New York State Office for the Aging Director Greg Olsen said, “Unattended, improperly vented or malfunctioning space heaters pose a major fire risk. ”

He said those who use a fireplace, wood stove, or portable kerosene heater to stay warm must be sure there is adequate ventilation to the outside. Without enough fresh air, carbon monoxide fumes can build up in your home.

Never use a natural gas or propane stove/oven to heat your home.

Follow all safety precautions when using wood stoves, space heaters, electric heaters, kerosene heaters, and pellet stoves.

Olsen said now is a good time to test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms – and to do so at least monthly. Batteries should be replaced at least once a year, and people should replace alarms that are ten years or older.

Olsen also highlighted emergency assistance and other resources that are available to help ensure the safety of older adults – and all New Yorkers – during the winter months.

Individuals facing a home-heating emergency may be eligible for assistance through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), which helps low-income people pay the cost of heating their homes. The emergency benefit opened on January 3 and is available for low-income older adults and other New Yorkers whose home heating is either shut off or scheduled to be shut off, as well as for individuals who are running out of home heating fuel or other deliverable heat sources.

Olsen added that neglect, including self-neglect, is the most prevalent form of elder abuse. It can include being deprived of enough food, water or heat. He said, “For individuals with a chronic illness or living in an unsafe environment, the consequences can be catastrophic during cold weather,”

If you are concerned about an older adult’s living situation during the winter months and are unable to assist, you can call Adult Protective Services at 1-844-697-3505.

In Chautauqua County, people concerned about the safety of an older adult at home can also contact the County Office for the Aging at 716-753-4471.

MAYVILLE – Although adults aged 65 and up are a part of the 7.1 million residents in New York State who are eligible for the COVID-19 Vaccine, many of these folks need assistance to navigate the vaccination scheduling system.

“Office for Aging Services (OFAS) is already working to help Chautauqua County seniors make their vaccination appointments but we are urging people to please be patient,” said Dr Mary Ann Spanos, Director of the Chautauqua County Offices for Aging Services.   “There are close to 27,000 people in Chautauqua County who are over the age of 65 and everyone wants to be vaccinated first.”

“Protecting the health of our seniors is critically important, but we ask for patience as it may take months to get everyone vaccinated,” said PJ Wendel, Chautauqua County Executive. “The supply of vaccine is very limited however we are hopeful that more vaccine will become available each week.”

One of the biggest frustrations for older adults has been the State’s conflicting messages about vaccine appointments.  The New York State Am I Eligible site recently shifted to only scheduling appointments at State run vaccination sites.  The closest of these sites is in Buffalo, N.Y.

Never fear, Chautauqua County OFAS is stepping up to help our oldest residents receive the COVID-19 vaccination.   For people over the age of 65 who do not have computer access or need assistance to make an online vaccination appointment, they can call the NY Connects helpline at (716) 753-4582 to be placed on OFAS’ list.  Being on the list does not guarantee an appointment but the department is making appointments as vaccine becomes available.

In the last few days, the NY Connects helpline has received messages from over 1,500 people so callers are urged to please be patient as it may take a few days or even a week to return your call.   When you leave a message, please speak slowly and clearly, leave your name, telephone number, and that you are calling for vaccine assistance.  OFAS staff will call you back and get you on its list as soon as possible.  Everyone who leaves a message will be contacted.  Please do not call back several times or leave a duplicate message with the health department since all calls about vaccine appointments are being forwarded to the NY Connects helpline.

Once on the list, OFAS is sorting oldest to youngest and offering appointments as they become available.  When it schedules the oldest person in the house, it will also schedule the spouse or caregiver who is over 65. Unless designated as eligible in Phase 1A or Phase 1B, those under 65 years of age are not eligible yet for vaccine according to the State’s vaccine distribution plan. OFAS is unable to schedule anyone under 65 at this time and is not putting people who are under 65 on the list.

If you are 65 and over and want to try to get an appointment on your own, please visit the following websites to check for appointment availability:

• Chautauqua County Department of Health: https://chqgov.com/public-health/covid-19-vaccine-information
• Rite Aid Pharmacy: https://www.riteaid.com/Covid-19
• Tops Pharmacy: https://www.topsmarkets.com/covid19
• Wegmans Pharmacy: https://www.wegmans.com/pharmacy/

Links to these pharmacies and other COVID-19 information, can also be found on the County website at chqgov.com by visiting its COVID-19 Information page.

DO NOT CALL these pharmacies or the County Health Department to schedule an appointment as they are unable to give you an appointment over the phone.  In addition, in general, these pharmacies are the only places allowed to vaccinate the over 65 population in our county at this time.

Many pharmacies are only vaccinating 10 people a day because the vaccine supply is so limited.  Also note that CVS and Walgreen pharmacies are contracted to vaccinate people in nursing homes and assisted living residences.

Although the information being shared with county government has not been consistent, Chautauqua County OFAS and Health Department are trying to coordinate efforts with all vaccinators.  OFAS and the Health Department will continue to reach out to state, regional and corporate pharmacy contacts to improve our communication so we can direct people to the best information.

“The bottom line is there is not much vaccine right now so we all need to take a breath and continue to wear our masks, socially distance, and wash our hands or sanitize frequently,” said Christine Schuyler, Public Health Director.

For more information call the NY Connects at (716) 716-753-4582 or e-mail us at ccnyc@co.chautauqua.ny.us

The Community Health Assessment (CHA) and Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) were submitted to the NYSDOH in December 2019 and they are now available to the public through the CCDHHS website: https://chqgov.com/public-health/public-health.

The State Prevention Agenda is the blueprint for state and local action to improve the health and well-being of all New Yorkers and promote health equity across populations who experience disparities. It envisions New York becoming the Healthiest State in the Nation for people of all ages, and designates five priority areas:

• Prevent chronic diseases;
• Promote a healthy and safe environment;
• Promote healthy women, infants, and children;
• Promote well-being and prevent mental and substance use disorders; and
• Prevent communicable diseases.

Just as New York State assesses the health of residents, so do counties.  The Community Health Assessment is a core function of public health agencies and a fundamental tool of public health practice.

The Chautauqua County Community Health Planning Team (CCCHPT) consists of representatives from CCDHHS, the three local hospital systems (Allegheny Health Network Westfield Memorial Hospital, Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Inc., and UPMC Chautauqua), Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene, Chautauqua County Health Network, The Chautauqua Center, The Resource Center, Prevention Works, Chautauqua County Office for the Aging, and Population Health Collaborative of Western New York.

The team met on several occasions to gauge the community’s perceived health priorities, assets, and needs through a web-based and paper survey, and numerous community conversations. It then examined secondary health data provided by the NYSDOH and other key sources to determine the three County priorities to address:

• Prevent Chronic Diseases;
• Promote Healthy Women, Infants, and Children; and
• Promote Mental Well-Being and Prevent Mental and Substance Use Disorders.

The CCCHPT worked together with community partners from all sectors to determine what programming interventions, related to the selected priority areas, were already being implemented in Chautauqua County. Rather than adopting new programs and activities, the local health department and community hospitals desired to embrace the concept of “Public Health 3.0” by working to strengthen the efforts currently underway and better connect community partners.  Interventions focus on a variety of disparity populations, including low-income, seniors, youth, Amish, and those with a substance use disorder or mental health diagnosis.

“This extensive review of health and social conditions in Chautauqua County helped to strengthen relationships between partners and paints a beautiful picture of a ‘Health Across All Policies’ approach in Chautauqua County,” said Director of Health and Human Services Christine Schuyler. “As with the rest of New York State, obesity, poor eating habits, lack of exercise, and nicotine use continue to burden a large proportion of Chautauqua County residents. The problems of mental health and substance use disorders are present across the County and are a focus area for CCDHHS and many community partners.”

Jodi Witherell, CNO/Vice President of Quality Services at Brooks – TLC Hospital System, Inc. said, “Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Inc. is proud of its robust Community Health Program designed to support the CHA/CHIP, and has listed the document on our website under Community Health.  Clinical staff and others in our hospital system are in an optimal position to drive the health and wellness agenda as we interface with patients daily.”

The Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan 2019-2021 provides a demographic profile of Chautauqua County, a health profile organized by Prevention Agenda priority areas, identification of the main health challenges including the broad determinants of health, community assets and resources, and documentation of process and methods used for this assessment.

“The Community Health Assessment highlights the need for people and organizations from all sectors of the county—public, private, educational, non-profit, media or philanthropic—to work deliberately and collaboratively to improve the public’s health through policies, programs, and services,” said Schuyler.

More information about the New York State Prevention Agenda can be found at www.health.ny.gov. The Community Health Assessment.

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Lily Grice, Linnea Carlson (JRC), Elizabeth Lopez (Salvation Army); Molly Howell (Eat Smart WNY); Lieutenant Samantha Lockard (Salvation Army)/Mobile market staff and volunteers

JAMESTOWN – [MEDIA RELEASE] – The Jamestown Renaissance Corporation is excited to announce the successful pilot launch of the Jamestown Mobile Market. Starting August 8, the innovative food access project serviced the Jamestown area over an 8 week period.

Defined as a ‘farmers market on wheels’, mobile markets have been established across the country in an effort to increase healthy, whole foods access in low-income neighborhoods. Thanks to the Farmers Market Promotion Program, USDA federal funding, the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation has spent the last year planning and implementing a mobile market program servicing residents of Jamestown.

“Mobile markets serve communities to great success in cities across the US, including Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse. Jamestown has incredible access to fresh produce due to our proximity to local farms, and a mobile market was the next logical step as we looked to expand the Jamestown Public Market, and with it food access,” states Public Market Manager Linnea Carlson.

The Jamestown Mobile Market completed an 8 week season, visiting four separate locations within the city: the Salvation Army of Jamestown, the Gateway Center, Tree of Life Lutheran Church, and Crestline Villa. Each week volunteers assisted in picking up produce from area farms, organizing and packing the fruits and vegetables, and distributing food to community members via a partnership with Conduit Ministries. Thanks in part to a sponsorship with United Healthcare, community members could utilize $5 coupons to access five different fruit and vegetable servings per market day, or purchase additional produce with cash.

Eat Smart WNY and the Office of the Aging provided food tastings and easy recipes and produce freezer tips for customers. Community members also donated to customers freezer bags and mason jars for food produce storage. United Healthcare visited each location to distribute information on their benefits as well as reusable shopping bags.

Produce was acquired from three area farms, Hidden Valley Produce of Frewsburg; Abers Acres of Kennedy; and Steady Plow Farms of Sherman. Produce available varied from sweet corn, green beans and potatoes, to more unique options such as ghost peppers, black cherry tomatoes, and purple sweet peppers.

Mobile markets benefit an entire community, providing access to fresh fruits and vegetables to those who may work or live in areas lacking fresh produce, while increasing profits for local, family farms.

Jamestown resident Virginia Storres, is just one of the many individuals impacted by the project, sharing “The mobile market helped me eat more fruits and vegetables; I used to eat bags of chips and now I want tomatoes! I have really experienced a lifestyle change because of the program.”

A total of 714 customers visited the mobile market. Produce not distributed was donated to the Salvation Army food pantry or St. Susan’s Soup Kitchen.

The Jamestown Mobile Market will launch its second season in June of 2019. The aim, according to Carlson, is a longer season, more market locations, and an increase in individuals served. The market plans to accept SNAP benefits in the future and continue partnerships with local organizations, churches and non-profits.

The Health Insurance Public Forums will have professionals on hand to provide information about Medicare changes for 2018, veteran’s health care, and answer questions so individuals have the knowledge they need to select a plan that works best for them.

The free interactive forums will be held:

• Wednesday from 1 to 3p.m. at Harvest Chapel in Fredonia
• Thursday, October 5 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Heritage Ministries location in the Chautauqua Mall.

For more information, contact any of the OFA in Jamestown at 661-8940.

According to the county office for the aging, Governor Cuomo’s proposed budget shows severe cuts and shifts in funding to Aging Services programs at a time when over 15,000 seniors across New York State are waiting for services.

“New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced his intention to make New York State ‘Aging Friendly,'” said Dr. Mary Ann Spanos, Chautauqua County OFA Director. “But with the submission of his proposed budget for 2017-2018, senior residents of Chautauqua County and across the state are getting the opposite message.”

According to Spanos, Governor Cuomo’s proposed budget shows severe cuts and shifts in funding to Aging Services programs at a time when over 15,000 seniors across New York State are waiting for services.  Instead of funding increases for senior services such as home care, personal care, home delivered meals, adult day care services, health insurance counseling, and transportation, the Governor’s proposal cuts approximately $12.6 million from the 2017-18 annual budget for the State Office for Aging.  In addition, changes in Title XX funding of the social services block grant put 65 senior centers in New York City alone at risk for closing.

Seniors in Chautauqua County have several opportunities to participate in a ‘Step Up for Seniors’ mock rally. Rallies in the Jamestown area include one scheduled for  3 p.m. Monday at the Frewsburg Rest Home.

A second rally is scheduled for Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Taft Center (663 Lakeview Ave.,  Jamestown).and Governor Cuomo prior to the beginning of the public hearings on the budget.

For more information on any of the Chautauqua County Step Up for Seniors mock rallies, or for information on the Governor’s proposed budget, contact the Chautauqua County Office for the Aging at (716) 753-4582.

The latest business to join the program is Springs Restaurant in Maple Springs, located on Route 430.

Horrigan will be joined by Office of the Aging Director Mary Ann Spanos and Springs Restaurant owner Dan McCanna.

The Senior Restaurant Dining-Out Program is a collaboration between Chautauqua County Office for the Aging and local restaurants to provide subsidized meals to seniors. It’s is designed to provide an opportunity for seniors to be active in their communities and socialize along with receiving a full nutrient composed meal.

Seniors age 60 and over who wish to participate must register for the program and get tickets, for a suggested donation of $3.50 per meal, directly from Office for the Aging by calling 753-4471, 661-7471, or 363-4471. They can then use these tickets at any of the participating restaurants.

The Health Insurance Public Forums will have professionals on hand to provide information about Medicare changes for 2015 and answer questions so individuals have the knowledge they need to select a plan that works best for them.

These free, interactive forums will be held in three locations. In Jamestown, the forum will take place at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church on Friday, Oct. 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. Other forums will take place on Oct. 7 at the Findley Lake Community Cengter and Oct. 9 at the Harvest Chapel in Fredonia.

According to office for the aging officials, the first hour of each program will feature Medicare information and updates, presentations from health insurance providers on 2015 plans, and an overview of EPIC program for 2015.

The second hour will feature presentations on VA health coverage and how it works with Medicare and Part D, and enrollment opportunities for Medicare Savings Program and EPIC program.

For more information call the county office for the aging in Jamestown at  (716) 661-8940.

In order to qualify for the program, seniors age 60+ must meet the following criteria:

•  Monthly income of at or below $1,799, for a single person household; or
• Monthly income of at or below $2,425, for a two person household; or
• Monthly income of at or below $ 3,051, for a three person household.

Coupon books are worth $20 with five coupons worth $4 each in each booklet. Coupons are accepted at designated Farmer’s Markets and a list of participating markets with their locations and times will be dispersed with the coupons. Only one coupon is allowed per household and seniors must bring proof of age to receive a coupon book.

For more information about the Senior Farmers Market Coupons, please contact any of the following Office for the Aging locations:  Mayville: (716) 753-4471, Dunkirk: (716) 363-3865, Jamestown: (716) 661-8940.