Finding Your Footing: Senior Life in Brooklyn and Recovering Your Independence
A certain type of day exists for those who live in Brooklyn and have lived there a long time. Fresh bread being pulled from the oven at the local bakery. The B train running past several blocks away. One of your neighbors yelling down from their stoop. For so many of Brooklyn’s elderly residents, these small, recognizable sounds of familiarity represent the texture of their lives as they were constructed over generations – and matter greatly to overall health and well-being.
Among the largest and most culturally diverse senior populations in New York City is Brooklyn. There are many neighborhoods in Brooklyn (e.g., Bensonhurst, Canarsie, Crown Heights) where it is completely common to encounter 70- and 80-year-olds who have raised families, lost spouses, welcomed new grandkids, and witnessed entire swaths of the city change right outside their doorsteps, yet still remain in the same zip code. Community stability such as this has substantial benefits for seniors. Studies relating to the aging process have consistently shown that a strong sense of long-term community ties is directly linked to lower levels of depression, less rapid cognitive decline, and longer lifespan.
What Brooklyn Does Well
In addition to providing an opportunity to age-in-place, Brooklyn’s layout offers additional advantages to seniors compared to many other cities. Many errands that might otherwise require use of a vehicle can be accomplished on foot. Seniors residing in Park Slope or Midwood, for example, may generally walk or take public transportation (a short ride on the subway) to reach a nearby pharmacy, library, grocery store (with fresh produce), and/or a doctor’s office. While such easy access may appear insignificant to some, it plays a quiet role in sustaining an individual’s ability to maintain his/her independence for years after he/she loses the ability to drive due to frailty.
Additionally, the cultural composition of Brooklyn also supports older adults. In Brighton Beach, Russian-speaking elders congregate daily at community centers and parks to support and reinforce intergenerational connections among peers which provide protection from social isolation. Similarly, in Sunset Park, multi-generational Chinese-American families continue to involve their elderly family members in daily life rather than isolating them. These types of informal networks — formed by a shared culture (language, cuisine, history) — can replace some of what no formalized system of care could possibly accomplish.
When Recovery Requires Rest
Recovering from a surgical procedure, illness or accident presents its own unique challenges. The body requires rest while the mind resists rest. Daily routines break-down. Suddenly, basic activities (bathing, preparing meals, dressing oneself) become challenging or need assistance. Regardless of how long this recovery phase lasts (weeks/months), a separate strategy will be needed.
Firstly, assess the current state of one’s residence prior to returning from a hospital stay. Walk through the house/ apartment with fresh eyes. Floors surrounding bathroom fixtures and entryways leading to bedrooms are potential hazards. Install handrails next to toilets, install non-slip mats in showers/bathtubs and temporarily remove loose area rugs to minimize risks associated with falls.
Place essential items (medications, phone charging station, drinking glasses/water bottle) at reachable heights to avoid straining or bending when attempting to retrieve them.
Do not try to hurry along the recovery process prematurely. Fatigue impairs the body’s ability to recover and physically engage in activities necessary for rehabilitation. As tempting as it may seem to “get back to normal” quickly, pushing yourself before your body is ready will likely prolong your recovery.
Physical therapy appointments should never be considered optional. It is in these sessions that functional strength returns. Attend each scheduled appointment.
Plan nutritious meals with protein sources to promote tissue repair and drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration which delays the recovery process. When eating poorly and losing appetite, smaller portions eaten more frequently may prove easier to consume than trying to eat large meals. If available, having a caregiver/family member prepare simple/nourishing foods during this time provides significant medical benefits beyond mere emotional comfort.
Maintain social contacts despite limitations. Engage in regular communication (phone calls, visits from neighbors), reading materials/books, etc. Social interaction maintains mental engagement and minimizes perceptions of time passing slowly. Prolonged social isolation is a valid clinical risk, not merely theoretical speculation.
Care Provided at Home
At Angel Care Inc. NY we collaborate with seniors and temporary recovery recipients throughout Brooklyn and NYC. Our caregivers assist with daily living activities including personal hygiene, medication management, meal preparation/completion, mobility and socialization — developing individualized plans based upon each client’s specific circumstances rather than using generic approaches.
We appreciate Brooklyn because we are part of it. Our employees reflect the cultural diversity present in Brooklyn and offer services in English, Russian, Spanish and other languages. Families contacting us usually face a critical juncture and our initial responsibility is listening.
Home is worth staying in — we are here to assist making that happen.
Contact us about creating customized care plans for your needs — Angel Care Inc. NY — Brooklyn/NYC
Aging with dignity in Brooklyn means being supported by community, having access to quality care options and experiencing everyday resilience. By Angel Care Inc., NY - Home Care Services Neighborhoods have defined Brooklyn since it was first developed. Each neighborhood has its own unique culture, history and sense of community. In addition to those defining elements, there are a growing number of older adults who now call Brooklyn home. Those seniors rely heavily upon the very neighborhoods that have given so much to their lives. They find ways to continue aging successfully and independently because of their connection to the places and people they love. As per recently published demographic information, approximately fourteen percent (or nearly 200,000) of Brooklyn’s residents are sixty-five years old or older. That percentage has increased significantly for ten consecutive years. Of that number, many of the residents have called the same apartment or house home for thirty, forty or fifty years. Therefore, as researchers continue to study what contributes to successful and meaningful aging, they frequently point out that those individuals with a strong tie to their community, such as long-time residents, exhibit greater likelihood of achieving good health outcomes in their golden years. The Brooklyn Advantage So why does Brooklyn appear to be an ideal location for aging in place? One reason is the density of the area. In contrast to the less populated areas found outside of New York City, Brooklyn is easily accessible by foot for many residents. Residents may easily travel short distances to local pharmacies, grocery stores, parks and other community resources. Brooklyn is also serviced extensively via a comprehensive system of subways and buses. This provides residents who are unable to operate vehicles with continued independence and opportunities to connect with their peers while minimizing reliance upon others for transportation related to errands. Additionally, Brooklyn has a diverse array of cultural communities throughout the Borough. These include Russian speaking enclaves located in Sheepshead Bay, Caribbean communities in Flatbush, Chinese-American communities in Sunset Park. When older adults reside in close proximity to members of their cultural community, they are able to take advantage of extended family networks which can provide support through multiple generations. Furthermore, services provided through cultural organizations will be familiar to the recipient which can enhance the effectiveness of those services. Social isolation and loneliness represent two significant health concerns for people sixty-five years of age and above. Having a strong sense of community provides protection from social isolation and loneliness. Independence after a Setback Not all challenges experienced in late adulthood are forever. Many seniors — and adults of all ages — will experience temporary disabilities resulting from surgical procedures, illnesses, injuries or hospitalizations. A hip replacement, a stroke, a fall or a heart attack: each of these events can create the perception that everything has been placed on hold. However, if the proper level of support is available during rehabilitation, the path to regaining independence can occur sooner than anticipated. To facilitate independence following a setback here are some practical suggestions: Before returning home from the hospital reorganize your home environment to minimize obstacles — relocate items you require frequently to waist-high locations to avoid bending and stretching. Installing handrails in bathrooms and removing loose floor coverings that could contribute to a fall are inexpensive measures that will immediately improve your safety. If needed accept aid with cooking and personal hygiene until the recovery process reaches the next stage — it is essential that you conserve energy for healing and physical therapy. Maintain communication with your healthcare providers and do not miss scheduled follow-up appointments regardless of whether you currently feel healthy. Post-surgery or post-illness complications often present quietly. Develop a regular daily routine early in your recovery — structured routines alleviate anxiety and give your body consistent signals regarding sleep and activity levels. Utilize assistive devices — a shower chair, a reacher-grabber, a raised toilet seat — that enable you to perform activities independently while reducing the risk of re-injuring yourself. Ensure that you prioritize your nutritional intake. Tissue repair requires protein, vitamins and sufficient water consumption however appetite may decrease during illness. Consuming small but frequent meals can help ensure you are meeting your body’s requirements. Maintain mental stimulation — reading books, working on puzzles, making phone calls with friends and engaging in gentle creative pursuits all support cognitive function during physical recovery and promote a positive attitude toward your situation. The Role of Professional Home Care For numerous families residing in Brooklyn, the initial response to learning about a family member’s health issue is “How can I ensure my loved one receives the necessary care in order to safely recover?” Professional home care fills this void. Instead of relocating a family member from their known home environment and surrounding community, skilled caregivers visit their clients’ residences — providing personal care assistance, reminding clients when to administer medications, preparing meals, providing companionship and facilitating interactions with medical personnel. At Angel Care Inc. NY we operate under the principle that every individual should receive care that respects their autonomy while providing attentive support tailored specifically to their individualized needs. Our team assists seniors and temporarily disabled persons residing throughout the five boroughs while maintaining strong connections with diverse communities across Brooklyn. Often we communicate using languages spoken natively by our clients — building relationships takes time. We offer customized support based on your needs — whether it is several hours of assistance weekly or twenty-four hour support — we strive to match our services with your lifestyle. Independence is not merely receiving minimal assistance — it is the ability to live as you desire with the right individuals supporting you along the way. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our professional care coordinators to determine how we can best support you or your loved one in Brooklyn and all five boroughs.
