General Information

Recently, CAO has taken steps to expand the scope of services and activities to meet the needs of the growing elderly population in Buffalo and the County of Erie.

Through its newly established Department of Senior Services/Community Relations, CAO will aggressively pursue the resources and legislative solutions needed to assist person's age 60 years and over to successfully cope with the intricate and sometimes stressful nature of the aging process.
 

Presently, in the County of Erie, more than 27.7 percent of the population are persons 60 years and older; in the City of Buffalo, this age group comprises 33.8 percent of the population.

According to the US. Census Bureau's "Middle Series Projection," the elderly population in our region will more than double between now and the year 2050. 

In addition to offering the following programs specifically for seniors:

• LINWOOD/OXFORD VAN SERVICE (LOVS) – Provides transportation for elderly persons residing in the Linwood/Oxford area. Seniors are able to keep medical appointments, participate in planned outings, and purchase food at local supermarkets;
• MEALS ON WHEELS – Delivery of hot meals to homebound elderly http://www.mowfdnwny.org ; and
• FOOD CONNECTION – Delivery of a five-day supply of food each month to homebound elderly residents living in Erie County;

CAO is committed to providing a more equitable response to the needs of this "special" population - especially the elderly among us who are "at risk" and are struggling to survive, by involving the elderly to purposely address issues such as: 

• The lack of an adequate income (the median income for elderly persons is: men – $14,500; women $8,000.00 per year; for Blacks and Hispanics the median income changes to: men – $6,200 and women $5,900 per year), 
• The lack of adequate health care and attention paid to chronic illnesses such as arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and other challenging and debilitating disabilities; 
• The high cost of prescriptions, 
• The lack of decent housing in safe and "elderly-friendly" neighborhoods, and 
• The increasing number of the elderly living alone and in need of assistance, including the growing number of nursing homes that do not meet the State's health standards. 

CAO strongly supports the right of our elderly citizens to look forward to a life expectancy that is joyful, relaxed, and free of obstacles that increase their fears and anxieties.

Community Relations

The ultimate goal of the department's community relation's activities is to increase citizen participation in all aspects of CAO's operation. CAO strongly supports the right of our elderly citizens to look forward to a life expectancy that is joyful, relaxed, and free of obstacles that increase their fears and anxieties.

Eligibility

Persons age 60 years and over living in Erie County.