Neti pots have been in use for a very long time all around the world. If you have never heard of them it is used to flush the nare-nose of secretion. If you are an allergy sufferer you may use one when the seasonal allergies become unbearable. For some children, it is a method to clear blocked sinus passages with a warm water solution. Kids tell me that it looks like a ‘terrible teapot’ in other words they don’t like BUT do like the fact that they breathe better after…
Posted in: Health Care Tips, Healthy in NYC Tags: caregiving, cold weather, family, parenting, pediatrics, prevention, safety, tips
One of the wonderful benefits of being an adult day center affiliated with VNSNY CHOICE (http://2012.vnsnychoice.org/) is that we have access to experts to provide health education. Recently, VNSNY CHOICE Rehabilitation Consultants gave excellent Falls Prevention presentations to seniors in our dementia program. Although one might think that people with dementia may have difficulty understanding the information, we’ve been pleasantly surprised at how much the seniors learned and what good questions they’ve been asking about this important topic.
Since the presentations, we have seen noticeable changes in behavior that are helping our…
Posted in: Family Caregiving, Home Safety, Working with the Elderly Tags: Adult Day Services, Dementia, elder day care, elderly day care, falls prevention, geriatric day care, health education, senior care, senior day care, senior day care centers
For families that care for an ill child at home the work is 24/7, and the stress of daily care can take a toll on everyone. But much research on home care in children supports that these children often do so much better at home. They continue to maintain their role within the family. Surround yourself with those that love you, and you love and anything is possible. Here is a thought:
H — Happiness lives there;
O — Overwhelming love and safety;
M — Me and my family, strong together;
E — Everyone I care…
Posted in: Did you know?, Family Caregiving, Health Care Tips, Healthy in NYC Tags: caregiver support, caregiving, parenting, pediatrics, prevention, primary caregiver, tips
Ms. N., an 85-year-old female living in Queens, joined VNSNY CHOICE and the VNSNY CHOICE Adult Day Center a few months ago. She lives with her family, but they work during the day, and she needs help to remain safely at home.
Last week when she arrived at our Adult Day Center, she appeared lethargic. Our staff spoke to her about the change in her condition, but she didn’t realize there was anything wrong. She showed staff a paper bag filled with medications and told them that she wasn’t sure how to take them. The…
Posted in: Family Caregiving, Working with the Elderly Tags: adult day programs, Home Health Care, managed long term care programs, medicare special needs programs, senior services, VNSNY CHOICE
Mashi Blech is the Director of VNSNY Community Connections TimeBank.
This guest blog was written by Mashi Blech, Director of VNSNY Community Connections TimeBank
Irma was in a panic. She was having surgery and was worried how she would manage alone after coming home from the hospital. Her son was coming from out of town on Day One but what about Day Two, Three and Four? Who would run to the pharmacy or make her some chicken soup?
Vivian moved to this country knowing no one. She was afraid to even leave her…
Posted in: Did you know?, Uncategorized Tags: care, helping others, timebank, volunteer, volunteering
Life Skills is something we, as adults, take for granted since we feel pretty independent in all our daily living needs unless we suffer from some illness that requires assistance. But our children, specifically our teenagers, are poised at the ready to enter the big world of adulthood. Are they ready? Better yet are we ready? How do you prepare your teen or young adult out of college to handle daily independent living in a positive way?
Things are very different now then they were 20 or more years ago. To…
Posted in: Did you know?, Family Caregiving, Healthy in NYC Tags: parenting, pediatrics, prevention, tips
One of our wonderful Girl Scout volunteers who comes to the VNSNY CHOICE Adult Day Center (http://2012.vnsnychoice.org/) for intergenerational programs is now spending some time in China. She wrote to us to share how her experience with the elderly at our center is shaping her experience in Shanghai. It’s very interesting and I wanted to share it with you.
My name is Neassa and I have been a Girl Scout since the 4th Grade. One of the parts of Girl Scouts that I have enjoyed the most is preparing for and…
Posted in: Working with the Elderly Tags: adult day programs, elder day care, elderly day care, geriatric day care, intergenerational programs, senior care, senior day care, senior day care centers
Nearly a year ago, when I wrote the blog When You Meet a Stranger’s Husband, I noted that I was rarely with family when keeping vigil. During the week I met with Ferdinand, I was fairly convinced that we would not see each other again. I was naïve to think this way since we live in the small town of Park Slope, Brooklyn.
Because the first anniversary of Isabella’s death is this week (Jan. 15), I wanted to talk about my unplanned reunion with Ferdinand. It happed on August 15; seven…
Posted in: Grief and Bereavement, Uncategorized Tags: bereavement, caregiver, caregiving, communication, Grief, Hospice
New York City temperatures are beginning to drop. Before you know it snow will be in the forecast, which means older adults need to take adequate precautions before heading outdoors. They can reduce their risk of falling by sticking to these guidelines.Posted in: Did you know?, FAQ, Health Care Tips, Healthy in NYC, Home Safety, Working with the Elderly Tags: caregiver, caregivers, caregiving, cold weather, elderly, Falls, prevention, safety, seniors, tips
Last week, we had our annual New Year’s Eve party and as always, our seniors had some great new year’s resolutions and thoughts to share. One of things I love about working with this population is being inspired by their perspective and wisdom. As we toasted to 2012, I had chills looking at all the smiling faces, and seeing everyone laughing and loving each other. As many of them said, they would be home alone if they didn’t come to our center. As I told them, we’re so grateful they choose…
Posted in: Family Caregiving, Working with the Elderly Tags: adult day centers, elderly day care, Family Caregiving, geriatric day care, senior care, senior day care, senior day care centers