By Dana Corwin Interim Director Chautauqua County Office for Aging Services
The Chautauqua County Office for Aging Services (CCOFAS) was established by the county legislature in 1973. Each year we look forward to the community input on our plan. We have many things to plan for as our population is changing.
According to 2022 Census data(https://censusreporter.org/profiles/05000US36013-chautauqua-county-ny/), the population of Chautauqua County is estimated at 126,027 individuals who reside here with 27,726 people or 22% of the population over the age of 60. This is well above the national average of 17% of the population over the age of 60 years.
CCOFAS is responsible for planning, coordinating, and managing the Federal and state grants. Our mission is to guide, connect, and advocate for programs and services that meet the needs of Chautauqua County residents aged 60 and over.
We work to provide information and assistance for individuals and caregivers of any age. Our services help individuals with the greatest social and/or economic need, emphasizing serving older adults who are low-income, minorities, and/or those with disabilities. However, we are here to support all older adults and caregivers!
CCOFAS anticipates our overall budget for 2025 programs and services for older adults and caregivers will be $5,186,681.00 and we plan to serve 6,500+ people in 2025. The budget consists of Federal and State funds, and local share-matching dollars as well as participant contributions. CCOFAS contracts over 3.3 million dollars to local businesses and not-for-profit organizations that assist in the provision of services to older adults.
The CCOFAS is regulated by the New York State Office for the Aging and the US Administration on Aging through the Older Americans Act. The purpose of our annual Public Hearing is to present a draft plan for the upcoming year and to obtain input from the community before our final submission to the New York State Office for the Aging.
CCOFAS Goals for 2025 include:
- Further the vision of the Older Americans Act to cultivate innovative approaches reflective of local needs and preferences.
- Enable older New Yorkers to remain in their own homes with a high quality of life for as long as possible through the provision of home and community-based services, including support for family caregivers.
- Create an age-friendly New York where home and community-based services are available and accessible to those who most need them - when they need them.
- Ensure the rights of older New Yorkers and prevent their abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
- Empower older New Yorkers to stay active and healthy through Older Americans Act services and those offered under Medicare.
- Integrate COVID-19 lessons and adaptations into standard practice while preparing the aging network, and those served by the network, to successfully respond and adapt to future emergencies and disasters.
- Promote equitable access to older adults in greatest social and economic need throughout all programs and services administered.
- Support the continuation and growth of state and local policies, programs, and investments that complement and expand upon Older Americans Act programs.
- Family caregivers will be recognized, assisted, included, supported, and engaged through a variety of programs so that they can care for their care receiver at home for as long as possible.
These core services include In-Home/caregiver services like housekeeping assistance, personal care services, social adult day services, personal emergency response systems, respite care, home modifications, benefit coordination, support groups, and case management. Nutrition and wellness services such as Dining IN: home-delivered meals, Dining Out: Congregate and restaurant dining programs, nutrition counseling and evaluation, and health promotion classes. NY Connects our aging and disability resource center. Specialized information, assistance, and public education services that are person-centered. Legal services include local legal providers guiding clients on issues of landlord/tenant issues, housing, utilities, guardianship, foreclosure, abuse, neglect, and age discrimination. Transportation services for older adults.
Please join us on November 14, 2024, at the United Senior Council Meeting for a community conversation and public hearing on CCOFAS services and the four-year planning process. The location is 5377 Slow Ferry Rd, Stow NY 14785 at 11 AM. You are welcome to come at 10 AM for the United Senior Council meeting or come at 11 AM for the CCOFAS public hearing portion of the meeting.
If you are already registered with the CCOFAS office, we will be sending an automated survey in mid-November for you to share your thoughts. We use an automated messaging system to bring you information about programs, services, events, and opportunities! If you are not registered for our automated messaging, please call our NY Connects helpline at 716-753-4582 to receive our messages by either text, voice mail, or email.
CCOFAS appreciates any feedback related to this plan. We will take comments through November 30, 2025, for the 2025 Program Plan. If you cannot attend in person you can be included by emailing your thoughts on needed services to ccnyc@chqgov.com. You may contact the Chautauqua County Office for the Aging via mail: 7 North Erie Street, Mayville NY 14757; via phone: (716) 753-4471.
On behalf of the staff of the Chautauqua County Office for Aging Services, and our community provider agencies, we thank you for any feedback you can provide to help us in helping our community’s older adults to “Excel at Aging Well.”
