Message from NYSOFA Director Greg Olsen

As I recently reflected in an editorial about Governor Hochul’s budget, "what's right for older adults is good for all New Yorkers." I marvel at the good work that you, your staff, and volunteers accomplish every day for New York's 4.6 million older adults.   

I think of volunteers like Maggie Torres. I met Maggie recently during National Nutrition Month in March as she brought a nourishing meal to the Albany home of Michael McCormick, a participant in LifePath’s nutrition program. "It feels like I have a new family,” Maggie told Spectrum News about her work helping others.  

Volunteers are connecting in so many important ways. Sometimes it's as simple as a picking up the phone. This month, we’re sharing new training tools to help your organization start up a Friendly Calls program that enlists volunteers in the effort to overcome social isolation. 

Another way to see good work in action is by joining me at the upcoming Aging Concerns Unite Us (ACUU) conference in Albany on June 7 and 8. This truly world-class program brings together the brightest minds to support healthy aging. I hope to see you there – and learn more about the work you are doing for the good of New York’s older adults.

Sincerely,   Greg Olsen  Director   New York State Office for the Aging  

Enhanced Multidisciplinary Teams (E-MDTs) assist in fighting elder abuse across the state. Watch this interview and read the latest in our Five Questions series to discover more about this important resource within New York's aging network. Allison Granata, Assistant Director for E-MDT Initiatives at Lifespan of Greater Rochester, took time to answer some questions about the program.  

April 7, 1pm: Live with Greg: Update on Caregiving April 15, 1pm: Ask the Experts: Nutrition Edition April 21, 1pm: Live with Greg: Ageism in Film April 27, 1pm: Social Media Content Planning Made Easy(ier) April 29, 12:30pm: What's Cooking with Wendy! Garden Stir Fry with Tofu

Sepsis is a life-threatening and urgent condition. It can escalate very quickly following any cause of infection, whether it's a small scrape or a more severe condition like pneumonia. Sepsis is the number-one cause of hospitalizations in the U.S., killing 270,000 Americans each year. Older adults are especially susceptible. Thankfully, sepsis is preventable. With early identification, up to 80 percent of sepsis deaths can be avoided. 

Share this fact sheet. Explain why T.I.M.E. matters. Remind people: if you see the symptoms (elevated temperature, acute mental decline, or severe illness), call 911 or go to a hospital, especially if you’ve had a recent cut or infection. 

90,000 Served by HIICAP, NY Connects Over Three-Month Period 

As part of NYSOFA’s transparency plan, we’re publishing quarterly reports on the assistance provided to beneficiaries in core programs.  

According to the latest reports, 36,522 beneficiaries were served by HIICAP from October 1 to December 31, 2021. Nearly half of beneficiaries (47%) were between the ages of 65 to 74. The top five areas of assistance were: Medicare Advantage (20,679); Medicare Part D (20,374); Medicaid (18,857); original Medicare (18,639); and Part D Low Income Subsidy (16,447).  

NY Connects received 53,679 contacts during the same period. Over 32,000 individuals were age 60 and over. The top five areas of assistance were: Home Based Services (26,177); Insurance/Benefit Information and Counseling (20,845); Consumer and Caregiver Supports (17,224); Residential/Housing Options and Supports (17,212); and Nutrition (6,750). 

County Spotlight Local Offices for the Aging are on the front line during emergencies of all kinds. St. Lawrence County Office for the Aging Director Andrea Montgomery details the county office for the aging's response to aid more than 100 older adults displaced by a high-rise fire in Ogdensburg, NY. County OFA staff joined emergency service providers and a tight-knit community that banded together to aid and comfort those affected by the fire.

We'd like to extend a hearty welcome to Ron Lassonde and Victoria Rojas-Valencia to our Division of Finance and Administration; Lisbeth Irish, RD, to our Division of Local Program Operations; and Gina Cook in our Division of Policy, Programs, Planning & Outcomes.