AOA Elders Corner

Submitted by Melissa Shaw, AOA Outreach Coordinator

In-Person Elder Legal Assistance at AOA

Free In-Person Legal Assistance for Any On-Territory Elders (not dependent on enrollment status):

• 4th Thursday of Every Month
• With lawyer Alex Fehrman from the Center for Elder Law & Justice (CELJ)
• Morning Appointments @ Allegany AOA. Afternoon Appointments @ Cattaraugus AOA.

To make an appointment, please call Tina Law in Cattaraugus at (716)532-5777 or Bridget John in Allegany at (716)945-8990. OR, feel free to contact the lawyer, Alex Fehrman, directly at (716) 853-3087 ext. 242.

CELJ provides Health Care Advocacy, Elder Abuse Prevention, Kinship Care, Guardianship Services, Consumer Protection, Foreclosure Prevention, Health Care Proxy & Power of Attorney, Housing and other types of legal assistance.

Free In-Person Estate Planning & Will Preperation for Enrolled Seneca Elders:

• Second Friday of Every Month
• With lawyer Lee Redeye from Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman LLP
• Morning Appointments @ Allegany AOA. Afternoon Appointments @ Cattaraugus AOA.

To make an appointment, please call Tina Law in Cattaraugus at (716)532-5777 or Bridget John in Allegany at (716)945-8990. OR, feel free to contact the lawyer, Lee Redeye, directly at (716) 853-5100 ext. 1382.

SNI AOA will cover all costs of Basic Will Construction, including: disposing of on-territory assets, including no more than three off-territory bank accounts, with no more than five beneficiaries and drafting and execution of power of attorney and healthcare proxy documents. If an eligible Elder requires Complex Estate Planning, the AOA will provide funding towards the representation not to exceed the amount of a Basic Will. The cost for complex estate planning beyond the initial amount covered by AOA is the sole responsibility of the elder.

Elders Events at the Casinos

October Events for Enrolled Seneca Elders:

• October 9th – Seneca Fight Night, King of Cage MMA at Niagara Falls
• October 15th – Aaron Lewis at Allegany
• October 16th – Tessa Dezoppo, Pyschic Medium, at Niagara Falls
• October 28th – Village People at Niagara Falls

Important Note on Elder Entertainment Show Policy:

The Casino requires a head count 1 week prior to the show date, Elders are required to be signed up by then. Tickets are then purchased, with no refunds for unused tickets. Therefore, we will be strongly adhering to the set guidelines for “no shows.” Which reads as follows: “Elders must notify AOA of any cancellations at least 24 hours prior to an event. The exception will be for emergency situations or severe weather conditions. Elders who are not in compliance with the policy will be put on a wait-list for future events for a period of 3 months. A second offense will result in a loss of privileges for a period of 6 months.”

As a reminder, assistants may be put on the wait-list pending all Enrolled Seneca Elders are accommodated.

Please remember to include your phone numbers when signing up for events. There is a minimum of 10 people to attend a show. If the minimum amount is not met, the event will be cancelled.

Feeling Stretched as a Caregiver?

Powerful Tools for Caregivers is an educational series designed to provide you with the tools you need to take care of yourself.

This program helps family caregivers reduce stress, improve self-confidence, communicate feelings better, balance their lives, increase their ability to make tough decisions and locate helpful resources.

Classes consist of six sessions held once a week. Two experienced Class Leaders conduct the series (many are experienced caregivers themselves, who have successfully applied the techniques they teach). Interactive lessons, discussions and brainstorming will help you take the “tools” you choose and put them into action for your life.

You will receive a book, The Caregiver Helpbook, developed specifically for the class. Classes will be FREE, thanks to support from Lifespan.

Classes will be held at Seneca Allegany Elders Center. Sessions are held once a week for six weeks and begin the first week of October. Time to be determined with participants. Classes can be virtual if needed due to ongoing changes with COVID For more information or to register, contact Briana Snyder at (716)945-8991, or email Briana.Snyder@sni.org. Class size is limited and pre-registration is required.