The Bender Family Foundation of Albany recently awarded Senior Services a grant of $10,000 to upgrade the equipment and hire an instructor for the Louise Corning Center Computer lab. The lab has been out of commission, but with the infusion of these funds, we plan to reopen it in October with new computers, printers, and an instructor who will be available to assist seniors and schedule classes during daytime hours.
The Bender Family Foundation was established in 1997 to provide the Albany area with additional philanthropic support. The emphasis is on five areas that have a significant impact on the quality of life in the Capital Region; region: the arts, culture, education, environment, and history.

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of people and the community around you? Maybe you already are, and hats off to you. Perhaps you want to, and have no idea where to begin, maybe you need a little convincing to get started.
Robert Danzig, one of the nation’s most sought-after motivational speakers, will be in Albany Sept. 10 to share his message “on the ageless power we all hold to make a difference�. Danzig has shared his message and personal story around the country, and now he’s bringing it home to Albany.
The name Robert Danzig may be familiar to you; he was the publisher of Albany’s own Times Union. And, if you’re in the audience Sept. 10, his name is one you might never forget.
Danzig’s life journey began in Albany as a foster child moving from one home to another, but as Danzig himself says, he was fortunate to have met one woman who made him aware of his own self-worth. It was just what he needed to hear. With much adversity, he graduated from high school, and without much support on the home front, he got a job as an office boy at the Times Union. At that time, his boss told him that he was “full of promise”. Armed with those positive messages, he pursued his education and almost twenty years later, became the publisher of the Times Union and later, served as CEO of the Hearst Corporation for twenty years. He has since moved on to become a highly-successful author, speaker and philanthropist. Danzig’s story is a unique one, full of personal growth that is inspiring, and fascinating.
Senior Services of Albany and Fidelis Care New York invited Danzig to share his message because he encourages people to improve the quality of life, their own and that of others, and that is exactly what Senior Services of Albany does, and has done for more than 50 years. Jane Schramm, executive director at Senior Services of Albany, explained that Danzig is not only a community leader, an older adult himself, and a mentor, but also a talented speaker who conveys a positive message to any listener. Schramm believes that Danzig’s message will be a reminder that age is irrelevant when it comes to helping others, adding that Senior Services “can always find a place for older adults who want to be part of the organization�.
Experience Senior Services of Albany, enjoy lunch, and let Bob Danzig tell you his story of personal triumph, from a foster kid to an industry and civic leader, and how the people around him provided inspiration. Perhaps you’ll be motivated, and realize that no matter your age, you posses the power to make a difference. Don’t let your opportunity go to waste- apply yourself.

Tickets are now available to the Robert Danzig Luncheon and program
Presented by Senior Services of Albany and sponsored by Fidelis Care New York. September 10, noon to 2 p.m. at Louise Corning Senior Center, 25 Delaware Avenue, Albany. Tickets are $25 each. RSVP to 465-3322

Senior Services has been chosen to participate in the Community Foundation’s Legacy Partnership Program and has recently established a permanent endowment fund - the Centurion Legacy Society.

Senior Services of Albany’s Centurion Legacy Society is a planned giving program designed to create an endowment fund that over time, will sustain the programs and services that address the needs of the elderly in our community for generations to come.

The exciting part of building an endowment is that anyone can participate. The Centurion Legacy Society provides the opportunity for everyone to create a personal legacy – no matter how great or small. Because the funds grow together, every gift is significant. In the words of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow “Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think.�

We invite you to join us in becoming a member of the Centurion Legacy Society. Perhaps you have already made a planned gift or have been considering making a provision to support Senior Services of Albany in your estate plans. If so, we hope that you will share this information with us so that we can celebrate your commitment to our future. When you review your planned giving options with your financial advisors, you will likely find there are many additional legal and tax benefits to lending your support, in addition to the satisfaction that comes from sharing your good fortune in life with the community you leave behind.

For additional information about your planned giving options, please contact Jane Schramm at 465-3322, or Mindy Derosia at the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region, 518-446-9638 or mderosia@cfgcr.org.

The Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance program (HIICAP), is an outreach effort funded by the Albany County Department for Aging and run by Senior Services of Albany. HIICAP’s mission is to make sure that every Albany County senior gets the health insurance they need, and the best coverage that they can afford to have.
HIICAP Coordinator Peggy Moran explains the program like this: “We counsel seniors on the Medicare choices available. We don’t sell products or endorse plans. We educate, inform, enlighten and give assistance.�
Moran and her staff of trained volunteers counsel seniors and caregivers individually, make home visits when necessary, and also do group presentations at senior centers, health fairs or other venues. HIICAP counseling is provided at no charge to residents of Albany County.
If you need help understanding your Medicare options or would just like to talk to an expert, call HIICAP at 935-2307.

Are you thinking of selling or trading in a drivable older car or van? Why not donate it to Senior Services of Albany instead? You will receive a tax deduction, and your vehicle will be put to work serving the needs of elderly Albany County residents.
Right now, we need four-door sedans and mini vans with low mileage and in good working order. We’ll use them in our Transportation Program, a door-to-door service that provides more than 500 rides each week, or in our Meals On Wheels program, the largest operation of its kind in the area, delivering more than 1,000 meals every day.
Our vehicle fleet is aging, and each time one requires repair, it affects the entire program. Seniors must wait longer for their rides, and at times are left sitting in an office at a store. Meal deliveries can be delayed and when you are homebound and hungry, any delay is too long.
According to IRS rules, a vehicle donor can claim a deduction of the vehicle’s fair market value if the receiving charity makes significant use of the vehicle- and SSA makes significant use of donated vehicles every day.
In contrast, many non-profits accept donated vehicles for the purpose of selling them at auction, and according to IRS rules, a donor’s deduction is limited to the amount of gross proceeds from the charity’s sale of the vehicle. For more information visit irs.gov.
To start the no-hassle donation process, call SSA at 463-4381.

Are you looking for relief from paying the full cost or your prescription drugs? New York State recently launched the New York Prescription Saver, a free prescription discount card for New York residents ages 50 to 64 years old, or persons with a disability regardless of age. Income eligibility limits for the card are $35,000 for a single person and $50,000 for a married couple. People with Medicaid coverage are not eligible.
Beginning April 1, 2009, New York State will offer the card free of charge to those who meet the eligibility. The card can lower prescription costs by as much as 60 percent on generics and 30 percent on brand name drugs. When the card is presented, the price will be reduced by cash discount right at the pharmacy counter. Most outpatient prescription drugs are eligible for the discount New York is sponsoring the program with the support of a statewide network of more than 3,300 pharmacies. Many pharmaceutical manufacturers are also participating and providing additonal discounts.
Individuals must meet the income requirements and use the cared at participating pharmacies. Applications are available on line at nyuprescriptonsaver.fhsc.com. Download the form and mail it in, or call the toll-free helpline at 1-800-788-6917. The discount card will be mailed within two weeks after application is approved.
Apply now and start saving at the pharmacy counter.

Empire BlueCross, located on Corporate Woods Boulevard, Albany recently presented a $30,000 grant to Senior Services of Albany’s Meals On Wheels program, the largest home delivered meal program in upstate New York. Meals On Wheels delivers more than 1,000 meals each day to disabled and homebound elderly, and in 2008, delivered more than 308,000 meals.

The grant will go to the purchase of updated kitchen equipment.

“We are thrilled to have corporate partners like Empire BlueCross step in at a time where the economy is really having an impact on community giving and volunteerism – particularly when the need to feed seniors is on the rise,� said Jane Schramm, Executive Director, Senior Services of Albany.

The Albany Meals On Wheels kitchen facility services hundreds of seniors and homebound citizens in the Capital District. Subsidized by private, community and government funds, Meals On Wheels is available to those at least 60 years of age who are generally unable to prepare meals, through referrals from a doctor, neighbor, family, friend, as well as through self-referrals.

In a national study sponsored by the Meals On Wheels Association of America Foundation (MOWAAF), “The Causes, Consequences, and Future of Senior Hunger in America,� research showed that 1 in 9 seniors is at-risk of hunger in the U.S. today. This number is expected to rise as the older adult population grows.

“We have a responsibility to maintain the health and vitality of our communities, particularly when it comes to ensuring that our seniors and home-bound citizens have access to healthy meals,� said Mark Wagar, President of Empire BlueCross BlueShield. “We look forward to visiting MOW this spring – and hope that it will inspire others to embrace a commitment and dedication to the local senior community.�

Senior Services of Albany’s Meals on Wheels program recently received a donation of 1,650 cans of tuna from Price Chopper’s Golub Foundation.

The tuna will provide emergency rations to supplement home delivered meals in the event of inclement weather. Meals On Wheels delivers more than 1,000 meals each day, supplying clients with at least one meal for every day of the week. The addition of canned goods provides an extra layer of nutrition when circumstances prevent delivery.

“Healthy canned provisions provide a safety net for people who rely on home delivered meals,� said Senior Services of Albany’s Executive Director Jane Schramm. “This donation from Price Chopper’s Golub Foundation allows us to make sure that our clients are well stocked with something nutritious to eat in the event that our drivers and volunteers can’t get their meals to them.�

Senior Services of Albany’s Meals On Wheels program is the largest home delivered meal program in upstate New York, delivering more than 308,000 meals in 2008. The program is funded in part by Albany County but relies heavily on private and corporate donations, grants and funds raised through Senior Services of Albany Foundation.

Retirement Tutor, author and career coach presents Achieving the Good Life After 50

Join Senior Services of Albany and its SmartWorks volunteer program for a breakfast program featuring Renee Lee Rosenberg, author of Achieving the Good Life After 50: Tools and Resources for Making it Happen, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 8:00 a.m. at the Crossings of Colonie, 580 Albany-Shaker Road.
Rosenberg, a nationally-known speaker, will provide an action-focused, fun-filled presentation for people involved in life transitions after 50. Using discussion, short focused assessments, hands-on activities and lots of laughter, participants will explore personal barriers to managing change and transitions, positive strategies to alter negative beliefs, and planning for and setting goals. They will create an individualized roadmap incorporating Rosenberg’s Eight Rules for Retirement and Life Transition Readiness: power, positive attitude, buy viagra online purpose, physical preparation, planning, pro-action, participation and patience.
There is no charge for this program but reservations are required. Call Senior Services of Albany at 463-4381 or SmartWorks, 472-2714 by December 1.
Presented in partnership with Albany Guardian Society and United Way of the Greater Capital Region.

Free Living Well classes from MVP Gold return to Louise Corning Center the week of October 14.
MVP Gold On the Ball is a balance and movement class utilizing large stability balls. Balance, strength and stretching exercises on the ball follow a light, low-impact aerobic workout. The class is fun and provides and excellent overall workout for adults of any age. MVP Gold On the Ball meets Tuesdays at 1 p.m. Oct. 14 –Dec. 16.

MVP Gold Dance is a new class that promotes health by incorporating a wide variety of dance styles into an aerobic workout. The class emphasizes stretching, balance, and coordination in all movements.
MVP Gold Dance Moves meets Thursday, 1 p.m., Oct. 16-Dec. 18
Registration is required and all equipment is supplied. Classes are taught by a fitness expert from MVP Gold and are especially designed to accommodate the needs of older adults. To register call 465-3325.