The Bronx, the only NYC borough with an article in its name, is the third most densely populated borough, despite a quarter of its area being open space. Growing older in this borough is easy with so many transport options, activities, and medical resources. And having a home caregiver can encourage a comfortable, active life. With so many resources in New York's northernmost borough, if you don't want to leave the mainland, you don't have to.

Transport

Getting around the Bronx is simple with public, shared, and private transportation options. The Bronx has numerous bus and subway lines that extend north from New York. Apply for a reduced fare card, or if using the subway is too difficult, consider paratransit. Access-A-Ride (AAR) is a shared-ride service that requires planning in advance, as well as a mail-in application, but it's very effective and much more comfortable on hot and cold days. Uber is a private car service that arrives minutes after you enter a destination through its mobile app. These options cover a span of price and convenience and are made more simple with the help of a home caregiver.

Activities

If you have home care and want to continue living an active, engaging life, ask your caregiver to accompany you to one of the Bronx's many parks or cultural institutions. The Bronx Zoo is one of the biggest zoos in the world, and since every building is wheelchair accessible, it's a great place for seniors to see over 900 species of animals. The zoo is free on Wednesdays, and it's best to visit during spring or fall, when it's less crowded and animals are more active. The New York Botanical Garden is also a great destination for a day out. The Tram is wheelchair-accessible and has a narrated tour with large-print transcripts. If you don't feel like going to Manhattan for high culture, head to the Bronx Museum of the Arts, which is free for all ages. Check their calendar of events before you go.

Resources

Being part of New York City means having all of the resources the largest city in the country has to offer, from social services to government offices to excellent hospitals. The Bronx-based social service agency, R.A.I.N., has ten offices that offer transportation services, home-delivered meals, and help obtaining benefits. R.A.I.N. also sponsors low-income housing projects for seniors and personal care services. Call any of these Senior Centers for more information, or look for the one that's closest to you. The Department for the Aging is located in Manhattan, but different community boards are allocated specific regions of the Bronx, to better deal with local questions and concerns. This resource has a list of which community boards are where, as well as the corresponding community centers in their zone. For medical care, the best hospitals in the Bronx include the Montefiore Medical Center and St. Barnabas Hospital. The latter has risen dramatically recently, especially for ear, nose and throat conditions.