Breaking News

Senior News

Are You A Caregiver Or Do You Know One?

Do you have an aging grandparent, parent, neighbor or friend? Does your work or personal life involve assisting an Older American who is experiencing difficulties related to aging and you assist them in navigating difficult choices related to care, shopping, transportation or just assisting with finding options for assistance? You may call this by another name like: Partner in Care, Long Distance Caregiver (if your location separates you geographically from your loved one) or maybe you feel you are just behaving like a good neighbor or lifelong friend. If you are helping someone you care ...

R.U.O.K. Program For Responding To Home Bound Individual Emergency

Did you know that the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Department has a program that can check to see if you are OK. It is called R.U.O.K. The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Office for Aging Services (OFAS), provides this service. The referrals are processed by the OFAS NY Connects staff. You can also go online to apply at https://www.sheriff.us/ruok You can complete the online request below and you will be contacted by the OFA to confirm participation. The R.U.O.K. Program is when a computer located in the Sheriff’s 911 Emergency Dispatch Center calls an ...

Spreading The Word On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

As Americans, we believe in justice for all. Yet, every year an estimated 5 million, or 1 in 10 older Americans experience elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation. That is why we celebrate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15 and June is designated as Elder Abuse Awareness Month. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day serves as a call-to-action for individuals, organizations, and communities to raise awareness about elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The sad fact is that only 1 in 23 cases of elder abuse are reported so we all can have a role in stopping elder abuse. The Nation ...

Summer Nutrition Programs: Brought To You By Chaut. County Office For Aging

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is designed to provide low-income older adults access to locally grown produce. Each year Ag & Markets works with state and local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) offices. Chautauqua County Office for Aging Services (OFAS) then distributes the $25 value coupon booklets of this well-loved program to income eligible older adults. The purpose of the program is to promote improved nutrition through increased consumption of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables as well as expand sales at farm stands and farmers markets. You are eligible for this ...

I Hear About ‘Telehealth’, But I Don’t Know What That Is. Should I Be Using That?

Question: I Hear About ‘Telehealth’, But I Don’t Know What That Is. Should I Be Using That? Answer: Telehealth is the ability to access health related services and communications via phone and the internet. It allows local and long-distance patient and provider contact to provide care, advice, reminders, education, monitoring and so much more. Prior to COVID, Telehealth was not as common, and many health insurance products didn’t cover this type of appointment. With the COVID pandemic our healthcare system and our society made significant adjustments to how care and ...

Why Are Medications Priced Differently Now?

Question: My new doctor says that my Prolia shot will be very expensive. When my previous physician gave me the shot it was covered in full. Why the difference in cost? Answer: Vaccine and injections prescribed by our physicians are covered differently depending on what the injection is for. Original Medicare Part A would cover any injection given as part of a hospital stay. Medicare Part B covers outpatient services including some injections and vaccines; the Flu shot, Hepatitis B, Pneumococcal and COVID-19. These vaccines are administered either in a doctor’s office, health clinic ...