Family caregivers face a higher risk of depression than do non-caregivers. In fact, estimates show that between 40 to 70% of caregivers have clinically significant symptoms of depression.[i] And rates of depression increase as the health status of the care recipient decreases[ii] — higher levels of depression are seen in people caring for someone with a disorder that requires a great deal of hands-on care, such as dementia. According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, 30 to 40% of dementia caregivers suffer from depression and emotional stress. 

What are some of the reasons family caregivers…

An important component of the VNSNY CHOICE Adult Day Center is offering health education to our seniors. We want to provide our members with information to help them live safe and healthy lives at home, as long as possible.

Last week, we had a terrific speaker from the Jamaica Service Program for Older Adults (JSPOA) present on Sexuality and Aging. The speaker, who’s an RN and a senior herself, helped our members get comfortable with the topic while educating them. She spoke about living a healthy, sexually active life regardless of…

Almost all of us know someone who is a family caregiver—someone  who provides  frequent or even daily assistance to a family member, friend of neighbor.  We know this is a hard job, which often leads to feelings of stress, fatigue and isolation.  We want to help that person, and many of us even offer.  We say, “Please know that I’m here for you.  Call me if there’s anything I can do.”  But they don’t call.  Are they so in control of the situation that they don’t need help?

           Chances are…

As a family caregiver, your goal is to help your family member hear as well as possible so they can remain vibrant members of their community and connected to the life around them. While there have been many improvements in hearing assistive technology, and many people report that a hearing aid has greatly improved their quality of life, the reality is that many elderly people still resist any mention of their hearing loss, never mind getting treatment for it. And to be honest, many users of hearing aids report that “they’re…

Those living with Rheumatoid Arthritis often have difficulty with daily activities and cooking is no exception. This chronic condition causes inflammation at the joints and surrounding tissues. This can affect your ability to use a cutting board, open jars, carry pots and stand for long periods of time.

But by using certain kitchen tools and modifying your kitchen environment, you can decrease the amount of stress placed on your joints. If you or a loved has Rheumatoid Arthritis, follow these tips to make cooking easier.

Use Adaptive Kitchen Tools

• Speed up and reduce prep work with a food processor
• Decrease…

The Girl Scouts Troop 1986 from Westchester has been coming to the VNSNY CHOICE Adult Day Center to lead and participate in intergenerational activities for many years. We’ve literally watched the girls grow up. Over the years, they’ve become so comfortable and developed a true appreciation for seniors. For our seniors, their creativity and energy has been an inspiration and comfort. Sadly, this year will be Troop 1986’s last year with us. We’re hoping Victoria’s younger brother in the Cub Scouts and younger sister in the Daisies continue intergenerational activities for many years to come. Here…

The latest research from Johns Hopkins University and the National Institute on Aging showed that seniors with hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop dementia over time than those who retain their hearing.¹ When I read this, I was expecting to see the suggestion that the use of hearing aids can, therefore, help prevent dementia. Unfortunately, that recommendation did not come (hearing aid use is the subject of the researchers’ next study).  So are there any lessons for a family caregiver of an elderly person who is exhibiting signs of hearing loss?

First, it…

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Installing grab bars in the bathroom are a great way to improve the safety of the older adults in our lives. But there’s more to improving safety than just purchasing a pair of grab bars. Try these helpful tips to improve the safety of your loved one when they’re getting in and out of the tub.

Concentration Counts

• Getting in and out of the tub requires concentration
• Your loved one may need help in the bathroom if they have difficulty with attention or concentration

Practice Makes Perfect

• Practice using newly installed grab bars before…

Art therapy has such a positive effect on our seniors and we see the benefits every day. It gives many a way to express themselves and for others, it unleashes new talents. Some of our seniors have never had the time or opportunity; while others may have been intimidated to try. At the VNSNY CHOICE Adult Day Center (www.vnsnychoice.org), the seniors feel comfortable trying something new–and the results have been amazing.      

Our Activities Coordinator is an art therapist and through her encouragement and creativity, art has flourished at the Center. Our seniors create beautiful artwork…

Last Friday, everyone was on alert for the impending snow storm. We weren’t sure how many seniors would attend the Day Center, but we opened for those who wanted to come. We had early dismissal to get everyone home safely before the storm arrived, even though they didn’t want to stop activities!

I was simply amazed at how many seniors showed up on Friday! 

Ms. N. told me that, although her daughter wanted her to stay home, she said, “I’m going to the Center – it’s my second home and I’m not missing…