Older adults may be at higher risk for health concerns related to COVID-19 and experience increased stress as a result. Burdens of isolation, quarantine, and limited access to resources, as well as increased use of virtual resources may place an additional strain on older adults. The Stony Brook Center for Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease offers some suggestions below for ways to cope with stress related to COVID-19.
Helpful Video:
Alzheimer's Disease: What You Need to Know — The COVID-19 Edition
Join Stony Brook Medicine neuropsychologist, Christopher Christodoulou, PhD, to learn all about Alzheimer's disease, prevention and treatment within the context of the coronavirus pandemic.
Consider joining virtual classes or programs that can help you stay engaged in activities and connected to others.
- Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center (JCC) offers a calendar of virtual classes on different topics that you can access anywhere, along with helpful guidance on how to use virtual services.
- Virtual Senior Center offers online social groups, classes, and games.
- Long Island Alzheimer’s and Dementia Center offers virtual events, including virtual support groups led by a licensed social worker and activities and games via their Facebook page.
- Alzheimer’s Association offers virtual support groups and includes a Community Resource Finder for more local options, as well as a 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-272-3900.
- Senior Planet hosts online programs to keep seniors connected and learning. For technology questions that arise, you can call their hotline: (920)-666-1959, Monday-Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.
- Senior Planet also has a list of grocery stores with senior hours and online grocery delivery services.
- Watch classic movies on this free YouTube channel
Other helpful resources for seniors and their caregivers:
- Find out how to protect yourself against scams related to COVID-19 that target older adults.
- Coronavirus phishing emails: How to protect against COVID-19 scams (Norton)
- Beware of scams related to the coronavirus (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau)
- The American Association of Retired People (AARP) hosts regular virtual town hall meetings for older adults regarding COVID-19
- The Caregiver Action Network is available for assistance online and at 855-227-3640.
Service Needs for Older Adults
If you're concerned about your memory loss, or that a loved one or patient, Stony Brook Center of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease can help. Its sole mission is to help provide early diagnosis and enhance the quality of life for people living with Alzheimer's disease, dementia or dementia disorders in Nassau and Suffolk Counties on Long Island. As one of only 10 centers in New York State that is supported in part by a grant from New York State Department of Health, the Center aims to serve everyone in the community in the most effective and comfortable way possible.
The team includes geriatric psychiatrists, a geriatrician, neuropsychologist and social workers who are all memory loss specialists. And there are partner locations throughout Long Island to serve you.
For more information, questions, and to see if your needs can be met via telehealth please call (631) 954-2323 or visit ceadlongisland.org.
Other resources:
Dementia Caregiver Support
- Alzheimer’s Association, Long Island Chapter
- 24/7 Help Line: 1-800-272-3900
- Connect with master's level counselor for assistance and resources for individuals with any dementia
- Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center
- Family & Children Association (Nassau County)
- Family Service League (Suffolk County)
- (631) 722-4444
- Offers groups and/or individual counseling
- Long Island Alzheimer’s and Dementia Center
- (516) 767-6856
- Remote services available
- Parker Jewish Institute
- Remote services available
- https://parkerinstitute.org/contact-us/
- Willing Hearts & Helpful Hands
- (516) 586-1507
- Free consultation; referrals to community supports; information regarding respite grants available
- Office of Aging
- Nassau County (516) 227-8900
- Suffolk County (631) 853-8200
- Programs include care management and short-term inpatient respite at no cost and include waitlist option in case you need respite during an emergency.