Office of the Aging Syracuse, NY

Office for Aging
Report to the Community on
our 2022 Service Plan

Each year the Office for Aging plans the programs and services that they will provide Onondaga County seniors and their caregivers in the following year. Traditionally, in-person, Public Hearings on held to receive input and feedback on what is going well and on what may need to be emphasized in the future.

For the past two years, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic these critical in-person forums were unable to be held. In 2021 an on-line survey process was used to ask Onondaga County seniors and senior service providers to provide input on the issues, programs and services that are most important to seniors, their caregivers, and families.

This year the Office for Aging asked the community for input in three different ways:1. Listening Sessions (In-person and virtual) 2. Telephone 3. Email/Mail or Fax.

This information was critical in the formation of our April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023 Service Plan. The input and 2022 Service Plan are discussed in our Report to the Community, which you can view by clicking on the above link.

The Onondaga County Office for Aging is the federally designated Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for Syracuse and Onondaga County. As such, we assist seniors and caregivers by providing the services and benefits that older adults need to live independently.

The Office for Aging

• Offers services both in the community and in the homes of seniors who live in Onondaga County
• Is a focal point for information related to healthy living and/or care in the home
• Helps seniors and their caregivers to get the services they need
• Provides services directly as well as through partnerships with local community-based organizations

Our Mission

The Mission of the Onondaga County Office for Aging is to improve and enrich the quality of life for all older persons in Onondaga County.

The Office for Aging exists to:

• Ensure that a comprehensive and coordinated system of services is available for senior citizens, their families and caregivers
• Help families and individuals remain safe and productive members of our community
• Promote the dignity and independence of seniors
• Foster public awareness of the value and contribution of senior citizens

Our Services

The Onondaga County Office for Aging is one of 59 Area Agencies on Aging in New York State and is part of the national aging network. Our aim is to be a focal point for information, advocacy, and coordination of eldercare services. Descriptions of (and links to) some of our services are located below, and in the menu across the top of this page. To learn more about a particular service, simply click on any one of the links.

Caregiver Services - Provides respite programming, information and assistance, and support and discussion groups. It also offers the “Institute for Caregivers” – classes for current and future caregivers that inform on relevant topics.

Community Services - Provides information and referrals related to home repairs, legal services, senior center activities, health promotion initiatives, transportation options and shopping services. It also includes the Neighborhood Advisor Program.

Energy Programs - The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) offers heating and cooling assistance to income eligible seniors.

Health Insurance - The Health Insurance Information, Counseling & Assistance Program (HIICAP) offers free and unbiased information.

Community Services

The Onondaga County Office for Aging’s Community Services for the Elderly (CSE) Program plans, funds, administers, and subcontracts programming that provides services to frail low-income elderly residents of Onondaga County to assist them in maintaining independence at home.

These programs are designed to reduce reliance on institutional care, to provide information about resources in the community and to provide cost effective, non-medical services. Find out about the services below by reading and/or clicking on the link for detailed information.

Information, Assistance & Outreach - Call 315-435-2362 for information, referrals and assistance linking callers with beneficial information regarding existing programs and services.

Health Promotions -  Information about fall prevention, strength/balance exercise classes and more.

Home Repairs - A partnership with Catholic Charities called “Project Fix.”

Neighborhood Advisors - A corps of outreach workers, located in the community, who provide information and assistance to older adults and their families.

Senior Centers - Nearly two dozen area centers that offer inclusive and diverse programming designed to promote physical and emotional wellness.

Transportation - Transportation services for senior residents of Onondaga County.

Social Work Services - Aurora of Central NY, Inc. operates a Social Work Services Program for older persons who are vision and hearing impaired. Social workers counsel and provide information and connections to assistive equipment.

What services are available to the elderly?

What is the Lowa Department of Aging responsible for?

What age is senior citizen?

How can we help senior citizens?