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CAO of WNY launches senior care program to service clients during pandemic

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Mon, Aug 10th 2020 03:50 pm

The Community Action Organization of WNY (CAO) has launched a new senior care program for clients in need across Erie County. The initiative was implemented to assist eligible seniors to be independent as they remain in their current residence.

CAO’s senior care program will include senior activity kits, housing assistance and virtual aerobics. The organization is also implementing transportation services for grocery shopping, food delivery and errands for seniors.

CAO President and CEO L. Nathan Hare said the agency is looking forward to better serving seniors across the region.

“The CAO senior care program gives us the ability to support older people in our community and give them the resources they otherwise couldn’t receive in light of the current pandemic,” he said. “Adapting our services to include senior outreach and care is a great tool to aid our clients more efficiently.”

To be eligible for this program, one must be 60 years of age or older and a resident of Erie County. One must also have a gross income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, or currently be receiving or eligible for public assistance such as Supplemental Security Income or a Section 8 housing subsidy. Seniors or their families can call the Pratt Willert Community Center at 716-852-1671 to enroll.

With Western New York beginning to reopen, CAO is focusing on strategies to service clients while minimizing face-to-face contact to keep clients and staff safe. CAO recently launched the CAO text line for the community to utilize and get connected to services and get support 24/7. The community can text “CAOWNY” to 474747 to opt in.

The CAO senior care program is run by the center services and recreation department as part of the COVID-19 community response and CARES Act initiative.

The Community Action Organization of WNY was designated in 1965 as the official antipoverty agency for Erie County with a mission to serve the unmet needs of the low-income population. Today, CAO serves more than 50,000 families and individuals within Erie and Niagara counties through a variety of programs and services. Visit caowny.org for more information.

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