Combatting Depression
Partners In Services
 The teaming of the Department of Senior Programs and Services with New York-Presbyterian Hospital, a project begun in 2005, continued to successfully screen homebound seniors and provide help for those in need. At the end of 2006, the project had interviewed some 400 individuals, gathering data to document the prevalence of clinical depression and improve access to treatment.
Initiatives to combat the barriers to and stigma of mental health care improved our referral rate for seniors who need help from 22% to 50% in 2006. In-home psychotherapy was offered through research projects that provide free care to eligible elders. Other seniors and their caregivers benefited from the project’s funding, development and distribution of the first "Westchester County Directory of Geriatric Mental Health Services."
These effort have strengthened the Geriatric Mental Health Coalition, which now represents approximately 50 community agencies that recognize wellness as a state of mind as much as body.
Safe Centers
Partners In Services
 The Partnership recognizes that the unique relationship between a dependent older person and the individual or family members responsibility for them is oftentimes complex and stressful. There can be tensions on both sides, and a need for mediation or, in some instances, intervention.
Safe Centers fulfill a critical need; a place for the elderly or their caregiver to turn to when the question is where to turn. These facilities are one-stop clearinghouses dedicated providing support, be it for the senior who feels vulnerable of the caregiver experiencing burnout. The goal of the Centers and their services is to help the parties involved resolve their problems together whenever possible.
Safe centers are located in White Plains, Mount Vernon and Yorktown and have provided assistance to almost 6,000 seniors and caregivers. The Pace Women’s Justice Center is also a partner and conduct elder law programs through the centers.
Services Outstationed to Seniors (SOS)
Partners In Services
 The SOS program continues to address the emotional and social challenges of the “golden years” by providing seniors with opportunities to remain connected to the larger community. In 2006, its fourteenth year, SOS strengthened its dedication to independent living by promoting partnerships designed to improve quality of life and sense of purpose for the older persons living independently in senior apartments.
Community Health Education (CHE), introduced in October 2006, is one initiative through which a variety of clinical and health education services are being offered to up to 5,355 seniors who live in senior residences served by SOS. Services range from blood pressure testing and glucose screenings to information on topics such as diet, mental health and wellness. SOS is a vital link between seniors and the world around them, providing outlets for creativity and curiosity.
Open Book: Reading Aloud is Ageless
Partners In Services
The waiting rooms of the pediatric clinics at Westchester Medical Center and White Plains Hospital Center is where for this family literacy program brings caring and supportive senior volunteers together with young children who have come for a doctor’s visit.
Children are read to, are given a free book to take home and their families are given information — in both English and Spanish — on resources to open up the world of literacy and reading to the entire family. Open Book also trains pediatricians to “prescribe” reading as part of the well-child visit. While the children leave with books and smiles, the senior volunteers also receive a reward: the satisfaction that they have nurtured a love or reading.
Support for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
Partners In Services
 At a time in their lives when many Westchester seniors imagined themselves taking up a hobby or making a down payment on a cruise, some 5,000 of them are raising grandchildren on their own. Through the Grandparents Coalition, the PPP offers widespread support — both material and emotional — to these older adults, many of who traded retirement for one or even two jobs.
During the holidays and before the school year begins generous donations of clothing and school supplies are collected and distributed to the Grandparents for the children they are raising.
Items are donated by ITT Industries, the county Department of Social Services-Mount Vernon District Office, and the Department of Senior Programs and Services. Through the Partnership, ITT Industries also contributes a monetary donation to the Coalition-coordinated campaign.
Equally important as the tangible goods are helping these seniors navigate what is often a complex maze of legal issues. A workshop on custody and other matters relevant to their situation was offered at Senior Law Day, an annual event held at the County Center.
Long Term Care Insurance Education & Outreach
Partners In Services
This new program, pioneered with the Partnership as direct sponsor, is dedicated to informing and educating the general public about long term care insurance, including those policies that are available through the New York State Partnership for Long Term Care.
In 2006, the program directed information to 4,200 businesses in the county. Displays at trade shows, law days, business expos, senior events, and other venues reached an audience of approximately 3,000 persons, with the expectation that future promotional efforts at banks, hospitals, and eldercare facilities, including point-of-purchase displays in all 38 Westchester libraries, will increase that number significantly.
The project benefited from its collaboration in 2006 with several major business organizations, including the Business Council of Westchester, Westchester County Association, Gateway Chamber of Commerce, and the New Yorktown Chamber. In addition, workshops and counseling for approximately 400 individuals was provided at libraries, Rotary Clubs, Chambers of Commerce, and senior events, and to faith-based organizations. Direct outreach was achieved with some 50 women’s groups that are organized under the umbrella Lady Boomers Campaign. Vital to this initiative were the volunteer assistants and counselors recruited through the Volunteer Resource Center of United Way, plus several more professionals who donate their time with the Long Term Care Insurance Education Task Force.
With plans to partner with companies that promote volunteerism among their employees, informing the elderboom population about their long term care insurance options –
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The Transportation Program
Partners In Services
Westchester seniors add value to the community by volunteering and participating in intergenerational events. The agencies that avail themselves of senior volunteers find it a win-win situation. The PPP’s Transportation Program makes this community service possible, and at no cost. With designated vans donated by the Benedict Foundation, the program transports an ever-growing number of seniors to volunteer assignments. In 2006, the vans made 56 trips with a total of 518 passengers.
Supporting Health and Wellness
Partners In Services
 The Health and Wellness Coalition represents community groups and organizations dedicated to addressing obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other physical conditions that can be controlled through improved lifestyle choices and habits.
The “Eating Better and Moving More” program introduced in 2004 continues to flourish and offer classes focused on diet and exercise and presented in several communities by certified nutritionists of the Department of Senior Programs and Services. As a result, many seniors receive educational and fitness benefits from this program. Participants report that they are improving their diets and working out more.
During National Senior Citizens’ Month in May, senior residents can look forward to at least two major events highlighting health and Wellness – organizations like the American Diabetes Association join with the Partnership to support these events. Because the Partnership welcomes diversity these programs are also presented in Spanish.
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