Senior Living Spring 2022 - Queens Chronicle

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SENIOR LIVING GUIDE

Some normalcy returns but needs remain

by Deirdre Bardolf

cuisine.

“The clients enjoyed a healthy, cultural lunch provided by India Home, and were able Maria Padilla’s Zumba classes resumed to mingle with rheir friends playing board back in person on Tuesday at the Rego Park games after lunch,” said Sarkisova of their Senior Center for the first time in two years. first lunch back in person.

Since the pandemic started, Padilla, of “The older adults were very happy to get Middle Village, has taught the class outdoors, together and see dramatic positive changes at through all four seasons. Women pushing 90 the Kew Gardens Community Center,” she years old gathered in freezing temperatures added. for the Latin-inspired dance cardio exercise Although the city is rolling back some classes. mandates and regulations, senior centers still Padilla said about 85 percent of her usual have not been able to. attendees were present on Tuesday with about “We have yet to get a directive from the 20 people showing up, but that some are still Department for the Aging to roll back any of hesitant to transition back to indoor activities. the mandates they put into place back in June Padilla, who keeps up a regular group chat 2021,” Donna Atmore-Dolly, executive direcwith her students, reached out to all of them tor of the Allen Community Senior Citizens to let them know of the change.

Center in Jamaica, explained in an email.

While some were happy to be indoors “We continue to provide a hybrid of in-perbecause it was too cold outside for them to son and virtual activities at our centers. The work out, others opted out, and Padilla hopes virtual attendance is low as it is a challenge to be able to offer outdoor classes when the for seniors to keep up with technology,” she weather warms up to accommodate them, said. some of whom have pre-existing conditions “Several of our seniors who can’t get to the that increase the threat of Covid.

The Kew Gardens Community Center reopened for congregate lunches in the beginning of March “They’re of age,” she explained of the and attendees were able to mingle and play board games with friends. PHOTO COURTESY IRINA SARKISOVA center or are not ready to return struggle with getting access,” Atmore-Dolly continued. seniors. “They have asthma, one has heart “DFTA has provided some seniors with In a recent hearing held by the City Counlearn new skills and explore new interests, problems.” a n d g i v e b a c k t h r o u g h v o l u n t e e r cil’s Committee on Aging and the subcom- tablets; however, we struggle to get them She is trying to be flexible and work with mittee on Senior Centers and Food Insecurity, trained on using the tablets to access our viropportunities. the directors of the center.

City Department for the Aging Commissioner tual program activities,” such as chair aeroThe centers are still required to maintain “We don’t know what the CDC is going to bics and yoga, she added. say at the present time. For now, we are back 25 percent capacity and enforce mask wear- Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez said the city is seeShe said another issue for the seniors is ing an increase in the need for meals and that inside. Things can change tomorrow and ing and social distancing. The one in Rego transportation. Throughout the pandemic, we’ll have to go back outside. At the present Park is only offering exercise classes for now the system is near capacity.

“DFTA is projecting that once recovery there was a shortage of bus drivers and that time, we’re going to be indoors and they were and grab-and-go lunch remains outside. impact also affectEfforts to address food insecurity remain meals are disconmostly happy because some days there were ed senior centers. tinued ... we will an integral role for senior centers. The panzero-degree days and I had about 10 girls outThe center has see approximately demic-inspired GetFood NYC program was a side dancing with me,” said Padilla. e are hoping to get to at been trying to hire food delivery service for seniors and home- 3,000 of the recipiPadilla, the seniors and the Rego Park cenfor over a bound people but ended back in October. The ents of those meals ter, which is operated by Queens Community least 50 percent capacity.” drivers year, she said. will be eligible to 60+ Recovery Meals Service replaced GetHouse, is easing back into in-person State Attorney Food NYC but is set to end on June 30. Senior enroll in home activities.

— Donna Atmore-Dolly General Letitia delivery meals,” centers and food pantries will play a critical Queens Community House’s five senior James recently visshe said. role in filling the gap for those who relied on centers provide opportunities to socialize, DFTA, which provides the meals at senior ited the Allen Community Senior Center and offer hot meals, provide exercise classes, such services. called for more services and emphasized the centers, helped transition to the grab-and-go model, she explained. Over 2 million to-go issue of housing insecurity for seniors.

“We would like additional resources and and congregate lunches have been served additional services to seniors on a wide range since June 2021, she said. of areas,” said James at the event, which was In the beginning of March, the return to inperson activities meant bringing back congre- covered by the Chronicle.

“Having case workers and social workers gate lunches to the Kew Gardens Community Center, which is also operated by Queens and activities here and checking on them from time to time is necessary.”

Community House, instead of the grab-andAlong with some normalcy, the center go services it was were providing throughout hopes to return to better attendance. the pandemic.

“We hope to receive news soon that we can For the first time, the Kew Gardens Comincrease the number of seniors allowed in the munity Center was awarded a contract from DFTA, said one of the directors, Irina centers at any one time,” said Atmore-Dolly.

“We are hoping to get to at least 50 percent Sarkisova. capacity,” she added.

Upon reopening, the funding has allowed The reopenings, which came after new the center more opportunities to expand, said guidance from the Department of Health and Sarkisova, and bringing on bilingual staff and Mental Hygiene as of last June, have been case workers. slow, in part due to the Omicron variant, said Services will include elder abuse support and resources for LGBTQ seniors and new Cortés-Vázquez in last week’s hearing.

“It has not been a steady pace and older computers will also be available for them to adult clubs are not operating as we have hisaccess. torically known them prepandemic and I The lunch program at the center has been In-person Zumba classes returned to the Rego Park Senior Center this week, led by instructor don’t know when we can expect to see that expanded, too, offering diverse options Maria Padilla, center in green, for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

Q projection again,” she said. including South Asian, Indian and Latin PHOTO COURTESY MARIA PADILLA Associate Editor

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SENIOR LIVING GUIDE

Queens seniors adjust to looser Covid rules

by Sophie Krichevsky

in person for the first time in two years on Friday. On the other hand, her husband was forced into retirement after refusing to As mask mandates and requirements for return to work in person in the summer of proof of vaccination have begun to disap2020. The pandemic has — and still does pear in New York City, Queens residents — disrupted his routine, she said. are adjusting to a lifestyle that is becoming “He sits on the porch and schmoozes more reminiscent of prepandemic times. with whoever walks by,” she said. MermelBut for seniors, who have long been docstein added that her husband has taken to umented as being among the most vulneradropping her off and picking her up when ble to the coronavirus, the rapid changes in she goes out, so as to give himself someprocedure have been, in some cases, thing to do. daunting.

Both Lipkowitz Brumer and Ceci said As Barry Klitsberg, president of the they have begun to attend Broadway shows Queens Interagency Council on Aging, again. Lipkowitz Brumer remained wary of pointed out, it’s impossible to make a blanthe possibility that theaters could potentialket statement about how Queens seniors are ly drop their mask and vaccine requireweathering this transitional period. ments in April, though.

At the same time, though, he seemed to “I’m barely going now — I’m feeling think that seniors’ adjustments will stay brave going,” she said. She added that, within a certain range. should vaccine requirements stay in place, “I think some people are going to stay but mask mandates do not, she would still with being a little bit more restrictive on attend with a mask. their own personal space,” he told the On top of that, Ceci said she is strictly a Chronicle. “But I don’t think you’re going driver, whereas Lipkowitz Brumer takes to see people say, ‘Oh! I’m free! I can run public transportation to see those shows. around now without a mask.’”

Ceci said that she has also begun dining Indeed, it seems that many seniors are As Covid-19 restrictions have begun to be rolled back in New York City, Queens seniors are adustindoors — though she has made a point of somewhat hesitant to change their behav- ing. However, most are doing so at their own pace — be that returning to Broadway shows or dining only sitting in bigger rooms where she can iors when it comes to Covid precautions — indoors once again. be far away from other guests, and she has albeit to varying degrees.

Mark Lord, a retired teacher and long- points again,” he said. “I can’t say that my “Are we safe? I don’t know,” she said. only done it three times. She has also been taking her dog to the dog park as of late, but time Chronicle contributor, has been and “Now with China again seeing a rise in lifestyle has really changed. I still remain still is as cautious as they come with regard cases, I don’t know what would happen if it she still wears her mask there. pretty much holed up inside my apartment At the same time, seniors in the area are to Covid safety; he has hardly left the house as much as I can.” happened again here, because people are so still being cautious as they begin venturing in the last two years. That’s largely because In other words, to Lord, the pandemic is adamant now about not wearing masks.” his mother lives with him in his Forest Hills Judy Mermelstein, who lives in Hillcrest, out of their Covid comfort zones. Much of not over. “ I guess I’m waiting for some their behavior is dictated by the vaccination apartment. official announcement from someone that’s had similar feelings. status and health of their loved ones. And Both he and his mother have made use of going to say, ‘We are now over the pandem“We’re terrified of everybody just thinkwhile Lord is concerned about his mother, the moments when the virus has seemed to ic, this has now become an endemic,’” he ing everything’s over,” she said. wane, such as last spring.

Debbie Lipkowitz Brumer of Forest Hills several other seniors mentioned concerns said. “Probably at that point, I would start, “We took advantage of those times for little by little, getting back into the swing of suggested that the city’s shedding of mask about their children and grandchildren.

Ceci, for example, is particularly careful both of us to take care of our doctor visits, mandates happened too soon. the real world.” and my dental appointments — things that “I’m angry that they removed masks so when it comes to her interactions with her And while some New Yorkers may take adult son, who is immunocompromised. we had been putting off,” he said.

Mayor Adams’ Times Square announce- quickly,” she said.

As such, Lord views the current period She even went so far as to suggest that After each of her indoor dining adventures ment that New York is back as the sign and her trip to Broadof low virus numbers as he has viewed the she has lost faith in the Lord is looking for, he’s certainly not alone. way, she made sure not previous ones.

Fresh Meadows resident Renee Ceci was CDC. to see him for five “We seem to be at one of those lower skeptical that the pandemic is on its way out.

“I think the CDC said, ‘Enough already, m not listening to the days.

“It all depends on people are going CDC anymore — I’m him, really, at this crazy.’ ... I think the point,” Ceci said.

CDC caved,” she said. listening to myself.”

Similarly, Mermel“I’m not listening to stein said that many of the CDC anymore — — Debbie Lipkowitz Brumer, her concerns surroundI’m listening to Forest Hills ing loosened restricmyself.” tions and her continued Mermelstein shared caution is due to her frequent visits with her those concerns about guidance from federal 3-year-old granddaughter, who is too young agencies.

“We’re distressed at the messaging to get vaccinated.

During the height of the pandemic, Merbecause the messaging has been so terrible.

And the CDC and the NIH and the FDA melstein said she and her husband were very cautious. In fact, they didn’t even see have become very politically infiltrated,” she told the Chronicle. “They say stuff now their adult son and their now 2-year-old grandson for a year and a half. that people want to hear instead of being That changed, however, when her son honest with them about what’s going on.” said her grandson couldn’t remember who None of that means that Queens seniors have not attempted to regain some level of she was anymore: “It’s like, ‘Well, what’s more important: normalcy, though.

Mermelstein, for one, works for the Cen- the miniscule chance of getting sick, or a Many Queens seniors, like Debbie Lipkowitz Brumer, left, and Renee Ceci, are hesitant to Q sus Bureau; she said she went back to work whole family relationship?’”

COURTESY PHOTOS change their Covid safety habits.

Associate Editor

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QUEENS CHRONICLE • SENIOR QUEENS LIVING CHRONICLE, GUIDE, Thursday, March 17, 18, 2022 2021 Page 10 28

SENIOR LIVING GUIDE

High inflation gives seniors diet COLAs

by Michael Gannon Senor News Editor

In October 2021, when the federal government announced the largest increase in Social Security payments since 1982, it was an admission that inflation had been driving the cost of living higher.

Based on inflation as of the third-quarter of last year, the cost of living allowance kicked in at 5.9 percent on Jan. 1. But figures released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on March 10 said the Consumer Price Index was up 7.9 percent over 12 months at the end of February. Now many seniors are finding their COLAs are far more than offset by inflation.

Barry Klitsberg, president of the Queens Interagency Council on Aging, said it has been a problem.

“The actuaries figure out what the cost of living was for the previous year and make their estimates for the next year,” Klitsberg said in an interview. “Now the cost of living has gone up higher than the benefit from Jan. 1.”

He said of all the factors wiping out the increases, the higher Medicare premium is not one of them.

“Medicare is built into the COLA,” he said. “The premium went from $148 to $170, and nobody’s check went down as a result. There’s a ‘hold harmless’ provision in the Social Security law.” Klitsberg said if a recipient’s checks don’t go up the amount of a Medicare increase, the government caps the increase so that the amount of the checks doesn’t go down.

“If you were getting $1,000 a month, with a 5.9 percent COLA you are getting a $59 increase; therefore, it more than covers the $22 increase in Medicare,” he said. The other things — fuel, which also is causing rent increases in some cases, especially if it isn’t a rent-stabilized apartment, yeah

Rising prices in many cases are wiping out monthly increases in PHOTO CREDIT Social Security payments. there’s a lot of folks who are getting hit. Food has gotten quite high, for many reasons. The cost of transportation, raw materials, all that stuff has gone up.

“Anybody who goes to the supermarket — not just seniors — knows,” he said. “People are getting hit hard.”

Mary Johnson is an analyst who has studied Social Security and Medicare for 27 years with the Senior Citizen League, a group that seeks to protect and expand SSI and Medicare for seniors, the disabled and veterans. By coincidence, January also was the first time Johnson herself was eligible for a check.

She said the inflationary cycle began in 2021, and that it is now the worst inflation the United States has faced since 1981.

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Johnson recently tried to quantify the average dollar amount. She said in a telephone interview that seniors were behind the eight ball even before Jan. 1.

“The COLA was announced in October, and you had three months before you actually received it,” Johnson said. “I wanted to find out how this inflation was going up between the time of the announcement and the time we got it. And that is what would bring a tear to everybody’s eyes.

“Between October and December — three months — it was up nearly 2 percent.”

In Johnson’s findings, published by the SCL this month, she took an average monthly benefit of $1,656.30, with an average monthly increase of $92.30 already factored in.

Accounting for inflation, she said rising costs exceeded the new monthly check by $29.70 in January and by $36 in February. She is projecting an average deficit of $42.20 for March.

Johnson, Klitsberg and others said there is help for seniors having difficulty getting by.

Johnson said the National Council on Aging has much useful information at ncoa.org. The Eldercare Locator, at eldercare.acl.gov, can link any senior in the country with “area agencies for the aging” by entering a ZIP code. In the case of Queens residents, the link leads to the New York City Department for the Aging, the New York State Office for the Aging and the services they provide, such as rental assistance, help with reducing medical and prescription costs and more.

Klitsberg said a wealth of assistance is available from the state Office for the Aging’s Health Insurance Information Counseling and Assistance Program, or HIICAP, at aging.

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She is currently the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Queens and was past President of the Queens County Women’s Bar Association, past President of the Astoria Kiwanis Club, past President of the East River Kiwanis Club, and past President of the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Queens.

By Donna Furey, Esq. As the old saying goes – “Nothing is certain except death and taxes.” However, you can plan for both!

Although it is not fun to think about death, planning it the key to coping with death. By planning properly, you can make it easier for your family and friends and make sure the proper people and/or charities receive your assets. Furthermore, your plan could help avoid court and taxes.

The most common estate planning document is the Will. A Will is a legally binding document that instructs who will receive your property at your death and appoints an Executor to carry out your wishes. A Will only covers property in your name alone and not joint property, trust property, or any account that has a beneficiary including life insurance. A properly drafted Will can create a tax plan and/or plan for beneficiaries with disabilities so they don’t lose their government benefi ts.

Once the Executor is appointed, they collect the assets of the estate, pay the bills of the estate and distribute the assets of the estate to the beneficiaries.

If you die without a Will, the process is called Administration. The laws of New York determine who can apply to become the Administrator of your estate and who is entitled to your assets.

Unfortunately, your assets may end up in the wrong hands!

One way to avoid court is having beneficiaries on all your assets. Another way to avoid court is a Trust. A Trust is a legal entity where the trustee holds the assets in the trust for the benefi t of the benefi ciaries and disburses the assets when the creator dies. An irrevocable trust cannot be rescinded by the creator, while a revocable trust allows the creator to change or rescind the trust. Trusts are often used to tax plan, avoid probate, long-term care planning Probate is the name of the process of fi ling a Will with the court and to protect assets from Medicaid. and the appointment of the Executor.

Start coping today and make a plan!

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©2022 M1P • DONF-080370

Understanding Medicaid: Frequently Asked Questions What is Medicaid medical assistance?

Medicaid is a joint federal and state funded program, run by the state and local counties, providing medical insurance, home-care services (assisting with all activities of daily living) and nursing home medical assistance to the poor, elderly or disabled.

However, individuals requiring home-care services or nursing home medical assistance, in addition to fi nancial requirements, also will need to have a medical need for these services.

Who can apply for Medicaid?

Medicaid is for anyone who meets the income and resources restrictions.

What services does Medicaid provide?

• Doctors • Hospitals • Prescriptions • Nursing Homes (room & board) • Home-care Services, such as home attendants, home health aides and nurses

ELDC-080366

QUEENS CHRONICLE • SENIOR QUEENS LIVING CHRONICLE, GUIDE, Thursday, March 17, 2022 Page 12 30

Planning is the Key to Coping with Death

What is an MLTC?

MLTC stands for Managed Long-Term Care. One example: When an applicant has been approved for Medicaid home-care services, the applicant has to choose one MLTC from several approved Medicaid plans. Upon joining an MLTC a coordinator will be assigned and this coordinator will be the point person between the applicant/recipient and the MLTC.

Changes with Community Medicaid eligibility!

Due to Covid-19 once again the new rule regarding transfer of assets for Community Medicaid has been extended from April 1, 2022 to possibly July 1, 2022; however, no written directive was given at this point in time.

What does the new regulation mean to the applicant?

Once the new regulation is in place, applicants wishing to apply for community Medicaid and receive homecare services paid for by Medicaid will need to submit two and one-half years of bank statements. If there were any transfers during that period, other than spouse to spouse, the applicant will be disqualified for a period of time. Presently, applicants can transfer any amount of money one month and become financially eligible for Community Medicaid the following month. This window of opportunity is closing in fast. There is no time to procrastinate. The only way to avoid this issue is to apply before the new rule is enforced.

Elder Care Services, Inc., offers Free consultations.

Elder Care Services, Inc.

108-18 Queens Boulevard, Suite 801, Forest Hills, NY 11375

For more information please contact Jack Lippmann at 718-575-5700

www.eldercareservicesny.com

Family Care Connections, LLC

The importance of good health is top of mind these days. Health insurance can protect us from health and fi nancial risks but choosing the right plan can be daunting. Knowing where to turn for health care that fi ts your needs can make all the difference.

Whether you’re aging into Medicare or are eligible for a special election period, AgeWell New York offers Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans for those with Medicare, Medicare and Medicaid and a Medicaid Advantage Plus (MAP) program designed for people who have both Medicare and full Medicaid and need coordinated care at home.

The Agewell New York Advantage Plus (D-SNP MAP) plan includes all original Medicare benefi ts (parts A and B), full prescription drug coverage (part D), and Medicaid coverage along with personal care, transportation, dental, hearing and vision, over-the-counter card, wellness and preventive services.

Benefits include: • One ID card.

• One plan for all Medicare, most Medicaid, prescription drugs, additional supplemental benefi ts and community based long-term care services.

• One dedicated care manager to coordinate your benefi ts and services.

For information on eligibility and enrollment in AgeWell New York’s Health Plans, call 1-866-586-8044 or TTY/TTD 1-800-662-1220 to speak with a licensed insurance agent or visit agewellnewyork.com.

• Nurse Geriatric Care Manager • Assistance with Aging at Home • Assisted Living & Nursing Home Placement • Elder Care Consulting and Counseling • Medicaid Application & Consulting Services • Housing Options for Aging

Nassau (516) 248-9323

Queens (718) 470-6300

Dr. Ann Marie D’AngeIo, DNP, CNS Dr. Frank G. D’Angelo, JD, PhD

Page 13 SENIORMarch LIVING 31 QUEENS CHRONICLE CHRONICLE,•Thursday, 17,GUIDE, 2022 Thursday, March 17, 2022

Make your health a priority

901 Stewart Ave., Ste. 230 • Garden City, NY 11530 www.FamilyCareConnections.com

Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans $0 or Low Cost Plan Premiums Health plan options for those with:

Count on us... to help you Age Well in New York.

Call for eligibility and enrollment

agewellnewyork.com> 1-718-696-0206 TTY/TDD 1-800-662-1220 7 days a week from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm

9 All Original Medicare Benefits (Part A and B) 9 Full Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D) 9 Dental, Vision and Hearing 9 Over-the-Counter Card (OTC) 9 Acupuncture 9 Telehealth and Telemonitoring Services 9 Transportation 9 Access to Care Managers and Wellness Coaches 9 Personal Care 9 Worldwide Emergency/ Urgent Care Services

AgeWell New York, LLC is an HMO/HMO D-SNP plan with Medicare and NY State Medicaid contracts. Enrollment in AgeWell New York, LLC depends on contract renewal. AgeWell New York complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of races, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. AgeWell New York cumple con las leyes federales de derechos civiles aplicables y no discrimina por motivos de raza, color,nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad o sexo.

DOH Approved 9/23/21 H4922_COYWB22_M Accepted 9/28/21

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• Medicare • Medicare and Medicaid • A Medicaid Advantage Plus (MAP) Plan for those who need community based long term care services and supports in the home