When you’re trying to encourage someone with dementia to participate in activities, take heart and keep trying. Don’t give up, because you never know what will spark their interest and abilities.

For an activity geared toward stimulating the senses, our Activities Coordinator put together a sampling of lotions with a variety of smells. As she led the activity, she noted that the seniors didn’t seem interested. They weren’t familiar with these ”spa” scents and although there was sensory stimulation, they couldn’t relate to it.

So, she decided to change the materials for the…

We’re always looking for new and fresh ways to get our seniors involved.   Many of our participants love art or are developing a new interest in art.     For people with functional impairments, although we’re located so close to New York City, it can be difficult to get there to enjoy all the cultural opportunities.

We were very lucky to connect with the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA).   They have a wonderful program where they come to adult day centers and train staff on how to lead art related activities and discussions…

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…

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…

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…

A few months ago, a friend of mine asked what I would choose to do if I could work in a different field. Am I right if I assume that many of us have tossed around the same question? To provide you with a little background, I have wanted to be a physical therapist since my senior year of high school, and after graduation attended a combined undergraduate/graduate program at Boston University. It’s the only field I’ve known.

Now back to the question, my immediate reply to my friend’s question…

The VNSNY CHOICE Adult Day Center is starting to plan our 2012 inter-generational day with the Girl Scouts.  In past years, activities have included elements of music therapy, recreation therapy and reminiscence therapy.   It’s so interesting to hear the Girl Scouts’ perspectives on how they see the use of those therapeutic modalities present in our seniors.

See below for Cristina’s thoughts on what coming to the Day Center means to her…

“Hi! I’m Cristina. I’ve been visiting VNSNY since I was in fifth grade with my amazing Girl Scout troop. Every year,…

We’re always looking for activities that will engage our members and keep them interested. If they come up with the ideas themselves, we know they’ll be invested in the activity, so we encourage them to share their ideas with us.

Ms. A. suggested a cake decorating class, so we bought the supplies and she led the activity. She’s a certified cake decorator and she brought in pictures of beautiful wedding cakes that she’s made and competitions that she’s won over the years. Our Home Health Aide noticed that the members with…

To a child who is obese, hearing these words over and over again leads to isolation, depression, and chronic health problems. Sixteen percent of 9th- to 12th-grade teenagers in New York State are classified as obese, and that number has been climbing since 2006. Conditions that are comorbid with obesity in adult patients, such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, are now being seen in younger and younger children, which may ultimately shorten their lifespans.

This may be the first generation of children who will live shorter lives than their parents. How…