Archive for the ‘People’ Category

Spouses, children, siblings, neighbors and friends are considered strong support systems for home bound clients, but what supports are in place for the caregivers?

More than just a shoulder to cry on, Caregiver Support Groups offer education, information, guidance and encouragement to people who are facing the challenges of care giving. Participants find inspiration from others and insight to their daily struggles of caring for a loved one.

Many disease specific organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association, Multiple Sclerosis, American Cancer Association, and American Parkinson’s Associations organize local support groups for people with these diseases as well as care givers.

An excellent example of a Manhattan based caregiver support group is led by Christopher Chin, program coordinator of Project STAR at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House. In the support groups that Christopher offers, the caregivers are able to share the challenges they face in caring for a loved one in a safe and supportive environment.

The discussion can vary each week and topics range from trying to get other family members more involved and finding adequate home care coverage to expressing the sadness of seeing their loved one decline and worrying about who will be around to care for the caregiver when they become frail themselves.

The caregivers in the group are also able to relay their successes and wisdom they have gained from their experience and allowing them to even laugh at times about their situation. Most of all, the group emphasizes the need for self-care and helps caregivers to feel less isolated knowing that there are others who are in a similar situation who can relate to the struggles they are facing.

In addition to caregiver support groups, Project STAR also offers individual counseling, information and referral and workshops for family caregivers.

For more information on Project STAR or other services and programs sponsored by Lenox Hill Neighborhood House please call Chris Chin at 212-744-5022 or visit their website: www.LenoxHill.org

Sometimes, home health care assistance is not quite enough support for seniors who want to maintain a quality lifestyle at home. Throughout 26 years of business, SelectCare has collaborated with many local community organizations to enhance our clients’ care while they remain in the comfort and familiarity of their home.

Some community resources are able to provide services at little or no cost to the client and can be started with a simple phone call; others may require a home visit by the organization’s representative. SelectCare staff is always available to be part of the home visit and will help coordinate the services. The list below highlights just a few of the types of services SelectCare is able to coordinate with other community services.

• Pet groomers and dog walkers
• Hair stylists, manicurists
• Podiatry services
• Art Volunteers
• Volunteer readers
• Physician Home Visits
• Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy
• Yoga and Stretching
• Volunteer Shoppers
• Low Vision Rehabilitation Services

SelectCare has developed wonderful relationships with many organizations that cover the New York City area. One such organization, DOROT, is one of New York’s premier multi-service agencies. DOROT (which means “generations” in Hebrew) serves older people of all backgrounds and interests, and offers programs and services proven to reduce social isolation. It promotes a model that helps seniors improve their lives and honors them as valued members of the community. While bringing elders, volunteers and professionals together in a mutually beneficial way, DOROT also brings younger and older people together through Friendly Visiting in the comfort of a senior’s home and has created a new social community through teleconferencing calls on “University Without Walls” where people – who are included via telephone from many geographic regions — can socialize and find new support through topics and discussion groups presented by professionals in areas as diverse as the arts, current events, history, cinema, and health promotion.

To find out more about University Without Walls or other resources in New York, call Carla Holub, VP, SelectCare, and she will work with you in locating appropriate ancillary services for you or your loved one.

SelectCare receives many letters of acknowledgement of our field staff and we want to share a special note with you.

Laverne Brown has been working as an aide for my 95 year old husband. We love her and think she was born to be a nurse.

Among the qualities she displays are calmness, competence, intelligence and caring.

My husband, who usually displays anxiety when someone he’s not familiar with comes on the scene, responded immediately to Laverne.

My own daughter is a nurse and I have met many in the course of various surgeries and illnesses and I heartily recommend Laverne for other clients.

Mrs. SK

I had the honor of meeting Rosemary Bakker, developer of  www.thiscaringhome.org.  Ms. Bakker guided a group of professionals through her website designed to assist families who need to modify homes so that their loved ones, especially those with dementia, are able to remain independent and safe in the comfort of their familiar surroundings.   I invite you to visit this website and learn about how simple strategies can make a big difference with your loved ones.

This project was funded by grants from several foundations to Weill Cornell Medical College, a top ranked clinical and medical research center located in New York City. Rosemary Bakker, MS, ASID is on academic staff at Weill Cornell Medical College and is the Director of ThisCaringHome.org. All materials on ThisCaringHome’s website have been reviewed by select members of the Advisory Board, composed of a wide variety of professionals, including nurses, dementia specialists, physical and occupational therapists, safety experts, social workers, and recreational therapists.

Abitu Suma

Abitu Suma came to the United States in 1972 at a tender age of 22 to pursue a career in health care.  Abi attended classes, worked with several clients and joined SelectCare in 1996.  She has been described by the SelectCare supervisors as a dependable, kind and conscientious staff member.  Abi has a gentle and soothing way about her which has a calming affect on the most agitated clients. Abi has worked with the same client for 5 years and  has been a cornerstone of the client’s care.

Abi has a creative talent that we love to see! Abi is an accomplished seamstress and has made some of the most beautiful dresses for special occasions. Her other special talent is being very involved in her grandchildren’s lives: Zakiyyah, Azizah, Issa, Abi, and Foday.

Debra Williams

Debra Williams understands that listening is an art and she enjoys the stories her clients tell her.  Deb has cared for SelectCare clients for 11 years and for many years before on her home island, St. Vincent.  “Listening is a way of developing trust in a relationship; understanding the client’s need to show someone they were once vibrant, independent and responsible.”

When not caring for the elderly, Deb enjoys cooking, traveling and being with her grandchildren: Rajon, Raheem, Xekia, Angelina, Sernety and Nassir.  Deb believes in passing on the wisdom of her grandmother to her grands: “Always respect each other; manners and good behavior will take you through the world.”

Beverly Maynard

Beverly Maynard takes care of herself through exercise and healthy eating habits that help her bring positive energy and enthusiasm to her clients.  Beverly’s special nurturing qualities help the clients be as self sufficient and independent as possible.  Beverly believes that the most important thing she can do for the client is help them feel good about themselves, and look forward to feeling better.

Beverly has been a family caregiver for many relatives through the years including her grandmother who had Alzheimer’s Disease, an ill mother and relatives who were diagnosed with cancer.  Not only does she take great care of SelectCare clients, but she is the mother of two young men, Khary, 15 and Nathan 13.  On Saturdays, you will find Beverly attending classes for her LPN license through the NYC Board of Education.

Beverly and her client, Mr. Toren, are on the front page of our website and their photo was part of a show produced by Simon Biswas, son of our RN Field Nurse Supervisor, Joan Biswas.

Galzie Cardoza

Galzie Cardoza has been caring for SelectCare clients since she emigrated from Jamaica, May, 1990. Galzie learned about home care while volunteering with elders in Jamaica and continued her career in New York. Galzie said that she learned about caring for Alzheimer’s clients through on the job training and continuing inservices. Galzie has enjoyed working with our most challenging clients and treats them all with care, respect and gentle humor. Galzie is very proud of her 7 children, 24 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren and is very excited that her “babies” will see Grandma’s picture on the internet!!!