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Services and Programs Related to: The Disabled Elderly
Aging can take its toll on both the individual and the family. All too often the elderly feel forgotten and forlorn. They may not know what services are available to help them, and how to access services that could improve their quality of life. For the disabled elderly, life can be even more challenging. Daily routines, insurance problems, and transportation are among the difficulties that can seem insurmountable. Disabled older adults, including elderly veterans, who served us proudly but may feel that their sacrifices go unrewarded today, need the emotional support and practical advice that will help them better navigate the “red tape”. We can help.
Our disabled elderly need and deserve access to quality health care that will make their lives easier. Working with our partner agencies, we will forge the links that last, while providing on-going assistance as part of our caring and commitment to older adults.
Call Moona at 718-762-0346 extension 13.
QHC Honored by Queens Smoke-Free Partnership
At a recent awards ceremony sponsored by the Queens Courier newspaper and TD Bank, Queens Smoke-free Partnership awarded community leaders for their efforts in promoting tobacco control, especially among vulnerable populations such as children. The honorees included New York State Assemblywoman Nettie Mayersohn for legislation she introduced to prohibit subjecting a child to second-hand smoke in an automobile; Laura Cadorette, who helped to make her Jackson Heights Co-op smoke- free; health care advocacy organizations, the Korean Community Services and the Queens Health Coalition (QHC)for their work in reaching at-risk people to educate and assist in smoking cessation, understanding the tobacco industry’s use of advertising to promote smoking, especially among children and to encourage retailers not to display tobacco products among family-oriented items such as baby formula.
In accepting the award for her organization, Phyllis Shafran, Executive Director of the Queens Health Coalition challenged the audience of 100 by saying: “I ask anyone here in this room to come up with one good thing to say about smoking. You can’t! It cost lives, it’s expensive, and it’s smelly. For an organization such as ours, which is dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles, it’s a no-brainer that we would get involved. I urge everyone to do the same. If ever there were something that has no redeeming qualities, smoking is it. Let’s continue to work with the Smoke-free Partnership to help ensure that all New Yorkers are convinced of this.”
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Pictured: Lorena Flores, QHC’s Senior Health Educator; Jessica Safier, Project Manager, Queens Smoke-free Partnership and Phyllis Shafran, Executive Director, QHC. |
QHC Hosts Cultural Sensitivity Training
The Queens Health Coalition (QHC) recently hosted a program of cultural sensitivity training, attended by more than 25 consumers and providers of health care and social services. Guest speakers included Anindita ChatteeBhaumik of CONNECT, a domestic violence watchdog organization focused on South Asian women, (pictured seated, left of presenter) and Barbara Serrano of Voces Latinas, which specializes in HIV/AIDS information and education for Hispanic families, (pictured during her power point presentation).
As Phyllis Shafran, (pictured second left of presenter), QHC’s Executive Director, noted in her welcoming remarks: “Being culturally sensitive has become the “In” topic these days: discussed by talk-show hosts to newspaper columnists. It’s very “Politically Correct”. But that’s not why we’re here today. We’re not concerned with being “PC”. We’re concerned with saving lives. In health care and social service, not understanding the ethnic nuances, the languages, traditions and taboos of the people we serve, keep them from seeking the help they need and can have a devastating outcome.”
QHC Lends A Hand to 'Willing Hearts, Helpful Hands'
The Queens Health Coalition (QHC) joined in a collaborative project of Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and the Weinberg Foundation entitled: 'Willing Hearts, Helpful Hands' . This program trains volunteer care givers to provide respite care for family care givers. For more information call Parker's Rachael Shields at 718-289-2100x4980 or QHC's Moona Syed at 718-762-0346x13.
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QHC staff (center) and volunteers attended the recent kick-off to the program, which promises to be a national model. |
Day Out For Providers of "Time Out"
To say "Thank You" to caregivers of the elderly for the invaluable role they play in the lives of both the individual senior citizen and society at-large, Queens Health Coalition (QHC) helped organize a day out to offer some respite care for caregivers-who are often family members and elderly themselves. QHC, working in conjunction with other health care organizations, (Elmhurst Hospital, HANAC, Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation, Pragati, Queens Community House and the Samuel Field YM/WHA) is part of a NYC Department of the Aging's Caregivers' Respite Care Program, which offers the caregiver respite care. As QHC's Executive Director, Phyllis Shafran noted: "We think it is very important to give a day out to the people who give us a 'time out'. Caregivers can put a smile on an older adult's face, offer conversation mixed with compassion and enable the elderly to enjoy the comforts of home. To the aged person, this is the medicine no prescription drug can provide, and is less expensive than institutional care. We want to acknowledge the emotional support and economic savings they provide and show our appreciation by giving a little respite to them too". For more information call the Queens Health Coalition at 718-762-0346x13 and ask for Moona.
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| Queensbridge Riis Senior Shakers presented by Queens Health Coalition |
Tsu Chi Foundation's Sign Language Singing presented by NYC HHC Elmhurst Hospital Center |
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| Bayside Glee Club presented by HANAC |
Music with Shira Fishkin presented by Queens Community House |
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| Queens Health Coalition: Moona Syed, Case Manger; Lorena Flores, Senior Health Educator; Surinder Sandal, Fiscal Officer; Margarita Servillano, volunteer; Phyllis Shafran, Executive Director and Karim Lamhaouar, Health Educator. |
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Caring About Caregivers
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
10am to 1pm
Queens Community House
80-02 Kew Gardens Road, Suite 202
Kew Gardens, NY 11415
In recognition of the vital role played by caregivers of the elderly to both the individual and society at-large, Queens Health Coalition (QHC) has organized a free day of fun, food and prizes for them. Many of the caregivers are family members and elderly themselves. Working in conjunction with other health care providers who are part of a caregivers’ respite care program, QHC and its partners (Elmhurst Hospital, HANAC, Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation, Pragati, Queens Community House and the Samuel Field YM/WHA) will host this event which features entertainment performed largely by other senior citizens. As QHC Executive Director, Phyllis Shafran noted: “Caregivers can put a smile on an older adult’s face, offer conversation mixed with compassion and enable the elderly to enjoy the comfort of home. To the aged person, this is the medicine no prescription drug can provide, and is less expensive than institutional care. We want to acknowledge both the emotional and economic support and savings they provide by giving a little respite care to the caregivers”.
Program:
*Introductions and Welcome
Laurie Avery, Queens Community House, Director-Social Adult Day
and Caregiver Support Services
Phyllis Shafran, Executive Director-Queens Health Coalition
*Music with Shira Fishkin presented by
Queens Community House
*Bayside Glee Club presented by
HANAC
*Tsu Chi Foundation’s Sign Language Singing presented by
NYC HHC Elmhurst Hospital Center
*Samuel Field Y Choraleers, Led by Marilyn Herman, Ozzy Goodman at piano
presented by
Samuel Field YM/YWHA
*Queensbridge Riis Senior Shakers presented by
Queens Health Coalition
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