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Senior citizens in the New Lebanon area have a new resource to help them get basic needs met.

Through Immaculate Conception parish and Catholic Charities Senior and Caregiver Support Services, a staffer from Catholic Charities will be visiting the area monthly to provide referrals to various services and help with completing paperwork.

The program, which just began last month at Immaculate Conception, was conceptualized by parish nurse Mary Linton. She is heavily involved with the parish's active senior ministry and has been in parish nursing for 20 years.

"It's very difficult for people, particularly in rural areas, to access certain services," Ms. Linton told The Evangelist, noting that the far eastern side of both Columbia County and Rensselaer County is so mountainous and rural that many older people find it difficult to access resources like heating assistance or Medicaid.

Many towns that are close to the Massachusetts border have it particularly difficult, she added: Prescriptions by a New York doctor must be filled in New York, even if a Massachusetts pharmacy is closer. Ms. Linton said that many offices that can help seniors with basic needs are located in cities, creating another hurdle. In poor weather, driving can be difficult.

The new, first-of-its-kind program through Catholic Charities brings a staff member from Catholic Charities Senior and Caregiver Support Services to the Immaculate Conception parish hall and to the town hall in Stephentown, at no cost to the seniors. It's meant for anyone over age 60 and caregivers - and not just Catholics, but anyone in the community.

Marlene Hildenbrandt, executive director for the Catholic Charities agency, believes the partnership with the rural parish will allow Catholic Charities to reach more people.

"The goal is to bring the services to them," she told The Evangelist.

Ms. Hildenbrandt is excited to publicize the program in order to reach the people who need it. "It's going to take some time for people to know us," she said. "A staff person has only been out there once; it's getting started."

Ms. Linton believes that, by having so few eligibility requirements, the program is working to spread the message of Jesus.

"He fed the hungry; He clothed the poor," she said. "Jesus went out with the poor and the marginalized in His society, looked at what they needed and addressed their needs. This is the example He set for us."[[In-content Ad]]

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