By Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz
We recently renamed our department of senior services as the Erie County Department for the Aging to better reflect the modern vision of aging and to renew our commitment to serving older adults with dignity, inclusion, and forward-thinking care. The department’s new name, branding and messaging was carefully crafted to promote clarity and reduce stigma as we celebrate the seniors in our lives.
It's estimated that more than 25 percent of Erie County’s population will be over the age of 60 by the year 2030. We remain committed to offering programs and activities to keep seniors busy and engaged year-round. Our annual Erie County Senior Picnic held last month at Como Lake Park is just one example. Over 700 local seniors enjoyed a day of food and drink, friendship, and entertainment. I was pleased to see many familiar faces and also met some local seniors for the first time.
The Department for the Aging serves tens of thousands of individuals across Erie County by collaborating with over three dozen municipalities to provide a wide spectrum of essential services using a proactive and preventative approach of meeting the needs of older adults. In addition to interacting with adults approaching retirement age or who are already retired, our department also actively communicates with caregivers by providing information on supportive services for their loved ones.
The department’s updated name copies terminology used nationwide, mirroring local organizations who serve older adults that are known in their communities as Area Agencies on Aging, or AAA. I thank former Commissioner Angela Marinucci and current Commissioner Randy Hoak for the important roles they plan in setting the department on a forward-looking course with the rebranding and renaming efforts. Commissioner Hoak and his staff now have a renewed enthusiasm for our elder justice and caregiver programming and have also prioritized community engagement and data-informed service delivery as they adapt and adjust to the evolving needs of Erie County’s aging population.
One of the programs they are excited about is the Senior Hiking Club, a new offering made possible thanks to collaboration with the Erie County Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry. The Club offers a series of free weekly hikes geared towards seniors at parks around the county. An Erie County Park Ranger leads each hike as participants explore the great outdoors for approximately one hour. The next two scheduled hikes are set for Wednesday, Aug. 20 and Wednesday, Sept. 10. Registration can be done online at www.erie.gov/parks/events . Ranger Chuck, Ranger Jerry, and Ranger Stephanie are looking forward to seeing you.
I encourage seniors and any caregivers of older adults to visit the Department for the Aging’s website at www.erie.gov/aging/ to learn more about the programs and services available to local seniors who want to maintain their independence, live with dignity and have a high quality of life.