2014 Senior Forum Follow-up
Legislator Earl McElfresh presenting at the Dept. of Aging's 2014 Senior Forum
The Cattaraugus County Department of the Aging held its Twentieth (20th) Annual Senior Forum and Public Hearing at Ellicottville Central School on August 21, 2014. Breakfast and lunch were provided by the department's Senior Wellness and Nutrition program. Approximately 125 seniors attended the event.
During the public hearing portion of the event, Director Cathy Mackay reviewed the programs and services that were provided to Cattaraugus County seniors during the previous year. She also discussed future trends in programming and funding.
Following the public hearing, participants attended workshops which covered a wide range of topics including arm knitting, Red Cross disaster preparedness, how to read a medication prescription, living with diabetes, Polish celebrations, and "Mapping the Civil War," presented by Cattaraugus County Legislator Earl McElfresh.
After the workshops, seniors were free to visit exhibits by the Cattaraugus County Veterans Service Agency, Cattaraugus County Health Department, Eden Heights, Total Senior Care, Community Action, The Pines Healthcare and Rehabilitation Centers, BlueCross BlueShield, Doyle Medical Monitoring System, Healthy Community Alliance, and The ReHabilitation Center. Department of the Aging staff was on hand to take photo IDs and blood pressure readings.
Each year as part of the event, the Department of the Aging announces the recipient of the department's Star Award. This honor is awarded to an individual who has demonstrated dedication to serving the senior citizens of Cattaraugus County. This year's recipient of the Star Award was Candace Plants of the United Way of Cattaraugus County.
The event wrapped up with an entertaining and informative presentation on falls prevention delivered by keynote speaker Dr. Betty Perkins-Carpenter. Dr. Perkins-Carpenter is an octogenarian who has written and lectured extensively on the benefits of physical fitness and balance in keeping seniors safe while performing their activities of daily living.
For information on the services and programs offered to Cattaraugus County seniors age 60 and older, please contact the Department of the Aging at 716-373-8032 or 800-462-2901.
