CANTON -- The North Country Chapter of the StateWide Senior Action Council will hold a talk on a new patient advocate program June 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Best Western.

The program will address problems the elderly are experiencing with Medicare hospital policies.

Marcus Harazin will speak about the program’s goal to help empower elderly consumers and inform policy makers about the problems they face.

"Many elderly are finding that they are financially responsible for significantly higher care costs if they are not formally admitted to a hospital or they are treated while under "observation status," said North Country Chapter President Linda Wilkinson.

“In addition, hospitals are finding Medicare reimbursement reduced if they have large numbers of elderly readmitted for preventable conditions,” said Wilkinson.

The talk will discuss seniors’ patient rights and responsibilities when admitted to a hospital.

The project will train special volunteer patient advocates to collect data on how admission and discharge problems are adversely affecting the elderly and their families.

The group will discuss ways to improve local systems to address these problems.

Reservations must be made by May 27 to Wilkinson at 265-4464.