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Guide to Services

The Erie County Department of Senior Services brings together the programs, services and supportive facilities which help our 197,365 elderly maintain independence whenever possible. Established in 1971, the department coordinates existing community services as well as plans, develops and administers needed programs and promotes new and better services for all persons age sixty and over.

As there are many agencies in Erie County willing and able to help older people, this guide is to assist you in finding the particular service you need. The Guide is made possible by funding from the New York State Office for the Aging and the County of Erie.

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CALL (716)858-8526 or E-MAIL seniorinfo@erie.gov
WEBSITE: https://erie.gov/seniorservices/

TTY / TDD: Use NYS Relay Service at 711 to reach any number in this guide.

TOPICS:

Information & Referral

For information on services, benefits, entitlements and other areas of concern to older persons:

Case Work / Case Management

For information call:

Out-of-Town Aging Network

For information on agencies serving elderly out of Erie County, call:

Safety

For concerns regarding property or person, call one of the following:

Transportation

Door-to-door transportation service to health, nutrition, income maintenance, social services and other services that are identified as high priority may be obtained by calling:

Wheelchair Lift Transportation

Private pay wheelchair vans are listed under “Wheelchair Transportation Services” or “Ambulette Service” in the Yellow Pages of the phone book; you may also call your local town hall or senior center.

Driver Safety Programs

Handicapped Parking Permits

For handicapped parking permit information and application, call:

  • Erie County Office for the Disabled 858-6215
  • Office for Disabled Parking Permits (Buffalo residents only) 851-4204
  • Forms must be submitted to your local town hall.

Community Services

Community-based organizations provide a variety of services. Contact the agency closest to home or the one that addresses specific needs:

Home Care Services

For more information on home care, personal care or skilled nursing help in the home, call:

  • Erie County Department of Senior Services 858-8526
  • CASA: Community Alternative Systems Agency (Medicaid recipients) 858-2323
  • NY Medicaid Choice (Medicaid recipients) 1-855-222-8350

    (See also "Nurses" or "Home Health Services" in the Yellow Pages of the phone directory.)

Chore Service

Neighborhood agencies may be able to offer help with household tasks (donations requested by some agencies). Call:

  • Harmonia Collaborative Care 6722 Erie Rd., Derby 14047, 670-1200 (Fee for Service)
  • People, Inc. Senior Outreach, 2635 Delaware Ave. 14216, 768-2357
  • Schiller Park Senior Center, 2057 Genesee St., Buffalo 14216, 895-2727
  • South Buffalo Community Association (serves South Buffalo and Lackawanna) 35 Cazenovia St., Buffalo 14220, 822-4532
  • (See also local churches, Senior Citizen Centers and groups.)

Friendly Visitors & Telephone Calls

For homebound seniors who would like someone to visit on a regular basis, call:

For regular phone calls to check on a person's welfare or offer a friendly chat, call:

Adult Day Programs

These programs may offer health, rehabilitation, mental health or social activities. For further information contact:

  • The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Adult Day Services at Amherst Center for Senior Services (Social Program) 689-1403
  • Aurora Adult Day Services (Social Program) 652-4269
  • Catholic Charities Senior Day Program (Social Program) 896-6388
  • Suburban Adult Services Services (Social Program) 947-5857
  • The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Adult Day Services at North Tonawanda (Social Program) 243-7888
  • Guild Care (Visually Impaired Health Program) 885-8041
  • Town of Hamburg Adult Day Services (Social Program) 646-0255
  • Lake Shore Family Center (Social Program) 934-2353
  • Lord of Life Adult Day Health Center (Social Program) 668-8000
  • People, Inc. Seniors Unlimited Adult Day Care (Social Program) 853-4500
  • Respite
  • St. Catherine Laboure Adult Day Care Program (Medical Program) 862-2513
  • Schofield Adult Day Health Care Program (Medical Program) 849-8720
  • Structured Day Program (focus on individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury) (Social Program) 1-800-701-12330 ext. 110
  • Veterans Administration Medical Center Adult Day Health Care (Medical Program) 862-3244

Feedmore

For meals to be delivered to homebound seniors and disabled persons, call the service nearest you:

Wellness & Nutrition

Stay Fit Dining: Hot meals are served Monday - Friday at noontime at group dining sites for persons age 60 and over; spouses are welcome to attend. Nutrition education and counseling, Club 99 exercise classes, cooking demos offered. For information call: Erie County Department of Senior Services Stay Fit Dining 858-7639

Wellness Programs: Living Healthy Diabetes & Chronic Disease Self-Management Programs; Tai Chi for Health; Matter of Balance 858-8526

Grocery Delivery

Call for information regarding grocery delivery. There is a fee for this service:

Food Assistance

For information regarding SNAP/Food Stamps, see the Benefit Checklist.

For more information about Food Pantries in your zip code, please call:

Housing/Rental Assistance

Homelessness

For information on shelters or issues pertaining to the homeless, call:

  • 2-1-1 WNY/Central Referral Service, http://www.211wny.org/ 211 or 1-888-696-9211
  • Lakeshore Behavioral Health Homeless Services Program 856-9711
  • Homeless Outreach Project Eastside (HOPE) at Matt Urban Center 893-7222 Ext. 2

Utility & Energy Information

For a disconnect notice or other concern regarding utility bills, call the utility company first.
If the problem is not resolved, then call:

  • PSC (all regulated utilities) (from 10:00am - 4:00pm) 1-800-342-3377
  • PSC (gas and electric emergencies) (from 7:30am - 7:30pm) 1-800-342-3355

For additional information or assistance, call:

  • Erie County Department of Senior Services 858-8526

For problems with water bills, call the local Water Authority.

For information or assistance in paying heating bills, call:

  • Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Hot Line 858-7644
  • Catholic Charities Neighbor for Neighbor (heating utilities) 856-4494
  • HeartShare Care & Share Energy Fund (National Grid) 1-855-852-2736
  • HeartShare Project Share Heating Fund (NYSEG) 1-800-599-4327
  • Salvation Army Neighbor for Neighbor (heating utilities) 883-9800 Ext. 230

For energy conservation, call:

  • Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) 858-8526

Community Medical/Dental

Community Health Centers: Community centers provide medical care, social services, and are a resource for all types of individual needs within a neighborhood setting:

Mental Health Services

Mental health evaluation, assistance and / or information are available through:

  • Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program, Erie County Medical Center (24-hour emergency psychiatric service) 898-3465
  • Crisis Services, http://crisisservices.org/content/ 834-3131
  • Del-Nor Resource and Treatment Center 533-4065
  • Horizon Health Services, http://www.horizon-health.org/ 831-1800
  • Jewish Family Service Geropsychiatric Assessment Program, http://jfsbuffalo.org/ 883-1914
  • Mental Health Association (Information & Referral, Advocacy), http://www.eriemha.org/ 886-1242
  • Endeavor Health Services (Formerly Mid Erie Counseling and Treatment Services), http://www.mid-erie.org 895-6700
  • Project HOPE (Helping Older People Excel) at Catholic Charities, 896-6388
  • Spectrum Human Services, http://www.shswny.org/,
    2040 Seneca St., Buffalo 14210 ................................................................828-0560
    27 Franklin St., Springville 14141 .............................................................592-9301
    1280 Main St., Buffalo 14209 .....................................................................884-5797
    326 Orchard Park Rd., 14224 ....................................................................662-6638

Volunteers are matched as mentors and special friends with individuals who are experiencing emotional problems and / or a mental illness:

Health Care Information / Self-Help & Support Groups

(For information on other Support/Self-Help Groups call Erie County Department of Senior Services: 858-8526.)

Consumer Questions

For concerns regarding fraud, false advertising, food inspection, etc., call:

Victim Services

For assistance in finding supportive services after being the victim of a crime, call:

Call for services for victims of abuse, neglect and exploitation.

  • Crisis Services Advocate Program: Offers 24-hour crisis intervention 834-3131
  • Protective Services for Adults 858-6877

Call for services for survivors of family violence, sexual assault and elder abuse.

Legal Counseling

Help is given without cost to seniors for problems with Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, grandparents' rights; in Buffalo, also for home ownership, landlord and tenant problems.

For low income people and for problems with SSI, Food Stamps, disability claims, handicapped rights, family law, housing for homeless, and eviction matters, call:

For many other legal matters, call:

Long-Term Living Arrangements

There are several options for long-term living arrangements with different levels of care and supervision, including independent housing, adult homes, and nursing homes. Call:

Developmental Disabilities

Adaptive Clothing & Equipment

Seniors with physical limitations or seniors who have difficulty doing every day tasks may be helped by adaptive devices or specially designed clothing. For more information, including local suppliers and numbers to call for catalogs, contact the Erie County Caregiver Resource Center. 858-8526

Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities (TRAID) http://cat.buffalo.edu/traid 836-1350

Health Insurance Information

Educational Opportunities

Educational opportunities are available at many colleges and high school districts' adult and/or continuing education programs at reduced or free tuition. For more information about classes, call:

Education for Caregivers

  • Erie County Caregiver Coalition, www.eriecountycaregiver.com
  • Erie County Department of Senior Services' Speakers' Bureau 858-8526
  • Caregiver Resource Center / Erie County Department of Senior Services 858-8526 for Powerful Tools Classes
  • Alzheimer's Disease Caregiver Support Initiative 858-8526
  • Also, check your school district's adult and/or continuing education programs.

Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)

An emergency response system can be installed in-home. With the push of a button emergency help will be summoned. For further information, call:

You may also request information from your local hospital or home care agency.
Check the Yellow Pages of the phone book under "Medical Alarms."

Volunteer Opportunities

Employment

Socialization & Recreation

Many services and activities are provided for seniors, including recreation and socialization. For senior centers within Erie County, call:

Recreation Permits & Discounts

Discounts & ID Cards

Identification cards can be obtained for discounts on goods, services, food, entertainment and/or Metro bus/rail transportation.

  • Complimentary Card Program, Erie County Department of Senior Services (65 years of age or over) 858-8526
  • City of Buffalo Division for Senior Services (City of Buffalo residents 60 years of age or over) 851-4141
  • NFTA-Metro Reduced Fare Pass for the Disabled (no age requirement;can be obtained 3rd Wednesday of the month) 855-7360
  • Non-Driver ID Cards & Driver License from Erie County Auto Bureau 858-7450
  • Many merchants offer discounts to seniors; please check with individual providers.

Taxes

Property tax information and reductions, call your local Town or Village Assessor's office. See the Benefit Checklist for property Tax Exemption and IT-214 NYS Tax Rebate information.

Finances

  • Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicare, call: 1-800-772-1213
  • See also the "Benefit Checklist," for information about Social Security, Veterans Benefits, Supplemental Security Income, Medicare, Medicare Savings Programs, Medicaid, SNAP/Food Stamps, Utility Assistance, Phone Discounts, Tax Information, and more.

Medicare Information

Instruction on the completion of forms and information about medical claims, call:

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