By Anna Gustafson
Proposed city and state budget cuts may force six Queens senior centers to close, eradicating a crucial system of support for a vulnerable population susceptible to loneliness and depression, officials said.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s call to eliminate discretionary funding for seniors would shutter at least six senior centers in the borough, including Forest Park in Woodhaven, Kew Gardens, SAGE/Queens in Jackson Heights, Korean American in Flushing, Bell Park in Queens Village and Lefrak in Corona.
Should the state Legislature approve Gov. David Paterson’s proposal to carve $25 million from the city Department for the Aging, Marshall said another 15 centers could close, services for 2,000 home-bound clients would be eliminated and about 1,750 fewer meals would be delivered to home-bound individuals.
“It would be devastating if this place closed,” said Donna Caltabiano, executive director of the Forest Park senior center. “This place keeps them alive. They need stimulation. They need a purpose.”
For the 40 to 50 elderly individuals who go to Caltabiano’s center on 91st Street, the activities that range from music to bingo give many of them a reason to get up in the morning and ward off the depression that can frequently plague elderly residents who live alone, the executive director said.
“I have one lady who’s 97 years old who comes here every Wednesday to hear music and it’s her salvation,” Caltabiano said. “There’s another lady who’s 95 years old who volunteers here every day.”
The center, which is open Monday through Thursday, serves lunches to the seniors — potentially the only meal they may eat in a day.
“If it’s just you all day, you’re not going to cook for yourself,” Caltabiano said. “Maybe they’ll make themselves a sandwich, but this is the only meal for many of them.”
Marshall noted she has battled with the city for years over proposals to eliminate her discretionary funds for seniors.
“Every single year we need to work to restore these funds that provide services, including assistance for family caregivers,” Marshall said.
With more than 374,000 people over the age of 60 in Queens, Marshall said she was especially concerned about the potential that these funds providing lifelines to seniors would be cut.
Reach reporter Anna Gustafson by e-mail at agustafson@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4574.
