Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced the Albany County Department for Aging is launching the first Campus for Creative Aging in New York State. He was joined by Commissioner for Aging Deb Riitano and Shaker Place Rehabilitation and Nursing Center Executive Director Larry Slatky.

There are over 60,000 seniors in Albany County and this initiative will serve as a senior center without walls offering programs and services throughout the County. They will connect seniors with arts, education, wellness, a new restaurant program, the return of “The Doctor is In” and more. The Department for Aging will be moving to Shaker Place to allow for increased collaboration with nursing home staff.

“When Albany County was designated as Age Friendly nearly five years ago, we made a commitment to make our communities a great place for people of all ages,” said County Executive McCoy. “It’s about inclusion, equity and reducing isolation while improving the quality of life. It’s also about engaging older adults in meaningful and creative ways.”

One early example of getting seniors involved in an arts activity during the pandemic involved the entire community… creating the Albany County Quarantine and Memorial Quilt. It was a way area residents could express their feelings about the pandemic or memorialize someone they lost to COVID by adding a square to the quilt. It was sewn together by Eileen Pasquini and Kathy Kotlow. The quilt will be displayed at various locations throughout Albany County before it is permanently housed at the Albany County Hall of Records.