Plainview-Old Bethpage Cares, a community program for seniors over the age of 60 that assists residents of Plainview and Old Bethpage to find the support they need to remain in their homes and live independently, recently conducted a survey to find out what seniors need in order to continue living in the community.

The survey was conducted in May and distributed to Plainview and Old Bethpage seniors, 60 years or older, to give them the opportunity to share what they're thinking and feeling about what they need now and in the future if they wish to remain in Plainview-Old Bethpage and continue living independently. Through the survey, POB Cares hoped to learn what resources, skills, talents and knowledge residents have and may want to share with those in the community.

The first phase of the data analysis was recently completed and staff at POB Cares has scheduled community forums to share the information with the community and to invite them to get involved in the process of addressing these needs.

"The survey presents some questions but doesn't necessarily give the answers," said Linda Greenbaum, project director, who explained that the answers will come from analysis and community feedback.

The survey response rate was close to what Greenbaum had projected. Of the 1,929 surveys that were distributed, 25 percent, or 479 were returned. Since people living in other towns filled out some of the surveys, only the 423 that came from Plainview and Old Bethpage residents were analyzed. The average age of those who filled out the survey is 73 and a half years old.

The surveys showed that seniors like living in their home in the Plainview and Old Bethpage area and they want to stay there. The main reasons mentioned for wanting to stay were because it is safe, close to family and friends, close to good medical services and houses of worship.

Certain needs were revealed through the surveys with transportation being the biggest. Eighty percent of survey respondents said they do drive, but half of the people who don't drive live alone. According to Greenbaum, those living alone are the ones to be concerned about because they don't have the means to get around. "I think this is something that is universal in suburbia that once people stop driving, it is hard for them to get around," said Greenbaum. "If a community wants to help people stay in their homes in the community and have an integrated community, that community needs to provide transportation to people living in their town."

Of the seniors that do drive, one-third of the respondents feel that there are not enough handicapped spaces and 45 percent of the respondents feel that there is a problem with illegal parking in handicapped spaces and a lack of enforcement.

There are many other issues that were revealed through the survey. Specifics will be discussed at the community forum and Greenbaum encourages all age levels to attend. "This survey discusses a community-wide concern," said Greenbaum. "As younger people value having an integrated community and appreciate the wisdom and experience in what older people bring to a community, then younger people will want to help their neighbors stay in the community."

The data has been addressed with the advisory board, which is a group of local seniors who have heard the survey results and are forming five committees to address the most pressing issues identified by it. The volunteer program is also up and running. Volunteers have been providing transportation for seniors living in Plainview and Old Bethpage and have assisted in daily errands. More volunteers are needed.

The coordinating committee currently has 10 community leaders and public officials from all levels of government on it and POB Cares is hoping to add representatives of the business and faith-based community in the near future.

The forums will be held at the Plainview-Old Bethpage Library, which is located at 999 Old Country Road in Plainview, on Monday, Dec. 2 at 1 p.m. and Thursday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m.

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.

In addition to the survey, POB Cares currently offers a variety of services. There are trained professionals to help explain Medicare and Medicaid benefits, assist in filling out applications and forms and making photocopies for personal records, making telephone calls to get needed information, advocate on the senior's behalf with community organizations, provide information about home care agencies, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities, provide support groups and individual short-term counseling, help make arrangements for home care, shopping, errands and small home repair and help provide financial assistance with local transportation and home health care on an individual basis.

This is a pilot community program created in cooperation with Jewish Association for Services for the Aged (JASA), the Mid-Island Y JCC and North Shore University Hospital at Plainview for the residents of Plainview and Old Bethpage. Please call 249-6000 for more information. All personal information is kept confidential and individuals are served regardless of income, race or religion.