Well, as usual the summer has gone by too fast. I just want to thank everyone again for a fantastic Senior Picnic. Over 500 hundred seniors attended from all over the county on Aug. 12 at Midway Park for a great day including bingo, live music, chicken barbecue, and over 50 door prizes as well as five, $110 cash prizes. The weather even cooperated by waiting until the last senior was in their car to come down in buckets. Thank you again to our picnic sponsors including Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, Doyle Medical Monitoring, Independent Health, Univera Healthcare, United Healthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield of WNY. We could not have this event without your generous support!

Even though summer is winding down, there is still a lot of beauty to enjoy in and around Chautauqua County. As we get back to our “regular” routines, I want to remind everyone to contact our NY Connects helpline for programs and services that can assist seniors and disabled individuals who are living in the community. When you call the helpline, our specially trained operators tell you not only about the programs you inquire about but all the services that are available. These could be medical services, non-medical services, county run programs, or could be something that a community agency provides. We keep a database of all the programs and services available in our county as well as eligibility criteria so you do not have to call around to a hundred places to find what you need. If you decide you want a service, many times the operator can get it started by sending an electronic referral so you don’t have to make another call. NY Connects is a resource for seniors, disabled individuals, healthcare providers, concerned neighbors, and caregivers of any age. So call NY Connects first at 753-4582, 363-4582, or 661-7582.

NY Connects can also be a source of information about exercise, health, and wellness programs available in the county. There are special classes to learn how to manage your chronic health conditions, prevent falls, or to deal with the stress of caring for an aging parent or someone with Alzheimer’s disease. Exercise classes include Healthy Bones, Tai Chi for Arthritis and Moving for Better Balance. Most classes are free (due to grant funding) or available for a small donation. We also have brochures on all the places you can be active in Chautauqua County. For a schedule of classes and locations nearest you, contact NY Connects.

Medicare open enrollment this year is Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. This is the time that people already enrolled in Medicare can change plans and it’s a good time to find out what changes are coming to your Medicare health plan and prescription drug coverage in 2017. All plans make adjustments to their coverage every year. While they are required to notify you of upcoming changes it is often difficult to wade through the fine print to discover what changes will affect you and your spouse. Please remember that Office for the Aging has “NYS Certified Medicare Counselors” who can advise you on the changes and compare your coverage to other plans so you have the information you need to make the best choice. We encourage you to get your “Medicare Checkup” during open enrollment at the Office for the Aging location nearest you. If you are working beyond the age of 65, and still on your employers insurance, you may also benefit from talking to one of our counselors to see if there is a savings to joining Medicare. You do not need to wait for retirement to join. To schedule an appointment with a Certified Medicare Counselors call our NY Connects helpline at the numbers listed above.

Just a reminder that HEAP applications have been mailed out by NY State Office of Temporary Assistance for those who received the Home Energy Assistance Program last year. Those applications need to be completed every year and returned to the Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services in order to get this benefit. DHHS has offices in Jamestown or Dunkirk or seniors can mail their application at the address provided on the application. OFA and COI are no longer processing HEAP applications but NY Connects is happy to answer any questions you may have about the program. People who are newly applying for HEAP cannot do so until the Regular HEAP season opens in November. For more information about HEAP or to apply online visit the NYS website at mybenefits.ny.gov.