RESOURCES
STATE, COUNTY, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
State and local government offices, including the counties, 13 towns and two cities in Nassau and Suffolk offer services and programs for seniors and family caregivers. Many services are free; some request a modest donation or fee on a sliding scale.
STATE
NEW YORK STATE OFFICE FOR THE AGING
Help line: (Toll free) 1-800-342-9871
The New York State Office helps support older individuals as they age in their community, particularly through its network of 59 county offices, including Nassau and Suffolk. The website offers useful information about government benefits assistance, long term care insurance, housing resources, Medicare prevention benefits and more than 20 statewide programs designed to help seniors. In addition, the office now offers a free mobile app, the “Older New Yorker’s Pocket Guide to Resources,” which can be downloaded from your mobile app store. Search for "NYS aging" and download the app for free.
In partnership with the New York State Department of Health, the Office for the Aging also offers the NY*Connects program (www.nyconnects.ny.gov), a statewide, locally-based system that provides comprehensive information, referrals, and assistance in accessing long-term care services, supports and programs for the frail elderly. NY*Connects information and assistance specialists are available at a local level: Go to www.nyconnects.ny.gov and click Find Local Offices.
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Help Line: (Toll-free) 1-866-881-2809
The agency website includes topics relevant to seniors and caregivers, including information about health insurance programs, health care proxies, long-term care insurance, Medicaid, nursing homes, assisted living, continuing care and adult day care facilities across the state.
COUNTY
NASSAU COUNTY OFFICE FOR THE AGING
Help Line: 516-227-8900
The Office for the Aging in Uniondale provides more than 70 programs, including many services that help caregivers and their families. The office offers assistance in areas such as mental health and counseling, assessment and case management, legal services, home care, discharge planning after hospitalization, transportation and nutrition. The office also operates a senior center and maintains 13 additional senior centers in cooperation with local community agencies, providing daily hot lunches, social and recreational programs and four adult day service centers. You can find comprehensive listings of services and senior centers on the agency’s website.
In addition, the office’s Caregiver Resource Center maintains a library of useful publications and brochures for caregivers and their families, including:
Continuum of Care for Older Persons in Nassau County (identifies many in-home, community-based, and institutional resources available for frail older persons)
Caregivers Practical Help (information about caring for a frail older person at home)
- Case Management and In-Home Services Programs
To obtain copies contact the public information office: call 516-227-8919 or email seniors@hhsnassaucountyny.us.
SUFFOLK COUNTY OFFICE FOR THE AGING
Help Line: 631-853-8200 (Hauppauge Office)
631-852-1420 (Riverhead Office)
With locations in Hauppauge and Riverhead, the Office for the Aging offers programs designed to help older residents maximize their independence, as well as provide a continuum of care for the vulnerable elderly. Through contracts with municipal and community-based agencies, the office administers services such as transportation, home care, respite, home-delivered meals and congregate nutrition programs. The office’s Family Caregiver Support Program includes case management, information and referral, counseling, support groups, training and respite. This program helps sustain family caregivers caring for older relatives who have chronic illnesses or disabilities; they are designed to complement, not replace, family care.
TOWNS & CITIES
SENIOR CITIZEN DEPARTMENTS & DIVISIONS
NASSAU COUNTY
TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD
Department of Senior Enrichment
https://hempsteadny.gov/562/Senior-Enrichment
200 North Franklin Street, Second Floor
Hempstead, New York 11550
516-485-8100
Services include a caregivers support group; senior centers and Golden Age clubs; senior day care; Senior Identification Program (wallet-sized I.D. cards with a resident’s personal data, physicians’ contact information and emergency phone numbers); educational programs such as Golden Learning Opportunities and Healthy Lifestyles; and an Information and Referral Office linking seniors to resources in housing, health needs, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, food stamps, and individual and group counseling.
TOWN OF NORTH HEMPSTEAD
Department of Services for the Aging
https://www.northhempsteadny.gov/content/16257/19812/default.aspx
220 Plandome Road
Manhasset, NY 11030
(516) 869-6311
The department’s services include screening for chronic conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes, health education seminars, support groups for caregivers and others, help accessing benefits, case management, social/recreational activities, volunteer opportunities, information and referrals to other sources of support, and transportation for shopping, non-emergency medical appointments and some recreational events. The signature program is Project Independence, the Town’s innovative, aging-in-place initiative which involves coordination with many community partners. (http://www.northhempsteadny.gov/pi-home).
TOWN OF OYSTER BAY
Senior Citizens Services Division
https://oysterbaytown.com/departments/community-and-youth-services/senior-citizen-services-division/
Town Hall South
977 Hicksville Road
Massapequa, NY 11758
516-797-7916
Life Enrichment Center
45 East Main Street
Oyster Bay, NY 11771
516-922-1770
The Life Enrichment Center, located downtown in the hamlet of Oyster Bay, offers active seniors a wide variety of programs and services, including fitness and nutrition, lunch, adult day programs, social services, caregiver support, activities and socialization, health and wellness programs, food shopping assistance, trips and tours, and special events. Round-trip bus transportation for the Daytime Senior Program is available Monday to Friday for senior residents of Oyster Bay and the surrounding areas.
The Senior Citizen Services Division offers social and recreational programs through independently sponsored senior citizen clubs. Clubs sponsor monthly luncheons and day trips. The Town provides teaching specialists and materials for most activities, which are held at various community centers and parks. The Town also has established the Golden Age Housing Program, which offers privately-owned, affordable cooperative units for seniors who meet income and residency requirements. For more information about the housing program, contact the Department of Community & Youth Services at 516-797-7935.
CITY OF GLEN COVE
Glen Cove Senior Center
130 Glen Street
Glen Cove, NY 11542
516-759-9610
The center offers multi-faceted wellness classes, workshops and health screenings and a lunch program, in addition to a Life Long Learning Center that features weekly discussion groups, computer training, cultural arts celebrations, excursions and intergenerational partnerships. (Membership is free to 60-plus residents of Glen Cove, Glen Head, Glenwood Landing and Sea Cliff. The center also provides an adult day program (516-759-2345), visiting services, entitlement information, referral, short-term counseling and case work assistance to individuals and families.
CITY OF LONG BEACH
Senior Services
https://www.longbeachny.gov/index.asp?SEC=0F7A7BCB-B475-436B-8FA0-353DDBEC998C
1 West Chester Street
Long Beach, NY 11561
516- 705-7401
Operating out of the Magnolia Community Center, Long Beach Senior Services supports a dynamic senior center, offering about 50 wellness, cultural and recreational programs to citizens age 60 and over. (A copy of the monthly "Senior Program Calendar" is downloadable from the website.) The city also offers “Senior Tech Thursdays” every other Thursday to help local seniors gain skills with basic computer usage.
SUFFOLK COUNTY
TOWN OF BABYLON
Department of Human Services
https://townofbabylon.com/185/Senior-Citizen-Services
200 East Sunrise Highway
Lindenhurst, NY 11757
631-464-4340. ext. 200
The department offers numerous services, including transportation for eligible senior residents to medical, shopping, and other appointments (631)-422-7618 or 631-893-1056); and a Residential Repair Program, which provides minor home repairs, painting, and yard clean-up for eligible 60-plus homeowners (631- 422-7680). The town has four senior centers, which provide recreational, cultural, advisory, health and nutrition programs.
TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN
Senior Citizens Division
https://www.brookhavenny.gov/272/Seniors
One Independence Hill
Farmingville, NY 11738
631-451-9191
The agency offers several programs and services, including Helpline, a free telephone reassurance program for isolated or homebound seniors; a nutrition program; transportation program; and a Residential Repair program, which provides household maintenance assistance to senior homeowners, condominium owners, or apartment renters (631- 451-9092). The town administers the Rose Caracappa Senior Citizen Cultural and Wellness Center, and more than 30 Senior Citizen Clubs at various locations provide social interaction through activities, luncheons, special events and trips.
TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON
Department of Human Services
https://www.ehamptonny.gov/254/Human-Services
159 Pantigo Road
East Hampton, New York
631-329-6939
The department is primarily responsible for the town’s senior services, including transportation, adult day care, nutrition and wellness programs, and in-home services for those in need or who are incapacitated. The staff also makes referrals to other agencies that provide social and medical services. In partnership with the Family Service League, the department offers weekly counseling for seniors and a caregiver support group. Residents who are not Medicaid-eligible but who need housekeeping services may apply to the Expanded In-home Services for the Elderly Program (EISEP) through the Suffolk County Office for the Aging (631-853-8200).
TOWN OF HUNTINGTON
Senior Division
https://www.huntingtonny.gov/Seniors
100 Main Street
Huntington, NY 11743
631-351-3253
The division delivers services, programs, support, transportation and advocacy for older residents at the town’s senior center. The town also provides services and activities for impaired elderly Suffolk County residents in its Adult Day Care Program, as well as additional programs at various Senior Club locations. The Senior Division social worker offers caregivers monthly evening and daytime support groups, referrals and assistance, and semi-annual events. Residents who are not Medicaid-eligible but who need housekeeping services may apply to the Expanded In-home Services for the Elderly Program (EISEP) through the Suffolk County Office for the Aging (631-853-8200).
TOWN OF ISLIP
Senior Citizen Services Office
https://islipny.gov/departments/senior-citizens-services
Brookwood Hall
50 Irish Lane
East Islip, New York 11730
631-224-5340
The office provides social, recreational and educational programs through its six senior centers and numerous Senior Citizen Clubs. Lunch is served weekdays at the centers, and home-delivered meals are provided to those who those who are unable to prepare meals. Essential transportation is provided for seniors to medical and health care facilities, government services and food shopping during the week (631-224-5686). Residents who are not Medicaid-eligible but who need housekeeping services may apply to the Expanded In-home Services for the Elderly Program (EISEP) through the Suffolk County Office for the Aging (631-853-8200). Also, a Residential Repair Program is available for seniors who are no longer able to perform small repairs in their home.
TOWN OF RIVERHEAD
Senior Citizen Department
https://www.townofriverheadny.gov/pview.aspx?id=2487&catid=118
60 Shady Tree Lane
Aquebogue, NY 11931
631-722-4444
The department offers a range of programs, activities and support services, including local transportation for weekly food shopping; monthly banking and medical appointments; light housekeeping and errands for eligible seniors; weekday lunches delivered to homebound seniors; and minor home repairs for Riverhead homeowners. (A comprehensive “Senior Citizen Resource Guide” can be downloaded from the website.) The senior citizen center provides a large dining room, auditorium, state-of-the-art kitchen; a computer room; rooms for an assortment of recreational activities and meetings; weekday hot lunches; and a social worker available to assist twice a month with questions and information of concern to seniors. Residents who are not Medicaid-eligible but who need housekeeping services may apply to the Expanded In-home Services for the Elderly Program (EISEP) through the Suffolk County Office for the Aging (631-853-8200).
TOWN OF SHELTER ISLAND
Office for Senior Services
https://www.shelterislandtown.us/senior-summary
38 North Ferry Road
Shelter Island, NY 111964
631-749-1059
The office provides programs aimed at helping older residents remain independent in their homes. The senior center serves as a focal point for social, recreational and educational programs. The Senior Citizens Advisory Council assists older residents in finding the help they need at home, in home health care, nutrition, legal and financial services, companionship and more. The office also assists seniors, their family members and caregivers with planning for long-term care or retirement; counseling on Medicare, Medicaid and supplementary health insurance; and hospice referral and coordination. Other programs include a weekly social group at the senior center; a Telephone Reassurance Program (daily phone calls to older adults who live alone or might be homebound); free transportation for medical appointments and errands; and a Residential Repair program for help with minor, non-emergency tasks (631-749-0291).
TOWN OF SMITHTOWN
Senior Citizens Department
https://www.smithtownny.gov/193/Senior-Citizens-Department
99 West Main Street
Smithtown, NY 11787
631-360-7616
The department provides services and access to community resources designed to maintain independence and wellness among older residents. The Senior Center offers dozens of classes and recreational programs and a meal program during the week. Other programs include housekeeping services through the Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly Program, (EISIP) for qualified residents; a home-delivered meal plan; and Residential Repair Program, offering minor non-emergency home maintenance for homeowners or renters (631-360-7616).
TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON
Senior Services Division
https://www.southamptontownny.gov/150/Senior-Services
116 Hampton Road
Southampton, New York 11968
631-728-1235 (Hampton Bays Senior)
The division provides various service-oriented programs, including Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly Program (EISEP), adult day care, nutrition and fitness programs, caregiver support groups, a senior shuttle, telephone reassurance and home-delivered meals. Socialization opportunities are available through senior citizen clubs, trips and events, and activities at the town’s three senior centers, where weekday lunches are served. The Residential Repair Program offers minor repairs or home maintenance for homeowners and renters.
TOWN OF SOUTHOLD
Human Services Department / Senior Center
https://www.southoldtownny.gov/111/Human-Services-Senior-Center
53095 Route 25
Southold, New York 11971
631-298-4460
All services are located at the Human Resource Center in Mattituck, where a professional staff assists residents in considering health and financial alternatives, entitlements, as well as an array of other services. The Senior Nutrition Programs include a dining program five days a week at the Human Resource Center and home-delivered meals are available to homebound residents. The Residential Repair Program (631-298-4460) offers minor repairs or home maintenance for homeowners and renters. Senior Adult Day Care is located at the Human Resource Center Annex in Mattituck.