Suffolk County
Office for the Aging

Welcome from County Executive Ed Romaine

The Suffolk County Office for the Aging is the designated Area Agency on Aging under the Older Americans Act. For almost 50 years, Suffolk County Office for the Aging has administered federal, state and county programs for persons 60 years of age and older.

Specific goals for the Office are to develop a comprehensive service system designed to assist persons 60 years of age and older in maintaining maximum independence and dignity, to remove barriers to economic and personal independence, and to provide a continuum of care for the vulnerable elderly. Most importantly, Suffolk County Office for the Aging acts as advocate on behalf of all Suffolk County senior citizens.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

June 15th is designated World Elder Abuse Awareness Day by the World Health Organization at the United Nations. This day seeks to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older individuals by increasing awareness of this “hidden epidemic.” This year, the Suffolk County Office for the Aging joined a statewide initiative to highlight World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) by creating a pinwheel display at the H. Lee Dennison Building. Each year over 3000,000 older adults are victims of elder abuse in New York State. Elder abuse is found in all communities regardless of race, ethnicity, socio-economic statues or sexual orientation.

Elder abuse can include physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; financial exploitation; and neglect. Elder abuse is often hidden and unreported. It is estimated that for every reported case of elder abuse, 23 cases go unreported. Elder abuse is not just physical. The most common form of elder abuse is financial. For every case of financial abuse reported, 43 cases go unreported.

In Suffolk County, there are many agencies and organizations available to assist victims of elder abuse and neglect. To find assistance, please call the Suffolk County Office for the Aging at 631-853-8200. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911.

Suffolk County Office for the Aging showing support for "World Elder Abuse Awareness Day"

2025 SENIOR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD

Suffolk County celebrated Older Americans Month by recognizing 37 older adults who have worked tirelessly to improve the lives of others in their communities. Volunteering at senior centers, civic groups, and community organizations have made Suffolk County a better place to live.

Get Set Up

Get Set Up is an online community based platform. It is a place for older adults to learn, connect, and share with peers in the comfort of their own homes.

Classes are taught by other older adults who are professionals in their fields. There are 300 plus topics offered. Class topics include social and mental health and other topical interests. With 40+ classes each weekday and 10+ classes each weekend, there is always something available to meet your interests and schedule.

The Suffolk County Office for the Aging is working in conjunction with New York State Office for the Aging to offer virtual programming through Get Set Up at no cost to you. Get Set Up is great for older adults who have a basic level of computer literacy. All you need to participate is a personal computer or tablet that has internet access.

For more information, use the link below:

NYSOFA Launches 300+ Live Online Classes For Isolated Older New Yorkers | Office for the Aging

Get Set Up

ACL Updates

Fraud Alert: Scam Calls Targeting Older Adults

Recent increase in reports of government imposter scam calls, including some claiming to be from Eldercare Locator.

ACL’s Eldercare Locator and Disability Information & Access Line (DIAL) are trusted resources that help connect older adults and people with disabilities with resources in their community. In recent days, Eldercare Locator has noted a significant increase in people reporting they have been targeted by scam phone calls. This includes reports of:

• Callers claiming to be from “Eldercare,” “Eldercare Locator,” “Social Security,” or “Medicare.”
• Callers asking for personal information such as someone's Social Security number, banking information, or Medicare number — or demanding payment, threatening jail time, or fines.
• Harassment, including repeat calls from the same number.

We hope you will help us get the word out about government imposter scams. Here are some important reminders to share:

1. The government will never call out of the blue and ask for a Social Security number.
2. The government will never ask for payment by gift card or wire transfer.
3. Social Security numbers cannot be suspended.

These general tips can also help everyone protect themselves:

• If you are ever suspicious about a call, hang up immediately. Find the organization’s contact information on your own (don’t use caller ID), and call or email them directly to discuss the situation.
• Never give out your Social Security number, banking information, or Medicare number to anyone who contacts you through unsolicited calls, texts, or emails.
• Never pay someone you do not know well via gift card or wire transfer.
• Never click on an email link or attachment, unless you fully trust the sender.
• Sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry.

Older adults who are targeted by scams and fraud can call the Department of Justice’s National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311).

In addition, scams and fraud targeting people of any age can be reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by calling 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357) or visiting reportfraud.ftc.gov.

There are many great resources available to help raise awareness about avoiding scams:

• The Social Security Administration offers a short video on signs that someone is impersonating the Social Security Administration.
• The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers resources on common scams that are specifically for consumers, caregivers, and service providers.
• FTC has short videos on Social Security and IRS impostor scams.
• FTC’s “Pass It On” page has resources on many other types of scams and you can sign up for FTC scam alerts to stay up to date on new threats.
• The ACL-funded Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program can help you learn about Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse; detect potential fraud, errors, and abuse; and report concerns. Find your local SMP at smpresource.org or call 1-877-808-2468.
• ACL’s National Center on Elder Abuse has many resources on elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including a handy one-page “The Phone Scam: What You Need to Know” flyer.

Connecting with Eldercare Locator and DIAL

The Eldercare Locator is a nationwide service connecting older adults and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Whether help is needed with services such as meals, home care, or transportation, or a caregiver needs training and education or a well-deserved break from caregiving responsibilities, the Eldercare Locator is there to point that person in the right direction. Call the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116.

DIAL helps people with disabilities access COVID-19 vaccinations and tests. DIAL also provides information about essential services such as transportation, housing support, disability rights, and more. Call DIAL at 888-677-1199.

Falls Free Checkup

National Council on Aging’s (NCOA’s) Falls Free CheckUp is a 13-question online screening tool that individuals, family caregivers, or service providers can use to help determine a person’s risk of falling. The questions address factors that can lead to falls, such as medications and recent history of falls. No personally identifiable information is collected from the survey. The tool, which is available in both Spanish and English, provides a personalized report that the user can share with their health care provider to discuss options for reducing risks.

https://www.ncoa.org/tools/falls-free-checkup

Caregiver Assessment

Do you provide unpaid care to a family member, friend, or neighbor who has an illness, disability, memory loss, or injury? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are a caregiver! Are you feeling overwhelmed, constantly worried, tired, sad, easily irritated, and/or extremely stressed? You are not alone and there is support available. If you would like to learn more about resources, tools, and supports available for caregivers, please answer the following questions to get connected to the right starting place.

1. Are you over the age of 18 and caring for an older adult (age 60+)?
2. Are you over the age of 18 caring for an individual (any age) with Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder (e.g., dementia, traumatic brain injury, mild cognitive impairment, chronic traumatic encephalopathy)?
3. Are you over the age of 55 and living with and caring for a child (not biological) under the age of 18?
4. Are you over the age of 55 and living with and caring for an adult (can be a biological child) aged 18-59 with a disability?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, you are eligible for the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP). The goal of the NFCSP is to support family caregivers so they may continue to carry out their caregiving roles and responsibilities. The program can provide services such as caregiver counseling, information and assistance, caregiver training, respite care (a break from caregiving), and much more. If you would like to learn more about how this program can assist you, please call 631 853-8200.

If you answered no to all the questions above, or you are not interested in learning about the resources available through the NFCSP, there is still help available to you through the Any Care Counts - New York (ACC-NY) Campaign which recognizes and supports the millions of unpaid caregivers across the state! Through ACC-NY you can discover your caregiver intensity score by taking the ARCHANGELS Caregiver Intensity Index (CII). It takes just 2 minutes to complete. You will find out whether you are “in the red," "yellow" or "green," and be connected to trusted resources.

Do you prefer to search resources on your own? Visit the NY Connects Resource Directory. NY Connects links individuals of all ages and their caregivers to long term services and supports and provides one stop access to free, objective, comprehensive information and assistance.