If an older parent wants to stay home, the next step is not always a large purchase or a move. Sometimes the first job is finding out who can answer a specific question. In Western New York, county aging services are useful starting points alongside the professionals already involved in your parent's care.
Erie County: start with the need you are trying to solve
The Erie County Department for the Aging can be reached at 716-858-8526. Describe the practical issue and ask which program or office is the appropriate next contact. A call for information is a starting point, not a guarantee of eligibility, funding or immediate service.
Ask about transportation before the appointment approaches
Erie County's Going Places program offers curb-to-curb van service for county residents age 60 and older who cannot use conventional transportation. Its published guidance calls for advance scheduling and registration. Contact 716-858-7433 to confirm eligibility, availability, timing and the assistance provided. Do not assume a service includes help inside the home or at the destination.
Niagara County: contact NY Connects
Niagara County NY Connects lists 716-438-3030 as its contact number. Ask for information about long-term services and supports relevant to your situation. If transportation is the concern, explain where the ride begins, where it needs to go and what assistance is needed. Let the office identify the appropriate next step.
Prepare a short call note
Use this suggested template to keep the conversation focused: “My parent lives in [town]. We are trying to arrange [specific task]. We need it by [date]. Who should we speak with, and what should we prepare?” Share only information needed for the inquiry. Ask how to submit any sensitive documentation securely if a program requires it.
- Who is eligible, and who makes that determination?
- Is there a registration step, waitlist or service-area limit?
- What does the service include, and what would the family arrange separately?
- Are there fees or suggested contributions?
- What happens if the requested date is unavailable?
Keep a simple record of the answer
Write down the office, contact person, date, next step and who in the family will handle it. Separate a referral from a confirmed booking. For example, receiving a transportation number is progress, but the family still needs to know whether the ride has been accepted. Review unresolved items together rather than repeating calls without notes.
Know where HOMEWARD fits
You can contact these public resources directly without buying a HOMEWARD service. HOMEWARD offers paid planning and coordination when a family wants help organizing the larger picture. Begin with a free Snapshot or conversation, then decide whether the assessment and optional monthly support fit your needs. Public programs set their own requirements; Cardinal cannot promise acceptance or availability.
Sources and further reading
Sources checked September 25, 2026. Programs and availability can change. Links do not imply endorsement by these organizations.
Want a plan built around your parent?
Start with the free HOMEWARD Snapshot or a 15-minute call. If HOMEWARD is a fit, the $299 in-home assessment turns these questions into a personalized plan with 30-, 90- and 180-day checkpoints.