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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

During the holiday season something to be thankful for is the health of loved ones. Recently the caregiver of a gentleman I was working with invited me to have a cup of her home made yogurt. To my surprise I didn’t know it was even possible to make yogurt from scratch and yes it was much better than the store bought version.

The caregiver simply wanted to express her gratitude to all the people who assisted her husband’s transition back home after a prolonged hospital stay. Although her husband was returning to a…

Corrective pediatric surgeries happen everyday in most hospitals in the United States. For the most part, these surgeries are required for many different conditions and can be life changing. Corrective surgeries, for example, open doors for ambulation, normal cardiac function, normal diet consumption and opportunities for achievement. Families do there best to prepare themselves and their child for what may be a difficult road to recovery. It can be life changing in both good and bad ways.  Bad in that some surgery recipients have complications and have great difficulty “getting…

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,…

Holiday cheer, family in from out of town, and all the fittings of the many feasts that come with the holidays. As you prepare to entertain, visit with family and routines get changed, don’t forget the safety part of any holiday. Many years ago, I had a parent who reported to me her daughter’s trip to an ER on Christmas Eve. Because her daughter (then 3-years-old) took an unidentified pill. A pill you ask? Yes, it was left in the bathroom on the sink by an older cousin who had…