Onondaga County Department of Aging and Youth

Aging and Youth Press Releases Joanne M. Mahoney County Executive NEWS ReleaseCounty of Onondaga Department Department of Aging & Youth Release Date For Immediate Release Subject: Heat Safety Tips for Seniors Date: July 20, 2011 Contact: Commissioner Lisa D. Alford (435-2362) County Executive Joanne M. Mahoney is making the following recommendations provided by the Onondaga County Department of Aging and Youth concerning heat safety tips for older adults. Summer’s hot weather can lead to serious heat-related illness, especially for older people and those with chronic illnesses. Hot, humid weather causes the body’s temperature to rise, which puts a strain on the heart and blood vessels. Heat stroke or heat exhaustion can result. Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature: the body's temperature rises rapidly, the body loses its ability to sweat, and it is unable to cool down. Body temperatures rise to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided. Warning signs vary but may include the following: An extremely high body temperature (above 103°F); red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating),rapid, strong pulse; throbbing headache, dizziness, or nausea. Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids. Warning signs vary but may include the following: Heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, fainting, a pulse rate that is fast and weak, or breathing that is fast and shallow. County Executive Mahoney encourages everyone in our community to be aware of seniors in their neighborhood and look for signs of heat stroke or heat exhaustion, or that the person may be in need of assistance. In the case of a medical emergency call 911 directly. If you are concerned about the general well being of an older person contact the Department of Aging and Youth and an Aging Services staff person will assess the older person’s needs and recommend appropriate services and programs. Catholic Charities is working with the New York State Homes and Community Renewal Energy Cooling Program to provide air conditioning for people of all ages who are HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) eligible and have a verifiable medical need for air conditioning. Help with installation is also available through Project Fix, a program funded by the Department of Aging and Youth. For more information call 424-1810. During this hot weather it is important for everyone, but especially seniors, to follow the following safety tips: Stay indoors or in an air-conditioned place such as a local senior center, mall or library Keep draperies and window shades closed Try to do household chores early in the morning, before it gets too hot Drink plenty of water regularly, even if you’re not feeling thirsty Limit intake of alcoholic beverages Dress in loose-fitting clothing that covers as much skin as possible Protect face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat Avoid too much sunshine and use a sunscreen lotion with a high SPF rating For more information, including a list of air conditioned senior centers and hours of operation, please call the Onondaga County Department of Aging and Youth at (315) 435-2362 or visit our website: www.ongov.net/ay -end- NEWS Release County of Onondaga Department Department of Aging & Youth Release Date For Immediate Release Subject: Strong Bones, Strong Bodies: Free Exercise Classes Date: June 28, 2010 Contact: Commissioner Lisa D. Alford (435-2362) County Executive Joanne M. Mahoney and Lisa D. Alford, Commissioner of the Onondaga County Department of Aging and Youth, are pleased to announce Strong Bones, Strong Bodies: a series of free exercise classes offering low impact strength training that stimulates the growth of muscle and bone. This research based national fitness program designed for older adults was created by Tufts University, and is being offered at no cost by the Department of Aging and Youth and the Catholic Charities Elderly Services RSVP Program. The benefits of regular exercise include increased mental and emotional health, improvement in balance and flexibility, and a reduction in the instance of falls. Strength training exercises are easy to learn, and have been proven to be safe and effective. Classes will be held every Thursday from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. beginning July 8th through December 30th at the Salina Civic Center, 2826 LeMoyne Avenue in Syracuse. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. For more information or to register, please call Donna Nash at 424-1810, ext. 12. -end- NEWS Release County of Onondaga Department Department of Aging & Youth Release Date For Immediate Release Subject: Onondaga County Department of Aging and Youth Receives Gold Award and $1600 Grant for March For Meals Campaign DATE: June 18, 2010 CONTACT: Lisa D. Alford, Commissioner (435-2362) County Executive Joanne M. Mahoney announced today that the Onondaga County Department of Aging and Youth has been awarded the Gold Award and a $1600 grant from the Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) in recognition of the success of its 2010 March For Meals/Big Wheels Deliver Meals Campaign. The grant was announced by MOWAA on June 14, and the grant money will be awarded in August at the 2010 MOWAA Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA. Nearly 40 local public officials and community leaders delivered Meals on Wheels to area homebound on March 24th (National March for Meals day) joining over 1500 public officials nationwide. “We raised awareness throughout the county about the importance of senior hunger and Meals on Wheels services, and are enjoying a renewed interest in our area programs and the important mission they are fulfilling.” said Lisa D. Alford, Commissioner of the Onondaga CountyDepartment of Aging and Youth. “As always, we have received a very positive response from our community, which makes all the work that goes into this annual campaign well worth it.” The success of Onondaga County’s March For Meals campaign, in addition to the $1600 grant they received from MOWAA, will fuel momentum for an even more successful campaign next year. March For Meals is an annual national campaign to raise awareness of senior hunger and to encourage action on the part of the local community. Senior nutrition programs across the United States promote March For Meals in their local communities through public events, partnerships with local businesses, volunteer recruitment and fundraising initiatives. Over 1,500 volunteers at eight local Meals on Wheels programs in Onondaga County serve over half a million meals to 1,400 homebound citizens each year. For more information, contact Lisa D. Alford at the Onondaga County Department of Aging and Youth at 435-2362. -end- NEWS Release County of Onondaga
Department: Department of Aging & Youth Release Date: For Immediate Release
SUBJECT: Onondaga County Intergenerational Award Winners Announced
DATE: May 4, 2010 CONTACT: Lisa D. Alford, Commissioner (435-2362)
The Onondaga County Department of Aging and Youth has selected the winners of its 14th Annual Intergenerational Awards, and will honor them with a ceremony Wednesday, May 12th at the Genesee Grande Hotel in Syracuse from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. The event will recognize winners in various categories, including the 2010 Onondaga County Outstanding Intergenerational Program, Senior Citizen of the Year, and Professional Youth Worker of the Year. The event is held each year in May in conjunction with Older Americans Month, to recognize some outstanding Onondaga County residents for their accomplishments and contributions to the community. The winners of this year’s awards were selected from a diverse pool of nominations, and represent the essence of intergenerational excellence in our community. Following is a complete list of the Intergenerational award winners: Senior Citizen of the Year –Barbara Genton of Syracuse Ms. Genton will receive this award for her long and admirable history of volunteerism in support of breast cancer awareness, and the tremendous work she has done as a Sage Upstate board member to increase support and services available for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning older adults. DAY Light Youth of the Year –SaQuota Reaves of Syracuse Miss Reaves is being recognized for her academic success, dedication and perseverance in the face of adversity, and for serving as a role model for her peers. Youth Intergenerational Volunteer –Carolyn Gelinas of Syracuse Miss Gelinas exemplifies caring, generosity and dedication in her volunteer work with the Westcott Community Center’s Senior Lunch Program. Senior Intergenerational Volunteer –Alfonzie Gunn of Syracuse Mr. Gunn is the founder and president of the Inner City Little League, and an active member of the District 8 Little League. He passionately advocated for and assisted in the rehabilitation of the baseball diamond at Homer Wheaton Park. Mr. Gunn has a passion for baseball, and for equality and community service. Adult Volunteer Working with Youth – Judge Jawwaad A. Rasheed of Syracuse Judge Rasheed is being recognized for his dedication to improving the educational opportunities available to the youth with whom he volunteers, and instilling in them a desire to further their education and never compromise their dreams. Flanders Memorial Caregiver of the Year –Roseanne Suskin of Syracuse Mrs. Suskin exemplifies the very best qualities of caregiving: dedication, devotion, patience and kindness. The Flanders Memorial Caregiver of the Year Award is presented in memory of the remarkable contributions Paula Flanders (former Director of Caregiver Resources for the Department of Aging and Youth) made to the department and to the community as a model and inspiration for all caregivers. Senior Services Professional –Cindy Davies of Syracuse Cindy Davies is being honored because she represents the dynamic spirit of selflessness and giving back tirelessly to one’s community the Senior Services Professional award seeks to recognize. Ms. Davies a Social Worker at Christopher Community, Inc., where she connects older adults and their families with needed services and programs. Outstanding Intergenerational Program – St. Camillus and Bishop Ludden’s “Back to School” Program This outstanding example of an effective intergenerational program began in the Spring of 2009, when St. Camillus Health and Rehabilitation Center and Bishop Ludden Junior-Senior High School’s Campus Ministry created a partnership that allowed several St. Camillus residents to attend classes at Bishop Ludden. Since that time, other intergenerational partnerships have flourished, such as the recent “Senior” Senior Prom held at St. Camillus. Professional Youth Worker - Oscar Vergara of Syracuse Mr. Vergara is being recognized for his leadership and for the positive influence he has over the lives of the many young people with whom he works and mentors as the Youth Services Director for P.E.A.C.E. Inc.’s Big Brothers Big Sisters Program. Media Award – Anna Quackenbush and Ana-rachel Richardson, The Media Unit Anna and Anna Rachel work for The Media Unit, providing positive images of youth during Rough Times Live, a weekly television program currently airing in Syracuse, Binghamton and New York City. The two alternate as hosts for the broadcasts, research topics of concern to teenagers, consult with local youth serving agencies for information and resources, and recruit youth to appear as guest panelists on the show. - end - Photo information: Front row, L to R: Roseanne Suskin (Flanders Memorial Caregiver of the Year), Carolyn Gelinas (Youth Intergenerational Volunteer of the Year), SaQuota Reaves (DAY Light Youth of the Year), Cindy Davies (Senior Services Professional of the Year), Anna Quackenbush and Ana-rachel Richardson (Media Award winners), and Oscar Vergara (Professional Youth Worker of the Year). Back row, L to R: Alfonzie Gunn (Senior Intergenerational Volunteer of the Year), Jawaad A. Rasheed (Adult Volunteer Working with Youth award winner). Barbara Genton (Senior Citizen of the Year), Mary Ellen Steele from St. Camillus and Joe Pounder from Bishop Ludden (representing the Intergenerational Program of the Year). Photo credit: Ann Read, Department of Aging and Youth ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Walmart Foundation Grant to Meals On Wheels Association of America to Help Feed Hungry Seniors in Onondaga County (Click to download press release) Joanne M. Mahoney County Executive NEWS Release County of Onondaga Department Department of Aging & Youth Release Date For Immediate Release Subject: Walmart Foundation Grant to Meals On Wheels Association of America to Help Feed Hungry Seniors in Onondaga County Grant received at critical time as economy threatens seniors in Onondaga County Date: March 12, 2010 County Executive Joanne M. Mahoney and Lisa D. Alford, Commissioner of Onondaga County’s Department of Aging and Youth, are pleased to announce that Onondaga County Department of Aging and Youth has been awarded $15,000 through a Walmart Foundation grant to the Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA). The money will provide Meals on Wheels of Syracuse and North Area Meals on Wheels with much-needed delivery vehicle upgrades and a computer tracking system, which are critical to continue serving seniors in our county. This financial support is desperately needed as many Meals On Wheels programs across the country are struggling to survive during this economic downturn. The “Walmart Foundation Impact Grant” is intended to help the Onondaga County Department of Aging and Youth and local Meals on Wheels programs to continue to meet the long term equipment needs of providing meals to our seniors in Onondaga County. “Thanks to the Walmart Foundation Impact Grant, we now have better tools to keep feeding seniors for years to come,” said Commissioner Alford of the Onondaga County Department of Aging and Youth. “This grant will help us provide the next meal to many of our clients in need and will truly make a difference for the seniors of Onondaga County.” Onondaga County’s Department of Aging and Youth is the official Area Agency on Aging. The department’s mission is to support a comprehensive system of services for children and youth, senior citizens, caregivers and their families. For over thirty five years, our office has worked to help seniors live more fulfilling and healthier lives, through advocacy, planning, coordination, direct services and program funding. We provide services to older adults to help keep them in their homes and out of costly institutional care facilities for as long as it is safe and practical to do so. Our award winning Nutrition Services Program is an integral part of promoting healthy community living and independence for the older adults in Onondaga County. Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are proud to support the charitable causes that are important to customers and associates in their own neighborhoods. From February 1, 2008 through January 31, 2009, Walmart – and its domestic and international foundations – gave more than $423 million in cash and in-kind gifts globally. To learn more, visit www.walmartfoundation.org. For more information about our senior nutrition programs, contact the Onondaga County Department of Aging and Youth at 435-2362, or visit our website at www.ongov.net/ay. -end- ______________________________________________________________________