OFFICE FOR THE AGING

Additional Programs

Adult Day Services
Extended Hours Drop-Off Program. Designed to meet the needs of both the older adult and their caregivers, especially for caregivers who are employed, or are in need of respite care. Caregivers must be able to drop-off and pick-up clients at the Mahopac site. Hours : 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday with a suggested donation of $12.00 per day. For more information on attending this program, call Connie Pizzuto at 225-1034, x103.

Saturday Drop-Off Program. Designed to provide respite to Putnam County caregivers that are in need of weekend relief. This program is for those Putnam County residents over the age of 18, who have cognitive impairments of early Alzheimer’s disease. Hours: 9am to 5pm. Fee: $12.50 per day. Call Kim Mayer @ 628-4830 for more information.
THE SHOWER OUT WITH ASSISATNCE (SOAP) PROGRAM This program invites any senior to come in for a hot shower, as well as laundry service. From one-on-one assistance to just knowing someone is close by to help, this program can ease your worry about taking care of your personal needs. A certified Home Health Aide, supervised by a Registered Nurse, will assist you into a walk-in shower, while your laundry being is done for a suggested donation of $7/visit. Please call Jeanette Baldanza @ (845) 628-4633 for
more information.
Nutrition Programs
There are four nutrition centers (open 9am to 3pm, Monday through Friday) which serve hot nutritious noontime meals, offer companionship, nutrition education, health counseling (blood pressure readings, talks by local physicians and pharmacists, etc.), transportation, and shopping assistance. Transportation is offered for those who have no other transportation. Most special diets can be incorporated into meals served. Home-delivered meals are also offered (assessment by the Office For the Aging required). If you would like to participate, call your nearest center or the Office For the Aging at
225-1034. Reservations should be made two days in advance.
HOME DELIVERED MEALS. A hot, nutritious meal is delivered directly to the homes of sick or homebound elderly. A physician’s referral and home assessment is required.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Delivers frozen meals to the homes of eligible seniors. Meals are provided for up to 7 days per week depending on individual circumstances. A pre-assessment is required.
Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
RSVP enables adults 55 older to contribute meaningful service in a wide variety of community agencies. Volunteers are matched with assignments of their own choosing. The Program provides orientation, training, and transportation, as well as the supplementary insurance while on duty. RSVP volunteers lead more active, dynamic lives, full of the excitement of participation.
Senior Employment Service of Putnam County
Employers: Tell the Office For the Aging about positions you have open which seniors could fill. There is no fee for this service, and you can use the Office again and again. Seniors: Learn new skills, use old skills, or just try something new. Office work, sales, computer work, handymen, drivers, companions, child care, security, etc. Call 225-1034 Tuesdays between 10am to 3pm.
Ombudsman Program
This program establishes a link between the community and residents of long-term care facilities. Many have neither family nor friends to act on their behalf and may be unaware of the basic rights and benefits to which they are entitled. Ombudsmen are men and women age 21 and older who have a special interest in the care of people in these homes and who are physically and emotionally capable of meeting the demands of the Ombudsman role. Call Marie Vigada for more information (225-1034, ext. 134).
Caregivers Resource Center
Assists caregivers in their efforts to maintain the quality of life for their loved ones. The Center has developed many services, such as:
- An annual series of seminars entitled "You and Your Aging Relatives"
- Counseling and support groups for caregivers
- Books, pamphlets, and videocassettes on a variety of caregiving topics, including basic skills, nursing home placement, political action and the impact of caregiving on the entire family.
- For information, call Marie Vigada @ (845) 225-1034, x134
WELLNESS PROGRAM: Emphasizing wellness at all four friendship centers monthly by utilizing community resources such as volunteers from the American Heart Association to do blood pressure readings, local physicians to speak on health topics, Putnam County Health Dept. to give flu and pneumonia shots, and local pharmacists to answer questions concerning medications. “Please come and participate…….remember, HEALTH IS WEALTH!!”
DEMAND RESPONSE MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION: Provides limited demand response medical transportation for getting to and from doctor and hospital appointments for seniors who have no other means of transportation and who otherwise could not obtain needed medical care. For information, call (845) 225-1034, x104.
OUT-OF-COUNTY MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION: Expands the Demand Response Medical Transportation Program by going to Out-of-County medical appointments in locations such as Danbury, Mt. Kisco and Valhalla. This allows seniors who do not drive, or drive locally, to visit doctors out of Putnam County and not worry about “how they are going to get there.” For information, call (845) 225-1034, x104.
OUTREACH PROGRAM: The Outreach Program assists the isolated and frail elderly in the community by obtaining services and providing them with information and referral as necessary. Outreach reaches OUT into the community to the unserved and underserved seniors of Putnam County, by assisting in certifying or re-certifying eligible seniors for programs such as Medicaid, Food Stamps, and/or the Medicare Savings Program. Outreach workers also do friendly visits and telephone reassurance. For more information, please call the Office for the Aging @ (845) 225-1034 or the following Outreach workers in their areas:
- Kent / Patterson Outreach Worker, Tee Vozzella
  @ (845) 225-1034, x113
- Philipstown Outreach Worker, Ed Cleary @ (845) 265-3359
- Putnam Valley Outreach Worker, Michele DiMarco @ (845) 526-4094
- Southeast Outreach Worker, Jackie Ackerly @ (845) 225-1034, x114