About Us:

History of the Montgomery County Office for Aging, Inc.

The Montgomery County Office for Aging, Inc. (Office for Aging) was established July 1, 1975, as a result of 1973 amendments to the 1965 Federal Older Americans Act that recognized the government’s responsibility to help the elderly.  It is part of the aging network that includes the Federal Administration on Aging, State Units on Aging, and Area Agencies on Aging, whose focus is advocacy for persons over the age of 60.  The agency’s mission is the commitment to serve Montgomery County senior citizens and their families by helping the elderly to maintain their independence and quality of life.

Traditionally, local offices for aging are sponsored by county government, as some local money is required to receive federal and state funding for services.  There are 59 Office’s for Aging in New York State.  Of these, 55 are sponsored by county government and four are not-for-profit agencies.  Montgomery County Office for Aging, Inc. is one of the four not-for-profits.   

The Office for Aging has had several sponsors since it’s inception, Mt. Carmel Church (1975-1989), Montgomery County (1989 through 1992), and Catholic Family & Community Services (1993 through March 1996).  The Joshua Foundation became the interim sponsor for the remainder of 1996 until a private, not-for-profit corporation, the Montgomery County Office for Aging, Inc., was established and awarded the sponsorship through a competitive bid process. 

The Office for Aging’s 2010 – 2011 annual proposed budget is $1,339,240.00 with 70% of its funding from the State Office for Aging, 16% from Montgomery County, and the balance from town and villages, participant (client) donations, private foundations, and fundraising. 

According to the 2000 census, the senior population was 11,498, or 23.1% of the total Montgomery County population.  It ranks third largest in the state for percent per capita of elderly.  At the time of the 2000 census, the Montgomery County Office for Aging, Inc. was serving 4,300 individuals annually.  While the total county population has decreased, there has been an increase in the age 75 and older segment from 4,477 to 5,315, and in the age 85 and older group, an increase from 1,140 to 1,478. 

In 1999, the Montgomery County Office for Aging, Inc. purchased property in Palatine Bridge and built a central kitchen to prepare and deliver meals to Montgomery County senior citizens throughout the county.  Today, the Montgomery County Office for Aging, Inc. currently serves home-delivered meals to 217 seniors Monday-Friday.  Of these participants, 61 receive a cold supper bag and 53 receive frozen weekend meals in addition to their hot, noon meal.  Further, the Office for Aging currently has 5 Café Style meal sites located in St. Johnsville, Canajoharie, Amsterdam (2), and the Town of Florida.  These café sites currently offer hot noon meals to 137 participants. 

In March of 2004 the Office for Aging established a Foundation to act as a fundraising arm for the organization.  In the 2010 – 2011 program year, Foundation Board Participants will be working collaboratively with the Board of Directors in an effort to further enhance the agency’s fundraising out comes. 

The Office for Aging has approximately 100 volunteers who serve the following programs:  friendly visitors, telephone reassurance, nutrition, health insurance information and counseling, client assessments and clerical help, Advisory Council, Board of Directors, and the Foundation Board.

More than half of the 15-member Advisory Council are persons age 60 and older, as well as service providers, an elected official, and others from the community who have knowledge of and interest in issues affecting the elderly.  The 11-member Board of Directors is the policy making body. 

There is a staff of 11 including:  an Executive Director, a Confidential Secretary, an Office Manager, two Administrative Assistants, a Finance Director, a WRAP Coordinator/Information & Assistance Referral Specialist, a Nutrition Program Manager, two Case Managers and a Coordinator of HIICAP, Legal and Volunteer programs.  In addition to the staff, there are 9 contractors who provide legal assistance, transportation, nutrition and registered dietitian services, respite and home-care services.

The attached agency brochure outlines the programs and services provided to the Montgomery County senior community.  The Office for Aging collaborates with many other local providers to enhance its services and broaden its capacity for assistance to a variety of needs.

In May of 2008, the Office for Aging purchased a building at 135 Guy Park Avenue in Amsterdam and the agency moved to this location in July 2008.  Accessibility has greatly improved with our move and the office has experienced a significant increase in client traffic as well as a heightened awareness of the agency’s services.