Tax issues. Legal documents. Probate. These topics are not for the timid, but learning about them is beneficial, especially for seniors. This is what inspired Judy Avner, our new Coordinator of Social Engagement, to launch the NNORC Breakfast Club.
This monthly forum is giving seniors an opportunity to come together, nosh on a bagel, socialize and learn useful information. The idea is to bring in guest speakers from the community who can simplify complex topics, provide new information and stimulate discussion.
“Often times, seniors are looking for a way to get together at the beginning of the day to visit and talk about the events of the day. Later in the day they get busy and the time for conversation and reflection seems to have been replaced by other appointments and activities,” said Avner. The NNORC Breakfast Club gives seniors an opportunity to gather early in the day, have a bite to eat and discuss a range of useful topics.
The first two Breakfast Club sessions addressed critically important legal issues and featured two attorneys with expertise in elder law. Kim Verner, Esq., from the Herzog Law Firm discussed Legal Documents Every Senior Needs to Have, such as durable powers of attorney, living wills, healthcare proxies and more. And Steven Levy, Esq. discussed Probate and How to Avoid It. These monthly meetings are held at the Albany JCC from 9:30–11:00 a.m. are designed to provide practical information that directly affects seniors.
“We are grateful to the Albany JCC for lending us a room to host our Breakfast Club,” said Avner. “It’s a central location for seniors to gather and we’re hoping for a great turnout for our first meeting.”
Albany NNORC and St. Peter’s CHOICES Working Together for Seniors
For 25 years, the St. Peter’s CHOICES Program has created better options for the elderly in the Albany NNORC. Like NNORC, St. Peter’s believes that seniors do best when they can maintain their independence in the comfort of their own home and community. To support this, CHOICES and NNORC staff work together to help people 60 and over safely age in place.
As we age, we are often faced with decisions about our future. Sometimes there is an opportunity to plan ahead, but at other times we’re suddenly faced with a life-changing crisis and don’t have the luxury of time to weigh and select the best options. It’s times like this when you need a trusted partner to advocate for you, support you and guide you to get the best services and care.
CHOICES AND NNORC staff can work with seniors and/or their family to develop a plan that would offer a smooth transition from one setting to another, like moving to a senior apartment, locating valuable support services or finding an assisted-living arrangement. The goal is to give seniors the most freedom and the greatest support.
We also have expertise in maximizing insurance benefits, identifying free or low cost services, coordinating medical care and appointments, and advocating for your care in various settings.
CHOICES and NNORC want older adults and their families to remain in control of their living arrangements and health care decisions and have access to expert guidance on aging related issues. If you have questions or think that you, a friend or a family member might benefit from our services, please call NNORC at 514-2023.
If you want to learn more about this type of service, watch the NNORC News for upcoming educational sessions on advance care planning and other related topics. It’s always best when you can make your own choices about your future.
NNORC Night at the JCC
Come out for another NNORC Night at the JCC where you can enjoy a wonderful tasty dinner featuring oven fried chicken, along with good conversation and fun. NNORC night is always a great way to break bread and share good fellowship, catching up with friends, and meeting new people. Transportation requests can be made when making your reservation. Last call for reservations is 9:30 a.m. on May 18. Looking forward to seeing you there.
DATE: Monday, May 18, 2015
TIME: 4:45 p.m.
PLACE: Albany Jewish Community Center, 340 Whitehall Road, Albany, NY
COST: Suggested donation $5.00
RSVP: Contact Claire Sigal at the JCC: 518-438-6651, ext. 112
Two FREE Health Screenings
Two Ounces of Prevention – Two Important Health Screenings
In partnership with the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS), your Albany NNORC is offering two valuable health screenings:
OSTEOPOROSIS AND BONE HEALTH SCREENING
Did you know that a woman’s risk of breaking a hip due to osteoporosis is equal to her risk of breast, ovarian and uterine cancer combined? And a man age 50 or older is more likely to break a bone due to osteoporosis than he is to get prostate cancer?
As part of this screening, you will establish your individual osteoporosis risk; learn about lifestyle changes you can make to preserve bone health; and find out how much calcium you need in your diet.
SCRIPT YOUR FUTURE (SYF)
Nearly 3 out of 4 Americans don’t take their medications as directed, resulting in serious health consequences. Many factors contribute to non-adherence, but the effect is always the same—patients are putting their health and their future at risk.
As part of this screening, you will meet individually with pharmacy students and faculty to discuss more effective ways to manage and adhere to your prescribed drug regime; have your blood pressure checked; establish your cardiovascular risk profile; and learn heart healthy diet tips.
Come and take advantage of an opportunity to speak privately with ACPHS students and faculty—ask questions and get informed. NO personal information is required. As an added bonus, there will be lots of free giveaways such as medication diaries, pill boxes, heart healthy diet materials, calcium/vitamin D samples and more. Your Albany NNORC cares about you and your good health! Come along, and bring a friend.
DATE: Tuesday, March 3
TIME: 12:00–2:00 p.m.
PLACE: St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church, 440 Whitehall Road, Albany
RSVP: None required
Summer Day Trip to the Otesaga
Join us for lunch at the luxurious Otesaga Hotel overlooking Lake Otsego. Built in 1909, the Otesaga exudes the charm and gracious hospitality of a bygone era. A magnificent Federal-style edifice with an imposing front portico supported by massive 30-foot columns, the hotel occupies 700 feet of lakefront on the southern shore of Lake Otsego, the famed “Glimmerglass” of James Fenimore Cooper’s novels.
After lunch we’ll stop at the Fly Creek Cider Mill on the way home for snacks and shopping.
This is a summer day trip you won’t want to miss!
DATE: Tuesday, August 11, 2015
TIME: 10:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
PLACE: We will depart from and return to St. Sophia’s (440 Whitehall Road)
FEE: $50 for NNORC members and $55 for non-members
RSVP: 514-2023
Lake George Lunch Cruise
Join us aboard the beautiful Lac du Saint Sacrement. Cruise the serene waters of Lake George and enjoy the delicious luncheon buffet. We’ll stop at Sutton’s Marketplace on the way back for a short shopping opportunity.
DATE: Tuesday, June 9, 2015
TIME: 10:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
PLACE: We will depart from and return to St. Sophia’s (440 Whitehall Road)
FEE: $55 for NNORC members and $59 for non-members
RSVP: 514-2023
NNORC Seniors Visit Albany Institute of History and Art for Special Exhibition of Historical Bed Covers
Join your NNORC friends for a visit to the Albany Institute of History and Art to see an special exhibition of historical bed covers before it leaves the area.
If you have a love for history, textiles, decorating and sewing, you won’t want to miss this special outing. The exhibition investigates the designs and patterns that decorate American bed covers of the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth centuries. More than thirty bed covers and complementary objects such as illustrated books, paintings, ceramics, and botanical specimens reveal a variety of design sources used by American women and men to decorate their bedrooms.
Our tour will be lead by JFS staff member Jeannie Straussman, Program Director of Haven, who also serves as a docent at the Albany Institute. Jeannie is excited to share her knowledge of this exhibit with the NNORC.
DATE: Wednesday, March 4, 2015
TIME: The tour will begin at 1:00 p.m.
FEE: $8.00 per person.
RSVP: Please call 514-2023 for reservations for the tour.
LUNCH? If you are interested in lunch before the tour, please meet at Bongiorno’s, 28 Dove Street in Albany.
P.S. After our tour, feel free to wander through the many other exhibits at the Institute.
Let NNORC and AARP Help You File Your Taxes
If there’s one thing you can count on each year is that you have to file your Federal and State income taxes! The good news is you can also count on NNORC and AARP who are once again joining forces to help you file your 2014 taxes for free. We have also secured the same tax preparers as last year. If you need help filing, please call NNORC to reserve your one-hour time slot.
DATES: We will be offering appointments every Tuesday from February 10 through March 3, 2015. Additional dates
TIMES: You can reserve a morning appointment from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
PLEASE NOTE: Tax prep will be held at a new location this year: B’nai Sholom Reform Congregation, 420 Whitehall Road in Albany.
Seniors Discuss Long Term Care and Assets at the NNORC Breakfast Club
The March Breakfast Club topic will shift to financial issues and safeguarding your financial assets. Our speaker, Jonathan A. Sefcik, CLTCR, will help people understand current financial trends and how to make the most from your assets. Jonathan is a financial advisor at Janney Montgomery Scott in Albany, and prior to that he was a Senior Financial Planner at Goldman Sach’s Ayco subsidiary where he focused on retirement, investment, and estate planning for wealthy individuals. He holds an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a concentration in finance. Before returning to graduate school, Jonathan worked as a Senior Analyst in Institutional Shareholder Service’s Social Investment Research Service.
Bring your questions and your friends! A light breakfast will be served.
DATE: Wednesday, March 8, 2015
TIME: 9:30-11:00 a.m.
PLACE: Albany Jewish Community Center at 340 Whitehall Road in Albany.
RSVP: Please call 514-2023 to reserve your seat.
Save Wednesday, April 15, 2015 for the next NNORC Breakfast Club when Jane Levine of Levine Memorial Chapel will discuss pre-planning your funeral—a topic that many Breakfast Club devotees have requested.
Food and Flicks for NNORC Seniors
Family relationships are always challenging, and they evolve over time. This month’s Food and Flicks features The Judge, starring Robert Downey Jr. and Oscar nominee for best supporting actor, Robert Duvall, explores the relationship of a father and son—their estrangement and reconnection. Hank Palmer (Downey) is a big city lawyer who returns home when his father (Duvall), a local judge, is accused of murder. Hank’s help is not always welcomed by his dad. In the course of the investigation and trial, Hank reconnects on a profound level with his family. This is a superbly acted story that resonates with many of us.
Hope you can join us!
DATE: Thursday, March 5, 2015
TIME: 12:00 p.m.
PLACE: Congregation Beth Emeth at 100 Academy Road in Albany.
FEE: $10 for NNORC members and $12 for non-members, choose lunch option: pasta and meatballs or manicotti
RSVP: Required. Please call 514-2023 to reserve your spot.
PLEASE NOTE THE NEW LOCATION.