Tompkins County Office for the Aging Advocacy Services Caregivers' Resource Ctr. & Alzheimer's Support Unit Employment and Education Friendly Visitor Program Housing and Taxes Personal Emergency Response Contact: 320 N. Tioga St. Ithaca, NY 14850 Phone # 274-5482 Fax # 274-5495 email: Irene_Stein@einstein.co.tompkins.ny.us email: David_Stoyell@einstein.co.tompkins.ny.us email: Trina_Schickel@einstein.co.tompkins.ny.us email: Regina_McGriff@einstein.co.tompkins.ny.us Employment and Education Tompkins County Office for the Aging Employment - Office maintains limited listing to link seniors with full-or part-time jobs. College for Life-Long Learning - seeks to provide continuing educational opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities. Courses are offered in the Fall and Spring in a variety of areas. back to top Friendly Visitor Program Tompkins County Office for the Aging Friendly Visitor Program - The Tompkins County Office for the Aging seeks volunteers who can visit homebound seniors on a weekly basis to provide companionship, stimulation and emotional support. Matches are based on shared interests, geographic arrangement and degree of need. A friendly visitor can restore the joy of being wanted and liked, and the pleasure of having a friend who cares. If you are interested in volunteering for this program, please call Trina Schickel at the Office for the Aging 274-5491. back to top Caregivers' Resource Center and Alzheimer's Support Unit Tompkins County Office for the Aging This unit provides information and referral, counseling, support groups and training opportunities for caregivers of elderly relatives and friends or other adults with disabilities. Information Services - includes caregiver counseling, printed materials on caregiving topics, a lending library for caregivers, and a free quarterly news letter, IN SUPPORT OF CAREGIVERS. The Alzheimer's Support Unit - provides specialized information and workshops related to diagnosis, treatment and caregiver issues related to Alzheimer's and other dementias. Also, one-to-one phone support from former caregivers of family members with dementia. Four Support Groups Meet Monthly: Caring and Sharing Support Group - meets from 12-1:30 on 1st & 3rd Thursdays at County Office for the Aging and is open to anyone caring for a frail elderly family member. Alzheimer's Support Group - meets monthly for those caring for someone with dementia, confusion or serious memory loss. Information and counseling regarding diagnosis and care. Lending library of Alzheimer's books and videos. Parkinson's Support Group - Meets on the third Wednesdays of the month at Cooperative Extension, 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca. Open to those with Parkinson's Disease and their caregivers. Parkinson's Exercise Group - Meets every Thursday morning 10:30-11:30 at Kendal at Ithaca for those with Parkinson's Disease and other conditions which affect mobility and balance. Caregivers of Adults with Developmental Disabilities - Provides support as well as vehicle for advocacy for caregivers of adults with developmental disabilities. Meets 6:30-8:30 in conference room of the County Office for the Aging in the Courthouse. back to top Advocacy Services Tompkins County Office for the Aging Ombudsman Program - is an advocacy program that helps to resolve concerns expressed by, or on behalf of residents of adult homes and nursing homes. The Ombudsman visits regularly (at least once a week) and the service is confidential and free of charge. Legal Assistance Program: Contracts with Neighborhood Legal Services to provide free legal consultation in civil matters for Tompkins County residents over 60. Appointments can be made by calling Neighborhood Legal Services 273-3666. More specific information on the program can be obtained by calling Tompkins County Office for the Aging phone number below. Fee-generating cases and criminal cases are prohibited by law. Contributions are accepted and used to expand the service. back to top Housing and Taxes Tompkins County Office for the Aging HOST Homesharing Service - Matches seniors with adults over 21 in homesharing arrangements (usually home of senior). Interviews applicants, obtains references and assists negotiating agreements. Seeking to establish shared residence for 5-7 seniors in City of Ithaca. HEAP: Assistance with filling out applications for utilities and energy subsidies. WRAP: helps older homeowners with home repairs, weatherization, and energy related needs. Real Property Tax Credit and IT-214: Assistance with application available through the County Office for the Aging and RSVP. Partial Property Tax Exemption and STAR Exemption: through the County Office for Aging, and Tompkins County Assessment 128 E. Buffalo St. 257-5517. Reverse Mortgage Counseling - A reverse mortgage is a loan made to senior homeowners that does not need to be repaid until the last surviving borrower dies, sells the home or permanently moves away. The amount you're eligible to borrow is based on your age, the equity in your home and the interest rate. For information on: * How a Reverse Mortgage Works * What You Can Borrow and at What Cost * Who It Works Best For * Different Reverse Mortgage Programs and Working with the Lenders call Tompkins County Office for the Aging at 274-5492 for more information. You can also get a quick estimate of the potential benefits and costs of a reverse mortgage on-line at the National Center for Home Equity Conversion. back to top Personal Emergency Response Tompkins County Office for the Aging Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) - communication link with County's emergency medical response system. Pressing a button on a unit or pendant automatically dials emergency rescue dispatcher; will also activate itself if it has not been reset in 24 hours. Sliding fee scale. Contact: 320 N. Tioga St. Ithaca, NY 14850 Phone # 274-5491 & 274-5492 Fax # 274-5495 email: Irene_Stein@einstein.co.tompkins.ny.us email: David_Stoyell@einstein.co.tompkins.ny.us email: Trina_Schickel@einstein.co.tompkins.ny.us email: Regina_McGriff@einstein.co.tompkins.ny.us www.tompkins-co.org/cofa/index.html