“Aging has changed,” said county OFA Director Gabe Smalt recently. “We are a diverse agency. I want to meet older adults where they’re at, with whatever options they want and need. Not everyone ages the same, not even couples.”
The recipient of both a bachelors and a masters degrees in health care and administration from Roberts Wesleyan, Smalt worked in telehealth program the Bath VA, before working at Arnot Health for two years developing their telemedicine program.
He joined the county OFA’s sister agency Steuben Senior Services Fund in 2019, using his skills with the popular telehealth program “Full Circle America.”
The Full Circle telehealth program has dramatically expanded, allowing older adults to safely stay in their homes, Smalt said. The program, which is affordable to all, now serves some 90 homes, and is now coordinated by Krystal Watkins.
Smalt said the office also will reach out to caregivers as an essential element in the care of older adults.
An important element to the department’s work is a “boots on the ground” approach, he said.
“These are real people who have real needs,” he said. “We make sure those needs don’t fall on deaf ears.”
Smalt fills the vacancy left by Patty Baroody, who recently retired after more than 25 years service to county residents.
"My predecessor, Patty Baroody, built an excellent foundation for me to work with and expand the Steuben County Office for Aging," Smalt said "I feel truly honored to continue her great work and work alongside the Steuben County manager and Steuben County Legislature.”
