Ellicottville Medical Equipment Loan Center
Ellicottville Medical Equipment Loan Center
The Bob McCarthy Foundation is Partnering with Interfaith Caregivers to Establish New Center
Photo / ellicottvilleNOW
ELLICOTTVILLE - The Bob McCarthy Foundation is excited to announce a partnership with Interfaith Caregivers Inc., an Olean based 501c3 Foundation.
For the past year, the Bob McCarthy Foundation has been working on establishing a Seniors help program in Ellicottville. According to Kathleen Moriarty of the Bob McCarthy Foundation, “We have met with many organizations and individuals to understand the current services provided and real needs in our community. Transportation services, medical equipment needs, internet access and support for hearing and sight impaired were the critical needs identified.”
This investigation, along with a review of available services, led to discussions with Interfaith Caregivers Inc. who provide these services in Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties. Julie Hall, their Executive Director, commented, “Servicing this wide area through a single location in Olean was not optimal. In fact, Interfaith has been looking to expand their services via a satellite location in Cattaraugus County.”
Interfaith Caregivers have been providing these services for over 40 years and have all of the systems and logistics in place to provide an easy program rollout in Ellicottville. All services offered through Interfaith Caregivers are free of charge thanks to the generous contributions from their donors as they do not rely on any government funding. Julie felt Ellicottville would be the perfect location, so after an in-depth discussion, a mutual agreement has been put in place.
In December, the Bob McCarthy Foundation approached Ellicottville Mayor John Burrell about using a vacant office inside the DPW building. John, recognizing the benefit, presented the idea to the Village Board who unanimously endorsed it.
The 17 Mill Street location will require storage systems and some renovations to be funded by the Bob McCarthy Foundation. Mark Chudy and his crew have already cleaned up the building as the partners are targeting March for a soft opening of the facility. The Bob McCarthy Foundation will start recruiting and organizing the volunteers under the Interfaith Caregivers methodology so this local service should be up and running quickly.
Interfaith Caregivers will handle all incoming calls, client evaluation, equipment recommendations and set up appointments for pick-up. They have an established protocol and procedure with medical personnel who identify the need and suggest the proper supplies and/or equipment needed by our clients. The partnership will handle distribution to the Ellicottville Loan center, taking care of equipment maintenance, sanitation and transportation to the local loan center.
“We will initially start with the Medical Loan Center but intend to add their RSVP transportation services in short order as we put a volunteer network in place. The vision and hearing loss services dovetail well into what the Bob McCarthy Foundation already provide locally. We will be soliciting local volunteers to help us provide the best possible services in our community.” To donate or volunteer to help, please contact the Bob McCarthy’s Foundation lead, Jon Falk, or any Bob McCarthy board member or go to www.bobmccarthyfoundation.com.
Following is a short summary of the services that Interfaith provides:
• Interfaith Caregivers, Inc.: Julie Hall, Executive Director, interfaithcaregiversinc.org
• Olean Medical Loan Center: 315 West State St., Olean, NY 14760, 585-376-4488
• Hours of Operation: Monday and Thursday 9:00am-12:00pm, Friday 1:00-3:00pm
• Main office: PO Box 319, Olean, NY 14760, 716-372-6283.
Interfaith Caregivers is a caring community of volunteers from any faith and age whose responsibility it is to work with, serve and assist people in order that they may maintain their independence and dignity to the highest possible degree. We provide services for the Olean Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and primarily serve local older adults, health-impaired individuals and those who might benefit from acts of giving.
All services offered through Interfaith Caregivers are free of charge thanks to the generous contributions of our donors, without relying on government funding.
ELIGIBILITY: Frail, elderly, health impaired, and sight impaired individuals are eligible.
SERVICE AREA: Allegany, Cattaraugus, & Chautauqua Counties.
TELEPHONE REASSURANCE AND ADVOCACY REFERRAL: For lonely and/or homebound residents in the community, not otherwise served.
TELE-HEALTH ROOM: Southern Tier Health Care System Inc., in collaboration with CASA-Trinity, has added a new tele-health room located at Interfaith Care Givers on West State Street providing internet services to their clients
VISION LOSS SERVICES: Financial support for eye exams and glasses, visual aids for those with impaired vision, and a monthly support group; acts as the umbrella organization for the Olean Area Association for the blind and visually impaired.
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT LOAN: Loaned assisted devices, medical equipment and supplies, Olean Lions Club drop off point and donated audio books. Located at 315 West State Street in Olean, we are open and accept gently used or new equipment.
TRANSPORTATION: Linkage of volunteer drivers to provide transportation to and from local medical appointments and for essential errands. This service is for the frail, homebound older adults, and those otherwise health impaired. The program offers free transportation for medical appointments and general errands in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, and Allegany Counties, provided by volunteers who use their own cars and gas.
- The Bob McCarthy Foundation Board of Directors:
Anne Northrup, Kathleen Moriarty Fleming,
Katy Arena, Greg Cappelli