Older adults can struggle to access aging-related services, transportation to medical appointments, and social opportunities. Our Aging Life Services Elder Care Managers work directly with the client to improve their satisfaction with daily life and feel safer and confident living at home.

What is the Aging Life Services Program?

The Aging Life Services Program strives to connect older adults with services and other folks in their community to enable them to live safely at home as long as they care to. The Program provides in-home social work consultation around all areas of life including health and disability, financial, housing, family, legal, and in-home needs to develop a long-term plan enabling older adults to remain living successfully in their community.

 The Health Insurance Information, Counseling & Assistance Program (HIICAP) is a federally-funded program from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and is administered by the New York State Office for the Aging through the Schenectady County Department of Long Term Care and Catholic Charities Senior & Caregiver Support Services.

Meals on Wheels in Schenectady County has been a part of Catholic Charities since 1975 delivering meals 7 days a week.  It is one of the primary factors in keeping the elderly in their home and avoiding or delaying transfer to a more restrictive setting.  Equally important is the daily contact the drivers provide to the participants.  The program serves homebound individuals and those in the greatest economic need. Most of the clients have long-term needs, but some require meals for only a short time while they are recuperating from an illness, injury, or surgery. 

Family members are the primary providers of long-term care for loved ones.  Unfortunately, there is nothing simple about caregiving.  The Caregiver Support Program has been a part of Catholic Charities for over 30 years and serves 14 counties of the Diocese of Albany - Albany, Columbia, Delaware, Fulton, Greene, Herkimer, Montgomery, Otsego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren, and Washington.  The Caregiver Support Program is funded by the New York State Office for the Aging, Albany County Department for Aging, and private donations.

The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) was created in 1972 and is established in all states under the Older Americans Act administered by the Administration on Aging.  This advocacy program provides opportunities for residents of long term care facilities and their families to voice problems and concerns that impact their quality of life and care.  The role of the LTCOP is important in helping ensure the safety and welfare of thousands of New York State long term care residents.