RESOURCES
LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS
Here’s a list of major Long Island social service agencies and organizations that provide helpful information and assistance for seniors, caregivers, and their families. Many federal and state programs for people age 60 and older are administered locally through Nassau and Suffolk county offices.
2-1-1 LONG ISLAND
www.211longisland.org
Help Line: Call 2-1-1 or 888-774-7633
2-1-1 Long Island is a free, non-emergency information and referral service that connects Long Island residents to a wide array of health and human services they may need on a daily basis or during a disaster. A partnership between the United Way of Long Island and Middle Country Public Library, 2-1-1 offers a confidential call center where trained specialists help link people to services they need. (Available 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday.)
People also can quickly locate services on the website for seniors and caregivers by clicking “Searches,” then “Senior/Elderly Services” where users can link to a list of specific topics: Senior Centers, Medical Appointments Transportation, Senior Ride Programs, Senior Housing Information and Referrals, Nursing Facilities, Assisted Living Facilities and Long-term Care.
EAC NETWORK
516-539-0150
The EAC Network is a Hempstead-based nonprofit human services agency with dozens of programs throughout Long Island and New York City, ranging from children and youth services to senior and nutrition services. Senior programs include Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly (EISIP). In-home respite services, senior community service centers, Meals on Wheels, and exercise and wellness programs.
FAMILY & CHILDREN’S ASSOCIATION
(Nassau County)
www.fcali.org
516)-746-0350
Through an integrated network of services and counseling, this Mineola nonprofit agency supports vulnerable children and youths, seniors, veterans, families and communities. With offices in several locations, the association offers a range of programs that help residents age 60 and older, whether they are in their own homes, assisted living facilities or nursing homes. Among the services:
Financial Counseling. Programs to help resolve debt and mortgage crises; HIICAP (Health Insurance Information, Counseling & Assistance Program) for issues concerning Medicare and other health care options; bill payer assistance, including budgeting; managing consumer debt; CHEC, which provides reverse mortgages; and completion of tax forms.
Care Management. Comprehensive assessment and assistance for seniors having difficulty functioning independently at home, including development of a care plan, arranging in-home personal and medical care; assistance with government benefits; money management; counseling and consultations.
Ombudservice. Trained volunteers called “ombudsmen” work as advocates for seniors living in nursing, adult and assisted living homes, protecting residents’ rights and resolving concerns about care for residents and their families.
FAMILY SERVICE LEAGUE
(Suffolk County)
631-427-3700
Family Service League (FSL) manages one of the largest and most comprehensive networks of care across Long Island. FSL assists individuals, children and families who are experiencing social, emotional, or economic problems through a network of preventive, crisis, therapeutic, advocacy, and educational services. It operates more than 60 programs at 20 locations. Service areas include mental health, integrated care and addiction; housing and homelessness; early childhood education and at-risk youth; family support; education and employment; senior and caregiver support; and crisis and trauma intervention. Among the programs:
Ombudsman Program. Trained volunteers (“ombudspersons”) visit nursing homes, adult homes, and assisted-living facilities to advocate for residents and their families, protecting their rights and improving the quality of life for long-term care residents.
HomeShare. Family Service League program that matches older homeowners and home-seekers in Suffolk County with the objective of sharing a single-family home. The collaborative arrangement allows seniors to preserve their homes and independent living status while providing younger employed adults with low-cost housing. Homeowners offer accommodations in exchange for an agreed-upon level of help with household tasks, companionship and financial support, or some combination of all three.
Caregiver Support. Family caregivers can take advantage of the Caregiver Support Program offered in several locations. Caregivers receive individual and/or group counseling and are encouraged to attend clinician-supervised group sessions that provide valuable peer support and address key aspects of the aging process that impact caregivers.
Long Island Sound Senior Connections. A newly designated New York State Neighborhood Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NNORC) serves seniors in Greenport. Along with the Town of Southold and Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital, FSL will assist seniors in accessing and navigating health and social services. Participants will have opportunities to socialize, learn, volunteer, and be active in the community, including joining the NNORC’s advisory committee.
SeniorNet. Computer and technology training for adults over age 50 through webinars, in-person classes, and private instructions on a broad range of topics from basic to advanced skills.
FEDERATION OF ORGANIZATIONS
631-669-5355
This community-based agency is a major provider of health and wellness, senior and children’s services, housing, and support services in Suffolk and Nassau counties, as well as Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx and Manhattan. Programs for seniors include:
The Foster Grandparent Program. The program offers volunteer opportunities to low-income seniors who wish to remain active in their communities by providing one-to-one assistance to children in elementary schools, Head Start Centers and day care centers throughout Suffolk County. 631-321-8229 Ext. 1224
Senior Companion Program. The program pairs healthy older individuals with seniors who are frail, homebound, or isolated. Senior companions offer friendship and support as they help recipients remain in their own homes and live independently. Companions provide friendly visits and socialization; help with preparing light meals, medication reminders, light household duties, accompaniment on occasional outings and errands, and connecting the recipient to additional resources. 631-321-8229 Ext. 1224
Suffolk County Respite Care Program. Allows caregivers to take a break from the emotional and physical stressors of daily caregiving. Caregivers are able to take time to tend to their own personal needs and know that their loved one is safe and secure in their own home. 631-321-8229 Ext. 1229.
HISPANIC BROTHERHOOD OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE
516-766-6610
This not-for-profit organization serves the fast-growing population of immigrants from different Spanish language cultures in Rockville Centre, as well as the surrounding communities of Freeport, Oceanside, Lynbrook and Baldwin. In addition to an afterschool child care and tutorial program, the agency provides a wide range of senior services, including recreational activities and specialized social services, such as information and referrals, translation of documents, housing referrals, immigration and legal representation in landlord/tenant disputes. With the support of the Nassau County Department of Senior Citizen Affairs, it runs a nutrition program every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for 80 seniors.