Information for Older Adults and their Caregivers

Thank you for visiting Brooklyn Public Library's Services for Older Adults resource links. We are always updating the content and information on our webpage, and welcome inclusion of new websites as well as feedback. Email us at seniors@bklynlibrary.org

Click on a category below to jump to resource links related to that topic:

Caregivers
City Services
Creativity
 
Caregivers

Caregiving.com
Community blog forum on all aspects of care giving.

MySeniorCare
MySeniorCare’s mission is to support families and their aging loved ones during a highly stressful time as they search for information, resources and providers of senior care. They provide families with a wide range of support and credible information: 500+ articles reviewed by industry experts serving on our advisory board, a member community featuring message boards, user and expert authored blogs and a question and answer section called 'Ask the Experts'.

Everyday information and tips on how to keep you or your loved one healthy as well as a resource to help you find the services that fit your needs.
City Services

Citymeals-on-Wheels
Citymeals-on-Wheels hand-delivers meals to homebound elderly New Yorkers on weekends, weekdays, holidays, and times of emergency.

NYC Department for the Aging
New York City's Department for the Aging provides many services for older adults including programs, job training, information on benefits and resources, and caregiver support.

Food Bank for New York City
Food, support, services and education for home-bound New Yorkers.  Especially helpful is the food bank locator just choose SENIOR and your location if you need emergency food resources.

This initiative seeks to make New York City a better place to grow old by promoting an "age-in-everything" lens across all aspects of city life.
 
APS is a state-mandated program that helps New Yorks (18+) regardless of income who are the following: mentally and/or physically impaired; due to impairments, unable to manage their own resources or carry out everyday tasks, and do not have anyone available or willing to help assist them.  To make a referral or get in contact, call 212.630.1853 or 311.
Creativity

Alzheimer's Poetry Project
The mission of the Alzheimer's Poetry Project is to facilitate the creativity of people living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia.

Brooklyn Museum
The Brooklyn Museum offers creative and educational programs for people with disabilities, including people with dementia and people who are blind or have low vision. Brooklyn Afternoons: Art and Conversation for Individuals with Memory Loss, and Sensory Tours: Art and Conversation for Individuals Who are Blind or Have Low Vision, are held monthly.  Call 718.501.622 for more information and to preregister or email information@brooklynmuseum.org.  The Brooklyn Museum also offers discounted guided tours for seniors and those with disabilities.

Elders Share the Arts
Elders Share the Arts (ESTA) affirms the creative potential of older adults and upholds their time-honored role as bearers of history and culture by using the power of the arts to transmit their stories and life experiences for the benefit of all generations.

Lifetime Arts
LIFETIME ARTS is a tax exempt, 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization that exists at the intersection of aging and the arts. Lifetime Arts serves organizations and individuals in both fields by promoting the creation, expansion and sustainability of professionally conducted arts programs for older adults.

Educational Opportunities
Kingsborough Community College My Turn Program for Seniors
Free college classes, including computer classes, for NYC seniors. "My Turn “is the name of a tuition-free college education program offered at Kingsborough Community College. The program is open to New York State residents who are 60 years of age or older.
 
Senior Service America
Senior Service America is a non-profit organization that helps provide training, digital inclusion programs and employment opportunities to older adults who work to fill community needs. Senior Service America, offers programs that serve everyone who needs them and qualifies for them, regardless of race, creed, gender, national origin, sexual orientation or geographic location.
 
This program is for adults of retirement age who can take as many courses in literature, history, health, film and more — with no exams or homework. Workshops also include painting, foreign languages, memoir writing, drama, music, or poetry. There is an annual fee of $85 and, a few classes may have additional expenses.
 
Institute of Retired Professionals is a program enriched through exchange with other members of diverse backgrounds and interests. In order to get into this program, Candidates for membership in the IRP must attend an information session, submit an application (provided at the session), and participate in an interview. The IRP membership fee is $1015 for the 2016–2017 academic year or $660 for a single semester. This fee entitles the student to register for up to three IRP study groups per semester.

 

Grandparent Services

Brooklyn Public Library: Resources for Parents and Grandparents
Brooklyn Public Library offers the parents and grandparents caregivers of babies, kids and teens a wide array of resources and services, both in our libraries and on the web.

Brooklyn Public Library: Child's Place for Children With Special Needs
At Brooklyn Public Library, there's a place where all children can relax, play and have fun. We provide unique programs for children with and without disabilities from birth to age 12.

NYC Department for the Aging: Grandparent Resource Center
If you’re a grandparent taking care of your grandchildren, the Department for the Aging’s Grandparent Resource Center (GRC) can help you with information, peer counseling, referral to community services and support groups specifically for seniors in your situation.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
The official United States government website discussing issues and offering programs for grandparents raising grandchildren as well as childcare options.

NAC is a New York State non-for-profit health and child welfare agency with information on caregiver trainings and support groups, individual and family support services, case coordination and management, information, referrals, and advocacy; crisis intervention, and family activities.  Meant for helping children with disabilities and mental illness.
Health

Alzheimer’s Association
Alzheimer’s Association website has information for seniors, caregivers, families and professionals.

BenefitsCheckUp.org
BenefitsCheckUp helps thousands every day to find programs for people ages 55 and over that may pay for some of their costs of prescription drugs, health care, utilities, and other essential items or services.  Run through the Center for Disabled, NY.

CSS provides an Aging with HIV program that provides social workers, psychiatrists, gynecologists, and nutritionists for support on site.  Call to set up an appointment at either their New York-Presbyterian Hospital location (212.746.4180) or their location at the Judith-Peabody Wellness Center (212.746.7200).

Medicaid
Medicaid is health insurance that helps many people who can't afford medical care pay for some or all of their medical bills. A state administered program, each state sets its own guidelines regarding eligibility and services.

Medicare
The Official U.S. Government Site for People with Medicare.

National Association for Home Care and Hospice
NAHC is the nation's largest trade association representing the interests and concerns of home care agencies, hospices, home care aide organizations, and medical equipment suppliers.

National Cancer Institute
The National Cancer Institute coordinates the National Cancer Program, which conducts and supports research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs with respect to the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer, rehabilitation from cancer, and the continuing care of cancer patients and the families of cancer patients.

National Institute on Aging
NIA, one of the 27 Institutes and Centers of the National Institutes of Health, leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life

Call for help, questions about medicine safety and interactions- all calls are free and confidential.  Save 212.764.7667 to your contacts in case of emergencies.
 
QuitDay.org, is an organization which helps the elderly improve their health through quit smoking initiatives and provides resources for help quitting smoking habits. Quit Day can help smokers make decisions on quitting based on facts, and from the experience of their community of thousands of former smokers.
Housing

Consumer Information Guide: Assisted Living Residence

NY ALFA: Assisted Living's Voice in NY

Housing Resources for Seniors: New York

NYC Department for the Aging Housing Resources

NYC Department for the Aging NORC Programs
Learn about Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORC).

Senior Services or the Elderly Safe at Home Program provdies support to 62+ seniors by helping them access public benefits, advocate with service providers, maintain the health and well-being of residents through home visits and telephone check-ups, and form partnerships with community-based organizations and law enforcement.

Individuals with Alzheimer's and Dementia

Consumer Information Guide: Assisted Living Residence

Alzheimer’s Association website has information for seniors, caregivers, families and professionals.

alzheimers.net
Alzheimers.net is a supportive community for caregivers, families and professional

Information about choosing care facilities or providing home care for adults with Alzheimers.
 
Tips and guidelines to help Understand the Basics of Legal Planning.
LGBT Older Adults

Brooklyn Community Pride Center
The Brooklyn Community Pride Center's ElderPRIDE aims to address issues of isolation and companionship within the senior population by engaging them in dialogue about culturally relevant topics, with the eventual goal of opening up a broader dialogue about inclusiveness.  There is a group that meets every Monday as well as contact information for other programs.

SAGE USA (Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Elders)
Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) is the country's largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) older adults.

Money and Legal Issues

AARP Tax Aide Program
Free tax counseling program for low and middle income taxpayers over the age of 60.

Better Business Bureau
The mission of the BBB is to promote and foster the highest ethical relationship between businesses and the public through voluntary self-regulation, consumer and business education, and service excellence.

Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports® and ConsumerReports.org® are published by Consumers Union, an expert, independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to work for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves.

Resource for estate and will planning for New York artists, created by Columbia Law School's Lawyering in the Digital Age Clinic, the Research Center for Arts and Culture at the National Center for Creative Aging, City University of New York Elder Law Clinic and Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts.  This was resource was created to prevent artists from having their work misappropriated or misallocated.
 
Brooklyn Public Library's introduction to Social Security with links to additional learning resources.

Social Security Administration
Calculate your benefits, look up retirement ages, apply for widow benefits and more at the SSA site.

Go Direct / Direct Express
Calculate your benefits, look up retirement ages, apply for widow benefits and more at the SSA site.

Services and Information for People with Disabilities and Visual Impairments

Many other public libraries across the country provide similar services for the homebound people in their communities.

New York Public Library Books by Mail 917-ASK-NYPL (917-275-6975) or TTY 212-930-0950.
Queens Library Mail-A-Book Service 718-464-0084
Homebound Services in Westchester County

Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library
Provides materials and resources for people with visual impairments and other disabilities related to reading.  If eligible, there is a downloadable book service or books by mail service that will provide talking books.  See if you are eligible and download an application here.  There also programs open to the public for those with disabilities, including a Braille study group.

Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities

VISIONS
Visions provides FREE individualized services for the blind in whatever language you need, including vision rehabilitation services, employment and technology services, and caregiver and intergenerational programs to support blind seniors and their families. 

National Center on Health, Physical Activitiy, and Disability: Blog Endless CapABILITIES
This blog is committed to being an open forum where all things relating to disability and/or physical activity can be discussed honestly amongst our readers. We are dedicated to bringing you the most up to date news, facts, videos, opinions and personal stories in an effort to motivate and increase awareness.

Technology

Accessibility - Apple Support
Learn about accessibility for Apple products.

Assistive Technology
Lists the types of assistive technology available.

GCF Learn Free
Free tutorials and videos to learn how to use technologies, such as the internet, e-mail, social media and Microsoft Office software. Also provides guides for reading, math, grammar and career support.

Learn Google Apps
Tutorials and information about free Google products, including gmail, Google Calendar, Google Translate and Google Drive.

Volunteer/Work Opportunities

Brooklyn Public Library Volunteer Services

Changing Lives….Building Communities Work Opportunities

SCSEP is the largest federally-funded program for older adults who seek employment and training assistance, as well as civic engagement. Through this transitional employment program, Easter Seals partners with community-based non-profit organizations and government agencies (host agencies) to provide participants with training opportunities to update their skills.
 
If you’re over the age of 55 and meet income eligibility requirements (low to moderate income), you can access training and job placement assistance while you earn a wage through the federal government’s Senior Community Services Employment Program (Title V). 

Mayor’s Volunteer Center of New York City

ReServe
Reserve is an innovative nonprofit that matches continuing professionals age 55+ (ReServists) with organizations that need their expertise.
Veteran Resources

Consumer Information Guide: Assisted Living Residence

SAGE Vets
SAGE Vets is a division of SAGE that helps lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender older adults access their VA benefits and provide guidance.  SAGE Vets serves LGBT military veterans in the New York area who are over 50.  To learn more or schedule an appointment call 212.741.2247 x501 and ask for the SAGE Vets coordinator.
 
Provides rehabilitation services for veterans in state-of-the-art facilities.
 
Senior Veterans Service Alliance is a not for profit corporation that supports veteran members and sponsors eldercare related businesses
NEW: Other Resources (these are for-profit companies, and Brooklyn Public Library does not necessarily recommend them)

Senior Advisor 
Help finding assisted living and nursing homes.

Caring.com is a senior care resource for family caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones.
 
Provides a list of resources that you may find helpful whether you are a senior or a caregiver.  Also gives access to resources that give information on helping seniors with everyday tasks, or picking up on warning signs while caring for the elderly.


If you have questions or suggestions for this listing, please email seniors@bklynlibrary.org. Last edited August 2, 2016.