Happy Holidays! Are you struggling to find a gift for someone? NY Connects is a great way to connect with some gift ideas for loved ones.

This is an excellent way for families both near and far to check in to see what services are available to assist Chautauqua County family and friends. NY Connects is the one place to contact for a wide range of services available to those who may need long term services in their homes and community supports.

How about a practical gift for the family or friends in your life? Meals on wheels is a service program here in the County.

You could set up a gift of regularly delivered meals for your loved one. If your loved ones are out and about in the County, we also offer a dining out program to several local restaurants in Chautauqua County. Tickets can be purchased from the Mayville location of the Office for the Aging.

You can search on the internet for ideas for gifts of food. Fruit of the month or some other treat is a great idea and keeps coming all year long. Single serving specialty foods can be a wonderful practical gift for someone living alone or needing smaller sizes for meal preparation.

A gift card to the local grocery store is another great idea as well.

A gift of services can be a practical and a much appreciated gift to those who may struggle to take care of their homes.

House cleaning, lawn care and snow removal, handyman services for annual to do lists, transportation services, shopping/errands assistance, gift certificates to a favorite beauty/barber shop is a treat anytime of the year. Look at the person’s favorite service provider like beauty parlors and barbers and prepay for services throughout the year.

These gifts are very thoughtful and extremely practical. The Office for the Aging can provide information about local home care agencies as well as a private provider list that can be helpful in identifying local providers for a variety of services.

There are a few spas locally geared to older adults as well! NY Connects can also get people in touch with support groups, adult day services and other agencies that can provide socialization and connection for people or respite support to a loved one that is caring for another. The gift of time to relax and retool is invaluable to someone who is a primary caretaker for a spouse or other loved one.

The Chautauqua County Personal Monitoring program is another great gift idea. You can gift someone with a personal emergency alarm system to be used in the home for emergencies of any kind. It brings families peace of mind to know that if there is an emergency, the personal emergency system can answer immediately and call for emergency services and/ or contact family or friends if they are needed at the home. Other options are cell phones that are easy to use. Call NY Connects for more information for all these opportunities.

Have extra time; you can receive a gift by giving of yourself in a volunteer position with meals on wheels or a friendly visitor position with the Office for the Aging. We are always looking for volunteers to help all throughout the year.

As you plan to visit family and are looking for gift ideas – think practical! Try to think of areas that are challenging for your family member. These are the areas they could need help with on a regular basis. Great ideas are gifts of time and assistance that can mean the world to a loved one. The small extras we take for granted but may be difficult for some to do or afford. Remember if you are home visiting and see a need-call NY Connects for information about local programs and services for seniors. We are here to listen and provide you with information and assistance. We can even complete referrals right on the phone while we are speaking with you.

You can reach NY Connects by phone: Jamestown areas: 716-661-7582, Dunkirk/Fredonia areas: 716-363-4582 and Mayville areas/mid county: 716-753-4582, Fax 753-4477, or email: ccnyc@co.chautauqua.ny.us. You can come and see us at 7 North Erie St; Mayville, New York. NY Connects is brought to you in cooperation from the Chautauqua County Office for the Aging and the Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services. NY Connects wishes for you a happy holiday and a great start in 2020.