A program of Jewish Family Services of Northeastern New York
Volume 17, Number 7
September & October 2021
While we understand and share in the desire to get back to a sense of normal, the one thing COVID has taught us is that “normal” is a moving target. Consequently, we will continue to balance the desire for in-person social interactions with following the ever-changing recommendations from the various regulatory agencies such as the Albany County Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control. We will continue to err on the side of caution with the utmost concern for everyone’s health and safety. As we close in on the last weeks of summer and move to the fall months and flu season, we must continue to be vigilant about how we offer services and programming. Please be assured that we will do what we can to offer as much outdoor in-person programming as possible while the weather permits. Even with outdoor programs, we will require that you wear a mask. Please note, as we move to the colder less hospitable months and the winter season, we will have to move to exclusively virtual programming. There are many factors that contribute to our ability to offer in-person programming. Most significantly is our reliance on our community partners for the use of their indoor space. However, most of our community partners have restrictions regarding in-person programming and they remain closed to outside agencies. This is likely to remain the same as we approach the fall and winter months and flu season.
Your Albany NNORC is committed to ensuring the health and safety of our participants, staff and community partners as we all navigate these unchartered waters together. Your patience and understanding are appreciated as we continue to evaluate and re-evaluate how best to provide services and programs now and, in the future, while doing what we can to keep people safe and healthy.
How the Delta Variant upends assumptions about the coronavirus “Vaccine protection remains very strong against severe disease and hospitalizations caused by any version of the coronavirus, and those most at risk are still the unvaccinated, according to interviews with 10 leading COVID-19 experts. But evidence is mounting that the Delta variant, first identified in India, is capable of infecting fully vaccinated people at a greater rate than previous versions, and concerns have been raised that they may even spread the virus, these experts said.” Reuters, 7/27/21 For more information about the Delta variant in the Capital Region, we encourage you to visit the Albany County Department of Health’s website at albanycounty.com and scroll down to News & Announcements. Booster Shots On Wednesday, August 18, 2021, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommended booster shots this fall, starting week of September 20 and starting 8 months after an individual’s second dose. This is subject to the FDA conducting a safety/effectiveness evaluation. We recommend you continue to monitor further CDC news releases and plan for your third dose accordingly. Feel free to call us with any questions. NNORC Nurse Sue Hoffman retired at the end of August. Since Sue joined our staff in 2016, she has provided our residents with health services carefully tailored to meet their needs with professionalism, compassion, and
sensitivity. In her retirement, Sue will no doubt be spending more time in her beautiful gardens, and honing her Grandparenting skills. She will be missed greatly by the NNORC Team, and the residents who have come to know and love her.
NNORC Director Jennifer Plouffe, MSW
Senior Health Ed. Coord. Judi England, RN, LMT
Director of Programs Marla Gornstein, LMSW
Community Nurse Mary Brummagyn, RN
Director of Marketing Monica Tan
Residents’ Council Kristin Barron Phyllis Cohen Eric Copland Jim Dennehey Leslie Dykeman Julie Elson Maria Hazapis Jeffery Marks Victor Reiner Olga Tenney Maryellen Casey Usis
Program Partners Lead Agency: Jewish Family Services B’nai Sholom Reform Congregation Catholic Charities Community Caregivers
Mary Brummagyn comes on board in September as the NNORC Nurse. Mary recently retired as the Senior Public Health Nurse from the Albany County Department of Health. She has presented on senior health and immunizations at the NNORC Breakfast Club, most recently, “COVID, Flu and You.” NNORC is hosting a student intern, Jefferson Basco, who is part of the Internship in Aging Project (IAP) from University at Albany, School of Social Welfare. Jefferson will intern with us during his last year of graduate school starting early September. Zach Consler will continue to provide case management for NNORC residents until a permanent NNORC case manager is hired and trained.
JFS says farewell to the JFS Office Manager, Kristina Stinson. We will all miss her and the work she did supporting the NNORC program and JFS. We wish her nothing but the best in her future endeavors! NNORC staff are here if you need us. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns or need to talk. Contact the NNORC office at 518-514-2023 or nnorc@jfsneny.org. NNORC staff can be reached at their direct lines listed below: Jennifer Plouffe, NNORC Director — (518) 516-1110 Zach Consler, Case Manager — (518) 261-9179 Marla Gornstein, NNORC Director of Programs — (518) 516-1113 Judi England, NNORC Senior Health Education Coordinator — (518) 516-1117
Congregation Beth Emeth First Congregational Church Helderberg Neighborhood Association Jewish Federation of NENY Maria College Mater Christi Parish Center Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany St. Peter’s Health Partners St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church Life Path Sidney Albert Albany Jewish Community Center Temple Israel
NNORC is a Program of
How would you like your NNORC Newsletter sent? Please contact us if you would like to A) Be removed from our postal mailing list or B) Receive the NNORC News electronically. Email NNORC@jfsneny.org or call 518-511-2023 with your preference. We’ll need your name, address and email to complete your request. Thank you! Just a reminder all NNORC programs are listed on “Events” tab at jfsneny.org. You can also find archived editions of NNORC News under the NNORC tab. The JFS YouTube page has previously recorded chair yoga classes from our very own yoga instructor, Judi England. You can enjoy a class in the privacy and comfort of your home. Visit YouTube.com and search JFSNENY.
If you have an idea regarding future programming or services you would like us to explore, please email us at NNORC@jfsneny.org and share your idea. You are also welcomed to call us with your idea if email is not an option. This project is supported by funding from the New York State Office for the Aging. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the grantee and do not necessarily represent the official view of the New York State Office for the Aging.
@Your Albany NNORC
While the weather permits, we have scheduled many programs outdoors, and when possible with alternative rain dates. For virtual programs, we’ll continue to use Zoom. You can “attend” using your computer, a tablet or your smartphone. If you would like to register for any of the programs above, please call 518-5142023 or email us at NNORC@jfsneny.org. We will give you an access link or phone number for you to participate. New to Zoom? Contact us for a one-on-one Zoom tutorial. We look forward to seeing you!
We’ll meet up at the Albany County Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail. Join some of your NNORC friends to catch up and have fun. Please plan to wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. We’ll meet up at the Slingerlands entrance where the path is paved and flat. The parking lot is located at 839 Kenwood Avenue in Slingerlands. Please contact us if you have questions about this location.
JFS will be closed for several days in September in observance of the Jewish Holidays. While there will be limited opportunities for “live” Zoom chair yoga classes, we encourage you to keep the Tuesday at 11 a.m. schedule and pull up a recorded chair yoga class from the JFS YouTube page. Visit YouTube.com and search JFSNENY. Here’s a link to a practice designed to help you feel more centered and grounded: https://tinyurl.com/NNORC-Chair-Yoga-Centered.
Are you a closet know-it-all? Do you enjoy the thrill of providing the correct answers to questions about lesser-known facts? Did you know that knowing obscure facts is good for our mental health? Actually, recalling information from inside the part of your brain that you don’t use a lot leads to greater creativity, innovation and problem-solving skills. So let’s get together and play Trivia! We’ll meet on the lawn at First Congregational Church (405 Quail Street, Albany). Please bring a lawn chair (or let us know if you need us to bring one for you). If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we’ll meet over Zoom.
The Fannie Farmer Cookbook has been in print for over 100 years and has taught generations to cook. It’s a classic that we’ve (almost) all cooked from. It doesn’t matter what edition you have for this program. Choose a recipe that you’ve never made before and try it out. Let us know what you think and if it was a success! If you don’t own the cookbook, please let us know and we’ll make sure that you have some recipes to choose from. While we still can’t share our cooking, we’ll plan to meet and discuss how it went. We’ll meet on the lawn at Congregation Beth Emeth (100 Academy Rd). If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we will meet on Zoom instead.
All Creatures Great and Small (Volume 1) by James Herriot is the memoir of a country veterinarian that includes many kinds of stories, from ridiculous anecdotes to tear-jerking memories. The book begins as Herriot starts off on his own after veterinary school. Herriot's stories of his life as a country veterinarian have touched millions of people throughout the world. We'll meet at on the lawn of First Congregational Church (405 Quail Street, Albany). Please bring a lawn chair if you have one, or let us know we need to bring one for you. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we’ll meet on Zoom.
The Swing Era (1935 –1945) has its roots in 1920s dance music ensembles, which began using new styles of written arrangements, incorporating rhythmic innovations pioneered by Louis Armstrong, Coleman Hawkins, Benny Carter and other jazzmen. In New York City, The Savoy Ballroom in Harlem became a hotbed for swing bands and where the 'Lindy Hop' dance style was invented. What was happening in the Capital District during the Swing Era? Two local retired librarians, Michael Catoggio and Bill Schilling, have spent years researching the Swing Era in our region. We’ll watch some of their video about this musical time period and discuss its connection to the greater Albany area. Are you recently retired (or planning to retire soon)? Have you experienced a significant life change? Perhaps, you are considering options for deepening life satisfaction. Join NNORC Judi England, RN, and Marsha Lazarus, MBA, for a rich conversation about imagining your next chapter and finding what excites and energizes you. Then, exploring your options. There will also be a fun and enlightening participatory exercise. Marsha is still in the throes of an almost 35+ year career, in which she weaves together strategies to cultivate wellness, resilience and finding a sense of purpose/place in the community of workplace. At age 66, she founded Your Life Matters, a project of Your Career Fit Matters! Marsha is an avid reader and piano accordion student. She also loves exploring neighborhoods and new trails on her bicycle, assisting her partner in their two community gardens and getting to know new and old friends.
Older drivers typically make cautious driving decisions. They are more likely to wear their seatbelts and less likely to speed or drink and drive. Despite this, older drivers are more likely to be killed or seriously injured when a crash does occur due to the greater fragility of their aging bodies. While driver safety programs improve safety for older drivers by addressing cognitive abilities and skills, older drivers can also improve their safety by ensuring their cars are properly adjusted for them. A proper fit in one's car can greatly increase not only the driver's safety but also the safety of others. The program will take place in the parking lot of St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church (440 Whitehall Road, Albany). Trained screeners will help you fit better in your car, with the ultimate goal of helping you reduce the potential for injuries or car crashes. This program is led by Roger Dames, who serves as the Driver Fitness Center Coordinator at Colonie Senior Services and Donna Tice, Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialist from Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital. The evaluation takes only 30 minutes while you are seated in your car. The screening looks at various factors including safety belt use, steering wheel tilt, head rest setting, body positioning to air bag, line of sight over steering wheel, body positioning to gas and brake pedals and mirror adjustment. APPOINTMENTS ARE REQUIRED, so please call the NNORC at 518-514-2023 or email NNORC@jfsneny.org to make your appointment. This program may have to be postponed until 2022 if the COVID cases continue to rise in our area.
We hope to squeeze in one more walk before the weather starts getting colder. Please plan to wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. We’ll be meeting at The Crossings of Colonie to take a walk around the pond. We look forward to seeing you in person! Park by the playground (second parking lot on the right as you drive in) and we’ll meet by the pond. The Crossings is located at 580 Albany-Shaker Road, Loudonville.
In the Northeast, fall means APPLES! There are so many ways to use them – in salads, side dishes and of course, dessert! For this Cook the Book, we’re asking participants to research and try and new recipe that includes apples and give us your review. If you’re not a fan of apples, feel free to use a different fall favorite.
"Food and Mood" ...more than words that rhyme! Join registered dietitian Fran Weiss, MS RDN CDN, from Hannaford Supermarkets as she enlightens us on the nutrients and foods that help promote optimal brain health.
The New York State Museum occupied the New York State Education Building (NYSED) from 1912 to 1976. In 1976, the State Museum moved into its current home at the Cultural Education Center. However, there is still a lot of history at the NYSED Building. In this Let’s Talk Albany, we will watch several short videos showing some of the highlights of this building, including the Rotunda, the Regents Room, and the Replica Liberty Bell.
Where the Crawdads Sing is at once an exquisite ode to the natural world, a heartbreaking coming-of-age story, and a surprising tale of possible murder. Author Delia Owens reminds us that we are forever shaped by the children we once were, and that we are all subject to the beautiful and violent secrets that nature keeps. Set in 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, the socalled “Marsh Girl” in Barkley Cove, NC. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home, finding friends in the gulls and lessons in the sand. Then the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. When two young men from town become intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new life--until the unthinkable happens.
Kelly Casler, a HIICAP (Health Insurance Information, Counseling, and Assistance Program) Coordinator at LifePath, will be available on Wednesday, November 10 to conduct free and confidential one-on-one counseling sessions to help you make the right decision for yourself during Medicare’s open enrollment season. The Medicare Open Enrollment Period (October 15 December 7) gives Medicare beneficiaries the opportunity to review their health care coverage each year and make changes to better suit their current needs. The consultation appointments will be held over the telephone or zoom. More information on how to schedule your appointment with Kelly will be available in the November NNORC News.
Do you need to enhance the safety of your home? Maybe you would like grab bars installed in your bathroom or have a railing installed in your hallway. Perhaps there is a step that is causing a tripping hazard or a threshold that needs repairing. The City of Albany Department of Housing and Community Development has grants available for seniors to rehab or make emergency repairs to your home to make it safe and hazard free. Grants are also available to make your home accessible and accommodating for someone with a physical disability. If you have questions or would like to apply please call us at (518) 434-5265 or email communitydevelopment@albanyny.gov.
September is official National Yoga Month (an observance designated by the Department of Health & Human Services) designed to educate about the health benefits of yoga and to inspire a healthy lifestyle. Your Albany NNORC has supported this healthy practice by offering weekly Chair Yoga Practices free of charge to our community. All abilities and challenges are welcome. See page 3 for details. Are you stressed about starting yoga after the age of 40? Don’t be! Yoga is a centuries-old practice that combines physical exercise, meditation, and breathing techniques, that helps develop wellness of mind and body. It naturally moves the focus of your body to self-awareness, inner healing, and better health. Here are just a few of the many benefits of yoga: • Yoga has been found to assist in better aging, through increased flexibility achieved through low-impact stretches and exercises. • Regular strength training that yoga offers to minimize the muscle loss that occurs as we age and also helps keep bones strong. • Yoga does not require special equipment. It can be done just about anywhere with just a yoga mat. • One can start and do yoga at any age. Keep your current fitness and flexibility levels in mind and start at a level that you are comfortable with. Here are some tips for a beginner who is learning yoga after the age of 40: 1. Start slow and at a pace that you are comfortable with. Advanced yoga postures shown on television can be a deterrent for even the most ardent enthusiast. While it is great if one can eventually reach there, even the simplest yoga stretches for beginners offers significantly improved flexibility and help unlock rigid muscles. 2. Be Regular. The benefits of yoga can only be experienced if incorporated into a regular routine. Yoga is correctly termed as a “practice” Ensure that you find time to do yoga and make it a matter of habit. Eventually, the benefits of the practice are so noticeable and significant to daily life, that individuals themselves do not want to compromise on their yoga schedule. 3. Have a well-trained yoga teacher. This is especially important for those who are newly trying yoga after the age of forty. A good teacher will develop a routine that is consistent for your age and fitness levels. Having a regimented teacher-based routine will also ensure overall discipline in your practice. Further, a yoga teacher is important for a beginner as yoga combines breathing and exercise, which can be best taught in a live interaction rather than through a DVD. 4. Ensure that your lifestyle is also harmonious with yoga The benefits of yoga can be best realized when it is combined with adequate sleep, correct eating habits and toning down or avoiding excesses relating to alcohol and smoking. Ensure that these go together to fully experience the enhanced quality of life that yoga offers you.
Ask NNORC will address any questions you have about aging services and provide advice on challenges you or a loved one are facing. Please send in all questions to nnorc@jfsneny.org with the subject Ask NNORC, or mail your questions to Jewish Family Services, Albany NNORC, 184 Washington Ave. Extension, Albany, NY 12203.
Throughout the pandemic, technology has helped us stay connected to friends, family, doctors, and the NNORC! But many of our residents lack the skills and confidence to make full use of their devices, which can impede their ability to stay in touch and connected to love ones. If you, or someone you know, is comfortable with computers, tablets or smart phones, and would like to provide technical assistance via telephone, please call NNORC at 518-514-2023. Your skills will be appreciated.
Please call 518-514-2023 or email us at NNORC@jfsneny.org to sign up so that we can give you the correct access link or phone number for you to participate. Unless stated otherwise, all programs are on Zoom. You can contact us for a one-on-one Zoom tutorial with a staff member. We look forward to hearing from you!
EVENT
DATE, TIME & PLACE
A Walk on the Rail Trail
Wednesday, September 1 at 10 a.m. (Rain date—Thurs, Sept 2 at 10 a.m.) Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail, 839 Kenwood Ave, Slingerlands
Zoom in for Chair Yoga
Tuesdays, September 14, October 5, 12, 19, 26 at 11 a.m.
Post-Chair Yoga Meditation
Tuesdays, September 14, October 5, 19 at 12 p.m.
Let’s Play Trivia
Wednesday, September 15 at 10 a.m. First Congregation Church, 405 Quail St. Outdoors
Cook the Book
Thursday, September 23 at 1 p.m. (Fannie Farmer Cookbook) Congregation Beth Emeth, 100 Academy Rd. Outdoors Thursday, October 14 at 1 p.m. (Cooking with Apples)
Novel NNORC Book Club
Monday, September, 27 at 1 p.m. (All Creatures Great & Small) First Congregation Church, 405 Quail St. Outdoors Monday, October 25 at 1 p.m. (Where the Crawdads Sing)
Let’s Talk Albany
Thursday, September 30 at 1 p.m. (Swing Era) Thursday, October 21 at 1 p.m. (NYSED Building)
What’s Next? Exploring Your Next Chapter
Wednesday, October 6 at 10 a.m.
CarFit: Keeping Safe Behind the Wheel
Thursday, October 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, 440 Whitehall Rd. Outdoors
Fall Walk
Wednesday, October 13 at 10 a.m. Rain date: Thursday, October 14 at 10 a.m. The Crossings, 580 Albany-Shaker Rd, Loudonville
Food and Mood
Wednesday, October 20 at 10 a.m.
NNORC Residents’ Council Meeting
Wednesday, October 27 at 10 a.m.
The Albany JCC Senior Center is offering senior programming via Zoom. For a listing of their programs, please visit albancyjcc.org/adults.
Albany NNORC Office Hours NNORC Program & Jewish Family Services: Monday—Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please note: we will be closed on the following days in observance of the Jewish Holidays: 9/6, 9/7, 9/8 (Rosh Hashanah); 9/15 (close at 1 p.m., 9/16 (Yom Kippor); 9/21, 9/22 (Skukkot); and 9/28, 9/29 (Shmini Atzeret).
184 Washington Ave Extension Albany, NY 12203 518-514-2023 nnorc@jfsneny.org
Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID Albany, NY Permit # 587
jfsneny.org
The JFS mission is to enrich the lives of individuals, families, and the community by providing compassionate, collaborative human services, guided by Jewish values. Our programs and services include: • Counseling and support groups • Guidance for those aging in place • Kosher home delivered meals • Grocery shopping and fresh food delivery • Holocaust Survivor assistance services • Private transportation for Jewish seniors JFS’s expert staff is available virtually, by telephone and in person. Please contact us at 518-482-8856 or info@jfsneny.org if you need assistance.
Contact us for more information, if you have a question or if you want to attend a program: nnorc@jfsneny.org or 518-514-2023.