Plainview-Old Bethpage Cares, a community program for seniors over the age of 60 which assists residents of Plainview and Old Bethpage to find the support they need to remain in their homes and live independently, recently completed their survey which tells them what seniors need now and in the future to remain in Plainview-Old Bethpage and continue living independently. POB Cares also found out what resources, skills, talents and knowledge residents have and may want to share.

The official results of the surveys are still being tabulated by the statistician, but through informal conversation and initial results, Linda Greenbaum project director, feels confident about the results. "We are still compiling the results but we do know that local seniors need volunteers to help get them to medical appointments, do shopping and other errands," she said.

Approximately 430 responses were sent back out of the 2,200 surveys that were distributed and 20 percent of the people who filled out the survey offered to volunteer in the community. "It has been amazing," said Greenbaum, who expects all of the data from the survey to be compiled by the end of July. "People are so energetic. People want to do so much for people to help them stay in the community. It is great."

Volunteers started training this month and will be ready in August to help with various tasks such as visiting those who are homebound, running errands, going to post office, library, cleaners or to drive people to do those things or to drive them to their house of worship. Some volunteers will be working in the office and others will make friendly phone calls and visits. "Most of these ideas came from needs discussed in conversations and in focus groups," said Greenbaum. "The biggest need, as determined after conversations with community members, is local transportation to medical appointments and shopping."

Through conversations, it was also noted that there is a need for recommendations for maintenance and small home repairs. "People find it hard to contact maintenance people and know that they are someone they can trust and to make arrangements for people to come and do things," said Greenbaum. "We are going to try and pull together a list of people to call."

Another aspect for volunteers is to be on the Plainview Old Bethpage Cares Advisory Board, which will meet August 22 at 2 p.m. at the office, which is located at 1670 Old Country Road suite 111. The board will be comprised of senior residents of Plainview and Old Bethpage who want to work with the program to identify the needs and decide as a community how we are going to address these needs.

"We want the community to know that we have volunteers and that they should call us if they need help," said Greenbaum. "Transportation should not be an issue - please call POB Cares to arrange transportation if you need assistance."

The goal of Plainview-Old Bethpage Cares is to work with the community to build partnerships and coalitions of representatives from local organizations such as the hospital, the Y, the library, synagogues, churches, the senior club, the community center, and other local groups, clubs and organizations, the business community and individuals of all ages, to identify the specific needs of the community and come together to create new ways to help seniors now and in the future.

Anyone interested in volunteering, joining the advisory board or anyone who needs help should call the office at 249-6000 for more information. All personal information is kept confidential and individuals are served regardless of income, race or religion.