Syracuse, NY. Michael J. Burgess, Director of the New York State Office for the Aging welcomed thousands of older New Yorkers today who were visiting the New York State Fair on the second of two Senior Days held during the weeklong fair. Senior Days, allowing residents over the age of 65 free admission to the Fair, are traditionally days where the Fair enjoys higher than average attendance. And why not, with all that the Great New York State Fair has to offer.
Director Burgess greeted seniors as they entered the Fair and he and staff from his office and the Onondaga County Department of Aging & Youth answered any questions that seniors had about programs and services that are available to them and family members in New York State. Burgess stopped at the Fair to announce the "Home- But Not Alone" Campaign that the State Office for the Aging will be launching this fall. The campaign is to remind older New Yorkers and their families that local county offices for the aging and the State Office for the Aging have a presence in communities across the state and that there are expert staff and programs and services available to help seniors with the many challenges they face in remaining in their homes and communities of choice.
In speaking about the Home- But Not Alone Campaign, Director Burgess also referenced the New York State Senior Bill of Rights that sets forth a range of rights and protections for older New Yorkers that are set forth in law. He encouraged all older New Yorkers to be aware of these rights and the importance of advocating on one’s behalf to ensure that they are recognized.
Director Burgess noted that there are many situations that are difficult for some older New Yorkers to navigate and with just a little bit of help, these situations can be successfully handled. He mentioned the complex decisions seniors have to make regarding their health insurance and prescription drug plans as one area where one can quickly become overwhelmed by the complexity of options and the importance of making the best choices so that proper protections are in place and out of pocket payments are limited to the greatest extent possible.
The Health Insurance Information and Assistance Program, or HIICAP, that is in every county of the state is designed to provide one-on- one counseling to older New Yorkers needed assistance in deciding what health insurance and drug plan coverage is best for them.
The Home- But Not Alone Campaign also will alert older New Yorkers to a range of other programs that protect the well-being and rights of seniors. For example, the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program
, also in place throughout the state, ensures that the rights and quality of care provided in residential health care facilities, such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities, are up to standard by placing volunteer ombudsman in facilities across the state.
County Offices for the Aging also provide legal assistance and consultation to older New Yorkers who may find themselves the victims of consumer scams that target the elderly. Through the NY Connects program, also in most counties in the state, individuals can obtain information and assistance on long term care services that are available to older New Yorkers and the disabled.
Director Burgess said, "It is important for older New Yorkers to know that they have a place to go for help when they face difficult challenges that may make remaining in their homes and communities of choice possible. County Offices for the Aging and the State Office for the Aging are there to help. A phone call to a local office for the aging or the New York State Senior Citizens Help Line often times can get someone on the road to answering a question or solving a problem that if left unanswered, could escalate into a crisis situation."
Staff distributed cards to seniors entering the Fair with the State’s Help Line number: 1-800-342-9871
A short video about the State Office for the Aging was also played at the Chevy Court concert venue at the fair on Senior Day and that video can be viewed on the web site of the State Office for the Aging [http://www.aging.ny.gov/].
