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County office seeks input on meeting needs

Every four years, the Chautauqua County Office for Aging Services (OFAS) must submit a plan to NYS Office for Aging (NYSOFA). This plan must outline how we will use the funding we receive to best meet the needs of Older Adults and Caregivers in Chautauqua County. It will include goals like “allow older adults to age in place in the community” and it must demonstrate how the programs and services we provide meet those goals and the needs for most older adults. We cannot come up with this plan on our own. If we did, it would not reflect the true needs of our community. So, over ...

State announces Medicare Savings Program expansion

New York state has expanded the Medicare Savings Program (MSP) to higher income limits in 2023. What does this mean to you? MSP helps older adults and people with disabilities living on limited incomes by paying their Medicare Part B premiums and automatically enrolls them in Extra Help. This financial assistance helps by allowing enrollees to maintain their Medicare coverage, access needed care, and afford other necessities. The newly expanded program is estimated to save beneficiaries an average of up to $7,300 annually. You and approximately 100,000 other Older Americans in New ...

Help possible for home repairs

Our region has some of the oldest housing stock in the state of New York. According to the 2022-2024 Chautauqua County Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan (https://chqgov.com/sites/default/files/document-files/2023-01/CHQ.CHA—.2022.Final—.pdf), “Housing structures in the County are relatively old with 40.5% built in 1939 or earlier, compared to 31.0% in New York State. In Chautauqua County, 52.7% of homes were built prior to 1950, compared to 32.3% in New York State”. These homes might have been great when folks were younger, but as we age, they may ...

The county office for aging services is partnering with Blooming Health

The Chautauqua County Office for Aging Services is partnering with Blooming Health, a platform that better connects the Chautauqua County Office for Aging Services with older adults in the county through voice calls, text message and email available in 26 different languages. Using Blooming Health, the county is able to connect with older adults where they are and better communicate information about aging services. This will enable older people to receive timely assistance, nutrition support, and educational information to stay physically and mentally active. “We are honored to ...

Silver Creek Senior Citizens hear about Flag Day

SILVER CREEK — The Silver Creek Seniors met on June 13 with 36 members present. Sally Conover opened the meeting with the Pledge to the Flag and all singing God Bless America. She then welcomed Brian, John, David and Marie as guests. Pauline Flitt asked for God’s blessing on the members and food. Deanna Borrello passed out flag related favors from the American Legion and spoke about Flag Day. The catered lunch included chicken carbonara, tossed salad and garlic bread. Members provided desserts. The 50-50 winners were Pauline, Carol DePasquale and Don. Winners of the gifts were ...

Bringing awareness to growing elder abuse

As Americans, we believe in justice for all. Yet, every year an estimated 5 million, or 1 in 10 older Americans experience elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation. That is why we celebrate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15 and June is designated as Elder Abuse Awareness Month. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day serves as a call-to-action for individuals, organizations, and communities to raise awareness about elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The sad fact is that only 1 in 23 cases of elder abuse are reported so we all can have a role in stopping elder abuse. The Nation ...