Yorktown Heights, NY – New York State Senator Pete Harckham hosted a Senior Resource Fair at the Jefferson Village Community Center on Friday, Sept. 18, and more than 300 people interested residents were in attendance to learn about State and local programs and resources that specifically cater to seniors, caregivers and family members throughout the 40th Senate District.

The special event, which was open to the public, gave residents an opportunity to talk with Senator Harckham and meet with representatives from over 150 vendors representing 60 different organizations.

“I’m delighted to see that so many senior residents were able to attend this Resource Fair and thank all of those who helped make the event a big success,” said Harckham. “The 40th Senate District has a robust population of seniors, many who have lived their entire lives here and helped build up and sustain our communities. We owe it to them to provide the services that will make their golden years safe, affordable and enjoyable.”

Harckham added, “I want to especially thank the five partnering organizations that helped support this event: NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital, The Knolls / Bethel Adult Day Care, Optum Medical Care, Northwell Health and Hudson Valley Credit Union. All are integral members of our community and work hard to make a difference in the lives of our seniors. And this event could not have been possible without the generosity of our Senior Resource Fair host, Jefferson Village.”

Among the many different vendors at the Senior Resource Fair were several state agencies, including the Office of the Aging, Department of Motor Vehicles, Division of Consumer Protection, Office of Mental Health, Department of Labor, New York State Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and Office of the New York Attorney General, as well as the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs.

Other groups and organizations in attendance were Family Services of Westchester, Senior Law Day Collaborative, Alzheimer’s Association, Metro-North Railroad, Westchester Residential Opportunities, The Pantry, ArchCare, Sustainable Westchester, Aetna Medicare, Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, John C. Hart Memorial Library, United Way of Westchester and Putnam, Donate Life, Putnam Northern Westchester Women’s Resource Center and Greater Mental Health of New York. Guiding Eyes for the Blind brought four guide dogs that were in training, and SPCA of Westchester had a few puppies on hand for adoption.

Free blood pressure screenings and flu vaccinations were provided for attendees, as well as 15-minute chair yoga sessions, and light refreshments were available, too.

Wendy McNamara, community affairs coordinator at NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital, said, “The health and well-being of our communities are a top priority. NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital and Medical Group is pleased to participate in this important event and provide health and community resources to local senior citizens.” 

Amy Ferraro Martin, senior program manager for Community Outreach at Northwell Health – Phelps Hospital, said, “This is a great opportunity to connect with our community of thriving seniors. At Northwell our abiding mission is to raise the health of New Yorkers and address the needs of the underserved. We are proud to bring our Institute for Aging to everyone while improving the wellness of seniors in communities across the state. Thank you, Senator Harckham, for your continuous support of our geriatric community.”

Sarah Victor, senior patient coordinator of Optum Medical Care New York, said, “Optum New York is proud to be a part of this amazing event to assist our seniors with getting the best medical care possible. We are dedicated to providing support that enriches lives and strengthens our communities. We appreciate Senator Harckham’s partnership and for affording us this opportunity to meet with residents.”

Dorothy Parchment, program director for Bethel / Knolls Medical Model Adult Day Programs, said, “We are here today to meet with seniors and to promote our medical model program. This is a great opportunity for people to learn about the services we provide.”

Melissa Lopes, director of Admissions & marketing at The Sentinel of Mohegan Lake Assisted Living, said, “The Sentinel of Mohegan Lake Assisted Living provides seniors with the support they need while allowing them to maintain independence and dignity. Most importantly, The Sentinel gives families peace of mind knowing their loved ones are cared for, supported and surrounded by community. Events like these help us connect with our seniors.”

Natalia Sanchez-Bahr, prevention specialist with The Prevention Council of Putnam, said, “The Prevention Council of Putnam was honored to be part of Senator Harckham’s 4th Annual Senior Resource Fair at the Jefferson Village Community Center, and we thank him and his staff for hosting such a well-organized and successful event. We enjoyed connecting with attendees and sharing important prevention and wellness information. Many participants also learned how to administer Narcan, helping to strengthen community preparedness and safety. It was a wonderful event, and we were pleased to participate.”

Mirla Morrison, an Ossining resident, offered her thanks to Senator Harckham and his staff in an email, and wrote, “I learned a lot and became aware of some resources for the first time. I look forward to coming again next year!"