Breaking News

State hikes income limits on Medicare Savings Program

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 thousand other Older Americans ...

Silver Creek Senior Citizens group meets

SILVER CREEK — The Silver Creek Seniors met on July 18 with 32 members present. President Sally Conover opened the meeting with everyone saying the Pledge to the Flag and singing God Bless America. Chaplain Pauline read “I’ve Never Been to Heaven”. Lorrie Newman and Sally entertained with jokes. Lunch included pizza and side dishes. The 50-50 winners were Stan Thompson, Sue Borowski and Marge Church. Winners of the gifts were Kim Adams, Deanna Borrello and Jean McDaneld. Wheel of Fortune lucky winners included: Max Church (twice), Ruth Sheeler, Joan Suski, Ginny Chesbro and ...

Silver Creek Senior Citizens meet

SILVER CREEK — The Silver Creek Seniors met on July 11 with 32 members present. Vice President Janice Snyder opened the meeting with the Pledge to the Flag and all singing God Bless America. She then welcomed Jean McDaneld, a former member. Pauline Flitt read “Just Be Good.” Al and Earl grilled hot dogs and members brought several side dishes and desserts. The 50-50 winners were Jean (twice) and Carol DePasquale. Winners of the gifts were Annette Hoeber, Gene Chesbro and Judy Domanski. Wheel of Fortune lucky winners included: Kim Adams, Stan Thompson, Pauline and Enabell ...

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 ...