Suffolk County Executive Bellone, Supervisor Carpenter Announce Expansion of Services for Senior Citizens

Additional State Funding will Provide Home Delivered Meals and Case Management for Hundreds of Seniors Currently on Waiting Lists

Photos of the Event are Available Here

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone today announced the Suffolk County Office for the Aging will be on the receiving end of an additional $2.5 million dollars in State funding that was secured in the 2019 State Budget. The additional funding, provided through the New York State Office for the Aging, will help senior citizens remain independent in their own homes, reduce wait lists for community-based services, and diminish the need for premature institutionalization. The funding has the potential to benefit nearly 1,000 seniors across the County.

“This record investment will go a long way in ensuring that our seniors receive the assistance they need and rely on to remain comfortable and independent in their own homes,” said County Executive Bellone. “I want to thank Governor Cuomo for continuing to deliver when it counts and removing barriers that can help hundreds of seniors currently waiting for the services they need.” 

“This money will give the Town of Islip the opportunity to deliver meals to more seniors who are homebound. We are grateful to Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone for making these funds available. Our goal has always been to provide the types of services that will afford senior citizens the opportunity to remain independent and in their own home for as long as possible. These services provide significance on multiple levels, including nutritional and financial value, as well as the psychological benefit from social interaction with others. Additionally, caregivers are afforded relief from preparing meals throughout the day,” said Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter.  

This year’s State Budget allocated $15 million dollars to counties in need across the state to reduce or eliminate wait lists for community based services that support older residents. In Suffolk, the $2.5 million will be uses to reduce the wait list for case management and home delivered meals for hundreds of seniors.

The current waiting lists for seniors in Suffolk County include nearly 500 individuals for case management, over 650 individuals for home delivered meals, and approximately 100 individuals for home care. The Suffolk County Office for the Aging will also look at the additional programs where demand is exceeding the services available, such as legal aid and residential repair.

Suffolk County has the largest over-60 population in the state outside of New York City, a population that has continued to grow over the last several decades. The additional State funding represents a 23% increase over the 2018 State Budget and an important legislative victory for County Executive Bellone’s 2019 State Agenda. This investment is designed to provide the services that are in need to Suffolk’s senior citizen community. 

The County Office for the Aging is the designated Area Agency on Aging, with funding through the Older Americans Act and New York State acting as the pass through entities.  Suffolk County Office for the Aging provides services directly or by contract with the 10 townships and non-profit agencies in Suffolk County. The services provided through the Suffolk County Office for the Aging enable residents to remain in their homes and communities in order to age in place.  The services are cost effective and reduce the need for early nursing home placement.

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