Reaching Out, Finding Help Senior Reference & Aid

A senior sits back and enjoys the peaceful scene at Astoria Park.
Adult Social Day Care
According to the Queens Borough President’s office, the borough has been at the forefront of developing and expanding social adult day care programs, and has eight programs, all of which are either totally or partially funded by the office.

Adult Social Day Care (ASDC) may be administered by a skilled nursing facility or other medical provider, but is more likely to be affiliated with a senior center, settlement house, community center, naturally occurring retirement community, or senior housing provider.

Some programs are freestanding.
The target client is functionally impaired (physically and/or mentally) and may require management of a chronic condition, but not in need of close medical supervision, the Borough President’s Office explained.

ASDC services provide congregate meals, activities, various forms of personal care, and informational and referral services.
They also develop and document individualized care plans and goals, monitor client’s health needs and plan specialized activities to stimulate and enhance the functional abilities of the individual participants.

Senior Transportation
The Borough President’s office created the Queens Para-transit Network more than a decade.

Today they report the Network contains a fleet of 75 vans, including wheelchair accessible vans and 43 two-way radio equipped vans, transport seniors to medical appointments, senior centers, social service agencies and shopping centers.

Seniors are also able to access car service through the Network.
For more information contact Borough President Helen Marshall’s office at (718) 286-2650.

Naturally Occurring
Retirement Community (NORC)
A NORC is an apartment building or complex in which a majority of the residents are 60 years of age or older.

Previously, NORCs received only State funding enabling the development of additional Queens NORCs.

This funding provides supportive services on site allowing these individuals to continue to reside in their own apartments and maintain their independence.

Queens currently has NORCs. For more information contact Borough President Helen Marshall’s office at (718) 286-2650.

Walk the Walk
Walk the Walk, under the leadership of Father Coleman Costello, offers a broad spectrum of services to victims of elder abuse and is working towards building the City’s first shelter for the elderly in Queens. The program provides case management, legal assistance, counseling, information and referral.

Walk the Walk also operates the only licensed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment Program dedicated to the treatment of seniors.

For more information, call (718) 433-0800.

HOUSING
  • RENT CONTROLLED & RENT STABILIZED APARTMENTS
    Apartments covered by rent control are in buildings built before 1947 with more than three units. The resident must have occupied this apartment since before July 1, 1971.
    If your building was built after 1947 and contains six or more units, or the tenancy began after July 1, 1971, the apartment is probably under rent stabilization.
    For more information, contact the Queens district office at:
  • NYS Division of Housing & Community Renewal
    Gertz Plaza
    92-31 Union Hall St.
    Jamaica 11433
    (718) 739-6400
  • PUBLIC HOUSING

    Seniors can relax and roll the bocce ball in "Spaghetti Park" and other places because there are services available for the more serious sides of life. Tribune Photo By Liz Goff

    To obtain an application for public housing, write, call or visit:
  • New York City Housing Authority
    120-34 Queens Blvd. 2nd Floor
    Kew Gardens 11415
    (718) 286-7500
  • SECTION 8 HOUSING
    This program entitles low-income families to a federal subsidy, which helps pay the rent. If you want to remain in your present apartment and are paying 40 percent or more of your income for rent, or you want to move because your apartment is substandard, you may be eligible.
    To obtain an application for Section 8 Housing assistance, visit:
  • Applications Information Section
    NYC Housing Authority
    59-17 Junction Blvd.
    Corona 11372
    Or call (718) 286-7500 and ask to have an application mailed to you.
  • Or write to:
    Leased Housing Department: NYC Housing Authority
    250 Broadway
    New York 10007
  • SECTION 202 HOUSING
    The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers Section 202 Housing for the elderly and handicapped.
    HUD makes direct, low cost, long-term loans to non-profit sponsors to finance the production of rental housing. Funds are borrowed from the Treasury, and interest paid by project owners is slightly below market rates. Rental assistance (Section 8) can be combined with this program to help pay rent for tenants with low incomes. Households of one or more persons, the head of which is at least 62 years old or is handicapped, are eligible.
    Private non-profit organizations may apply at:
    26 Federal Plaza
    New York 10278
    (212) 264-8000
  • SENIOR CITIZEN RENT INCREASE EXEMPTION (SCRIE)
    The Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) provides eligible New Yorkers protection from most rent increases, including those resulting from lease renewals.
    To qualify for SCRIE, one must be 62 years of age or older, pay one-third or more of their income for rent and live in rent-stabilized or rent-controlled apartments, Mitchell-Lama housing or some hotel rooms. The maximum annual income seniors may have to qualify for SCRIE is currently $20,000.
    If you live in a rent controlled or stabilized apartment, contact:
  • NYC Department for the Aging Central Information & Referrals
    2 Lafayette St.
    New York 10007
    (212) 442-1000
  • HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (HEAP)
    Basic HEAP Program:
    This program is for renters and owners. It provides payments to fuel and utility companies or directly to renters whose fuel and utilities are included in their rent. Apply at:
    NYC Department for the Aging HEAP
    2 Lafayette St.
    New York 10007
    (212) 442-4327
  • AGE DISCRIMINATION
    It is a violation of New York City and state law for employers to discriminate against a person solely because of advanced age. If you have been a victim of such discrimination, you may file a complaint with:
  • NYC Commission on Human Rights
    40 Rector St,
    New York 10006
  • Equal Employment Practice Commission
    253 Broadway, Suite 301
    New York 10007
    (212) 748-8500

HOME ATTENDANT PROGRAM

  • Home attendant services provide personal care and assistance in the activities of daily living to adults who are aged, disabled or handicapped. These services are provided at the request of a physician. Services are available to recipients of SSI, Medicaid and Public Assistance.

HOMEMAKER SERVICES

  • Homemaker services provide household management and personal care for aged or handicapped adults in order to prevent their placement in institutions. Homemakers deal with some of the fundamental housekeeping chores (cleaning, marketing, etc.), as well as some personal care and home management. Homemakers services can be provided up to 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

HOME HEALTH AIDE SERVICE

  • Home Health Aide Service provides personal health care to adults who are aged, disabled or handicapped. These services are provided by aides who have been specially trained and certified and are supervised by nursing staff. These services are provided at the request of a physician for up to 24 hours a day to Medicaid eligible recipients.

VISITING NURSE SERVICE

  • Visiting Nurse Service (VNS) serves Queens residents through its borough office located in Flushing. VNS serves the homebound with nursing, home health aide and social work services, as well as physical, occupational and speech therapy. For information, call:
  • VNS
    41-61 Kissena Blvd.
    Flushing 11355
    (718) 463-9112
  • When you are accepted into the program, VNS Home Care and the Department of Social Services will work with you to determine which services you will need to remain at home safely. These services may include:
    • Professional nursing services
    • Home health aide services
    • Personal care or housekeeping services
    • Physical, occupational and respiratory therapy
    • Speech therapy and audiology
    • Medical social services
    • Nutritional services
    • Laboratory services
    • Medical supplies, equipment and appliances
    • Waived services, such as social day care, social transportation, respite care, home improvement and home maintenance tasks
    • Emergency Alert Response System

NURSING HOME WITHOUT WALLS

  • This program provides health care at home to chronically ill or disabled older adults who might otherwise have to enter a nursing home or health-related facility.
    Each patient receives a specialized coordinated plan of care approved by a doctor. Contact the following agencies:
  • Lombardi Program
    41-61 Kissena Blvd.
    Flushing 11355
    463-9697 or 212-290-3800
  • Parker Jewish Geriatric Institute
    Long-Term Home Health Care Program
    5 Dakota Dr. – Suite 104
    Lake Success 11042
    516-298-2800
  • SENIOR EMERGENCY SERVICES
    This program is for ambulatory persons who are discharged from hospitals on weekends and have no one at home to care for them. They may be eligible for a one-time service of five hours of home care.
    The American Red Cross will arrange for an escort, transportation, temporary housing and a home care worker to do light shopping, housekeeping and meal preparation.
    Referrals must originate from the hospital, police or social service agencies.
    For additional information, contact:
  • Emergency Senior Services
    American Red Cross in Greater NY
    150 Amsterdam Ave.
    New York 10023
    212-787-1000 Ext. 8141
  • VA Extended Care Center
    179th Street and Linden Boulevard
    St. Albans 11425
    526-1000 Ext. 200
  • HOME DELIVERED MEALS
    Home delivered meals are available, in many communities, to help frail, older homebound persons remain in their own homes.

    Through this program, homebound elderly residents age 60 and over are delivered a nutritious hot lunch up to five (in some communities six) days a week. Some programs offer kosher lunches. Also, trained social workers may be available to the recipients for assistance in a crisis, to make linkages with other needed services and to assist in the completion of forms for other benefits and entitlements. A small contribution is generally requested.
    For more information and to apply for home delivered meals, call the NYC Department for the Aging at (212) 442-1000
  • GOOD NEIGHBORS TO SENIORS
    This program provides volunteers to visit with homebound older adults on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Companionship for isolated elderly is the main purpose of Good Neighbors to Seniors. For more information, contact:
    American Red Cross in Greater New York
    (212) 787-1000
  • HEALTH CARE MEDICARE
    Medicare is a health insurance program for persons 65 years of age and older and those under 65 who are disabled. It is a national program run by the federal government. Medicare has two parts: hospital insurance and medical insurance. It covers treatment of illnesses and the cost of most necessary hospital stays.
    If you are approaching 65, remember enrollment periods for Medicare are:
  • Three months before your 65th birthday; and between January 1 and March 31 of each year.
  • These are the only times you will be able to apply for the program. Bring your birth certificate and Social Security card when applying. Call 1-800-772-1213 toll free or visit your local Social Security office:
  • 28-18 Steinway St., Astoria
    77-14 Roosevelt Ave., Jackson Heights
    150-10 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica
    617 Beach 20St. Far Rockaway
    42-15 Crescent St, LIC

MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES DEFENSE FUND

  • Medicare Beneficiaries Defense Fund (MBDF) is a not-for-profit organization that promotes and protects the rights of Medicare patients to quality, affordable health care coverage.
    MBDF provides self-help educational materials, informational seminars, free counseling, advocacy and public education to seniors and people with disabilities statewide.
    For assistance or information regarding Medicare, call:
    (212) 869-3850

MEDICAID

  • Medicaid is a government program for financially needy persons. It covers doctors’ services, as well as providing for payment of prescribed medicines and other medical supplies.
    Contact the Department of Social Services for additional information at (718) 657-8300
    –Compiled from the free
    Senior Citizen Resource Guide from the Queens Borough President's Office.