Op-Ed: Climate Change Hits the Far Rockaway’s Seniors the Hardest

By Dipaloke Banik, MD

October 29, 2012, left a lasting impact on the people of the Rockaway peninsula. Hurricane Sandy was a once-in-a-lifetime event for many, but for seniors in our community, it was just one of numerous climate-driven crises they have faced. It is not an exaggeration to say that older adults in Far Rockaway are disproportionately bearing the brunt of climate change—global warming, scorching heat waves, recurrent storms, and frigid winters.

I have been a resident of Far Rockaway since 2020. Currently, I work as a geriatric psychiatric fellow and a graduate student at the School of Public Health at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. Before that, I trained as a psychiatry resident at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital, where I worked closely with older adults. I have witnessed firsthand how extreme weather makes life harder for our elderly neighbors. Many of them live on fixed limited incomes and suffer from multiple medical comorbidities. Despite working hard all their lives and contributing to the city’s economy, they still find themselves trapped in homes that are vulnerable to flooding. I have seen the uncertainty and anxiety among the seniors of the community of being homeless with limited resources to escape the next storm.

Far Rockaway is a community marked by marginalized populations. According to the New York City Council, residents of the Rockaways in Queens are among the top five areas experiencing extreme heat and relatively limited access to air conditioning. Notably, there are about ten nursing homes and eleven assisted living facilities in the Far Rockaway area, where many senior citizens live. Many residents of these facilities are vulnerable to heat-related illnesses due to outdated thermostat systems. Seniors in the community often cannot afford air conditioning because of their limited income and mobility. Though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have already warned that adults over 65 are more likely to suffer from health stress and dehydration, few policies have been implemented to address the issue.

Air quality in the community is another pressing concern for older adults, especially in the post-COVID era. The increased number of warehouses, industrial activities, and the nearby airport are all contributing to air pollution, which is causing seniors to suffer from respiratory issues such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Poor air quality worsens existing health conditions, resulting in more hospitalizations and a lower quality of life. Seniors living in older buildings with inadequate ventilation have limited access to a clean indoor environment, which further endangers them.

The winter of 2024-2025 experienced some extreme cold spells and increased snowfall in the area, which worsened the health risks for elderly people. The harsh winter made it difficult for homebound seniors to access medical care or essential supplies. Many of them struggled with inadequate heating, leading to hypothermia and cold-related illnesses. It also strained the home care services for the elderly population in the neighborhood. Additionally, as a psychiatrist, I have noticed a troubling increase in depressive episodes related to social isolation during the winter among seniors.

Finally, I want to emphasize that our seniors have devoted their lives to building this community, and it is now our responsibility to ensure they can continue living in it safely. To achieve a healthier, sustainable, and more resilient Far Rockaway, we must advocate for policies that safeguard our most vulnerable residents. Several programs and policies already assist seniors in Far Rockaway through affordable housing, home repair assistance, and access to supportive services, by organizations like JASA (Jewish Association Serving the Aging) and the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA), but very limited compared to the demand. We are in need of additional resources for climate-resilient homes that are suitable for seniors, incorporating more green spaces, automated thermostats, and effective indoor air quality maintenance systems. Addressing the environmental disparities is not just about combating climate change—it’s about advocating for the dignity and well-being of those who have paved the way for us. I urge the local officials to engage with the community to develop an age-friendly model to secure this community.