Utica, NY — A Utica-based senior care nonprofit has secured a $250,000 state grant to help older adults stay in their homes and out of nursing facilities, a shift that could reshape care in the Mohawk Valley as providers grapple with staffing shortages and rising demand.
Community Wellness Partners (CWP) will use the funding from the New York State Office for the Aging to launch the Aging in Place Initiative, a yearlong pilot focused on home-based wellness monitoring, caregiver training, and community outreach in Oneida and Herkimer counties. The program is set to begin January 15, 2026, with an initial rollout in Rome, Utica, and Herkimer.
A pilot to reduce avoidable admissions
The pilot aims to serve 150 to 200 low-income residents age 65 and older in its first year, with the goal of preventing unnecessary hospitalizations and nursing home admissions. Participants will receive in-home assessments, telehealth check-ins, and access to wearable devices that track falls and medication adherence. CWP estimates the approach could cut hospital readmissions by 15% to 20%.
“This grant is a game-changer for our community,” CWP CEO Michael I. Berg said in a statement. “By focusing on aging in place, we’re fostering independence and dignity for seniors who want to remain in the homes they’ve loved for decades.”
Who it serves
CWP says the pilot will prioritize equity: About 70% of slots are reserved for underserved residents in rural areas and communities of color. Oneida County’s challenges are stark — roughly 12.5% of local seniors live in poverty, and about a quarter live alone, according to county data.
Local caregivers have pressed for practical support since the pandemic. “After my mother’s fall, we couldn’t afford ongoing help,” a Rome caregiver said. “Something like this could be a lifeline.”
Funding, tools, and partners
The award is part of a broader $10 million state push in 2025 to test new elder care models, supported by federal Older Americans Act dollars and state surplus funds. CWP plans to hire 10 case managers and work with partners including Utica University and Mohawk Valley Health System to integrate technology and coordinate referrals. The program will also pilot AI-assisted remote monitoring tools, building on recent tech projects in the region.
NYSOFA Director Tracey L. Torre called the investment a fit with New York’s longer-term “Aging Our Way” strategy to expand home- and community-based care. “New York’s seniors deserve innovative solutions that meet them where they are,” Torre said. “This pilot supports our vision by preventing costly hospitalizations and honoring dignity.”
Shifting from facilities to home
The move comes as CWP retools its service mix. In late October, the organization announced plans to close the historic Presbyterian Home building in New Hartford, citing financial pressures, and shift more resources to home-based care. The nonprofit also operates the Lutheran Home in Clinton and other services across the region.
Industry-wide pressures are part of the backdrop. Nursing home staffing in New York has fallen roughly 18% since 2020, according to industry data, and Medicaid reimbursement rates continue to strain facility budgets. State leaders have encouraged community-based alternatives through recent legislation and targeted grants.
Support and skepticism
Advocates have largely applauded the pilot, but some say the scale won’t match the need. More than 45,000 people in Oneida County are 65 or older, and demand for in-home support is rising faster than programs can expand. “It’s a smart step, but it’s a drop in the bucket for rural regions,” said AARP New York’s state director, who urged lawmakers to fund wider access and more workforce supports.
Gerontology experts say the pilot could save costs in the short term and improve outcomes, but warn sustainability will depend on continued funding and a pipeline of trained home-care workers.
How to apply
Enrollment opens immediately for eligible residents in Oneida and Herkimer counties, with applications accepted through December 31, 2025, via CWP’s website. Community forums are planned in early December to explain services, answer questions, and connect caregivers with training opportunities. If the pilot meets its targets, CWP expects to expand to additional counties in 2027.
