PSGDC Newsletter Page1

Annual Report and Newsletter, July 2010 Page 3 Partners Enhance Center Activities
Program Support Forming relationships with schools, organizations, and professionals makes a big difference in everything we do. PSGDC is lucky to be located next to PS 124, and our connection with the teachers leads to intergenerational fun. Elementary classes come to the center for holidays and special programs. The children come prepared to entertain, and PSGDC members love to chat with them and share stories. Young adults from Good Shepherd Services join us four days a week as program volunteers. They help us, while the internship experiences help them learn skills and consider career options. For many years PSGDC has had a relationship with Columbia University’s Occupational Therapy program. Interns interested in working in geriatrics spend a semester with PSGDC. Each student brings fresh enthusiasm and their own special interests and skills, which keeps our program lively. On any one day we might have as many as 10 volunteers helping with our program, and the age range includes adults over 55 too. PSDGC partners with AARP’s senior employment program, again offering training to job-seekers in this older age group while we benefit from their ideas and assistance. A Package of Services A different kind of partnership developed in 2009 between Park Slope Geriatric Day Center and Senior Helpers, a home health care agency. Together we offer a “Peace of Mind” package for families that combines days at PSDGC with in-home care during other hours. The different packages vary the number of day-care days and home care hours to best meet a family’s needs, and the package plans come at a set rate so that families can more easily budget based on their finances. Community Partners Authors Dr. Rosemary Laird and Dr. James Huysman joined PSGDC and Bay Ridge Center for Older Adults for a community program and educational evening for caregivers. “Dessert with the Authors” was held at Bay Ridge Center and included presentations by each of the co-authors of Take Your Oxygen First: Protecting Your Health and Happiness While Caring for a Loved One with Memory Loss. State Senator Martin Golden helped advertise the evening and introduced the program by talking about the care he and his siblings are sharing for their elderly mother. Audience members had plenty of time to ask questions of the authors and to speak with them personally. Other agencies displayed materials about their services so that the caregivers attending the evening found many resources together in one place. Thanks to everyone who made the evening a success. We look forward to working together soon.
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Annual Report and Newsletter, July 2010
Page 3
Partners Enhance Center Activities

Program Support
Forming relationships with schools, organizations, and professionals makes a big difference in everything we do. PSGDC is lucky to be located next to PS 124, and our connection with the teachers leads to intergenerational fun. Elementary classes come to the center for holidays and special programs. The children come prepared to entertain, and PSGDC members love to chat with them and share stories. Young adults from Good Shepherd Services join us four days a week as program volunteers. They help us, while the internship experiences help them learn skills and consider career options.

For many years PSGDC has had a relationship with Columbia University’s Occupational Therapy program. Interns interested in working in geriatrics spend a semester with PSGDC. Each student brings fresh enthusiasm and their own special interests and skills, which keeps our program lively. On any one day we might have as many as 10 volunteers helping with our program, and the age range includes adults over 55 too. PSDGC partners with AARP’s senior employment program, again offering training to job-seekers in this older age group while we benefit from their ideas and assistance.

A Package of Services
A different kind of partnership developed in 2009 between Park Slope Geriatric Day Center and Senior Helpers, a home health care agency. Together we offer a “Peace of Mind” package for families that combines days at PSDGC with in-home care during other hours. The different packages vary the number of day-care days and home care hours to best meet a family’s needs, and the package plans come at a set rate so that families can more easily budget based on their finances.

Community Partners
Authors Dr. Rosemary Laird and Dr. James Huysman joined PSGDC and Bay Ridge Center for Older Adults for a community program and educational evening for caregivers. “Dessert with the Authors” was held at Bay Ridge Center and included presentations by each of the co-authors of Take Your Oxygen First: Protecting Your Health and Happiness While Caring for a Loved One with Memory Loss.

State Senator Martin Golden helped advertise the evening and introduced the program by talking about the care he and his siblings are sharing for their elderly mother. Audience members had plenty of time to ask questions of the authors and to speak with them personally. Other agencies displayed materials about their services so that the caregivers attending the evening found many resources together in one place. Thanks to everyone who made the evening a success. We look forward to working together soon.

click here for PDF version