Office for the Aging Overview

The Onondaga County Office for the Aging is the federally designated Area Agency on Aging for Syracuse and Onondaga County. The Federal Older Americans Act, along with the New York State Community Services for the Elderly Act, authorize our agency to plan, develop and coordinate programs and services for approximately 83,000 county residents age 60 and older.

The Office for the Aging is made up of several individual, award-winning programs, our largest being the Senior Nutrition Program, providing nutritious meals and nutrition education through home delivered meals, congregate dining and nutrition counseling. Our Community Services for the Elderly program provides services to frail and low-income elderly, such as information and assistance, transportation, social day programs and elder abuse education.

Our Senior Community Service Employment Program is a temporary employment and training program for mature workers age 55 or over. Energy Programs, HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) and WRAP (Weatherization Referral Assistance Program, offer heating, cooling and weatherization assistance to income eligible seniors.

Services provided by our Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly (EISEP) Program include case management, respite and non-medical home care. Our Caregiver Resource Center was expanded in 2001 to include senior caregiver mediation along with its caregiver support and respite programs. The Office for the Aging provides Health Promotion programs through our Fit For the Next Fifty program, wellness classes at local senior centers, and free health insurance counseling.