Sen. Krueger's Virtual Roundtable for Boomers and Seniors Session VI - “Aging Alone Together”

Senator Liz Krueger’s 2022 Virtual Roundtable for Boomers and Seniors

“Aging in Place: Living Well in the Community”

Session VI: “Aging Alone Together”

Thursday, March 31st from 10 am – 11:30 am

The majority of older people want to age in place, which is possible with the right support and planning. This multi-part roundtable series will bring together experts and thought leaders to help us understand some of the vital components needed to age well in the community. Planning for the future can feel overwhelming, particularly as a solo ager. It’s important to understand that it’s never too early or too late to start.

The March 31st Roundtable presentation will provide an overview of the major issues facing solo agers, and offer some tools and strategies to help you. For example, what would you need to plan for if you had to leave home unexpectedly? Who would need to know? How will bills be paid? What would you put in your go bag?

The March 31st Roundtable will feature:

- Wendl Kornfeld, Developer, Community as Family Program

- Claire Solomon Nisen, LMSW, MPH, Manager, Lasting Impressions, DOROT

 

IMPORTANT LINKS:

--COVID

The link to the new COVID-19 Alert System: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-alert-levels.page

The link to information on NYC COVID-19 Alert Levels and Recommended Actions: https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/covid/covid-19-alert-levels-definitions-actions.pdf

Check the transmission level in your neighborhood: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-data.page#transmission

You can find NYC Health + Hospital testing sites at: https://www.nychealthandhospitals.org/test-and-trace/testing/

To access information about COVID call 212-268-4319

 

--Senator Krueger’s Senior Resource Guide

https://www.nysenate.gov/sites/default/files/article/attachment/2021-2022_senior_resource_guide.pdf

Email to request a copy at lkrueger@nysenate.gov

Call to request a copy 212-490-9535

 

--DOROT

www.dorotusa.org

 212-769-2850

 

--Address Loneliness

GetSetUp has hundreds of community-based groups to choose from; if you belong to a house of worship, ask what kind of services that might have you could benefit from: https://getsetup.io/

Pick a group from MeetUP: https://www.meetup.com/

 

Call Aging Connect to ask about the Friendly Visiting Program: 212-244-6469

 

--Bill Paying

The New York City Department of Aging can help people earning under $60k with a free bill paying service: Ageing Connect, 212-244-6469

There is a national organization for bill paying called Silver Bills https://silverbills.com/help-center/

 

--Geriatric Care Managers

What is a geriatric care manager? https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-geriatric-care-manager

National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers: https://www.aginglifecare.org/

You can find a list of Geriatric Care Managers in your area using Aging Lifecare Professionals’ national website: https://www.aginglifecare.org/

 

--How to Research Senior Living Communities

200+ Senior Living Communities in NYC: https://www.seniorhousingnet.com/seniorliving-search/new-york_ny

 

--Housing Ambassador Organizations

NYC Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) partners with community-based service providers in New York City who help people prepare and apply for Housing Connect affordable housing lotteries. Housing Ambassadors can provide information and assistance with the application process.

GOLES: https://www.goles.org/eviction-prevention-housing-rights, 212-358-1231

Nazareth: https://nazarethhousingnyc.org/help/, 212-777-1010

 

--Legal Resources

Contact the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys for list of people in your area https://www.naela.org/  But the best way is to ask everyone you know for referrals, ask them why they like that attorney, how they were helped, etc.

 

--Escort Services

The escort requirement protects the healthcare facility as well as yourself. If you are a woman over 50, The Transition Network has groups called Caring Collaborative. These groups are people in your neighborhood who are dedicated to helping one another for things just like this: https://ttnwomen.org/

 

DOROT’s Door to Door Program:

This program is available to older adults who live on Manhattan’s East Side from 59th-96th Streets, and on the West Side from 59th-125th Streets. However, Travel Companions are able to accompany DOROT elders anywhere in Manhattan. Appointments must be booked a few weeks in advance. They are available Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Participating seniors choose and pay for the transportation of their choice.

For more information, call (212) 769-2850 or email at the link below.

https://www.dorotusa.org/our-programs/out-and-about/door-to-door

 

--LGBTQ

Callen-Lorde Directory and Resource Map

https://Transatlas.Callen-Lorde.org/Directory and Resource Map

A digital directory and resource map for people of transgender, non-binary and/or intersex experience living in New York City.

 

The Center

http://gaycenter.org/

New York City’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center empowers people to lead healthy, successful lives. Center programming offers opportunities for social and practical support.

 

LGBTQ+ DOROT Programs              

Join DOROT’s LGBTQ+ community and allies for new and dynamic programs and opportunities to come together to learn, connect and share.

https://www.dorotusa.org/lgbtq-programs  

 

National Resource Center on LGBTQ Aging
https://www.lgbtagingcenter.org/
Offers many resources related to aging. One resource is the 10 tips on finding LGBTQ-affirming services, another is how to find supportive in-home care. This is not a comprehensive list of home care services, but it does give good tips and criteria for finding quality care.

 

SAGE
https://www.sageusa.org
SAGE, Services and Advocacy for LGBT Elders, connects older age adults to LGBT friendly resources, provides education and training, and cares for the community. SAGE has tips on finding LGBTQ-friendly long-term care.

 

SAGE Vets

https://SageVets/index.cfm

SAGEVets is a NYS program to help lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender older adults who are veterans of military service improve their access to the VA and other veteran services, as well as support their overall health and wellness.

 

Selfhelp Safety Net Case Management for the LGBTQ Community         https://www.Selfhelp.net/SafetyNet.php

Safety Net serves seniors and individuals with disabilities living in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan. Services include: advocacy, in-home assessment, legal assistance, citizenship application assistance, financial assistance, referrals for mental health, and other resources. Ask for the social worker designated for the LGBTQ community, at (718) 633-1300.

 

LGBTQ advance care planning

Guide to help members of the LGBTQ community plan for medical procedures. Includes a section on advance care planning.

lgbtagingcenter.org/resources/pdfs/SAGE%20Care%20Planning%20Final%20Interactive.pdf

 

--Volunteering

Article about benefits of Volunteering for older adults; Volunteering_Print_Friendly.pdf (michaelbfriedman.com)

How can I volunteer?

Become a DOROT volunteer! // Intergenerational Volunteer Opportunities

Go to Volunteer Match and put in your zip code and you’ll find a list of opportunities: https://www.volunteermatch.org/

 

--Security

Here is a YouTube guide on Alexa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mSuxMfJZMs

 

--NYC Human Rights Commission

https://www1.nyc.gov/site/cchr/index.page

212-306-7450

Disability Brochure: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/cchr/media/brochures/disability-brochure.page

Disability Fact Sheet: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/cchr/media/disability-rights-factsheet.page

 

-- Sen. Krueger's Roundtable for Boomers and Seniors, Session III - Advanced Planning Documents

https://youtu.be/Re--uUz3pNs

 

--Aging Alone, Together Program

DOROT offers Aging Alone, Together programs on a quarterly basis. Our next program begins on April 13. Space is limited, but we’d be happy for you to join us.

Email lastingimpressions@dorotusa.org to learn more.