We continue to receive new information by the hour and constant closures throughout the community that are impacting our service delivery. Because we serve the most vulnerable population impacted by COVID-19, we have the challenge of ensuring our seniors are safe and well protected, while also continuing to provide critical services to allow them to safely live independently. As a result, staff will be reaching out to those participants who have limited family and informal supports to ensure they have adequate food, prescriptions, no immediate unmet needs and also have our number to reach us if anything changes.
140 County Hwy 33W, Meadows Complex, Suite 5, Cooperstown, NY 13326
Phone: (607) 547-4232 Fax: (607) 547-6492
Email: aginginfo@otsegocounty.com
We encourage older adults in our community who find themselves in an isolated or vulnerable situation to call our office at (607) 547-4232 so we can connect them to services and resources. In addition to the services our office provides, we have also received offers of assistance from area residents, churches, organizations and businesses to help out. We are happy to help coordinate and facilitate that help.
As of today, here is the status of our programs:
Congregate Dining: Effective Wednesday, March 18th, all congregate dining sites will be closed. Monday’s service will continue as planned to allow staff the ability to effectively communicate this change to participants and arrange for alternative means for participants to receive meals. Tuesday’s meal will be provided as a take-out meal. NYSOFA has waived eligibility criteria for home-delivered meals specifically for those participants who normally attend a congregate meal site. Therefore, congregate participants who regularly attend the Richfield Springs, Cherry Valley, Nader Towers or Elm Park meal site will have the option of receiving 5 frozen home delivered meals, delivered on a weekly basis. This option will be available as long as the congregate sites are closed in response to COVID-19.
Home Delivered Meals: We are in a very good position given our current process of delivering weekly frozen meals to participants through trained staff, as well as already conducting well-check calls on non-delivery days. Home delivered meal drivers are equipped with hand sanitizer in the vehicles and are currently following procedures to limit contact with participants by either leaving the meal on a table or counter or on the front porch, per the participant’s preference/direction, limiting any physical contact, yet still verifying the individual is home and safe through visual contact.
Personal Care In-Home Services: Services will continue as planned.
Office Visits: Both OFA offices are closed to the public. However, staff are still available to assist by telephone and will continue taking referrals for services.
Senior Transportation: We will continue to offer transportation only for essential transports. However, we will encourage individuals to contact their provider to determine if it is necessary that they attend their appointment or if rescheduling is recommended.
Transportation for shopping and prescription pick up is also still available and staff are also able to perform shopping and prescription pick-up for those not comfortable accessing public locations. This will be determined case-by-case.
Medicare Counseling: At this time, all Medicare counseling be conducted by phone only, limiting unnecessary visits to the office. Individuals will also be offered the option of calling 1-800-Medicare, which is available 24 hours, 7 days a week for assistance.
Community Presentations: All community presentations provided by OFA staff will be suspended until further notice.
Tai Chi Classes: All planned and active Tai Chi classes are cancelled until further notice.
AARP Tax Preparation: AARP Tax Sites have been closed nationally. There is currently no plan or alternative to tax prep assistance, so it is recommended that individuals seek out traditional methods to have their taxes completed. It is also not know at this time if the IRS will extend the period to complete taxes.
