LINKS AND RESOURCES
Onondaga County Office for Aging
315-435-2362
This office offers a wide range of benefits to seniors and caregivers residing in Onondaga County. These include in-home services, caregiver support, energy programs, referrals, information on housing, insurance, and nutritional resources, and more. For their extensive 2023 Senior Resource Guide, please click here.
The HIICAP (Health Insurance Information Counseling and Assistance Program) program provides information to seniors and family members with questions about Medicare, managed care, long-term care, and more. Call 315-435-2362 to request a free consultation with a HIICAP ("Hi Cap") counselor.
Community Services
315-435-2362
The Onondaga County Office for Aging's Community Services for the Elderly (CSE) Program plans, funds, administers, and subcontracts programming that provides services to frail low-income elderly residents of Onondaga County to assist them in maintaining independence at home. Some of their services include the following:
- Health Promotions: Information about fall prevention, strength/balance exercise classes and more.
- Home Repairs: A partnership with Catholic Charities called "Project Fix."
- Legal Services: A partnership with Legal Services of CNY, Inc.
- Neighborhood Advisors: A corps of outreach workers, located in the community, who provide information and assistance to older adults and their families.
- Transportation: Transportation services for senior residents of Onondaga County.
- Social Work Services: Aurora of Central NY, Inc., operates a Social Work Services program for older persons who are vision and hearing impaired. Social workers counsel and provide information and connections to assistive equipment.
Onondaga Senior Call-A-Ride (OSCAR)
315-442-3434
Through funding from the Onondaga County Department of Adult and Long-Term Care Services, Centro's Specialized Transportation department provides ride services for seniors who are 60 and over and reside in Onondaga County. Eligible seniors must be pre-registered to participate in the OSCAR program. To request an application, please call the Specialized Transportation department at the above phone number, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Driver Safety Courses through AARP
1-877-846-3299 (toll-free)
The link above will take you to AARP's driver safety page, where you can register for the online driver course, get driving tips, or find classroom courses offered in our area. The Senior Centre offers the AARP Smart Driver program several times each year.
Meals on Wheels of Eastern Onondaga County
315-637-5446
This nonprofit organization delivers hot and cold meals to seniors and others in its service area for a modest cost, five days per week. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify. Please click on the link above for more information.
Fayetteville-Manlius FISH or Friends in Service Here (no website)
315-637-8158
This volunteer group works to provide seniors with free transportation to medical appointments. Please phone 315-637-8158 and leave a message for the dispatcher, who will get back to you.
Fayetteville-Manlius Community Outreach, Inc.
315-682-3688
Formerly known as the F-M Food Pantry, Community Outreach provides emergency food assistance for families and individuals residing in the Fayetteville-Manlius school district. Please click on the above link for information about qualifying for assistance or making a donation of food, money, or clothing.
Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC)
1-800-332-3742
The EPIC program is a New York State program for seniors administered by the State Department of Health. It assists more than 270,000 income-eligible seniors, aged 65 and older, in supplementing their out-of-pocket Medicare D drug plan costs. Please click on the link above for extensive information and to print out an application form.
Vera House Evergreen Network
315-468-3260
The Evergreen Network is a division of Vera House, Inc., that addresses elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation.
The National Council on Aging (NCOA)
The National Council on Aging has created a comprehensive resource guide for older adults who are living alone to help empower them to thrive independently and access essential services. The resource guide includes information on what to consider to successfully age in place, organizations that offer assistance, and links to programs and resources, such as NCOA’s BenefitsCheckup and the Eldercare Locator administered by the U.S. Administration on Aging. To read the guide, please click on the following link: Resources and Support for Older Adults Living Alone: A Comprehensive Guide (2023).