aging in Place: a resource guide
SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES
Age-Smart Manhattan: Senior Resources for Better LivingFrom the office of Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, a guide to benefits and services for seniors, including Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, housing, long-term care, veterans and LGBT issues.
<URL destination="http://manhattanbp.nyc.gov/html/resources/seniors.shtml">manhattanbp.nyc.gov/html/resources/seniors.shtml
DOROTA nonprofit organization whose goal is to alleviate social isolation and provide concrete services to older adults, DOROT has a wide variety of offerings – including delivered meals, transportation, transitional housing, visits from volunteers, wellness programs and weekly classes and events. DOROT also focuses on providing intergenerational connections to seniors.
<URL destination="http://www.dorotusa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=homepage_DOROT">dorotusa.org
</URL>Phone: 212-769-2850
JASA One of New York’s largest nonprofits for older adults, JASA helps individuals of all races, religions, and economic backgrounds to live lives of independence. Services in Manhattan include Sunday JASA college-level courses at John Jay College and Club 76 Senior Center on the Upper West Side where members can participate in computer, art, music, advocacy and exercise classes.
<URL destination="https://www.jasa.org/">jasa.org
</URL>Phone: 212-273-5200
SAGE (Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Elders)SAGE provides a “second home for LGBT elders” focusing on friendship, community and pride. SAGE offers daily nutritional meals, cultural and social events, support groups, health, financial, and social services and home visits. There is also assistance for military veterans through SAGEVets and a program for elders living with HIV/AIDS.
<URL destination="https://www.sageusa.org/">sageusa.org
</URL>Phone: 646-576-8669
92Y Himan Brown Senior ProgramPart of the 92nd Street Y, the Himan Brown program provides a wealth of activities for seniors age 60 and older in Manhattan. Members pay a $500 annual fee, giving them access to classes that include fitness, bridge and chess instruction, art, music, literature, writing, technology, dance, drama and current events. Membership also includes discounted tickets to select 92Y events. The Himan Brown Senior Program is staffed with licensed social workers and counselors who are available to provide information, referral and counseling to members and their families.
<URL destination="https://www.92y.org/himan-brown">92y.org/himan-brown
</URL>Phone: 212-415-5633
NYC Department for the Aging (DFTA)The DFTA offers listings on a range of subjects. The department partners with community-based organizations to provide services through senior centers, home-care agencies, home-delivered meal programs, mental health and friendly visiting programs. DFTA also has a Senior Employment Services Unit, a bill payer program, and resource centers for caregivers, senior crime victims, grandparents and foster grandparents.
<URL destination="https://www1.nyc.gov/site/dfta/index.page">www1.nyc.gov/site/dfta/index.page
</URL>Phone: For general questions, call 311
New York Foundation for Senior CitizensThe mission of this longtime non-profit is “helping New York’s seniors enjoy healthier, safer, more productive and dignified lives in their homes and communities and to help them avoid the need for premature institutionalization.” Among the organization’s resources, the NYFSC focuses on housing and has a home-sharing program.
<URL destination="http://www.nyfsc.org/">nyfsc.org
</URL>Phone: 212-962-7559
TRANSPORTATION
Reduced Fare MetroCardThose who are 65 and up can benefit from reduced fares on MTA NYC Transit local buses and subways. Regular fare in 2018 is $2.75, while the reduced fare is $1.35. Two of the following forms of identification are required: valid New York State driver’s license, Medicare card, birth certificate, valid New York State Identification Card or a passport. A photo must be present on at least one.
<URL destination="http://web.mta.info/nyct/fare/rfindex.htm">web.mta.info/nyct/fare/rfindex.htm
</URL>Phone: 718-330-1234 or 511
Access-A-Ride (AAR)If you need transportation and are not able to use public bus or subway service, Access-A-Ride is an option. It offers shared ride, door-to-door paratransit service, as well as trips to and from normal MTA NYC transit bus routes or subway stops (for those who can travel 1-5 blocks). Only disabled riders are eligible. According to a State Assembly pamphlet, “eligibility is determined on a periodic basis, after review by independent medical professionals in consultation with disabled riders’ medical provider.”
Phone: 1-877-337-2017
Memorial Sloan Kettering JitneyFor those in need of health services at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the hospital provides a free patient shuttle service — also known as the jitney — to take MSK patients and their caregivers between Memorial Hospital at 1275 York Avenue and Manhattan locations, which include the Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center, the Sillerman Center for Rehabilitation and several outpatient centers.
<URL destination="https://www.mskcc.org/locations/visiting-us/patient-shuttle">mskcc.org/locations/visiting-us/patient-shuttle
FOOD
Citymeals on WheelsFounded by Gael Greene and James Beard in 1981, Citymeals on Wheels delivers weekend, holiday and emergency meals to homebound older New Yorkers. Citymeals partners with community-based organizations and senior centers to supplement the city’s weekday meal-delivery program.
<URL destination="https://www.citymeals.org/">citymeals.org
</URL>Phone: 212-687-1234
God’s Love We Deliver Providing meals and nutrition counseling for people with severe illness, God’s Love began 33 years ago when one woman delivered a meal to a man dying from AIDS. Today God’s Love, a nonsectarian organization, cooks and home-delivers 7,200 meals each weekday for clients with over 200 diagnoses and provides meals for children and senior caregivers of its clients. All of the agency’s services are free to clients.
<URL destination="https://www.glwd.org/">godslovewedeliver.org
</URL>Phone: 212-294-8100
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) SNAP, also known as food stamps, provides food assistance for low-income New Yorkers, including seniors.
Phone: 866-888-8777
COMPREHENSIVE GERIATRIC PRACTICES
Martha Stewart Center for LivingThe center offers “an innovative approach to healthy aging,” with medical care, healthy living activities, educational programs, caregiver support, and community referrals.
<URL destination="https://www.mountsinai.org/patient-care/service-areas/geriatrics-and-aging/martha-stewart-center-for-living">mountsinai.org/patient-care/service-areas/geriatrics-and-aging/areas-of-care/martha-stewart-center-for-living
</URL>1440 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10029
Phone: 212-659-8552
Irving Sherwood Wright Center at NYP/Weill CornellProviding both primary care and consultation to older adults, The Wright Center on Aging “is dedicated to providing older adults with comprehensive care so that they can lead fulfilling lives to the greatest extent possible.”
<URL destination="https://weillcornell.org/wrightctr">weillcornell.org/wrightctr
</URL>1484-1486 First Ave., New York, NY 10075
Phone: 212-746-7000
Beth Israel Senior Health (Mount Sinai)Focuses on primary care medicine, preventive medicine, social work services, palliative care, a house calls program and caregiver support program (stress reduction techniques and crisis intervention).
<URL destination="https://www.mountsinai.org/locations/msd-senior-health">wehealny.org/services/bi_seniorhealth/
</URL>275 Eighth Ave. (at 24th Street), New York, NY 10011
Phone: 212-463-0101
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Helen’s Pilates Helen Ovsiy opened her first Pilates Studio in Brooklyn in 2008, and a new location recently on the Upper East Side. Through her work, Helen became aware that many senior clients suffer from arthritis, stenosis, muscular spasms as well as knee, hip and shoulder pain. Helen’s Pilates offers private, semi-private and small group sessions. as well as private sessions in your home for those unable to come to the studio.
<URL destination="http://www.helenfitness.com/">helenfitness.com
</URL>30 East 60th Street
Phone: 212-593-0100
Lighthouse GuildLighthouse Guild is dedicated to vision loss, providing services and programs that address eye health and needs of people with, or at risk for, vision loss:
-A comprehensive Health Center, including care for heart issues, neurology, endocrinology, vision assessment, podiatry and physical and occupational therapy;
-Low Vision Rehabilitation services to help individuals with vision loss regain function and remain safe, independent and active.
-An Adult Day Health Care Program for adults with vision loss and chronic medical conditions offers nursing, medication assistance, therapies and personal care, two meals a day, transportation and daily activities.
<URL destination="https://www.lighthouseguild.org/">Lighthouseguild.org
</URL>250 West 64st Street (at West End Avenue)
Phone: 800-284-4422
NYP OnDemand Telemedicine Kiosks at Duane Reade/Walgreen’sAs part of their NYP OnDemand digital health services, NewYork-Presbyterian has opened telemedicine kiosks in six Duane Reade/Walgreens locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn for non-life-threatening medical concerns. Through the kiosks, seniors can partake of remote sessions with board-certified emergency room physicians, or consult with medical professionals through the app.
CAREGIVING
NYC Caregiver This city program offers caregiving services, help with entitlements, paying for care, legal information, and advice about caring for oneself.
<URL destination="http://www.nyc.gov/html/caregiver/">nyc.gov/html/caregiver
</URL>2 Lafayette St., NYC 10007
Email: caregivers@aging.nyc.gov
Next Step in Care: Family Caregivers and Health Care Professionals Working TogetherCreated by the nonprofit United Hospital Fund, Next Step in Care focuses on family caregivers who are dealing with transitions in care for chronically ill patients. Next Step in Care provides advice about moving between hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes and home.
<URL destination="https://www.nextstepincare.org/Caregiver_Home/Care_Coordination">nextstepincare.org/Caregiver_Home/Care_Coordination
SJS – Elder Care Solutions, LLCDirector Sara J. Sadin works with corporations of all sizes to help employees who are caring for an older family member, assessing needs, discussing benefits and entitlements and finding services. Sadin does presentations on aging issues and has a private practice for home visits to develop a care plan which she or a family member can supervise.
Email: sjs.eldercaresolutions@gmail.com
Phone: 833-SJS-CARE (833-757-2273)
AARP: Caregiver ResourcesAn overall guide to finding support, with goals and needs checklists and caregiving plans.
<URL destination="https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/">aarp.org/caregiving
</URL>Phone: 877-333-5885
“Caregiving 101”In July 2017, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer hosted an event at John Jay College called “Caregiving 101: The Essentials of Caring for Others (And Yourself).” Video of a panel discussion with experts and resources discussed at the event are available at this link:
<URL destination="http://manhattanbp.nyc.gov/html/resources/caregiving101.shtml">manhattanbp.nyc.gov/html/resources/caregiving101.shtml
LEGAL ASSISTANCE
New York City Bar The Legal Referral Service provides assistance with wills, trusts and estates. Initial consultations are $35 or free, depending on the type of case, and last for up to 30 minutes.
<URL destination="https://www.nycbar.org/get-legal-help/our-services/request-a-lawyer/">nycbar.org/get-legal-help/our-services/request-a-lawyer/
</URL>Phone: 212-626-7373
COUNSELING
SPOP (Service Program for Older People)Offers mental health care for adults age 55 and older. Services include counseling for substance abuse, home-based psychotherapy for clients homebound due to disability, and therapy for caregivers. SPOP also offers free bereavement support for adults of all ages at their office on the Upper West Side, with groups for spousal and non-spousal bereavement. Counseling offered in English, Spanish, French, Cantonese and other languages.
<URL destination="https://www.spop.org/">spop.org
</URL>Address: 302 West 91st St., NYC 10024
Phone: 212-787-7120, ext. 514
Sources: Congregation Rodeph Sholom for listings from “Symposium on Aging” (March 2018), the Office of Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Michael DeSantis