 White Plains, NY - New York Connects: Westchester Choices for Long-Term Care is a new state program that lets callers get information about long-term care for seniors and disabled adults and children by dialing one toll-free number.
That number is 1-877-914-4040, and help is provided in all languages. TTY is available for the hearing-impaired. The state-funded program streamlines the calls people must make to learn about such care and helps avoid the frustrations that process can cause. The line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All calls are confidential.
New York Connects is a joint initiative of Westchester County’s Department of Senior Programs and Services, Department of Social Services and Office for the Disabled. The County is working in partnership with specialists trained by United Way of Westchester and Putnam and certified by the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems. .
Albany awarded Westchester County a grant of $200,000 to set up its system. A state mandate required every county in New York to have a one-call network in operation by the end of 2007.
Callers can receive information on a wide range of topics, including in-home and out-of-home care, Medicaid and Medicare, transportation, health, recreation, advocacy, insurance and financial planning.
For example, a caller needing Medicare or Medicaid assistance can get information on how to get the proper application forms. They can also have someone help sort out their needs and walk them through what they must do to find the care they want. In some cases, the specialists may refer callers to county agencies.
Specialists can also provide the names of long-term care and rehabilitation facilities that might fit the caller’s needs for assisted-living or for nursing homes. In addition, callers can get information on short-term care, perhaps for a spouse who needs rehabilitation following a car accident.
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