Queens Senior Centers May Close
I just heard on NY1 that senior centers in Queens may close. This is bad.
Here is the full story:
http://www.ny1.com/8-queens-news-content/top_stories/115492/budget-cuts-could-force-closure-of-queens-senior-centers
First of all, if Queens does close senior centers, where will they go. What stay home?
Anybody with input about this?
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Here is the full story:
http://www.ny1.com/8-queens-news-content/top_stories/115492/budget-cuts-could-force-closure-of-queens-senior-centers
First of all, if Queens does close senior centers, where will they go. What stay home?
Anybody with input about this?
28 Comments
ajadedidealist
2yrs+
This is so depressing. The elderly in particular benefit so much from being able to socialize - even if they don't have family around, the centres give them a "second family" of sorts.
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hhusted
2yrs+
I know. That is what's so disheartening about this place. The city and its five boroughs don't seem to care about seniors and kids. It really has turned into a bad place to live. If things don't change soon, many more people will leave.
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uptowngirl
2yrs+
@hhusted yes this is really depressing. Many seniors who live in this city, live alone and seem extremely lonely .These senior centers help fill a void in their lives as they enable them to interact with other seniors, closing of these centers will be catastrophic for them.
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hhusted
2yrs+
@Uptowngirl: I wonder what can be done to help the seniors?
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uptowngirl
2yrs+
@hhusted maybe some kind of volunteer system whereby people can go to their homes and help them/ spend time with them? I dont know how it would work in NYC but in the UK , the local governing bodies ( councils) actually have several free services for seniors whereby people come by to help them with their daily chores if they live alone. These helpers are employed by the local council but then the UK is a welfare state unlike the US.
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JenMac
2yrs+
This makes me really sad. I always wonder when I see an elderly or handicapped person in the city: how do you live here? I can barely make it around . . .
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ajadedidealist
2yrs+
That would be a great idea, @uptowngirl! When I was at school I used to volunteer at a nursing home and make friends with several of the women there. It's really something I'd like to pick up again
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uptowngirl
2yrs+
@JenMac I think its really tough on them especially since the ciity's subway stations arent really equipped with elevators or even escalators. I find this a huge problem when my mother in law who is nearly 80 comes to visit. Its extremely difficult for her to go up and down stairs and its not really feasible for us to take cabs everywhere so we try to go by the slow poke MTA bus service wherever we can but honestly I dread the day when i am old and incapable of walking up and down subway stairs.
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hhusted
2yrs+
@Everybody: It is sad the treatment that seniors get around here. As Rodney Dangerfield used to say, "I get no respect at all." It seems obvious this city doesn't take seniors seriously enough to take care of them. What a pity.
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NeverSleeps
2yrs+
That is horrible... I guess the thing to do is retire outside of the city? Maybe in a foreign country that cares about the elderly.
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Uraniumfish
2yrs+
@NeverSleeps That's certainly my plan: if I can at all swing it, I'd like to end up fondly recalling my youth while laying on a beach in Spain...
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hhusted
2yrs+
@NeverSleeps and @Uraniumfish: I agree with you. This is why I am planning on leaving NYC when I complete my two screenplays.
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ajadedidealist
2yrs+
My grandma lives in the City and loves it - she keeps active, joins clubs, societies, etc. But it seems you really have to make an effort to seek out a social community as an older person here.
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Uraniumfish
2yrs+
@ajadeidealist That's probably true for everyone, not just the elderly. This city does isolate you if you let it.
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BroadwayBK
2yrs+
@Uraniumfish You can come visit me in Paris during our years of retirement.
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uptowngirl
2yrs+
@Uraniumfish that's so true.. my parents who live in Mumbai have an active social life.. in that city its not uncommon to socialize three to four times a week with friends. In NYC my life is a lot different I do socialize and meet friends but not like I used back home..that's just the way it is here but my parents think I have become very anti social and hermit like ever since I have moved to NYC.:)
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Uraniumfish
2yrs+
@BroadwayBK I'll set aside a beach chair in Spain for when you come visit, too...
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BroadwayBK
2yrs+
@Uraniumfish Barcelona? Ibiza?
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uptowngirl
2yrs+
@Uraniumfish also consider Palma de Mallorca .. it has some beautiful areas like the villages of Deia and Valdemossa though Barcelona is also quite marvelous...
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Uraniumfish
2yrs+
@BroadwayBK Barcelona, baby. Though further down the coast, past Valencia, is also pretty great, as is Mallorca. But Barcelona is such an essential city, I can't imagine going to Spain and not at least passing through for a few days...
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hhusted
2yrs+
@Uptowngirl: My girlfriend thinks I am a hermit to. At least it seemed that way until recently.
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uptowngirl
2yrs+
@Uraniumfish Youre suddenly making me very jealous.. Spain has such a fantastic vibe doesn't it?Gorgeous food, wine and pretty people too...:)
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Uraniumfish
2yrs+
@uptowngirl Veeery pretty people. Spain is interesting overall, and Barcelona even more so. I've never been to a city that was so unbelievably charming. Three hours into my first day there, I was already checking out real estate listings in the shop of a window to see what it would take...
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BroadwayBK
2yrs+
@Urainumfish I loved Barcelona. Can't wait for retirement....
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hhusted
2yrs+
@Uraniumfish: I think I will get my passport and go to Spain. The problem is I lost my Spanish training. I would have to re-learn it first.
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uptowngirl
2yrs+
@Uraniumfish I think Spanish real estate has taken a nose dive in recent times as the country seems to be suffering badly due to the recession so you may well be able to pick up something at a good price.
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uptowngirl
2yrs+
@Uraniumfish I have close family who live in Spain and through them I met a couple who seem to lead an ideal life.. the husband is South Asian and the wife is Spanish. They both are retirees and since they are Spanish citizens they have public health cover and pensions. Due to this they are quite free to enjoy their lives, they live in a charming old house in a village on the island of Mallorca and serve on the village committee so they are involved in organize the feasts and other events that take place in the village during the summer months. During the winters when Mallorca gets too cold for them , they travel to their family home in Kashmir in India and also spend three months in a guest house in Goa. They also run a small business from their home in Mallorca where they sell apparel and trinkets that they pick up on their travels. Both the man and his wife are in their early sixties and they seem to be thoroughly enjoying themselves. I wish we could be so lucky.
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Uraniumfish
2yrs+
@uptowngirl Sigh. That sounds like quite the life...
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