Mercy Care Friendship Volunteer, Claire Skidmore, provides one-on-one assistance at the Nov. 5 Technology Workshop. (Provided photo)

LAKE PLACID — On Nov. 5, Mercy Care hosted a technology assistance workshop for older adults focused on navigating online systems led by experts in the field.

Krissy Leerkes, director of Essex County Office for Aging, taught the participants how to apply for benefits and assistance programs such as HEAP, SNAP, Social Security benefits, and health insurance through the online portal.

Quality and Community Benefits Coordinator at Elizabethtown Community Hospital, Jodi Gibbs, offered instruction and support on setting up and navigating an online healthcare portal.

Mercy Care’s mission is to enhance in every dimension the fullness of life of elders living in the community. Mercy Care holds technology workshops quarterly, focusing on topics of importance to older adults in our communities.

Along with the technology assistance, Mercy Care also offers an iPad permanent loan program on a first-come, first-served basis. Older adults in the community can contact Mercy Care to request a new iPad, available to them on permanent loan, and continue to receive one-on-one assistance by an expert volunteer at the monthly technology instruction sessions.

The next technology assistance workshop will be held in February in Saranac Lake and is open to all older adults in Tri-Lakes communities. To learn more about the technology assistance programs or the iPad program, contact Lexi Bevilacqua at 518-523-5446 or abevilacqua@adkmercy.org.

Mercy Care’s next Friendship Volunteer Training will be held Feb. 4, 2026, at the Holy Ghost Parish Center in Tupper Lake. Mercy Care invites anyone in the Tri-Lakes region and surrounding communities who is interested in becoming a Mercy Care Friendship Volunteer to take the training. To register, visit Mercy Care’s website at www.adkmercy.org or contact Lexi Bevilacqua at abevilacqua@adkmercy.org or call Bevilacqua for more information at 518-523-5446.