Serving Our Seniors Magazine

Serving Our Seniors REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY 2,360 The number of calls to Serving Our Seniors asking for help. 1,253 Individual older adults who called for help with a question/problem/concern. 172 New older adults calling Serving Our Seniors for the first time. 7,950 The number of rural home delivered meals funded by Serving Our Seniors. 141 Older adults used weekday transportation funded by Serving Our Seniors. 2,061 1-way trips were taken by older adults who paid a bus fare of $1.50. 15 Older adults used weekday transportation at a reduced bus fare of 50¢ per ride. 322 Of the 2,383 1-way trips were provided to 141 older adults at a reduced bus fare of 50¢/1-way 31 Older adults used out of town transportation to get to health care appointments. 56 Trips were driven to take the 31 older adults to their health care appointments. 0 Older adult received a gas voucher to afford travel out of town to their health care appointment, when we were short on volunteer drivers. 1 Older adult took 1 trip using our wheelchair transportation for out of town health care appointments. Affordable Transportation 12 The number of small home repairs. 5 New ramps installed. 114 The number of ramps in service throughout Erie County. 200 Medicare counseling sessions (group and individual). Services to Support Independence Nutrition APRIL 2025 – JUNE 2025 From the Director I hope you will enjoy several of the articles, which challenge mainstream views on aging–perhaps even your own perceptions of what it means to be “older”. There is a term, “internalized ageism”. It refers to a phenomenon where older adults begin to believe and accept the negative stereotypes often associated with aging. Internalized ageism reinforces society’s ability to deny older people of the same rights, respect and seriousness shown to young and middle-aged adults. You can help fight internalized ageism by reading: “Senior Fest: Where We Act Our Age” (pg 9); “Creativity Doesn’t Decline with Age” (pg 18); “Leaving a Legacy of Poetry” (pg 21); and “Literacy Unites Generations” (pg 11). Why not join our friendly resistance against ageist attitudes by ordering yourself “Aging Is Cool!” garb (pg 5). Wear it proudly! Together we will make Erie County the greatest place for growing older. This issue also highlights the many different ways Serving Our Seniors helps Erie County residents, age 60+ in maintaining their health and ability to function independently. Thanks to the Erie County Senior Services Tax Levy and private donors, the Senior Advocate and Senior Advocate Assistants are here to help you. Be sure to read, “Your Partner & Your Advocate” (pg 7); “How Can Serving Our Seniors Help Me? (pg 7); “Medicare Open Enrollment” (pg 18); “Help to Afford Your Medications” (pg 11); “The Piggy Bank Fund” (pg 16). Happy reading, Sue Daugherty 3