Services and Activities in Copake

·        A social club for seniors, the YOUNG AT HEARTERS, meets at the Hillsdale Firehouse and enjoys a variety of activities including trips, Christmas Luncheon and Halloween Party.

Contact Mike Salvatore        518-329-6640  or

                                Flo Evers                    518-398-5675

·        Copake has a persons living alone confidential list. In case of a blizzard, tornado, extended blackout or other similar major event, people on this list will be contacted to make sure they are all right. Know there is someone who will check about you. To join the persons living alone confidential list, call Vana Hotaling at the Town Hall, 518-329-1234 or e-mail her at townofcopake@taconic.net.

·        The Town Board of Copake initiated the SENIOR COMMITTEE, charged with "improving the quality of life for seniors in our town". The current members are Harvey Webber, Vana Hoteling, Sue Kibler, Walt Zelly and Robin Bruce. Activities and plans are reported monthly in the Town Board minutes on this website.

Columbia County Services and Activities

            Columbia County Office for the Aging (CCOA)

            The Columbia County Office for the Aging is located at 325 Columbia Street, Hudson, NY, 12534, with phone, 518-828-4258 and FAX, 518-822-0010. Kathryn Revene administers the office and may be contacted by e-mail at krevene@govt.co.columbia.ny.us. CCOA does not have a website. This office provides a wealth of services and information through a variety of publications on issues of interest to seniors.

·        Congregate Meals are available at 60+ Food & Friendship Centers in Stuyvesant on Tuesdays and Thursdays and in Canaan on Wednesdays.

·        The Healthcare Consortium provides a passenger shuttle bus for elderly and disabled residents in the Ancram-Copake area to get to Hudson one day each week. Call 518-822-8820 for more information.

·        A senior discount program is available for anyone 60+ who lives in Columbia County.

·        Various in-home and community services are provided by the CCOA: Case Management, Connections for Caregivers, Shopping Assistance, Home Visits, Diet Counseling, Home Health Aides, EISEP (Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly Program), and Home Delivered Meals. Contact the office for additional details.

·        The Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) Program can save as much as 60% of the cost of prescription drugs if you are 65 or older.

·        Charge cards have replaced food stamps in the Nutrition Outreach Program. To learn if you are eligible call either 518-822-9600 or 1-800-980-5530. With such approval, you can be enrolled automatically for HEAP, the Home Energy Assistance Program, and Lifeline Service for a discounted telephone rate.

 
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION

HEALTH

The MEDICARE site answers questions on Medicare eligibility, coverage, appeals and publications. The site also provides information about:

                                    Comparison of Hospitals

                                    Comparison of Nursing Homes

                                    Comparison of Medicare Prescription Drug Plans

                                    Comparison of Home Health Agencies

                                    Finding a Physician

                                    Long-term care

The ELDERCARE LOCATOR is a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging. The Locator helps older adults, their families and caregivers find trustworthy local support resources. Its database does not include unsolicited requests. By entering your zipcode or city and the nature of help you seek, appropriate local sources are found. General topics include aging and disability centers, Medicare, elder abuse prevention, health insurance counseling, legal assistance, long-term care ombudsman and prescription assistance. If you prefer to talk with a person, then call 1-800-677-1116 between 9am and 8pm any weekday.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) have provided a website on SENIOR HEALTH. This is an authoritative source of information from Alzheimer's Disease to Taking Medicines.

MEDLINE PLUS is a primary source of information about health, drugs, healthcare and more.

The NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING website provides health information, publications on a variety of subjects, information about federally and privately supported clinical trials and a list of NIH and other federal government websites of interest to the aging community.

NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH LONG TERM CARE            provides information about assisted living, community based care, retirement communities and nursing homes in New York state, long-term care insurance and Medicaid and other types of waivers.

MAYO CLINIC provides specific and reliable information about senior health in their Health Living section. In addition an overview is given on a variety of diseases under their Disease and Conditions section

ALZEIMER'S ASSOCIATION is a nationwide non-profit organization that advocates for Alzheimer's research and those affected by the disease.

The Administration on Aging has a website on MENTAL HEALTH that provides information links for such subjects as depression, suicide, dementia, agencies and practitioners in the field of aging and mental health.

IN-HOME CARE

HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE gives sources for non-medical companionship and home care for seniors.

HOUSING

NEW YORK SENIOR HOUSING is a senior housing directory for the USA, Canada and International locations and focus on independent living as well as assisted living, nursing care, Alzheimer's care, rehabilitation care and more.

The New York State Office for the Aging has A GUIDE TO SENIOR HOUSING which is a directory of senior housing in the state.

RETIREMENT

CONSUMER RETIREMENT PLAN INFORMATION provides laws, rules and survivor tips about pensions and 401k plans.

The Department of Labor has compiled a starter list for the TOP TEN WAYS TO PREPARE FOR RETIREMENT.

FINANCES

In addition to information about SOCIAL SECURITY at its website you will also find links about:                                     Your Statement

                                                Medicare

                                                Disability

                                                Widowers, Widows and other Survivors

                                                Retirement

                                                Replacements for 1099 statements

                                                News and other related items.

NEW YORK STATE SENIOR CITIZENS INSURANCE RESOURCE CENTER supplies information for seniors on health insurance, long term care insurance, Medicare supplement coverage as well as other types of coverage for seniors.

ELDER LAW

NATIONAL CENTER on ELDER ABUSE provides access to numerous resources on elder abuse, neglect and exploitation. The NCEA is funded by the U.S. Administration on Aging and administered under the auspices of the National Association of State Units on Aging.

SENIOR LAW: ELDER LAW & LEGAL RESOURCES on the WEB gives access to information about elder law, Medicare, Medicaid, guardianship, estate planning, trusts and the rights of the elderly and disabled.

NATIONAL SENIOR CITIZENS LAW CENTER advocates nationwide to promote the independence and well being of low-income elderly and disabled Americans.

RECREATION

SENIORNET was founded in 1986 and has the mission to educate older adults about computers and how to use them to enhance their lives by sharing their knowledge and wisdom.

ELDERHOSTEL focuses on educational travel for older adults. Discover over 8000 learning adventures in all 50 states and 90 countries abroad.

Travel enthusiasts will be entertained and informed by:

·        AMERICANS TRAVELING AND LIVING ABROAD, a guide on customs through medical care;

·        the NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE and its GOLDEN AGE PASSPORT;

·        following your favorite themes on the NATIONAL REGISTER TRAVEL ITINERARIES;

·        using the SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION SITE to look through the exhibits on-line and learn about the museums in Washington, DC.

·        exploring possibilities for nature watching, boating, camping, climbing, fishing, hiking, biking and hunting on the USGS RECREATION SITE.

END OF LIFE ISSUES

AGING WITH DIGNITY is a national non-profit organization that provides help and information about living wills, palliative care and other end of life concerns.

ADVOCATES AND CAREGIVING GROUPS

FAMILY CAREGIVER ALLIANCE addresses the needs of family and friends who provide long-term care at home.

GENERAL INFORMATION LINKS

The primary federal government site is SENIORS.GOV. It functions both as a portal to other sites and as an information source. Aspects are included about:                                     Consumer Protection for Seniors

                                    Education, Jobs and Volunteerism

                                    End of Life Issues

                                    Federal and State Agencies for Seniors

                                    Health

                                    Housing

                                    Laws and Regulations

                                    Money and Taxes

                                    Retirement

                                    Travel and Recreation

The website of the NEW YORK STATE OFFICE FOR THE AGING has assistance on:

·        Health Insurance

·        Counseling and Assistance

·        A GUIDE TO SENIOR HOUSING

·        Health, Fitness and Safety Issues

·        Long Term Care

·        LONG TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN has insights and aids into Medicare and Medicaid problems, nursing and adult care facilities, mental health issues among other concerns.

·        Volunteer Programs

Its senior citizen hot line, 1-800-342-9871, is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm to answer questions about programs and services.

NEW YORK STATE'S SENIOR CITIZEN RESOURCE GUIDE is available on-line and contains 56 pages of information on programs and services for seniors health care, legal and financial options, daily living, lifestyles and veterans. The last 13 pages constitute a telephone directory of agencies and services for seniors.

SENIOR RESOURCES IN NEW YORK is a gateway to information about housing options, insurance, retirement, finance and care.

The American Psychological Association has an OFFICE ON AGING that provides insights and additional source material helpful for the elderly. Resource guides, newsletters, fact sheets and many brochures are available on a variety of concerns. A few examples are:    

Elder Abuse and Neglect: In Search of Answers

Older Adults' Health and Age-related Changes: Reality vs Myth

Psychology and Aging Resources Guides

The APA Aging Issues Newsletter

Please contact us (the button at the top of this page) to add other agencies, departments or organizations you think seniors and their advocates would find helpful.