Cayuga County Office for the Aging (OFA) director Bridal Muldrow reported to the Legislature Jan. 14 about enrollment and services under New York Connects/No Wrong Door, Medicare Savings Program outreach, the GoGo Grandparent pilot and the county office’s upcoming 50th anniversary.

Muldrow said the office served "nearly over a 100 people a month" through the New York Connects program and that staff provide in-depth assistance including screening, application help and follow-through; some interventions can last several hours. OFA staff completed recent training modules (one noted as ~35 hours) to deliver the program’s intake and assistance work.

Muldrow highlighted that more than 1,000,000 New Yorkers have been determined eligible for the Medicare Savings Program and provided local income thresholds: $2,355 per month for an individual and $3,189 per month for a two-person household. She said the Medicare Savings Program can return about $185 per month to a beneficiary’s Social Security check (picked up by Medicaid) and that many beneficiaries will also qualify for Extra Help on prescription co-pays, potentially saving individuals thousands annually.

On transportation, Muldrow said the county has authorization for another $20,000 of ride funding for the GoGo Grandparent program in 2025; the program allows older adults to arrange rides with or without a cell phone and the OFA can register elders to arrange rides and manage scheduling. Muldrow said the program has worked well in remote parts of the county though availability can be constrained at certain hours.

Muldrow closed by noting 2024 marked the OFA’s 50th anniversary and that the office plans community-facing celebrations and archival displays reflecting the office’s history.

Legislators recorded a voice vote in favor of the report items; no formal motions were required for the report.