Senior Living 2014 by Queens Chronicle

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SENIOR LIVING GUIDE â€˘ Spring 2014

How to choose a Nursing Home, Assisted Living Facility or Senior Residence

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 20, 2014 Page 2

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Lamson & Cutner, P.C. Attorneys and Counselors

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• A proven track record of success in gaining Medicaid approval of home care and nursing facility care applications • Sophisticated, thorough and effective elder law, estate planning, and tax counsel, to protect your money, income, investments and property • Experienced, knowledgeable attorneys, paralegals and staff • Lawyers and support personnel who listen carefully to your needs

Getting results for clients is what it’s all about at Lamson & Cutner. Here’s what you can expect to receive when you hire the firm:

Aliah Home Care Agency Anfang & Zimmerman Catholic Cemeteries Elmhurst Care Center Flushing House Hospice of New York Lamson & Cutner P.C. Margaret Tietz Nursing & Rehab Center P & P Medicaid Consulting Parker Jewish Institute St. Michaels Cemetery Wyckoff Heights Medical Center York Group Assisted Living

CONTENT Independent living: for healthier seniors Page 4

Assisted living is one option to consider Page 6

How to choose a good nursing home Page 10

Listing of Senior Centers in Queens Page 14

Publisher - Mark Weidler Section Editor - Peter C. Mastrosimone Marketing Coordinator - Debrah Gordon Cover Design - Ella Jipescu Layout - Theresa Nusspickel

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Call today to learn about effective strategies for guarding your financial future and making life better for yourself and your family.

Flushing House is the New York area’s finest independent living community, offering the best value to seniors. With 40 years of experience, our unique community and exceptional staff are here to support our diverse population.

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MONTHLY RENT* a visit today! INCLUDES: (718) 762-3198 • Spacious Studio or 1 Bedroom rentals, www.fl ushinghouse.com private baths, kitchenettes, WiFi, cable and FLUSHING HOUSE our own TV channel 38-20 Bowne Street • Three meals a day prepared daily by our Executive Chef Flushing, NY 11354 • Utilities (excluding telephone) Parking Available • Weekly housekeeping / linen service • Rooftop atrium with breathtaking views of NYC • 24-hour security, recreational activities, bus trips, interfaith chapel, sports lounge, movie room, game room, computers and instruction, on-site home health care agencies and clinic, fitness center, beauty salon / barber and concierge service FHOU-063174

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There when you need us... care you can rely on.

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Senior Living Guide

Independent living: for healthier seniors Retirement facilities are there for those who still do a lot on their own by Victoria Zunitch Chronicle Contributor

f you’re considering an independent living situation in Queens for yourself or a loved senior citizen, local experts say there are plenty of options that can be narrowed down by first sorting out the facts and then considering the feeling you get about a residence. “There’s a perfect community for every resident,” in Queens, according to Erika Ribaudo, a senior living advisor with A Place for Mom, a free advisory service for seniors and their families that is funded by senior communities and residences. Ribaudo is based in Forest Hills and is one of the counselors whom Queens families might speak with if they call the service. “The personality of each place is going to be very different,” she said.

Many options in Queens The first step requires families to narrow down the field of the more than a dozen independent living locations in Queens to three or four locations according to the level of service available, their locations and their cost, Ribaudo said. The second step is to visit each facility and find out if it feels right. In Queens, there are five facilities that are or contain traditional “independent living” residences, including Flushing House and Sutton Gardens, both in Flushing, Atria Kew Gardens and Homestead, both in Kew Gardens, and Atria Forest Hills. Other options include Medicaid Assisted Living Programs that accept private payments until a resident runs out of resources and is eligible for Medicaid, and senior housing locations that help coordinate supportive housing services, such as those available through Selfhelp.org.

For the latest visit qchron.com SENIOR LIVINGnews GUIDE • Spring 2014

Some services that are offered Many families wind up looking for independent living after balancing the amount and kinds of services needed against the cost. “About 90 percent of older people do not wish to live anywhere but their own houses,” said Miriam Burns, a board member of the Queens Interagency Council on Aging, an independent

Miriam Kraft enjoys taking part in a creative writing program at Flushing House.

nonprofit membership organization that represents Queens senior programs. Some of those need help to remain in their own homes, but help is limited by expenses, Burns noted. Some seniors don’t have families to help with housekeeping, laundry, or cooking, and in our On a clear day you seemingly can see forever mobile society, she said, those who do have from the penthouse atop Flushing House, right. family members may not have anyone living PHOTOS BY VICTORIA ZUNITCH EXCEPT RIGHT, FILE PHOTO close enough to provide the amount of help that is needed. Some independent living resiWhen considering location, families and dences are also known as retirement homes or seniors should look at what neighborhood sercommunities. vices are available, especially for more mobile As an example, Flushing House, located on seniors, said Pat Connolly, sales director at Bowne Street, charges $2,500 per month for a Atria Forest Hills. They might check out the studio and $3,575 for a one-bedroom, includ- availability of pharmacies, banking, public ing utilities, meals and numerous services. transportation and shopping. At Atria Forest Any pair of consenting adults can share a one- Hills, a parking garage is available. Atria Forbedroom for an additional charge of $550 per est Hills also can arrange, at an additional month. Depending on the level of services cost, medication management services and needed, the rate might be close to or even less health aide services for those who develop than the cost of a senior remaining in his or mobility issues, or it can arrange transfer to a her original home. higher-level facility, such as Atria Kew GarAs opposed to nursing homes and assisted dens’ memory care unit, she said. The level of services living, independent living required changes as each centers help seniors age 62 resident gets older. Some and older with housekeepn array of services, Flushing House residents ing, laundry, a meal plan, activities, and some kind of but without the loss function mostly outside of the facility and use it as a assistance with transportaof independence. home base for commuting tion while preserving the to Man hattan daily or greatest degree of independence. Some provide a social worker or coordina- working full-time, Prince said. Other resitor to help seniors connect with outside resources dents are “aging in place” and use one of the and institutions such as eldercare attorneys, home care agencies to get additional help. If a resident needs to use a skilled nursing Access-A-Ride, Social Security and Medicare. At Flushing House, other services include a facility, either temporarily or permanently, hair salon, group outings with transportation, Flushing House helps families make those on-site doctors, a gift and sundries shop and arrangements. religious services. These services might be billed separately or included in the facility’s Availability and visits monthly fee. Sometimes, facilities will have a waiting On a recent afternoon, Activities Directors list, while others will have apartments availKatie Rivers and Josh Lutz visited with Laurie, able for immediate occupancy, so prior plana prospective resident who declined to give her ning can make a big difference in the number last name to protect her privacy and was stay- of choices available. Flushing House, for ing at the facility temporarily to help her make example, had several apartments available as a final decision about moving in. Lutz was of mid-March, as did Atria Forest Hills. eager to show off the CD recently produced by Dropping by the facility, taking an official the Flushing House band. In the penthouse tour and possibly participating in one or more atrium, residents Miriam Kraft and Rose Allen events will introduce a senior to residents and participated in a creative writing class. staff and give you a feeling for whether you can call this new place home. Laurie, the prospective resident, said she is Once there, aging in place Independent living residents must be able to fluent in both English and Spanish and knows ambulate 100 feet upon first entering Flushing at least a few words in Chinese, Portuguese, House, according to Erica Prince, its co-direc- Korean and Japanese. Laurie said she was tor of marketing. However, once they are liv- looking for a multicultural environment that ing at the facility, they can “age in place” if echoed the one in which she had grown up. they need to obtain additional assisted living She had sampled the food in the dining room, services by either hiring one of Flushing spoken with the chef about how to meet her House’s two on-site services or using another personal dietary requirements and participated in some of the activities. agency of their own choice.

“You couldn’t ask for more as far as having diverse cultures, and that’s what they have here,” Laurie said, adding, “The staff is fantastic.” But many seniors remain independent long after they stop working. Typically, to qualify for independent living, a resident must be able to move about independently. Facilities need to see that a resident can “transfer,” or get out of bed, get to a walker, and ambulate that 100 feet. Someone who is in a wheelchair must be able to manage the chair independently, including getting into it from a bed, and out of it again back into a bed.

Lower-cost locations Queens also has some lower-cost senior housing locations run through Selfhelp Community Services, Inc., an independent nonprofit senior housing option that provides some supportive living services. Selfhelp’s senior housing residences all have social workers onsite who check up on residents and can help seniors communicate with families and coordinate community services such as Section 8 Q housing and Meals on Wheels.

Prospective Flushing House resident Laurie, left, checks out the facility with Katie Rivers, one of its two activities directors.

C M Senior page 5 Y K Page 5 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 20, 2014

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Senior Living Guide

Assisted living is one option to consider Be sure to match your loved one with the right facility to get the best care by Mark Lord Chronicle Contributor

uth Goldberg is about to turn 99. For the past seven years she has been living at Atria Kew Gardens, an assisted living facility in a historic residential neighborhood near Forest Park. According to her daughter, Judith Mermelstein of Hillcrest, the facility was chosen, over a period of several months, “by process of elimination. There were four I had considered. One was very chilly. Another was a former hospital and I realized that the dining room had been the morgue. The third has a lot of Chinese and Russian residents and my mother doesn’t speak Chinese or Russian.” Thus, the decision was made. But no matter how one goes about it, choosing the appropriate assisted living facility for oneself or for a loved one can become one of life’s most daunting experiences.

For the latest visit qchron.com SENIOR LIVINGnews GUIDE • Spring 2014

What is assisted living? Making matters particularly complicated is the reality that as the senior population in this country has grown, so, too, have the options for living arrangements available to its members proliferated. In fact, it was not so long ago that assisted living as it exists today emerged as an alternative on the continuum of care for people for whom independent living is no longer appropriate. What, exactly, is assisted living? It may best be defined as a philosophy of care and services promoting independence and dignity. It is generally seen as the most viable choice for individuals who are too young to live in a retirement home and are not in need of the around-the-clock medical care provided by a nursing home. It should be poi nted out, as SeniorHomes.com does, that assisted living does not come cheaply. According to the site, the Census Bureau has estimated that the average per-diem rate for assisted living in a private room is between $50 and $120, or about 60 to 70 percent of a similarsized room in a nursing home. Several sources of funds are commonly used for paying for assisted living: private funds; long-term care insurance (an umbrella term that covers nursing home care and assisted living care in addition to other medical services); and veterans’ benefits. SeniorHomes.com indicates that Medicare won’t pay for assisted living care but, in some cases, Medicaid will. Finances aside, what are some of the considerations that should enter the picture when choosing an assisted living facility? Dana Jaffe, a longtime resident of Little

Neck who has written on the subject, followed her own advice and helped find a facility for her father, one which left him feeling comfortable with the choice he ultimately made. First, she suggests, “It is best to be informed of the choices before visiting any facilities and to have a list of questions ready when you do choose to visit.”

Important questions to ask Jaffe encourages use of the internet to help locate facilities in a desired location. In fact, she suggests, “Read the internet websites of all the facilities in your target area.” Next, according to Jaffe, it is important to “determine the level of assistance/care that your relative needs.” There are several pointed questions she believes should be answered prior to making a decision. These include: • How many meals are provided daily? (She recommends asking for a sample menu.) • Are laundry services provided? • What is the distance range of transportation to physicians? • How far is the nearest hospital? • Is a nurse available on the premises? • Is the front desk covered 24 hours? • How can residents handle their shopping, banking and other chores? • What is the male/female ratio of residents? • Under what circumstances might a resident no longer be allowed to remain in the facility? Mermelstein also suggested finding out about visiting hours. She was told at one facility that “we don’t allow anyone to see the residents.” And providers caution that you should follow up on information posted online, in case some of it is out of date. The website Agingcare.com recommends that “there’s no better way to get real feedback than by asking the residents themselves.” It also offers specific questions to look into: Are the grounds well maintained? Are different room and apartment floor plans available? Is there ample closet space, as well as a private kitchen and bathroom? What furniture is included? Are the stairs and hallways well lit? Are exits well marked? Are there fire alarms? How are special dietary needs handled? Are there set dining times? Is there a sit-down restaurant? What fitness facilities are available? Are religious services offered? Are there entrance fees? What other fees are there besides monthly rent? Is the facility state licensed?

Atria Kew Gardens offers assisted living, independent living and memory care just a few blocks PHOTO BY STEVE FISHER from Forest Park. and capacities, which will help you and your relative decide if this facility is a good match.” She cautions, however, “Make no decisions while on a facility tour. It is very helpful to return home, discuss and weigh all the options.”

Types of assisted living According to SeniorHomes.com, there are three classifications of assisted living facilities. These include basic residences, enhanced residences and special needs residences. According to the website, the basic residences are geared toward seniors who are medically stable and relatively independent but need some assistance with the activities of daily living. The enhanced residences would be more suitable for seniors with more limiting physical conditions that require assistance with walking or getting out of bed. Special-needs residences are for seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia. The site indicates that in New York State, there are approximately 500 assisted living facilities. The average cost, it states, is $3,950 per month, with rates ranging from $1,500 to $9,500, depending on location and other factors. Assisted living facilities are regulated by the New York State Department of Health and are inspected every 12 to 18 months.

When assisted living is the right move Experts suggest that there are various signs that could indicate that a relative might need to move into a facility. Among these is the appearance of the skin. Does it feel soft? If not, it could indicate prolonged dehydration, which can have serious consequences. Is the color of the skin normal? Bruising could result from bumping into furniture the individual cannot clearly see. Other indicators: Can your relative hear you when you speak? Is there food in the refrigerator? Are medications current and being taken regularly? The website Assisted Living.com adds to the signs to look out for: Is the individual maintaining proper hygiene? Is he or she easily disoriented? Are there word problems? Unopened mail? Spoiled food?

Always take a tour

Specific services

Jaffe strongly encourages taking a tour of a facility under consideration. “You will get a general sense of the resident population’s age

Longtime Queens resident Meryl Weiss Bayer helped her mother-in-law find a place to her liking, choosing Boulevard ALP in

Flushing. There, the Holocaust survivor, who is now in her 90s, has her own room, complete with a small kitchenette. She is served three meals a day, which according to the facility’s website, are Glatt kosher. “They have activities, a library. It’s very nice,” Bayer said. Although there are nurses on staff, Bayer said, “Five mornings a week we have someone coming in to help her”: a social worker who caters to survivors. The facility’s website indicates that it has a shul on the premises, as well as a Shabbos elevator. Personal assistance is available for activities of daily living, as are physical and occupational therapy. A medical staff is on the premises, and assistance is offered for medication management. Amenities include daily housekeeping, linen/laundry services, a library, computer room, beauty salon and barber shop. Another local facility is the Madison York Assisted Living Community, a 226-bed residence located in a seven-story building in Corona, which is one of three facilities that comprise the York Group. In addition to residential services, it offers care management, counseling, advocacy and a wide range of activities. The other facilities in the group are the Madison York Rego Park and Elm York Assisted Living. According to Barbara Castellano, director of community relations, “The York Group is renowned for providing quality care for decades. So, you can be confident that you’ll receive the professional services you need and the personalized attention you deserve.” As the search for the right facility is a complex process, Castellano suggests that “ultimately, your decision may come down to the location or “word on the street,” adding that the services provided by the York Group allow “each of our residents to age in place with dignity.” As Debra Drelich, a social worker who specializes in geriatric care, said in an article in The New York Times, “There is no one right plan for all elders.” The bottom line for most individuals planning a move to an assisted living facility was summed up by Assisted Living.com., which stresses the importance of making the transiS tion as seamless as possible.

C M Senior page 7 Y K 9 EAST 40TH STREET NEW YORK, NY 10016

ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS

WWW.LAMSON-CUTNER.COM

The Affordable Care Act and Medicaid by David A. Cutner, Esq. he Affordable Care Act (commonly referred to as “Obamacare”) has been much in the news these days. The legislation itself is very long (over 2,000 pages) and unwieldy, and many of the implementing rules and regulations remain to be determined. Putting aside issues relating to the exchanges and the so-called “individual mandate,” many features of the Act will have an impact on seniors and individuals with disabilities. In particular, those who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid — so called “dual eligibles” — will see significant changes in the way healthcare and longterm care is provided. Traditionally, long-term care providers licensed by Medicaid were paid on a “fee for service” basis, at rates that were negotiated between Medicaid and the provider. The provider billed Medicaid for the specific services rendered to each patient, and Medicaid paid for these services. Recently, in an effort to control the costs of this hugely expensive program, there has been a shift to managed care, under which providers are paid a “capitated” rate. This means that Medicaid pays a flat amount for each person enrolled in the managed care plan. New York State has entered into a Federal-State

TEL: (212) 447-8690 FAX: (212) 447-8691

partnership that mandates the integration of Medicare and Medicaid under the umbrella of one plan. “Dual eligibles” will have all of their medical, health, and long-term care needs covered and coordinated in one all-inclusive plan. This new Federal-State partnership is called the Fully Integrated Dual Advantage demonstration project, or FIDA. Those who are “FIDA eligible” will have to choose a FIDA plan, or they will be passively enrolled if they don’t make a selection. FIDA is mandated for most “dual eligibles” who reside in Queens, the Bronx, Kings, New York, Richmond, Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester counties and who are receiving long-term care. The FIDA plans will be phased in during 2014. Individuals who are not eligible for Medicare, but who have low incomes, may be able to qualify for Medicaid under a simplified procedure until they are 65 years of age. Under the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid eligibility is based on modified adjusted gross income (“MAGI”) as determined under IRS rules. Those who earn less than 138 percent of the federal poverty level will be eligible for Medicaid under a simplified application procedure. Seniors 65 years of age and above will remain subject to Medicaid’s resource and income limits, and the fiveyear “look back” and “penalty period” in nursing home cases. Those who seek Medicaid benefits must continue to comply with the full application process, including all forms and documentation previously required. As the implementation of the Affordable Care Act is likely to be a shifting landscape for some time, it’s best to check with an elder law firm for the current status and requirements of these programs and services – and how to protect your money, income, and property when applying for Medicaid benefits. David Cutner is a founding partner of Lamson & Cutner. He focuses his practice on developing reliable and cost-effective solutions for clients who need long-term care, and who want to protect their assets and income.

REHAB with RESULTS

Page 7 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 20, 2014

LAMSON & CUTNER, P.C.

P & P MEDICAID CONSULTING, INC. Located in Massapequa Park: serving Queens, Nassau, Suffolk, & the entire state of New York.

Shabbos Hospitality Apartment for visiting family members located only a block away Eruv connecting our facility to Kew Gardens Hills, Jamaica Estates/ Holliswood, Hillcrest/ Fresh Meadows & Briarwood

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718-298-7829

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Centrally located near the Queens communities of Kew Gardens Hills, Hillcrest & Jamaica Estates. Only 20 minutes from Brooklyn, Manhattan & the Five Towns.

Shabbos Elevator

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Daily & Shabbos Minyanim

We are proud to provide the Jewish Community with high quality Subacute Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care in a newly renovated & completely Kosher setting.

State-of-the-art separate Meat & all Cholov Yisroel Dairy Kitchens under the Vaad Harabonim of Queens

Our team of therapists utilize the most advanced technology and proven techniques to achieve optimal outcomes.

social worker/Medicaid liaison. Ann (along with the remainder of the P & P staff) dedicate their time to helping applicants obtain the necessary documentation for completion of their Medicaid process. P & P offers reasonable rates and personalized service for all of our clients. We are available 24/7 for free advice and will handle all of the necessary paperwork in the comfort of your home, or if the client prefers, at our office at: 5071 Merrick Road, Massapequa Park, New York, 11762. Our 24/7 phone numbers are: (516) 541-4770 and (516) 641-7014. P & P Medicaid is dedicated to making the Medicaid process as painless as possible. Many times when a Medicaid application is necessary, prior to visiting us, our clients are under a great deal of stress, so our service is dedicated to easing the stress of the application process. P & P Medicaid Consulting’s fees are reasonable and very affordable. Our fees are normally priced at a fraction of what other establishments would charge for the same service. We have a great working relationship with the Department of Social Services (Medicaid), and most of the nursing home facilities and the home healthcare agencies throughout our service area. Our mission at P & P is to provide quality service at an affordable price; and we pride ourselves on organization, perfection, satisfaction, dedication and professionalism from application through approval and through the process of helping with the services needed.

P & P Medicaid Consulting, Inc. was established in response to a need by a person or family that required assistance in obtaining Medicaid eligibility for Home Care Services and/or Nursing Home Care & Placement; and at a lower, reasonable rate, which families could afford. P & P Medicaid has rapidly grown, and besides the Medicaid applications, we now also handle: Geriatric Care Management, “Social Security Disability” applications, and “P.R.I. screenings” for nursing home admissions. In addition, P & P Medicaid also completes the documentation process for “NYSARC Pooled Income Trusts,” which allow qualifying applicants to “keep” their “full income,” while becoming “eligible” for “home care” or “community” Medicaid. The staff at P & P has over “thirty” years of experience in the Medicaid/healthcare industry. The office is located in Massapequa, but the staff will happily visit any client at home, or at a medical facility. Paul D. Mertz, who is the President of P & P Medicaid, is responsible for all aspects of the Medicaid application process. On staff, we have a geriatric care manager (Lois Koppleman-Lange), who handles all of our families’ care needs; a registered nurse, B.S.N. (Ann Marie Campbell, who is certified for P.R.I. screenings); Debbie Imperio, who is our friendly and always courteous office manager, and who handles all of our client’s questions and concerns on a daily basis. Ann Doyle is our fully-experienced

At Margaret Tietz Nursing & Rehabilitation Center our goal is to get you back home as quickly as possible.

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Welcome To Our Family

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Aliah - Elmhurst Care Center - York Group Caring for their needs is a noble expression of love…

A Total Care Environment With All The Comforts of Home

A 240-Bed Facility Providing 24-Hour Comprehensive Care To Adults of All Ages.

…but you don’t have to do it alone. Affordable Assisted Living in Queens; three facilities where residents can benefit from a comprehensive care environment while still enjoying an independent lifestyle. Let us show you HOW you can afford quality care; WHAT services are available; WHERE to find answers. Our Assisted Living Program Offers 24-Hour Home Care Services in a Congregate Care Environment.

.aliah

Home Care Agency 96-10 23RD AVENUE • EAST ELMHURST, NY 11369 Providing you with the highest quality service in your time of need.

Aliah Home Care is a Licensed Home Care Agency. Learn more about how Aliah Home Care can help you and your family. 718.879.1414 • Fax 718.879-1480 www.aliahhomecare.com

Elmhurst Care Center has been named one of the nation’s best nursing homes by U.S. News & World Report, reflected in health inspections, nurse staffing and medical care. Only nursing homes receiving five stars from the federal government’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services were considered.

100-17 23rd Avenue East Elmhurst, NY 11369

Tel: 718-205-8100 Fax: 718-507-7503

www.ElmhurstCare.com

Elmhurst Care Center is licensed by the Department of Health and is certified to participate in Medicare and Medicaid programs.

For more information about our three facilities please call:

347-505-YORK (9675)

112-14 Corona Ave. Corona, NY 11368 www.madisonyorkalc.com

100-30 Ditmars Blvd. East Elmhurst, NY 11369 www.elmyork.com

For the latestLIVING news GUIDE visit qchron.com SENIOR • Spring 2014

For the latest visit qchron.com SENIOR LIVINGnews GUIDE • Spring 2014

Let us care for your loved ones the way they cared for you.

C M Senior page 9 Y K

Welcome To Our Family

Page 9 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 20, 2014

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 20, 2014 Page 8

C M Senior page 8 Y K

Aliah - Elmhurst Care Center - York Group Caring for their needs is a noble expression of love…

A Total Care Environment With All The Comforts of Home

A 240-Bed Facility Providing 24-Hour Comprehensive Care To Adults of All Ages.

.aliah

Home Care Agency 96-10 23RD AVENUE • EAST ELMHURST, NY 11369 Providing you with the highest quality service in your time of need.

Aliah Home Care is a Licensed Home Care Agency. Learn more about how Aliah Home Care can help you and your family. 718.879.1414 • Fax 718.879-1480 www.aliahhomecare.com

100-17 23rd Avenue East Elmhurst, NY 11369

Tel: 718-205-8100 Fax: 718-507-7503

www.ElmhurstCare.com

Elmhurst Care Center is licensed by the Department of Health and is certified to participate in Medicare and Medicaid programs.

For more information about our three facilities please call:

347-505-YORK (9675)

112-14 Corona Ave. Corona, NY 11368 www.madisonyorkalc.com

100-30 Ditmars Blvd. East Elmhurst, NY 11369 www.elmyork.com

For the latestLIVING news GUIDE visit qchron.com SENIOR • Spring 2014

For the latest visit qchron.com SENIOR LIVINGnews GUIDE • Spring 2014

Let us care for your loved ones the way they cared for you.

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 20, 2014 Page 10

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Senior Living Guide

How to choose a good nursing home Do research, ask a lot of questions and always be sure to take a tour by Mark Lord

240-bed facility that provides 24-hour comprehensive rehabilitative healthcare, offering indihoosing a nursing home for oneself or viduals an opportunity to develop the skills for a relative can be one of life’s most essential to restore their independence. Director of marketing Elizabeth Salisbury overwhelming tasks — right up there with picking a college or buying a house. In agreed with Lichstein when she said, “The the selection process, there are certain obvi- best thing to do is call and take a tour. It’s ous factors to consider, but perhaps even seeing what it looks like.” A tour also promore important are some of the frequently vides an opportunity to experience “your general feeling,” she said. overlooked details. It is important to “look at how the staff Most experts in the field agree on the basic steps involved in finding a nursing home that treats the residents,” said Salisbury, who suggested learning about the ratio of staff to is suitable for an individual’s particular needs. patients, the number of nurses on site, and what is the nearest hospital to the facility. Pay a visit yourself Of Elmhurst’s prestigious five-star rating by Yoel Lichstein, executive director of the Margaret Tietz Nursing & Rehabilitation Cen- U.S. News & World Report, Salisbury said, ter in Jamaica Hills, is among those who “That speaks for itself.” It is an honor bestowed by the publication stressed how important it is to “actually pay a upon a facility based upon health inspections, visit to a facility.” He suggested several questions one should nurse staffing and the quality of medical care being offered. For ask oneself: “Is it a 2013, a total of 3,867 warm, friendly, pleasnursing homes earned ant environment? Do he best thing to do is the top rating, out of the residents appear call and take a tour. ... approximately 16,000 cared for? If there is a facilities nationwide. particular specialty Look at how the staff T he websit e Be st needed, is there a speNursing Homes cial unit? Does the treats the residents.” allows a visitor to easst aff have special ily locate ratings on training?” — Elizabeth Salisbury, Elmhurst Care Center particular facilities. If the resident is Another local facility which earned the top going to need rehabilitation, Lichstein suggested, “Get a tour. Is the gym bright and clean? rating by U.S. News is the Little Neck Nursing Are they keeping up with the technology of the Home, where, according to promotional mateequipment and the latest treatment methods?” rials, “our residents are our passion.” The home offers both long-term care and He also stressed it is important to “discuss the short-term rehabilitation, an integrated support specific issues your person has.” Sometimes it’s the smallest details that say system that provides physical and emotional the most. Lichstein pointed out a few to look needs, and round-the-clock care by nursing for: “Are there any light bulbs that are out? professionals. Leslee Mavrovic, senior vice president for Are the men shaved?” According to Linda Spiegel, who works social work and resident life at Parker Jewish alongside Lichstein as the director of public Institute for Health Care & Rehabilitation in affairs, Margaret Tietz is a 200-bed facility New Hyde Park, suggested that “geographic that was originally established for the care of location may or may not be a consideration” Holocaust survivors, though today “we’re a when choosing a nursing home. She also pointed out that “insurance somecross section of the borough.” She pointed out that, due to the mission of times plays a role. It’s becoming more and the facility, three-quarters of the residents have more important.” private rooms, a luxury she said is not availPay attention to the details able in many nursing homes. As for the facility itself, she said having good Promotions for the facility suggest that “our goal is to get you back home as quickly as pos- lighting, controlled temperatures year-round sible.” To this, Spiegel added, “We have a very and an “appropriate noise level” are important. Mavrovic recommended finding out if the good track record of getting people back into facility allows smoking, if the staff members the community after rehabilitation.” wear name tags, and if they knock on residents’ doors before entering. U.S. News ratings “Privacy, dignity, courtesy and respect” are Another nursing and rehabilitation facility in the borough is the Elmhurst Care Center, a of utmost importance, she said. Chronicle Contributor

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The Elmhurst Care Center provides 24-hour rehabilitative healthcare. According to Mavrovic, other details worth noting, particularly for long-term residents, include: • Is there a window in the resident’s bedroom? • Do the residents have access to a personal phone and television? • Is there a choice of roommates? • Are exits clearly marked? • Are there handrails? • Are there choices on the menu? • Is there a common area for activities? • Is an evacuation plan in place for emergencies? • Can residents be seen by their own personal physicians? • Does the facility offer preventative care, such as flu shots? • What hospital would a resident be taken to when necessary? • Is visiting permitted 24/7? • Where are the results of the latest New York State Department of Health survey posted? Mavrovic pointed out that “the results have to be posted and everyone has the opportunity to read the outcome and see if the deficiencies have been corrected.”

The ‘sniff test’ And, she said, one of the most important steps while on a tour of a facility is to “do a sniff test. Does it appear to be odor free?” This was a point stressed by Christine Lipscomb, an 11-year veteran of the medical field who pointed out that if a facility has an unpleasant odor, “a lot of times that’s bed sores, rotting flesh,” the result of neglect. Lipscomb pointed out that a tour should not just include the first floor, where “patients are most physically able.” Be sure to visit the facility’s other units, she said, which could be “overcrowded, with patients in wheelchairs.” She indicated that “the dementia unit is one of the most important. Patients are 100 percent dependent on the nurses. That’s where you can see if they’re being taken care of. Did they come from the lunch room with food still on their clothes?” Of great importance, she suggested, is finding out how many patients have fallen at the facility. “A fall is not supposed to happen,” she said. How many times the facility has been cited for health code violations, such as failing to properly label patient doors, is also an important indicator, she said, as are statistics on choking victims and

PHOTO BY STEVE MALECKI

deaths due to possible neglect. As suggested by many of the experts, one of the best sources of information on nursing homes comes from residents themselves and their families.

Speak to residents, family Holly Gendron of Hamilton Beach knows something about nursing homes, thanks to a 102-year-old grandmother who has been living at Queen of Peace Residence in Queens Village, a combination nursing care/independent living facility run by the Little Sisters of the Poor for more than two decades. “My grandmother picked it out herself,” Gendron said, adding, “She was able to bring a lot of her own furniture from her house. It wasn’t a big transition. You want the residents to feel it’s their home. Our family could not be happier with the quality of care that she receives.” Gendron said the residents appreciate “being treated like they’re special. It’s not run like a hospital. The cafeteria is decorated more like a restaurant.” For Gendron’s family, it was important for grandma “to be in a facility that was run by a religious organization.” There is a chapel in the home where Mass is held every day, Gendron said. Fresh Meadows resident Nora Cohen said her father had been at the Forest Hills Care Center for two weeks following a stroke. “It’s not huge, very individualized. Four or five patients at one time in rehab. At other places, they had a long line-up waiting. It’s nicely decorated. The rooms are nice. They have activities all day long.” Of course, one of the most important factors to consider is the financial one. Medicare, Medicaid and other resources can help minimize the cost of long-term care, according to U.S. News. “The cost can financially cripple a family,” the publication’s website suggests. “But there are steps to minimize the strain. Ideally, financial planning for long-term care should occur long before the need arises.” A survey by MetLife found that in 2012, a private room in a nursing home cost an average of $248 per day, or over $90,000 annually. According to U.S. News, the Veterans’ Administration can provide assistance, and, it points out, some nursing homes will negotiate long-term care costs. In extreme cases, it recommends relocating a patient to a city or state where nursing homes are less expensive, though it cautions not to do so if it leaves the S patient far from any family.

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PARKER JEWISH INSTITUTE Where excellence is the standard

our loved one is ill, might have had surgery and is in need of a skilled nursing/ rehab facility and you have been given the task of finding the “right fit.” Where do you start, what do you look for, what questions should I ask? Sometimes depending on your insurance you might be limited to certain places. All very overwhelming questions but take a deep breath, stay calm and you will find the one. Ask friends, people in your community, your doctor; use the internet; ask hospital staff for recommendations. Some prefer to stay close to their home, or in the neighborhood where the person going into the facility is living. First impressions are important when you walk through the front door. Not always is the newest, fanciest the best but an updated, clean and friendly atmosphere is a good telltale sign and place to start. When touring look around at how everything is taken care of, take notice of residents. Are they taken care of, is their shirt buttoned correctly, hair combed, those who are alert smiling. If you see a family member you can ask, “How is everything going?” Some residents might even tell you. Take notice of staff with residents and ask not only to see the “rehabilitation floor” but maybe the floor where long term residents are. This is just in case you are seeking long term care or there is a chance after rehab is over that long term care is the future. You want to know staff-toresident’s ratio and what doctors come in to see the resident. Activities are an important part of the day and it is important to ask for the calendar of activities for the month. There should be one

hanging on a wall somewhere visible to see. Religious observance might play an important role in your family so ask about any services they might have as well. Dietary needs are very important and therefore ask if they are a kosher or nonkosher facility, and if there are restrictions in the diet can the facility accommodate them. Ask if transportation for visiting family is provided. It is so important to feel that all your questions were answered and all information informative throughout your tour. Your final decision although a difficult one should be made easy. Elmhurst Care Center in East Elmhurst has been named one of the nation’s Best Nursing Homes by U.S. News & World Report, reflected in health inspections, nurse staffing and medical care. It is of the utmost importance that the needs for each resident are met in a personalized manner and that we provide an array of services which will enhance the lives of our residents. They also have an adult-day healthcare community-based program that provides comprehensive healthcare services in a congregate day setting as well as therapeutic recreation. Elmhurst Care Center is located at 100-17 23 Ave., East Elmhurst. Contact Elizabeth A. Salisbury, Director of Marketing at (718) 2058100 or visit elmhurstcare.com.

rom its beginnings in 1907 as a shelter for homeless elderly, Parker Jewish Institute has evolved into an internationally recognized center of healthcare and rehabilitation for adults. Parker provides postacute care/sub-acute care, short-term rehabilitation, long-term care and a network of community health programs to more than 7,000 adults each year. The Institute is also among the region’s leaders in the training of geriatric healthcare professionals as well as geriatric and gerontological research. Parker is a partner in AgeWell New York, a New York State-authorized managed long-term care plan. An independent 527-bed, nonprofit institution, Parker offers the most compassionate long-term care, distinguished by the highest levels of skilled nursing, comprehensive on-site medical services, and excellence in social work services, therapeutic recreation, and an on-site pharmacy. Parker is at the vanguard of patientcentered culture change in long term care. Parker’s division of transportation, Lakeville Ambulette Transportation, LLC., transports patients and residents, as well as adults in surrounding communities, to medical appointments and related destinations. Located on Parker’s lobby level is the Queens-Long Island Renal Institute, Inc., a state-of-the-art chronic hemodialysis center. In the mid-1980s, Parker was the pioneer in restorative therapy for older adults. Today’s Parker is New York’s single most active post-acute

care/sub-acute care center for older adults. Its specialized rehabilitation programs serve adults recovering from the broad range of surgical procedures, stroke, amputation, injuries and illness. Some 1,500 men and women are discharged to home, family and community annually from the Institute’s short-term rehabilitation programs. An integral part of its comprehensive continuum of care, Parker’s community health programs include adult day healthcare (a medical model), an Alzheimer’s daycare center (a social model), long term home healthcare, and community hospice. These community health programs help adults avoid institutionalization and remain where they most want to be — in the comfort of their homes, in their communities, with their families and friends. In 1975, Parker established the fi rst Geriatric Fellowship Program in the nation, and continues to be one of the leaders in the training of geriatric healthcare professionals and research. Parker’s Nerken Center for Research and Grants is conducting studies related to Alzheimer’s disease and associated dementia, anemia, depression, flu, osteoporosis, Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension, palliative care, health information technology and many other emerging issues of aging. Parker Jewish Institute is located at 271-11 76 Ave., New Hyde Park. It can be reached at (718) 289-2100 or (516) 247-6500 and is on the web at parkerinstitute.org.

Page 11 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 20, 2014

Finding the right nursing care/ rehab facility

MARCH is COLON CANCER AWARENESS MONTH… Come in for a Colon Cancer Screening Evaluation Announcing: A FREE SEMINAR for ADULTS 60+ (Open to the Public)

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 20, 2014 Page 12

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Things to consider when looking for a home care agency

hen recovering from an injury or illness, you may need a little help. You want assistance without having to rely on your loved ones too much. You want quality and compassionate care from experienced professionals. Most of all, you want to remain in your home—in comfortable surroundings—not a hospital. Home care allows you to stay in a comfortable, familiar place near family and friends, and is less stressful than a hospital or skilled nursing facility. Home care visits should follow the prescribed plan from your doctor. This includes routine visits that are convenient with your schedule. Sensitivity to cultural differences and religious beliefs is also very important. You need to trust that your caregiver will be understanding, respectful, and specially trained to adapt care to meet the needs of families from all ethnic groups. Aliah Home Care Agency supplies this and much more, serving boroughs throughout the greater New York area, including Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Bronx, Staten Island and Westchester. Services are covered by most health insurance plans and are aligned with a growing number of managed care companies as well as many forms of traditional insurance. The patient’s personal doctor prescribes the services, which are then paid for in part or in total by managed care providers, including HMOs, private insurance, other third-party payers, or private payment. To learn more about how Aliah Home Care

Agency can help you and your family, please call Ari Krub at (718) 879.1414 Aliah Home Care is a full-service home care agency, and will take your patient through the often-difficult and confusing process of securing home care with relative ease. Our representative will give you and the patient’s family the confidence of knowing that the best interest of the patient is always our fi rst concern. • The Aliah representative will work with the family to secure quality home care quickly, no matter which insurance is available to the patient. • Careful, personal and compassionate attention is given to patients and their families throughout the home care process. The Aliah representative will meet with the patient and/ or their family to answer all questions and address all concerns in person. • Patients and their families will be frequently updated by the Aliah representative throughout the home care assignment process. • All of your patient’s cultural and religious concerns are respected, and the Aliah Home Health Aides will be made aware of, and sensitive to, those concerns. • The Aliah representative will be available to provide continuing consultation to the patient and their family after the home care service has started. • Aliah Home Care’s management staff have decades of hands-on experience in the healthcare profession, are directly involved in the day-to-day operation of the agency, and in the ongoing care of our patients.

St. Michael’s Cemetery

eath has visited all of us. When it knocks at our doors as professionals we react normally which means we respond like so many of the families we serve with a sense of loss and disruption. The pain of death is never less for us. Fa m ilia r it y does not breed a callousness which dampens our pain. The families we serve have the right to expect and demand our professionalism and truthfulness. A family that purchases pre-need will one day suffer a loss of a loved one and shall be shedding tears and relating stories they need to share of the person who shall never again enter their lives. Cemeteries and funeral homes are not immune to the repercussions of the realities every American confronts in a world with seemingly never-ending conflicts. Devastation and the horrors clearly evidenced during the nightly news makes us recoil in the same shock and disbelief felt across the nation. These horrors make our professionals ever more attentive to the concerns and insecurities that result. Our profession responds through honesty, dedication and devotion to the families who depend upon us at the worst moments of their lives.

It would be disingenuous not to also accept that ours is a business that must be profitable to survive. In the absence of profit funeral homes would close and cemeteries would be abandoned to the community forcing expenses and costs that properly are the obligation of others. Years ago well before I joined St. Michael’s Cemetery and when my parents were alive my father told me he had purchased 68 graves. For years my laughter echoed in his ears. It seemed a ridiculous purchase with a quantity that defied rationalization. Ten years after the “grand land purchase” my mother suddenly died. The wealth of tears ran as a river that seemed unable to end. When we interred her it was as if the land had torn open and ran through our hearts. For the first time standing in front of our mother’s grave we knew that dad had given us our final resting place. For where mom was we will surely follow. From that day onwards we held our father in respect and appreciation for providing for all of us. Dad was a man who insured foresight and planning for the needs of his family. St. Michael’s Cemetery is located at 72-02 Astoria Blvd., East Elm hurst. It can be reached at (718) 278-3240. — Ed Horn

Providing comprehensive end-of-life care in the home, nursing home, and in-patient setting throughout the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Nassau County. For referrals or information call 718.472.1999 or visit www.hospiceny.com.

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NASSAU & QUEENS Contact Angela Purpura angela.purpura@hospiceny.com or 516.222.1211

MANHATTAN, THE BRONX & BROOKLYN Contact Sandra Nielsen sandra.nielsen@hospiceny.com or 718.472.1999

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES Free bereavement support services for adults who have had a loss (Loved one is not required to have had hospice care)

Contact our Bereavement Department at 347.226.4823

45-18 Court Square Suite 500 Long Island City, NY 11101 Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter HOSP-063531

C M Senior page 13 Y K Page 13 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 20, 2014

COLON CANCER AWARENESS Routine screenings can save lives olorectal cancer or cancer of the colon remains one of the few cancers that can be prevented through the use of routine screening tests. Despite this, it remains the third most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide and the second most common cause of cancer deaths for men and women. Each year, thousands of lives are lost to this very preventable disease. Drs. Zimmerman, Anfang and Brunner have been working tirelessly to get this message out. They have state-of-the-art offices with in-office endoscopy/colonoscopy suites in New Hyde Park and Howard Beach. They are affiliated with North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park and Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan. If you’re age 50 or older, having a colonoscopy can save your life. Regular colon cancer screening is the most powerful weapon in preventing colon cancer. Overall the lifetime risk of developing colon cancer is one in 20 (5 percent). A recent study in the Journal of Cancer found that the rate of colon cancer in Americans 50 and older to have fallen 30 percent in the last decade as a result of the increase of colon cancer screening. The process of screening has changed a

great deal as well. Many patients have not been screened because of fear of the colonic preparation the night before. The preparation is now significantly easier and much more palatable. Most patients leave the office with a smile. Besides colorectal screening, their practice is unique in many other ways. They specialize in all diseases of the gastro-intestinal tract, including reflux, irritable bowel, colitis and painless hemorrhoid treatment. Dr. Brunner has advanced training in hepatology and treats patients with all types of liver and biliary tract disease. He also did an advanced fellowship in diseases of the pancreas, gallbladder and bile ducts — a field known as Interventional Endoscopy. New treatments available for Hepatitis C make this an ever-expanding part of the practice. Start the screening process today! Make an appointment at one of the listed below locations: 3003 New Hyde Park Road, Suite 306, New Hyde Park, (516) 352-0022 or 157-02 Cross Bay Blvd, Suite 204, Howard Beach (718) 845-0909.

I’m so glad he did. Interest-Free, Tax-Free with only 10% down. Take advantage of our Pre-Need Discount. One of the greatest gifts you can give to those you love is a sense of security — the knowledge that you have taken care of everything.

Independent Living at Flushing House

A religious Cemetery open to people of all faiths, St. Michael’s is proud to offer the beautifully designed St. Joseph’s Mausoleum. For more information including a free Resource Guide call (718) 278-3240 or visit us at www.stmichaelscemetery.com. Save $1,000 on a Companion Crypt in our St. Joseph’s Mausoleum. A $500 value when applied to a single crypt.

00 1000. Savings Certificate St. Joseph’s Mausoleum

This certificate entitles bearer to a $1,000 pre-development discount on a companion crypt in our St. Joseph’s Mausoleum ($500 when applied to a single crypt). The discount may be discontinued without prior notice.

Established 1852

72-02 Astoria Boulevard East Elmhurst, NY 11370 (718) 278-3240

For the latestLIVING news GUIDE visit qchron.com SENIOR • Spring 2014

movies, game nights and two trips scheduled each week on our own bus. We also feature an interfaith chapel, library, game rooms, beauty salon, general store, TV lounge, free WiFi internet throughout and a rooftop atrium overlooking the NYC skyline. Flushing House is not a healthcare or assisted living facility, nor does Flushing House arrange for or coordinate healthcare or personal care services. However, certain services are available through partnerships with outside agencies. Flushing Hospital Medical Center operates a satellite health clinic on our ground floor, with three geriatric physicians and a nurse. Residents are free to use this clinic or any physician or hospital they desire. VIP Healthcare and Premiere Healthcare, licensed and certified home healthcare agencies, have offices at our facility. Services include assistance with bathing, hygiene and dressing, and self-medication management. Residents can access these or any providers they wish. Our residents enjoy their own private, spacious apartments, are free to come and go, to entertain family and friends, and to make their own fi nancial decisions. As our residents “age in place,” they can access a wide range of supportive services tailored to make living easier and more enjoyable, so their active and independent lifestyles can be maintained. They can do so because the focus of our independent living arrangement is all about convenience, freedom of choice and options. Go online at www.flushinghouse.com for more information.

STMC-062713

Flushing House was one of the fi rst institutions to offer “independent living” for active older adults, coupled with supportive services right on the premises. Years before the phrase “assisted living” became commonplace, Flushing House was busy pioneering its own unique form of living arrangement, which we fi rst called congregate living. How does “independent living” work, from the Flushing House perspective? Our 12-story, 319-unit residence (the largest nonprofit in New York State), was built in 1974 as a senior living community ideally suited for those who can live independently, providing they’re able to access services which lessen the burden of keeping up their own apartments. To assist residents with daily tasks, a full range of services is offered. Restaurant-style dining in our ground floor dining room includes continental breakfast, lunch and dinner. Weekly housekeeping and linen exchange service is provided, as well as concierge service, 24-hour security and emergency intercoms in all apartments. An affordable monthly rent covers our studios and one-bedroom apartments. Each unit features: a full bathroom; individually controlled heating/air-conditioning units; and, a euro-style kitchenette with sink, two-burner electric stove and refrigerator/freezer. A comprehensive activities program keeps our residents busy enjoying a high quality of life. These activities include arts and crafts, concerts, a computer learning center, fitness center,

Advance planning was interest-free, tax-free AND easy.

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 20, 2014 Page 14

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Senior Living Guide

SENIOR CENTERS Senior Centers are the core network of senior services. They are located in every community throughout the borough. These Centers typically provide hot lunches, coordinate recreational and educational activities, case management, socialization, information and referral, support services and transportation programs. The following is a listing of Queens senior centers by community board: CB 1 ________________________________ Queensbridge/Riis Senior Center 718-937-1093 10-25 41st Avenue, Long Island City Woodside Senior Center 718-932-6916 50-37 Newtown Road, Bldg. #19, Woodside CCNS-Dellamonica Senior Center 718-626-1500 23-56 Broadway, Astoria HANAC Ravenswood Senior Center 718-786-1550 34-35A 12th Street, Long Island City Raices Astoria Senior Center 718-726-9642 21-21 30th Drive, Long Island City HANAC Archbishop Iakovos Senior Center 718-777-5505 32-06 21st Street, Astoria JVL Dimotsis Vallone Senior Center 718-626-3035 27-40 Hoyt Avenue South, Astoria CB 2 _______________________________ Sunnyside Community Senior Center 1-718-392-6944 43-31 39th Street

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CB 3 _______________________________ Elmcor Senior Center 718-457-9757 98-19 Astoria Boulevard, East Elmhurst

CCNS-Catherine Sheridan Senior Center 718-458-4600 35-24 83rd Street, Jackson Heights SAGE - Queens Center for Gay Seniors 718-533-6459 74-09 37th Avenue - Room 409, Jackson Heights CB 4 _______________________________ Newtown Senior Center 718-335-7272 83-20 Queens Blvd., Elmhurst Corona Senior Center 718-639-2000 108-74 Roosevelt Avenue, Corona Raices Corona Senior Center 718-458-7259 107-24 Corona Avenue, Corona Florence E. Smith Senior Services 718-899-0553 102-19 34th Avenue, Corona CB 5 _______________________________ Ridgewood Older Adult Center 718-456-2000 59-14 70th Avenue, Ridgewood Peter Cardella Senior Center 718-497-2908 68-52 Fresh Pond Road, Ridgewood Selfhelp Maspeth Senior Center 718-429-3636 69-35 58th Avenue, Maspeth Middle Village Older Adult Center 718-894-3441 69-10 75th Street, Middle Village Glenridge Senior Citizens Multi-Service Senior Center 718-386-5136 59-03 Summerfield Street, Ridgewood CB 6 _______________________________ Forest Hills Senior Center 718-699-1010 108-25 62nd Drive, Forest Hills Selfhelp Austin Street Senior Center 718-520-8197 106-06 Queens Boulevard, Forest Hills Young Israel Forest Hills Senior Center 718-520-2305 68-07 Burns Street, Forest Hills Rego Park Senior Center 718-896-8751 93-29 Queens Boulevard, Rego Park

Forest Hills Senior Center.

Peter Cardella Senior Center in Ridgewood.

Central Queens Y - Adult Wellness Program 718-268-5011 67-09 108th Street, Forest Hills CB 7________________________________ CPC Queens Nan Shan 718-358-3030 136-18 39th Avenue, 6th Floor, Flushing Selfhelp Latimer Gardens Senior Center 718-961-3660 34-30 137th Street, Flushing Selfhelp Prince Street Senior Center 718-961-4550 45-25 Kissena Boulevard, Flushing Selfhelp Benjamin Rosenthal Senior Center 718-886-5777 45-25 Kissena Boulevard, Flushing HANAC Angelo Petromelis College Point Senior Center 718-961-0344 13-28 123rd Street, College Point North Flushing Senior Center 718-358-9193 29-09 137th Street, Flushing Korean American Senior Center of Flushing 718-886-8203 42-15 166th Street, Flushing CB 8 _______________________________ CCNS-Hillcrest Senior Center 718-297-7171 168-01B Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Jewish Center of Kew Gardens Hills Senior Center 718-263-6500 71-25 Main Street, Flushing Pomonok Senior Center 718-591-3377 67-09 Kissena Boulevard, Flushing Young Israel Queens Valley Senior Center 718-263-6995 141-55 77th Avenue, Flushing CB 9 _______________________________ CCNS-Ozone Park Senior Center 718-847-2100 103-02 101st Avenue, Ozone Park CCNS-Woodhaven Senior Center 718-847-9200 89-02 91st Street, Woodhaven Kew Gardens Senior Center 718-268-5960 80-02 Kew Gardens Road, Suite 202, Kew Gardens

CB 10 ______________________________ CCNS-Wakefield Senior Center 718-641-0454 135-45 Lefferts Boulevard, So. Ozone Park Howard Beach Senior 718-738-8100 155-55 Cross Bay Boulevard, Howard Beach United Hindu Cultural Council Senior Center 718-323-8900 118-09 Sutter Avenue, So. Ozone Park CB 11 _______________________________ Samuel Field Y Senior Citizens Program 718-225-6750 58-20 Little Neck Parkway, Little Neck CCNS-Bayside Senior Center 718-225-1144 211-15 Horace Harding Expressway, Bayside Selfhelp Clearview Senior Center 718-224-7888 208-11 26th Avenue, Bayside CB 12 ______________________________ International Towers Luncheon Club 718-739-6988 90-20 170th Street, Jamaica JSPOA Theodora Jackson Center 718-657-6618 92-47 165th Street, Jamaica Allen Community Senior Citizen Center 718-658-0980 166-01 Linden Boulevard, Jamaica Robert Couche Senior Citizen Center 718-978-8352 137-57 Farmers Boulevard, Springfield Gardens Rochdale Village Senior Center 718-525-2800 169-65 137th Avenue, Jamaica Brooks Senior Center 718-291-3935 143-22 109th Avenue, Jamaica CB 13__________________________________ SNAP Rosedale Senior Citizen Club 718-525-8899 One Cross Island Plaza, Rosedale SNAP of Eastern Queens 718-454-2100 80-45 Winchester Boulevard - Building 4 CBU #29 Queens Village Alpha Phi Alpha Senior Center 718-528-8238 220-01 Linden Boulevard, Cambria Heights

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The importance of pre-planning… The importance of peace of mind… The importance of providing for those you love…

Why assisted living and what to look for

f you or your loved one is searching for an alternative to living alone, an assisted living program is what you are looking for. At the York Group Assisted Living residents receive assistance with activities of daily living as well as skilled services as needed. This allows each of the residents of the York Group to age in place with dignity. The York Group Assisted Living Program is a social living environment and the services include care management, counseling, advocacy, social and recreational activities, as well as residential services. Assisted living programs offer 24-hour home care services in a congregate care environment. The program is a low-cost alternative for those individuals who are medically eligible for placement in a nursing home, but would benefit from a social environment which is less restrictive. When looking into assisted living programs, call the York Group to schedule a tour. First impressions will tell you a lot about how a facility is run, but will not tell you the entire story. Pay attention to how the staff interacts with the residents, and note how you were greeted by those staff and residents whom you encountered during the tour. Do not hesitate to ask questions, as it is helpful to develop peace of mind right off the bat. It is important to be an educated consumer, and this means understanding the difference between levels of care (ie. skilled nursing facility vs. assisted living program).

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Look not only at the appearance of the building, but that of the residents who reside there as well. You should leave the facility feeling as though you were in an active and engaging environment. Activity plays such an important role in the well-being and overall satisfaction of your loved one, so do ask about the facility schedule of activities. It is also important to understand the food service experience; are you touring a kosher or a nonkosher facility, do you have a dietary restriction and can the facility accommodate that restriction? Ultimately, your decision may come down to the location and the reputation or “word on the street” that you determined through your research that will set the programs apart. The York Group is renowned for providing quality care for decades, so you can be confident that you’ll receive the professional services you need, and the personalized attention you deserve. To learn more about how the York Group Assisted Living Program can help you and your family and more information about their facilities call Barbara Castellano, Director of Commmunity Relations at (347) 505-YORK (9675). Madison York Assisted Living Community 112-14 Corona Ave., Corona. madisonyorkalc.com. Elm York Assisted Living 100-30 Ditmars Blvd., East Elmhurst elmyork.com Madison York Rego Park 61-80 Woodhaven Blvd., Rego Park madisonyorkalp.com

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St. John Cemetery I am interested in: Mount St. Mary St. John Cemetery 80-01 Metropolitan Ave. Mausoleum Space Cremation Niches Middle Village, NY 11379 Name:____________________________________________________________________________ Address:___________________________City:___________________State:________Zip:_______ Phone:_____________________________Best time to call:_____________Email:____________

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ife is a cycle: birth, growth, maturation and fi nally the part few look forward to, death. But death is indeed a natural part of living. No one gets out of here alive. Most Americans have strong preferences about how they would like to live out their fi nal days and the types of care and treatment that they want to have and the types they would prefer to avoid. Yet all too often, we prefer not to talk about these preferences even though they are very important to us. The American Hospice movement began over 40 years ago with pioneers like Elizabeth Kübler-Ross, who published her groundbreaking work “On Death and Dying” on May 1, 1969. Locally, Zelda Foster worked as a clinical social worker at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Brooklyn in the late 60s. She was struck that patients were often treated like children, and not even told the truth about their prognosis or allowed to discuss their preferences for their care and treatment. Zelda called this “the conspiracy of silence.” Zelda worked with other hospice pioneers like London’s Cecily Saunders and Connecticut’s Florence Wald to get the American Hospice movement started. Zelda found that most of her dying patients did understand what was happening to them, but were never able to discuss their preferences for care with loved ones or even their healthcare providers. Recent studies show that over 75 percent of Americans polled say they would rather die in

the comfortable, familiar surroundings of their own home, yet nearly 75 percent of Americans actually die in the hospital or nursing home setting. It is a key concern of Hospice to ensure that patients’ wishes are respected. Indeed, for 2012, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization reported 66 percent of hospice patients died in their own place of residence. What is troubling to many who work in hospice is that far too many people think of a “hospice” as a place, not realizing that the comprehensive care and compassion that hospices bring is available to them in their own homes. Another striking characteristic is that hospices offer care not only to the patient facing a life-limiting illness, but hospices provide support and comfort the patient’s family as well. When many people learn about the care and comfort offered by hospices, they often ask how they can help. Every hospice program certified by Medicare has a strong and vibrant volunteer program. Individuals in the community contribute their time and talent to patients and their loved ones at the most critical time. Volunteers perform a variety of services such as visiting with patients, reading to them or sharing stories from the patients’ past. Whatever the interaction, the nearly universal response from volunteers seems to be, “I feel like I received so much more by volunteering than I ever gave.” Hospice of New York is one of the hospices serving the New York Metropolitan Area since 1997. Since that time they have cared for over 19,000 patients and their loved ones. Hospice of New York provides care throughout Nassau, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Manhattan. If you would like to learn more about the services of Hospice of New York, call 718-472-1999 or go on line at www.hospiceny.com. To learn more about becoming a volunteer, contact: Angela Purpura at angela.purpura@hospiceny.com or Sandra Nielsen at sandra.nielsen@hospiceny.com.

Page 15 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 20, 2014

On Their Own Terms

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 20, 2014 Page 16

C M Senior page 16 Y K

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