Newsletter Home > Fall 2002 Page 1 | Page 2
MESSAGE FROM MARIANNE NICOLOSI, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
I am writing this message to you at the start of the National Adult Day Services week, which ran from September 15-22. I am often surprised to discover, among friends and acquaintances, a total lack of familiarity with the concept of Adult Day Services. As with other agencies that offer similar services, the mission of Park Slope Geriatric is to keep elders at home, living productive and satisfying lives, for as long as possible.

We meet our mission in several ways: we offer programs at two centers—the 14th Street Center provides socialization for the frail elderly who cannot attend a center without assistance. Without social adult day programs, these clients would be isolated at home, no longer participating in life. The center on Prospect Park West serves people who suffer from Alzheimer’s or other dementias. The existence of programs such as these allows caregivers and their families to remain engaged in their lives: working, attending parent conferences, having a night out, without having to institutionalize a family member.

Enhancing our efforts to support the whole family, grants from the Altman Foundation and the Stella and Charles Guttman Foundation in the late spring have made it possible for PSGDC to add services for caregivers. The “Wonderful Wednesdays!” Respite program resumed after a summer hiatus on Sept. 18, 4-8 p.m. Caring for Elders Support Groups began Sept. 25 (there’s still time to call and sign up for future sessions). The Saturday respite program is ongoing as is the Chat Room through the agency’s website, www.psgdc.org, which also contains many helpful links to organizations that provide information and support to caregivers.

Our Adult Day Programs are dependent on the seven red vans that are so visible in many Brooklyn communities. Though the NY State Department of Transportation and the NYC Department for the Aging provide the vans, we do not receive city or state funds to operate them. This summer Marty Markowitz restored funding that the Borough President’s office had offered in the past, so we start the fall with a $51,000 grant towards the operation of the transportation program. We are hoping that income from Annual Fund gifts and two winter events will further support this program. Please look at the calendar and back age to find out more about our winter events.

Finally, we applaud legislative attempts to expand necessary funding. Important legislation has been proposed on the state and national levels to increase funding for programs designed to keep elders out of nursing homes. Both the Olmstead Act and the Respite Legislation being proposed by Hillary Clinton in the Senate are important and deserve our support. For more information about services and these legislative issues feel free to call, email, or visit our website at www.psgdc.org for links to more information.
CREACIONES CONTINUARAN!
La población hispana, mayores de 60 años, es uno de los grupos de más alto crecimiento en Brooklyn y agencias como PSGDC estamos manteniendo un gran paso con relación a la necesidad de servicios. Estamos extraordinariamente complacidos de que la Oficina del Estado de Personas Mayores haya vuelto a colocar fondos para el presupuesto suplemental del 2002-03, al programa Diurno Social para Adultos. Con éste presupuesto podemos continuar con nuestro programa en Español, Creaciones de Hispanos, en nuestros dos centros.

Creaciones es posible para que nuestras personas mayores hispanas puedan comunicarse en su primer idioma, algo sumamente importante para personas que experimentan demencia y se mantienen unidas a sus raíces através de actividades culturales y comidas típicas. Con el primer presupuesto tres años atras, tuvimos la oportunidad de llegar a la población hispana y lanzar el programa Creaciones.

Además de los fondos de SOFA, el “New York Community Trust”, también presentó fondos para el PSGDC para conducir una campaña investigativa acerca de diferentes grupos étnicos, brindar ayuda a personas a cargo de personas mayores y para reclutar personal profesional que ofrezcan programas innovadores como lo es la música, terapia artística y el tai chi; conducidos por profesionales hispanos. Através de éste presupuesto también podemos exigir mejores salarios para empleados bilingües que nos ayudan al mejoramiento y crecimiento de programas en español.
Con énfasis en las familias en general y en familias a cargo del cuidado de personas mayores en comunidades hispanas, hay un desafío especial que enfrenta ésta comunidad; al menos el programa continúa floreciendo con la ayuda de nuestra campaña para llegar a hogares que nos necesitan.

Si usted conoce alguna persona interesada en formar parte de nuestro programa, enriquecido culturalmente, favor de llamar a Evelyn Vazquez, Supervisora del programa.


Creaciones Continues!

The Hispanic elderly population is one of the fastest growing groups in Brooklyn, and agencies like PSGDC are trying to keep pace with the need for services. We are extremely pleased that the State Office for the Aging reappropriated funds to Social Adult Day Services under the 2002-03 supplemental budget. With this grant we can continue our Spanish program, Creaciones de Hispanos, at both centers.

Creaciones makes it possible for our Hispanic elders to speak their first language—critically important for persons who are experiencing dementia—and remain in touch with their heritage by way of cultural activities and ethnic meals. With the first grant three years ago we were able to target outreach to the Hispanic population and launch Creaciones.

In addition to the SOFA funding, New York Community Trust also awarded a grant to PSGDC to conduct a grassroots outreach campaign, provide support for the caregivers, and hire consultants to conduct innovative programs such as music and art therapy, and Tai Chi conducted by a Spanish speaking consultant. Through this grant, we are also able to augment the salaries of bilingual program staff to enhance the growth of a comprehensive Spanish Language program.

With the emphasis on family and family care in the Hispanic community, there are special challenges faced in engaging this population, nevertheless the program continues to flourish with the help of our outreach campaign.

If you know someone who may be interested in taking part in our culturally enriched program, please contact Evelyn Vasquez, Site Supervisor.