A new face is helping seniors at the Mower County Senior Center.

Linnea Williamson, 29, began as the new senior advocate in mid-May and is already enjoying her work.

“I love it,” she said. “It’s a very rewarding, yet challenging job.”

Williamson is an Austin native who graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato with a degree in family life and child development.

She is one of two senior advocates at the center who assist and provide support and resources for seniors at the center.

“Seniors need that voice because it’s not always heard,” Williamson said.

Advocates can assist with money management, housing issues, medical assistance and many other tasks.

“[The job] isn’t just one thing, but a broad range,” WIlliamson said.

Williamson also helps with a Caregiver Support Group, which is something she believes is very important. The group meets the third Thursday of each month at 10:30 a.m. at the senior center.

“It’s an escape to talk to other people dealing with the same issues,” she said.

In the future, Williamson hopes to help seniors live happy and healthy lives.

“I want to look down the road and know I made a difference,” she said.

What does a senior advocate do?

Duties include but are not limited to:

—Assisting with money management, check writing, interpreting bills, balancing checkbooks.

—Housing issues

—Medicare and insurance billing

—Assisting to set up Chore services

—Medical Assistance guidelines information

—Drug plan applications and information

—Sorting mail

—Tax information—referrals for income tax help

—Completing Health Care Directives and Power of Attorney forms

—Telephone reassurance: volunteers call to check on seniors 5 days per week

—Caregiver Support Group