RSVP to Offer Free Income Tax Preparation 

RSVP has teamed up with the IRS for over 20 years to offer a free income tax return preparation service. Last year this service returned over $300,000.00 in federal & state refunds to seniors in Madison County at no cost to them.

RSVP of Madison County will be opening free tax preparation sites for seniors 60 years of age and older and there are no income limitations for seniors. Just Remember you may have a refund coming even if you have been told you don’t need to file a tax return. It only takes a few minutes to speak with a volunteer who can determine if you may qualify for a refund. All refund arrive in your account within 2 weeks when electronically filed.

IRS certified tax preparers will be available at seven (7) sites beginning in February through mid April. Free tax preparation and filing of both Federal and New York State Income Tax returns are provided at all sites.

Sites listed below do not require an appointment:
Canastota: Mondays 9 am to noon Feb. 6th ~ April 9th
Oneida: Tuesday & Wednesday Feb.1st ~ April 11th

Make appointments for the following sites:
Bridgeport area call: 315-633-2253 Cazenovia area: 315-684-3001 Ext. 108
Chittenango area call: 315-687-3471 Hamilton call: 315-824-3361
Morrisville area call: 315-684-3001 Ext.108

• . RSVP does not do business or farm returns.

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Caregiver Support Group

There will be a change in location for the Caregiver Support Group.

Old schedule:
Last Monday of the month at Oneida Library from 2:00 – 3:30

New schedule beginning on November 28:
Last Monday of the month at Madison County Office for the Aging Conference room from 2:00 – 3:00 (attendees may stay and visit until 3:30)

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Office for the Aging has a Volunteer to Assist Senior Citizens With Their Budgeting Needs 

Do you need assistance in budgeting your money to meet your expenses, are you confused on how to get started? The Madison County Office for the Aging has the answer. Working together with an experienced volunteer you can develop a budget and plan to improve your financial outlook. The volunteer will assist you in drafting a budget that fits your needs and follow up with you to see how you are progressing. This program is free and confidential. If you are interested in meeting with the volunteer contact the Office for the Aging at 697-5700 and the volunteer will contact you to schedule an appointment.  

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Education Unlimited

Education Unlimited invites you to register to attend Good Neighbors to the South: History and Culture, a six-week class starting February 6, 2012, presented by Laura Klughertz, Professor of Music & Latin American Studies at Colgate University.  Details and a registration form are available for those interested in taking advantage of this opportunity.

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What are the most important things you have learned over the course of your life that you would like to share with young people?

Share Your Lessons for Living at Cornell’s Legacy Project http://legacyproject.human.cornell.edu/ .

The Legacy Project at Cornell University invites people age 60 and older to share their thoughts about the important lessons they have learned over the course of their lives. And they’ve created a web site to share those lessons with younger people everywhere. Please join us on the blog and contribute advice that you would like to pass on to the younger generation.

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Assistive Equipment Loan Closet – Wish List 

The Office for the Aging has a loan closet with a variety of items that are loaned out to the elderly and their caregivers to use for as long as they need the item. The OFA requests the item be returned when it is no longer needed so that another elder can benefit from its use. Unfortunately, not all items are returned and the OFA is looking to restock the loan closet.

If you have any, of the items listed below and are no longer using them consider donating to the OFA by calling 697-5700 and we will make arrangements for drop off or pickup.
• Depends size M, L & XL
• Shower benches
• Hand held showers
• Rollators
• Transport chairs
• Wheelchairs
• Grab bars & grabbers
 

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Madison County Office for the Aging Photo Taken by OFA Volunteer Paola Murgia

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February 2012 Newsletter

The Office for the Aging February Newsletter is available for you to read.

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EPIC Program Reduced

Due to budget cuts, New York State‘s Elderly Prescription Insurance Coverage Program (EPIC) is changing beginning July 1, 2011. EPIC has mailed letters to all members who will be affected by these changes.

As of July 1 A new level of EPIC Part D premium assistance will pay monthly Prescription Insurance premiums for seniors with the incomes up to the following limits:

Individuals with incomes between $20,000-23,000

Married couples with incomes between $26,000-29,000

For all members EPIC will eliminate the Part D premium credit that had been applied toward the annual EPIC deductible. This premium credit is $464 (12 months’ worth of monthly Part D premiums at the benchmark rate). EPIC will add $464 to everyone’s deductible amount, as of 7/1/2011.

For more information on these changes call EPIC 1-800-332-3742 or Office for the Aging’s Health Insurance Information Counseling Assistance Program (HIICAP) 315-697-5700.

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OFA Day - Event Sponsors

The mission of the Madison County Office for the Aging is to advocate, assist, and provide services that enrich the quality of life and promote the independence and dignity of older individuals and their families. Each day our helpful staff and dedicated volunteers are working to see that our mission is fulfilled. Because May is Older Americans Month the Office for the Aging has planned a few activities. Grade school children throughout the county have been busy writing for our essay contest. The winning essays will be printed in an upcoming issue of prime.

Businesses have shown their support for our services by donating to the OFA Day fund drive. Look for the names of these businesses on special placemats at SNACK sites throughout Madison County. To everyone who has supported our efforts in fulfilling the Office for the Aging mission, thank you.

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Centenarians

As a part of May’s Older Americans Month, the OFA will give special acknowledgement to residents of Madison County who are 100 years old or who will reach their 100th birthday by December 31, 2012. Family members, agencies and others are encouraged to contact the Office for the Aging at 697-5700 by March 1 with the names and addresses of those who are, or will be, 100 years old. We are pleased to honor area centenarians for this achievement and thank them for being an inspiration to future generations.

101 years old in 2012
• Dorothy McGraw – March 23, 1911
• Alice Rodman – June 15, 1911
• Elizabeth Stewart – October 7, 1911
• Eileen Wilde – November 28, 1911

102 years old in 2012
• Hester Prentis – January 30, 1910
• Katherine Cheney – October 9, 1910
• Alice Alday - December 26, 1910

102 years old in 2012
• Ruth Cole – May 25, 1909

103 years old in 2012
• Kathryn Pangborn – April 7, 1908
• Ethel Osborne - October 20, 1908

Events that happened in 1912
• Jan 6 – New Mexico becomes 47th state
• Feb 14 – Arizona was admitted to the Union as the 48th state
• Mar 23 – Dixie cup was invented
• Apr 15 – RMS Titanic sinks at 2:27 am off Newfoundland
• May 15 - Ty Cobb rushes a heckler at a NY Highlander game & is suspended
• June 4 – Massachusetts passes 1st US minimum wage law
• July 31 - US government prohibits movies & photos of prize fights (censorship)
• August 27 - Edgar Rice Burroughs' publishes "Tarzan of the Apes"
• September 23 - 1st Mack Sennett "Keystone Comedy" movie released
• October 14 - Bull Moose Teddy Roosevelt shot while campaigning in Milwaukee
• November 12 – Robert Scott’s diary & dead body found in Antarctica
• December 24 – Irving Fisher patents archiving system with index cards

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Emergency Registry

In the event of a public emergency or natural disaster, Madison county residents with special needs may require assistance during evacuations and sheltering. The Madison County Office for the Aging maintains a voluntary registration of individuals in need. To participate call Office for the Aging at 315-697-5700. Forms are also available here.

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Fiscal Year 2011 - 2012 Donors

The Madison County Office for the Aging, Inc. and the older residents of Madison County, would like to thank everyone who contributed to our fiscal year 2009-2010 fund drive. The kindness and generosity of those who donated will touch the lives of many elderly who benefit from the the wide variety of services that the Office for the Aging offers to older residents of Madison County.

Our mission is to advocate, assist, and provide services that enrich the quality of life and provide the independence and dignity of older individuals and their families. Working together, we can make a difference in the lives of those retired by choice or chance as well as the frail, isolated elderly so they may remain independent in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.

September 2011 Donors
October 2011 Donors
November 2011 Donors
December 2011 Donors
January 2012 Donors

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