Senior Caregivers: A Priceless Asset to the Bed-Stuy Community

A recent study by the AARP found that New York values family caregiving for seniors at $32 billion. 

Though the study describes the average family caregiver as a middle-aged woman who works 20 unpaid hours per week to care for an aging parent, there are many in the community who make a career out of this work. These individuals—tireless and compassionate—offer a priceless service to the Bed-Stuy community.

Carmen Ureña, director of Social Services at CABS Nursing Home in Bed-Stuy, credits her mother for her interest in geriatrics. 

“When I was younger,” explains Ureña, “my mom used to always say, in our country—I'm originally from the Dominican Republic—that there are places for the elderly, and she encouraged me to go."

Though the focus of her work is to help seniors adjust to their new place of residence, much of what she does also requires a certain degree of emotional and social aptitude. 

“Maybe [only] half of the population has nieces, children and friends that come and visit,” says Ureña.  “Even though the family would like to care for them, they have their own jobs, their own families and some are going through medical problems. It’s not like a choice they have; it’s a need.”

Afeena Ali is the Director of Staff Development at CABS, and like Ureña, took an early interest in working with the elderly. Ali started at CABS as a part of an LPN (licensed practical nurse) program while in high school. From there, she went to college and became a registered nurse.

Ali prefers to work with seniors because she considers them a special population, but she also acknowledges that it can be a difficult job.

“The most difficult part is that they can’t always have their needs met,” explains Ali.  “That is a difficult thing to deal with as a health care provider.  With loss of memory it’s hard to care for them. Sometimes you really don’t know how to meet their needs, and some of them don’t have relatives involved in the care process, so you’re left to figure it out on your own. You’re everything once they’re here.”

Anyone with a family member who has experienced Alzheimer’s, dementia or the litany of impairments that can accompany old age understands such challenges. Rachael Houston, resident of Tompkins Park Senior Center, put it candidly, “There’s more cooperation with children than adults…they can be hard-headed.”

While nursing homes provide care for those who are no longer able to live on their own, there are other facilities in Bed-Stuy that offer enrichment and community building services for independent seniors. 

Luz Burgos has been the director of Tompkins Senior Center in Bed-Stuy for ten years. Located on the bottom floor of a larger building designated specifically for senior living, the center provides hot meals, computer training, exercise facilities and enrichment activities for seniors in the community. As director, Burgos oversees everything.

“Our main function is to keep seniors independent,” explains Burgos, “We provide health promotions, a hot lunch, exercise, computers, whatever they need. We also try to keep them informed regarding benefits like Medicare and Medicaid.” 

Resources at the center are free, and depending on the activity, Burgos can expect to serve upwards of 150 people.

Around Tompkins Senior Center, Burgos’s positive energy is infectious. Her office may be a beehive of activity, but she doesn't miss a beat when it comes time to give a resident undivided attention. “Ms. Burgos is marvelous," says Rachael Houston, "They don’t come better.”

For the elderly and the aging, diet, exercise and medication can only go so far; the relationships they maintain with people and the attitude they carry can mean the difference between living a healthy, vibrant life or living one of sickness, mental illness and detioration.

And for those who've chosen senior caregiving as their profession, this is their goal: maximizing the quality of life of seniors in their later years. 

“They have a lot to offer,” says Ureña, “They are very knowledgeable and have experienced lives.”