District News

COVID-19 Resources for Seniors

Apr 3, 2020
an older woman shops for groceries

This period during the COVID-19 pandemic can be very stressful, especially to our senior community. Below we have put together tips and resources that older adults can utilize to make their day-to-day routine easier as well as more interesting with at-home activities. 

GROCERY SHOPPING

Grocery shopping during this period can be a very stressful experience, but there are ways to make the task a lot easier! Many stores have began opening the doors earlier in the morning for seniors to shop before the general public. Below are stores in Lincoln Square offering these special shopping hours (hours are subject to change – check with individual businesses for exact operations):

  • Whole Foods (10 Columbus Circle; (212) 823-9600): 7:00am – 8:00am daily
  • Trader Joes (2073 Broadway; (212) 799-0028): 9:00am – 10:00am daily
  • Morton Williams (917 9th Avenue; (212) 586-8784): 7:00am – 8:00am daily
  • Duane Reade (1889 Broadway; (212) 586-6749): 8:00am – 9:00am every Tuesday

If you’re worried to leave your home, why not try ordering your groceries online? You can pick out the items you would like to purchase, pay online and have them delivered right to your front door! Many grocery stores and websites have begun offering online ordering, so check out some below:

Be sure to also visit GrowNYC’s Greenmarket, open Thursdays and Saturdays at Richard Tucker Park, and local produce street carts to stock up on fresh food in an open-air setting! And, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer put together a list of resources on how to get food around the City. 

ACTIVITIES FROM HOME

Are you looking for entertaining ways to pass the time during quarantine? Many organizations have senior-specific programming that you can participate in from home!

Get up and get active! The YMCA is offering at home workouts designed for older adults through their online portal, YMCA @ Home. Try out different exercises, including cardio, strength and Pilates, to keep your body strong and healthy.

The Marlene Meyerson JCC has launched virtual programming that changes daily. From virtual book club meetings to morning meditations, there is something for everyone! And, if you’re interested in taking classes on a whole range of issues and interests, check out DOROT’s University Without Walls program. Classes are being added daily and all you need is a telephone to participate! Click here to register for the program. DOROT has also created a new Caring Calls program to continue their critical work to build social connections between the generations during this global health crisis – a time when face-to-face contact is, unfortunately, no longer a safe option. Click here to register for the Caring Calls program. 

Many other cultural organizations and businesses around Lincoln Square and the City are offering virtual activities and programming to the general public during this period. Click here to view our guide to how to stay connected to culture and more from home. And, check out the LSBID Events Calendar, updated daily with virtual events that may be of interest.

OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES

Check out some other resources below that may be of help:

If you have the ability to, you can sign-up here to be added to a list of Upper West Siders who are available to assist vulnerable neighbors via check-in phone calls and other safe outreach.

We will continue to provide updates as we receive new information; however, information changes frequently, so please check with individual businesses and organizations for the most up-to-date information. And, contact us if you have questions via email at info@lincolnsquarebid.org.

Photo credit: Woman's Day