Elders

AOA Elders Corner

Submitted by Melissa Shaw, AOA Outreach Coordinator

Snow Removal for Seneca Elders

During the winter months the Seneca Nation DPW may be able to provide snow plowing for eligible Elders on-territory. Please remember that DPW’s first priority is clearing parking lots and walkways at SNI facilities. After SNI sites are cleared, work begins to plow driveways for Seneca Elders/Disabled members that have requested service. DPW makes every effort to schedule early plowing for those eligible who need to be able to get out of their driveways for dialysis, chemotherapy, etc.

Cattaraugus Elders: To apply for snow-plowing through SNI DPW, please stop by the Wini Kettle Senior Center to pick up a form or contact Lindsey Cooper (AOA Senior Support Specialist) at (716) 532-5777 ext. 5504.

Allegany Elders: To apply for snowplowing through SNI DPW, please stop by the Allegany Elders Center for a Program Services Waiver or contact Shanelle Mohawk (Alleg. DPW) at (716) 945-5441.

Upcoming Seneca Elder Events

• Air Supply at Seneca Allegany Casino, November 12 at 8pm.
• The Commodores at Seneca Niagara Casino, November 26 at 8pm.
• Boy Band Christmas at Seneca Niagara Casino, December 9 at 8pm.
• Boy Band Christmas at Seneca Allegany Casino, December 10 at 8pm.
• Bills vs. Dolphins Suite Ticket Lottery – Game will be held December 17 or 18 (TBD by NFL.) Sign-up for lottery in-person @ AOA by Dec. 2nd @ NOON. Sign-ups available now. Winners drawn Dec. 2nd. Fifteen tickets available TOTAL for both territories. Suite includes ticket to game, food and beverages (bus transportation available.)

As a reminder the sign-up sheets for shows will be available 1 MONTH prior to the event. Numbers are turned in to the Casino 1 week prior, if you have a change in plans please cancel before then. Be sure you will be attending when you sign-up as there has been an increase of last-minute cancellations, resulting in a waste of Elder entertainment funds for the remainder of the year. Please be mindful of this when you sign-up. Nya:weh.

Consumer Directed Personal Assistant Services

The Seneca Nation AOA is able to provide Consumer Directed personal assistant services to qualified Elders though a partnership with Western New York Independent Living. Consumer Directed service allows you to become the supervisor for your own personal assistant services. You can hire who you like (subject to some restrictions), train them in areas important to you, and supervise their work on a daily basis. Tasks are not as limited as they are in a traditional care aide plan.

Who can I hire?
If accepted into the Consumer Directed program you can hire almost anyone to be your personal assistant. The only people that are ineligible to provide the service (and get paid for it) are the consumer’s spouse or designated representative. Any other adult relative of the consumer who does not reside with the consumer or any adult relative who resides with the consumer because of the amount of care the consumer requires is eligible.

What tasks can I receive assistance with?
Some of the tasks include, but are not limited to:
• Bathing, Getting in and out of bed/wheelchair, Toileting, Eating and drinking, Cooking, Cleaning, Personal errands, Taking medication

To find out if you or your loved one qualify for Consumer Directed Services, please contact AOA Case Managers: Cattaraugus – Shantel Burning (716) 532-5777 Allegany – Teresa Redeye (716) 945-8414.

HEAP Assistance

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps low-income people pay the cost of heating their homes. If you are eligible, you may receive one regular HEAP benefit per program year and could also be eligible for emergency HEAP benefits if you are in danger of running out of fuel or having your utility service shut off.

The 2022-2023 Regular HEAP benefit opens November 1, 2022. If you are eligible, you may receive one regular HEAP benefit per program year to help you pay for heating your home.

Eligibility and benefits are based on income, household size, the primary heating source, and the presence of a household member who is under age 6, age 60 or older or permanently disabled. Regular benefits for households that pay directly for heat based on actual usage are paid directly to the vendor that supplies the household’s primary source of heat.

For more information or assistance with your HEAP application, contact Briana Snyder, Seneca Nation AOA Options Counselor at 716-945-8991.

Medicare Open Enrollment

Medicare’s Open Enrollment is October 15 – December 7, 2022. Medicare allows health and drug plans to make changes regarding their cost and coverage and allows for those plans to update their networks of providers and pharmacies.

During Open Enrollment, Medicare beneficiaries can change their Medicare health plans and prescription drug coverage for the following year to better meet their needs. Any applicable changes will have an effective date of January 1, 2023. Individuals enrolled in a health or prescription drug plan should review materials their plan sends such as the ‘Evidence of Coverage’ (EOC) and ‘Annual Notice of Change’ (ANOC). If the individual believes their current plan will still be offered and will meet their needs for the upcoming year they don’t need to change their health or prescription plan.

For further information and assistance regarding your Medicare coverage, please contact Briana Snyder, Seneca Nation AOA Options Counselor at 716-945-8991.