A program of Jewish Family Services of Northeastern New York
Volume 17, Number 9
November & December 2021
Before there were cars, there were trolley cars. For this Let’s Talk Albany, we have invited Tony Opalka, Albany City Historian, who will discuss trolley transportation in Albany — how it developed, and how it impacted the city. He will also show some historic views of the local streets.
Ayurveda, the ancient healing “life science” practiced in India. In this workshop, Melanie Pores will provide and introduction to Ayurveda and highlight some preventive Ayurvedic practices. She will also provide resources for you to learn more about this to learn alternative medicine practice. Handouts will be provided. Melanie Pores is retired after a 30+ year career as a bilingual educator. She now enjoys practicing yoga, Qigong and Tai Chi, learning about Ayurveda, researching, preparing and sharing healthful “DIY” recipes with friends.
As the pandemic drags on many of us wonder how best to care for our health and well-being. There seems to be more questions than answers when it comes to issues such as: • What are the current recommendations for social distancing, mask wearing and gathering with others? • How can I boost my personal immune system to be as strong as possible? • What’s the latest update on immunizations – for the Flu as well as COVID-19? • How do I handle difficult conversations with my family and friends when personal beliefs differ from others? • What are some strategies for dealing with mental and emotional stresses such as social isolation and
uncertainty about the future? Join NNORC Nurses – Mary Brummagyn , RN and Judi England, RN as they discuss the latest updates and provide insights into these common questions. There will be a forum for you to ask questions and air your concerns.
Our annual holiday party is going to look a little bit different this year, but we’re still looking forward to celebrating with our friends. We’re excited to welcome back TuneFolk for a special NNORC-only, livestreaming holiday concert. Husband-and-wife duo, Jim and Sue Mead, will play some holiday songs for us to enjoy, in addition to some traditional guitar and fiddle tunes. They were a hit last year, and we are thrilled that they are joining us again! And what is a NNORC party without snacks? If you live within the NNORC, we will drop off a few treats prior to the program. Please join us on Wednesday, December 8 at 1:00 p.m. for this fun event. While we may be meeting over Zoom, we’re still looking forward to seeing all of you!
NNORC Director Jennifer Plouffe, MSW
Senior Health Ed. Coord. Judi England, RN, LMT
Director of Programs Marla Gornstein, LMSW
We’re not going to let Old Man Winter get into our bones and make us creaky! Join us for a chair yoga class where we will stretch, breathe, and build flexibility and balance . If you can’t join us live, you can watch the class by visiting YouTube.com and searching JFSNENY.
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
Bundle up and meet us for one more walk before the colder weather arrives! 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.
Program Partners Lead Agency: Jewish Family Services B’nai Sholom Reform Congregation Catholic Charities Community Caregivers 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
After your initial enrollment in Medicare, many of you would prefer to never have to think about health insurance again, but we may be doing ourselves a disservice. Medicare health and drug plans, themselves, often change from one year to the next, including changes in coverage, premiums, or which providers and pharmacies participate in their networks. The annual 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. Once again, we have invited a representative from LifePath to the NNORC 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. If you are not available on November 10, we can arrange another time convenient to you. If you think it may be time to review your insurance coverage and make a change, please call Marla at 518-516-1113 to reserve your hour-long appointment time with LifePath. The appointments will be on the phone or via Zoom (which ever you prefer).
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
Join the NNORC Resident’s Council and have your voice heard on the issues that matter most to you and your community. This is an open meeting for all NNORC residents. This program will be held on Zoom. The Resident’s Council will not meet in December. We wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season. The Council will resume in January.
This month’s selection is recommended by one of our book club members. We’ll be reading the Summer of ’69, and yes, it brings you back to that year! It's 1969, and for the Levin family, the times they are a-changing. Every year the children have looked forward to spending the summer with their grandmother in Nantucket, but this year, everything is different. Four siblings experience the drama, intrigue, and upheaval of the '60s summer when everything changed in Elin Hilderbrand's #1 New York Times bestselling historical novel.
Join our intern, Jefferson Basco for his first NNORC program. We will be watching a short video on dance crazes. From the waltz to voguing, dance crazes have connected people through history. Join us for this interesting video and discussion. Jefferson is a second year Master of Social Work student at the University of Albany. He is in the Internships on Aging Program.
In this Let’s Talk Albany, we will be travelling back a hundred years ago to Delaware Avenue. What stores were there? What did the houses look like? Did cars park along the street like they do now? We’ll watch a video compilation of old photographs and reminiscence from former residents. Come and join us for an exploration of Delaware Avenue before it transformed into the urban neighborhood it is today.
The Reading Group by Elizabeth Noble follows the trials and tribulations of a group of women who meet regularly to read and discuss books. Over the course of a year, each of these women become intertwined, both in the books they read and within each other's lives. What starts as a reading group gradually evolves into a forum where the women may express their views through the books they read and grow to become increasingly more open as the bonds of friendship cement.
Each year, the Times Union polls residents about their favorites in the Capital Region: restaurants, views, libraries, pizza, banks, business and more. The results are in. Have you seen the 2021 “best of” list shared in our local newspaper? We’ll talk about the winners in some of the categories and which ones we think should have been included!
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 518-514-2023 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!
Helderberg Neighborhood Association, Ragonese Italian Imports and Your Albany NNORC are partnering again to deliver dinner to you! The meals will be delivered between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday, December 2. There are three dinner options available: Chicken parmigiana, Eggplant parmigiana or Meat lasagna. Meals include a side salad and a dinner roll. The cost of this dinner is $12. NNORC will also provide dessert. If you would like dinner delivery, please place your order with Jennifer at NNORC at 518-516-1110. The volunteers who are delivering the meals cannot accept money, so payment must be made when your order is placed. You must be home during the delivery period to accept your food! The food will be delivered cold and heating instructions will be included. Delivery is limited to the NNORC area. The deadline for ordering is Monday, November 29 at 12 p.m.
Did you know 34 million Americans have some form of diabetes and one in five don’t even realize that they are walking around with the disease? There are 2 types of diabetes. Type 1 affects 5 to 10 % of people with the disease and it is more likely to develop when you are young. With this type of diabetes, your body cannot produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone, made in the pancreas, that helps to control your blood sugar. Type 2 diabetes is the more common form of the disease. In this case, your body is unable to use our internal insulin well enough to keep blood sugar at normal levels. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes are: obesity, over 45 years of age, lack of exercise or having a parent with type 2 diabetes.
THE MOST COMMON DIABETES SYMPTOMS ARE: Increased urination Increased thirst Hunger blurry vision Dry skin Sore that heals slowly More infections than usual
Weight loss without trying Fatigue Numbness or tingling in hands and feet
We all can pick several of those symptoms from the list as our experience. However, a few of those symptoms does not a diagnosis make! Screening for diabetes is not hard. Your medical provider screens you with symptom checks and bloodwork during your visits. We encourage you to discuss any concerns, new or worsening symptoms with your medical provider. Please, never minimize or deny symptoms!
The best way to prevent the flu is to get the readily available flu vaccine. The flu vaccine is NOT a live virus vaccine. It cannot give you the flu. Rather, it stimulates your body to produce protective antibodies. The CDC reports that it is safe to get the flu vaccine at the same time as a COVID-19 vaccine, first, second or booster dose! The flu is not just a bad cold. Unlike a cold, the flu starts suddenly. The symptoms of the flu are fever, body aches, cough, sore throat, headache, and stuffy nose. Flu and COVID-19 symptoms are similar. If you think you were exposed to someone with COVID, speak with your health care provider and get tested for COVID. This way, your treatment can be planned accordingly. Like COVID-19, the flu spreads from person to person when someone with the flu coughs or sneezes and others are nearby and are exposed to the virus. Sometimes people can get the flu by touching an object or surface with the flu virus on it and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth. Let us continue our infection control strategies to prevent the spread of flu and COVID. We encourage you to get vaccinated, keep physical distance (6 feet apart), wear your mask indoors and keep your hands clean!
For the past two years, NNORC has partnered with the Morning of Kindness initiative to provide small treats for residents in need. Morning of Kindness is a program that collects personalized donations (like slippers, books, hair products, grocery gift cards, puzzle books, etc.) from the community and delivers them to recipients on December 24th. Last year, though these community donations, we were able to provide goody bags for several NNORC residents. If you know of NNORC residents who could benefit from an individualized goody bag, please let us know: 518-514-2023 or nnorc@jfsneny.org. Learn more about the origins of Morning of Kindness here: morningofkindness.org/our-story.
Once again, Equinox is coordinating a cadre of volunteers and chefs to prepare and deliver Thanksgiving meals to local residents in need. Please contact NNORC at 518-514-2023 or nnorc@jfsneny.org by November 7 to request a meal.
Library Links is a program where NNORC volunteers deliver library books from APL’s Bach Branch to homebound local residents. If you know of someone who could benefit from the book delivery, please contact Marla at NNORC at 518-516-1113 or nnorc@jfsneny.org. If you are interested in volunteering for NNORC and delivering library books, please let us know.
NNORC received a notification from the Albany Water Department regarding grants for replacing your water service line. The information is below. If you need assistance applying for a grant or performing a water test in your home please contact NNORC at 518-514-2023 or nnorc@jfsneny.org.
Get a new water service line with the help from Albany Water Department (AWD). You can apply for a reimbursement of up to $2,000 to aid in the cost of your lead service replacement. Learn More at www.albanyny.gov/lead Water service lines are typically made from lead or copper. If you’re unsure if your home has a lead service line, you can request a free drinking water lead test at FreeWaterTesting@health.ny.gov directly or call the State Health Department at (518) 402-7650. Homeowners or residents who are unable to pursue a lead service replacement at this time can apply for a FREE water filter if their water tests high for lead (above 10 ppb). Please call 518-4345300 for information on the process/eligibility to acquire a free water filter. Lead service lines can pose a significant health risk, especially to young children and pregnant women. AWD uses corrosion control treatment to prevent lead from entering drinking water, however, the only way to mitigate all possible health risks from lead is to remove lead lines entirely. AWD is also compliant with the EPA regulations for lead sampled in water. The goal is to have zero lead service lines in Albany by 2040. Learn more at www.albanyny.gov/lead
To all those who have served, and those who continue to serve. Our country’s greatness is built on the foundation of your courage and sacrifice. We thank you!
Thank You, Albany Water Department water@albanyny.gov 518-434-5300
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program administered by New York State that helps income-eligible households meet their home energy needs in the winter season. The Regular HEAP benefit can help defray the cost of your home heating bill. Regular HEAP eligibility and benefits are based on income, household composition and the type of fuel used to heat your home. To qualify for assistance, an individual’s gross monthly maximum income cannot exceed $2,729, and the gross monthly maximum income for a household of two is $3,569. Through the Clean and Tune benefit, eligible households can receive energy efficiency services, which includes the cleaning of primary heating equipment, but may also include chimney cleaning, minor repairs, installation of carbon monoxide detectors or programmable thermostats, if needed, to allow for the safe, proper and efficient operation of the heating equipment. Benefit amounts are based on the actual cost incurred to provide clean and tune services, up to a maximum of $400. The Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement benefit helps homeowners repair or replace the furnace, boiler, and other direct heating equipment necessary to keep the home’s primary heating source working. Benefit amounts are based on the actual cost incurred to repair or replace the essential heating equipment, with $3,000 allowed for a repair and $6,500 for a replacement. Before work is started, it must be approved and authorized by the HEAP local district. Payment is made directly to the vendor after all the work is completed. New applications for any of these components began on October 1. HEAP applications and additional eligibility information can be found at https://tinyurl.com/HEAP2021. Residents may also contact the Albany DSS office at 518-447-7323. For help completing an application, please contact NNORC at 518-516-1110.
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.
The New York State Office on Aging recognizes the importance of seniors aging in the comfort of their own homes and community. They are the primary source of funding for the Albany NNORC which allows us to continue to provide an array of health, education, support, and social/ recreational programs and services to this unique community. We encourage you to become a NNORC Supporter. Your generosity and commitment reinforces and demonstrates to our funders the importance of continuing this vital service in our area. If you have any questions or suggestions to strengthen the Albany NNORC, please contact us: 518-514-2023 or nnorc@jfsneny.org. Use the form on this page to submit your NNORC Supporter contribution. Thank you in advance for your support!
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
Zoom in for Chair Yoga
Tuesdays, November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, December 7, 21, 28 at 11 a.m.
Final Walk of 2021
Wednesday, November 3 at 10 a.m. Rain date: Thursday, November 4 at 10 a.m. The Crossings, 580 Albany-Shaker Rd, Loudonville
Free Medicare Counseling sessions
Wednesday, November 10 from 9 a.m.– 1 p.m. (call for appt.)
Let’s Talk Albany
Thursday, November 18 at 1 p.m. (Trolley Cars) Thursday, December 16 at 1 p.m. (Delaware Avenue History)
An Introduction to Ayurveda
Wednesday, November 17 at 10 a.m.
NNORC Residents’ Council Meeting
Wednesday, November 24 at 10 a.m. No meeting in December
Novel NNORC Book Club
Monday, November 29 at 1 p.m. (Summer of ‘69) Monday, December 20 at 1 p.m. (The Reading Group)
COVID Conversations
Wednesday, December 1 at 10 a.m.
Ragonese Meal Delivery
Thursday, December 2 from 4—6 p.m. (see page 4 to sign up)
NNORC Annual Holiday Party
Wednesday, December 8 at 1 p.m.
Dance Crazes Discussion
Wednesday, December 15 at 10 a.m.
Times Union Best of 2021
Wednesday, December 22 at 10 a.m.
The Albany JCC Senior Center is offering some senior programming in person. 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: November 25 & 26 for Thanksgiving; NNORC staff will take floating holidays for Christmas and New Years on December 22, 23, 27, 30 and January 3. We will respond to your messages as quickly as possible.
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.