Public Advocate's Corner

A Troubled Reorganization at the Department for the Aging

MANHATTAN—A 2008 redesign of case management services at the Department for the Aging (DFTA), launched to accommodate a growing and increasingly diverse older population, left many case management agencies with insufficient funding and large numbers of seniors without services. According to a survey released today by Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, many of these problems remained fifteen months later, as clients faced longer average wait times to receive services, and the average caseload for case managers was greater than it was before the reorganization.

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Happy Birthday, Citymeals-on-Wheels

(Above: Gotbaum with Lilliam Barrios-Paoli, commissioner for the Department for the Aging, and Joyce Bove of NY Community Trust)

Today, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum attended the 23rd Annual Power Lunch for Women, hosted by Citymeals-on-Wheels. The event benefits the Citymeals program, which funds "30 community-based agencies that bring weekend, holiday and emergency meals to homebound elderly New Yorkers who can no longer shop or cook for themselves." This year's lunch honors Joan Weill, and Citymeals Vice Chair Joan Tisch.

Visiting Seniors in Chinatown

On Thursday, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum visited the Project Open Door Senior Center, a facility operated by the Chinese-American Planning Council, Inc. In 2005, Public Advocate Gotbaum helped secure city approval to build the Open Door Center. Today, the Center is thriving, playing host to art shows, activities for seniors, catered meals, and other senior services.

On Gotbaum's visit, she met with Director Po-ling NG; distributed water bottles, whistles, and other souvenirs to hundreds of senior citizens.

 

Getting Help for Dad

This Father’s Day it’s important to give your dad something he’ll appreciate. For many fathers, this could simply mean helping him to access a variety of services that can improve his quality of life and save him time and money.   

 

Father’s day suggestions: 

 

§         Help him with his Medicare: If your father is retired and receives Medicare and is burdened by high prescription drug costs, he may be eligible for assistance with his monthly premiums, annual deductibles and co-payments related to his Medicare prescription drug program. People receiving such assistance can get an average of $3900 per year in aid. To find out if Social Security can ease your father’s prescription drug bills, go to your nearest Social Security office, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask for the Application for Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs, or log on to www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp.

 

§         Help him with his prescription medicines: If your father has limited proficiency in English, make sure that he understands what medicines he is taking and exactly how to take them. This past fall, CVS and Rite Aid entered into agreements with the Attorney General’s office to provide New York customers with prescription medication instructions in their primary language, and legislation – introduced by Public Advocate Gotbaum – is pending that would require city pharmacies to provide free language assistance and translation services for prescriptions. However, if your dad needs additional prescription translation services, he can call the Office of the Public Advocate at 212-669-7250.

 

§         Help keep him comfortable: If your dad has a medical condition that is made worse by summer heat, make sure the air conditioner in his home is in good working order. If he needs air conditioning and can’t afford it, you can help him apply for a free air conditioner. Senior citizens who meet income eligibility guidelines can apply (through a doctor) for a free air-conditioning unit, and the city’s Department for the Aging (DFTA) will help install it. Find out more about the program here. DFTA also provides a list of Hot Weather Preparedness Tips for Seniors which may be helpful. 

 

Now go and be sure to enjoy the day with your father. Wishing all New Yorkers a Happy Father’s day …