Volunteers Needed to Advocate for Residents in Senior Care Facilities

People Inc. is offering certification training this spring for people interested in advocating for residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities throughout Erie County.  The NYS Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program connects caring and effective advocates with older adults and people with disabilities who live in nursing homes, assisted living and other licensed adult care homes. The program is administered locally by People Inc.    Volunteers, known as ombudsmen, visit residents to identify concerns. They investigate and resolve complaints to advocate for the rights of people living in long-term care facilities. Ombudsman volunteers assist with monitoring resident care and building conditions, while working with facility staff to correct problems, using a range of problem-resolution and advocacy skills.    “Ombudsmen volunteers are urgently needed to serve society’s most vulnerable population,” said Susan Fenster, regional coordinator. “Our volunteers can make a tremendous difference in someone’s life.”  Upon successful completion of a comprehensive 36-hour training program, Ombudsman volunteers are certified by the NY State Office for the Aging. They will work closely with their staff supervisor and are assigned to a facility in their area where they make weekly visits to meet with the facility residents. Schedules are flexible with a minimum of two hours per week required.  The upcoming training will be provided virtually via Zoom on weekdays beginning in May. In-facility mentoring is also part of the curriculum. For more information on volunteering, call 716-817-9222.  ABOUT PEOPLE INC.: People Inc. provides an array of support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, as well as health care services, senior services, services for the Deaf and hard of hearing, and affordable housing. Built on a strong foundation of innovation, collaboration, community and inclusion, People Inc. helps people throughout Western New York and the greater Rochester region achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity.  For more information, go to people-inc.org.

Volunteers Needed to Support and Comfort Seniors in our Community

People Inc.’s Senior Companion program is seeking volunteers age 55 and over who want to make a difference in the life of a senior adult. The program matches qualified volunteers with seniors age 55 or over who live independently but could benefit from social contact and assistance. Volunteers provide in home support, companionship and understanding to seniors in Erie County. They help with daily living tasks like shopping, driving, processing mail and paying bills. Volunteers are carefully screened and serve 15 to 40 hours per week. They receive pre-service orientation and training and must pass a physical exam and background check. They are also reimbursed for travel and meals and may qualify to earn a tax-free hourly stipend. People Inc.’s Senior Companion program helps seniors remain independent in their homes for as long as they can instead of having to move to a more costly and/or unfamiliar setting. Currently, approximately 15,000 volunteers serve more than 56,000 seniors in our community. For more information about volunteering, call 716-768-2381. People Inc. is a not-for-profit health and human services agency providing programs and services to more than 12,000 people with special needs, their families, and seniors throughout Western New York. Since 1971, People Inc. has assisted individuals to achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity.

Walden Offices Moved to Spindrift Location in Williamsville

Admissions and Other Departments Relocated Several People Inc. departments and offices have relocated from the Walden Business Center, 3332 Walden Avenue, Suite 100, Depew, NY, to 280 Spindrift Drive, Williamsville, NY, effective October 12, 2020. Departments and Offices that Moved: Admissions Behavioral Health/Behavior Services  Care Management for Children Community Habilitation Early Intervention Environmental Modifications (E-mods) Family Education and Training Family Support Services Educational Advocacy Family Reimbursement Parent Aide Program Personal Development Mentoring In-Home Respite Self-Directed Services   The above departments can be reached through Spindrift reception at 716.817.9000. Staff emails will remain the same. The Admissions email remains the same, admissions@people-inc.org and the Admissions phone number remains the same at this time, 716.880.3700.

We need your help! Sign petition to stop budget cuts!

People Inc. is part of a statewide effort asking Governor Cuomo to prevent further budget cuts. After three years of reductions, we CANNOT accept any additional cuts without impacting both the quality and quantity of supports and services that our agency offers to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Individuals with disabilities, families, friends and providers of services have been working together to ensure that New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo honors the state's promise, affirmed in the Willowbrook Consent Decree, to care for those who cannot care for themselves, but we need more impact. Please sign the petition and share it with family, friends, self-advocates and colleagues to ask them to participate and tell the Governor to KEEP THE PROMISE TO THE MOST VULNERABLE NEW YORKERS! Please click the link and sign the petition today: Thank you for your support! Here is an educational editorial against budget cuts for services that help people with developmental disabilities. The Buffalo News: State needs to address needs of people who have developmental disabilities

Wellness Event and Open House at People Inc. Marigold Senior Livingin Grand Island

People Inc. Marigold Senior Living will host a free Health and Wellness Open House on Friday, June 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 3026 Grand Island, Blvd., Grand Island. The event, geared for older adults and their families, includes apartment tours, along with: Mammography screening provided by Windsong Radiology and appointments are encouraged. To make an appointment, call 716.929.9494. Chiropractic mini evaluations, five-minute chair massages and acupuncture information will be provided by Grand Island Chiropractic. Free blood pressure and glucose screenings will be provided by Island Prescription Center. Additionally, staff from People Inc. Senior Companion and Senior Outreach will be available to share information and answer questions.  Anderson’s Food Truck will also be onsite (menu prices vary). Attendees will have a chance to win a Wegmans $30 gift card.  Seniors and their families are encouraged to attend the open house event as apartment tours will be provided. Two benefits of People Inc. Marigold Senior Living are the affordability and safety features. Apartments are for independent seniors age 62 and over who are income eligible. As an added cost savings, some utilities are included. The one-bedroom apartments include a kitchen with appliances. For added safety, there is a day-time manager and a live-in caretaker for building emergencies. Safety features include stove fire prevention devices, grab bars in the bathroom, emergency pull-cords and a secure entrance. The apartment building includes a furnished community room, laundry facilities and a 24-hour response system. Tenants are welcome to have one small pet. Service coordinators are available to provide tenants assistance to supports and services at no extra charge. Group transportation to grocery stores is provided. For tenants who like to socialize, there are a variety of social events and community outings held throughout the year.  Registration for the open house event is encouraged. To register or for more information, call 716.773.0907. People Inc. manages 20 senior apartment locations throughout Western New York. For information about other locations, call 716.817.9090. People Inc., a multispecialty non-profit health and human services agency, provides programs and services to more than 12,500 people with developmental disabilities, special needs, their families and older adults throughout Western New York and the greater Rochester region. Since 1970, People Inc. has assisted individuals to achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity. With nearly 4,000 employees, People Inc. is one of the region’s largest employers. To learn more, visit people-inc.org , follow People Inc. on Facebook or Twitter @PeopleIncNews .

Wellness Fair on April 8

As we age, sharing with friends in a senior community can help to multiply the joy and divide the sadness that may occur along the way. This is one reason to think about moving to a senior living community, however an even better reason is that research has shown that those seniors that stay connected can delay decline and live two years longer than those that do not. People Inc.'s Marigold Apartments located at 3026 Grand Island Blvd on Grand Island is hosting a Wellness Fair on April 8, 2011 from 10 AM - 2 PM. Those who attend will learn more about the benefits of living in a senior living community and will have an opportunity to tour an apartment. The Wellness Fair will feature representatives from the Catholic Charities Telephone Assurance Program, Olmstead Center for Sight, BCBS Health Now, Independent Health, Respiratory Services of WNY, Central Referral Service, NFTA, Catholic Health Systems LIFE program and UB Dental, and AXA Advisors. People Inc. has 17 Senior Living locations across Western New York for seniors 62 and older. Rent is based on income. For more information please call 716.817.9090 or visit www.people-inc.org .

West Herr Subaru Donates to People Inc. Youth Transition Program

West Herr Automotive Group celebrated the grand opening of their Lockport Subaru dealership with a desire to give back to the community. They donated a 2025 Subaru Forester to People Inc.'s Young Adult Life Transitions (YALT) program . Anne McCaffrey, President & CEO of People Inc., members of the agency leadership team and people who participate in the YALT Program were on hand to accept the vehicle. McCaffrey spoke about this innovative program and its impact in the WNY community. YALT offers people with developmental disabilities transitioning from high school the opportunity to experience life on a college campus, participate in internships and volunteer at area organizations. These educational and social activities promote independence, offer employment preparation and support continued learning and development. The vehicle will help transport the YALT volunteers to many of the Lockport-area non-profits and businesses who benefit from their assistance, including the food pantry, Whispering River Donkey Rescue, Dale Association, Goodwill, I Thrift, Kith and Kin, and the Cornell Cooperative Extension Veggie Van.

Western New Organizations Selected for Health Improving Program

April 7, 2021: In a unique upstate cross-regional collaboration, 12 Western New York health serving organizations have been selected to participate in the Health Literacy CALL to Action Training program, funded by the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York . Low health literacy is a barrier to the health of a community and raises the costs of healthcare.  Helping community members increase their capacity to obtain, communicate, process and understand health information is a significant way to decrease healthcare costs and hospitalizations.  Initially developed in Central New York through the Medicaid redesign efforts to reduce avoidable hospital use by 25 percent, the CALL to Action program seeks to improve how health literacy is taught to community members by health and health care providers. Participants undergo 21 hours of virtual training to become Master Trainers so that they can disseminate their learnings to their own and other organizations in their communities. This “train-the-trainer” model has shown success in helping patients improve their ability to better manage their health and treatment and, says Sue Ellen Stuart, executive director of the Visiting Nurse Services of Ithaca and co-writer for the grant.  “With COVID-19, increasing health literacy throughout our communities may be needed now more than ever.  It’s what helps patients understand the risks of the virus and the protocols needed to fight it.”   The following organizations will be taking part in the upcoming training, beginning in April. All are members of or have a work-relation to the Fellows Action Network , a program of the HFWCNY and its Health Leadership Fellows program: Population Health Collaborative; Daemen College; D'Youville College; BestSelf Behavioral Health; Healthy Community Alliance; Buffalo Prenatal Network; Harvest House; Jericho Road Community Health Center; Catholic Charities of Buffalo; People Inc.; ARC of Genesee Orleans; and Southern Tier Health Care Systems, Inc.

Wheatfield Tenant Decorates Tree Year-round at People Inc. Willow Senior Living

For Carol Miranda, Christmas is her favorite part of the year! She also enjoys Valentine’s Day, St. Patty’s Day, summer and Thanksgiving! If you visit People Inc. Willow Senior Living in Wheatfield, you will see a beautiful tree and lovely decorations on the third floor. Carol, who has been a tenant of People Inc. Willow Senior Living for six years, takes pleasure decorating the vestibule area year-round to match the seasons and holidays.  Prior to moving to Willow, Carol lived in Williamsville and had a tree that she decorated year-round. Now, she happily decorates two – one small-table-top tree for her apartment and a larger tree for fellow tenants and visitors to enjoy. When asked why she does it, Carol simply said it makes her happy to decorate and even happier when others find joy in the various scenes.  Carol also adds accessories to two plush bears and an old-fashioned doll to go with the tree theme. Throughput the year, she collects various decorations at yard sales and thrift shops for the tree and bears, such as hearts for Valentine’s Day; red, white and blue trinkets for May through July; beach themed items for August; team colors for the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres for September; plus, Halloween and Thanksgiving décor for the fall months.  While not decorating, Carol enjoys the many group outings that she and fellow tenants take, like outings to Vidler’s in East Aurora and the Silo Restaurant in Lewiston. “I truly like living here,” Carol said. “People are friendly and the staff are so good and helpful when needed.”  The tree has also become a point of interest when people tour the site. “Many people comment positively and it makes them feel like this is a nice place to live because tenants are involved in the site and take the time to do special things,” said Charlene Johnson, manager of People Inc. Willow Senior Living. “It is also a fan-favorite of many grandchildren who visit their grandparents.”   If you or a loved one would like more information or a tour of People Inc. Willow Senior Living (and its tree display), located on the border of North Tonawanda, call 716.694.1486. With 19 senior apartment locations throughout Western New York, People Inc. Senior Living provides safe and maintenance-free housing for independent seniors age 62 and up who are income eligible. For information about other locations, call 716.817.9090. People Inc. provides programs and services to more than 12,500 people with special needs, their families and seniors throughout Western New York and Rochester. Since 1970, People Inc. has assisted individuals to achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity. To learn more, visit people-inc.org . Like us on Facebook at People Inc. and follow us on Twitter @PeopleIncNews .