NARROWSBURG, NY — For $3, one person can eat a healthy, three-course meal that includes all basic food groups and a nutritious dessert. Seniors (aged 60 and up) from any town in Sullivan County and Northeast PA can be joined by family and friends of any age for an additional charge of $4.50 per person. Sullivan County Office of the Aging (SCOTA) extends this service to all who can afford it; for those who can’t afford it, it’s free.

Lise-Anne Deoul, director of SCOTA and guest speaker at the November 12 Tusten Town Board meeting, described this service, one of several offered by her agency. Among other services currently being offered are bus transportation to Liberty and Monticello shopping areas, car transport to medical appointments, food delivery to homebound seniors, health insurance information and guidance, caregiver resources and assistance with home energy costs.

Deoul was joined by nutrition services coordinator Jane Bozan, who recalled that Tusten once boasted the largest senior meal program attendance in western Sullivan County. Noting that changing demographics and misinformation have contributed to a steep decline in recent attendance, she said, “Somehow word got out that our neighbors across the river were not welcome to participate in a program funded and administered by New York State. That is not true. PA residents are welcome at Tusten senior meals and subject to the same program criteria applicable to NY residents.”

Deoul said SCOTA receives funding at federal, state and county levels, in addition to contributions from those served and donations from the public at large. “We’re hoping to expand the scope of our services. Right now, we are unable to offer transport to those undergoing long-term cancer therapies that require three or more trips per week to regional treatment centers. But we can sometimes augment caregiver transportation, when it means relieving them for one trip or so per week,” she said.

Deoul surprised some in her audience by telling them that SCOTA currently provides transportation to medical facilities in both New York (as far as Middletown) and PA (to Honesdale). And Deoul confirmed that SCOTA is currently working with Growing Old Together, to help seniors live fulfilling, independent lives.

Both Deoul and Bozan emphasized that all county residents ages 60 and older should register with SCOTA, to expedite services required in an emergency situation. “Your confidential information is secure with us, and we don’t share it with anyone,” said Deoul. “Completing forms is the last thing you want to do when you’ve just broken your arm and need home food delivery and medical transportation in a hurry.”
Deoul and Bozan also made a recruitment pitch for volunteers to staff its Retired Seniors Volunteer Program (RSVP). Volunteers age 55 and older are eligible for mileage and supplemental health insurance.
More information about SCOTA services can be found on www.sullivanny.us/departments/aging and in this week’s senior section on page 12.
In other business, the board opened bids from electrical contractors for installation of emergency generators in both town hall and highway department buildings. Wide disparity in the bids, ranging from a low of $110,000 to a high of $318,650, drew gasps from the board and gallery. Supervisor Carol Wingert Ropke said all bid materials will be forwarded to the engineering firm retained by the town, for evaluation of services offered.
Applications for the town’s Sewer and Water position are still being accepted. Hold the dates: Repair Café November 23; Tree Lighting December 7 at 5 p.m.
The meeting was recessed to November 19 at 6:30 p.m.