{Article submitted by Interfaith Caregivers for our Community Day newspaper)

In celebration of its 40th anniversary, Interfaith Caregivers is proud to announce the expansion of its services, with a particular focus on the Medical Equipment Loan Center, which has experienced exponential growth due to high demand for no-cost medical care and equipment.

At the Olean Center, located at 315 West State Street, a state-of-the-art Telehealth Suite has been installed in partnership with Southern Tier Health Care Services. 

This suite offers free remote medical care to anyone, accessible during the Medical Loan Center’s operating hours. The Telehealth Suite supports remote consultations with medical and counseling offices, ensuring broader access to essential health services.

For more information on the Telehealth Suite or to reserve a room, visit www.stchs.org/telehealth or call (716) 372-0614 ext. 210.

Responding to community feedback, Interfaith Caregivers has extended the Medical Equipment Loan Center’s hours. The center is now open on Friday afternoons from 1:30-3:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9:30-11:00 a.m., beginning this spring. 

These additional hours accommodate the community’s need for greater accessibility, with Saturday hours varying based on volunteer availability. 

Interfaith Caregivers also recently entered a new partnership with the Bob McCarthy Foundation to open the Ellicottville Medical Equipment Loan Center at 17 Mill St. 

Interfaith Caregivers provides the loan equipment and supplies, handles incoming calls, client evaluations, equipment recommendations, and sets up appointments.

“Having a loan center closer to the northern half of the county will assist those who cannot get to Olean by providing access to equipment and supplies, free of charge on a permanent basis,” said Julie Hall, executive director.

“They [The Bob McCarthy Foundation] were instrumental to the launch of the new loan center and are planning to work with us to alleviate the senior transportation challenges that are a major obstacle in accessing medical care,” Ms. Hall added.

​Interfaith Caregivers is a caring community of volunteers from any faith and age whose responsibility it is to work with, serve and assist people in order that they may maintain their independence and dignity to the highest possible degree.

​We provide services for the Olean Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and primarily serve local older adults, health-impaired individuals and those who might benefit from acts of giving.

All services offered through Interfaith Caregivers are free of charge for frail, elderly, health impaired, and sight impaired individuals in Allegany, Cattaraugus, & Chautauqua Counties thanks to the generous contributions of our donors, without relying on government funding.

For more information visit www.interfaithcaregiversinc.org