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Politics & Government

Giving Port Seniors Their 'Independence'

This Town of Hempstead initiative provides daily life assistance for senior citizens who wish to remain in their own homes, instead of moving to assisted living communities.

In an effort to allow local seniors to be less dependent on others, Project Independence, the Town of North Hempstead's "aging in place" program, recently opened a satellite office in the Port Washington Senior Center, the third such site in a planned network of town-wide locations.

Project Independence, which has also been established in Great Neck and New Hyde Park, is a "daily life assistance" program for senior citizens who wish to remain in their own homes, instead of moving to assisted living communities.

"The goal is to assist and support older residents of the town who want to remain in their own homes and in their own familiar communities as they grow older," said Evelyn Roth, commissioner of the Department of Services for the Aging. "Using every resource in the community, Project Independence will enable seniors to remain independent for as long as possible."

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An AARP survey found that among seniors in America, 90 percent want to remain in their own homes as they grow older.

"It started with the NORCs in New York City, which is a 'naturally occurring retirement community,'" Roth said. "A NORC had started in New Hyde Park in 2005." Because of this, the Project Independence pilot program was first initiated in the New Hyde Park area, with the state legislature providing funds and services for the elderly living in the community.

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Project Independence is the first program of its kind to be established in a suburban setting, and the town has hopes of expanding to include a network of eight locations. The communities of Roslyn and New Cassel are currently being targeted for sites.

Supervisor Jon Kaiman explained that last national census found that the population of individuals ages 85 and older grew 60 percent in the Town of North Hempstead while individuals ages 75 to 84 increased by 40 percent. He said this resulted in the development and expansion of the program which should help support and empower seniors by providing an array of services through partnerships with government, service providers, businesses and the local community.

"We are moving this forward because we really believe it can make a difference in people's lives," Kaiman said.

Some of the important aspects provided for the seniors are social programs and easy access to nurses. "A registered nurse from North Shore LIJ will be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting this month," Roth said. "These nurses will talk to seniors about medication needs and will also be readily available to provide check ups for seniors. The nurse will also provide health chats in these communities where seniors will be able to learn how to avoid falling and how to live a healthier life."

Roth added that as time goes on more and more services will be available as part of the Project Independence initiative. "Starting this month, a social worker will be on hand to assist the community," she said. "Support groups will be established, counseling will be provided, and home visits will be conducted."

The program also offers caregiver support, social and recreational activities, support groups for those coping with illness, depression or loss, as well as volunteer opportunities. A transportation initiative for seniors will also be provided at the Port Washington Senior Center.

Project Independence has even partnered with various not-for-profit organizations such as Rebuilding Together Long Island. This all-volunteer organization will provide seniors in the Port Washington community with home modifications to accommodate their special needs. The Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center has also teamed up with Project Independence and will be providing free memory screening for seniors.

At a recent informational reception about Project Independence, Councilman Fred Pollack concluded by saying to the audience of 50 people, "We need you to be an ambassador for this program."

Project Independence will hold its next advisory board meeting at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 22, at the Manorhaven Community Center located at 80 Manorhaven Blvd. For more information on Project Independence or to tap into valuable services such as health screenings, immunizations and information about managing medications, call 311.

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