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SENIOR LIVING GUIDE • Spring 2015
• Caring for a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease • How and where to turn for additional help when caring for someone at home • When to seek outside care and ensuring one’s affairs are in order
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CONTENT
Alzheimer’s Association Anfang & Zimmerman Cassena Care/Penninsula Rehab Center Castle Senior Living at Forest Hills Catholic Cemeteries Elder Care Services Flushing House Garrison-Savanna Publishing HearUSA Hospice of New York Margaret Tietz Nursing Parker Jewish Institute Healthcare Queens LI Renal Institute St. Michael’s Cemetery TK Witaker Ultimate Care USA Vein Clinic
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Diagnosing and coping with Alzheimer’s disease Page 4 A personal look at early-onset Alzheimer’s Page 6 Taking care of legal and financial concerns Page 10 Getting help from the Alzheimer’s Association Page 17 A listing of senior centers in Queens Page 18 Publisher - Mark Weidler Section Editor - Peter C. Mastrosimone Marketing Coordinator - Debrah Gordon Cover Design - Ella Jipescu Layout - Terry Nusspickel
Elder Law attorneys
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SENIOR LIVING GUIDE • Spring 2015
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by Pat Moffett “With considerable polish and frankness, Moffett crystallizes the issues surrounding Early Onset Alzheimer’s, a disease that will become increasingly prevalent as baby boomers move through their 50s. Cathartic and cautionary.” –Kirkus Discoveries “Ice Cream in the Cupboard takes the reader on the tumultuous journey of one family’s struggle with early onset Alzheimer’s’ disease. Mr. Moffett’s soul-bearing account is painfully honest and gives the reader a very personal perspective of this insidious iillness and its overwhelming impact on all in its path.” –Barbara Vogel, Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation
Page 3 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 19, 2015
Ice Cream in the Cupboard
“America’s dark healthcare secret. Ice Cream in the Cupboard “A is a wake-up call to caregivers, insurance companies and government agencies. Alzheimer’s is a looming issue that must go be addressed.” –Dr. Vivekanand Palavali, author of A Mindful Life: A brain surgeon’s personal experiences and philosophical reflections on living fully “With so few books aimed at helping families understand and “W cope with the crippling effects of early onset Alzherimer’s, Pat c Moffett’s intimate memoir reveals the forgotten cost of the M disease – the devastating effect on families and loved ones of those afflicted with it.” –Dr. Scott M. Davis, author of Living Jonathan’s Life
Also Available In Spanish “Helado en el Armario and in Chinese!
Ice Cream in the Cupboard by Pat Moffett; ISBN: 0-9742278-1-1; $19.95; Hardcover; 51/2 x 81/2; 208 pages; GARRISON-SAVANNA PUBLISHING, LLC.
www.Patmoffett.com ©2015 M1P • GARS-066512
SENIOR LIVING GUIDE • Spring 2015
Available on Nook & Kindle
Coming Soon
QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 19, 2015 Page 4
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Senior Living Guide
When Alzheimer’s disease hits home by Victoria Zunitch Chronicle Contributor
As the number of Americans suffering from Alzheimer’s disease accelerates, the medical profession and families who have suffered from the disease are working to educate the public about how to recognize early signs of the condition. There is no cure and there are few treatments. But early recognition is extremely important because it gives families and patients the chance to prepare and it helps buy time for patients. Alzheimer’s affects about five million Americans, and if current trends continue, that number will only grow, according to the U.S. government’s National Institute on Aging. And it cost the country’s healthcare system an estimated $214 billion last year, a figure that is also projected to grow. For those Queens residents who may develop the disease or observe its symptoms in a loved one, it helps to know how to recognize Alzheimer’s and other dementias, where to turn for help and how to prepare for the road Treating someone with Alzheimer’s disease involves a full spectrum of approaches, including a ahead. great deal of attention from both professional and nonprofessional caregivers. Alzheimer’s is a brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and ulti- such as when the person who pays the family’s needed,” Kudish said. Once signs and symptoms of dementia or mately destroys the ability to carry out even bills no longer can balance the checkbook. If anyone notices these changes in them- Alzheimer’s have been identified, don’t brush simple tasks, according to the National Instiselves or others, it’s important to get the right them off because the person isn’t elderly. Earlytutes of Health. onset Alzheimer’s can strike a person in their Healthy adults might joke about having medical treatment right away. “There are some dementias that we can fifties, forties or even earlier. The movie “Still Alzheimer’s when they make certain kind of mistakes, temporarily and occasionally forget reverse or treat,” so early diagnosis is very Alice,” for which Julianne Moore recently won basic information, or when they lose or mis- important, Wolf-Klein said. For example, a the Best Actress in a Leading Role Academy deficiency in vitamin B12, low levels of folate Award, focuses on early-onset Alzheimer’s. place an item such as keys or a wallet. “The take-home message is, don’t overlook For those with the disease, however, forget- in the blood and depression can exhibit in the patient’s life as “pseudo- anything, don’t minimize it. You have to fulness and confusion get dementias” from which a explore it,” Vogel said. progressively worse. They patient can entirely recover. Kudish noted that early-onset cases “add slowly lose the ability to aregivers must be Some drugs to treat the another layer of complexity” to the situation, retrace steps and f ind items, eventually losing all sure to take care of disease itself are now being because the patient might have teenage chilused, but they are new and dren, for example, or be the family’s primary ability to keep track of anythemselves as well still being studied. breadwinner. thing, and may even accuse “Alzheimer’s always pulls the rug out from “The medicines that are others of stealing. Alzheimas their loved ones. available and effective are under you,” he said. “The rug is pulled out er’s patients exhibit increasin the early stages,” Wolf- more sharply, it’s a little more of a shock, for ingly poor judgment and Klein said. “If given in the early stages, they people who are younger.” show personality changes including violence. Most people turn to their internist with iniTo identify potential Alzheimer’s or demen- can slow the disease. They can’t help later on.” For example, one drug used often to treat the tial concerns, but Vogel emphasized that geriatia, look for changes in behavior, memory or mood, said Barbara Vogel, a licensed master confusion and other mental changes associated tricians, neurologists and psychiatrists are social worker with the North Shore-LIJ Health with Alzheimer’s is donepezil, sold the Unit more likely to provide a cor rect under the trade name Aracept. System. r’s to ed diagnosis. e St “Not every doctor, unfortu“It seems to slow down the heim “The onset is very slow and insidious,” a nately, is as well-versed in Vogel said. It’s usually easier to recognize the progression of the disease,” dementia as we would like,” signs in someone you haven’t seen in a while, Wolf-Klein said. she said. “If the primary Matt Kudish, senior she said, because the changes come on slowly care physician is not givand often aren’t noticeable on a day-to-day vice president of caregiving your concerns the time e r s e r v ic e s fo r t h e basis in the early stages. or attention you feel is Social isolation is a big tip-off. Family mem- Alzheimer’s Association, required, go to a geriatribers may first notice a problem when a loved cautions that such medician, a neurologist, a one gets ostracized from a group due to perfor- c a t io n s c a n m a n a ge psychiatrist.” mance or personality changes. For example, a symptoms, such as by givOnce a diagnosis has stellar bridge player may stop winning and i ng “a br ief cog n it ive been made, the first order of eventually quit playing altogether, said Dr. improvement,” but do not So n o u rc ia ti e: A business is to put appropriate Gisele Wolf-Klein, director of geriatric educa- modif y the cou rse of the l z h e i me r ’s A s s o c legal papers in place with an elder tion at North Shore University Hospital in Nas- disease. law attorney. Legal and medical experts And they are still being studied. sau. Or when a grandparent stops visiting a “There have been a lot of advances in the recommend a healthcare proxy, power of grandchild, the reason may be that he can’t remember how to get to the grandchild’s house. science, and there are some things we can be attorney and will for everyone over the age of Nonsocial behavioral changes are also clues, excited about, but I think that more time is 18. It’s important that the patient plans to take
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SENIOR LIVING GUIDE • Spring 2015
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Watch for these 10 warning signs • Memory loss that disrupts daily life, such as forgetting names or appointments but recalling them later. • Challenges in planning or solving problems, such as making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook. • Difficulty completing familiar tasks, such as occasionally needing help to use the microwave or record a TV show. • Confusion with time or place, such as getting confused about what day of the week it is but figuring it out later. • Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships, such as with vision changes due to cataracts. • New problems with words in speaking or writing, such as having trouble finding the right word. • Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps, such as not being able to find glasses or the remote control. • Decreased or poor judgment, such as making a bad decision once in a while. • Withdrawal from work or social activities, such as sometimes feeling weary of work, family and social obligations. • Changes in mood and personality, such as developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a rouQ tine is disrupted. Source: the Alzheimer’s Association alz.org/10signs care off suchh llegall matters bbefore f bbecoming i incapable of doing so, Vogel pointed out. Families will also need to do some financial planning, looking at assets and health insurance. Family members usually look after an Alzheimer’s patient in the early stages, but that doesn’t last forever. “As things progress, no one can do this 24/7; at some point everyone needs a break or respite,” Vogel said. “The issue is not just the patient, it’s the caregiver also,” said Wolf-Klein. Caregiver health often suffers more than the patient’s health when caregivers try to go it alone. “Don’t engage in denial and say it’s no problem. Ask for help — friends, children, neighbors,” Wolf-Klein said. One mission of the Alzheimer’s Association, which offers a myriad of services and information in person, over the phone, online and via email, is to help caregivers understand that they also need to take care of themselves. “Self-care doesn’t have to be this huge thing, but we must take the time to take care of ourselves, to refuel the tanks, so to speak,” Kudish said. “It’s the only way to sustain being a caregiver.” As the disease develops, there are a host of continued on page 16
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Senior Living Guide
A personal story of early-onset Alzheimer’s by Victoria Zunitch
ward to retirement. With bickering on the rise, he planned a romantic For Pat Moffett, the loneliness Puerto Rican getaway because he of ser ving as caregiver to an thought Carmen might be looking Alzheimer’s patient started long for a divorce. At a restaurant in Puerto Rico, before he or his wife Carmen knew she had the disease that would take Carmen came up from behind and hit Pat with an entire plate of food, her life in 2010. Moffett is now trying to spare then ran out. He chased after her other families the delays in diagno- but had to explain himself to the sis and loneliness he suffered with police. “What’s this 6-foot, 3-inch Irish his book “Ice Cream in the Cupboard: A True Story of Early Onset guy chasing this Puerto Rican woman? � they A l z hei me r’s.� must have wonThe book was he said. published i n aregivers must also dered, The food on his 20 08, a nd he clothes helped still spends time make sure to take h i m sell h is promot i ng it , care of themselves. e x p l a n a t i o n . selling it to raise After they funds for Alzheimer’s research and giving it returned to their hotel and Carmen napped, she woke up happy. away to raise awareness. “She comes out and says, “It’s a love story, a story of the family,� Moffett said. “It was won- ‘Honey, I’m starved, when are we going to eat?’� he said. derful therapy for me.� Moffett cut the trip short. DocPat and Carmen Moffett of Great Neck, LI had been reunited for five tors were asked about Vitamin B years following a five-year breakup deficiency, menopause or other when Carmen began exhibiting issues, but Alzheimer’s was never strange behavior. They had raised mentioned. Ca r men’s job per for ma nce five children and were looking forChronicle Contributor
C
finally led to her diagnosis. As the budget administrator for a school district, she also handled bus passes. Once, she sent a child home at the normal time after a parent told Carmen no one would be there and the child should stay after school. Eventually, the district asked the longtime budget manager for the school budget and she replied, “I don’t do the budget.� She lost her job and was referred for a medical evaluation. “I have a touch of Alzheimer’s,� she told her husband. “When I told a friend, people we had known for years, they couldn’t believe it,� he said. “I thought my wife’s case at 53 was a record,� he said. He learned that early-onset Alzheimer’s strikes many patients in their 40s or 30s and younger. Moffett wants other families to know that Alzheimer’s can strike early, how to recognize the signs, and that it’s even more important for caregivers to take care of themselves than it is to take care of the patient. “If they don’t, they can die before the patient,� he said. “I found myself falling asleep at
COURTESY PHOTO
the wheel,� while caring for Carmen at home, he said. “I came dow n w it h pneu mon ia . T he immune system crashes.� Viole n c e i s a n i s s u e fo r Alzheimer’s patients in general, but a much bigger issue in early onset Alzheimer’s because the patient is
younger and stronger, Moffett said. Moffett cared for his wife at home for three years, but her escalating violence eventually made that impossible. “Caregivers didn’t want to work for me. My housekeeper quit,� he said. When Carmen became too violent even for a specialized Alzheimer’s day facility, he moved her to a full-time facility. Families who suffer from the early onset form of the disease have the added burden of learning that those who get it under the age of 65 are generally suffering from a genetic cause. Moffett also runs a program called Let’s Do Dinner, where he meets with caregivers. The break is much needed to keep them from feeling totally alone, he said. Moffett has written a film script and a play based on his book, but he’s not ready to see “Still Alice,� a movie about early-onset Alzheimer’s starring Julianne Moore that is currently playing in theaters. “I’m working my way up to it,� he said. For more information on the Q subject go to patmoffett.com.
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C M SLG page 8 Y K Your loved one’s life. Our helping hands.
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Senior Living Guide
The Alzheimer’s Association is there for you by Peter C. Mastrosimone Editor-in-Chief
Although the Alzheimer’s Association is still working out the details of its planned expansion to Queens, focusing on a needs assessment for the borough so it can determine which services are most in demand, there’s no need for anyone here to wait to access its vast array of information and support. It’s all just a phone call or a web page away — all free of charge. And plenty of people from Queens are reaching out to the group for help with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, both patients and caregivers. The association began asking borough residents who contact it to take a survey to determine their needs last month, and as of early this week already had seen 52 completed. “People in Queens absolutely are in need of our services, said Matt Kudish, the association’s senior vice president of caregiver services. “They’re calling us, so we know people are using our services, and those people who are calling our helpline absolutely are looking for more.” The helpline, available 24/7, is 1 (800) 272-3900. The group’s website — which is loaded with information as well as forums where caregivers discuss what they and their loved ones are going through — is alz.org. The New York City chapter’s site is alznyc.org, and anyone can ask for assistance by sending an email to helpline@alznyc.org. In its survey, the association asked people which of its seminars they would be interested in. Eighty percent expressed interest in the group’s Understanding Dementia forum. Nearly as many, 76 percent, said they were interested in the Family Caregiver workshop, which is held once a week for four weeks in sessions of two and a half hours each. Forty-eight percent expressed interest in the Legal and
Dementia takes a heavy toll on patients and caregivers alike, but the Alzheimer’s Association offers an array of services to help both. Financial Services seminar, 46 percent in the one on moving a relative into a nursing home and 44 percent in the one on Medicaid home care. The respondents also were asked if they would attend Alzheimer’s Association seminars in Manhattan, and half said they would while half said they would not. Of those who said they would not, 78 percent said transportation was the reason. And 94 percent said they would attend them if held in Queens, demonstrating the desire for a greater association presence here. That’s on its way. Beginning in May, the association’s new Queens care consultant, Chesire Schanker, who holds master’s degrees in
both social work and education, will be making presentations to organizations throughout the borough to inform both residents and professionals in the field of aging about the free services it provides. A great many of those are geared toward caregivers, who Kudish points out have major burdens of their own to bear, and need assistance. “Caring for a loved one with this disease takes a toll in every way imaginable: physically, emotionally, psychologically, spiritually and financially,” he said. “The disease is isolating for the person who has it, and it can be just as isolating for the caregiver.” Alzheimer’s is of course a progressive disease, and the caregiving that’s required for a patient grows over time. “As caregiving increases, support fades away,” Kudish said. “It creates an incredibly dangerous, unhealthy situation. Caregiver burnout, caregiver stress — these are real conditions people need to be aware of and need to take care of.” As it examines how to best help people in Queens, the Alzheimer’s Association plans to maintain its existing partnerships with groups including Sunnyside Community Services, Queens Community House and New York Hospital Queens, and create new ones, such as with Flushing-based Self Help Community Services. Whereas it originally planned to offer set office hours at several locations in Queens, it’s now developing a more flexible plan, one in which, for example, individual appointments can be set at the offices of its partners when people need them. The plan will be finalized after the needs assessment is complete\. All the new programming — through which the association hopes to double the number of people in Queens that it serves — is made possible by a $348,000 grant the group received last year from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. Q
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The Queens-Long Island Renal Institute, Inc. (QLIRI) offers the finest quality of care, state-of-the-art technology and uncompromised dignity, in a bright, ultra-modern setting. Licensed by the New York State Department of Health, QLIRI provides: • Chronic Hemodialysis • Experienced Nephrologists and Dialysis Registered Nurses • Comfortable, State-of-the-Art, Private Treatment Stations • Personal TV and DVD • Homelike Reception Area with Large Screen TV • Free Wireless Access • Nutrition Counseling • Individual and Family Health Education • Stretcher Capability • Valet Parking Available • Medical Transportation Available
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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 19, 2015 Page 12
C M SLG page 12 Y K Over 1 Million Americans Trust HearUSA for the Highest Quality in Hearing Care Hearing Loss and Quality of Life Since hearing loss typically occurs gradually, many people do not realize the damaging effects that occur with hearing changes. As America ages, and with Baby Boomers expected to live longer than any previous generation, hearing impairment will reach new levels. Currently, only about one in five people with hearing loss seek appropriate treatment – which is alarming since untreated hearing loss can lead to an increase in depression, anxiety and isolation from family and friends. Nearly 36 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss due to genetics, the environment in which they surround themselves, or simply as a result of the aging process. What is not sufficiently appreciated is that the individual’s emotional and mental state may also be affected by the erratic and disrupted communication patterns caused by hearing loss.
The first step is to make an appointment for an evaluation. We will explain your test results and discuss your treatment options. If hearing aids or other products or services can help you, our hearing healthcare professional will provide a recommendation and assist you in selecting products and features that are right for you. Let us help you every step of the way. For information, call HearUSA in Howard Beach (718) 323-1128 or Elmhurst (718) 476-2523.
The Solution: Hearing Aids • Almost all Americans with hearing loss can be treated with hearing aids. • Nine out of ten hearing aid users report improvements in their quality of life. • The use of hearing aids is associated with reductions in anger, frustration, paranoia, anxiety and overall improvements in emotional stability. • Treatment of hearing loss will improve interpersonal relationships. • Most people who use hearing aids have improved social lives.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITES COMMUNITY HOSPICE NURSES (RN) MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKERS (LMSW, LCSW)
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Come Make a Difference New training groups each month!
SENIOR LIVING GUIDE • Spring 2015
Patient Care Volunteers: Support patients and their loved ones in your community Bereavement Volunteers: Support families who have lost a loved one Administrative Voluteers: Assist personnel in our Long Island City office
NASSAU & QUEENS Contact Angela Purpura angela.purpura@hospiceny.com or 516.222.1211
MANHATTAN, THE BRONX & BROOKLYN Contact Sandra Nielsen sandra.nielsen@hospiceny.com or 718.472.1999
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES Free bereavement support services for adults who have had a loss (Loved one is not required to have had hospice care) Contact our Bereavement Department at 347.226.4823 HOSP-065269
Improving the quality of life for dialysis patients
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s Queens’ leading dialysis center, the Queens-Long Island Renal Institute assures patients of the finest quality of care, employing the newest advancements in technology delivered with uncompromised dignity in a bright, ultra-modern and comfortable setting. Licensed by the New York State Department of Health, QLIRI is led by a dedicated, interdisciplinary team of experienced Nephrologists and Dialysis Registered Nurses, a Renal Social Worker, and a Registered Renal Dietitian, all ready to meet the individual needs of patients and families. Located on the lobby level of Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation in New Hyde Park, QLIRI was developed to be easy to reach from all areas of New York City and central to the communities of Queens and Nassau Counties. Michael N. Rosenblut, President and CEO of Parker, notes that QLIRI was conceived and built with one thing in mind: “Improving the quality of the life for adults who require dialysis, whether they live in their own homes or are residents or patients of Parker.” “We endeavored to make the treatment stations and overall environment as comfortable and pleasing as possible,” said Georgiene Kenny, Vice President for Quality Management, who oversees QLIRI’s daily operations. To accomplish this, the renowned Manhattanbased architectural firm of Tobin Parnes Design Enterprises took inspiration from nature. The floor resembles a path in the park, a cloud motif adorns a dropped ceiling, and wall graphics display full-
Queens-Long Island Renal Institute offers patients the newest technology, a relaxing atmosphere and all the latest amenities including free wireless access. height trees, touches that all contribute to a singularly soothing environment. “The aesthetics of QLIRI are incredibly unique,” added Ms. Kenny. “It’s rare to see another dialysis unit developed with this much thought and care.” Besides the soothing atmosphere, QLIRI’s industry-leading, private treatment stations are equipped with comfortable chairs and the latest amenities, including personal televisions and free wireless access. All patients have access to social work services, nutrition counseling and individual as well as family health education. Valet parking and medical transportation are also available. Queens-Long Island Renal Institute is located at 271-11 76th Avenue in New Hyde Park. If you or a loved one requires dialysis, call (718) 2892600, or visit www.QLIRI.org.
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Time to move?
T
here is no question that caring for an individual with Alzheimer’s disease can be a stressful and challenging undertaking. Aside from the basic daily needs such as meals, dressing and bathing, many caregivers take care of doctors’ appointments, financial matters, recreational activities, home safety—and the list can go on. As each day passes, your loved one has greater care needs than your time and attention can handle. You consider the options and realize that formalized care such as in-home aides or adult day services is insufficient. The burden has become so great that you risk burning out or no longer being able to provide the same level of care as before. Further, your loved one may need round-the-clock care and possibly complex medical complete supervision. Consider an assisted living facility or a nursing home. But that very idea distresses you further. It’s not uncommon to feel grief and guilt. You may have heard your loved one once say that he or she never wants to “end up” in a long-term care facility, and you might have promised many years ago that would not happen. It is certainly not easy to be in this position. You are conflicted about having your loved one relocate to a long-term care residence, but you know you have to make a choice sooner or later. Is it possible your loved one spoke so strongly against this type of move before the assisted living industry even existed, when nursing homes were caught up in negative news, when specialized dementia care wasn’t an option and when there weren’t as many resources to investigate a facility? Doing due diligence in checking out a long-term care residence can alleviate some of the anxiety you’re experiencing. What you need for yourself, and for your loved one, is to gain confidence that the facility has a caring and knowledgeable interdisciplinary team of professionals. You’ll want to feel a level of assurance that your loved one will be safe and receive a comprehensive level of care. In most facilities, one can expect to find a staff that includes doctors, nurses, social workers, physical, occupational and speech therapists, recreational activity coordinators, dieticians, certified nurses’ aides, housekeepers, transporters, security guards and others. If there is a problem with a wheelchair, a physical therapist and engineer can work together to resolve the issue. If the resident is bored, a recreational therapist can assess personal interests and abilities, and suggest an individualized program. Even at night, if the resident is prone to wandering behaviors, a nurse or aide would be available to redirect the individual back to bed. In other words, a long-term care residence has the staff to offer a level of care and attention that is much higher and more inclusive than most individuals can receive at home. You can visit without being pulled in different directions. And, perhaps most importantly, you can finally unload some of your own stress and give your loved one 100 percent of yourself. And you’ll know in your heart that you made the right decision for your loved one—and yourself.
Contact Peninsula Nursing & Rehabilitation Center to arrange a personal tour.
718-734-2000
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T
he death of a celebrity has throngs of the curious and fans emotionally involved in a life only seen at a distance and through filters. Regardless of our personal thoughts about Michael Jackson or Walter Cronkite their passing was a family loss. Friends of a lifetime shed tears with those left behind. The differences between celebrity and the man-on-the street deaths are little to the families we serve. The insecurity and fear are palpable. Hushed conversations invade our facilities. We are relied upon to ensure the wishes of the deceased and the family these realized. The trust that is handed to us mostly by strangers empowers us creating obligations and responsibilities rarely offered. In place of hordes of grief-stricken strangers seeking recognition of a life now passed, our profession demands we can acknowledge the identity of the deceased. Representing the family we seek to honor the deceased in memories and stories that proved by reflection and comfort. We are family historians. We are judged and create lifelong relationships by our success in fulfilling the wishes of others. Though we con-
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stantly stand in the shoes of the families we serve, calloused responses never define us. Each life brought to us becomes part of our own. As others bring a new life into the world, our profession comforts those who have a life that has departed. When we serve families of ordinary people rather than the famous we replaced the crowds. By doing so our obligation is harder for we are place throngs through our individual participation. In the end it is the families that will determine whether we have served our purpose. Instead of public fanfare we realize our true purpose by a grateful handshake and a heartfelt thank-you. St. Michael’s Cemetery is located at 72-02 Astoria Blvd., East Elmhurst. For further information call (718) 278-3240.
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SENIOR LIVING GUIDE • Spring 2015
Practically non existent a few decades ago, retirement residences similar to Flushing House now number in the thousands across the United States. However, most of these facilities are real-estate developments, owned by large, forprofit corporate chains, and they’re a lot more expensive than Flushing House! As a not-for-profit, 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 restaurantstyle dining with continental breakfast, lunch and dinner served in our beautiful dining room, housekeeping and linen services, a concierge, 24-hour security, a comprehensive activities program featuring state-of-the-art computer learning and fitness centers, arts and crafts room, concerts,
S
eniors 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 to you?
movies, game nights and weekly trips on our own bus! Catholic, Jewish and Protestant religious services are held weekly in our interfaith chapel. For the convenience of our residents, Flushing Hospital Medical Center operates a satellite Geriatric Clinic right on the premises with physicians and nurses who are experts in the care of older adults. Two New York State-licensed home healthcare agencies are available on-premises to provide personal services such as assistance with bathing, hygiene and dressing, as well as self-medication management. Residents may use these or any service providers of their choice. Why is Flushing House so different from most of those other retirement communities? Because as New York State’s largest not-for-profit, Independent Living retirement community, the mission of Flushing House must always come first: To provide a safe, enjoyable and affordable retirement experience for our residents.
Please call our Marketing Department at (718) 762-3198 or (888) 987-6205 for a brochure or to arrange a visit. Apartments starting at $2,550 per month with all services included. Please call for more information. www.flushinghouse.com
Retirement residences that combine Independent Living with supportive services on-premises have recently become a popular alternative in the U.S. In Queens, Flushing House is known as a pioneer in such communities. Built in 1974 as a not-for-profit Independent Living retirement community, Flushing House was one of the first ones to offer older adults an alternative and affordable retirement experience. - ADVERTORIAL -
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C M SLG page 15 Y K Page 15 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 19, 2015
Your Center for Customized Health Care
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SENIOR LIVING GUIDE â&#x20AC;˘ Spring 2015
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Alzheimer’s 108-25 Horace Harding Expressway Forest Hills, NY 11368 (718) 760-4600
Castle Senior Living: Homelike community for seniors There’s no doubt that Americans, on the average, are living longer. Advances in medical science are preventing illness, curing disease and healing wounds to the point where reaching 80 isn’t a rare event anymore. Still, bodies inevitably wear out and aging baby boomers may be faced with difficult and emotional decisions when that starts happening. From annoying aches and pains to life-altering illnesses, they may be faced with the reality that their lifestyles must change. Those changes do not have to be traumatic. Many seniors will remain independent for years and will find security and comfort in the home-like environment at Castle Senior Living at Forest Hills. Designed for those who do not need acute care, but need a little help doing everyday things, Castle Senior Living at Forest Hills is a perfect environment for many seniors. Castle provides sparkling clean accommodations, vibrant activity programs and gourmet meals prepared in our Kosher from-scratch kitchen. For those with Alzheimer’s or other memory impairments, Castle’s Country Cottage is ideal with a 24-hour staff, separate dining room and specially designed activities in a secure environment. And for families who wish to try out our services, our Trial Stay program is for you. Castle accepts Medicaid admissions and provides care through our on-site Licensed Home Care Services Agency. See the full range of services provided by Castle Senior Living at Forest Hills by visiting www.chelseaseniorliving.com. – ADVERTORIAL –
On Their Own Terms
SENIOR LIVING GUIDE • Spring 2015
L
ife is a cycle: birth, growth, maturation and finally the part few look forward to, Zelda Foster death. But death is indeed a natural part of living. No one gets out of here alive. Most Americans have strong preferences about how they would like to live out their final days and the types of care and treatment that they want to have and the types they would prefer to avoid. Yet all too often, we prefer not to talk about these preferences even though they are very important to us. The American Hospice movement began over 40 years ago with pioneers like Elizabeth Kübler-Ross, who published her groundbreaking work “On Death and Dying” on May 1, 1969. Locally, Zelda Foster worked as a clinical social worker at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Brooklyn in the late ’60s. She was struck that patients were often treated like children, and not even told the truth about their prognosis or allowed to discuss their preferences for their care and treatment. Zelda called this “the conspiracy of silence.” Zelda worked with other hospice pioneers like London’s Cecily Saunders and Connecticut’s Florence Wald to get the American Hospice movement started. Zelda found that most of her dying patients did understand what was happening to them, but were never able to discuss their preferences for care with loved ones or even their healthcare providers. Recent studies show that over 75 percent of Americans polled say they would rather die in
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the comfortable, familiar surroundings of their own home, yet nearly 75 percent of Americans actually die in the hospital or nursing home setting. It is a key concern of Hospice to ensure that patients’ wishes are respected. Indeed, for 2012, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization reported 66 percent of hospice patients died in their own place of residence. What is troubling to many who work in hospice is that far too many people think of a “hospice” as a place, not realizing that the comprehensive care and compassion that hospices bring is available to them in their own homes. Another striking characteristic is that hospices offer care not only to the patient facing a life-limiting illness, but hospices provide support and comfort the patient’s family as well. When many people learn about the care and comfort offered by hospices, they often ask how they can help. Every hospice program certified by Medicare has a strong and vibrant volunteer program. Individuals in the community contribute their time and talent to patients and their loved ones at the most critical time. Volunteers perform a variety of services such as visiting with patients, reading to them or sharing stories from the patients’ past. Whatever the interaction, the nearly universal response from volunteers seems to be, “I feel like I received so much more by volunteering than I ever gave.” Hospice of New York is one of the hospices serving the New York Metropolitan Area since 1997. Since that time they have cared for over 19,000 patients and their loved ones. Hospice of New York provides care throughout Nassau, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Manhattan. If you would like to learn more about the services of Hospice of New York, call (718) 472-1999 or go on line at www.hospiceny.com. To learn more about becoming a volunteer, contact: Angela Purpura at angela.purpura@hospiceny.com or Sandra Nielsen at sandra.nielsen@hospiceny.com.
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continued from page 4 best practices that can smooth the road for all involved. “The doctors have to realize that the name of the game for dementia care is really the interdisciplinary team,” Wolf-Klein said. This includes not only medical staff, with all of the patient’s doctors communicating with each other, but also paid or unpaid caregivers. “If you have a trained caregiver, you don’t need as much medication,” Dr. Wolf-Klein said, referencing sedatives. One of the ways Alzheimer’s manifests
itself is with angry outbursts, which leads to some patients being heavily medicated on sedatives. A caregiver who knows how to distract a patient and sing to him or her won’t just “grab someone by the hand” and abruptly announce bath time, Wolf-Klein said. Instead, caregivers might prepare a lovely spa-like bath with fresh towels, maybe candles and the patient’s favorite soap, and sing their way to the bathroom with the patient. “The last center to be affected is music,” Wolf-Klein said. So the ancient art of singing songs to cue activities and provide enjoyment is, in fact, state-of-the art technology for Q Alzheimer’s care.
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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 19, 2015 Page 16
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Now there’s daily relief for Alzheimer’s caregivers The Granat Alzheimer Center at Parker Jewish Institute
T
he Granat Alzheimer Center at Parker Jewish Institute is a unique, flexible drop-in service that provides relief and support for families, and sensitivity and stimulation for participants, in a safe, highly appealing environment. Open since 1989 through a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the center uses a participant-centered approach in addressing the needs of individuals in the moderate to later stages of the disease. Located in the bright, modern setting of Parker’s Community Health Center, in Lake Success, the program provides a comprehensive set of services for Alzheimer’s participants, ranging from recreational activities, the maintenance of activities of daily living (ADL) skills and nutritional meals, able to accommodate any dietary restriction or preference. These services are designed to stimulate memory, encourage continued activity and provide proper caloric intake. In addition, special services are provided for participants who need assistance with personal care (i.e., bathing, grooming, feeding). Ultimately, the focus
of the program is to provide caregiver support that enhances the quality of life for the participant. Services, therefore, are designed specifically for the individual participant, according to the stated needs of the caregiver. Participant schedules are customized to meet the needs of caregivers. The Granat Alzheimer Center features an extended schedule, and is open seven days a week, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The “Dinner and a Movie” Saturday evenings program allows caregivers to have a night off from the burden of caregiving. Escorted door-to-door transportation is available. In addition to respite services, nonclient activities such as caregiver education, memory screenings and nondementia-based health promotion and disease prevention make the center an invaluable community resource. More information about the Granat Alzheimer’s Center is available at www. parkerinstitute.org, or by calling (718) 289-2105.
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Get a patient’s affairs in order, and yours too by Tess McRae Chronicle Contributor
It can begin with a simple slip of the mind that slowly becomes worse and worse. Alzheimer’s disease, still called by some senile dementia, destroys memory and other mental functions. It accounts for 60 to 70 percent of dementia cases. While signs of advanced Alzheimer’s can be quite clear, it can be difficult for a patient and his or her family to recognize and accept a diagnosis early on. “It’s important we have a trustworthy diagnosis before any kind of legal action is taken,” Ann-Margaret Carrozza, an elder law attorney, said. “Once a doctor has been consulted and a proper diagnosis has been made, then you can take the next steps. Detecting the warning signs of Alzheimer’s can be difficult, but according to the Alzheimer’s Association, friends and family really want to pay attention to any challenges that affect their loved one’s day-to-day life. Examples of typical warning signs include memory loss that disrupts daily life, challenges in planning, difficulty completing familiar tasks at
home or work, trouble understanding visual images, new problems with words in speaking and writing and changes in mood and personality. Of course, everyone has moments of forgetfulness from time to time, but it’s when the forgetfulness begins to affect simple tasks regularly that a person should visit with a doctor. Finding out a loved one suffers from Alzheimer’s is painful and the transition can be difficult as the person you once knew slowly becomes less and less like his or her old self. In addition to the emotional toll, one of the of the more complicated procedures a family must go through when a loved one has been diagnosed is sorting through his or her legal and financial affairs. “It’s important to look not just at their affairs, but yours,” said Carrozza, who has offices in Bayside and elsewhere. “You’ll want to update your will and establish some sort of trust. For example, if my husband had Alzheimer’s, but I died before he did, it’s important my will doesn’t pass everything on to him. A trust allows that responsibility to go to another family member.” Generally, a trust is put in the
Getting a family’s legal affairs in order is vital when dealing with Alzheimer’s. offspring’s name, though that is not always the case. Carrozza stressed the importance in arranging a healthcare proxy and power of attorney — legal documents that give someone, chosen by the patient, the power to act in his or her place and make healthcare decisions
— while the individual is still alert. “I’ve seen families in court fighting over the estate and it’s just so painful to watch,” Carrozza said. “It’s better to have that in writing than to leave it to the court to decide.” But families do not necessarily need to seek out an attor ney’s
assistance right away. “You can choose your healthcare proxy on your own, and there are forms online you can download for your living will,” Carrozza said. “But with a trust, I don’t think it’s wise to download one of those internet kits. It’s very important and you want to be sure your home is protected. Something as big as that should not be done on your own.” There is no one way to deal with a family member suffering from Alzheimer’s, but there are plenty of resources online, such as those from the Alzheimer’s Association, that provide answers to frequently asked questions as well as a checklist of steps to take. Carrozza also has resources on her website, including downloadable living will documents and information on healthcare proxies and power of attorney. “We want people to take advantage of these resources and get as informed as possible,” the attorney said. “It’s important to have support.” If you’re interested in learning more about the legal steps you or a family member can take, visit Q myelderlawattorney.com.
Page 17 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 19, 2015
Senior Living Guide
You Don’t Have to Live with Varicose Veins E liminate painful, unsightly varicose veins, skin changes or even ulcers with Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT).
Advantages of Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT): ▶ Relief of Symptoms and Leg Pain ▶ Short procedure (15 minutes) ▶ No surgery ▶ No down time ▶ No general anesthesia ▶ No hospitalization required. The procedure is performed at our clinic. ▶ Resumption of normal activities right away ▶ Covered by Medicare and most insurance plans
Dysfunctional veins can also increase the risk of blood clots. Patients may experience a swelling in the leg, which may indicate a blood clot. Left untreated, these clots can travel through the bloodstream and lodge near the heart or lungs, causing potentially life-threatening health problems. If you have already decided you’d like to receive vein treatments or would like to get a diagnosis, simply schedule an appointment with USA Vein Clinics today by calling (718) 732-3670 or visit www.usaveinclinics.com
If you’d like to feel better and get back into your favorite activities, schedule an appointment by calling (718) 732-3670. You may contact USA Vein Clinics by e-mail at info@usaveinclinics.com and a representative will get back to you within twenty-four hours. FHOU-066530
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Varicose veins can start out as a seemingly small problem, but left untreated, can become much more serious. Complications of varicose veins may include ulcers. These may form on the skin near the affected veins, particularly near the ankles. They are caused by fluid build-up in the dysfunctional veins, and can be extremely painful.
SENIOR LIVING GUIDE • Spring 2015
Do Not Postpone Treatment
QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 19, 2015 Page 18
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Senior Living Guide
SENIOR CENTERS Senior Centers are the core network of senior services. They are located in every community throughout the borough. These Centers typically provide hot lunches, coordinate recreational and educational activities, case management, socialization, information and referral, support services and transportation programs. The following is a listing of Queens senior centers by community board: CB 1 ________________________________ Queensbridge/Riis Senior Center (718) 937-1093 10-25 41st Ave., Long Island City Woodside Senior Center (718) 932-6916 50-37 Newtown Road, Bldg. #19, Woodside CCNS-Dellamonica Senior Center (718) 626-1500 23-56 Broadway, Astoria HANAC Ravenswood Senior Center (718) 786-1550 34-35A 12th Street, Long Island City Raices Astoria Senior Center (718) 726-9642 21-21 30th Drive, Long Island City HANAC Archbishop Iakovos Senior Center (718) 777-5505 32-06 21st Street, Astoria HANAC Lindsay Senior Center (718) 626-3035 27-40 Hoyt Avenue South, Astoria
CB 4 _______________________________ Newtown Senior Center (718) 335-7272 83-20 Queens Blvd., Elmhurst IPHE Corona Senior Center (718) 639-2000 108-74 Roosevelt Avenue, Corona Raices Corona Senior Center (718) 458-7259 107-24 Corona Avenue, Corona Florence E. Smith Senior Services (718) 899-0553 102-19 34th Avenue, Corona Korean American Senior Center (718) 651-9220 37-06 111th St., Corona Lefrak Senior Citizens Center (718) 457-9757 98-16 55th Ave., Corona IPRHE-Elmhurst Jackson Heights Senior Ctr. (718) 478-7171 75-01 Broadway, 3rd floor, Elmhurst
CB 2 _______________________________ Sunnyside Community Senior Center (718) 392-6944 43-31 39th Street, Long Island City
CB 5 _______________________________ Ridgewood Older Adult Center (718) 456-2000 59-14 70th Avenue, Ridgewood Peter Cardella Senior Center (718) 497-2908 68-52 Fresh Pond Road, Ridgewood Selfhelp Maspeth Senior Center (718) 429-3636 69-35 58th Avenue, Maspeth Middle Village Older Adult Center (718) 894-3441 69-10 75th Street, Middle Village
CB 3 _______________________________ Elmcor Senior Center (718) 457-9757 98-19 Astoria Boulevard, East Elmhurst
SENIOR LIVING GUIDE â&#x20AC;˘ Spring 2015
CCNS-Catherine Sheridan Senior Center (718) 458-4600 35-24 83rd Street, Jackson Heights Queens Center for Gay Seniors (718) 533-6459 74-09 37th Avenue - Room 409, Jackson Heights
Queens Community House Senior Center
CB 6 _______________________________ Queens Community House Senior Center (718) 699-1010 108-25 62nd Drive, Forest Hills Selfhelp Austin Street Senior Center (718) 520-8197 106-06 Queens Boulevard, Forest Hills Young Israel Forest Hills Senior League (718) 520-2305 68-07 Burns Street, Forest Hills Rego Park Senior Center (718) 896-8751 93-29 Queens Boulevard, Rego Park Central Queens Y - Adult Wellness Program (718) 268-5011 67-09 108th Street, Forest Hills
Peter Cardella Senior Center in Ridgewood.
CB 7________________________________ CPC Queens Nan Shan (718) 358-3030 136-18 39th Avenue, 6th Floor, Flushing Selfhelp Latimer Gardens Senior Center (718) 961-3660 34-30 137th Street, Flushing Selfhelp Benjamin Rosenthal Senior Center (718) 886-5777 45-25 Kissena Boulevard, Flushing HANAC Angelo Petromelis College Point Senior Center (718) 961-0344 13-28 123rd Street, College Point North Flushing Senior Center (718) 358-9193 29-09 137th Street, Flushing Korean American Senior Center of Flushing (718) 886-8203 42-15 166th Street, Flushing College Point Senior Center (718) 358-9193 22-38 College Point Boulevard, College Point CB 8 _______________________________ CCNS-Hillcrest Senior Center (718) 297-7171 168-01B Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Jewish Center of Kew Gardens Hills Senior Center (718) 263-6500 71-25 Main Street, Flushing Pomonok Senior Center (718) 591-3377 67-09 Kissena Boulevard, Flushing Young Israel Queens Valley Senior Center (718) 263-6995 141-55 77th Avenue, Flushing CB 9 _______________________________ CCNS-Ozone Park Senior Center (718) 847-2100 103-02 101st Avenue, Ozone Park CCNS-Woodhaven-Richmond Hill Senior Center (718) 847-9200 89-02 91st Street, Woodhaven Kew Gardens Community Center (718) 268-5960 80-02 Kew Gardens Road, Suite 202, Kew Gardens CB 10 ______________________________ CCNS Howard Beach Senior Center (718) 738-8100 155-55 Cross Bay Boulevard, Howard Beach
CB 11 _______________________________ Samuel Field Y Senior Citizens Program (718) 225-6750 58-20 Little Neck Parkway, Little Neck CCNS-Bayside Senior Center (718) 225-1144 211-15 Horace Harding Expressway, Bayside Selfhelp Clearview Senior Center (718) 224-7888 208-11 26th Avenue, Bayside CB 12 ______________________________ International Towers Senior Center (718) 739-6988 90-20 170th Street, Jamaica JSPOA Theodora Jackson Center (718) 657-6618 92-47 165th Street, Jamaica Allen Community Senior Citizen Center (718) 658-0980 166-01 Linden Boulevard, Jamaica JSPOA Friendship Nutrition Center (718) 657-6540 92-33 170th St., Jamaica Robert Couche Senior Citizen Center (718) 978-8352 137-57 Farmers Boulevard, Springfield Gardens Rochdale Village Senior Center (718) 525-2800 169-65 137th Avenue, Jamaica Brooks Senior Center (718) 291-3935 143-22 109th Avenue, Jamaica JSPOA Rockaway Blvd. Senior Center (718) 657-6468 123-10 143 St., Jamaica CB 13__________________________________ SNAP Brookville Center (718) 525-8899 One Cross Island Plaza, Rosedale SNAP Innovative Senior Ctr. of Eastern Queens (718) 454-2100 80-45 Winchester Boulevard - Building 4 CBU #29 Queens Village Alpha Phi Alpha Senior Center (718) 528-8238 220-01 Linden Boulevard, Cambria Heights Information from the Senior Citizen Resource Guide
C M SLG page 19 Y K New York, NY: It can strike at any time, does not discriminate when choosing its victims and doctors are discovering with alarming frequency that it occurs sooner than most people previously thought possible. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, approximately half a million Americans suffer from early-onset Alzheimer’s, otherwise known as Familial Alzheimer’s. Within a generation that number is projected to triple, and the devastation the disease threatens to leave in its wake is not only catastrophic to the victim’s loved ones, but to the nation as a whole. Far more aggressive than the more common “senile onset” variety, early-onset Alzheimer’s strikes anytime between ages 30 and 55, the most productive years of one’s life, virtually crippling the victims and their families. As the name implies, the illness is hereditary. Its effects are irreversible, and there is no cure. Ice Cream in the Cupboard is the heartbreaking story of Carmen Moffett, diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease at age 53. The vibrant, witty Carmen, and her husband, corporate executive, Pat, went from making plans for their retirement to living and coping with the dreaded illness. Eventually Carmen’s disease had progressed beyond the point where she could safely live at home. With the cost of long-term care rising, the indifference of health insurers to the illness and the fact that expenses related to treating Alzheimer’s disease — approximately $100 billion annually — are not tax deductible, spouses and families find themselves overwhelmed by the financial burdens of this health crisis. There are social ramifications as well — spouses are robbed of their partner, and school-age children and young adults are deprived of a parent. “I consulted doctors,” says Pat. “But no one could find anything physically wrong with Carmen. Worse yet, Carmen could not remember doing the things that rattled me.” Eventually, the Moffetts found Dr. Gisele Wolf-Klein, who diagnosed the devastating illness. “Carmen and I were looking forward to planning our retirement together, and before long our future was annihilated,” remembers Pat. ‘’I had no choice but for Carmen to live in a nursing home equipped for Alzheimer’s patients. Because of the shortage of information on early-onset Alzheimer’s, I was totally unprepared for this.” At present, early-onset Alzheimer’s comprises less than 10 percent of all Alzheimer’s patients, but that number is growing with the aging of both Baby Boomers and Gen-Xers. “The ‘Geri-boomer’ population is bigger than any before it, and many people will become Alzheimer’s patients,” warns Pat. “The medical establishment simply isn’t equipped to deal with the volume of potential Alzheimer’s patients.” Ice Cream in the Cupboard by Pat Moffett; ISBN: 0-9742278-1-1; $19.95; hard cover; 5½ x 8½; 208 pages; GARRISON-SAVANNA PUBLISHING, LLC.
IN-PATIENT HOSPICE CARE
Margaret Tietz CenterLight Health System
T
he Margaret Tietz Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, a premier facility located in Jamaica Hills, is a healthcare facility unlike any other and features 140 private and 30 semi-private rooms and an ideal environment for recovery following surgery or a debilitative illness, offering an individualized plan of care utilizing the most innovative techniques and advanced equipment developed in conjunction with each patient and his/her family. Since opening in 1971, Margaret Tietz has embodied the spirit and foresight of its founders by delivering quality programs and services in an environment steeped with home-like qualities. Residents are cared for around-the-clock by 380 dedicated, experienced and compassionate staff members. All personnel undergo continuous training, focusing on creative approaches to healthcare, and are aware of the individual clinical and emotional needs of each resident. The resident’s health and well-being is always the utmost priority. The center has an exemplary team of medical and professional staff to tend to the treatments and needs of each resident, affording an enhanced sense of well-being and a positive quality of life. Its programs and services provide all the options needed to meet each of our resident’s needs, including short-term care, long-term care, trusted and highly recommended hospice care and music therapy. Margaret Tietz takes on many complex care cases. The center also has therapeutic art and music programs.
ADVERTORIAL
The Margaret Tietz Nursing and Rehabilitation Center of Excellence for In-Patient Hospice Care was designed to provide comforting, end-of-life care for both patients and their families. The dedicated and compassionate staff members are specifically trained for end-of-life issues. The hospice team provides skilled nursing care, daily hospice physician visits, medical supplies and equipment, medication for pain and symptom control, social services, nutritional counseling, spiritual support and bereavement services. Sleeping accommodations are available at the Tietz Center for family members who wish to stay with their loved ones 24 hours a day.
PALLIATIVE CARE Margaret Tietz offers acute palliative care for patients who do not meet the criteria for in-patient hospice care but can still benefit from palliation of symptoms — reducing the severity of symptoms when there is no cure for the disease.
SHORT-TERM REHAB PROGRAM The center’s short-term rehabilitation program held in the modernized gym helps patients achieve their maximum functional capacity and get back to their homes and their community in the shortest time possible. To achieve this goal, patients receive physical, occupational and speech therapy from compassionate and highly skilled therapists. The Margaret Tietz Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is located at 164-11 Chapin Parkway, in Jamaica Hills and is a member of the CenterLight Health System, a not-for-profit provider of nursing home and community-based, continuing care services, throughout the New York metropolitan area. If you have general questions, comments or would like more information about Margaret Tietz, please email info@margarettietz.org or call (718) 298-7800.
Page 19 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 19, 2015
ALZHEIMER’S LATEST VICTIMS: BABY BOOMERS & GEN-XERS
– ADVERTORIAL–
MARCH is COLON CANCER AWARENESS MONTH… Come in for a Colon Cancer Screening Evaluation Announcing: A FREE SEMINAR for ADULTS 60+ Howard M. Zimmerman, M.D.
(Open to the Public)
THURS., MARCH 26 10:30 am to 11:30 am
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Speaker: Robert J. Brunner, MD Learn How Early Detection Can Save Your Life! Call 718-738-8100 for more information
Robert J. Brunner, M.D.
Specialists in Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Advanced Interventional Biliary Diseases Board Certified and Affiliated with the fi nest hospitals in New York Long Island Jewish Medical Center, North Shore Manhasset and Mt. Sinai Hospital • • • •
Heartburn Ulcers Rectal Bleeding Colon Cancer Screening
• Painless Treatment of Bleeding Hemorrhoids • Intestinal Problems • Liver and Gallbladder Disease
• Hepatitis A, B, C • AAAASF Certified • Video Capsule Endoscopy
157-02 Cross Bay Boulevard, Howard Beach, NY
3003 New Hyde Park Road, New Hyde Park, NY
718-845-0909
516-352-0022 • 718-343-9393 – Evening Hours Available –
“Serving The Nassau and Queens Communities for 30 Years” ©2015 M1P • ANFZ-066279
SENIOR LIVING GUIDE • Spring 2015
Peter J. Striano Senior Center 155-55 Crossbay Blvd. Howard Beach
Chaim I. Anfang, M.D.
QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 19, 2015 Page 20
C M SLG page 20 Y K
Alzheimer’s is not normal aging. If you or someone you know needs help, call our 24-hour Helpline at 800-272-3900 ĨŽƌ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ͕ ĞĚƵĐĂƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚ͘ KƵƌ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵƐ ĂŶĚ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ ĂƌĞ ĨƌĞĞ ŽĨ ĐŚĂƌŐĞ͕ ĂŶĚ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ ŝŶ YƵĞĞŶƐ͘
Looking to hire private home care workers? DementiaAides.org can help in your search. Create a free account, post an ad, SENIOR LIVING GUIDE • Spring 2015
and browse profiles. Aides are professionally trained by the Alzheimer’s Association, NYC Chapter.
www.DementiaAides.org ALZA-066511