Embracing change is hard. Imagine you had difficulty walking and your doctor told you it was time to start using a cane. Imagine he handed it to you right then and there. Would you use it?

Losing Independence

For many the very thought of using a cane signals the end of independence altogether. While I spend a good deal of my time trying to convince my clients it’s not, I do understand the feeling.

I’ve always had 20/20 vision and somehow expected I always would. When I look back I realize this expectation…

When caregivers think of adult day services, they think about the activities, supervision, nutrition, and personal care their loved ones receive at the center. Below is an example of Ms C. – we work with her caregiver regularly to help her stay safe at the center as well as at home.

Ms. C. has been attending our center 5 days a week for over 2 years. Her diagnoses include diabetes, hypertension, and Alzheimer’s Disease. Ms. C’s daughter is her primary caregiver and doesn’t live with her, but she’s in close contact…

The staff members at our Day Center work hard to create new and exciting activities designed to provide cognitive and physical stimulation to keep our seniors functioning as highly as possible and to prevent decline.

However, often we’re reminded that simply socializing with others is often the best “medicine” they get at the center.

Here are a few comments from our members:

• Ms. D. told our Aide: “Ever since my husband passed away I’ve been very lonely and depressed at home.  When I came to the center I didn’t think I would like…

Working successfully with people with dementia requires a high level of skill and attention to detail. VNSNY CHOICE Adult Day Center staff are trained to understand that dementia presents itself differently in each person we serve. We get to know our members as individuals in order to understand their perspectives, meet their needs, help them function as highly as possible while keeping an eye on changes in behavior.

Our Recreation Leaders and Home Health Aides (HHA’s) are exceptional at learning all they can about each member, their histories, support systems, likes…

Seniors can be at risk for isolation and depression, especially if their cognitive or physical functioning has declined. Adult Day Services can help reduce isolation and depression. Last week, one of our members with dementia made a comment that really exemplifies how adult day services can change people’s lives.

Ms. W. told us that coming to our center is the only time she gets out of the house. Her family visits her at home, her doctor and nurse make home visits, and she doesn’t have any other opportunities to go out…

We offer exercise every day at the VNSNY CHOICE Adult Day Center. It’s our seniors’ favorite activity and we’ve seen amazing changes in level of functioning over time. Whichever classes are offered, I’m constantly amazed at how our Activity Leaders come up with sessions that not only get the body moving, but also combine discussion and socialization to keep the seniors engaged. How often do you hear loud laughter when people are doing exercise? We hear it everyday! Not only do we offer stretching and strengthening exercises, but we also…

On May 25^th, our center celebrated the 18^th Annual National Senior Health and Fitness Day. This is an annual event observed at more than 1,000 local sites across the country. Organized by the Mature Market Resource Center, this event is the nation’s largest health and wellness event for seniors. Local organizations host senior health and fitness activities that encourage older adults to enhance their quality of life through regular physical activity. We’ve been participating in this event for the past four years. This year’s theme was “Make Fitness a Goal for Life!”

At this year’s event, we…

Cards from the Cub Scouts.

Did you know that May is Older Americans Month? (http://olderamericansmonth.org/) This year’s theme is Older Americans: Connecting the Community. The theme focuses on how older adults “bring inspiration and continuity to the fabric of our communities.” Seniors, their history and their wisdom are the fabric of our communities and we love to plan activities that “weave” our seniors into a tapestry of younger populations.

Yesterday, our favorite Girl Scout Troop, 1986 Heart of the Hudson, joined us for a truly inspirational day. This year, for the first time, a Cub Scouts troop…

Adult day services helps participants when they’re at the center, but the support, stimulation and companionship they get from other participants and staff stays with them, even when they go home. Our seniors and caregivers often call us family, so this week I thought I would share some of their thoughts…

Ms. R’s daughter called to tell us about how moved the entire family was this past December when Ms. R showed them pictures of how engaged she’s been with center activities such as baking, dancing, yoga, and art. Ms. R comes to the center everyday, and everyday…

Here’s some feedback from caregivers on adult day services, to help you understand how the benefits of these programs extend well beyond the center walls…  

Ms. N has been coming to the center for 2 years.  She was resistant, anxious, depressed and didn’t socialize with anyone when she started.   Over the past 2 years, she has developed many close friendships here.   She loves helping the low vision members, her nickname is “mother” and you can feel the love when they interact.   Last week, she asked if she could come to the center more…