Department for Aging News

Albany and Schenectady Counties Receive Grant to Support Aging in Community

Albany and Schenectady Counties were awarded a $25,359 Community Empowerment grant from the New York State Office for the Aging to assist in their efforts to promote and plan more aging and disabled friendly communities, which support older adults and disabled individuals to remain in their community for as long as they wish.

Each county's Long Term Care Council, NY Connects (single point of entry) program and aging agency will partner with SUNY Albany on public outreach and education activities to raise awareness about the benefits of aging and disabled friendly communities. The counties will also work with municipalities, business groups, consumer representatives and other stakeholders to assess and expand each community's level of aging and disabled friendliness, to identify and prioritize opportunities for short term and long term changes and to develop strategies for implementation. The planning process will focus on a number of factors: adequate community-based long term care services, accessible and affordable housing, outdoor spaces, buildings, transportation as well as opportunities for social interaction, volunteerism and employment.

Albany County Executive Mike Breslin said, "The Community Empowerment Project is consistent with our current efforts to develop a comprehensive long term care plan for the County that expands affordable and reliable home and community-based long term care services in our community. We must ensure our communities have the supports and services in place to enable residents to remain where they want to be for as long as possible."

Albany County Legislator Lucille McKnight, chair of the Legislature's Social Services Committee, said, "Hopefully this grant will help us meet our goal of keeping more of our seniors at home."

Susan Savage, chairwoman of the Schenectady County Legislature said, "Schenectady County has long supported efforts that promote the health and well being of our older residents. This grant will help us design programs and services that will allow our seniors to remain in our community."

Each County's Long Term Care Council, which includes representatives of various consumer groups, community-based and residential long term care service providers and advocacy groups, assists in the evaluation of existing long term care services and identification of the need for additional, stronger services. The Councils also coordinated the development and implementation of the point of entry system for long term care services, known as NY Connects.

NY Connects provides assistance and information for those exploring options for long term care services or those currently receiving services. Albany County-NY Connects  can be reached at (518) 447-7177. Schenectady County-NY Connects can be reached at (518) 382-8481 ext. 1000.