New State Grant to Putnam County Office for the Aging for In-Home Services

BREWSTER, NY — A grant of $332,062 for in-home services for the elderly is coming from New York State to the Putnam County Office for Senior Resources (formerly known as the Office for the Aging.)

The grant was announced Wednesday by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.

In total, $50 million has been awarded to the state’s 59 county-based Area Agencies on Aging to help New York’s seniors remain in their homes and communities of choice. The funding, which is made available through the Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly Program, will help maximize independence and prevent advanced and more expensive levels of care for seniors – the cost of which is often shouldered by Medicaid.

“This funding will help more New York seniors stay in their homes, and live with independence and dignity,” Cuomo said in the announcement. “By partnering with local governments statewide, we will provide services to support these efforts and help improve the overall quality of life for seniors in every corner of the state.”

The in-home services program is a case-managed community-based long-term care initiative designed to serve functionally impaired older people who are lower income but not yet Medicaid eligible, and who need assistance to remain safely in the community with an acceptable quality of life.

The program provides non-medical services and supports for seniors who need help with basic daily activities, or require assistance with shopping, cooking, or paying bills.

State Senator Sue Serino, who represents most of Dutchess County and much of Putnam County, is the chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Aging.

"Our localities directly benefit when our seniors are empowered to age in place, at home in the communities that they have spent their lives building," said Serino ( 41-R, C, IP). "With a senior population that is only growing, we have an express responsibility to help older New Yorkers maintain their independence and prevent costly premature nursing home placement. Investing in this critical program will help counties across the state make that a reality by providing invaluable support to their aging community members and their families."

All enrollees receive care coordination, and when appropriate, could also receive additional supports, including support for caregivers, which are intended to help older adults remain safely in the community.

To be eligible for the program, individuals must be at least 60 years old, cannot be eligible to receive similar services under other government programs, such as Medicaid, and are able to reside safely in the community. The program does not require that there be medical need as documented by a physician statement or include income or resources as eligibility criteria, except that a client cannot be on or eligible for Medicaid.

The program is a partnership between the state and the counties; the $50.1 million state commitment will generate an additional $16 million in funding from the counties, plus an additional $1.8 million in direct contributions from program participants.

Nearly 70,000 New York seniors will benefit from the program. Here's how the grants break down by region:

· Capital Region: $4,062,374

· Central NY: $2,823,485

· Finger Lakes: $4,717,963

· Long Island: $9,779,588

· Mid-Hudson: $7,824,940

· Mohawk Valley: $2,169,488

· New York City: $24,210,751

· North County: $2,166,246

· Southern Tier: $2,764,112

· Western NY: $5,570,365

The complete list of awards by county is available on the New York State Office for the Aging website.