Classes for People Helping Older Relatives or Friends 

A six-week educational program designed to provide caregivers the tools needed for taking care of themselves is now being offered. Through six 2 1/2 hour sessions held on a weekly basis caregivers learn to reduce stress, improve self-confidence, better communicate feelings, and locate helpful resources. Attendees also learn how to increase their ability to make tough decisions and balance their lives.  

The University Express Class Schedule for Spring is here! Take a look at the class catalog to see what you can learn!

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is required to remove Social Security Numbers (SSNs) from all Medicare cards by April 2019. A new, unique Medicare Number will replace the SSN-based Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN) on each new Medicare card. People with Medicare will be able to check the status of card mailings in their area on Medicare.gov.

Review detailed information about every Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing home in Erie County, including the overall rating based on health inspection, staffing, and quality measure ratings, on our Safer Senior Homes website.

You’ve gained a lifetime of experience. Now is the time to put your skills and talents to good use by volunteering through Erie County’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Program – RSVP. Orientations cover RSVP’s history and mission, volunteer policies and procedures, volunteer opportunities, and volunteer benefits.

Free Matter of Balance coach training will be held:
Tuesday, 1/30 and Friday, 2/2 from 12-5pm
Hamburg United Methodist Church
116 Union St. Hamburg, NY 14075

*Must attend both days!

Contact Jordan Weixlmann for more info.
Call 858-8081 or email jordan.weixlmann@erie.gov

November 11th at the UB Center for Tomorrow (Maple and Flint Rds. in Amherst) from 8:30am - 2:00pm

Free event with lunch included! Door prizes! Easy parking!

Registration required at healingcaregivers.com or call 775-5748

Hosted by Scott Scanlon, WNY Refresh Editor, The Buffalo News

Thank you to the sponsors: KeyBank, Elderwood, Pfalzgraf Beinhauer & Menzies LLP, Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo, and Forever Young.

It is difficult and often impossible to surf the internet, read a newspaper or magazine, watch TV or listen to the radio, without hearing about the great benefits of some new supplement or exercise routine that promises to relieve illnesses that have plagued mankind since the beginning of recorded history. All this information can be overwhelming.  What we really need is simple, straight-forward advice from people like us who we can trust.

These are free one hour courses in a variety of topics such as current events, history, and science. Classes are designed to provide older adults with opportunities for intellectual stimulation, learning, and discussion in accessible settings. No homework or no tests, just exciting discussions on academic topics alongside peers with similar interests. 

Do these qualities describe you?

 Want to make a difference
 Friendly, positive, and open-minded
 Enjoy helping people
 Comfort speaking in front of small groups
 Willing to read aloud and follow a script
 Non-judgmental and respectful of the opinions of others
 No Prior healthcare training necessary!

Are you a caregiver of someone with dementia? Please join us, along with your loved one, for a winter concert!

 Wednesday, January 25th
 3:00 - 4:30 PM

Local country duo, High Noon, will be performing at Greenfield Health & Rehab Center Auditorium - 5949 Broadway, Lancaster 14086.

Call 858-2022 or email caregiver@erie.gov to register!

Delve into a wide range of topics – from history, literature, science and medicine, current affairs and more.  It’s fascinating, fun, and FREE!

Click to view the course catalog PDF

Classes are approximately one hour in length, and open to Please pre-register for each class that you would like to attend.  It’s fast and easy – just call the site where the class is scheduled. 

Three local seniors were recognized in Albany on May 10th for winning prestigious awards from Erie County.  

Senior of the Year: Chris Kasprzak

"May is also when we celebrate Older American’s Month (OAM), acknowledging the perennial contributions of older adults to our nation. The 2016 OAM theme is Blaze a Trail. The Administration for Community Living will use this opportunity to raise awareness about important issues facing older adults. We will also highlight the ways that older Americans are advocating for themselves, their peers, and their communities."

A six-week educational program designed to provide family caregivers the tools needed for taking care of themselves is now being offered. Through
six 2 1/2 hour sessions held on a weekly basis caregivers learn to reduce stress, improve self-confidence, better communicate feelings, and locate helpful resources. Attendees also learn how to increase their ability to make tough decisions and balance their lives. If you are caring for a friend or family member this is the current class schedule.

Some older adults cannot - or no longer wish to - get behind the wheel. Others may be too sick to drive to the doctor for much needed treatments. This is where you can step in and help. If you can drive, your help is invaluable.