Q&A

RETIREMENT Dvorah Telushkin Special to The Jewish Week D r. Jeffrey Farber is CEO of The New Jewish Home and a geriatrician at New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital. Before taking his post at The Jewish Home in laste 2017, Farber, a graduate of Yeshiva University’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine, was senior vice president and chief medical officer for population health at Mount Sinai Health System. He also served as CEO of Mount Sinai Care, LLC, the system’s Medicare Shared Savings Program Accountable Care Organization.

One of the nation’s largest and most diversified not-for-profit geriatric health and rehabilitation systems, The New Jewish Home serves over 8,000 older adults each year in its homes and campuses in the Bronx, Manhattan and Westchester, through short-term rehabilitation, long-term skilled nursing, low-income housing, and a wide range of home health programs. The Jewish Week caught up with Dr. Farber recently at The New Jewish Home. This interview is edited for length and clarity. What were your earliest memories of being nurtured? And how did this nurturing inform your ability and your power today as a healer and a medical doctor?

I had a very close relationship with my grandparents: Grandpa Hy, from Belarus, and Grandma Sylvia, who was born in Paris. They came religiously every Sunday to visit; every weekend, fail none. This level of devotion allowed me to develop deep trust and fueled my interest in my career to serve older adults. Can this seed of compassion, planted at an early age, allow us to become nurturers in later life, as men and women of compassion?

Compassion is the essential ingredient to giving high-quality medical care. Even if you know the latest and the greatest technology, without compassion the expertise and technical skills become irrelevant and ineffectual. The word in Hebrew for mother’s womb, rechem — is from rachmanot — compassion. And what greater empathy can exist than that of a mother’s womb? What do you think is the quality of that grandparent’s love or the relationship with an

Changing the Way We See Older Americans The CEO of The New Jewish Home is on a crusade to fight ageism, and he wants the elderly to look the future squarely in the eye. Q&A Retirement Living ■ The Jewish Week & NJJN ■ April 2020 10

“Compassion is the core of all good medical practice,” Dr. Jeffrey Farber says. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE NEW JEWISH HOME

elder, that allows us to cultivate empathy?

It’s because they listen and they have time. They see us.

The very fact that they are older allows them to be present with their grandchildren in a way that’s greater than young adults, who are distracted. I think the kids pick up on that.

Compassion is at the core of all good medical practice. A woman here with advanced dementia was upset that someone had stolen her car; she wanted to go to the police and described where she parked the car. Without confronting her the staff expressed empathy, asking, “What kind of car was it? Tell us about your car.” From this deep knowing

Out in the community: Dr. Farber at a recent Pride parade.

Surveys reveal that adults over 65, by 2030, will be about 20 percent of the population. Yet there are fewer than 300 doctors per year completing geriatric training in America today.

This is why we have to make a societal shift. American society views older people as a financial drain on the economy. They have called it “a silver tsunami.” I cringe every time I read that phrase. You’re describing the fastest-growing segment of the population. The first time in human history where we will have more older adults than younger people. And they can still live meaningful lives with purpose.

The “silver tsunami” phrase insinuates a calamitous, financial drain, as opposed to its being a great blessing that we must value and appreciate.

My grandpa would smoke a pipe and blow the smoke in our hair and then pat our heads and make a little halo coming up over our heads. We thought that was so cool. Grandpa’s pipe: I can still smell the cherry aroma associated with Grandpa’s pipe.

But my grandpa got bone metastases from prostate cancer. He was one of the earliest patients to get an implanted morphine pack. It was large and surgically placed in his back. The bone metastases was very painful. This was my first vision of a pressure ulcer.

We idolize youth, right? Their ability to compete, their prowess. By definition older adults are out of the race.

This program is intergenerational and it’s bidirectional. We began it here 14 years ago and have already graduated over 600 high school students. We serve at-risk youth from very disadvantaged public schools, and almost all are the first in their families to go to college. They spend hundreds of hours on the floors volunteering; that’s the intergenerational piece.

We train certified nurse assistants (CNAs) to be patient care technicians (PCTs), phlebotomists, who draw blood, and EKG technicians. Last year, all 70 got into college.

And we’ve hired a couple of hundred already that have trained in our own program. So these are job opportunities.

And it’s a way to also combat ageism because you are taking kids at an early age and impressing upon them not to be scared by wrinkles and by graying.” What’s the biggest challenge facing nursing homes/assisted living facilities these days?

There is a fundamental problem with the entire field and with nursing homes in general. People are fearful of and rejecting their future selves.

“I can’t get out of bed on my own,” they say. “I can’t feed myself. I need somebody to help clean continued on following page Retirement Living ■ The Jewish Week & NJJN ■ April 2020

Is this part of what inspired your interest in geriatrics?

It was my first experience with home-based palliative care. I remember the nurses coming to visit my grandpa when he was in bed toward the end of his life. And I believe these years brought me to love geriatrics. My appreciation and affection for my grandparents and having witnessed the fragility of end-of-life, brought me to love caring for the elderly.

I never had a dislike for the wrinkles, the smell of frailty; witnessing the pain. I felt, “I’m very interested. I want to help people.”

I was 17 when my grandpa died, and then my grandma died less than a year later. I knew then, absolutely, that I was interested in geriatrics and would serve this vulnerable community.

Your poignant story brings to mind the words of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, “Old age is not a defeat but a victory, not a punishment but a privilege.” And the surgeon and author Atul Gawande describes how his 100-year-old grandfather “was consulted on all important matters — marriages, land disputes, business. He was revered not in spite of his age, but because of his age.” How DO we pass down this philosophy and heartfelt care?”

One of my chief priorities for The New Jewish Home is to build upon our GCD program — Geriatrics Career Development program. We are bringing the young people in from the community and transforming the way they view our aging population.

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me after I go to the bathroom.” They imagine themselves becoming this person. “No, No, No. I never want to go to a nursing home. You’ll have to shoot me first,” they protest. So the rejection of the future self being so reliant on others, and often reliant on strangers, is the stigma associated with nursing homes. RETIREMENT Q&A continued from previous page Retirement Living ■ The Jewish Week & NJJN ■ April 2020 12

What do you think is causing this? What makes so many of us scared of wrinkles and even recoil when we see the graying?

I’m starting to get further insights into this phenomenon. I think there’s a medical aspect to this as well. We continue to evolve as people and our brains continue to mature as we develop. So when I think back to my 17-year-old self at the time that my grandfather died, I’m not the same person. Your brain truly does continue to develop and you think differently and it’s hard to put your head in somebody else’s mindset and say, “I would never want to be in a nursing home.”

People say, “I’d rather be dead.” It’s very, very different when you’re … God forbid, if you are ever in that situation. The brain changes. It’s very different.

Is part of this the way older Americans and the whole idea of aging are

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Dr. Farber with former Jewish Home patient Wayne Smallwood in the facility’s sukkah.

viewed today?

What we really need to do is change the way society approaches and views older adults. And we need to address this instinct to recoil head on! We need to begin to appreciate and include older adults in the fabric of society.

It’s all about changing our misconceptions. One common misconception about elders is that they complain too much. Studies show that older adults — in fact — underreport their symptoms. Elders have multiple and chronic conditions in various stages of severity. “I don’t want to burden the doctor,” is the common refrain. You have to work to get people to open up.

You know, we have a very good ability to self-heal. The tincture of time is valuable.

Can you give me an example of this?

I became very close to one patient, a Holocaust survivor who had remarried and built a new life after the war. He showed me cigarette burns on his arms from being tortured by the Nazis. “I’m O.K.” was his mantra. But it sounded like he was having trouble breathing. “A little bit,” he said. It was a lot more than a little bit. “Maybe you need to be examined?”

“O.K,” he said. “If you say so.”

When we checked his oxygen level it was quite low. He also had a lung infection that needed to be treated.

We became very close. But the greatest lesson he taught me was how to re-engage with life WITHOUT complaining. He challenged my misconceptions. He taught me that with resilience, any horror and any tragedy can be survived.”

How do we address the ageism head on? What would you advise someone who is still ill at ease with the senior population?

I would advise them to come visit. Even if you just come for 15 minutes. Push yourself. There are Catholic services, Protestant and Jewish Sabbath services every Friday afternoon and Saturday morning.

We have our garden, which is a little oasis, one of our gems. And it’s a safe, health-promoting environment. Higher oxygen content is in the fresh air. I’m a believer in “nature deficient disorder.” We need to be connected to nature. And here is an outlet for that in a controlled environment.

I once witnessed a wedding in the garden near the turtle pond. Dressed in a lace gown, the bride lay on her back, and held the hand of her beloved. She wanted to marry him before she died. The eternal quietude of that ceremony still lingers within me. Is this what you were getting at? Are you referring to the garden as one way for our seniors to sustain the soul?

Yes. That’s what I mean. Being human is all about relationships. I would advise them, “Come. Come visit. Sit and talk.” ◆

Dvorah Telushkin, a regular contributor, is chaplain at The New Jewish Home.

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Learn more at AFHU.ORG Brookdale Senior Living Brookdale Battery Park City 455 North End Avenue, New York, NY 10282 212-791-2500 • www.brookdale.com Seven Ways to Live Longer and Be Healthier FROM BROOKDALE SENIOR LIVING

Genetics, environment, and lifestyle are all variables when studying longevity. And there isn’t any one secret to living a long, happy life. Here are a few things you can start incorporating into your life today:

STAY POSITIVE

PATL stands for “Positive Attitude Towards Life” and is a measurement tool used in several studies on longevity. The term encompasses everything from laughter and optimism to relaxed behavior and extroversion and is attributed to a large number of centenarians.

In other words, people with positive attitudes tend to live longer, so kick back and enjoy life.

EXERCISE OFTEN

No, you don’t need to spend hours in the gym or train for marathons. Make sure your routine includes easy-going exercise on a daily basis. You will likely be healthier, and, in turn, could live longer.

Playing games can also improve longevity. When you swing that badminton racket, you’re not just working up a sweat – you’re having a good time and making new friends.

EAT RIGHT Stick to these five rules: • Drink alcohol, but only one to two glasses a day • Eat until you’re almost full but not tired • Eat your smallest meal in the evenings • Eat mostly veggies and beans • at three to four ounces of meat five times a month

DO GOOD

Volunteer. And do it often. Not only will you be exercising, helping others and making new relationships, you’ll inadvertently increase your life expectancy. And if you’re volunteering for purely altruistic reasons, your chances of joining the centenarian club increases significantly.

JOIN A COMMUNITY

Human connection is imperative to your wellbeing. Belonging to a community can make you a healthier person who is bound to live a lot longer. Some doctors say that it is the single most important factor when it comes to longevity. FORGET WORRY

Meditation and prayer are known links to longevity. It’s no surprise that taking time out of the day for some deep breaths and reflection can increase life expectancy.

Studies indicate that when high levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, are released into the body, it can weaken the immune system and even create heart problems. Stay calm, and practice that “om”.

ENJOY YOURSELF

Though this secret is close to the first one, it encompasses a different set of values. It’s really about treating yourself. It’s okay to get a massage or eat a second cookie. What’s important is to live as though every day is a remarkable one and to approach every experience with an open mind.

There’s not a single secret to this long-life thing. These are just a few ideas to help you get the most out of your life. And if you’re looking for a place where all of these seven secrets are built into your daily routine, stop by one of our communities for a visit.

You can learn more about increasing your longevity and the benefits of a senior living community by visiting Brookdale.com Chelsea Senior Living

In the 30 years since assisted living became a standard of care, Chelsea Senior Living has expanded and adapted to the needs of the senior population. How? By offering more services, more lifestyle choices and more clinical supports to our residents. It’s no longer just about a room and three meals a day.

All Chelsea communities offer personalized assisted living in suites designed for comfort and accessibility with large windows, convenient kitchenettes, spacious bathrooms and a variety of floor plans. Our goal is always to maximize the quality of life through individualized support and appropriate health care services. Our signature lifestyle program offers a full calendar of events, activities, speakers and outside trips to keep our residents interested. They can participate in as many or as few things as they’d like.

Our Country Cottage provides a safe and supportive environment for residents with Alzheimer’s and other memory impairments. It features specially trained, 24/7 staff, a separate dining room and special daily activities in a secure environment, supervised by a Certified Dementia Practitioner.

Chelsea encourages independence and freedom of choice in the appropriate environment that protects each resident’s privacy. To that end, we keep in constant touch with residents and their families to make sure we’re all on the same page.

A growing part of our program is the increased role of healthcare services in each of our buildings.

“We’ve really embraced aging in place,” says Roger Bernier, president and chief operating officer of Chelsea Senior Living. “We’re able to do some more things to allow people to stay in our places through third party providers such as hospice and by adding a little more nursing staff. The public’s kind of demanded it and we’ve met the need.”

All Chelsea communities are managed locally by hands-on directors whose mission is to provide a caring and safe environment for seniors. Come home to the Chelsea nearest you. Call 1-877-CHELSEA or visit chelseaseniorliving.com for more information. Crane’s Mill 459 Passaic Avenue, West Caldwell, NJ 07006 973-298-1321 • www.cranesmill.org

Crane’s Mill provides residents with the finest independent lifestyle and 5-star rated healthcare options available right on campus.

Open to adults 60 years of age or better, Crane’s Mill combines a serene natural setting with luxurious amenities and a convenient suburban location. On any Retirement Living ■ The Jewish Week & NJJN ■ April 2020 13

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given day, you might enjoy bird watching, a swim in our indoor pool, a fivecourse dinner, and a show at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.

Crane’s Mill is a life plan community, which means we offer a continuum of care needs including independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care all on the same campus. INDEPENDENT LIVING

Residents enjoy the lifestyle they desire without the worries of maintaining a home. All major appliances, snow removal, landscaping, utilities, and more are taken care of for you.

A robust activities calendar of social and educational programming is offered to all the residents. Daily exercise classes, live entertainment, clubs, and committees are just some of the offerings.

Living options include a variety of distinctive floor plans for cottages and apartments on a beautiful 48-acre campus. ASSISTED LIVING

Preserve all the independence you want while receiving the amount of assistance you need. Residents receive hands-on care with daily living, such as grooming, dressing, meal preparations, and medication management throughout the day. MEMORY SUPPORT

The memory support neighborhood at Crane’s Mill has developed a cuttingedge program that ensures each individual is provided with a customized plan to improve their quality of life, allowing residents to thrive. SKILLED NURSING AND REHABILITATION ★★★★★ Rated 5 Stars by CMS. Whether you are recovering from a recent surgery or require long term nursing care, the Healthcare Center at Crane’s Mill can provide exceptional service. Specific services for each resident are based on a comprehensive assessment and a plan of care developed by our team of licensed professionals. Retirement Living ■ The Jewish Week & NJJN ■ April 2020 14

Inpatient and Outpatient Rehabilitation Services: • 1-to-1 Customized Therapy Sessions • Physical Therapy • Occupational Therapy • Balance Therapy • Conditioning Programs • Speech/Language/Swallowing Therapy • Cognitive Therapy • Pain Management When you put it all together, you get a community that provides an outstanding lifestyle while offering the care you need. SERVICES & AMENITIES

Crane’s Mill offers active, luxurious, maintenance-free living. Some of the services and amenities provided include: • Maintenance-free living • All utilities • Flexible meal plan • Athletic center • Daily exercise classes • Indoor pool and hot tub • Jogging, biking, and walking paths • Housekeeping and bed linen services • Individual transportation to medical appointments • Trips for shopping and errands, plus special outings • Emergency response and daily check-in systems • Beauty salon/barber shop • Library and gift shop • Bocce court • Greenhouse • Pastoral care and religious services including weekly Shabbat services • Cultural programs, live entrainment, and so much more! The Gardens at Monroe 189 Applegarth Road Monroe Township, NJ 08831 609-448-7036 • www.thegardensatmonroe.com

The Gardens at Monroe, Healthcare and Rehabilitation, is committed to creating an environment that supports health and well-being. You will experience this not only in the care provided by our great team using best practices and current technologies and equipment, but also in the life and activity all around you when you walk through the door.

At The Gardens at Monroe, we see every day that a strong family support system enhances healthcare and recovery. We have designed additional services as a part of our Family Focused Care program to help our patients and their families maintain strong relationships and support one another as a team on the road to achieving health and rehabilitation goals.

Transportation services make it easy for you to visit! We provide a car service Monday through Friday for our short-term rehabilitation patients’ family members to visit. Transportation is complimentary for the first 20 days of your loved one’s stay and offered at a discounted rate thereafter.

Continue to enjoy meals as a family. There is no replacement for the quality time a family spends together over dinner. We encourage you to join your loved one for a daily meal while you are visiting. Family and friends can enjoy a meal for a nominal fee.

The Gardens at Monroe will give you the care you need, close to home.

Contact us today at (609) 448-7036 or visit thegardensatmonroe.com to learn more about how our services support the needs of patients and family alike.

Homewatch CareGivers Provides Best-In-Class Senior Care

RENOWNED HOME CARE COMPANY MEETING LOCAL DEMAND FOR HIGHER

QUALITY HOME CARE SERVICES

Homewatch CareGivers is the premier provider of high quality senior and home care in the region, offering both hourly and live-in care customized to meet the individual needs of each client.

Owned and operated locally, Homewatch CareGivers locations provide Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Union, Morris – Sussex, Passaic and Bergen Counties with the high-quality care necessary for senior aged residents and others living with chronic illnesses or recovering from illness or surgery to remain independent and healthy within their own homes.

Services can include just a few hours of care to 24/7 in-home assistance, with all personal care services provided by certified home health aides under the direct supervision of a registered nurse.

An international leader in senior care and assistive in-home care, Homewatch CareGivers has earned an accolade in recognition of its exemplary client and caregiver satisfaction from a third-party research company that collects data on client and caregiver satisfaction scores and feedback.

To learn more about the following Homewatch Caregivers locations, please contact:

Homewatch CareGivers of South Orange-Essex and Union County at (973) 810-0110 or visit hwcg.com/southorange

Homewatch CareGivers of PrincetonMercer County at (609) 423-1200 or visit hwcg.com/ Princeton

Homewatch CareGivers of Old BridgeMiddlesex County at (732) 591-1991 or visit hwcg.com/ old-bridge

Homewatch CareGivers of Morris, Morris-Sussex and Passaic County at (973)-888-0030 or visit hwcg.com/ morris

Homewatch CareGivers of Paramus at (973) 834-0034 or visit hwcg.com/ paramus

For four generations, New York’s Jewish Community has turned to Sinai Chapels for guidance and comfort in their time of need.

We honor and respect all Jewish traditions and customs, attending to every funeral detail according to each family’s personal and religious preferences.

Harrogate 400 Locust Street, Lakewood, NJ 08701 732-942-5272 • www.harrogatelifecare.org

Harrogate, considered to be the premiere Life Plan Retirement Community in Ocean County, is situated on a lush, 53-acre campus on the border of Toms River and Lakewood just minutes from the beautiful New Jersey Shore and an hour from New York City, Philadelphia, and Atlantic City.

Harrogate was founded in 1988 as a non-profit, 501c3 organization governed by a Board of Trustees.

Life Care at Harrogate gives you home for life, as well as care for life. In addition to your independent living residence and access to every community service and amenity, you have priority access to skilled nursing, home health, rehabilitation, and memory care support services.

No more cleaning house, cooking, tedious yardwork or keeping up the house, but when you live at Harrogate, you could find yourself busier than ever. There is so much to do under one roof and on our campus. Your days can be packed with classes, events, special speakers, trips, and concerts. Through our collection of services and amenities, you can do more than simply fill the hours; you can find fulfillment in each day.

Services you’ll appreciate are housekeeping, maintenance, most utilities, transportation, bank/ATM. Our amenities include formal and informal dining venues, pets welcomed, fitness classes, parties, trips, and learning opportunities. The beautiful community spaces to enjoy include our indoor pool and hot tub, fitness center with personal trainers, woodworking shop, walking trails, dog park, gardening areas, bocce court, putting green, and shuffleboard, and arts and crafts studio.

Life Care offers you the predictable monthly fees throughout all levels of care and allows you to control your future health care costs. Plus, our flexible entrance fee options offer you outstanding estate protection.

Harrogate has had a consultative partner for the past 32 years, Life Care Services, a national leader in senior services, owning, managing, consulting with over 140 communities nationwide, and recently recognized by JD Powers for outstanding customer satisfaction. To learn more about Harrogate and a “Worry Less, Live More” lifestyle, call 732 942 5272 or visit our website at www.Harrogatelifecare.org Jewish Community Center of Middlesex County 1775 Oak Tree Road, Edison, NJ 08820 732-494-3232 • www.jccmc.org Sue B. Horwitz, MSW, Director, Senior Adult Services

Senior Services at the JCC continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of our growing adult population. We offer lectures on a wide variety of topics that stimulate one’s mind, musical performances that enrich one’s senses, trips that broaden one’s horizons and wellness programs that address the health and fitness lifestyle of retirees. There are Jewish holiday celebrations, a Bereavement Support Group, a weekly Men’s Discussion Group, Pickleball, Monthly Writing Workshop and Book Conversation, as well as bridge classes and social table games.

Aging in place surrounded by familiar sites and a supportive community is essential to a healthy later life. Continuing to maintain feelings of self-worth, to inspire one’s mind, to engage with others and to remain physically active and fit, all help to minimize loneliness, promote strong brain and body functions and give us reason to get out of bed each morning. The JCC is a vital hub in this process! Our well-rounded programs and events offer a wide range of choices which are successful in satisfying the inquisitive minds of experienced adults. Our caring, knowledgeable staff shares helpful resources and the JCC community encompasses many amazing seniors who set a positive tone for aging with grace, enthusiasm and appreciation. We welcome you to be a part of our JCC family! Mattison Crossing 93 Manalapan Ave., Freehold, NJ 07728 732-333-3605 • www.mattisoncrossing.com STAYING SOCIAL AS YOU AGE

There’s no reason for age to slow down your social life. While there’s a chance reduced mobility may limit your trips outside, you can still enjoy an active social life. Though the motivation may be hard to muster at some times, humans are social creatures, and we need interactions with friends and loved ones to thrive.

Did you use to be a social butterfly, flitting from soirée to charity drive to family gathering? The same can be done in your golden years, when it’s more important than ever to keep up with the pace of life. Not only does the stimulation help you keep a positive mood, but getting out in the world and staying active can work wonders for your well-being and health.

Here are three easy tips to consider when wondering how you can maintain an active social life in old age.

1. GET SOME EXERCISE

Any amount of exercise will do — given your physical abilities. Exercise has the dual advantage of keeping both your body and mind in shape. And you certainly don’t have to be lifting weights to feel like you’re getting enough exercise, and if you can, more power to you! 2. TRY OUT SOCIAL MEDIA

This day and age, you have a lot more tools and avenues of engagement and interaction than ever before. The increase in the percentage of seniors online has increased quickly and nearly half of online adults in the U.S. over the age of 65 have a Facebook account. 3. VOLUNTEER

Another surefire way to get active and feel better for doing so is volunteering. There are any number of causes out there, whether they’re ones you’ve participated in before or are simply sympathetic about. Having family active in support could also be enough to persuade you to join in.

If you’re interested in how senior living communities can help keep you active (and we sure can, with plenty of social gatherings, events and enrichment opportunities), then go to MattisonCrossing.com for more information.

The Mitchell Wealth Management Group Seth A. Mitchell, First Vice President - Wealth Management UBS Financial Services, Inc. 1251 Avenue of the Americas 2nd Fl. New York, NY. 10020-1080 212-626-8588 • www.ubs.com/team/mitchellwmg

The world is constantly changing and it is important to have a plan that changes with it. It is never a bad time to either make changes to an existing financial plan or create a new one. It starts by having clarifying conversations to learn what is important for you and the people you care about. How do you want to live your life now? How do you plan to live your life in retirement? What do you want to leave to the people you care about most? Let’s start with a conversation. At The Mitchell Wealth Management Group, our mission, commitment and process strives to do the following: to provide quality service, put our clients’ needs first and view each client relationship as a long term investment. We tailor our services to each client’s particular needs and goals; to ensure the highest level of personal attention and responsiveness. We recognize that communication is paramount to the sucRetirement Living ■ The Jewish Week & NJJN ■ April 2020 15

Lowey won’t speak on the record about her relationship with the four freshman congresswoman known as “The Squad,” who have been harshly critical of Israel, to varying degrees. But a clue may be found in her rebuke earlier this year when one of them, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, suggested that supporters of Israel are loyal to a foreign country. Lowey condemned Omar’s statements — but also left her door open to talk it through.

“Anti-Semitic tropes that accuse Jews of dual loyalty are equally painful and must also be roundly condemned,” Lowey tweeted. “I am saddened that Rep. Omar continues to mischaracterize support for Israel. I urge her to retract this statement and engage in further dialogue with the Jewish community on why these comments are so hurtful.”

Lowey does not support proposals, which have gained ground recently in the Democratic presidential race, to leverage aid to Israel as a means to bring its policies in line with American priorities. Lowey has also said that she is “concerned” about how young people relate to Israel, but was reassured when she recently visited the University of Michigan Hillel, where she has a grandson. Hundreds attend Hillel events at the school and Hillel members are engaged in defending Israel on campus.

Lowey says she is leaving Congress because she wants more time with her husband of 58 years, Stephen, her three children and her eight grandchildren. In 2011, Lowey told JTA that one of her greatest pleasures was preparing Jewish holiday meals. Now? Not so much.

“I’ll give away a secret — I had 34 for break-fast [after Yom Kippur], but I didn’t cook anything,” she said. “I dialed the telephone.” ◆ RETIREMENT Lowey continued from page 9 cess of any client/advisor relationship; to coordinate the breath and scope of intellectual capital of the world’s largest wealth management firm to deliver the optimal client experience. We succeed by delivering the full capabilities of the firm with an exemplary level of wealth management service, customized solutions and the highest ethical standards. New York City Department for the Aging Supporting Older Adults during COVID-19

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to develop, the New York City Department for the Aging (DFTA) and its sister-City agencies are working together to distribute guidance to keep older adults safe. For older adults who are high risk of contracting the virus, COVID-19 has brought not only increased awareness of safety and health, but opportunities for social isolation. What can you do to help older adults?

Everyone can call their older family members, neighbors, and friends to see how they are doing. As older adults practice social distancing and stay inside their homes, opportunities for social isolation increase. Research shows that homebound older adults are more likely to experience social isolation, which is linked to higher blood pressure, more susceptibility to flu and other infectious diseases, and earlier onset of dementia.

DFTA also has services that support social engagement among homebound older New Yorkers. The Friendly Visiting program pairs older adults with volunteers for weekly visits. Right now, the Friendly Visiting program has transitioned to telephone-based visits. Instead of visiting older adults in their homes once a week, volunteers call their Friendly Visiting matches 2-3 times a week for conversations.

No matter how you are supporting older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, we thank you. We are stronger when we come together and support each other. For all COVID-19 updates, call 311 or visit the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Website: https://on.nyc.gov/33t9EBG Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation 271-11 76th Ave., New Hyde Park, NY 11040 Contact Person: Lina Scacco lscacco@parkerinstitute.org 718-289-2212 • www.parkerinstitute.org THE IMPORTANCE OF ADVANCE CARE PLANNING

In a medical emergency, how would your health care be managed? Suddenly, a whole host of issues could arise: There may be decisions needed about ventilator use, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, tube feeding, or perhaps even hospice. And if you couldn’t communicate your preferences, those decisions are left to someone else.

These matters, challenging as they are, are best addressed before a health crisis ever occurs to ensure that others understand and respect your preferences.

Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation located in New Hyde Park, New York, helps families navigate the complicated considerations with advance care planning. The Institute’s specially trained social workers assist patients and residents and their families who may be deciding on critical health matters for the very first time.

“Our social workers assist with advance care planning by fostering conversations with patients and their families,” said Michael N. Rosenblut, Parker’s President and CEO. “These important dialogs center on preferences, respect and values for care, giving families peace of mind when it comes to meeting the wishes of their loved ones.”

Conversations about advance care planning will become more prevalent around the region as the community ages. Currently, there are 3.2 million New York State residents who are 65 and older, and that number is expected to increase by 1 million in the next 10 years.

At Parker, social workers educate families about the entire process, and can answer questions along the way, as well as access any legal documents necessary. It is in this way that families can help support the wishes of their loved ones.

Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation, which is headquartered in New Hyde Park, New York, is a leading provider of short term rehabilitation and long term care. At the forefront of innovation in patientcentered health care and technology, the Institute is a leader in teaching and geriatric research. Parker Jewish Institute features its own medical department, and is nationally renowned as a skilled nursing facility, as well as a provider of community-based health care, encompassing Social Adult Day Care, Home Health Care, Medical House Calls, Palliative Care and Hospice. For further information on how Parker can help – please call 877-727-5373 or visit our website at:www.parkerinstitute.org Sinai Chapels 162-05 Horace Harding Expressway, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365 718.445.0300 Contact Person: Andrea Resnick sinai@jewishfunerals.com www.jewishfunerals.com

Sinai Chapels Serves New York’s Jewish Community

Sinai Chapels, located in Fresh Meadows, Queens, and led by the Resnick family is proud of the trust that four generations of Jewish families have placed in us. Sinai’s commitment starts with compassionate understanding, quality service, and attention to every detail. Our continuous improvements reflect the traditions established by our family over a century ago. Sinai’s licensed staff helps families through the arrangement process and guides each family through the options that best fit their needs and budgets. Sinai Chapels is the only funeral home in the area that provides a staff Director of Pastoral Counseling. Rabbi Michael Strasberg, who is available to help families through religious counseling and support. Sinai’s two chapels accommodate services large and small. Our state-ofthe-art broadcasting system can televise the live service in a room adjacent to the Chapel on 50” high-definition televisions. Sinai now offers a password protected live Internet broadcast of the service, for family unable to travel. In addition, Sinai offers DVD and audio CD reproduction of the service. Whether Reform, Conservative, or Orthodox, Sinai provides services that are ceremonially correct, appropriate and dignified. Sinai also offers families the choice of traditional or non-traditional services. Some families choose to have a service at an alternative location such as a gravesite, synagogue, or other place of significance to the family. Since there are so many details to manage in planning a service, most families choose to have Sinai’s staff of trained professionals coordinate such ceremonies. Making funeral arrangements in advance protects families from unexpected expense and spares them the burden of making complex choices at a most difficult time. Sinai’s staff of experienced pre-planning advisors can meet with you privately at the Chapel or in the comfort of your home, with no cost or obligation. All Sinai pre-plans are FDIC insured.

Sinai Memorials specializes in crafting and customizing monuments to match the needs and wishes of every family. Our staff of specialists, technical and Rabbinic, invest great time and effort to ensure that you will receive the finest monument possible. Sinai Chapels and the Resnick family are proud sponsors of leading Jewish Community Organizations such as: The Queens College Center for Jewish Studies; Kupferberg Holocaust Center and Archives at Queens Community College; and the United Jewish Appeal. Please visit JewishFunerals.com or call 800-446-0406 for more information. Stein Assisted Living Stein Assisted Living at the Oscar and Ella Wilf Campus for Senior Living 350 DeMott Lane, Somerset, NJ 08873 732-568-1155 /www.wilfcampus.org Assisted Living Helps Maintain HeartHealthy Lifestyle

Preventative measures for maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle include regular exercise, proper nutrition, regular check-ups and tracking blood pressure, adequate sleep, and more. This may sound easy enough, but many adults have trouble applying these habits in their own lives. Assisted living facilities such as Stein Assisted Living in Somerset, NJ, can help seniors stick to heart-healthy guidelines in ways that they may not be able to on their own: FREQUENT EXERCISE:

Moving around for at least 30 minutes a day can dramatically decrease risk for heart disease. Most senior living facilities provide some type of exercise program for their residents on a weekly or even daily basis. Additionally, programs can be tailored to an individual’s physical abilities. At Stein Assisted Living, activities such as chair yoga, Zumba, Tai Chi and musical entertainment help keep residents moving and active! REGULAR CHECKUPS:

“On average, Americans visit the doctor four times a year, substantially less than in other countries,” according to a Commonwealth Fund study. While this may suffice for a healthy adult, it is important that seniors and at-risk populations regularly check their blood pressure outside of these visits. Seniors at Stein Assisted Living have access to daily testing of vital signs, meaning that concerning changes are often identified early. In addition, the nursing staff at Stein is readily available, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. CONSISTENT SLEEP SCHEDULES:

Lack of proper sleep has been shown to have a negative impact on heart health. Sleep deprivation can lead to increased blood pressure, due to added stress on the heart. Even too much sleep has been shown to cause health issues such as increased instances of obesity – which is a risk factor for heart disease.

Residents at Stein Assisted Living have their daily activities scheduled in ways that promote a healthy sleep cycle; exercise programs are usually earlier in the day, meals do not occur too late in the evening, etc. Staff and healthcare providers help individualize daily schedules to the specific needs of each resident. HEALTHY DINING OFFERINGS:

Stein Assisted Living strives to give residents independence and choice in their dietary selections, while accommodating residents’ individual dietary needs, such as gluten free and heart healthy meals.

While these benefits are great to have, it is important to learn the risk factors of heart disease and make a personal effort to fight against those that you can control! To find out more about Stein Assisted Living, contact 732-568-1155 or info@ wilfcampus.org. The Wilf Campus for Senior Living

Is comprised of Stein Assisted Living, Wilf At Home, Wilentz Senior Residence, Stein Hospice and Wilf Transport. For more information on any of our agencies, please call 732-649-3502 or email info@wilfcampus.org Retirement Living ■ The Jewish Week & NJJN ■ April 2020

The Jewish Week & New Jersey Jewish News Present Retirement Living A special full-color magazine

PUBLISHING JULY 30/31

Our readers are planning their retirement, are currently retired, or have retirement questions concerning their loved ones. They have decisions to make regarding finances, healthcare, their residence and more. With increased leisure time, retirees also want to find out about travel, volunteer opportunities, and classes. RETIREMENT LIVING is your opportunity to reach people who are eager for information that will help them make the best retirement-related decisions. These readers rely on The Jewish Week and the New Jersey Jewish News for news, opinions and cultural information they can’t find elsewhere, meaning they will welcome the information you provide.

Your targeted advertising in the July 30/31 magazines will be in a compatible environment with articles that address many of our readers’ interests such as: • Financial planning leading up to and during retirement • Real estate advice about downsizing their home • Leaving the suburbs and retiring to Manhattan. Why are so many people making the move? • The trend toward luxury assisted living facilities

Choose to advertise in The Jewish Week or New Jersey Jewish News or both and enjoy these benefits: • Your ad appears in the magazine and in the online flipbook on thejewishweek.com and njjewishnews.com

• Receive a FREE advertorial in the magazine and online, based on your ad size

Jewish Week subscribers are affluent and educated 1

Average household income: $255,222 Average net worth: $1,956,320 / NJJN 40% have net worth $1,000,000+ 2 91.2% attended college or more 81.8% own primary residence 18.1% own vacation/weekend home/investment property 59 is the mean (average) age (41.5% are 65+) / NJJN 57% are 65+ 2

1 MRI Subscriber Study | 2 NJJN Reader Survey

We can create a customized package for you, with print and digital advertising. We also have options for newsletters and e-blasts to enhance your advertising message.

AD CLOSE: MARCH 2 | AD MATERIAL DUE: MARCH 6 AD CLOSE: JUNE 30 | AD MATERIAL DUE: JULY 6

For details please contact your advertising representative or Ruth Rothseid, Sales Manager, ruth@jewishweek.org, 212-997-2954.

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