New Senior Centers Strive to Meet the Needs of its LGBT Elderly Residents

To cope with the changing needs of the city’s 1.3 million aging residents, Innovative Senior Centers will soon be making their debut in NYC, with a variety of new programs, including ones that address adults with vision problems, as well LGBT seniors.

The Council of Senior Centers and Services, using public sand private funds and partnering with community-based organizations such as JCC, SNAP, SAGE, YMHA and YWHA, will begin to open these centers in January across the city.

While still providing meals and a chance to socialize with their peers, the centers hope to encourage wellness by educating seniors on nutrition, managing chronic diseases, as well as fitness and activities like swimming and gardening. Better transportation options (especially in outer Queens and Staten Island) and more flexible meals (including vegetarian options) are also on the plan, along with expanded hours. Some centers will even have special programs for the visually impaired, and the city’s LGBT seniors.

Upon enrollment, members will be screened for health issues, and the centers will keep track of health outcomes over time.

“The needs of seniors have evolved since centers were created 50 years ago and now is the time to re-envision the one-size-fits-all approach that has traditionally shaped many of our centers,” said Mayor Bloomberg in a statement.. “We will continue innovating our City services to help our growing senior population lead healthier, more dynamic lives and make New York the most age-friendly city in the 21st century.”

The establishment of the centers are on of the cornerstones of Age-friendly NYC, a citywide effort to make New York City more livable for the city’s older adults, whose numbers are expected to grow by 46 percent in the next 25 years. A $3.5 million investment by the city for this project will be supplemented with money from donors.

Related Topics: Age-friendly NYC, Innovative Senior Centers, Senior Centers, and Seniors