Office for Aging and Continuing Care
Our Mission
The purpose of Oneida County Office for the Aging and Continuing Care is to serve as the lead planning, funding, and advocacy agency for older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. Our mission is based on the goal of maintaining maximum independence through service provision and is guided by the core values of:
RESPECT, DIGNITY, COMPASSION, HONESTY, CONFIDENTIALITY, COMMITMENT & INFORMED PROFESSIONALISM.
Office for the Aging and Continuing Care also serves as the lead agency for planning and the development of coordinated systems for the delivery of home and community-based services for older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers.
- Provides access to programs and services that will meet the needs of vulnerable individuals.
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Advocate on behalf of older people, special minorities, and those in greatest economic and social need for preventative programs and services that will promote quality of life and enhance or maintain wellness, healthy functioning, and independent living in the community.
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Achieves positive outcomes for older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers through arrangements with community agencies for a range of home and community-based long-term care services.
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Collaborates with public and private organizations to form partnerships that leverage resources to improve and expand programs and services for older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers.
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Seeks non-traditional sources of funding to enhance services and programs in the community.
Our Vision
We, the members of the Oneida County Office for the Aging and Continuing Care team, provide services to the elderly 60+ and the disabled of Oneida County and their families. We strive to foster public awareness of available resources and issues impacting senior citizens, the disabled, their families, and caregivers. We assess individuals to identify unmet physical, medical, psychological, social, and financial needs. Care plans are created and implemented together with individuals and their families. Appropriate and available services are provided, and referrals are made to other agencies when necessary to accommodate each individual’s specific needs. We monitor the plans, evaluate their effectiveness, and adjust them when necessary. We work with the Department of Mental Health and Adult Protective Services to promote and maintain the mental well-being of older adults.
Funding
Programs are made possible through funds from New York State Office for the Aging, Oneida County, and Client and Community Contributions. Contributions are gratefully accepted and used to expand programs and services. No person will be denied services if they are unable or unwilling to contribute. All contributions are confidential.
Contact
Contact the Office for Aging and Continuing Care by emailing us at ofa@ocgov.net, or call (315) 798-5456.
Deputy Commissioner, Oneida County Department of Family and Community Services
FAQs
How Do I Request General Information on Aging Services?
Oneida County Office for Aging and Continuing Care (OFA\OCC), in partnership with New York State and Resource Center for Independent Living, operate the New York Connects resource directory. For information regarding all types of services, including Common services include Housekeeping, Personal Care, Personal Emergency Response Service units, Social Adult Day Care program, and Consumer Directed In-Home Care access the NYS website, toll free at 1-800-342-9871, or locally at OFA\OCC at 315-798-5456.
What programs are there for services in the home like housekeeping and bathing?
There are several options depending on the need, living environment, and financial situation. An evaluation of your situation will be needed to determine your options. Please call Oneida County Office for Aging and Continuing Care at 315-798-5456.
How Do I Apply for Home Care?
If you have active Medicaid, contact the NYS Conflict Free Evaluation and Enrollment Center/Maximus at 1-855-222- 8350 to begin the process. If you do not have Medicaid and are over 60 years of age, contact Oneida County Office for Aging and Continuing Care to request an assessment for service needs at 315-798-5456.
How Do I Pay for Home Care?
If you have an income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level, your care may be fully subsided if you are eligible for care. If your income is higher, your care may be partially subsidized. You will need to have a Case Managers assess your care needs and financial situation. At the time of the assessment, the Case Manager will help you complete a Financial Agreement Cost-Sharing Form which will determine what, if any, cost share you may need to pay.
Can I have my family member get paid for taking caring of my parent?
In some situations, yes. If the care recipient is able to direct his / her own care or has someone to act on their behalf who is not legally responsible for the person, Medicaid Consumer Directed Care or Consumer Directed EISEP may be an option. The recipient or self-directing other is responsible for oversight of the person being paid to care for the care recipient and ensuring that care is provided.
How Do I Ask for Respite Care?
If you are already known to Oneida County Office for Aging and Continuing Care, you may speak with your Case Manager to request respite. If you are new to Oneida County Office for Aging and Continuing Care, you will need to call to request an assessment for services at 315-798-5456.
How Do I Apply for Home Delivered Meals?
If you have a Managed Medicaid plan, please contact your plan for assistance. If you do not have a Medicaid Managed Care or Medicaid HARP plan and are over 60 years of age, contact Oneida County Office for Aging and Continuing Care to request an assessment for services at 315-798-5456.
Is There a Cost to the Home Delivered Meals? Are the meals based on my income?
In most circumstances, the cost for meals can be subsidized. Most Managed Long-Term Care and HARP Medicaid plans can pay for the meals. People who do not have Medicaid are asked to contribute a donation toward the cost of participating in the meal program.
How Do I Get Assistance with Completing Applications for insurance or benefit programs?
During the Public Health Emergency, many municipalities closed their Senior Centers and/ or public outreach locations that provided such assistance. Some sites may only be open intermittently. You may contact Oneida County Office for Aging and Continuing Care to request assistance at 315-798-5456.
Can you help with HEAP and/or SNAP?
Yes. Oneida County Office for Aging and Continuing Care helps many people who are unable to complete a benefits application on their own. Sometimes assistance can be provided over the phone. Outreach site visits occur throughout the county, generally once a month. However, many sites closed at least temporarily due to the Public Health Emergency. Inquiry can be made by calling Oneida County Office for Aging and Continuing Care at 315-798-5456.
What the difference between Medicare and Medicaid?
Medicare is a Federal Benefit. It is paid from employment contributions and sometimes your monthly cost from your Social Security income. There are many components to Medicare: Hospital/ Major Medical coverage, part A, Outpatient Care, Managed Medicare, an Prescription coverage.
Medicaid is NY State coverage, primarily, and is an income-based safety net program for people who cannot afford the cost of their medical expenses. An eligibility review is required.
Please contact Oneida County Office for Aging and Continuing Care for further information at 315-798-5456.
How do I Get a Ride to My Doctor Appointment?
Office for Aging and Continuing Care works with 50 Forward (formerly Parkway Center) for volunteer transportation to periodic medical visits. You may contact Oneida County Office for Aging and Continuing Care to request service at 315-798-5456. You will need to call 2-3 weeks before your appointment due to limited volunteer availability.
How Do I Qualify for Senior Farmer’s Market coupons?
All Participants must meet age and income eligibility requirements for the coupons.
All participants must be 60 years of age or older and have proof of age if needed. Participants must not have received coupons from another source. One coupon booklet per single-person household. Two coupon booklets per married couple, but each must sign for a booklet.
Monthly Gross Income Eligibility Requirements:
- 1 person $2095.00
- 2 person $2823.00
- 3 person $3551.00
Contact Oneida County Office for Aging and Continuing Care at 315-798-5456 for assistance with obtaining Farmer’s Market coupons.
How Can I Find Someone to Help Me Balance My Checkbook?
Oneida County Office for Aging and Continuing Care has an agreement with 50 Forward (formerly Parkway Center) for the Bill Payer Program. Trained volunteers are able to assist with writing out your checks for bills, balancing your checkbook, and budgeting your income. Using this service requires an eligibility assessment.
Please call Oneida County Office for Aging and Continuing Care to request service at 315-798-5456.
How can Office for Aging and Continuing Care (OFA/OCC) Help with Socialization?
Social and Medical Adult Day programs are available in various locations of the county.
Medicaid and Managed Long-Term Care may help pay for Medical Adult Day Care.
OFA/OCC can sometimes help with the cost of Social Adult Day Care. An assessment of need and an assessment of your financial situation will be required.
Please call Oneida County Office for Aging and Continuing Care to request service at 315-798-5456.
Do I have to be vaccinated to get services?
No. Vaccination is encouraged by the care providers and the agencies they work for. If you are not vaccinated, your care workers may ask you screening questions every time they visit in order to protect themselves and the other people they care for.
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