Urban centers like New York City offer older adults easier access to a larger span of services and amenities than many other settings, as well as more opportunities to stay connected with the surrounding community.

Thanks to this ease of access, seniors living in areas like Manhattan may find it easier to remain independent in their long-time homes for longer than those living in more spread out, car-dependent locales.

Despite these benefits, city living does present its own set of challenges and hazards. Read on to learn how services like home health care, even if only used sparingly, can help smooth out some of the rougher edges of aging-in-place in a major city. 

Easier Travel

New York City offers easily walkable sidewalks, public transportation, and for-hire cars that make accessing senior centers, museums, eateries, and healthcare providers a snap at any age.

While this transportation network makes staving off hazards like social isolation much easier, older adults with limited mobility may avoid taking solo trips out of concern for their safety or ability to return home.

Home health care providers can help older New Yorkers stay active in their community by assisting with travel, either by planning routes, navigating public transport in the event of service disruptions, and keeping their client in good company while out seeing the sights.

Making the Most of a Smaller Apartment

New York City apartments have a reputation for being on the small side, which means even a little bit of clutter accumulated around the house can make the space feel cramped, create opportunities for pest infestations, and pose significant fall hazards.

A home health caregiver can be a big help in keeping a home tidy and safe by handling household chores, allowing their client to focus on what is most important to them.

Keeping a Full Pantry

While there are no shortage of supermarkets in almost every NYC neighborhood, navigating these often crowded shops and bringing purchases back home can be a real challenge for some older adults, leading to more frequent, smaller purchases, or nutritionally deficient meals.

Home health caregivers can be a huge help in keeping a well-stocked kitchen by performing trips to the supermarket with their client (or a shopping list for those with more limited mobility.)

Not only does this lower the chance of an accident while shopping and promote a more well-rounded diet, having some help on grocery runs can save a client money by allowing them to purchase larger quantities of items they use frequently.

Staying Safe

While New York City and other urban centers have continuously grown safer in recent decades, having a trusted companion at home or on the street can still go a long way towards feeling safer.

Beyond day-to-day safety, the support of a home health caregiver and agency really shines during emergency events, ranging from heat waves and hurricanes to power outages and other man-made events.

Home caregivers and their support staff protect clients by ensuring they are well-stocked with emergency supplies, providing early warnings (when possible) and, if need be, communicating with emergency service providers to ensure the client stays safe no matter what challenges the city faces.

SelectCare has been helping New Yorkers live happier, healthier lives in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx for 37 years. To learn how SelectCare can help you or a loved one, call SelectCare today or request a free in-home care guide!