Category Archives: Learning and Support

SHIBA Medicare Advising at SWOT

Next Medicare Chat: July 24, 2025

Idaho Shiba volunteers are available by appointment to help you:

  • Choose the best time to enroll in Medicare
  • Explore your coverage and benefits options
  • Compare options for supplemental insurance (Medigap, Medicare Advantage) and Part D prescription drug coverage
  • Look for coverage for services that Medicare does not cover, like dental, vision, and long-term care
  • Get help with paying Medicare costs
  • File appeals
  • Protect yourself against fraud and high-pressure sales tactics

Request an Appointment

About Shiba

SHIBA (Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors) is a program of the Idaho Department of Insurance and part of the nationwide State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).

SHIBA trains and supports a network of certified Medicare counselors who provide free, unbiased, confidential assistance to anyone enrolling in or currently enrolled in Medicare. In Teton Valley, we have two certified counselors who are available for individual appointments or at open forums sponsored by Seniors West of the Tetons.

View the complete 2024Shopper’s Guide to Medicare

Tech Time

2nd Tuesday of each month, Noon.
Check monthly calendar in newsletter Valley Talk on page 5 for date. Free. Open to all.

This program will help you with any technology questions. Phil Mollenkof and Andy Harlan, friends of SWOT, are proficient with various technologies. These guys will help you master technology; just bring your device in question and fire away.

Death Cafe

2nd Thursday of each month at 1:30 PM.
Free, open to all.

At a Death Cafe people eat, drink and discuss that often taboo subject: Death. The idea is to create a safe, confidential and respectful environment to talk about dying.

Death Cafe is NOT a bereavement or support group, or an opportunity to sell services. Rather, it is a directed but open discussion whose objective is “to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives.”

Recent research suggests that thinking about death raises people’s sense of self-worth, helps them be less money oriented, and makes them funnier. Facing death seems to enhance our sense of humor and encourage us to be more creative and open-minded.

Death Cafe is an international, non-profit organization founded by Jon Underwood in Britain. He based the forum on the ideas of the Swiss sociologist Bernard Crettaz, who had founded a similar forum called Cafe Mortels. Lizzy Miles was the first person to offer Death Cafe in the United States in Columbus, Ohio. (See  https://deathcafe.com/what/ for more information about the program

The whole Teton Valley community is invited. However, please call us to discuss if you want to bring a child along to participate in the conversation.