New York City Department of Aging
The mission of the Department for the Aging (DFTA) is “to work for the empowerment, independence, dignity and quality of life of New York City’s diverse older adults and for the support of their families through advocacy, education and the coordination and delivery of services.”
The Caregiver Connection
The New York City Department for the Aging is a Premier agency in New York that connects seniors and their families to various services that can improve the quality of life for all involved. What is the caregiver connection? New York City Department for the Aging helps caregivers get resources for them to stay healthy and for their parents, spouses and friends to get services to improve their lives.
Are You a Caregiver?
Perhaps you are doing things for your parent or spouse that they used to do themselves – like regularly running errands? paying bills? picking up medications? driving them to the doctor? arranging home care? preparing their meals? helping them dress? If you’re spending more and more of your time and your physical and emotional energy seeing to the well-being of a person you care about, you’re a caregiver.
If you have primary responsibility for your grandchild or another young relative and are dealing with everything from behavior issues to school, medical appointments and legal and financial issues, you’re a caregiver.
You may not think of yourself as a caregiver because in your view you’re not doing anything out of the ordinary – It’s only natural for family members to take care of each other.
But caregiving can be very stressful. It can affect your quality of life and even your health. It’s important to get the services and supports you need to help you cope.
Caregiver programs in every borough can assist you with:
- Information about available services.
- Assistance in accessing entitlements and benefits.
- Individual counseling, support groups and workshops on topics of interest to caregivers.
- Respite or temporary relief on a limited basis. Respite can include in-home care, adult day service or overnights in a nursing home.
- Supplemental services. These complement the care provided by caregivers and can include assistive devices, personal emergency response systems, health equipment or supplies and transportation.
These programs don’t replace what you do; they help you be a better caregiver.
Find a Caregiver Program in your borough
NYC Caregiver
One of the best sources of information for caregivers in New York City is NYC Caregiver. NYC Caregiver offers a wealth of information, resources and links for caregivers and grandparent caregivers. Topics range from caring for yourself to dealing with legal and financial issues.
Other New York City Resources for Caregivers
DFTA’s Alzheimer’s and Caregiver Resource Center provides free counseling and assistance to New Yorkers caring for persons with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
DFTA’s Grandparent Resource Center is a resource for grandparents or other elders raising younger relatives.
Net of Care is Beth Israel Hospital’s source of information and resources for New York City caregivers.
Next Step in Care of the United Hospital Fund offers easy-to-read guides to working with health care providers.
Willing Hearts Helpful Hands of the Parker Jewish Institute offers free respite to family caregivers in Queens and Western Nassau Counties. Trained volunteers help ease the caregiving burden.
Caregivers Connections provides weekly support groups, workshops and health-related classes over the phone for caregivers through conference call technology.
National Resources
The Eldercare Locator is a nationwide directory assistance service for caregivers. If you’re worried about older relatives living in another city or state, the Locator will provide you with names and phone numbers of local organizations that offer the services they need. Call Eldercare Locator at toll-free 1-800-677-1116.
The National Family Caregiver Alliance offers information, advice, fact sheets and publications. A Family Care Navigator locates services anywhere in the United States.
The National Alliance for Caregiving supports caregivers with booklets, tip sheets, webcasts and other materials.