Benefits Assistance
Description:
The Office for the Aging can help you understand and apply for the many benefit programs available to the elderly. Many of these programs have complex and confusing requirements. Our staff can assess an applicant's needs and offer information about available options.
We can help you with the following applications and programs:
- Medicaid
- SNAP (Food Stamps)
- Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
- Medicare Savings Plan
- School Tax Relief - STAR program
- Medicare Prescription Drug program
- Supplemental Health Insurance
- Weatherization & Home Repair
Contacts:
DirectorMichelle Breen
Email:
mbreen@franklincony.orgPhone: 518-481-1659
Case ManagerKayla JohnsonEmail:
kjohnson@franklincony.orgPhone: 518-481-1569
Fax: 518-481-1635
Case ManagerSarah WeilacherEmail:
sweilacher@franklincony.orgPhone: 518-481-1527
Fax: 518-481-1635
Case Management and In-home Assessment
Description:
The Case Management and In-Home Assessment program provides assistance to the frail or disabled elderly. In Home Care Program Assistants conduct home visits at the request of either an elderly person, the family member of an elderly person or by another agency that is trying to provide assistance to an elderly person.
Case Management includes the completion of an In-Home Assessment of the client's needs. A recommendation about possible care for the client follows. The In Home Care Program Assistant will then help the client make arrangements for any needed services and make periodic follow-up visits to ensure the services are appropriate to the client's needs.
Contacts:
N.Y. Connects/Office for the Aging
Michelle Breen- Director
Email: mbreen@franklincony.org
Phone: 518-481-1659
In-Home Care Program Manager
Kim Phillips
Email: kphillip@franklincony.org
Phone: 518-481-1523
Use this contact to learn more about case management and in-home assessments.
Congregate Meals
Description:
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Senior Dining |
These are group meals served at our local Adult Centers. Open for all people age 60 and over, and their spouses (regardless of age). There is no charge for meals, but donations are accepted. The current suggested donation is $2.00 per meal. Guests under 60 are also welcomed, but must pay the full cost of the meal, $6.75.
Monthly menus are available at all local Adult Centers. Adult Centers are located in: Brushton, Burke, Ft. Covington, Malone, St. Regis Falls, Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake.
Reservations for meals are requested. Just call your local Adult Center the day before, to help ensure enough food is prepared for all their guests.
Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly Program (EISEP)
Description:
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Enjoying independence with in-home services |
Besides Case Management and in-home assessments (see previous section), this program provides in-home personal care services such as bathing, dressing, personal hygiene and mobility assistance for the frail elderly person age 60 or over. Light housekeeping and other chores such as shopping can be provided if needed. This program may also provide assistance in paying for Lifeline service (the personal emergency telephone response system).
To be eligible for the EISEP Services, a person must be age 60 or over and be impaired in one or more activities of daily living. Clients may receive services at no cost or on a sliding scale basis, according to income levels. This program is intended to meet the needs of those who cannot qualify for Medicaid because their income or resource level is too high.
Home care workers are provided through contracts with North Country Home Services and CAREGIVERS.
Contacts:
N.Y. Connects/Office for the AgingMichelle BreenEmail:
mbreen@franklincony.orgPhone: 518-481-1659
In-Home Care Program ManagerKim PhillipsEmail:
kphillip@franklincony.orgPhone: 518-481-1523
Use this contact for more information on the EISEP program and services.
Family Caregiver Support & Respite Services
Description:
The Office for the Aging offers in-home respite services for caregivers of frail or disabled elderly. This includes supervision and personal care for the older person while the usual family caregiver is either taking care of personal business or taking a short break from their caregiving duties.
Care under this program is provided free of charge, without regard to income or assets of the person to receive care.
However, donations toward the cost of care can be accepted and will expand the ability of the program to provide services. The person to receive care must be age 60 or over and be impaired in 2 or more activities of daily living or require supervision because of a cognitive impairment.
Other services offered under this program are information and assistance for caregivers, including access to the library at the Office for the Aging. Several books and pamphlets are available there for caregivers to borrow. Evaluations for the service are carried out by In Home Care Program Assistants and respite care is authorized by the In-Home Care Program Manager at the Office for the Aging, Kim Phillips.
Requests for respite service should be made through Franklin County N.Y. Connects, the county's entry point for long term care.
Contacts:
N.Y. Connects/ Office for the Aging Director
Michelle Breen
Email: mbreen@franklincony.org
Phone: 518-481-1659
Fax: 518-481-1635
In-Home Care Program Manager
Kim Phillips
Email: kphillips@franklincony.org
Phone: 518-481-1523
Fax: 518-481-1635
Use this contact to learn more about the Family Caregiver Program
HIICAP - Health Insurance Information, Counseling & Assistance Program
Description:
What is HIICAP?
It is New York's Health Insurance Information, Counseling & Assistance Program. HIICAP's mission is to provide information, individual counseling and assistance to people about MEDICARE as well as private health insurance coverage and other health insurance issues for seniors. This service is intended for people who currently have Medicare or will soon be eligible for it.
In Franklin County, the Office for the Aging takes the lead in coordinating and supporting HIICAP counselors. Joanne Riccio, the Aging Services Coordinator of the Office for the Aging is the Coordinator of the program. Local Adult Center Directors and Case Managers are trained to provide insurance counseling. HIICAP counselors can assist with health insurance questions about benefits, options, paperwork and resources and help people to make informed decisions about health care coverage.
Some of the topics covered under HIICAP are:
- MEDICARE Parts A & B and what they cover
- Medicare Supplement Insurance plans (Medigap Plans)
- Medicare Advantage Plans (Medicare Part C - coverage that combines original Medicare and insurance in one plan)
- Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Medicare Part D)
- NYS EPIC - Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage for New Yorkers age 65 and over
- Medicaid - medical coverage for low-income people who meet specific income and resource guidelines
Trained HIICAP Counselors can help individuals compare coverage options, determine eligibility and complete required paperwork for applications when appropriate. They can also assist with on-going coverage questions relating to billing of medical expenses or other paperwork from insurers. The HIICAP Coordinator provides training to Counselors on new laws, changing State and Federal Regulations, and new developments in the health insurance industry.
HIICAP counseling is provided to persons 60 years of age or older or their representatives. For more information contact the Aging Services Coordinator at the Office for the Aging at 518-481-1532 or contact one of the Adult Center Directors in your area. See the listing for Adult Centers under the Congregate Meals service section on our Office for the Aging home page.
Contacts:
Aging Services CoordinatorJoanne RiccioEmail:
jriccio@franklincony.orgPhone: 518-481-1532
Links:NYS Office for the Aging HIICAP website
Home Delivered Meals
Description:
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Nutritious Meals for Seniors |
This service provides daily meals to seniors (age 60 and over) who are unable to prepare their own or have no one else available to provide the meal. The meals are prepared at one of 7 Adult Centers in Franklin County, and delivered to the senior’s home by volunteers or staff. They can provide up to 2 meals per day (hot dinner and cold supper and cold lunch and frozen supper for weekends).
Upon receiving a request for home delivered meals, an In Home Care Program Assistant will complete an in-home assessment. This will determine the individual’s need for the service, and details about number of meals and special dietary requirements. A registered dietitian is available through the Office for the Aging to assist in planning for special needs.
While there is no charge for the meals, donations are encouraged. The suggested donation is $2.00 per meal, but no person will be denied a meal if they are unable to pay. Donations are treated in a confidential manner.
Contacts:
N.Y. Connects/Office for the AgingMichelle BreenEmail:
mbreen@franklincony.orgPhone: 518-481-1659
In-Home Care Program ManagerKim PhillipsEmail:
kphillips@franklincony.orgPhone: 518-481-1523
Use this contact for more information about the home delivered meals service or in-home assessments.
Home Energy Assistance and Residential Repair
Description:
Keeping warm and safe |
The Office for the Aging coordinates with other agencies to provide a variety of programs that help with the cost of home energy, weather-proofing, repair and home modifications that are needed to keep seniors safe and comfortable in their homes.
HEAP - the Home Energy Assistance Program
This program is offered through the Department of Social Services (DSS) to provide assistance with the cost of energy, particularly during the winter months when heating costs are so high. Eligibility guidelines are set each year to determine who can qualify for this assistance. Payments are made to energy vendors on behalf approved applicants, to help with fuel and electric costs. This is generally a one-time payment, but emergency benefits are also available. The Office for the Aging help with applications for elderly (age 60 plus) and some disabled clients as well.
Weatherization and Home Repair Programs
These programs provide assistance with the cost of home repairs to improve energy efficiency and safety. There are income eligibility requirements and different programs allow for different types of repair. The application process begins with an in-home assessment to determine the client’s needs. Then a worker from the Office for the Aging will assist in determining the most appropriate programs to meet the needs. For more information, contact Mandy Jarvis at the Office for the Aging (481-1533).
Contacts:
Aging Services SpecialistMandy Jarvis
Email:
mjarvis@franklincony.orgPhone: 518-481-1533
Fax: 518-481-1635
N.Y. Connects (Information, Referral and General Assistance)
Description:
Providing information about items and issues of interest to seniors is one of the key services of the Office for the Aging. Questions can be addressed to office staff by contacting us at 518-481-1526 or 518-481-1660.
Referrals & general assistance: If a question or concern is better addressed by another agency, you will be referred to that agency by our staff. If you need assistance dealing with another agency for such things as applying for benefits or resolving a problem, our staff will be glad to assist.
Contacts
Kayla Johnson- Case Manager
kjohnson@franklincony.org
(518) 481-1569
fax: (518) 481-1635
Sarah Weilacher- Case Manager
sweilacher@franklincony.org
(518) 481-1527
fax: (518) 481-1635
Legal Services
Description:
The purpose of the Legal Services Program is to provide legal advice and representation to individuals age 60 and over, including representation in court where necessary. Upon request, the Aging Services Specialist from the Office for the Aging will meet with the prospective client to see if their need may be met by the program. If so, services will be provided either by the Specialist or by an attorney.
Because funds under the Older Americans Act are limited, the Legal Services Program will focus its efforts on elderly clients who are most in need, and least able to obtain legal services on their own. Therefore the target population for this service will include those who have limited financial resources, and/or are frail, isolated, disabled, institutionalized, minority, or non-English speaking.
Legal Services may not be provided to defend criminal cases or handle fee-generating cases (cases which may be expected to generate a fee for the attorney, based on an award to the client from public funds or from the opposing party).
The Legal Services Program is intended to fill the gap between services available from organizations which use means tests for eligibility, and services available from the private bar.
For more information or to make a request for Legal Services, contact Mandy Jarvis, Aging Services Specialist, at the Office for the Aging at 518-481-1533.
Recreation, Education and Health Promotion Activities
Description:
The Office for the Aging supports a variety of recreation and health promotion activities with the help of the 7 local Adult Centers in the County.
Recreation activities may include holiday parties, dances and other performances by local musicians, arts & crafts, bean bag, day trips, picnics, bingo and card games.
Educational presentations are provided at the Adult Centers on issues of interest to seniors, and when new programs or services become available.
Health Promotion activities are also provided through the Adult Centers, sometimes with the support of other agencies, such as the Franklin County Health Department. Blood pressure clinics, flu and pneumonia shot clinics, and presentations on health issues are offered. Some Adult Centers also offer exercise programs.
The Directors of the Adult Centers work with their boards or committees to schedule and arrange these activities. They produce a monthly calendar of events. All events are open to seniors age 60 and over. Guests under age 60 may be able to participate, depending on the event. Some events may involve a charge.
For information on the activities at Adult Centers, contact the Center Director. The contact numbers for the Center Directors are below. Or you may stop in at any Adult Center to pick up a copy of their monthly activity calendar. See full listings with addresses for each Center under the Congregate Meal service category.
Adirondack Adult Center
Raymond Bigrow, Center Director
(518) 359-9070
Fort Covington Adult Center
Christine Benway, Center Director
(518) 358-4895
Brushton Adult Center
MaryAnn Durham, Center Director
(518) 529-7314
Malone Adult Center
Vicky Guerin, Center Director
(518) 483-6611
Burke Adult Center
Sue Huszar, Center Director
(518) 483-1089
St. Regis Falls Adult Center
Barb Fitzgerald, Center Director
856-9861
Saranac Lake Adult Center
Linda Ferraro,Center Director
(518) 891-2980
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