New York City Department for the Aging
Central Information & Referral
280 Broadway, Room 210
New York, NY 10007
311 or 212-442-1000
On the Web at www.nyc.gov/html/dfta
New York City Department for the Aging is the coordinating and planning agency that monitors and develops programs and services for the elderly.
Senior Citizen Centers serve persons 60 years and over by providing nutritious meals and a wide range of social, recreational, educational, counseling and other support services. Call the department or go online for more information and the location of the center in your neighborhood.
The department provides information and makes referrals regarding needed services such as:
* Home Care
* Screening for Medicaid, Food Stamps
* Employment Information
* Golden Park Passes
* Home Delivered Meals
* Home Energy Assistance Program
* Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption
New York State Office for the Aging
On the Web at aging.state.ny.us
Toll-free hot line to aid senior citizens with problems, information and referrals.
800-342-9871
MEDICARE
On the Web at www.medicare.gov
Medicare is a health insurance program for person 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:
1. Three months before your 65th birthday; and
2. Between Jan. 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, NY 11103
20-11 Mott Ave., Far Rockaway, NY 11691
136-65 37th Ave., Flushing, NY 11354
77-14 Roosevelt Ave., Jackson Heights, NY 11372
90-25 161st St., Jamaica, NY 11432
24-16 Bridge Plaza South, Long Island City, NY 11101
MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES DEFENSE FUND
Medicare Beneficiaries Defense Fund 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
On the Web at www.cms.hhs.gov/medicaid
Medicaid is a government program for financially needy persons. It covers doctors' services, as well as provides for payment of prescribed medicines and other medical supplies. Contact the Department of Social Services for additional information:
HRA INFO-LINE
This provides information about many New York City government social services including: eviction prevention, child care, Medicaid, services for People With AIDS (PWA), utility shutoffs, homeless shelters, family problems, etc.
Contact: 311
TEL-MED
This is a free telephone health library for the public which offers tapes of medical and health topics that have been approved by Lenox Hill Hospital physicians. After selection of the topic and title by the number listed in their brochure, dial 1-212-434-2000 and ask the Tel-Med operator for the title and number of the tape. The prerecorded program, which runs from three to five minutes, will be played for you over the telephone. The TEL-MED service is available 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. There are some 250 topics available. For further information and a brochure listing the topics call 212-434-2000.
ELDERLY PHARMACEUTICAL INSURANCE COVERAGE PROGRAM
On the Web at www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/epic/faq.htm
EPIC is a prescription drug insurance plan for the elderly sponsored by New York state. This program is intended for seniors who do not have adequate insurance coverage for prescription drug expenses. To qualify, you must be a New York state resident, 65 years of age and older, and you must meet the program's income guidelines. If eligible, you could save as much as 60 percent on the cost of prescription drugs. To obtain more information and an application, please call the New York State Toll Free Hot line at 800-332-3742.
QUEENSBRIDGE HEALTH MAINTENANCE SERVICE FOR THE ELDERLY
Health services are offered completely without charge to the elderly patient. It serves all persons who are 62 years of age or older. Services are free; patients are billed if referred to a hospital for further services. For information, contact:
New York Hospital Queens
On the Web at www.nyhq.org
Subspecialty clinics include Dialysis and Arthritis
56-45 Main St. (at Booth Memorial Avenue)
Flushing, NY 11355
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
718-670-1231
Margaret Tietz Center for Nursing Care
On the Web at www.mtcnc.org
164-11 Chapin Parkway
Jamaica, NY 11432
718-298-7800
Charles Drew Health Center
166-10 Archer Ave.
Jamaica, NY 11433
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday until 8 p.m.
718-883-6500
New York Flushing Hospital
Geriatrics Division, Dept. of Medicine Health Maintenance Clinic for the Elderly 60 Years and Older
45-00 Parsons Blvd.
Flushing, NY 11355
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
718-670-5358
Home Health Care Services: 718-670-5000
Jamaica Hospital
On the Web at www.jamaicahospital.org
Geriatric Clinic Hours: Saturday, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Geriatric Care 60 years and older; transportation available
8900 Van Wyck Expressway
Jamaica, NY 11418
718-206-6000
Mary Immaculate Hospital
On the Web at www.svcmc.org/maryimmaculate
Monsignor Fitzpatrick Pavilion
152-11 89th Ave.
Jamaica, NY 11432
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
718-558-2000
St. John's Queens Hospital
General Medical Clinic, Arthritis Clinic
90-02 Queens Blvd.
Elmhurst, NY 11373
718-558-1000
Elmhurst Hospital
On the Web at www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/hhc/html/facilities/elmhurst.shtml
79-01 Broadway
Elmhurst, NY 11373
Hours: Monday and Wednesday, 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.; Tuesday and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
718-334-4000
Medical Clinic, Psychiatric Clinic: 718-334-2715
Federation of Employment Guidance Services and Mental Health Clinic (FEGS)
97-45 Queens Blvd.
Rego Park, NY 11374
Hours: Monday to Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
718-896-9090
COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES
Sometimes family members who are caring for a frail or disabled person would like a chance to get away for several hours or days. This relief from their care-giving responsibilities can be arranged through respite services. A trained volunteer or paid worker can stay with the frail person overnight, up to a maximum of several weeks. Respite care also provides support groups, counseling, and training for family members. Some respite programs also offer a Respite Center to which a frail person can move for a while. Sometimes this enables caregivers to take a vacation or a trip.
Two respite options are available to some Queens residents:
RBSCC, Inc. Respite Care Program
59-04 Decatur St.
Ridgewood, NY 11385
718-366-5591
Parker Jewish Geriatric Institute
271-11 76th Ave.
New Hyde Park, NY 11040
718-289-2100
IN-HOME SUPPORT SERVICES
Home care services are designed to delay or prevent institutionalization and provide the extra help the frail elderly need to remain in their own homes and communities. The following services may be available in your community:
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, shopping, etc.), as well as some personal care and home management. Homemaker services can be provided up to 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
HOUSEKEEPER/CHORE SERVICES
Housekeeping is a part-time service (up to 12 hours per week for adults) generally provided to elderly or handicapped individuals who are medically in need of this service and are unable to perform basic household tasks. Recipients of this service must be able to direct and supervise the housekeeper assigned to them. Adults eligible for the service include those receiving Public Assistance, SSI and Medicaid. Contact your local Community Alternative Systems Agency II (CASA II).
For persons residing in Community Boards 1 through 7 and 11:
33-28 Northern Blvd., 6th Floor
Long Island City, NY 11101
For persons residing in Community Boards 8, 9, 10, 12, 13 and 14:
92-31 Union Hall St., 2nd Floor
Jamaica, NY 11433
718-262-3450
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. 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 VNS
41-61 Kissena Blvd.
Flushing, NY 11355
311
VETERANS ADMINISTRATION EXTENDED CARE CENTER
This facility provides inpatient skilled nursing home care, inpatient intermediate care services and a geriatric evaluation unit. Outpatient medical care is provided by a scheduled primary care clinic. Walk-in patients are evaluated with acute problems being treated and non-acute problems scheduled into a clinic. The facility also offers an Adult Day Health Care program.
Services available for those veterans who have been honorably discharged from military service. To expedite processing, you need your DD214 discharge papers.
VA Extended Care Center
179th St. & Linden Blvd.
St. Albans, NY 11425
718-526-1000
IN-HOME ELECTRONIC MONITORING DEVICES
A person with a home emergency response system simply presses a wireless button in time of trouble. When this button is pressed, a signal is received by trained personnel at a central unit.
The trained personnel, who already have the person's name, address, telephone number and other important information, will contact responders who can go to the home and see what the problem is. The responders are usually friends, neighbors or family who live close by and who have keys to the person's home. Fees for this service range from $4 to $32.50 monthly.
SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS SERVING OLDER PERSONS IN QUEENS
Flushing House
United Lifeline
38-20 Bowne St.
Flushing, NY 11354
718-762-3198
Jamaica Service Program for Older Adults (JSPOA)
Lifeline Alert
162-04 Jamaica Ave.
Jamaica, NY 11432
718-657-6500
Queens Jewish Community Council
Lifeline Support Program
119-45 Union Turnpike
Forest Hills, NY 11375
718-544-9033
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 (and 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 Department for the Aging at 311 or 212-442-1000.
NURSING HOMES
The type of facility selected depends upon the level of care needed. For information and help on finding a facility, contact:
NYC Department for the Aging
280 Broadway
New York, NY 10007
311 or 212-442-1000
Friends and Relatives of Institutionalized Aged (FRIA)
John Street – Suite 601
New York, NY 10038
212-732-4455
TO COMPLAIN ABOUT CARE
NYS Office for the Aging
NYS Ombudsman Program: 800-342-9871
New York Foundation for Senior Citizens
New York City Long Term Care Ombuds program
150 Nassau Street, Suite 2019
New York, NY 10038
212-962-2720
Department of Health
Patient Care Investigation Unit
5 Penn Plaza, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10001
1-866-893-6772
SOCIAL SECURITY
Social Security is a federally administered pension plan for retired and disabled persons and their families. If you have contributed to the Social Security Trust Fund and you think you may qualify, contact your nearest Social Security Office.
28-18 Steinway St., Astoria, NY 11103
20-11 Mott Ave., Far Rockaway, NY 11691
136-65 37th Ave., Flushing, NY 11354
77-14 Roosevelt Ave., Jackson Heights, NY 11372
90-25 161st St., Jamaica, NY 11432
24-16 Bridge Plaza South, Long Island City, NY 11101
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME
SSI is a federally administered program of cash assistance for the aged, the blind, and the disabled of any age with limited income or resources.SSI is not the same as Social Security. Even if you now receive Social Security, you may also be eligible for Supplemental Security Income.If you think you may qualify for SSI, you should contact your nearest Social Security Office or call Teleservice.
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FOR ADULTS
This program provides cash assistance, such as money for rent, food or moving expenses, in emergencies, such as fire, flood, burglary, illness or other catastrophes which endanger the health, safety and well-being of older adults.
Contact DSS Office of Income Maintenance at 311.
Center 53 – Aid to Dependent Children
32-20 Northern Blvd.
Long Island City, NY 11101
Center 51
33-28 Northern Blvd.
Long Island City, NY 11101
Jamaica Center
90-75 Sutphin Blvd.
Jamaica, NY 11435
Rockaway Center
219 Beach 59th St.
Arverne, NY 11692
FOOD STAMPS
Food stamps allow persons with limited income to receive coupons to purchase food. To find out if you are eligible to receive food stamps, call 311:
BURIAL INFORMATION
If a senior citizen dies, leaving no money, family or friends to pay for burial, contact:
Queens County Morgue: 718-883-3865
Queens Public Administrator: 718-526-5037
Queens County Medical Examiner: 718-883-3871
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
52 Duane St.
New York, NY 10007
311
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
90 Church St., Room 1501
New York, NY
311
EDUCATION
A number of colleges and universities in Queens offer discounts on tuition or registration to older adults. For further information, contact the college of your choice:
City University of New York
On the Web at www.cuny.edu
If you are 65 years or older and a New York City resident, you may enroll in all college courses for a $25 per semester registration fee on a space available basis. Center for Unlimited Enrichment, Inc. (CUE) provides educational, cultural and social experiences for older adults. There are no prerequisites, no tests, no pressures, no course credits, just opportunities to learn for the pure joy of it!
Queens College ACE Program
On the Web at www.qc.edu
The Adult Collegiate Education (ACE) Program offers older adults an opportunity to earn an undergraduate degree, using credits given for life experience towards degree requirements. For further information, contact:
Queens College, ACE Program at 718-997-5717
York College
On the Web at www.york.cuny.edu
York College offers a course within its Psychology Department called Human Development II. Students will learn how specific government policies and laws affect senior citizens, especially issues relating to housing, Medicare, Social Security, wills and estates.
St. John's University
On the Web at new.stjohns.edu
St. John's allows senior citizens 62 years of age or older to enroll in any undergraduate course, excluding art and computers, on a space available basis during the fall, spring and summer semesters for a flat $25 fee. Senior may also register for noncredit courses in the St. John's School of Continuing Education at full fee. St. John's University: 718-990-6161.
New York City Board of Education
On the Web at www.nycenet.edu
The Board of Education offers courses through a continuing education program. There is a $25 fee for most eight-week courses.
Queens Adult Learning Center (QALC)
42-15 Crescent Street, 7th floor, Long Island City, NY 11101
718-361-9480
Jamaica Chamber of Commerce Bldg
89-31 161st St., Suite 508, Jamaica, NY 11432
718-658-2626
