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Politics & Government

Port Seniors: Thumbs Up to Project Independence

Senior services help improve lives of aging residents.

Seniors prefer to stay active and independent in their own home for as long as possible. That's why Project Independence, which started in 2006 in New Hyde Park, can be a godsend for Town of North Hempstead residents who want to age in place.

In Port Washington, the program was rolled out in December 2010 at the Port Washington Senior Citizens Center, located at 80 Manorhaven Blvd.  Project Independence has come a long way from its early days in New Hyde Park, and later Great Neck. It now offers reduced taxi service from Delux Taxi for seniors to transport them to medical visits in Nassau County.

Port Washington resident and Retired Army Officer John Weaver said he has been using the taxi service with Project Independence for about two months.

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"I am 90 years old and I don't have a car, so this reduced taxi service takes me to my medical appointments," Weaver said. "It has also helped me get Meals On Wheels. It is a great outreach program, and it helps keep people like me independent."

The program also features experts who help with filling out Medicaid forms, counseling and getting a home health aide. Andrea Ortof, a Port Washington social worker who also works with Project Independence, says residents can access this program simply by dialing 311.

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"I go into a senior's home and do a preliminary overview to see if counseling is needed," Ortof said. "I also assess the whole situation and see if a person needs food stamps, a house cleaner or some home repairs. In some cases we offer refurbished computers at no charge. The idea is to keep a senior in their home for as long as possible."

Gene Scala, Westbury resident who just turned 105 years old, was handed a proclamation at an August Town of North Hempstead meeting by the Town Board for the example he sets and message he sends to seniors. He also uses Project Independence services.

"I moved here from Italy when I was 14 years old, and I still bowl and play the saxophone," Scala said. "Project Independence is doing a good job and I believe in the motto to be kind to everyone. My saying is to never give up and keep going."

Lee Fertitta, a Port Washington librarian and a member on the Project Independence Advisory Committee, says the program also covers budgeting, exercise, games and informative subjects including tax exemptions.

"It has partnerships with local community agencies, such as the library," Fertitta said. "One of the things I like about PI [Project Independence] is the flexibility that is built into it.  Services provided can be affected by the needs expressed in each community, so that if Port Washington seniors indicate that social programs are more important to them than home health care, PI can respond locally in accordance with the need."

What's more, Fertitta added, the advisory committee is made up mostly of seniors, and contributes feedback to the town's Department of Aging representatives on the ongoing efforts of Project Independence. And, she said, they are also sharing insights regarding future assistance opportunities.

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