If you have not heard of this New York StateWide Senior Action Council, listen up- this could be helpful to you or someone you know. This organization is a powerhouse! The web site is https://www.nysenior.org/ According to the web site the mission statement speaks volumes!

¯ The purposes of New York StateWide Senior Action Council shall be:

¯ To achieve through united action the dignity, well-being and security of all senior citizens of New York State;

¯To provide a unified and articulate voice on behalf of older New Yorkers, especially as advocate for the low-income elderly and low-income persons of all generations;

¯ To promote the general well-being of the aging through educational processes outlining the legislative needs of the elderly;

¯ To promote the best interest of children and youth by intergenerational programs of mutual support;

¯ To develop in the community an awareness of the needs and the capabilities of older persons;

¯ To help develop the leadership abilities of the elderly through leadership training and skills utilization;

¯ To monitor programs and services to the elderly of New York State to ensure their full representation and participation in planning, implementation and evaluation

The Chautauqua County long Term Care council completed an advocacy campaign in the last quarter of 2021 to all elected officials regarding the direct- care worker shortage and how it may affect our county. Statewide also advocates in this area of concern. If this topic is important to you- check out the web site for additional information about the NYS Home Care Crisis Campaign. As our county needs more home care workers- this could be an important organization to work with. There is even a link to share your stories about problems finding home care workers. This help is important to any/every caregiver in our county.

There are many senior issues that the organization is involved with-like the NYS Elder Economic Security Index. This report (by county) looks at incomes and expenses. It measures how much income is needed for an older adult to pay basic needs like rent or mortgage, food, transportation and other costs. The web site notes:

“In New York State a total of 38.6% Single person 65 + and 24% couples are living in “the gap” meaning their income is too high to be considered poor, yet they have sufficient incomes to make ends meet. To learn more about the economic sufficiency of older adults in NYS, StateWide compared NYS Elder Economic Security Index with the number of older New Yorkers by County who receive social assistance and other key economic factors using Census data from the American Community Survey, Census Bureau, 2019.” (https://www.nysenior.org/nys-elder-economic-sufficiency-tables/ 2022)

StateWide also offers many resources on line and a telephone webinar called Teach-Ins. These are presentations by phone that you can call into to listen to what issues are being addressed and how by the organization. The next scheduled teach in is scheduled for Tuesday January 18, 2022. The topic is “Many Hospitals are Putting Liens on Patients’ Homes to Collect Debt: Learn What Can Be Done to Protect Them.” To access the Teach In Date: Tuesday, January 18, 2022 Time: 10:00 AM–11:00 AM Speakers: Carrie Tracy, JD; Senior Director, Health Initiatives, Community Service Society of New York. To register for the ZOOM Webinar event virtually go to https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN–hTztdabSRGm7MlYTSvY9VA or to connect via phone call 1- 646-558-8656, Webinar ID: 884 5829 7612#

So how does this tie in to your local NY Connects programs? If you need to be connected to programs, services, benefits or entitlements, you can call the Chautauqua County NY Connects programs to learn what you may be eligible for. I believe the saying is…”the more you know…”

There are NY Connects programs located with the Office for Aging Services and the SouthWestern independent Living Center. 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 or email: ccnyc@chggov.com Southwestern Independent Living NY Connects at 716-661-3010 or 716-490-7561. The state NY Connects Resource Directory can be found at www.nyconnects.ny.gov. This great tool allows you to search for services yourself.

Call and/or visit NY Connects for assistance! “The more you know…”.