The season is going to change. It will be autumn here in Chautauqua County. This brings the expected changes like back to school for students and teachers, chilly weather and preparing for a Western New York winter. We are also still dealing with COVID and the variants of the virus that are emerging. If you find yourself feeling anxious or stressed out with change there are many things that can be done to try to reduce the stress or anxiety.

The ElderCare locator at eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Index.aspx gives us this information and encourages us to use these tips to reduce your stress and anxiety:

Limit or avoid news coverage if it causes you more stress and anxiety. Focus on positive things in your life that you can control.

Keep stress under control by exercising, eating healthy, reading, or by trying relaxation techniques such as yoga, Tai Chi, or deep breathing.

Talk about your experiences and feelings to loved ones and friends, if you find it helpful. Play with a pet. Take a walk.

Connect with others who may be experiencing stress. Take time to renew your spirit through meditation, prayer, or connecting and/or helping others in need.

NY Connects programs can assist people and communities in locating the services they need. Information Specialists at NY Connects are available to provide guidance and connections to available services and resources. Some of the available services include:

¯ Adult Day Care Information: adult Day Care Centers offer social, recreational, and health-related services to individuals who need help during the day due to health and social needs, confusion, or disability.

¯ Caregiver Program Information: the National Family Caregiver Support Program provides programs and services for caregivers of older adults and limited services to grandparents who may be raising grandchildren.

¯ Elder Abuse Prevention Program information: protective service specialists investigate allegations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

¯ Financial Assistance Information: benefits programs that you may be eligible for such as Medicare savings program, HEAP or SNAP.

¯ Home Care Services Information: home care agencies can provide care personal care services that assist individuals with functional impairments to bathe, dress, shop, or housekeeping help in the home.

¯ Legal Assistance Information: legal advice and representation is available for certain legal matters, including government program benefits, tenant rights, and consumer problems.

¯ Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Information: the program works to advocates for residents of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and similar adult care facilities. They work to resolve problems of individual residents and effect change at the local, state, and national levels to improve resident care and quality of life.

¯ Nutrition Services Information: nutrition options in Chautauqua County.

¯ Respite Care Information: respite is a specific period of relief or rest from the continual supervision, companionship, therapeutic, and/or personal care of a person with a functional impairment.

¯ Senior Housing Information: independent living, assisted living, retirement communities, nursing facilities.

¯ State Health Insurance Counseling and Assistance Information: professionals offer unbiased, one-on-one counseling to help consumers understand their Medicare benefits. They can also provide information for supplemental insurance and long-term care insurance options.

¯ Transportation Information: route, door-to-door, or volunteer transportation for older adults and people with disabilities who do not have private transportation.

¯ Volunteer Service Information: there are numerous programs and opportunities available for older adults to volunteer in their community.

Change can be hard, but you can call NY Connects for more information about services and programs that may be able to assist you. We are here for you! NY Connects is your access to local community services and supports open to all residents living in Chautauqua County. This service is confidential and free. Our phone number is 800-342-9871 or local Mayville 716-753-4582, Jamestown 716-661-7582, Dunkirk 716-363-4582. Call us on the phone or E-mail: ccnyc@chqgov.com NY Connects is brought to you by a partnership with Chautauqua County Office for the Aging and the Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services.