Photo: Multicultural seniors and family caregivers find an array of comforting programs at New York’s Sunnyside Community Services.
Second of two parts. Read Part 1 here.
NEW YORK--A 15-minute ride from midtown Manhattan on the Number 7 train takes you to the western Queens neighborhood community of Sunnyside, home to generations of immigrants — from the Irish and Italian workers of a century ago, to the vibrant Asian, South Asian and Latin American communities of today.
A short walk from the 40th street station is Sunnyside Community Services. Founded in a church basement in 1974, it has become the largest community-based social services agency in western Queens. The center now serves over 14,000 residents of all ages, including 10,000 seniors, on the premises and through its home care network.
Approximately 60 percent of those coming to the center are Latino, according to Executive Director Judith Zangwill. “We pride ourselves on a whole continuum of senior services,” she said.
Helping Hand for Caregivers
That range of services not only helps elders, but also lends a helping hand to family caregivers. That’s especially important for many Latino caregivers, who may be hesitant to seek help, although they struggle with care for an older parent or spouse who is frail, chronically ill or in declining health.
“With Hispanic family caregivers, caregiving is ingrained in the culture and in the family unit,” said Shyvonne Noboa, a licensed medical social worker, who directs the Western Queens Caregiver Network. The center coordinates the network’s services, providing information, referrals, counseling, and other practical and emotional assistance to caregivers in multiple languages.
“As this demographic is living longer, caregivers are dealing with more multiple chronic illnesses and with Alzheimer’s disease,” Noboa said. “They find themselves obligated to go outside of their culture and their community to seek support services.”
She said those who start at the Center for Active Older Adults can move “seamlessly” among a wide range of serves as they need them, such as geriatric mental health, their caregivers program, home care, friendly visiting for homebound seniors--and even a pet pal program to help seniors keep their pets.
When Hispanic caregivers first come to the Sunnyside Center, the first step is to help them deal with their feelings about handling that difficult role. “Once they accept that, we can move on to discuss what services we can put in place for the person they’re caring for,” said Noboa said, whose Ecuadorian heritage and Spanish-language fluency helps caregivers feel their concerns are understood.
The center has one of the only Spanish-speaking caregiver support groups in western Queens. Its services may help care recipients receive meals, get into adult day care, obtain home care or provide individual respite. “Relieving their burden is of primary essence,” Noboa said.
When caregivers dropped family elders off for the center’s adult day program, they can participate in such activities as yoga, bingo, discussion groups and creative writing. Equally important, said Zangwill, are the services for frail elders and those with cognitive impairments.
It helps them to remain as active as possible for as long as possible. “We provide a very home-like environment, with a kitchen, living area and even showers,” Zangwill said. “It helps caregivers overcome their reluctance to leave their loved one in what they still perceive to be an institutional setting.”
Educating Caregivers, Respecting Beliefs
Part of the challenge is educating caregivers about respite care, Noboa said. “We help them understand that these services actually help them to be a better caregiver.”
“Another ingrained cultural issue is spirituality,” she said. “For many members, we need to educate them about medications, Alzheimer’s disease, and we tell them that while their faith will support them, there are other ways to support your loved one too. Discussing spirituality in our support groups is a real positive for them.”
Often the adult child moves in with mom or dad, or they get a place together. That adds to the ease of caregiving by eliminating travel, but it can also add to the stress. The constant caregiving role sometimes makes caregivers feel like they’re losing their own identity.
“We remind them that they need to take time out and care for themselves or they won’t be of use to the person they’re caring for,” Noboa said.
Caregivers get help navigating the health system and learn what services will help keep their loved one home for as long as possible. This is essential for those who must take time off from work, often unpaid, to manage the many complex caregiving needs like multiple doctor appointments.
While the New York City Department for Aging has been a key funder for the center’s programs, Noboa said, there has been no new funding since the federal Older Americans Act (OAA) was last reauthorized in 2011. The act has been gridlocked in Congress with OAA programs only continued a year at a time at the old level and no increase, even to keep programs up with inflation.
“We need more money to support informal free care and training caregivers. Funding is critical for respite care and how to navigate the system,” Noboa said.
An Overwhelming Need
It’s difficult enough caring for an older loved one without language and cultural barriers, but among non-native populations, “the need is overwhelming and the supply doesn't come close,” said Zangwill. “Housing, elder abuse, medication management, so many issues are connected.” Many of these problems are magnified for older immigrants, she said, such as how to how to navigate the system or advocate for themselves.
One benefit to accessing services through Sunnyside is that “once trust is established, caregivers can stay within the same organization,” Zangwill said. Whether it’s adult day care or home care, “once that trust is there, it’s a safe feeling and they can access the continuum of care.”
The aging population in New York City translates to a greater need for services in the coming years.
“We need more social workers in community settings,” said Noboa. “Clients keep coming in on a daily and weekly basis. It’s a challenge but we do it, with a lot of support from our partners in western Queens.” She’s optimistic that future city budgets will reflect an understanding of staffing and funding needs.
An Issue for Working Women
“This is a 21st century issue for women in the workforce,” Noboa said. “The program works, it’s there to support and understand cultural differences. We need a lot more support — just spend a day in our shoes and you will see why.”
The center serves as a virtual second home for many caregivers. “They feel safe, nurtured--everybody is here to support them. Our caregivers feel it’s a place they can let their guard down,” Noboa added.
Caregivers who come to Sunnyside know they’re not in it alone, said Zangwill. “One of our primary goals with our older population is to keep them in their communities with dignity. Most people want to stay in their homes, and we help them be able to do that.”
Neighborhood organizations like this are an pivotal model in providing comprehensive, holistic support for family caregivers and older adults. To find a similar center, caregivers can search the Elder Locator database or contact their local Area Agency on Aging.
Liz Seegert reported a longer version of this story for WBAI Pacifica Radio and the HealthCetera website supported by a Journalist in Aging Fellowship from the Gerontological Society of America and New America Media, sponsored by the Silver Century Foundation. Listen to the story here.This story originally aired on WBAI-FM, NYC. Listen here.