Isabella Participates in the new “Together on Diabetes” Program

Isabella is pleased to be working with the United Hospital Fund on a major new effort to combat Diabetes in Washington Heights and Inwood.    “Together on Diabetes” is a partnership of community based organizations, businesses, health care providers, the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene and the New York City Department for the Aging.  This public-private initiative is funded for a period of three years with major support from the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation.

Twenty –six million people in the United States suffer with diabetes and more than 1 in 4 seniors in Northern Manhattan must cope with the disease every day.   Diabetes is responsible for more than 1 in 5 hospitalizations every year and is a major cause of amputations, blindness and kidney failure.  While diabetes is serious, with the right mix of self-care, medical care and community support, anyone afflicted with the disease can lead a healthy and normal life.

“Together on Diabetes” is a central resource for seniors with diabetes.   A Diabetes Support Team, staffed by knowledgeable professionals, meets with each individual to conduct assessments, determine the right kind of care and provide individual follow-up.  As part of “Together on Diabetes” individuals have access to Education and Support Groups, Nutrition and Cooking Classes, Self-management Programs, Coaching, Exercise and Care Coordination. 

On Friday, January 29^th, 2012, Isabella sponsored an initial education workshop as part of its programming for the Institute for Older Adults.  Representatives from the United Hospital Fund, the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, Neighborhood Diabetic Supply, City Harvest and other community groups presented information on the care and treatment of diabetes.  Attended by many community residents, this workshop helped seniors understand symptoms, warning signs and remedies that may enable them to cope with diabetes.

For more information about how the “Together on Diabetes” can be of help to you, call 1-855-585-5888.

By: Betty Lehmann

What Good are Pets?

Many of us, especially those who have raised children, have had a pet at one time or another.  Now that the children are on their own we think its their turn to enjoy the pleasures as well as the troubles that come with having a pet. Our relationships with animals as members of the family are over.  Some say, “I enjoy seeing them in the wild, but not in the house.  I’ll watch them on TV on nature shows, but that’s my limit.”  The reasons are obvious: the dog walking (if the pet is a dog), the expense of buying animal food, the gnawing of furniture and the inevitable accidents, not to mention the pain of seeing a pet sicken and die. For all these reasons it may seem counter intuitive to advocate pets for seniors. Let’s give it a try anyway.

A good pet is therapy. Who needs it? For seniors who live alone a pet makes the best of companions.  Once you admit you love dogs or cats or birds, the pros quickly outweigh the cons.  If the pet is a small dog you can train them to use newspaper and, of course, a cat has its litter box. What is sweeter than opening the door to your home and having a little creature greet you with unconditional love? You cuddle up with your pet to watch the evening news and make uncontested commentary on the reporting while scratching your pet’s head.  What more can you ask for? It’s this companionship that makes any inconvenience of having a pet worthwhile.

Cons and Pros

Nonetheless, there things to keep in mind:  Where is the nearest veterinarian, how expensive is pet food, is there someone who can keep your dog when you go on vacation or can you take him with you?  Who will walk the dog when it snows? Still there are animals that are companionable yet require less attention, such as fish in an aquarium and birds in a cage.  They’re not completely task free, but require less than a cat or dog.

Are there health benefits to living with a pet?  Pets are known to reduce emotional and physical pain. According to www.healthspring.net, studies have shown that petting animals can bring down blood pressure and trigger the release of dopamine and serotonin in the brain that elevates mood.  It isn’t surprising that seniors who own pets visit the doctor less often than those who don’t.  Is there a pet in your future?  For the sake of your health, it’s worth a thought!

A.M.

Not for Women Only

Let it not be said Nursing Homes are for women only.  Isabella has a wonderfully diverse population.  Of the 700 residents who live at Isabella 219 are men.  So what is happening to make Isabella a comfortable place for men?  Indeed the women of Isabella enjoy quilting, the European Club, and bingo.  Pastimes many enjoyed in their more independent days.

But what brings the men of Isabella together for conversation and fun?  It is the Men’s Group, the idea of Felicita Cruz, (Recreation).  She called on other staff members to contribute their talents to the newly formed gathering of men.  It didn’t take long before volunteers were escorting men from the various Isabella neighborhoods on Wednesday afternoons to one of the community dining rooms. About 15 come together at any one time.

The men began by introducing themselves to one another.  Future Echoes dancer, Ray Centeno (Finance) offered to lead the men in sharing memories of life in New York, jobs and their experiences in wars, civil rights and music of a bygone day.  Jokes and trivia spark conversation.  Sometimes Ray begins with a guided meditation enhanced by a background of Native American music.

There is definitely excitement in the air as Ray sets up percussion instruments of bongos, castanets, and drums.  The residents are delighted to play.  Rebecca Hernandez (Finance) joins Ray and the two twirl and step to the magical beat of trance dance, jazz and Latin rhythms.

At other gatherings Michael Robinson, a physical exercise trainer  (Environmental Services) demonstrates routines. The men flex their muscles as they follow along.  Recruitment for a sports enthusiast has begun so the group can welcome in the baseball season with the excitement it brings.

                                   

While this is all going on the men are enjoying refreshments of beer and chips.  Not so bad for a Nursing Home. If a woman attempts to join the fun she is greeted by a resounding, “Men Only”.  The Men’s Group is a good time for male companionship and entertainment.

The idea of having a Men’s Group has caught on and other Isabella communities have begun similar gatherings of men.  The Isabella Men’s Group is an example of how creative thinking fosters person-centered care in innovative and fun ways.

A.M.