcare, or that of a loved one, at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Alpena Senior Citizens Center. This free seminar will help caregivers, spouses and seniors understand their healthcare options, especially in cases involving a long-term care facility.

George Sobeck, director of Medilodge of Alpena, will lead the program, explaining the choices people have with healthcare.

“A lot of people are misled or not knowledgeable about how the long-term care is covered, or the benefits that they have,” said Annie Hepburn, Alpena Senior Citizens Center director. “For example, if somebody is in the hospital, and they need a qualifying stay, they can use their Medicare benefit. But if you don’t know that, and you are told you can just go home with home care, that’s a great plan too, but not everybody can just go home with home care, so they may need a little short-term rehab stay, and they need to be educated on their choices.”

Now is the time to prepare for those situations you hope don’t happen. Being ready is always a better option than trying to make crucial health decisions amid a stressful situation.

“If you don’t know your options and you’re in a crisis, it’s hard to make a decision,” Hepburn said. “Now’s the time to look at your options, find out if your insurance covers it, tour the centers that are local to you … There’s a lot of choices out there, but if you’re not told, you just make the quick choice.”

Caretakers of all ages are encouraged to attend this presentation.

“It doesn’t matter how old you are to be able to come to this,” said BJ Sander, Alpena Senior Citizens Center program manager. “One of our new mantras here at the senior center is ‘Knowledge is Power’. And that’s what we want to give to our community here in Alpena. … To get that knowledge out there so people can start living comfortably and not worrying about those things.”

“Start early. Prepare now. So, if you are a caretaker for your mom or dad, you might want to come to this presentation, and listen to the information to know what might be the next steps,” Hepburn said.

“People just need to know that when they’re in the hospital, you have your own voice,” she added. “You have to be your own advocate, and if you don’t feel safe going home, you can say ‘No, I’m going (to long-term care)’ but people don’t know that.”

“This will give everybody an opportunity to be proactive with their healthcare,” Sander said. “And not waiting until they end up in the ER, and then they’re in crisis mode and then having to make that decision when you can’t even think straight about what’s going on around you.”

A meal is offered from 5 to 6 p.m., if attendees would like to come early for dinner prior to the presentation. Dinner is a $3.50 suggested donation for seniors 60 and older, and a $7 cost for those younger than 60.

For more information, call the senior center at 989-356-3585. The center is located at 501 River St. in Alpena.

Reach Darby Hinkley at dhinkley@thealpenanews.com or 989-358-5691.