Rockaway Beach between 85th and 86th Street

Autumn has officially kicked off but this traveling therapist was pleased there was some summer weather last week.

Highlights

• Enjoyed a lunch break along the shore of Rockaway Beach. One of the perks of being assigned to work in a beach-side neighborhood.
• It was a pleasant surprise to have some of the safety equipment I had ordered for my seniors arrive earlier than expected.
• Listening to Ms. B. who is a piano teacher rave about her love for all things Chopin. She promised to play her classical collection…

My last post discussed asthma triggers and controlling symptoms. Today I want to discuss what can be done to control the most common triggers. It is very important to know first what makes your symptoms worst. Is it seasonal trigger (like mold and pollen), pet dander, viral infections, something else? Once you understand these triggers, you can employ ways to make your home environment healthier for you and your lungs.

For example if pet dander is identified as a trigger for you, having no furry pets that have dander is a quick…

This Friday October 1^st, the United Nations marks the International Day of Older Persons. On October 7^th, the UN will host a conference to commemorate the 20^th anniversary of the International Day of Older Persons. Countries from around the world will gather to recognize that older persons are a growing segment of society throughout the world, promote elder justice and work on strengthening the global rights of older men and women. At our Center, we have seniors from over 20 countries and they often speak of life in their country of origin.…

When hospice volunteers are assigned patients, we are given guidance by members of the entire medical team: the nurse, the social worker, the volunteer manager, the spiritual care counselor and the bereavement counselor. We are all working together to help the patient say good bye in a way that offers peace.

Among the important milestones are helping the patient say: I’m sorry, I forgive you, thank you, I love you, goodbye. Not all statements are required for all situations, but we try to be mindful of the dynamics at play, which…

Now that fall is here, flu season is right around the corner. As many people may have already noticed, the vaccine is available in many places, such as your physician’s office, some local drugstores and perhaps where you work. The CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), now recommends that all persons over the age of six months receive a flu shot. This year, only one injection is needed.

Photo by renjith krishnan

This year’s vaccine contains three strains of the flu virus:

• H3N2 — predicted to be prevalent this winter
• H1N1 — the strain…

(photo by Craig ONeal)

What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness is a type of awareness meditation. The purpose is for you not to focus on anything but the thing you are doing at the moment.

That may sound simple in theory but we all know life is full of distractions. A walk in the park may be interrupted by a text from a spouse, a phone call from work, or even your own thoughts may be a distraction. Mindfulness encourages you to just take a walk. And that’s it.

Thich Nhat Hanh who wrote The Miracle of Mindfulness…

When we have music and dancing at our center, the staff can hardly keep up with our seniors! They love a good party and they’re always ready to put on their dancing shoes. Ms. E, a participant in the dementia program, is always the first one on the dance floor and the last one to sit down. She has great rhythm and she loves to dance with participants, staff and our entertainers!

I was moved when I received a letter from her daughter last week.  Here is an excerpt…

“Debbie, I just…

photographer: dream designs

Last night, a friend and I went to the Alice Tully Hall Starr Theater to listen to a performance by the Chamber Music Society. It was an excellent program consisting of works by Haydn, Dohnanyi and Brahms. We were very excited, and prior to the concert we decided to get together and have dinner — we hadn’t seen each other in a while and had so much to catch up on! We were having a great time conversing with each other and the waiter, and lost track of…

“Triggers” sounds like a scary word, especially to a child, but it is just the word used to describe all the things that can exacerbate asthma. There are many causes of asthma. Some can be seen (foods, roaches, etc.), and others are invisible to the naked eye (pet dander, dust mites, etc.). There are some important factors to keep in mind about triggers. First, there are many potential triggers for asthma. Second, no two people with asthma have the same triggers (even siblings). Third, determining what causes your asthma will…

Photo by Stephen Jue

As I recap the previous week I can’t help but give mention to the fierce tornado which swept through New York City last Thursday. Fallen trees that have stood strong through many generations, crumpled cars and neighborhoods still trying to clean up were in full view during today’s morning commute. Take precaution when walking outdoors if your neighborhood is still undergoing clean up.

Four Words to Recap the Week

1) Thankful — Considering I spend a good portion of the day traveling, I am thankful that I was not on the road…