May
June
July
2017
Office for the Aging
Director’s Message
Laugher is the Best Medicine:
It turns out the saying “laughter is the best medicine” may be true.
Researchers have found that having strong social ties are linked to a
longer life. People need social interactions to thrive at any age.
Studies have found that having a variety of social relationships can
help a person live longer and have better physical and mental
Irene Coveny
health.
Chronic isolation and loneliness can be especially harmful to older adults. An
estimated one in five adults over age 50 – at least 8 million, is affected by isolation.
Prolonged isolation can be as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
NEWS BEAT
ONTA R IO C OU NT Y OFFIC E FOR T HE AG ING
(585) 396-4040 (315) 781-1321
Director
About 29% of people 65 or older live alone, the majority of them are women, and
almost 50% of older women age 75 or older live alone. While living alone does not
inevitably lead to social isolation, it is certainly a predisposing factor. Older adults
who feel lonely and isolated are more likely to report health problems. Social
isolation is a major and prevalent health problem among community-based older
adults, leading to numerous detrimental health conditions such as a weakened
immune system, depression and anxiety, dementia, admission to nursing homes
and use of emergency services.
What Steps Can You Take to Stay Connected?

Nurture and strengthen existing relationships, invite people over for coffee or
call them to suggest a trip, movie, museum or to shop.

Meet your neighbors.

Take a class – you can check the libraries, OFA newsletter, and the
newspaper.

Take an exercise class or join the YMCA. There are usually discounts for older
adults.

Use social media to stay in touch with long distance friends. If you don’t know
how to use social media the Office for the Aging in partnership with Wood
Library offers classes.

If you don’t have transportation call NY Connects at 585-396-4047 to find out
what options are available to you.

Volunteer - call OFA to see what options are available or call the Volunteer
Connection through the United Way.

Go to a senior center or OFA’s dining program.
(Continued on page 3)
SENIOR NEWS BEAT
Ontario County
Office for the Aging
3019 County Complex Dr.
Canandaigua, NY 14424
(585) 396-4040
(585) 396-7490 (Fax)
Website:
www.co.ontario.ny.us/aging
Email Address:
[email protected]
VOLUNTEER CONNECTION
New Volunteer Coordinator
My name is Angela Wohlschlegel and I am the new Volunteer
Coordinator with the Office for the Aging. I have worked at the Office for
the Aging for over a year and a half as a Human Services Worker and
was recently promoted to Aging Services Specialist. If you have any
questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me. I look forward
to getting to know each and every one of you.
Volunteer Opportunities
Editorial Staff:
Irene Coveny
Terri Haley
Angela Wohlschlegel
Dawn Newvine
The Office for the Aging is in need of Home Delivered Meal
Volunteers for the Phelps area. The role of the Home Delivered Meal
Volunteer is to deliver hot meals to clients at their home.
The Office for the Aging is looking for volunteers interested in being
A very big THANK YOU to
trained in Tai Chi for Arthritis. The Tai Chi training is free and will be held
our Newsletter Volunteers
who assisted us with our last in Corning, NY on May 15, 2017 & May 16, 2017. After training, the
volunteer would be required to conduct 8 week classes 2 – 4 times per
issue:
year.
Irene Bariga
The Office for the Aging is also looking for volunteers interested in
Edie Hsu
being trained to lead a Bone Builders classes in Clifton Springs or at
Rosalie Fafinski
Florence Foringer
other potential locations. The class meets twice per week and is
Bob Gleason
volunteer run.
Sadie McKee
The Bone Builders training will be offered later in the year so let us
know if you are interested.
For more information regarding the volunteer opportunities listed,
If you would like to
please contact Angela at (585) 396-4837.
volunteer and help us
with our next
Angela Wohlschlegel, Volunteer Coordinator
newsletter mailing,
please call:
(585) 396-4040 or
(315) 781-1321
Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who
reflect this nation's compassion, unselfish caring, patience, and
just plain loving one another.
~Erma Bombeck
Office for the Aging
Holiday Closings
2017
Monday - May 29th
MEMORIAL DAY
Tuesday - July 4th
I
INDEPENDENCE DAY
Yellow Dot Program
Yellow dot is a free program designed to help first responders provide life
saving medical attention during that first “golden hour” after a crash or
other emergency. A Yellow Dot in the driver’s side rear window of your
vehicle will alert first responders that vital medical information is stored in
the glove compartment.
A free Yellow Dot kit is available at the Ontario County Jail, the Civil
Office at 74 Ontario Street and from the Office for the Aging.
2
(Continued from page 1)

Check with faith-based organizations for activities and events.

Get involved in a social or political cause.

If you can’t get out call OFA about the Friendly Visitor program.
The AARP Foundation is addressing the problem of isolation. Visit https://connect2affect.org/ for more
information.
*Sources of information for this article: Eldercare Locator, Administration on Aging, AARP and National
Institute on Health “News in Health”
MATTER OF BALANCE: Managing Concerns About Falls
Matter of balance is an award-winning evidence based program designed to
manage falls and increase activity levels.
Many older adults experience
concerns about falling and restrict their activities. This is a program offered one
time per week for 8 weeks to examine concerns about falls and perform
exercises that will increase strength and balance. You will be instructed by
dedicated, trained volunteers who are eager to improve your balance and listen
to your concerns.
Who should attend?




Age 60 or over Ontario County residents concerned about falls
Active older adults interested in improving balance, flexibility and strength
Anyone who has fallen in the past
Anyone who has restricted activities because of falling concerns
Our next class will be in the fall, starting in September on the following
Wednesdays: Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27. Oct. 4, 18, 25 and Nov. 1.
Time: 10:00am – 12:00noon
Where:
The Safety Training Building located at 2914 County Road 48 in
Canandaigua.
Who to call: Kathy Scott at (585) 396-4244 for questions and to fill out a
registration forms.
We are also interested in finding more volunteer instructors.
If you are
interested in this vital service and learning more information, please call Kathy
Scott with those inquiries also.
3
Bone Builders Class
Starting April 17th at
“The Palace”
10 Crane Street
Clifton Springs, NY 14432
Classes will be on
Mondays and Wednesdays
10:00 to 11:00am
Bone Builders is a volunteer run program that helps prevent osteoporosis,
increases muscle strength, improves balance to reduce risk of falling, and gives
you more energy. For more information call:
Call Amy Brunner at 315-665-0131 x250
Medication Program Boxes Locations
Bristol: Town Hall (6740 County Road 32) • Mon. - Fri., 8am - 12pm & 1:30pm - 4pm
Canandaigua - 4 locations:
DMV Office (20 Ontario St. #2) • Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm
FLCC (3325 Marvin Sands Drive, 3rd Floor, Keuka Wing) • Mon. - Fri., 8am - 9pm
The Medicine Shoppe (66 West Ave) • Mon. - Fri., 9am - 6pm, Saturday, 10am - 1pm
Thompson Hospital (350 Parrish St - lobby near ATM) • Daily: 6:30am - 8:30pm
Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic: (2 Coulter Rd - lobby near ATM) • Open 24 Hours
Hopewell County Complex: Mental Health Clinic (3019 County Complex Drive) • Open
Mon. - Fri., 8:30am - 5pm
Farmington: State Troopers Barracks (1569 Route 332) • Open 24 Hours
Geneva:
Police Station (255 Exchange St) • Open 24 Hours
North Street Pharmacy (200 North Street) • Monday - Friday, 9am - 6pm
Victor: Mead Square Pharmacy (53 W. Main St) • Mon - Fri. 9am - 7pm, Sat. 9am - 4pm
What can be dropped off at a medication drop box in Ontario County?
Any unwanted, unused and expired over-the counter, pet or prescription medication. Medication can
be dropped off in the original container, please blacken your name for confidentiality. All medication
is collected by the Ontario County Sheriff's Office and is incinerated.
4
COMMUNITY DINING SITES
Canandaigua - Salvation Army
Tues, Thurs & Friday: 11:30 am
Gorham - United Methodist Church
2nd & 4th Wed: 11:30 am
Clifton Springs - Spa Apartments
Mon - Friday: 4:30 pm
Honeoye United Church of Christ
Tues and Thurs: 12:00 noon
Geneva - Elmcrest Apartments
Mon - Friday: 12:15 pm
Shortsville - Shortsville Fire Hall
Mon - Fri: 12:30 pm
Victor - St Patrick’s Church
1st & 3rd Wed: 11:30 am
Suggested Donation: $3.50 ~~~ no one is refused due to an inability to pay
FOR RESERVATIONS CALL: (585) 396-4196 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE
Ontario County Office of the Aging
Senior Transportation Service
Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm
Open to all Ontario County Residents
The Senior Transportation Service provides access to medical appointments, hair salons, assisted
living facilities, and more.
Our bus will pick you up in front of your residence at the curb, take you to your destinations, and
bring you home again.
Trips are booked on a first come, first served basis. Please schedule your ride at least one week
advance of your trip. If you frequently travel to and from the same destinations at the same times
and on the same days, let us know! We can book your trips in advance, so you won't need to keep
scheduling recurring trips.
Call NY Connects - Ontario County at (585) 396-4047 for eligibility and enrollment.
Once enrolled, call Tammy Clover-Lowe, RTS Ontario, at (585) 394-2250 to schedule a ride at least
one week in advance of your trip.
OFA reserves the right to limit the number of trips per person, based on funding restrictions
Note: RTS Ontario is closed and buses do not run on these holidays: New Year's Day,
Memorial Day, Labor Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
REGIONAL TRANSIT SERVICE
5
6
When your life is overwhelming you…
I have been having conversations with my friends and coworkers about how hard it is for
caregivers to sort through a person’s belongings after a death and nursing home placement. I
heard my friends say things like “Don’t leave this mess for your children,” or “I couldn’t find the
important life insurance and bank information” and “It was so hard to clean out my mother’s
home long distance.” I know we all have our dear belongings, and I know we all have our
clutter. I am repeating one of my first articles from five years ago, titled “Clearing the Clutter”
as a suggestion for first steps.
When my oldest niece, Amanda, was around 20 years old, she was very busy with two jobs
and sports. She had the messiest bedroom that everybody in our family had ever seen. One
day she called me and said, “Come over. I’ve cleaned my room. I want you to see it.” I went
over and expected to see a small clean area. I was stunned to walk into a spotless, decorated
bedroom. Amanda told me that she had been frustrated by her mess and had not been able to
find something. She said that she dumped out one drawer to look for her missing item,
spontaneously decided to fold everything and then put the drawer away. Eight hours later her
room was clean. I said, “That’s amazing! Who told you how to do that?” She said, “You did,
when I was in eighth grade.” I was stunned for the second time, because I realized that she
had been listening to me. Then I realized that I had given her a useful tip that she could follow
when she had grown tired of being overwhelmed by her busy life. I decided to start following
my own advice on a regular basis.
I offer this same advice to caregivers. When your life is overwhelming you pull out a drawer
and dump everything out. Sort through everything, recycle and throw away what you don’t
need, wipe the drawer clean and put everything away. This may take fifteen minutes at the
most. I suggest starting with the important stuff, such as your health insurance and financial
papers. One day, when you are in a crisis situation, your day will be so much easier if you
have these papers sorted and put away in one place. You will be able to grab what you need
and not waste your time and emotional energy looking for these papers. You could also do
this with something you value, such as your pictures. You could take down all of your beloved
photographs, dust them and the shelves, and put everything back to be admired again.
I practice this “dump the drawer” technique regularly, so that I can quickly put away my
laundry, mail and groceries. It makes my mornings easier, since I am a slow wakeup and need
everything set up and ready for me. I practice this when I am so overwhelmed by everything I
have to do that I can’t even think straight. It’s amazing how calming it feels to do something
like this. I think it’s because organizing a drawer organizes your thoughts. This in turn calms
your emotions. I am not exactly sure why this works, but it does. I hope readers are curious
enough to give it a try and find out for themselves.
As always, please call or email me with your caregiver thoughts and concerns.
Cinde Priano
Caregiver Services Coordinator
[email protected]
585-396-4042
7
ONTARIO COUNTY OFFICE FOR THE AGING
A STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERAL FUNDING TO
MEALS ON WHEELS
There has been a great deal of confusion around the announcement by the President’s budget
director regarding the elimination of federal funding for Meals on Wheels and the claim that the
program hasn't shown results in 40 years.
The President’s budget does call for the elimination of several significant sources of funding for
Meals on Wheels programs nationwide, it does not call for the elimination of the program as a
whole. The proposed elimination is for two block grant programs (Community Services Block Grant
and Community Development Block Grant). These grants are used by some states, at their
discretion, to fund Meals on Wheels.
Meals on Wheels services are provided directly to older adults by a nationwide network of 5,000
local community-run programs that, taken together, receive 35% of their funding from the federal
government. The 35% federal funding that goes directly to local Meals on Wheels programs comes
from the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program that falls under the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS). The impact on these funds has not yet been announced but, given the
proposed 17.9% cut prescribed for HHS, could be at risk.
The Ontario County Office for the Aging Meals on Wheels program is not funded by the block grants
but it is funded by the Older Americans Act. The program is also funded by the county and
donations from the recipients.
Meals on Wheels are an effective program from our perspective. The Ontario County program helps
seniors stay in their homes and out of the hospital. As people age many lose interest in preparing
nutritious meals and can resort to a piece of toast or a bowl of soup for a meal. This type of eating
can contribute to a downward spiral in their health. A good diet later in life prevents osteoporosis,
helps balance blood pressure, fights heart disease, lowers the risk of certain cancers and increases
mental acuity.
A significant number of older adults fall into the category of high nutritional risk. We know this
because each person is given a nutrition assessment prior to receiving home delivered meals.
About 40% of meal recipients in Ontario County were assessed as a high nutritional risk. Receiving
a home delivered meal is a solid base for good nutrition, as it provides at least one third of the
recommended dietary standards.
Ontario County delivers about 200 meals a day but in addition to the meal comes social interaction
with the volunteers and a check on a person’s safety. There have been many times that a volunteer
has found someone on the floor who was lying there for hours or even overnight. These volunteers
have saved lives.
The research shows that without the community-based resources such as Meals on Wheels older
adults would end up in institutions, whether it's a long-term care facility or a hospital, where the cost
of care is much higher.
In 2016 Ontario County’s Meals on Wheels program delivered 59,500 meals to 407 people. About
45% of those receiving home delivered meals were over age 85, 51% lived in rural areas, 85% were
frail or disabled, 67% lived alone and 20% were veterans.
8
ElderONE: Managed Long-Term Care, now available for
Residents of Wayne and Ontario Counties
ElderONE, an affiliate of Rochester Regional Health, is pleased to announce the opening of its
newest location at 1000 Technology Pkwy in Newark, opening May 1, 2017. ElderONE is a Program
of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) that allows older adults to continue to live in their own
homes. With a team that includes healthcare providers, physical, occupational and recreation
therapists, dietitians, social workers and transportation services, ElderONE combines the support
and peace of mind seniors and their loved ones need with the independence many strive to
maintain. Services at the ElderONE PACE Center include physical therapy, hot meals and social
opportunities. In addition to complete medical and social services, the ElderONE program includes
comprehensive home care and medical transportation that enables seniors to live safely and
comfortably in their own residence.
ElderONE is for individuals 55 years of age or older who are eligible for both Medicaid and
Medicare.
ENROLL NOW ! To get started or learn more, call (315) 922-2831 or visit ElderONE.org
Silver Hill PACE Center
1000 Technology Pkwy
Newark, NY 14513
Upcoming SALT Council Programs
May 16, 2017 9:00 am Eastview Mall, Project Lifesaver, Erin Holley of the Ontario County
Sheriff’s Department.
June 20, 2017 11:00 am Quail Summit, “Hydration Awareness” , Christine Lotyczewski MS, RN,
CNL, Ontario County Public Health Department
Medication Program Box Location
Honeoye: Richmond town Hall, 8690 Main Street, Honeoye, Saturday, May 20 at 9:00 am till noon
FINGER LAKES ALZHEIMER'S INSTITUTE (FLCI) – SERVICES FOR
CAREGIVERS OF ALZHEIMER'S PATIENTS
If you are providing care for a loved one with Alzheimer's, call the FLCI about
services -- including care coordination, healthcare coordination, family consultation,
education & training, planning, respite services, support groups and health & wellness
programming. They serve multiple Finger Lakes counties (Chemung, Livingston,
Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne and Yates). Call tollfree at 844-249-7126 or the main number at (585) 244-8400 for more information
about these services. Services are provided under a contract from the NYS
Department of Health in partnership with the Alzheimer's Association.
9
MEDICARE QUESTIONS???
When is Medicare the primary payer?
This is a questions that has a variety of answers, depending on a person’s
particular circumstance, and is one that we are asked often.
Medicare and current employee insurance will work together in different ways under different
circumstances. Without knowing your specific situation, a simple answer is not possible. Instead,
let’s go over some of the most common instances where the two forms of health insurance coverage
coordinate:
1. You are 65 or older. If you are 65 or older, current employee insurance from your or your
spouse’s work pays primary to Medicare if the employer has 20 or more employees. Current
employee insurance from your or your spouse’s work pays secondary to Medicare if the
employer has fewer than 20 employees.
2. You have received Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for 24 months or more. If
you have Medicare due to a disability, current employee insurance from your or your family
member’s work pays primary to Medicare if the employer has 100 or more employees. Current
employee insurance from your or your family member’s work pays secondary to Medicare if the
employer has fewer than 100 employees.
Note that if you have Medicare due to disability, the insurance based on current employment can be
from your or your spouse’s current work or from your family member’s current work. For example, if
you are eligible for Medicare because of a disability and currently have coverage through your
brother’s current employment at a company with 100 or more employees, his coverage will pay
primary to Medicare. This is an important difference, because if you are eligible for Medicare due to
age, the current employment-based coverage can only be from your or your spouse’s current work.
3. You have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). If you have Medicare due to ESRD, the Medicare
coordination rules change depending on where you are in your 30-month coordination period. The
30-month coordination period begins the month you first become eligible for Medicare due to
ESRD, even if you do not enroll.
Medicare pays secondary to your employee coverage if you are still within your 30-month
coordination period. Medicare pays primary to your employee coverage after the 30-month
coordination period.
Remember, if you have ESRD, how Medicare works with your employee coverage depends on the
coordination period instead of how many employees there are.
4. You are self-employed. If you are self-employed and provide coverage for yourself and at least
one other person, Medicare considers you to have current employee insurance. (Medicare calls
this a group health plan through current employment status, since you are offering coverage to at
least one other employee.) A group health plan for a self-employed individual often pays
secondary to Medicare, so you usually need to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B, which will pay
primary. If you have coverage through an association, such as the local Bar Association, you are
also considered to have current employee insurance.
(Continued on page 11)
10
(Continued from page 10)
If your current employee insurance is supposed to pay primary, there are certain things that the
employer and the plan cannot do. Once you are eligible for Medicare, the employer cannot (a) offer
different coverage than the coverage offered to employees who are not eligible for Medicare, (b)
refuse to cover you, or (c) restrict your coverage.
The employer-based plan cannot (a) charge you more for your premium, deductible, coinsurance
charges, and/or copays, (b) limit the benefits you receive, (c) give you misleading information to get
you to disenroll, (d) pay providers less for services, (e) require you to wait longer for your coverage
to begin, and (f) end your coverage because you become eligible for Medicare.
You should call the Social Security Administration (SSA) at 800-772-1213 to answer any questions
you might have about whether or not you are considered currently employed or covered by current
employee coverage. Write down the date and time of the call, the name of the representative you
spoke to, and the outcome of the call. You should also speak with the human resources department
of the employer that provides your coverage if you have questions about how your employee
coverage works with Medicare.
Are you receiving the full benefit of your EPIC membership? Have
you noticed that since the first of the year you are paying more for
your prescription drugs, or found that some of your prescriptions are
no longer covered?
You may still be able to make changes to your coverage now, and not need to wait until Open
Enrollment in the fall. Now is the perfect time to call our office at (585) 396-4047 and
schedule a time to review your prescription drug coverage with one of our New York State
Certified Health Insurance Counselors. Our counselors can review your prescription list and
help you determine if there is a more affordable option available to you. Our counselors are
able to offer you complete, un-biased health insurance and prescription drug coverage
information.
We can also review your existing EPIC coverage and assist you to have a more complete
understanding of how this program works to lower your Part D costs. Having this knowledge
is beneficial in assisting many Medicare beneficiaries to lower their out of pocket expenses
and minimize costs during the “Gap in Coverage”.
Alzheimer’s Association Counseling Services for Ontario County Residents
The Alzheimer’s Association will provide counseling to anyone affected by Alzheimer’s disease or a
related dementia, free of charge. This service is available to Ontario County residents the second
Wednesday of each month from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm and the fourth Wednesday of each month
from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm at the Office for the Aging, 3019 County Complex Drive, Canandaigua.
Advance appointments are suggested. Any interested individual should call the Office for the Aging
at (585) 396-4040 or (315) 781-1321.
11
ONTARIO COUNTY
OFFICE FOR THE AGING
3019 COUNTY COMPLEX DRIVE
CANANDAIGUA, NY 14424
PRSRT STD
POSTAGE & FEES PAID
CANANDAIGUA, NY
PERMITS NO. 16
or current resident
Please put your address label
facing the fold like this note.
2017 Medicare 101 Workshops
Held in the Safety Training Building
2914 County Road 48, Canandaigua, NY 14424
Pre-registration is required: 585-396-4047 or 315-781-1321
Friday, May 19, 2017
Friday, June 23, 2017
Session is held 9:30am – 12:00pm
All workshops cover the following:
 Medicare A, B, C & D
 How to fill the gaps in Medicare; Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans
 Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage
 EPIC
 Medicare Savings Program
 Extra help with prescription drug coverage
 Transitioning from the NYS Health Exchange to Medicare
 Open question & answer format
12