Mission
Empowering older adults to thrive through a holistic, person-centered approach, that promotes independence and dignity.
History
Erie County Senior Services was created in 1971 under County Executive Edward Rath to support the growing needs of older adults in our community. This effort was part of a broader national movement that began with the Older Americans Act (OAA) in 1965—the first federal law focused on helping people aged 65 and older live with dignity, health, and independence. The OAA requires that agencies across the country offer a wide range of services for older adults and their caregivers. Today, OAA funding supports programs such as meals at home and in community settings, transportation, wellness and fitness programs, in-home care, elder abuse prevention, caregiver support, and more. Similar agencies exist throughout New York State and across the United States. As part of a coordinated statewide network, we report to the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) to ensure our services align with state goals and priorities for aging well across all communities.
In Erie County, the OAA covers about 28% of the Department of Senior Services’ budget, with additional funding provided by New York State and Erie County. These combined resources help us carry out our mission to improve the quality of life for older adults.
While we work closely with senior and community centers, each local center is managed by its own town or municipality. This allows them to design programs that best meet the needs of their own residents. Erie County Senior Services proudly partners with these communities by offering support, resources, and programs that enhance the services provided at the local level. All funding for senior centers goes directly through the towns, reinforcing a strong local connection and shared dedication to supporting older adults. Our department serves over 12,000 older adults in Erie County.
Goals
Every four years, we submit a plan to NYSOFA of how we are going to better serve the residents of Erie County. In the 2024-2028 report, we detailed the following goals:
Needs Assessment: Keep collecting data in different ways to better understand and reach our target populations.
Public Hearings/Advisory Council: Hold hearings in underserved areas; ensure Advisory Board reflects all communities and regions.
Disaster Preparedness: Maintain and review Disaster Plan yearly; train staff, share information widely, and track vulnerable clients for quick support.
Senior Centers: Monitor centers for safety and inclusivity; promote diverse programming and meals to reduce disparities and isolation.
Health Promotion: Expand health classes to underserved areas; offer materials in multiple languages, larger fonts, and virtual formats.
Caregivers: Support all caregivers with more respite options, workplace outreach, and stronger community partnerships.
Case Management: Require inclusive, person-centered training; improve language access; explore stationing bilingual staff in key locations.
Legal Assistance: Maintain and grow legal partnerships; promote services through events like Elder Law Day.
Health Insurance Information Counseling and Assistance Program: Reach more diverse and underserved clients; grow outreach and recruit multilingual volunteers.
General Services: Expand transportation and tech-based service delivery to better serve isolated and underserved populations.