Staten Island has the fastest growing senior population of all five boroughs—and the JCC is here to help senior adults with an array of services at various locations. Whether it’s senior centers, social services, or memory loss programming, the JCC provides vital services for our seniors.

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Evidence Based Programs

Evidence Based Programs are proven ways to promote health and prevent diseases among older adults. The JCC provides the following nationally recognized evidence based programs:

• Powerful Tools for Caregivers: 6-week sessions for family members providing care to individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease/other dementias.
• Vigorous Minds: trivia games designed to improve cognition for individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease/other dementias.
• S.A.I.L: 12-week session includes group strength, balance, and aerobic exercise to help prevent falls and fall-related injuries.
•  Walk with Ease:  6-week session helps to increase balance, strength, and walking pace. It also reduces the pain and discomfort of arthritis while building confidence in your ability to be physically active.
• Tai Chi for Arthritis: 8-week session includes low-intensity and low-impact movements. It helps to relieve pain and improve health and balance.
• Matter of Balance: 8-week session aims to enhance or restore quality of life by overcoming the fear of falling. By taking active steps, you reduce the risk of falls.

Social ServiceS

The JCC provides comprehensive screenings for benefits and entitlements that can help older adults save time and money and improve their quality of life. Assistance with the following is provided at no cost and by appointment only:
• Food Pantry & Benefits
• Legal Issues
• Health Insurance
• Budgeting/Financial Counseling
• Medical Referrals
• English as a Second Language (ESL)
For more information, please contact Amelia Winter, Director of Senior Centers, at 718.475.5238 or awinter@sijcc.com

Free Home Safety Assessments​

The JCC provides free home safety assessments and handlebar installations through Richmond Senior Services to senior adults (age 60+) who meet eligibility criteria. These assessments are funded by UJA-Federation of New York and Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty.
For more information, contact Jessie Schwartz at 718.475.5279 or jschwartz@sijcc.com

Mental HealtH

 ​Free Individual Supportive Counseling  
The JCC provides one-on-one counseling sessions to older adults (age 60+) facilitated by MSW Student Interns. Your counselor can assist and guide you in life’s transitions and challenges, including:
• Bereavement/Grief/Loss
• Social Isolation
• Caregiver Support
• Chronic Health Conditions
• Relationships
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Support Groups
Registration is required. Limited space available.
• Bereavement Support Group: 6-week sessions for Widows/Widowers.
• Aging Support Group: 8-week sessions for adults age 60+ to discuss life transitions, functional loss and complex relationships.
• Caregiver Support Group: Ongoing sessions for family members providing care to individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease/other dementias.
• Grandparents Support Group: 8-week sessions for adults age 55+ providing primary care to grandchildren.
For more information, please contact Neshama Marcus, Chief Program Director of Community Engagement, at 718.475.5228 or nmarcus@sijcc.com

TRIO for Successful Aging
In partnership with Weill Cornell Medicine, a licensed clinical social worker provides the following:
• Individual Psychotherapy
• Comprehensive Assessments
• Psychoeducational Groups
For more information, please contact Amelia Winter, Director of Senior Centers, at 718.475.5238 or awinter@sijcc.com

Seaview Senior HousinG

The JCC provides a social services professional to serve as the on-site staff coordinator for social services exclusively for residents of Seaview Senior Housing, connecting them to services throughout Staten Island. Residents are provided with comprehensive screenings to determine eligibility for benefits, including, but not limited to:

• ​Medicare/Medicaid Enrollment
• Tax Exemption Benefits
• HRA Services
• Advocacy
• Mental Health and Medical Referrals

There are also shopping trips four times a week for residents as well as other relevant programming that improves their daily lives.
For more information, contact Polina Medovoy, Program Coordinator, at 718.229.9041 or pmedovoy@sijcc.com

NORC - GO KOSSAH

 The JCC operates Staten Island’s first NORC (Naturally Occurring Retirement Community) in Stapleton. Stapleton qualifies as a NORC because it has a large proportion of residents over 60, but was not specifically planned or designed to meet the needs of seniors living independently in their homes.
 
The NORC, named GO KOSSAH (Keeping Our Seniors Safe And Healthy), will provide services that complement those offered at the JCC’s Stapleton Neighborhood Senior Center. These may include:

• Health assessments
• Transportation to medical appointments
• Social activities
• Home repair

The services provided through the NORC will help seniors continue to live independently in a safe manner. This project was made possible through funding from the Department for the Aging (DFTA), allocated by Councilwoman Debi Rose.
 
For more information, contact Linda Huff at LHuff@sijcc.com or 718.619.9056.