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Senior Information

Welcome to our dedicated Senior Information Page! This section is designed to offer helpful resources and support specifically for our senior community. We are committed to regularly updating this space with new information, tools, and tips that can enhance your well-being and quality of life. Please visit us often to stay informed and benefit from the latest updates. We’re here to support you every step of the way!

Senior Meet

Join us for a warm and welcoming evening on the third Wednesday of each month at 7 PM in the HCC dining area. Seniors enjoy a freshly prepared, catered dinner at a nominal cost, fostering social connections and lively conversations.

Senior Social

In addition to the monthly Senior Meet, we’ve introduced a weekly gathering to offer more opportunities to foster a stronger sense of community among the seniors. We try to meet every Wednesday at 2 PM. Seniors are invited to join in games and discuss new ideas. 

Sharing Senior Housing

This initiative pairs seniors (Hosts) with college students (Guests) for a mutually beneficial living arrangement. Guests pay subsidized rent and assist with agreed-upon tasks while both parties enjoy privacy and confidentiality. The local university’s Director of Foreign Student Affairs welcomed this concept.

Senior living alone

If you are a Senior living alone and if you want to reduce anxiety for your relatives & friends, there is a simple process you can follow to reassure them.

Senior Meet

This is a monthly HCC program open to all seniors, with no membership fee required to attend. The details of the program are as follows:

  • Meeting Schedule: We meet on the third Wednesday of each month at 7 PM in the HCC dining area.
  • Cost: Each attendee pays $12, which includes $10 for the dinner and $2 for a charity donation.
  • Program Flow:

     

    1. The program coordinator collects the $12 from each attendee at the start.
    2. Dinner is served, followed by socializing among the attendees.
    3. Periodically, we organize special events, such as:
      • Inviting guest speakers to present useful information for seniors.
      • Hosting entertainment programs.
      • Screening special TV programs, etc.
  • Coordinator Contact: The program is coordinated by Mr. Mithilesh Kumar. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. If you want to receive updates about this monthly program or plan to attend, please contact him directly.
  • Attendance Policy: Seniors who have confirmed their attendance are required to pay the $12 fee, even if they are unable to attend for any reason. This policy ensures we can cover the costs of the prepaid meals arranged with the caterer.

Senior Social

This program offers a weekly socialization opportunity for seniors to interact with others every Wednesday at 2 PM in the HCC Dining Hall. The details are as follows:

  • Meeting Details: There is no fixed agenda for this one-hour get-together. Attendees can:

    • Play games.
    • Appraise the effectiveness of current senior programs.
    • Brainstorm new ideas beneficial to seniors.
    • Occasionally enjoy snacks/tea provided by an attendee.
  • Committee: A committee has been formed to maintain the weekly schedule, even in the absence of one member. The committee members are:

    • Surya Rao
    • Hasmukh Harde
    • Rasik Shah
    • Mithilesh Kumar
    • Champak Shah
  • Meeting Frequency: The frequency of these meetings will depend on the interest of seniors. If you are interested in attending, please email Rasik Shah at [email protected] well in advance so other seniors can be notified.
  • Ideas Generated: Some ideas that have come out of these meetings include:

    • Indian students with financial hardships can provide services to seniors to earn income.
    • Organizing a picnic to a nearby state park.
    • Exploring resources available through the Department of Aging for Indian seniors.
  • We Need Your Input: If you have any ideas that could benefit seniors, please come forward and talk to us or send an email to one of the committee members. We would love to hear from you!

Sharing Senior Housing

The Host will enter into an agreement with the Guest to provide living accommodation for a specified period. In return, the Guest will pay a subsidized rent, assist with the Host’s specified needs, and share normal household duties and upkeep responsibilities. Both the Host and Guest will respect each other’s privacy and confidentiality.

Either the Host or the Guest can formally terminate this arrangement with a 30-day notice.

Process

  1. The HCC Board will appoint a representative to liaise with the Senior Services team.
  2. The Senior Services team will prepare an application form and submit it to the HCC Board representative for review and approval.
  3. The Host (a member of the Senior Services team) will complete the application form with specific details reflecting their preferences and submit it to the HCC Board representative.
  4. The HCC representative or the Senior Services representative will forward the Host’s application to the local university student associations and their faculty advisors.
  5. The university student associations and their faculty advisors will canvass prospective Guest students, assist them in completing the Guest application form, and provide a confidential assessment of the Guest’s suitability. These forms will be forwarded to the HCC Board representative, who will in turn pass them on to the specific Host(s).
  6. The Host will have sole responsibility and authority to:
    • (a) Reject any Guest candidate.
    • (b) Interview the Guest, modify the living arrangement as needed, and ensure both parties sign the modified application form.

    The Guest will pay the specified deposit amount to the Host, as outlined in the application form.

  7. The Host will provide the signed application form to:
    • (a) The HCC Board representative.
    • (b) The Senior Services representative.
    • (c) The university student association representative.
    • (d) The faculty advisor.
  8. The Host will keep all four representatives informed of:
    • (a) Any violations of the agreement by either party and the proposed resolution.
    • (b) The conclusion of the agreement with the Guest.

Seniors living alone

  • Send a daily message at a fixed time window every day (such as 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.). The message could be as simple as “Good Morning: Happy Monday” and may include a photo of a family member, a flower, a famous Indian temple, or an inspirational quote from a well-known figure. The content is flexible, and while you do not expect a response, the recipient will feel reassured that you are doing well as of the time the message was sent.
  • Engage community volunteers to visit seniors on a regular basis, scheduled on a mutually convenient day and time. These visits offer companionship, opportunities for conversation, and assistance with outings if needed, providing both social interaction and a sense of connection to the community. Volunteers can also help with light tasks, if appropriate, and ensure the senior feels supported and valued.
  • A small group of seniors can visit and celebrate the birthdays of such seniors.

Resources

Albany Guardian Society (AGS)

This organization, founded in 1852, offers over 150 free classes covering a wide range of topics relevant to aging adults, their families, and caregivers. These classes are available both in-person and online via Zoom. One notable offering is a personalized, one-on-one class titled “Troubleshooting, Tips, and Training in the Use of Electronic Devices”, conducted by UAlbany students. Sessions are held twice a week, every Monday and Wednesday from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm, providing 45-minute individual training sessions. Registration is required to participate.

Address: 12 Corporate Woods Blvd., Albany, NY 12211

Phone: (518) 434-2140

Email: [email protected]

New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA)

The NYS Office for the Aging provides a wide range of services and resources for older adults, helping them to remain independent, active, and engaged in their communities. These services include caregiver support, health and wellness programs, and assistance with long-term care options, ensuring that older New Yorkers have access to the help they need to age with dignity.

Note: The contact information listed below is subject to change. Please refer to the relevant websites for the most up-to-date details.

Address: 2 Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223

Phone: (800) 342-9871

Email: [email protected]

County-Specific Resources for NYSOFA

Albany County

Address: 162 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210

Phone: (518) 447-7177

Email: [email protected]

Rensselaer County

Address: 99 Troy Road, Suite 306, East Greenbush, NY 12061

Phone: (518) 270-2767

Saratoga County

Address: 152 West High Street, Ballston Spa, NY 12020

Phone: (518) 884-4100

Schenectady County

Contact: 107 Nott Terrace, Suite 305, Schaffer Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308

Phone: (518) 382-8481 ext. 1

Columbia County

Contact: 325 Columbia Street, Suite 231, Hudson, NY 12534

Phone: (518) 828-4258

Greene County

Address: 411 Main Street, Catskill, NY 12414

Phone: (518) 719-3555

Email: [email protected]

Washington County

Address: 383 Broadway, Building B, Fort Edward, NY 12828

Phone: (518) 746-2420

Email: [email protected]

Feedback and Suggestions for Improvement

Our Senior Communication Coordinators welcome your feedback and suggestions. By submitting them, you consent to being contacted for any necessary follow-up.