Interview with Ron Bruno, Executive Director of Morningside Retirement and Health Services, on Feb. 24th, 9AM pst.

On February 24th, 9AM pst, I will be interviewing the executive director of Morningside Retirement and Health Services, Inc. (MRHS) which serves elderly residents of Morningside Gardens, a 982 unit, multi-racial, middle income housing development in West Harlem. It consists of six high-rise buildings and approximately 1,700 residents. More than 50% of the households include a resident over the age of 60. Many of the older residents have lived in the Gardens since it opened for occupancy in 1957 and have “aged in place.” As a result, the complex has become what is known as a “NORC”–a Naturally Occurring Retirement Community–with a large population of elderly people with special needs. The mission of MRHS is twofold. We aim to: * HELP frail and at-risk elderly residents of Morningside Gardens remain in their own homes comfortably, safely, and with as much independence as possible for as long as they can. * PROVIDE programs which promote health and provide opportunities for education, socialization and recreation for all older residents of Morningside Gardens, with particular attention to the special needs of the infirm, homebound, and isolated.

The mission of MRHS is twofold. They aim to:
• HELP frail and at-risk elderly residents of Morningside Gardens remain in their own homes comfortably, safely, and with as much independence as possible for as long as they can.
• PROVIDE programs which promote health and provide opportunities for education, socialization and recreation for all older residents of Morningside Gardens, with particular attention to the special needs of the infirm, homebound, and isolated.

Services
MRHS now serves about 300 residents a year with an on-site staff consisting of three social workers, a full-time geriatric nurse, two part-time home health aides, a consulting psychiatrist, and approximately 150 volunteers, most of whom are elderly themselves. The professional staff provides an array of health care and social work services, which include case management, nursing care, psychiatric consultations, doctors ‘house calls’ for the homebound, entitlements counseling, home evaluations, home care and hospital discharge planning, liaison with families, lawyers, physicians, and financial planners.
MRHS’ Doctors Home Visiting Program is staffed by geriatric fellows who provide medical care to the homebound elderly under the supervision of the Division of Geriatric Medicine of St. Luke’s/Roosevelt Hospital Center. In collaboration with the health care team, MRHS’ consulting psychiatrist provides psychiatric evaluations, therapeutic counseling, and medication monitoring.
In addition, educational, recreational, and social activities are offered — almost all of them planned and led by elderly volunteers. Volunteers also provide direct, concrete assistance to their neighbors, such as shopping, escorting, visiting, bill-paying, and reading correspondence.

http://mrhsny.org
Phone:
(212) 666-4000

February 14th-21st is “Alzheimer’s and Dementia Staff Education Week”

February 14th-21st is ALZHEIMERS AND DEMENTIA STAFF EDUCATION WEEK

This week is designed to bring awareness to the importance of both staff educators and their direct care staff being trained and certified in dementia care. For more information and free Tool Kit (download), visit www.nccdp.org, National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners.

I want to thank all those who take such good care of our loved ones and who strive to be educated and updated about the new research and best practices in dementia and Alzheimer’s care.

Take time this week to acknowledge those experts who are making a difference in your loved one’s lives.

Have a kind and respectful day.

Life’s Simple 7 from the American Heart Association – February is American Heart Month

February is American Heart Month.

The American Heart Association has a new feature and tool on their website called: Life’s Simple 7.

1. Get active
2. Eat better
3. Lose Weight
4. Stop smoking
5. Control cholesterol
6. Manage blood pressure
7. Reduce blood sugar

I would encourage you to take the 7 minute assessment to take control of your heart health.
http://mylifecheck.heart.org/PledgePage.aspx?NavID=5&CultureCode=en-US

Then take the pledge to embrace Life’s Simple 7 at “My Life Check” at
http://mylifecheck.heart.org/Default.aspx?NavID=1&CultureCode=en-US

Have a kind and respectful day.

Moira Fordyce’s recommends the resources on the American Geriatric’s Society website

I was speaking with Moira Fordyce from the California Coalition for Caregivers and she told me about the wonderful resources available at the American Geriatrics Society website. http://www.healthinaging.org/public_education/index.php The great thing about this website is that you know you can trust this information because it is coming from physicians who specialize in helping the aging patient and their loved ones.

You may also want to take a look at the California Coalition for Caregivers as they are an advocacy organization and are fighting to make sure that resources and protections are in place for our aging population. http://www.californiacrc.org If you live in California, they will send you alerts when it is time to contact your local representatives about an upcoming bill or iss

Lastly, you might want to download some of the legal handbooks for senior care from Bet Tzedek Legal Services at  http://www.bettzedek.org/publications.html#guides.

Below I have listed the topics from the American Geriatrics Society’s site. They have Tip Sheets, What to Ask Your Doctor, and General Aging Topics. It is like having a trusted friend to turn to for help. Have a kind and respectful day and enjoy the resources.

Latest Foundation Tip Sheets

Caregivers

Guide to Advance Directives

Tips For Avoiding Caregiver Burnout

Healthy Aging

Advice for Improving Your Memory

Cognitive Vitality

“Geriatric Syndromes”

Good Health in Later Life for Older Men

Good Health in Later Life for Older Women

Improving Communication with Your Healthcare Provider

Overcoming Challenges to Healthy Aging

Persistent Pain Tips

Holidays

Tips for Beating the Holiday Blues New!

Top 10 Healthy New Year’s Resolutions for Older Adults New!

Safety

2009 H1N1 Flu (“Swine Flu”) Tips

Emergency Preparedness Tips

Falls Prevention Tips

Home Safety Tips

Hot Weather Safety Tips

Safe Travel Tips

Safe Sex Tips

Safety Tips for Seniors Considering Visits to Retail Medical Clinics

Walking Tips

Winter Safety Tips

Spanish

Spanish Language Health Tip Sheet: “Manejo del “Dolor Persistente” en la Tercera Edad”/“Managing Persistent Pain In The Elderly”

Surgery

Hip and Knee Joint Replacement Tips

Vaccinations and Medications

Avoiding Overmedication and Harmful Drug Reactions

Vaccination Tips

What to Ask?

Questions for Your Healthcare Provider

How We Age
• Physical Activity
• Prevention
Health Care Decisions and Issues
• Health Assessment
• Health Care Settings
o Community-Based Care
o Hospitalization
o Nursing Home Care
• Complementary and Alternative Medicines
• Drug Treatment
• Elder Mistreatment
• Ethical and Legal Issues
• Pain Management
• Palliative Care and Hospice
• Rehabilitation
Elder Health at Your Fingertips
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• The Digestive System
o Disorders of the Digestive System
o Disorders of the Mouth
• The Heart, Lungs, and Blood and Circulation
o Anemia and Other Blood Disorders
o Breathing Problems
o Fainting (Syncope)
o Disorders of the Heart and Circulatory System
o High Blood Pressure
• Hormone Disorders
• Joints, Muscles, and Bones
o Back Pain
o Falls
o Foot Problems
o Osteoporosis
o Walking Problems
• Mental, Neurological, and Psychological Conditions
o Anxiety
o Delirium (Sudden Confusion)
o Dementia
o Depression
o Diseases of the Nervous System
o Dizziness
o Mental Retardation
o Personality Disorders
o Psychological and Social Issues
o Psychoses (Delusions and Hallucinations)
o Sleep Problems
o Substance Abuse
• Nutrition
• Sexuality and Sexual Concerns
o Gynecological (Female) Disorders
o Prostate Disease
o Sexual Problems
• The Senses
o Hearing Loss
o Vision Loss and Other Eye Diseases
• The Skin
o Pressure Ulcers (Bed Sores)
o Skin Diseases
• The Urinary System
o Kidney Problems
o Urinary Incontinence

Topics at a Glance

How We Age
• The Aging Process
• Trends in the Elderly Population
• Physical Activity
• Prevention
Health Care Decisions and Issues
• Talking to Your Healthcare Providers
• Health Assessment
• Health Care Settings
o Community-Based Care
o Hospitalization
o Nursing Home Care
• Complementary and Alternative Medicines
• Drug Treatment
• Elder Mistreatment
• Ethical and Legal Issues
• Insurance, Financing, and Costs of Health Care
• Pain Management
• Palliative Care and Hospice
• Rehabilitation
Elder Health at Your Fingertips
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• The Digestive System
o Disorders of the Digestive System
o Disorders of the Mouth
• The Heart, Lungs, and Blood and Circulation
o Anemia and Other Blood Disorders
o Breathing Problems
o Fainting (Syncope)
o Disorders of the Heart and Circulatory System
o High Blood Pressure
• Hormone Disorders
• Infectious Diseases
• Joints, Muscles, and Bones
o Back Pain
o Falls
o Foot Problems
o Osteoporosis
o Problems with Joints, Muscles and Bones
o Walking Problems
• Mental, Neurological, and Psychological Conditions
o Anxiety
o Delirium (Sudden Confusion)
o Dementia
o Depression
o Diseases of the Nervous System
o Dizziness
o Mental Retardation
o Personality Disorders
o Psychological and Social Issues
o Psychoses (Delusions and Hallucinations)
o Sleep Problems
o Substance Abuse
• Nutrition
• Sexuality and Sexual Concerns
o Gynecological (Female) Disorders
o Prostate Disease
o Sexual Problems
• The Senses
o Hearing Loss
o Vision Loss and Other Eye Diseases
• The Skin
o Pressure Ulcers (Bed Sores)
o Skin Diseases
• The Urinary System
o Kidney Problems
o Urinary Incontinence

Interview with Julie Hall, author of “Boomer Burden: Dealing with your parent’s lifetime accumulation of stuff,” on February 19th, 9AM pacific. www.BlogTalkRadio.com/kindethics

Join me as I interview Julie Hall, the Estate Lady. She is the author of “Boomer Burden: Dealing with your parent’s lifetime accumulation of stuff,” on February 19^th, 9AM pacific. www.BlogTalkRadio.com/kindethics

The Estate Lady^®, professional estate liquidator Julie Hall, knows what to do. Whether your parents are still alive or you’re in the middle of a crisis, The Boomer Burden has solutions. Hall provides trustworthy counsel on how to:

• divide your parents’ estate with peace of mind
• minimize fighting with siblings during the estate settlement process
• clear out the family home in ten days or less
• identify potential items of value in the home
• have “that conversation” with your parents
• prepare your own children for the future

The Estate Lady^® offers guidance for any executor, heir, or beneficiary, sharing some of her most fascinating stories as well as helpful checklists of the things that need to be done now and at the time of your loss.

IF YOU HAVE PARENTS, THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU.

The Boomer Burden gives you practical, effective steps for liquidating and distributing your parents’ assets in a way that both honors them and promotes family harmony for generations to come.

Julie Hall, known as The Estate Lady^®, is a professional estate contents expert and certified personal property appraiser who specializes in estate liquidation. With more than seventeen years of experience with families from the southeastern United States, Julie has successfully assisted thousands of individuals in the daunting and often painful process of managing their deceased parents’ affairs. In addition to her hands-on experience, she is a speaker to civic groups, retirement communities, churches, and professional organizations. She has also written a monthly column, “Ask the Estate Lady^®.” Julie resides in Charlotte with her husband and daughter.

Have a kind and respectful day.

Caregiver Heroes

The other day, my 7-year-old nephew said to my husband, “I wish I had a super power, even if it was a pathetic one like folding towels.” Of course we had a good laugh about it when he shared it with me later that day. This kid has always had a magic way of expressing himself.

Later that day, my husband said to me, “Everyday things can be super powers. Like being able to have a caring heart or feeling empathy for someone’s suffering.” I realized that this is the daily journey of caregivers. So many caregivers wish they had super powers to get through their days. When in reality, you don’t have to be a superhero; you are already an everyday hero.

Have a kind and respectful day.