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…

Have you ever tried to finish a home improvement project without using the right tools? How did it turn out? As a new homeowner, I’ve learned the results aren’t pretty.

Along the same lines, using the right equipment can enable people with certain physical limitations to safely accomplish every-day tasks in the home. If you use any of these common household items for these (or similar) reasons, allow me to share with you a few safer options.

1) Avoid holding onto the towel rack to enter and exit the bathtub or shower.…

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…

As 2011 is winding down my gut instinct is to make a few of the familiar resolutions for the coming year. Does starting a new exercise plan or eating healthier ring a bell?

However, before I make any of those resolutions I took time to reflect on my experiences providing care in the greatest city on earth and here’s what I came up with.

The Value of Home Care

Having choices is good. Having choices when it comes to caring for the older adults in our lives is invaluable. Everyday I witness how home health care improves the quality of life…

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 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…