The Mower County Senior Center is looking for about 25 to 30 seniors to share their stories about paying for prescription medications.

Staff from Sen. Al Franken’s office will visit the Mower County Senior Center at 2 p.m. Friday for a listening tour surrounding prescription drug prices, and the Democratic senator’s office will record videos to take stories from Mower County to Washington, D.C.

“As I have traveled across Minnesota, I’ve heard from older Minnesotans whose health and well-being has been upended by the skyrocketing price of prescription drugs,” Franken said in a press release.

Franken visited Austin’s Hormel Institute a few years ago for discussions on community needs, and Schafer said prescription drug costs for senior citizens were one of the key issues raised.

“This is actually a big senior issue,” Senior Center Executive Director Sarah Schafer said.

Schafer said seniors come in frequently and work with the center’s senior advocates about the cost of medications. For many, Schafer said it’s choice between buying food and buying medicine.

“Annually, we ask people to come in and reevaluate what drugs they’re taking and what insurance plans would give them the most coverage,” she said.

Schafer said many seniors come to advocates paying up to $8,000 or more on drugs a year.

“I know it just seems mind boggling, but it’s true,” she said.

With the advocate’s help, they’re often able to cut the bill to about $850 a year through insurance plans and other options, according to Schafer.

Another big concern is dental care in Mower County, because Schafer said many medical assistance clients have few options in town.

“They have to go a long ways in order to get dental care,” she said.

Friday’s event will feature a video with opening remarks from Franken, a discussion and a presentation before the videos are recorded.

Schafer is excited to participate in the program and send messages back to lawmakers at the nation’s Capitol.

“I think that is huge for us,” she said. “What better ways to help government and politicians know what is going on.”

People interested in participating can call the Mower County Senior Center at 507-433-2370 or stop by the office at 400 Third Ave. NE.