“Aging in place” means staying in your own home and community as you get older, with the right support in place to remain safe, healthy, and connected. New York City has one of the most extensive systems of aging-in-place services in the world — home care, meal delivery, transportation, caregiver support, legal help, and much more. This guide maps the full landscape of what’s available and how to access it.
The Cornerstone: NYC Department for the Aging (NYC Aging)
The NYC Department for the Aging (NYC Aging) is the central hub for aging services in New York City, serving hundreds of thousands of older New Yorkers annually through a network of community-based organizations. Start here for any aging-in-place need:
- Phone: (212) 244-6469 — Monday–Friday 9am–5pm
- 311: Ask for “senior services” at any hour
- Website: nyc.gov/aging
Home Care Services
CDPAP (Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program)
If you receive Medicaid and need help with daily activities — bathing, dressing, cooking, medication management — CDPAP lets you choose your own caregiver, including a family member or friend. This is the most empowering home care option. See our disability services guide for full details on CDPAP enrollment.
Community Home Care (CHC)
NYC Aging funds Community Home Care services for older New Yorkers who are not Medicaid-eligible or do not meet CDPAP thresholds but still need assistance. Services include light housekeeping, personal care, and assistance with daily tasks. Income eligibility and service hours vary — contact NYC Aging at (212) 244-6469 for an assessment.
Certified Home Health Agencies (CHHAs)
Medicare covers skilled nursing and home health aide services through certified agencies when medically necessary following a hospitalization or for a qualifying condition. Your doctor must order these services. Contact your doctor or hospital discharge planner to arrange Medicare-covered home health care.
Meals and Nutrition
- Home-delivered meals: Free or low-cost meals delivered to homebound seniors 60+ — no income test. Apply through NYC Aging at (212) 244-6469. See our home-delivered meals guide.
- Congregate meals at senior centers: Free hot lunches at 250+ NYC senior centers for anyone 60+. See our senior centers guide.
- SNAP: Monthly grocery benefits for income-eligible seniors. See our SNAP guide.
- God’s Love We Deliver: (212) 294-8100 — free medically tailored meals for seriously ill people of any age
Transportation
- Access-A-Ride: NYC’s paratransit service for people with disabilities who cannot use fixed-route transit — apply at new.mta.info/accessibility/access-a-ride or (877) 337-2017
- Reduced-fare MetroCard: Available for seniors 65+ — half-price subway and bus fares. Apply at any MTA Customer Service Center
- NYC Aging escort services: Some senior centers and community providers offer volunteer escort services for medical appointments — ask your senior center or NYC Aging
- Medicaid transportation: If you have Medicaid and a medical appointment, you may be entitled to free transportation — call your Medicaid managed care plan
Financial Protections and Benefits
- SCRIE: Freeze your rent if you’re 62+ in a stabilized apartment earning under $50,000/year. See our SCRIE guide.
- DREI: Rent freeze for any age with qualifying disability benefits. See our DREI guide.
- Medicare Savings Programs: Pay your Medicare premiums and costs. See our Medicare Savings guide.
- Medicaid: Free or low-cost health coverage for income-eligible seniors. See our Medicaid guide.
- SNAP: Grocery benefits for income-eligible seniors. See our SNAP guide.
- HIICAP: Free Medicare counseling — (212) 341-3500
- SCHE (Senior Citizen Homeowners’ Exemption): Property tax reduction for senior homeowners — apply at nyc.gov/finance
Legal Services
- JASA Legal Services: (212) 273-5200 — free legal help for older adults including housing, wills, elder abuse, and benefits
- Legal Aid Society: (212) 577-3300 — civil legal services including housing and elder law
- NYC Bar Association Lawyer Referral: (212) 626-7373 — reduced-fee initial consultations
- Many senior centers have on-site legal clinics — ask your center
Caregiver Support
If you care for an older adult, NYC Aging has services specifically for family caregivers:
- Caregiver Consultation and Support: Case management and counseling for family caregivers — contact NYC Aging at (212) 244-6469
- Respite care: Temporary relief care to give caregivers a break — ask NYC Aging about respite options
- Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116 — national service that can connect caregivers to local resources anywhere in the U.S.
Social Connection and Mental Health
- NYC senior centers: Social programming, classes, and peer connection — see our senior centers guide
- NYC Well: 1-888-NYC-WELL (1-888-692-9355) — free, confidential mental health support 24/7
- Friendly visiting programs: Volunteer visitors for isolated older adults — ask NYC Aging or your local senior center
- Senior Planet: Technology and digital literacy programs for older adults — seniorplanet.org
How to Start: One Call to NYC Aging
The most efficient way to navigate this system is to call NYC Aging at (212) 244-6469 or dial 311 and ask for senior services. A case manager will conduct a comprehensive assessment of your needs — housing, health, nutrition, transportation, benefits, legal, social — and connect you to the services most relevant to your situation. You don’t need to navigate each program separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m 60 and still working. Can I access NYC aging services?
Yes. Most NYC Aging services are open to anyone 60 or older, and there is no income test for programs like senior center meals and home-delivered meals. Working does not disqualify you. Call NYC Aging at (212) 244-6469 to learn what’s available to you.
My parent doesn’t speak English. Can they still access these services?
Yes. NYC Aging services are available in multiple languages, and 311 operators are available in over 200 languages. Many senior centers and community provider organizations specifically serve non-English-speaking communities. When calling, mention the language your parent is most comfortable in and ask for a provider serving that community.
What is the difference between home care and home health care?
Home care (also called personal care or home attendant services) assists with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and cooking — typically funded through Medicaid programs like CDPAP. Home health care involves skilled nursing, physical therapy, or other medical services delivered at home — typically covered by Medicare when medically necessary. A person may need both simultaneously.
How do I get emergency help for an older adult in crisis?
For immediate physical danger or medical emergency, call 911. For non-emergency elder abuse, neglect, or urgent service needs, call Adult Protective Services at (212) 630-1853 (24/7) or 311. For mental health crisis, call NYC Well at 1-888-NYC-WELL (24/7).
