GEN NERA ATIO ONS

 GEN
NERA
ATIO
ONS
AGEN
NCY
NE
EWSLE
ETTER
R
Editionn 1
February 177, 2016
Fosterin
F
ng indeppendencce and
en
nhanciing the quality
q
of life
f Cappital Reg
for
egion seeniors
since 1952
1
Senior Services of Albany - 32 Essex Street, Albanyy, NY 12206 - 5188-465-3322
www.senioorservicesofalbanyy.com
Who We Are
Senior Services of Albany's (SSA) mission is to foster independence and enhance the quality of
life of older adults by providing innovative services and caregiver support. We offer choice,
independence and dignity and work to help our elders age in place wherever they wish to reside.
SSA provides:

Senior Center Enrichment programs and activities including recreation, socialization, and
educational opportunities

Nutrition sites providing a hot, nutritious lunch and weekly dinners often augmented with
entertainment at Westview, South Mall Towers, Cohoes Senior Center, and Watervliet Senior
Center.

Grocery Shopping Assistance to homebound individuals provided by volunteers on a weekly
or bi-weekly basis. These volunteers shop for their elderly neighbors, help them put things
away and provide companionship.

Friendly Home Visitors program providing regular volunteer visits to the most isolated and
vulnerable elders in the Albany County community.

Transportation services including medical rides, lift-equipped wheelchair vans, senior
center-to-home shuttle, vans available to take senior groups on recreational trips and rides
for grocery shopping purposes.

Cohoes, Newgate and Helderberg Haven Social Adult Daycare Programs providing
supervision, socialization and stimulation to the physically and mentally frail senior and
respite to the overwhelmed caregiver.

Meals on Wheels Service provides a delicious homemade hot meal to over 800 seniors each
day. Many also get a cold “lunch type meal” for later in the day. This service makes a huge
difference for some of our most frail elderly neighbors. All our meals are made from scratch
and provide each senior with 1/3 to 2/3 of the daily recommended nutritional requirements.

Health and Wellness programs providing education and strategies for maintaining optimum
health. We offer Tai Chi, Chair Yoga, short seminars on fall prevention, living with diabetes,
etc.

Community Care Management providing hands-on assistance to isolated elderly individuals
living in the city of Albany in need of assistance with life transitions or care coordination to
improve quality of life.

The Caregiver Connection providing educational opportunities and intensive personalized
counseling to caregivers at home or in the workplace. Also provides telephone support
groups to adult children and spousal caregivers of the elderly across the Capital Region.
Programs are funded in part by the Albany County Department of Aging,
New York State Office for the Aging, the Albany Housing Authority and the City of Albany.
Helping Seniors Stay Independent Since 1952
From th
he Execu
utive Dirrector’s Desk
A new yeear is upon us!
u
Rainer Maria
M
Rilke wrote,
w
“Andd now we weelcome the new
n year, fulll of
things thaat have neveer been.” I for
f one alwayys get exciteed when we
begin a new
n year. It feels
f
like I get
g another chhance, I cann start anew, I
can reinvvent myself and
a be betterr. Alas, by December
D
I am
a usually
pretty muuch the samee as I was thhe year beforre, but now with
w the shinny
new yearr in front of me,
m I won’t think about that.
I feel thee same exhilaarating excittement as Senior
S
Servicces of Albanny
enters intto 2016. Thiis year holdss new promisses, new parttnerships annd
new oppoortunities. So
o I look forw
ward to beingg able to filll these pagess
every few
w months or so and sendd you regularr updates aboout all the work
w
that we are able to do
d
because of
o the great support
s
exteended to us by
b our comm
munity partneers. Our suppportive
sponsors, our generous donors, our
o dedicatedd volunteers,, all help us be what we have never been
b
so we cann be here forr all who neeed us. The year
y is shinyy and new annd I look forw
ward to beinng
able to shhare some off Senior Servvices’ stories with you.
Monika Boeckmann
B
n
Executivve Director of
o Senior Services of Albbany
& Cohoees Multi-Serrvice Senior Center
Thank You to Ourr 2016 Newssletter Spon
nsor
Thank
T
You to
t Our Corp
porate & Community Partners
P
Thank
T
You to
t Our Corp
porate & Community Partners
P
Helpping Seniors Stay
S Independeent Since 19522
Staying Active during Cold Months
It can be tempting to stay inside on the
couch as the long Northeast winter
passes. Exercising through the colder
months is crucial to saying fit and active
as you age. To battle the cold weather
excuses, explore some new methods of
exercising
Winter Exercise Ideas:

Walk the mall: Leave your wallet at home and use the mall as an indoor track.

Join a health club. Choose one close to home or work and ask the staff to show you how
to use the equipment.

Join a class or indoor team: There are plenty of fitness classes available through
community organizations or local health clubs. From dancing to boot camp aerobics,
there’s bound to be a class suited to your fitness level and taste.

Find an indoor pool: Indoor swimming is a great way to build stamina and stay lean
through winter. Whether you’re taking a dip for a water-aerobics class or swimming
some laps, there are plenty of ways to enjoy water inside.

Create a home gym: Invest in some practical, enjoyable and easy-to-use exercise
equipment. To stretch your exercise dollars, consider buying them used.

Everything counts: From vacuuming the house to shoveling snow, remember that many
activities count toward being fit. Even if you don’t have a workout planned for the day,
try to think of some way to be active.
Of course, you can also continue your workouts outside in the winter and get a great workout,
too. Whether it’s running, walking, snow-shoeing, skiing, or skating, it is very important to
wear the appropriate amount of clothing for the various outdoor winter activities. When it's cold
outdoors, there's no need to give up and hit the couch. With a little planning and creativity, you
can step up to the challenges of winter exercise and maintain your healthy lifestyle.
Helping Seniors Stay Independent Since 1952
Spring Is Just Around the Corner
Spring’s arrival brings an assortment of delicious fruits and
vegetables to local grocery stores and farmers markets.
Many fruits and vegetables have vitamins, minerals, and
natural antioxidants that help your body function at its best.
“Try to fill half of your plate with fruits and vegetables to
ensure you have a well-balanced meal,” said Fidelis Care
Chief Medical Officer Sanjiv Shah, MD, MPH. “Fruits and
veggies also make great snacks throughout the day. You’ll
be eating healthy and getting a boost of energy.”
Here are five fruits and vegetables to have in your diet this spring:
1) Asparagus: Loaded with nutrients and a great source of vitamins A, C, E, and K, this fiber-rich
vegetable also helps with digestion.
2) Mangos: This sweet and colorful fruit is high in antioxidants and can help keep your skin clear.
Mangos also provide vitamin A, which promotes good eyesight.
3) Swiss chard: Known as a nutritional powerhouse, this leafy vegetable with colorful stems is full of
vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron, magnesium, dietary fiber, and potassium. One cup of Swiss chard
has just 35 calories and can be boiled, steamed, or roasted.
4) Artichokes: A great source of vitamin C with only 65 calories and 10 grams of fiber, artichokes are a
delicious side dish to consider for the spring. They also contain an antioxidant that protects from heart
disease and helps the liver.
5) Pears: Both red and green pears are in season during the spring. Under 100 calories each, pears can be
baked, poached, or roasted. Eat them as a snack or add them to fruit salads, smoothies, or spinach salads.
Visit a Farmers Market
Farmers markets offer you the chance to buy farm-fresh produce from local sellers. There are several
markets open in the colder weather, including:
• Troy Waterfront Farmers Market, Troy Atrium, Troy, 9 AM to 2 PM Saturdays
• Empire State Plaza Farmers Market, Empire State Plaza Indoor Concourse, Albany, 10 AM to 2 PM
Wednesdays
• Schenectady Greenmarket, located inside Proctors, Schenectady, 10 AM to 2 PM Sundays
These markets move to outdoor locations in May.
Helping Seniors Stay Independent Since 1952
Helping Seniors Stay Independent Since 1952
2016 Save The Dates
20th Annual Third Age Achievement Awards
Friday, May 6, 2016, 11:30AM-1:30PM
Wolferts Roost Country Club, Albany
2016 Honorees:
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Eunice Antonucci - Health & Human Services
Patricia J. Binzer, EdD - Health & Human Services
Ronald Canestrari - Government
Michael Esposito - Business
Gregory Hurd - Health & Human Services
E. Stewart Jones - Law
James Morrell - Business
Yono & Donna Purnomo - Business
Ronald W. Toseland, PhD - Health & Human Services
To reserve tickets, join the honorary committee, or become a sponsor, call Liz Hutson at 518‐465‐3322 x33 18th Annual Travers Wine Tasting
Friday, August 26, 2016, 6:30PM - 10:00PM
Canfield Casino, Saratoga Springs
Join the honorary committee, become a sponsor, or
purchase tickets now!
Presented By:
Honorary Chairpersons:
Walt & Michelle Borisenok
Dominick & Carolyn Purnomo
25th Annual Capital Region Senior Expo
Friday, October 21, 2016, 9:00AM - 2:00PM
Crossgates Mall, Albany
Join us for our 25th anniversary!
Now seeking sponsors, exhibitors, and entertainment. For
more information call Liz Hutson, 518-465-3322 x33
Helping Seniors Stay Independent Since 1952
What's New at SSA
Elder Abuse Prevention Initiative -Senior Services of
Albany was one of 9 organizations nationwide to receive a
$400,000 federal grant from the Office of Violence Against
Women to provide “Enhanced Training and Services to End
Abuse in Later Life.” Senior Services of Albany will work
with four key partner agencies: Albany County District
Attorney’s Office, Albany County Department of Social
Services, City of Albany Police, and Equinox, Inc.
Together these agencies will provide enhanced and expanded
services to individuals over 50 years of age who are victims of:
elder abuse, neglect, exploitation (including sexual assault),
domestic violence, and date violence or stalking. The program
will also provide education and training for adapting best
practices to a broad array of agencies and organizations that
interact with elder abuse victims in the Capital region.
SSA Partners with Helderberg Senior Services -In 2014,
SSA opened Helderberg Haven, a new Social Adult Day
Program in Berne, NY. In late 2015, SSA was asked to
cater the Hilltown Senior Center’s community dining
program. Beginning in early 2016, SSA will now coadminister the social adult day program and the community
dining program at the Hilltown Senior Center in order to
achieve greater efficiency and better serve older adults
throughout this rural community.
Senior Hunger Relief Fund -For many of the older
adults in our community, Meals on Wheels is literally
the difference between remaining in their own homes
and needing to relocate to a nursing facility. The
nutritious meal, friendly visit and safety check help
them cope with the three biggest threats of aging:
hunger, isolation, and loss of independence. Yet local
funding is at an all time low.
In response to this problem, Senior Services of Albany,
with the help of several local charitable foundations
and numerous donations from individuals throughout
the Capital Region, established the Senior Hunger
Relief Fund in late 2015. This fund enables SSA to
provide Meals on Wheels for area seniors who need it,
yet do not qualify for government subsidies for various
reasons.
Helping Seniors Stay Independent Since 1952
Fall Prevention for Older Adults
Each year, millions of people age 65 and older get hurt in falls. Serious injuries such as broken
bones or a head injury can make it hard for people to get around, do everyday activities, or live
on their own.
If you fall and hit your head, it’s important to see your doctor right away to make sure you don’t
have a brain injury. Untreated brain injuries can cause long-term physical and mental health
issues, and even be fatal.
There are many ways you can reduce your risk of falling. Fidelis Care Chief Medical Officer
Sanjiv Shah, MD, MPH offers these tips.
• Review your medications with you doctor: Some prescription and over-the-counter
medications may make you dizzy or sleepy. Your doctor can tell you which medications might
cause problems. Do not change your medications on your own.
• Get exercise: Work out your legs to build your strength, and perform exercises to improve
your balance. The Tai Chi class offered by Senior Services of Albany is an exercise program that
can help with strength and balance. Ask your doctor before starting any exercise program.
• Have your blood pressure checked: Some older people have normal blood pressure while
sitting, but their blood pressure drops too much when they stand. Have your doctor check your
blood pressure when you are standing and when you are lying down to find out if your blood
pressure changes. Also, tell your doctor if you feel faint or unsteady when you get up from
sitting or lying down.
• Get a vision checkup: Have your vision tested regularly or if you think it has changed. Even
small changes in sight can make you less stable. Be sure to update your eyeglasses if needed.
• Choose smart footwear: Wear low-heeled shoes with good support and rubber soles to reduce
your chances of slipping. Use foot wear around the house as it is easier to trip with socks or bare
feet.
• Make your home safer: Keep your floors clear of clutter such as papers, electrical cords, and
clothes, and install handrails on both sides of stairs. It’s also important to keep your home well
lit throughout the day and night. Placing a night light between your bedroom and bathroom is a
great way to be safer at night. The bathroom can be one of the most dangerous rooms in your
home. Add handrails next to the bathtub and toilet, and use a rubber mat in the bathtub or
shower.
• Avoid alcohol: Alcohol affects alertness, judgment, and coordination. Even one drink can
lead to slower reaction time, which could result in a serious fall.
By following these guidelines, you can help prevent falls. Follow up with your doctor about
ways to reduce your risks, and make changes in your home that make you safe.
Helping Seniors Stay Independent Since 1952
Do you need a ride? We may be able to help!
Have you ever needed to visit a loved one in the hospital but had no way to
get there?
Do you need transportation to medical appointments but don't qualify for
subsidies and can't afford to pay out of pocket?
In 2015 Senior Services of Albany, with the help of M&T Bank, put out a challenge to the
community, and they met it! Thanks to the generosity of M&T Bank who provided us with a
$2,000 challenge gift, we were able to raise enough money to fund personal and recreational
rides for a limited time to seniors in greater Albany area.
This fund can be used for the reasons listed below by anyone over the age of 60 who resides in
the Albany area and needs to travel somewhere in the Capital Region. Both group and individual
transportation is available.




To visit a friend or loved one in the hospital or a nursing home Medical appointment transportation that doesn't qualify for subsidies To visit a hair salon, the mall, the park, etc. Dinner, a movie, a day trip to the museum, and more! If you're interested in learning more about what transportation we can provide at no cost to you, call us at 518‐465‐3322 Helping Seniors Stay Independent Since 1952
How You Can Help
Events to attend
Attend our events (a great way to have fun and support Senior Services of Albany):
20th Annual Third Age Achievement Awards - May 6, 2016
18th Annual Travers Wine Tasting - August 26, 2016
25th Annual Senior Expo - October 21, 2016
Call Liz at 465-3322 for details.
Volunteering Opportunities
Senior Services of Albany could never meet the needs of our elderly neighbors without the help
of our amazing volunteers. We need you! Regardless of how much or little time you have to
give, regardless of where your interests and talents lie, we have a spot for you. Come and deliver
meals; visit with a homebound senior; go grocery shopping for an elderly neighbor; become a
health information and insurance counselor; do arts and crafts with the guests at one of our Adult
Day programs; or provide administrative help in the office. Call Krista at 235-2420 or visit our
website at www.seniorservicesofalbany for more information.
View our Wish List
We always need something. Please visit our website at www.seniorservicesofalbany and view
the Wish List under About SSA. You can also call Liz at 465-3322 for more information.
Making a Monetary Donation
Monetary donations are always appreciated and are essential to our ability to be able to continue
our work. Give a one time gift or make a monthly donation. Consider adding Senior Services
of Albany in your will and leaving a legacy gift behind for your neighbors and friends in need.
Call Liz Hutson at 465-3322 for more information.
Sponsorships for Businesses
Find out how partnering with Senior Services of Albany can help your organization and the
seniors in your community. We have a sponsorship opportunity for all budgets.
3rd Party Event
Have a party, plan a bowl-a-thon, start a challenge… Host a fundraiser and donate the proceeds
to Senior Services of Albany.
If you would no longer like to receive this publication , please call 518-465-3322 x33
Helping Seniors Stay Independent Since 1952
WE KNOW THE MOMENTS…
The ones that define us
and give meaning to our lives.
The moments that make us breathe deeply
and then take our breath away…
the ones when having our health
makes everything possible.
This is what we’re made of.
At Fidelis Care, we provide quality, affordable
health coverage for children and adults of all
ages and at all stages of life.
Compassion. Commitment. Community.
And a mission to always care for you
and the ones you love –
moment by moment.
Quality health coverage. It’s Our Mission.
Estimate Costs:
It only takes a minute to view product choices and estimate costs with the Fidelis
Affordable Care Advisor at fideliscare.org/enroll
Meet with a Representative:
Call 1-888-FIDELIS to meet with a Representative or visit fideliscare.org/offices
to find a community office close to you
1-888-FIDELIS (1-888-343-3547)
TTY: 1-800-421-1220
fideliscare.org
To learn more about applying for health insurance, including Child Health Plus
and Medicaid through NY State of Health: The Official Health Plan Marketplace,
visit www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 1-855-355-5777.