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Tips for Seniors and their Families. Breaking through isolation during COVID-19.

NEEDHAM, MA… Older adults (age 60+) have been identified as one of the most vulnerable populations in the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. As a result, many seniors are now distancing themselves from others and are essentially “homebound” and isolated.

FirstLight Home Care of West Suburban Boston, offers tips for seniors to help ward off boredom and other potential effects that have been linked to social isolation.

“As seniors continue to practice precautions in these uncertain times, many are struggling with the social isolation aspect that goes along with it,” said Wendy Adlerstein, LSW, Owner and Executive Director of FirstLight Home Care of West Suburban Boston, a leading provider of non-medical home care helping individuals achieve the quality of life they deserve. Adlerstein, a licensed social worker, has more than 20 years of experience in working with seniors.

She continued, “Altered sleep patterns, feelings of loneliness, as well as increased fear and anxiety are a few of the effects of social isolation that may develop over time.”

In light of this, FirstLight Home Care of West Suburban Boston offers five “isolation buster” activities for seniors below:

Engage in “brain games”. Crossword puzzles and Sudoku are a couple traditional games that seniors may enjoy on their own. Tech-savvy seniors may prefer to play Scrabble, Dominoes or a variety of other multi-player online games.

Enjoy the show. Create a list of your favorite movies, share it with friends and family and encourage them to add to the list. Share ratings and critiques with one another. From past and present Oscar winners, dramas and musicals to romantic comedies and westerns, there’s a variety of genres and no shortage of films.

Find a new hobby or project. Do you enjoy perusing cookbooks for recipes that you could improve upon? Whether it’s cooking, crafting, woodworking, drawing or another activity – find a hobby you are passionate about that will bring you joy and keep you busy.

Learn something new. Consider learning a new language through any of the free language learning websites. Visit online exhibits at museums from around the world. A good link to start with is https://artsandculture.google.com/. Or, simply tune in to some of the fun, educational television shows that offer instruction on baking, gardening, painting and more.

Revisit your favorite books. Whether it’s a collection of classic works, a favorite “whodunit”, or that 400-page page biography – there’s no better time than the present to enjoy it.

Adlerstein advises, “Finding activities that you enjoy, and that stimulate thinking, problem solving and creativity will not only keep you from being bored, but can improve mood and help keep you sharp. Although social distancing is a necessity, stay in touch with neighbors, family and friends on a regular basis. Talk on the phone, video chat, text or email. We’re all in this together and will get through it.”

For more information about Coronavirus (COVID-19), visit the following websites:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – https://www.cdc.gov

Massachusetts Department of Health – https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19

About FirstLight Home Care

FirstLight Home Care is a leading provider of non-medical home care, helping individuals in more than 30 states achieve the quality of life they deserve. The company has set a new standard in home care by creating an unmatched Culture of Care that drives industry-leading client and employee satisfaction. FirstLight is a lifeline not only for seniors, but for people recovering from illness, injury or surgery; adults with disabilities; and anyone over the age of 18 who needs extra assistance. Care can be provided at private residences, as well as independent and assisted living communities.

For additional information, contact FirstLight Home Care of West Suburban Boston, (781) 559-0220, https://www.firstlighthomecare.com/home-healthcare-west-suburban-boston/contact/

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Technology for Seniors. Senior Service professionals welcome to plug in to June 13 event at Brookdale Quincy Bay.

At a time when seniors might reap the many benefits of the Internet and technology to keep in touch with grandchildren, classmates and long-time friends, they are often leery of the new electronic landscape. From computers to smartphones to smart speakers, seniors can get overwhelmed.

In response to that concern, Brookdale Quincy Bay located at 99 Brackett Street, Quincy, MA 02169, is hosting a complimentary and informational presentation on “Technology for Seniors”.  Targeted to professionals who work directly in the senior care industry, Kevin Martin of Nerds to Go will explore how to stay safe on the Internet and enjoy some of the key components and resources. 

The event is sponsored by Seniors First, an organization that offers educational and objective seminars to the senior community.  The discussion will be moderated by George Downey, founder of Seniors First.

 “The Internet offers a boundless amount of useful and interesting information and access to the world,” noted Joan Reid, Business Development Coordinator, Brookdale Quincy Bay.  “Unfortunately technology is also a daunting new landscape to many seniors. This presentation is intended to outline both the  security and scope of technology.”

The free event is scheduled for Thursday, June 13from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and will include light refreshments and networking. To reserve, please contact Joan Reid at 857-403-1311.

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When it comes to the end of life, talking matters.

Arza Goldstein, who manages a private practice as an End of Life Doula, helping the dying and their families make the time that remains less stressful and more meaningful, will lead a workshop on Wednesday, May 1st at 6 p.m., at FirstLight Home Care of West Suburban Boston, 109 – 123 Highland Avenue, Suite 301, Needham, MA  02494 (directly across from Panera Bread and between TD Bank and Petco).

The program, named “The Conversation Project”, was developed by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, and is centered on how sharing your wishes for end-of-life care can bring you closer to the people you love.

The Conversation Project Nation Survey (2018) underscores the following statistics –

92% of people say that talking with their loved ones about end-of-life care is important.

32% have actually done so.

21% of people say they haven’t had the conversation because they don’t want to upset their loved ones.

53% say they’d be relieved if a loved one started the conversation.

Arza Goldstein is an entrepreneur, journey woman and advocate. Her career path has taken her from Birth Doula to Hospice nurse, community organizer and co-founder of Living Wisely, Dying Well, an organization designed to encourage conversations about death and dying.

Today, after 11 years as a hospice nurse, sitting at the bedside of hundreds of dying patients, Arza has a private practice as an End of Life Doula, helping the dying and their families make the time that remains less stressful and more meaningful. Most of us don’t like to talk about dying but come for this conversation and see how thinking about death and dying makes us live our lives with greater intention.   

This interactive presentation encourages participants to ask questions and provide their own anecdotes.

About FirstLight Home Care

FirstLight Home Care is a leading provider of non-medical home care, helping individuals in more than 30 states achieve the quality of life they deserve. The company has set a new standard in home care by creating an unmatched Culture of Care that drives industry-leading client and employee satisfaction. FirstLight is a lifeline not only for seniors, but for people recovering from illness, injury or surgery; adults with disabilities; and anyone over the age of 18 who needs extra assistance. Care can be provided at private residences, as well as independent and assisted living communities.

To RSVP, please visit http://tinyurl.com/y2fbztpd.

For additional information, please contact FirstLight Home Care of West Suburban Boston, 781-559-0220,   https://www.firstlighthomecare.com/home-healthcare-west-suburban-boston/contact/

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Seeing mom and dad at the holidays?  Good time to assess their wellness.

Concerned about loved ones as they age? The holidays are often a time for happy reunions with aging parents, in-laws, aunts and uncles who you haven’t seen in months or perhaps even years.

A free, objective and informational seminar will provide some insight on what to look for and how to have meaningful conversations about aging choices will be held on Wednesday, October 17, 6 – 7:30 p.m. at the education and training center of FirstLight Home Care of West Suburban Boston, 109 Highland Avenue, Suite 301, Needham, MA  02494. There is ample, free parking both in the front and rear of the office building. Complimentary refreshments will be served.

The educational session will be led by Wendy Adlerstein, LSW, who has more than 20 years experience in working with seniors. She holds a B.A. from Clark University, in Psychology with a concentration in Sociology and Human Services. In addition to her Massachusetts License in Social Work, Wendy holds a Certificate in Gerontology from the Worcester Consortium Gerontology Program.

She is a member of the Aging Life Care Association (ALCA), formerly the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.  Finally, Wendy is a Certified Dementia Practitioner® in good standing from the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners.

A holiday visit is the perfect time to assess how your loved one is doing because you are able to look for visual clues indicating signs of decline that you would not be able to glean through a telephone call.

The seminar will outline the 10 signs to watch for. This interactive presentation also encourages participants to ask questions and provide their own anecdotes.

A single, isolated sign doesn’t necessarily mean your loved one is in trouble. Sometimes you can just feel a change in a person even if you can’t articulate it. If there are numerous signs and you believe that your loved one may be having difficulty, you need to address it with your loved one and other close family members.

About FirstLight Home Care

FirstLight Home Care is a leading provider of non-medical home care, helping individuals in more than 30 states achieve the quality of life they deserve. The company has set a new standard in home care by creating an unmatched Culture of Care that drives industry-leading client and employee satisfaction. FirstLight is a lifeline not only for seniors, but for people recovering from illness, injury or surgery; adults with disabilities; and anyone over the age of 18 who needs extra assistance. Care can be provided at private residences, as well as independent and assisted living communities.

To RSVP, please visit https://goo.gl/nZGS3F.

For additional information, please contact FirstLight Home Care of West Suburban Boston, (781) 559-0220, https://www.firstlighthomecare.com/home-healthcare-west-suburban-boston/contact/.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Overwhelmed? Isolated? Caring for the Caregiver Support Group meets Tuesday, November 14 at North River Home Care, Norwell.

North River Home Care announces the launch of a monthly “Caregiver Support Group”. The group will serve as a resource for families, caregivers and the greater South Shore community. The first meeting is set for Tuesday, November 14, 5:30 p.m.  Moving forward the group will meet on the second Tuesday of every month at 5:30 p.m.

The “Caregiver Support Group” will meet at the offices of North River Home Care at 275 Longwater Drive, Norwell in Assinippi Industrial Park.  Light refreshments will be available.

The support group focuses on caregivers of a loved one with memory impairment.  There are many terms for this memory loss such as dementia, Alzheimer’s or Mild Cognitive Impairment, but they all bring on an emotional journey for the caregiver.  The group will help guard participants along this path as they care for a loved one with memory loss.

Nadine Shweiri RN will lead the Support Group.  Nadine is the Independent Living Director at Fairing Way campus located within Union Point in South Weymouth, MA which offers both Independent living, short term rehab and nursing home care.

Nadine brings over twenty years’ experience in caregiving to the senior industry.  For the past several years, Nadine’s career path has focused exclusively on senior living for older adults with dementia. She works with staff, seniors with dementia and their families and caregivers to develop tools to improve communication and maximize quality of life.

There are many worries and fears when caring for a loved one with memory loss.  The support group is designed to help participants connect with others experiencing the same challenges.

Benefits of the support group include:

  • Connecting with others
  • Learning from other caregivers
  • Revealing new research and information from the facilitator
  • Underscoring resources within the greater South Shore community
  • Coping strategies for caregivers

About North River Home Care

North River Home Care team members understand firsthand how crucial it is for family members to obtain superior home care services for a loved one needing assistance.  The team is dedicated to serving seniors in the community with reliable, personalized in-home care services that truly make a difference.

The North River Home Care staff sees the many challenges that today’s families face when trying to balance senior care, family care, and work. The mission is to ensure a better quality of life for our elderly clients and peace of mind for their families. The company is family owned and the Norwell and Sandwich, MA offices serve all of the South Shore and Cape Cod.

Services include personal and companionship care, respite care, transportation, dementia and Alzheimer’s care.

To register for the Support Group, please email Nadine Shweiri RN at nshweiri@fairingway.org.

For more information about the Caring for the Caregiver, other programming or services, please contact North River Home Care located 275 Longwater Drive, Norwell, MA 02061 and 449 Route 130, Suite 20, Sandwich, MA 02563, online at www.NorthRiverHC.com and (781) 659-1366.

Overwhelmed? Isolated? Caring for the Caregiver Support Group meets Tuesday, November 14 at North River Home Care, Norwell.Read More

North River Home Care offers activities to senior community

From Councils on Aging to senior living centers, North River Home Care is reaching out to offer a wide range of complimentary activity programs via their new Community Relations Manager Linda Felix of Kingston, MA.

Having served as the Director of the Kingston Council and Outreach Coordinator at Wingate Residences at Silver Lake, Felix has decades of experience entertaining, educating and engaging seniors. Complimentary programming offered by North River Home Care include crafts, educational and exercise.

About North River Home Care

North River Home Care team members understand firsthand how crucial it is for family members to obtain superior home care services for a loved one needing assistance.  The team is dedicated to serving seniors in our community with reliable, personalized in-home care services that truly make a difference.

The North River Home Care staff sees the many challenges that today’s families face when trying to balance senior care, family care, and work. The mission is to ensure a better quality of life for our elderly clients and peace of mind for their families. The company is family owned and the Norwell and Sandwich, MA offices serve all of the South Shore and Cape Cod.

Services include personal and companionship care, respite care, transportation, dementia and Alzheimer’s care.

For more information about programming or services, please contact North River Home Care located 275 Longwater Dr, Norwell, MA 02061 and 449 Route 130, Suite 20, Sandwich, MA 02563, online at www.NorthRiverHC.com and (781) 659-1366.

 

 

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First Annual Plymouth County Senior Spectacular Expo on June 20, 2013

The Plymouth Networking Group, an organization of business professionals committed to providing care to seniors and other individuals in the Greater Plymouth area, announces the First Annual Plymouth County Senior Spectacular Expo to be held on June 20, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Plymouth Council on Aging, 44 Nook Road. The Senior Spectacular Steering Committee members include: 2 Sisters Senior Living Advisors; Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department; Old Colony Elder Services; North River Home Care; Age in Place New England; Life Care Center of Plymouth; EasCare Ambulance Service; Visiting Angels; Spaulding Rehabilitation Network; Cahoon Care; and Gentiva Home Health.

Seniors, their families and caregivers are invited to explore, connect and enjoy this free event which will showcase senior resource agencies and dozens of vendors offering services of interest to seniors such as organizing and relocation services, legal and financial resources, senior travel specialists, pet-sitting and other in-home service options. The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department will be able to provide Senior ID’s as well as present information on Identity Theft and Scams. Reiki, vision and hearing screenings and other demonstrations will round out this exciting event.

Attendees will have an opportunity to participate in raffles and enjoy refreshments including a complimentary box lunch. For more information please visit: www.plymouthnetworking.com or contact Beth Hadfield at the Plymouth Council on Aging at (508) 830-4230.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES serves 20 towns in Plymouth County as well as Avon, Easton and Stoughton. OCES is a private, non-profit organization located in Brockton and designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The organization’s mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living.

The agency has 169 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving elders, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

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Old Colony Elder Services Announces New Congregate Meal Site At the Brockton Haitian Tabernacle Church

OCES’ newest congregate meal site has opened at the Brockton Haitian Tabernacle Church located at 696 N. Main Street. (L to R) Meprilia Glaude, Lefete Charles (standing), Olive Gilbert and Olianne Gilbert enjoy the congregate meal which was catered by Jeano’s, a 4-star Haitian Creole Restaurant in Brockton.

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) the Brockton based regional elder services agency serving seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers throughout greater Brockton and Plymouth County, has recently opened a new congregate meal site at Brockton Haitian Tabernacle Church located at 696 North Main Street.

The Haitian community is one of the largest minority groups in Brockton. Historically, very few Haitian seniors have participated in congregate meal programs. Language and cultural barriers have been huge obstacles. This is one way OCES is expanding services to local cultural groups.

OCES’ new congregate meal site officially opened in March and currently serves church members. The congregate meal site is open three days a week, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday to serve a noon time meal.

The meals are catered by Jeano’s a four-star Haitian Creole Restaurant, located at 759 Main Street in Brockton. The menu, planned by a Nutritionist in collaboration with Jeano’s, meets one-third of the Recommended Daily Allowance for major nutrients. High sodium foods are not used and there is no salt added in cooking.

Members of the Brockton Haitian Tabernacle Church age 60 or older and/or disabled persons of any age can make reservations to attend this congregate meal site. Members who would like to attend the congregate meal site may apply at the Brockton Haitian Tabernacle Church.

OCES has five additional congregate meals sites in Brockton. To learn about congregate meal sites within our service area, contact OCES at (508) 584-1561.

About OCES
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services is a private, non-profit corporation designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES offers a number of programs to serve seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers such as Family Caregiver Support; Adult Family Care; Supportive Housing; Nutrition; Money Management; Protective Services and Home Care.

OCES serves elders, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers in 23 communities in Southeastern Massachusetts: Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman.

The organization’s mission is to provide services that support the dignity and independence of elders by helping them maximize their quality of life; live safely and in good health; and, prevent unnecessary or premature institutionalization. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

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South Coast Improvement Company adds Memory Care Apartments at Atria Bay Spring

South Coast Improvement Company, based in Marion, MA, one of the largest providers of construction and renovation services to senior living and healthcare facilities in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states, recently completed construction of the Life Guidance® Memory Care Neighborhood at Atria Bay Spring Village in West Barrington, RI.

South Coast Improvement completed the conversion of Atria Bay Spring’s traditional assisted living space into a memory care apartments in 24 months.

The newly created Life Guidance® Memory Care Neighborhood’s grand opening was held on May 17th.

South Coast Improvement’s President, Tom Quinlan explained the project, “Atria came to us with an idea to create more memory care units to meet increasing demand within their assisted living facility. We took the concept and worked with Atria providing pre-construction services including preliminary design and budgets. The project was innovative in its use of existing space. The challenge was to meet the regulations for a memory care unit in terms of space and usage while maintaining a construction budget that made the project feasible.”

South Coast Improvement was granted approval in late 2011 and was the General Contractor on the project. South Coast Improvement has worked with Atria on dozens of projects throughout the Northeast, however this project had its unique challenges.

“All of these types of projects have their challenges as renovations in occupied spaces with special needs residents are extremely complicated,” Henry Quinlan, Executive VP at South Coast Improvement noted. “We had a particularly tight time line for completion on this project. We had to manage the process very efficiently and we succeeded in meeting the expectations of all parties.”

Occupied and Operational Environments are South Coast Improvement’s Niche

South Coast Improvement are the experts in complex renovation projects within occupied and operational environments. The company provides new construction, full renovations, capital improvements, building envelope improvements and interior renovations.

Their portfolio of healthcare and senior occupied renovation projects includes numerous projects for Atria, Benchmark and Welch Health Care & Retirement Group, to name a few. They have just completed their 23rd major renovation for Revera Health.

South Coast Improvement utilizes Special Building Practices to ensure the comfort and safety of special needs residents and patients who occupy the spaces that are being renovated. Their experience, high standards of compliance, overall quality and their ability to complete projects on time and on budget, sets them apart from their competitors.

About South Coast Improvement

South Coast Improvement offers an extensive range of design, construction and construction management services regionally in the Northeast and across the U.S. With decades of experience, the company is renowned for high quality, efficiency and high standards of compliance which sets them apart from their competitors. They are are engaged in projects across sectors that include healthcare, institutional, commercial, hospitality and planned communities/residential. The company offers pre-construction analysis, construction management, general contracting, design/build services, capital improvement, building envelope improvements and interior renovations.

South Coast Improvement maintains memberships and professional affiliations with the

Assisted Living Facility Association, the American Society of Interior Designers, the International Facility Managers Association, the Community Associations Institute, as well as International Real Estate Managers and the Greater New Bedford Chamber of Commerce.

South Coast Improvement is headquartered at 208 Wareham Road in Marion, MA 02738.

For more information, contact 888-448-8887; email Information@southcoastimprovement.com or visit the website at www.southcoastimprovement.com

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