with McHarrie Life Staff

Q&A

for your health

Q: I recently retired and would like to volunteer at McHarrie Life. Are you accepting volunteer applications? If so, where do I begin? A: We welcome you to join our volunteer team! There are many kinds of volunteer opportunities available seven days a week. There is no minimum hour requirement—our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding volunteer opportunity that best fits your personal goals and interests. To learn more, contact Jessica Lynch, Volunteer Coordinator, at 315-638-2521. Q: My mother was a long-term care resident at Syracuse Home and loved participating in the activities program. She recently passed away, and I would like to designate gifts in her memory to benefit the Activities Department. Should I ask for donations to go to McHarrie Life Foundation? A: Yes, our Foundation supports 100% of the activities department and its efforts to provide the most meaningful lifestyle choices for our residents. When you donate to McHarrie Life Foundation, your gift supports the wonderful activities offered to our residents every day—from iPad technology, to live entertainment, shopping trips, games, crafts, baking, woodworking projects, and educational programs. It is with much appreciation for generous donors like you that we provide opportunities to our residents that are special, interesting, and meaningful to them. As a charitable organization, we rely on the support of donors to sustain our remarkable level of care that has become our tradition since 1851. Each donation has a direct impact on our healthcare programs and services by enabling us to provide stateof-the-art care for every resident we are privileged to serve. —Kelly O’Neill-Rossi, Director of

Development & Marketing

McHarrie Life Foundation

Q: My mother currently lives independently in her own home, but she needs daily assistance from my sister and me. We prepare her meals, wash her laundry, and help her shower. Unfortunately, she has fallen several times over the past six months. Neither fall required hospitalization, but we are fearful that she will get seriously injured if she falls again. When and how should we suggest a safer living alternative to her? She really does not want to leave her home. A: The first step is to approach this conversation with your mother delicately and kindly. She is most likely feeling overwhelmed, sad, fearful, and uncertain of her future. Take this time to listen and validate her concerns. Feel free to openly discuss her multiple falls and your worry about her getting seriously injured in the future. It isn’t easy to have this conversation since years of memories and expectations weigh heavily on you both.

Sometimes it is helpful to have a non-objective third person involved to help guide the conversation, such as a physician, religious figure, counselor, or social worker. It is also beneficial for her to tour different facilities to see what the community offers.

As we age, it is important to have some consistency within our lives, as we are creatures of habit. Some facilities offer options to provide continuity, such as an “aging in place” concept. This concept helps provide stability and enables an individual to move through different levels of assistance as they age. The NYS Office of the Aging has valuable resources available to assist older adults, ranging from legal advisement, help with housing, Medicare, and much more. For more information, call 1-844697-6321. Remember, you are not alone; don’t hesitate to reach out. These resources are a lifeline to maintaining some likeness of your mother’s current life. In addition, they help to provide a feeling of control when your mother’s world has changed or is about to change dramatically.

If you would like to learn more about the programs and services available at McHarrie Life, feel free to contact our admissions department at 315-638-2521.

—Kristina Poff, B.S., M.S. Ed.