New York Connects is the New York states aging and disability resource center available to people of all ages that are in need of long term community supports and services. It is an information, assistance, referral and options counseling services available by phone, email or in person at our Mayville office. Chautauqua County NY Connects serves older adults, younger adults living with a long term disability, caregivers of older adults and parents of children with a disability, family members and caregivers, friends and neighbors, and professional service providers working with someone in need of long term services and supports. NY Connects is a trusted service to get information about the range of supports that can help you remain independent in your daily life, whether you want to live in your own home, a nursing home, or other residential setting.

Finding your way around the health care system can be challenging. When you are in need of care, NY Connects can help you identify the best available care options — whether that means staying at home with the right mix of services or finding a place where your needs, or those of your loved one, can be met.

The Chautauqua County Long Term Care Council is a planning and advocacy group. Members come together to discuss, plan and advocate for long term care services, system needs and system changes; that allow people to have support services to live in the community. Long term care and supports include medical and non-medical services that are provided in a variety of settings, things like SNAP, housekeeping assistance, shopping, transportation, respite care and assistance and so on. The Chautauqua County Long Term Care Council is made up of service and care providers, people in the community who get services, consumer/caregivers that care for people in the community, and Chautauqua County government departments of health and human services and the office for the aging.

The work of the council is accomplished with quarterly meetings to review and discuss existing long term care services and supports. We need more help from consumers or people that care for others that receive services, to inform the council of their experiences. We welcome members from all situations that would like to lend their voice, opinions, and observations. If you have experience with someone that receives services in your own home, a nursing home, or other residential setting, we would appreciate your time and perspective on these issues. Please consider becoming a member of the Chautauqua County Long Term Care Council. Your experiences and ideas could be instrumental in understanding need and effecting change in long term community supports and services here in Chautauqua County.

The Chautauqua County Long Term Care Council meets one day, every three months in different areas of the County for 2-3 hours. Our 2020 meeting dates are March 11, June 10, Sept. 9, and Dec. 11. For more information you can contact NY Connects directly at 753-4582, 363-4582, 661-7582, or by e-mail at CCNYC@co.chautauqua.ny.us.