Community Support Services
Over time, all families face decisions about the safety and comfort of their elderly loved ones. Most older people want to stay in their homes as long as possible and their families want to help them stay independent. There is a wide array of community services that can support "aging in place" and provide advice if being at home is no longer possible. This guide provides links to help you get started.
Area Aging Agencies provide general Information about locating and financing services to help people in their homes (home-delivered meals, case management, chore services, respite):
Insurance coverage for health care and prescription drugs
- Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance
- Center for Medicare and Medicaid
- The Medicare Rights Organization
Other Financial Benefits for living expenses and home health care
Eldercare and Care Management Referral Services
Services for Frail Seniors
Adult Day Care (Medical Model)
Adult Day Care is a structured program featuring meals, health services, activities, socialization, and personal care for elderly individuals. Medical Adult Day programs can also supervise medication and provide some nursing and therapy. Some programs have flexible hours and respite services 7 days a week. Medicaid or private funds will pay for Medical Model Adult Day Care.
- The Adult Day Care Program at Orzac
- Cold Spring Hills
- Long Island Alzheimer's Foundation Directory: Medical Model (PDF format)
Adult Day Care (Social Model)
The social model of adult day care emphasizes supervised group activities such as crafts, gardening, music, and exercise. Participants in this model may require some assistance with the activities of daily living (e.g., eating, bathing, dressing) but they generally do not require skilled nursing care. Like medical adult day health care facilities, these social programs generally provide transportation and a midday meal for participants, as well as caregiver support groups, information and referral services, and community outreach programs.
There are many resources for locating social adult day programs:
- Long Island Alzheimer's Foundation Directory: Social Model (PDF format)
- Nassau County Department of Senior Citizen’s Affairs
- Suffolk County Department of the Aging
- New York City Department for the Aging
NORC (Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities) Support Programs
North Shore-LIJ Health System is the health partner for four NORC support programs in Nassau and Queens. These partnerships help elderly residents "age in place" in the houses that they love. The geographic boundaries for these programs are determined by New York State and New York City funding.
Deepdale CARES
57-17 Marathon Parkway
Little Neck, NY 11362
718-225-3929
NORC WOW
83-51 268 Street
Floral Park, NY 11004
718-347-2244
Project Independence Clinton G. Martin Park
1601 Marcus Avenue
New Hyde Park, NY 11040
516-869-7793
Plainview/Old Bethpage Mid-Island Y
45 Manetto Hill Road
Plainview, NY11803
516-822-3535, Ext. 335 or 345
Information about housing options and assisted living:
Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia
Services in other parts of the United States
Caregiver Services
Caregiver Resource Center for information and referral
Well Spouse Foundation
A national network of spouses or chronically ill or disabled that offers emotional supporting groups that meet in Queens and Nassau County and offers opportunities to network and advocate for caregiver programs.
Resources for Foreign-Born Seniors
- Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund: 212-966-5932
- CARECEN, Central American Refugee Center: 631-273-8721
- Catholic Charities: 516-733-7000
- Haitian American Family of Long Island: 516-792-1104
- Hispanic Brotherhood: 516-766-6610
- Korean American Senior Citizens Society of Greater New York: 718-461-3545
- Long Island Gujarati Cultural Society: 631-289-4340
- Long Island Immigration Alliance: 631-789-0720
- National Indo-American Association for Senior Citizens: 631-698-0512
- New York Immigration Coalition: 212-627-2227
- Pronto: 631-231-8290
Transportation Services
Transportation is a big problem for many people and there is no ideal situation.
Medicaid does fund and provide taxi / ambulette transport.If eligible, contact: (516) 433-1660.
Private pay ambulette services are available, if necessary. However, there are some non-medical resources that might help. You must call ahead to make appointments.
