Social Work in Progress presents: THAT EVENING SUN | The Coolidge Corner Theatre

Social Work in Progress presents: THAT EVENING SUN | The Coolidge Corner Theatre.

April 15th attend the one time showing.  Although not the best representation of nusring homes, certainly a close to home topic.

Successful Food Drive !

“I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.”  Maya Angelou

 Hi to All,

Especially at the holidays, we find the time to remember that giving is the true gift. I want to express to the staff and families of Marina Bay and Bostonian, my sincere appreciation for participating in our annual Food Drive.  Did you know that one in nine residents of Massachusetts is currently receiving food from a food pantry, soup kitchen, or shelter?

This year, Bostonian and Marina Bay contributed 549 lbs of food!  That is 250 pounds more than last year.  We were also again able to contribute $2,000 to the Greater Boston Food Bank.  These funds will provide more than 3700 meals.  Imagine, 3700 meals! At past holidays we have purchased gifts for area case management departments which were appreciated, but certainly not essential.  Making a difference in the lives of those who are struggling, especially during these challenging times, is a privilege that I feel fortunate to have been granted.

 “Everyone has a role in ending hunger” says the Greater Boston Food Bank.  Enjoy your holidays and know that you have a made a difference!

Words to live by…..

“Old age is like climbing a mountain. The higher you get, the more tired and breathless you become, but your view becomes much more extensive”  Ingmar Bergman, quoted in the Victoria, B.C. Advocate.

Marina Bay Holds Food Drive !

Marina Bay Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center is holding a food drive from December 9^th, 2009 to December 20^th, 2009!  Please help Marina Bay  donate to those less fortunate in these difficult times.  Drop off your food contribution in the box located in our lobby!  Our adress is 2 Seaport Drive, Quincy MA.

All of the food collected will go to the Greater Boston Food Bank to benefit hungry families across eastern Massachusetts.  This is a wonderful opportunity to help those less fortunate in these difficult times.  I encourage you to join in our efforts and make a difference in someone’s life today.

The Greater Boston Food Bank is New England’s largest hunger-relief organization and is working hard to help end hunger in eastern Massachusetts.  They distribute over 30 million pounds of food per year to more than 600 hunger relief agencies throughout eastern Massachusetts. 

Once the food you donate is collected by the Food Bank, it is distributed to hunger-relief agencies, such as pantries and soup kitchens. The agencies are able to order exactly what they need, whether that be juice, protein products, or canned vegetables.

 Here are some hunger facts about Eastern Massachusetts:

• 320,000 people or 7% of the population uses emergency food programs annually
• More than one in three households served has a child under the age of 18
• Over 10% of those who receive emergency food assistance are 65 or older
• 57% of the people served have to choose between food and rent, medicine, or heat
• 84% have a place to live but cannot get the food they need
• Please join us in helping these hungry families by donating non-perishable items.

Some examples of desirable foods are:

• Canned tuna, chicken, or other meats
• Canned soups or chili
• Plastic bottles or cans of 100% fruit juice
• Pasta, rice, or other grains
• Healthy Cereal
• Dry or boxed shelf-stable milk
• Canned Beans
• Peanut butter
• Canned Vegetables

Thank you for your participation in this worthwhile event.

10 Tips to Help Seniors Enjoy the Holidays

Ensure happier holidays for seniors with special needs or health issues

By Sharon O’Brien, About.com Guide

For most of us, the holidays are a wonderful time to share the joys of family life and friendship. But for many older adults the holidays can be highly stressful, confusing, or even depressing if their mental, physical and emotional needs are not taken into account.

If you have older friends and family members with underlying health issues, you can help them enjoy the holiday season more by following these simple tips, based on advice from specialists in senior medicine at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine:

1. Stroll down memory lane. Holidays provoke memories, which can be especially powerful in the later years of life. “Leading authorities have observed that memory and ‘life review’ are important parts of the aging process,” says Barry Lebowitz, Ph.D., deputy director of UCSD’s Stein Institute for Research on Aging. “Older people whose memories are impaired may have difficulty remembering recent events, but they are often able to share stories and observations from the past. These shared memories are important for the young as well—children enjoy hearing about how it was ‘when your parents were your age…’.” He suggests using picture albums, family videos and music, even theme songs from old radio or TV programs, to help stimulate memories and encourage older seniors to share their stories and experiences.
2. Plan ahead. If older family members tire easily or are vulnerable to over-stimulation, limit the number of activities they are involved in or the length of time they are included. The noise and confusion of a large family gathering can lead to irritability or exhaustion, so schedule time for a nap, if necessary, and consider designating a “quiet room” where an older person can take a break. “Assign someone to be the day’s companion to the older person, to make sure the individual is comfortable,” says Daniel Sewell, M.D., director of the Senior Behavior Health Unit at the UCSD Medical Center, who adds that these guidelines work well for young children as well as adults with mental, emotional and physical health issues.
3. Eliminate obstacles. If a holiday get-together is held in the home of an older person with memory impairment or behavioral problems, don’t rearrange the furniture. This could be a source of confusion and anxiety. If the gathering is in a place unfamiliar to an older person, remove slippery throw rugs and other items that could present barriers to someone with balance problems or who has difficulty walking.
4. Avoid embarrassing moments. Try to avoid making comments that could inadvertently embarrass an older friend or family member who may be experiencing short-term memory problems. If an older person forgets a recent conversation, for example, don’t make it worse by saying, “Don’t you remember?”
5. Create new memories. In addition to memories, seniors need new things to anticipate. Add something new to the holiday celebration, or volunteer for your family to help others. Enjoy activities that are free, such as taking a drive to look at holiday decorations, or window-shopping at the mall or along a festive downtown street.
6. Be inclusive. Involve everyone in holiday meal preparation, breaking down tasks to include the youngest and oldest family members. “Older adults with physical limitations can still be included in kitchen activities by asking them to do a simple, helpful task, like greasing cooking pans, peeling vegetables, folding napkins or arranging flowers,” Sewell says.
7. Reach out. Social connectedness is especially important at holiday times. “Reaching out to older relatives and friends who are alone is something all of us should do,” Lebowitz says. “Loneliness is a difficult emotion for anyone. Recent research with older people has documented that loneliness is associated with major depression and with suicidal thoughts and impulses.”
8. Beat the blues. “Holiday blues” are feelings of profound sadness that can be provoked by all the activities of the holiday season. Seasonal blues can have a particular impact in the lives of older people, according to Lebowitz. “In some people, the ‘holiday blues’ represent the exacerbation of an ongoing depressive illness,” he says. “Depression is a dangerous and life-threatening illness in older people. Tragically, suicide rates increase with age, specifically for older men. Depression is not a normal part of aging and should never be ignored or written off.”
9. Keep on the sunny side. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or winter depression is an illness that can be provoked by reductions in sunlight during the short days of winter. It is important for people confined indoors, especially those at risk for winter depression, to make time for activities that will increase exposure to daylight, according to Lebowitz.

10.  Monitor medications and alcohol. If you have senior family members, be sure to help them adhere to their regular schedule of medications during the frenzy of the holidays. Also, pay attention to their alcohol consumption during holiday parties and family gatherings. According to Sewell, alcohol can provoke inappropriate behavior or interfere with medications.

“Older family members with special needs can get lost in the shuffle and chaos of happy family gatherings,” Sewell says. “So, with all the hustle and bustle of the season, just remember to be sensitive and loving. And plan ahead.”

Open Enrollment Medicare Part D

Each year from November  15th – December 31st, Medicare Part D plans (prescription drug coverage plans) offer open enrollment.  At this time you can choose or change your plan.  Coverage for each plan can change year to year, so seniors should be sure to check if there will be cost increases to their plan.  The Medicare website has an online tool that allows you to enter specific prescriptions and obtain further details of the coverage provided by different Part D plans.   http://www.cms.hhs.gov/center/openenrollment.asp

Visit someone in a nursing home

For people who live in nursing homes, the holidays can be particularly difficult.  Even those who have family would benefit from some extra attention.  You can help. If  you or your family could spend just an hour or two with an elder who needs some attention, you would really make a difference.  Whether sharing coffee and cookies, playing a game of cards or chess, or stopping in with a child, there are lots of simple ways to enjoy providing the gift of time to those who have given so much.  This holiday season contact your local nursing home and make a connection. 

The Holiday Project is a nationwide organization that facilitates this type of volunteerism.  Check out their web site for more information http://holiday-project.org/.   If you live near Quincy, MA contact Lucia Treggiari, Director of Recreation at Marina Bay Skilled Nursing & Rehab Center.  617-769-5100 ext. 150.

Dementia is a terminal illness, Boston study says

Dementia is a terminal illness, Boston study says – White Coat Notes – Boston.com This important information is so often overlooked or assumed not to be the case, very interesting report.

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Marina Bay Rocks!

The staff and residents want to remind everyone that life is short and we should all be having a good time!  Party with Marina Bay!