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FALL 2017
How to choose a Medicare plan Pooled Income Trusts Senior Travel Flu shots for seniors
SENIOR LIVING GUIDE • Fall 2017
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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, October 5, 2017 Page 2
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Quality health coverage is the mission at Fidelis Care Healthy aging needs a plan Staying as healthy and active as possible as you age is likely important not just to you, but also to your loved ones. Maintaining good health requires a willingness to adapt to your body’s changing needs as you age. Take time to plan for your healthiest future possible, while living your best life in the present. Your strategy should include: • Eating a healthy diet. Proper nutrition is the key to feeling good and having plenty of energy. Eat a healthy balance from each food group, including fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains, and make sure you’re getting the right amount of calories. • Staying physically active. Exercise is essential to better health. You should aim to get at least 2.5 hours of moderate exercise each week, such as brisk walking, swimming or biking. • Opening up to new experiences. Learning new skills and pursuing new interests will help keep your mind sharp and your confidence high, prevent boredom and depression and broaden your social circles. • Maintaining social connections. Investing in relationships, both old and new,
is vital to your health as you age. Stay as connected as you can with loved ones, and join social groups to make new friends and bond over shared interests. • Getting essential preventive care. Annual physical exams will keep you in regular touch with a primary care provider you trust, who can help you manage your health properly, and guide you and your family through important decisions about any additional care you might require. Fidelis Care can help There’s a lot to consider when choosing the best health coverage for you. If you have questions or need resources, meeting with a representative for assistance can help. They have the training and expertise to answer your questions and guide you through the health insurance application process. For more information, or to make an appointment, call Fidelis Care at 1 (888) FIDELIS (1 (888) 343-3547) and one of their health benefit representatives can meet with you in person or speak to you on the phone to help you determine what type of health coverage is best for you.
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CONTENTS • Medicare signup — What you need to know during open enrollment PAGE 4 • Pooled income trusts — They may be the way to go for home care PAGE 6 • Senior travel — Destinations and packages for the elder vacationer PAGE
8
• Flu shots — Useful information about senior immunizations PAGE 10
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Senior Living Guide
What you need to know about Medicare by Mark Lord
vary significantly from plan to plan, so comparing costs and coverage each year is critical.” Find a good fit! In addition, Medicare Advantage insurers That seems to be the common denominator negotiate with healthcare providers to find the on which experts agree when it comes to lowest cost providers each year, according to selecting a Medicare plan. the publication. In recent years, it indicates, Yes, the task is daunting to be sure, but help these provider networks have become smaller, is out there, whether it be from websites like with fewer specialists. Medicare.gov, the official U.S. government site Medicare.gov cautions that if you go to a for the program, or from independent insurhealthcare provider not in the network, servicance brokers. es may not be covered. In addition, the site “Everything I know you can find on the states that providers can join or leave a netinternet, but you might spend 100 hours and be work at any time. confused” by relying solely on that source, said According to the site, each Medicare one broker, Stewart Small of SMS Insurance Advantage plan can charge different out-ofGroup in East Hills, LI. “Having a broker,” he pocket costs, which depend on many factors, added, “normally doesn’t cost anything, and including whether the plan charges monthly they can offer a full range of answers.” premiums; whether it pays any of your MediTo many Medicare-related questions, the care Part B premium; whether it has a yearly most appropriate answer is “it depends,” Small deductible or any additional deductibles; and said, adding, “The decision is a personal one how much you pay for each visit or service. based on personal factors.” Lippmann warns that some insurance comMedicare, the federal health insurance propanies charge exorbitant amounts for the supgram for people who are 65 or older and for plemental coverage, so shopping around is certain younger people with disabilities, is strongly advised. managed by the Centers for Medicare & MedIt is important to search several health icaid Services. Social Security works with the insurance companies for the best prices CMS by enrolling people in Medicare. But Medicare covers many but not all healthcare needs, while supplemental plans can fill the gaps. because the plans are all standardized, he said. they are not the same, though people often According to Medicare.gov, in order to confuse the two. home healthcare and some preventive services. enroll, you must first find out if you are eligifrom Jan. 1 through March 31. An individual is entitled to apply for Social For Part B, most individuals pay a monthly ble. To do so, you will be required to answer Of course, it is most important to learn what Security benefits beginning at age 62. Eligibil- Medicare does and does not cover. premium; the amount can vary depending on questions concerning your date of birth, how ity for Medicare comes approximately three Among the items Medicare does not cover income. The premium is generally deducted many years you have worked for which you years later, with initial eligibility beginning are long-term (or custodial) care, most dental directly from a person’s Social Security. There paid Medicare taxes, if you live in the United three months prior to one’s 65th birthday, care, eye exams related to prescribing glasses, is also an annual deductible and co-insurance. States or one of its territories, if you get group extending through one’s birth month, and con- dentures, cosmetic surgery, acupuncture, hear- After the deductible is met, one typically pays health benefits through your or your spouse’s tinuing for the next three months, giving new ing aids and routine foot care. employer, and if you 20 percent of the Medienrollees a seven-month window. are already enrolled in Still, Medicare has much to offer. There care-approved amount “The trigger dates are not connected,” are two main ways to get covered: the origi- f o r m o s t d o c t o r Part A or in neither any people neglect to emphasized Small, suggesting, “You should nal Medicare (also known as Parts A and B) services. Part A nor part B. sign up for Medicare sign up for Medicare three months before or a Medicare Advantage Plan (referred to as With that informaSmall points out reaching age 65, even if you are not ready to Part C). tion input, the site will that the rates for 2018 once they’re eligible, start receiving retirement benefits.” be able to help you Some people opt for additional coverage have not yet been The annual enrollment period for 2018 cov- such as Medicare Supplement Insurance to fill released. Last year, he determine when you which can prove to be erage, during which wou ld be elig ible, in the gaps in Parts A said, that information time you may make a costly mistake, one whether you’ll receive and B, as well as was made available in changes to various A and B automatMedicare prescription mid-November. expert in Queens warns. Parts aspects of your Mediically or if you would If you need services drug coverage (also care coverage, begins need to sign up, and that Medicare doesn’t known as Part D). Oct. 15 a nd r u ns Part A covers hos- cover, you will have to pay for them yourself, how much your premium would be. through Dec. 7. Before choosing a Medicare Advantage pital insurance and unless you have other insurance or you’re in a Jack Lippman n, includes inpatient care Medicare health plan that covers those Plan, you might consult Medicare.gov/ president of Elder find-a-plan, or call 1 (800) MEDICARE at a hospital, skilled services. Care Services, Inc. in Even if Medicare covers a service or item, (633-4227), where five-star scale ratings of nursing facility or Forest Hills, said, hospice. It also covers you generally have to pay your deductible, co- plans are offered based on categories such as “I’ve noticed a lot of Insurance broker Stewart Small, left, and Jack s e ve r a l s e r v i c e s , insurance and co-payments. how well they’re keeping members healthy, people neglect to file Lippmann of Elder Care Services Inc. say peo- including laboratory Medicare covers 80 percent of medical bills how well they’re managing members’ chronic for Medicare,” some- ple who are eligible for Medicare need to pay tests, surgery, doctor and, to cover the difference, many eligible conditions and how good customer service is. times because they close attention to deadlines and details. The bottom line, according to Small, is “you v i s i t s a n d h o m e individuals opt for Medicare Supplement PHOTOS BY MARK LORD healthcare. are still working or Insurance, at an estimated cost of $200 to $300 have to find a plan that’s most suitable to you.” because they already And, to help allay fears, he points out that Medicare.gov indi- per month. have another form of health insurance. That cates that you usually don’t pay a monthly preAnother option is a Medicare Advantage selecting a plan “is not a lifetime decision.” can prove a costly mistake, Lippmann warns. And, Small adds that while the selection mium for Part A if you or your spouse paid Plan, or Part C, which provides equal coverage According to MedicareResources.org, if you Medicare taxes while working. If you have to to original Medicare (Parts A and B) and may process can be intimidating, once you’ve comdon’t sign up for Medicare when first eligible, buy Part A, you will have to pay a monthly provide some additional benefits. Signing up pleted your research it takes only 10 minutes to you may be subject to a late enrollment penal- premium. There is also a deductible for each for Part C places an individual in a health enroll in Medicare online. You may also visit a ty. For Part B, for instance, the penalty is an benefit period, as well as co-insurance that maintenance organization, or HMO. Members local Social Security office to enroll in person. additional 10 percent of the premium for each increases depending on the length of the hospi- must generally get a referral from their primaTo contact Stewart Small, call (516) 64712-month period that you were eligible but tal stay. ry care physician in order to see a specialist or 5496 or email him at mygroupbenefits@gmail. not enrolled. com. To contact Jack Lippmann, who specialPart B covers medical insurance, as well as other doctors. The site notes that if you didn’t sign up on doctors’ and other healthcare providers’ servicIn an article in August, Moneywatch cau- izes in Medicaid issues, call (718) 575-5700 or Q time, you have a chance to do so each year es, outpatient care, durable medical equipment, tioned, “Premium deductibles and co-pays visit eldercareservicesny.com. Chronicle Contributor
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“Protect your life savings, your monthly income and homes, and at the same time apply for Medicaid medical assistance at home or in a nursing home.”
SENIOR LIVING GUIDE • Fall 2017
Many seniors don’t know that Medicaid is there to help them too, or believe that the process to get benefits is inflexible and uncaring. With our guidance and support, there’s no reason why seniors can’t become eligible and receive the benefits they need and are entitled to. We’re here to help!
QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, October 5, 2017 Page 6
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Senior Living Guide
Pooled income trusts can help with the bills by Victoria Zunitch Chronicle Contributor
What can be done when a disabled elderly or nonelderly person finds he or she has enough monthly income to cover all personal living expenses except for the cost of necessary home healthcare? People in that position might want to consider participating in a pooled income trust, which allows them to receive Medicaid health services but continue to cover their own nonhealth expenses with their own income. “The pooled income trusts exist for allowing people to stay in their homes,” said Lori Somekh, an elder law attorney in Bellerose. To qualify for Medicaid home health services, a person is only allowed to have a maximum monthly income of $825, which isn’t enough to cover monthly bills for most people. People who have a monthly income above $825 might be able to pay their bills to cover regular expenses, but don’t necessarily have enough money to pay for home healthcare and need Medicaid to step in. “It is a tremendous value to those who need community long-term care, home healthcare, and don’t think that they’re eligible for Medicaid,” said Irina Yadgarova, an elder care attorney in Rego Park. Although pooled income trusts are particularly valuable for people who earn a middle-class or lower middle-class income, they are also sometimes useful for those with much higher incomes. In many cases, Yadgarova said, “They’re eligible, with trust planning, but they don’t know about it.” When individuals participate in a pooled income trust, they pay all or almost all of their monthly income into the trust. They are allowed to keep a limited portion for such items as
One way for seniors to ease the stress of financial worry is to PEXELS.COM utilize a pooled income trust. Medicare Part B and MediGap plan insurance premiums, though Yadgarova usually advises clients to use the Medicaid Savings Program for that purpose and have the MSP premiums paid out of the trust. The trust then uses that money to pay a participant’s monthly bills for such items as rent, utilities, food, clothing and any expenses that go directly to that individual’s benefit. It also deducts either a flat fee or a percentage of the deposit, and trusts usually also charge an upfront fee of several hundred dollars. If expenses are lower than the deposit in a given month, the excess can be designated for the participant’s needs in a future month. However, upon the participant’s death, any remaining funds become the property of the trust. The trust’s monies must be used for a nonprofit purpose.
For example, one that Somekh works with is the Theresa Pooled Trust, which benefits the Theresa Foundation of Lido Beach, LI, whose mission is to provide special needs children with direct support and programs focusing on art, music, dance and recreation. Other trusts in Southern New York State include KTS, or the Keep Them Safe Pooled Trust, the UCS Disability Pooled Trust, Life, Inc. Pooled Trusts, the Lifetime Care Foundation and NYSARC Trust Services, associated with the NYSARC developmental disabilities services nonprofit, formerly known as the New York State Association for Retarded Children. It’s not just individuals on their own who qualify for pooled income trusts. Disabled individuals with well spouses can qualify; the well spouse is expected to contribute something to the disabled individual’s care but also gets to keep a certain amount of the income. Couples in which both spouses need Medicaid can also qualify. Many people assume their monthly income is too high to qualify for a pooled income trust, but Somekh said that’s almost never the case. “If both of the spouses need home care, the spouses together can have up $1,209.00 and the balance goes into the pool. If only one person needs Medicaid, if the spouse that needs the care is close to the threshold, we would only deal with his income and the single person: $825 is the threshold. Say the wife needs home care and she gets $900. “The person joins the trust and pays their surplus over to the pool every month,” thus remaining eligible for Medicaid, Somekh said. “The trustee actually goes over with the individual, once they join, the very specific things the money can and can’t be Q spent for,” Somekh said.
©2017 M1P • CATC-072638
Last week we selected our final resting place. Now we’re living life to the fullest.
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Jamaica Hospital Medical Center has been named as a recipient of the prestigious National Research Corporation Health (NRC Health) Excellence Award. The hospital, recognized at the 23rd Annual NRC Health Symposium for Patient-Centered Care was selected as one of several top-performing hospitals across the nation to exhibit an exceptional commitment to each patient’s and family’s care journey as well their overall satisfaction. Jamaica Hospital received recognition in the category of Most Improved Facility among large hospitals (300+ beds) in the United States. The hospital earned the award based on receiving positive and improved scores in satisfaction from patients and their families; an accomplishment achieved by focusing on providing compassionate and quality care, as well as showing a genuine understanding of the community it cares for. The hospital’s leadership has implemented several programs to bolster patient satisfaction as part of their goal in becoming a “High Reliability Hospital.” “Patient experience is very important to all levels of our staff,“ shared Dr. Kathleen Scher, Vice President of Nursing. “We are striving to become a high
reliability hospital — an institution that our community can count on to receive excellent health care.” This level of dedication, has earned the hospital several recognitions in 2017 including the NRC Health Excellence Award. “Each year our partners inspire us with their commitment to service,” says Helen Hrdy, Senior
Vice President of Client Service at NRC Health. “The individuals at these organizations show a genuine understanding for their patients, which is revealed in their extraordinary, compassionate care. It is always a special pleasure for us to honor and recognize these efforts with the Excellence Award. We congratulate Jamaica Hospital Medical Center for embodying human understanding and demonstrating a commitment to patient-centered care.” “We are extremely proud of our recent achievements. However, we are most satisfied when we engage with our patients and their families and they express gratitude for the great care we have provided,” this sentiment expressed by Scher and the hospital’s leadership is reflective of the culture of Jamaica Hospital – To serve our patients and the community in a way that is second to none.
Page 7 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, October 5, 2017
Jamaica Hospital receives prestigious NRC Health Excellence Award
8900 Van Wyck Expressway Jamaica, NY 11418 www.jamaicahospital.org
©2017 M1P • JAMH-072606
SENIOR LIVING GUIDE • Fall 2017
FHOU-072136
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Senior Living Guide
How seniors can stay safe during flu season by Ryan Brady Associate Editor
Fall and winter are f lu season. And according to Dr. Gisele Wolf-Klein of Northwell Health, it is crucial for everybody — especially seniors — to get influenza vaccination shots annually. “There is a huge, huge number of elderly who die of the flu compared to younger adults,” Wolf-Klein, Northwell Health’s director of geriatric education, told the Chronicle. The illness, the doctor added, can be particularly menacing to the aging. “In the elderly, you’re talking about having them in bed, they literally can’t move,” Wolf-Klein said. “They’re in bed at home isolated for, say, a week. They’re not eating or drinking; they feel feverish. They fall and they break a hip and before they know it, they actually die.” According to the doctor, seniors catching the flu means that they will probably be hospitalized. “If you’re 80 years old or 90 years old, you will wind up in the hospital, because you will be so debilitated by it,” Wolf-Klein said. And, she added, other illnesses can follow in seniors when the flu is present. The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases says that bacterial lung infections like pneumonia and bronchitis are the most prevalent complications that can arise from the flu. Given how dangerous the flu can be for seniors, the doctor said the notion that vaccination shots are harmful must be dispelled. Wolf-Klein is far from alone in her thinking: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and city departments of health, along with the medical community at large, overwhelmingly endorse flu shots. The health expert said that some fear the vaccination because in 1976, there was a minor uptick in the neurologi-
SENIOR LIVING GUIDE • Fall 2017
The Place for Caring
cal illness Guillain-Barre Syndrome among those who received a swine flu shot — about one in 100,000 people who got the vaccination were affected, according to the CDC. The disease is most common among those 50 or more years old, according to WebMD. But as Wolf-Klein points out, those who get the flu today are more likely to get GBS than people who get the vaccination. “The risk is extremely small and it’s about one in a million,” she said. “And in fact, you’re more likely to get GBS after the flu as a complication of the flu than after vaccination.” Aside from their own health, the Northwell Health geriatric education director pointed out another risk associated with not getting the vaccination. “By placing themselves at risk for getting the flu, they are then placing an increased risk on those people who are caring for them,” Wolf-Klein explained. At Northwell Health’s Geriatric Medical Practice in Great Neck, LI, high-dose flu vaccinations are administered more often than less potent shots. Among health experts, the doctor said, the jury is far from out on which is more efficacious. “You’ll find the medical world quite divided as to the benefits of the high-potency as to the regular one,” she said. Getting a vaccination shot is crucial to the elderly protecting themselves from the flu. It’s not the only measure that seniors can take to be careful during influenza season, though. The CDC advises seniors to avoid sick people, frequently wash their hands and cover their coughs during flu season. Not only do the agencies also recommend getting medical advice as soon as possible after flu symptoms appear, they say that it’s also best to get a shot for pneumococcal diseas-
Cypress Garden is the ideal facility for residents who want the best in compassionate care. Join us in discovering all that this facility has to offer. Situated in the heart of Queens, Cypress Garden is the perfect fit for you or your loved one. • Short-Term Rehabilitation: Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapies • IV Therapy / IV Antibiotics • Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care • Hospice Care • Tube Feeding • CPAP / BiPAP • Orthopedic Care • Wound Care Management
Annual flu shots are recommended for seniors so that they can stay healthy during influenza season. es, which can occur as complications from influenza. According to WebMD, in seniors, the flu can worsen heart disease, asthma and emphysema. Signs of the flu may include body aches, having a runny or stuffy nose, fatigue, chills and sore throat. According to the NFID, vomiting, pain, nausea and diarrhea are signs of influenza that are more common in senior citizens than Q younger people.
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Flushing House invites you to meet our residents, enjoy the amenities room, housekeeping and linen services, a concierge, 24-hour security, a comprehensive activities program featuring stateof-the-art computer learning and fi tness centers, arts and crafts room, concerts, movies, game nights and weekly trips on our own van! C u r r e n t l y, Flushing House is accepting applications for Two Week Trial Stays in our lovely communit y. The Trial Stay is designed for people who are considering making a move into a community setting but are fearful of such a commitment. This offers the opportunity for people to try the community for 2 weeks while living in a furnished apartment. They can meet our residents, enjoy the amenities and see if this is the right fi t for them all at an incredible rate of $30 per night. Flushing House is located at 38-20 Bowne Street, Flushing, NY 11354. Space is limited. For more information on Flushing House and our trial stays call us at (347) 532-3014 or (718) 752-3198.
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SENIOR LIVING GUIDE • Fall 2017
Seniors know from experience that life is a challenge. Many may face limited choices when deprived of complete independence by advancing age. Do you move in with your children? Do you agree to a nursing home? What options are available? Built in 1974 as a not-for-profi t Independent Living retirement communi t y, Flushing House was one of the first to of fer older adults an alternative and affordable retirement experience. As a not-for profi t, we pioneered our unique living arrangement, which we called Congregate Living. But our residents don’t have to share rooms to keep costs down! They enjoy their own private, spacious apartments. They are free to come and go, to entertain family and friends, and to make their own financial decisions. In addition, we provide a full range of communal services to assist residents with daily tasks, such as restaurant style dining with continental breakfast, lunch and dinner served in our beautiful dining
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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, October 5, 2017 Page 10
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Senior Living Guide
Fall has many fun travel options for seniors by Lloyd Carroll Chronicle Contributor
Historically, the best time of the year for seniors to travel is when the leaves start changing colors. Autumn has long been known in the leisure travel trade as a shoulder season because school is back in session and the cold of winter has not yet arrived which of course drives demand up in palm tree destinations. The unusually active hurricane season took a heavy toll on a good chunk of the Caribbean, southeast Texas and parts of Florida. Puerto Rico was particularly hard hit as its infrastructure was left in shambles. Puerto Rico is a year-round popular destination because of its tropical climate and the fact that, since it is an American commonwealth, you don’t need a passport to go there. The island’s capital, San Juan, is also a major port/stopover for almost every wellknown cruise line and that has added a serious complication for that industry. Nevertheless cruise lines as MCC Cruises USA, Norwegian and Carnival are sailing to the parts of the Caribbean that were not damaged by Hurricanes Irma, Juan and Maria. It’s a safe assumption that demand has decreased from what was expected before September’s devastating weather events so good deals should be plentiful.
If you are looking for a Caribbean vacation spot that wasn’t affected by hurricanes, look no farther than Grenada, which is served by Queens’ own JetBlue. The Spice Beach Resort has just undergone a major renovation and is reopened for business. Another popular destination for Americans is our neighbor to the south, Mexico. Its capital, Mexico City, was rocked by a earthquake that measured over 8 on the Richter scale and obviously caused massive destruction. Mexico’s legendary Pacific beach towns were not affected by the quake. Cabo San Lucas, located on the southern tip of Baja California, is a great place for doing anything you can imagine in tropical weather. The Pacifica Golf & Spa Resort is a highly regarded boutique hotel that is located ten minutes from downtown Cabo. If you want to work on your golf game a little closer to home, the PGA Resort located in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. can help novices work on the basics as well as offer challenging courses for those who are accomplished at the world’s most frustrating sport. Aside from golf, the PGA Resort has all of the amenities that you would expect from a high-end property. There is never a bad time to be in Southern California but a little known fact about
SENIOR LIVING GUIDE • Fall 2017
Protect your family’s future. We can help. For over 20 years the law firm of Goldfarb Abrandt Salzman & Kutzin LLP has advocated for people with disabilities throughout the entire New York Metropolitan area. Concentrating in elder law, trusts & estates, and the rights of people with disabilities, we have aided countless families, attorneys, social workers and financial planners. Goldfarb Abrandt Salzman & Kutzin LLP attorneys can help clients secure health care coverage including Medicaid and Medicare. We can assist in obtaining home care and Nursing Home Care. Through proper planning our attorneys help clients legally qualify and maintain government medical benefits and ensure their assets are preserved for their special needs and their families. We can often protect a well spouse and a homestead while obtaining an appropriate amount of care (including
24-hour home care), assisted living or nursing home care. We also concentrate in complex plans to deal with a sudden health crisis or need for immediate care. We represent clients in fair hearings and court appeals on denials, reductions or discontinuances of benefits and we represent persons in defending or negotiating claims against spouses or estates. Additionally, Goldfarb Abrandt Salzman & Kutzin LLP attorneys help our clients with Estate planning, including Wills and Trusts, Estate Administration, including contested probate matters, Adult Guardianship and Special Needs Planning. Our attorneys will make home visits to provide consultations if you are unable to travel. If you would like to schedule a consultation in Queens, please contact David I. Kronenberg, Esq. (212) 387-8400.
SeniorLaw.com Goldfarb Abrandt Salzman & Kutzin LLP
autumn there is that temperatures are usually higher than they are in the summer. That makes it the perfect time to relax on any of the beaches that are mentioned in the Beach Boys’ 1963 classic, “Surfin’ USA.” West Hollywood is an independent city that is located between LA and Beverly Hills and is at most a half-hour drive to either the beaches, downtown and the San Fernando Valley when traffic is not at a standstill. Buses run frequently so you don’t need to use your car if you don’t want to. West Hollywood is famous for its night life as evidenced by the Sunset Strip but a little-known fact about it is that it’s home to one of the most competitive dodgeball leagues in the USA and spectators are welcome. The West Hollywood Ramada Suites located in the heart of the action on Santa Monica Boulevard has friendly rates and is offering a “stay four nights and get the fifth free” promotion. San Diego has long been renowned for having the best climate in the country and it also has a sophisticated bus and trolley system that reduces the need to drive everywhere. The Hyatt Regency La Jolla located just off I-5 has a heated Olympic-sized pool
that is ideal for doing laps which is a great exercise for those of all ages. You can also walk to the nearby University Town Center Mall which also serves as a major mass transit hub. The hotel is also a 10-minute drive from the most beautiful race track in the county, Del Mar, where the Breeders’ Cup will take place the f irst week of November. It should be noted that Southern California is one of the few warm weather destinations where the Christmas week is considered off-season. Keep that in mind if you are thinking of taking your grandchildren to Disneyland and/or Knott’s Berry Farm. There are few regions more spectacular than New England if you are a fall foliage fan. The Loews Boston Hotel is located in the heart of that city. It’s highly regarded BAR restaurant attracts as many locals as tourists. You get a 5 percent discount on your bill if you show your AARP card. L&M Tours has bus trips that are for the day to nearby places and three- and fourday trips to further destinations. There are two Queens pickup stops: one in Rego Park and the other in Bayside. For more information log onto lmtours.net If you are looking for more getaway ideas at great prices check out cheapoair. Q com and jetblue.com/vacations.
Parker Jewish & Queens-Long Island Renal Institutes’ establish Advanced Dialysis Center
P
arker Jewish Institute for Health Care & Rehabilitation, along with QueensLong Island Renal Institute, established the region’s most advanced dialysis center. Through collaboration and effective clinical care, their partnership allows dialysis patients to receive treatment and physical therapy for rehabilitation, while pursuing their daily activities. QLIRI was established in 2010 with the goal to enhance quality of life for those needing dialysis, whether they’re at home or patients/residents at Parker. Parker’s sub-acute patients benefit, since QLIRI is on the Parker campus, reducing the time required to transfer patients from one facility to another. “The majority of Parker’s sub-acute patients come from area hospitals and may require rehab therapy,” said Michael N. Rosenblut, Parker’s president and CEO. “As a result of the QLIRI office on Parker’s campus, subacute patients have more time for therapy, with the goal of being discharged sooner,” he said. Aside from proximity, what makes the
Parker/QLIRI partnership work is collaboration between both Institutes. There are sub-acute patients in need of recommendations to take care of blood pressure control issues. QLIRI staff coordinates care for those sub-acute patients at Parker with blood pressure, resulting in better management and care for these patients. In 2016, the Parker/QLIRI partnership served 245 patients, providing 17,768 treatments. QLIRI’s 40-person staff is composed of RNs, patient care technicians (PCTs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), dietitians and social workers. Their 15 treatment stations each have a team of two RNs, one LPN and three PCTs. There is one RN for every 7.5 patients and a four-to-one staff ratio of PCTs and LPNs. The QLIRI ratio is above industry standards. The Parker/QLIRI achievement demonstrates that when clinical staff from two independent programs collaborate, they can increase their knowledge, stay current with industry standards, plus enhance patient outcomes.
–ADVERTORIAL–
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Support Group for adult children caring for their aging parents
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Support Group for people caring for their spouses or partners
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Support Groups for women over 80 years of age
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Bereavement Support Groups for people who have lost their spouses, partners or parent
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A Support Group specializing in the emotional coping skills needed in everyday life
Page 11 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, October 5, 2017
The Community Advisory Program for the Elderly (CAPE) is a community mental health clinic of the Samuel Field Y serving individuals age 50 and over. CAPE’s services include psychiatric evaluations and treatment, as well as individual, marital and family therapy for both clinic and homebound adults. In addition, CAPE has a wheelchair accessible van to assist those who need transportation to and from clinic appointments. Located in Little Neck Queens, we also have satellite offices in Forest Hills, Jamaica and Bayside, New York. The CAPE is currently offering the following support groups:
For application and referral information, please call Michael Upston (718) 224-0566 or e-mail him at mupston@sfy.org
SENIOR LIVING GUIDE • Fall 2017
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SENIOR LIVING GUIDE • Fall 2017
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