By Ana Jaramillo
Britney Marsh, Dickinson Hall's new Senior Advocate, is excited to work with the community and reconnect with former colleagues.
“My family has instilled a great sense of service and connection with the community. We regularly participate helping communities far and wide,” said Marsh, who was born in Lake Forest and who previously worked in the Lake County Health Department and Lake County Adult Probation. “Seeing someone benefit from resources I help them access makes it all worth it. Many resources remain untapped or underutilized, and connecting people with solutions they don’t know about is exciting.”
Britney Marsh describes her new role as a "perfect fit."
With a degree in social work from the University of Illinois, Springfield, Marsh has a passion to help residents live their best life. She has experience with the complexities of aging when it comes to health, legal and social service system coverage.
“One word: Medicare. It is a mysterious beast that touches everyone who ages,” she said. “The ins and outs are a maze, and it takes patience and a clear head to navigate. Thankfully, the Senior Health Insurance Program is here to provide training and resources to help me help people make these important decisions. I am thankful to work for people who appreciate the assistance I can provide, even if we’re both learning something new along the way.”
Marsh was drawn to the role at Dickinson Hall because she wanted to focus more on working with the senior population. She describes the Senior Advocate position as a "perfect fit." She is already working on several key initiatives. One major project is guiding seniors through Medicare enrollment, a process that is especially time-consuming from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 each year. She is also working on bringing healthy living lectures to the Senior Center, covering various topics that interest members.
"It’s not just the old run-of-the-mill topics anymore," said Marsh. "People are interested in a variety of new ideas and methods. Learning alongside them has been interesting."
She finds it fulfilling to listen to what seniors want to learn about and provide the resources to address their evolving interests in health and well-being. When it comes to events, Marsh finds that the Friday Night Live! summer music series stands out as the most fun. Held on Dickinson Hall’s terrace and featuring live music, the event encourages seniors to get out of the house, socialize, and enjoy a lively atmosphere.
"It’s lively and fun, and it involves one of my favorite things: live music!" said Marsh. "These social events are not only an opportunity for entertainment, but they also help build a sense of community, bringing together seniors for a night of music, conversation and connection."