At the VNSNY CHOICE Adult Day Center, we love discussion groups with our seniors.      It’s a wonderful way for them to stimulate cognition, feel valuable, share opinions and socialize.   Their humor and wisdom always make an impression and encourage us to think in new ways.   Last week, we had a great discussion.   We loved their answers and wanted to share with you…   

What does the word “elder” mean to you?

• Boss
• Wise person
• Teacher
• Apostle
• Have loot
• A good neighbor
• Pastor
• Someone in charge
• Experienced
• Someone you respect 

What are the gifts and contributions you make to our lives and world?

• Words of…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Last week, we had our annual holiday sing-a-long/ Santa visit led by our friends at Partners in Care, the home health care agency that provides us with our exceptional Home Health Aides. Our staff and seniors were so moved and appreciative of their visit, that it compelled me to share more with you about this special day.

Not only was the event deeply meaningful, but it also provided many therapeutic benefits, even if the seniors didn’t realize it during the activity. This special sing-a-long is a great example of how we…

During the holiday season, if we’re lucky, we get to spend time celebrating with our loved ones, but for many, especially seniors, December can be lonely if loved ones live far away or have passed. Many seniors suffer from depression during this time of year, and we work hard to lift their spirits.

At the VNSNY CHOICE Adult Day Center, December is party month and we keep the celebrations going through New Year’s Eve. In addition to 4 holiday parties and a New Year’s Eve celebration, we have a Chanukah party,…

According to the American Horticulture Therapy Association, “Horticultural therapy (HT) is the engagement of a person in gardening-related activities, facilitated by a trained therapist, to achieve specific treatment goals. HT is a simple, “low tech” treatment to implement which has proven positive outcomes. It is non-threatening to the client, encourages social activity, improves memory, provides sensory stimulation and exercise, reduces stress and tension, diminishes anger and rewards nurturing behavior.”

At the VNSNY CHOICE Adult Day Center, we offer HT and we’ve seen it work wonders with our seniors. Many used to love…

Ms. C. just told me that she cried because she thought she had to give up coming to our center, the VNSNY CHOICE Adult Day Center.   She hasn’t been feeling well lately and she needs more aide hours at home. She was concerned that if she was at home with an aide more often, she wouldn’t be able to come here. I reassured her that the aide and the center compliment each other and help her to live at home, where she wants to be.

Ms. C. told me that she’s learned…

It always strikes me how the Day Center staff encourage and support our seniors to participate in activities. They do it in such a gentle and dignified way. Sometimes it’s direct and other times it’s just a subtle look or touch that gives the seniors the courage to dive in and participate.

This morning, our members were gathering in the circle to exercise, and the music was playing to get everyone in the mood. Ms. N. was bouncing in her chair – you could see that she was itching to get…