News

The Gringo Who Stole Christmas
NNORC is heading to Proctors for a special performance of this new musical comedy by David Kalish.
Remember David Kalish, author of the book “The Opposite of Everything”? He and Lale Davidson talked about his book at the JCC in August. David is offering a special pre-show presentation, just for us. If you would like to attend, call us and we’ll put you on the list.
More details will be in the November NNORC News.
Learn more about the show here
DATE December 14, 2014
TIME 12:45 before the 2:00 p.m. matinee
PLACE Proctors Theater, Schenectady, NY
RSVP 518-514-2023
FEE Tickets are $26 each if we get a group of at least 10
 
 

Let your creative self shine and join us for a very special workshop. Explore the wonders of poetry in this three-part program. Share your rich and varied life experiences, thoughts and feelings through the medium of the written word.
Led by Albany NNORC resident, poet, playwright and author, Joseph Krausman, this workshop promises to give the participants an opportunity to dive deeper into the world of  poetry in a safe, fun and judgment-free setting.
DATES: Wednesday November 12, 2014
TIME: 6:00-7:30 p.m.
PLACE: First Congregational Church, 405 Quail Street, Albany, NY 12208
Fee and RSVP: Workshop is free and pre-registration is suggested.
About the Workshop Leader: Joseph Krausman comes to the NNORC with an extensive background in the written and theatre arts.  He is a published author, and his plays have been performed in Northampton, Holyoke, Iowa and New York City. Joseph attributes his love of books to his Father’s advice: “Joseph, if you have nothing to do—read.

Fall is a beautiful time in our area, and we’re planning to take full advantage of nature’s show. Join us  as we travel to Herkimer for a delicious lunch buffet followed by a relaxing cruise along the historic Erie Canal. We’ll pass through one of the locks, and during our narrated excursion our captain will explain the importance of the lock system and what transportation was like in the 19th century. We will learn the history and enjoy the scenic Mohawk Valley.
DATE Tuesday, September 22, 2014

TIME 10:00 a.m.–400 p.m.

PLACE Depart from St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church 440 Whitehall Road, Albany

RSVP Call NNORC at 514-2023 to reserve your seat

FEE The cost is $62 for members and $65 for non-members. Advance payment is required.

Roll Up Your Shirt Sleeves
And arm yourself with the flu shot

Free_FluShot-Lab_Web
Your Albany NNORC, with the Pharmacists from Price Chopper Markets, is pleased to offer a flu shot clinic right here in our community. Staying healthy is always important. Now, more than ever, with the flu season right around the corner, consider this:

  •   •   It is especially important for people who are older than 65, pregnant or have diabetes or asthma to get the flu shot.
  • Price Chopper carries the quadrivalent vaccine, which covers four strains of the flu instead of just three.
  • They also offer a high dose shot that provides better protection for seniors.

Appointments are required. Please call to reserve your spot.
DATE Tuesday, September 16, 2014
TIME 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
PLACE St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church 440 Whitehall Road, Albany
RSVP Call NNORC at 514-2023 to schedule your appointment
FEE Flu shots are covered by Medicare and most insurance plans. Bring your Medicare Part B card and your prescription drug card. Questions about individual coverage can be answered by Price Chopper Pharmacists.
 

Question:
My parents are in their early 80s and thankfully they are physically healthy enough to live on their own without much assistance. Despite this, I am becoming increasingly concerned about my dad. A few months ago he caused a minor car accident. No one was hurt, but it really scared him. As a result he elected to give up driving, letting my mom take over. Even though he made this choice on his own, he has since been in a slump. He is less social with friends and family and he is not participating in his hobbies. (He used to be an avid reader.) My mom doesn’t really notice a difference in his behavior, but I am concerned that he is depressed. Isn’t depression common in older adults? At what point should I insist that he (they) get professional help?

Answer:
Everyone feels blue or sad now and then, but these feelings don’t usually last long and pass within a couple of days. When a person has depression, it interferes with daily life and normal functioning, and causes pain for both the person with depression and those who care about him or her. Doctors call this condition “depressive disorder,” or “clinical depression.”

Important life changes that happen as we get older may cause feelings of uneasiness, stress, and sadness. For instance, the death of a loved one, giving up the keys to the car, or dealing with a serious illness can leave older people feeling sad or anxious. After a period of adjustment, many older adults can regain their emotional balance, but others do not and may develop depression.
You are right that depression is a common problem among older adults, but it is NOT a normal part of aging. In fact, studies show that most older adults feel satisfied with their lives, despite having more physical ailments. However, when older adults do suffer from depression, it may be difficult to recognize, so it often goes unnoticed and untreated. Further, it is often overlooked because they may be less willing to talk about feelings of sadness or grief, or they may show different, less obvious symptoms, and doctors may be less likely to suspect or spot it.
There is a good chance that your father is grieving the loss of his freedom and independence, something that is very common after an older adult stops driving. Sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish grief from major depression. Grief after loss of a loved one or a significant life change is a normal reaction to the loss and generally does not require professional mental health treatment. However, grief that lasts for a very long time following a loss may require treatment.
Your best option is to compassionately express your concern to both of your parents. Be sure to approach them at a time when they are relaxed and therefore more receptive. If you have siblings, perhaps you enlist their support. They may be resistant at first, but often times a “trial run” may allay any fears. For example, you could suggest one appointment with a social worker or psychologist.  Describing that first appointment in a positive way will help break down barriers to resistance to getting help.
Having depression for a long period of time is not a normal part of growing older. But it is a common problem, and professional help may be needed. JFS clinicians have expertise in issues surrounding aging and caring for older adults. We are available for assessments as well as to provide short and long term treatment. We are here to help. Please call us if you have concerns about an aging parent: 518-482-8856.
 
 

NNORC is proud to be part of a new initiative designed to combat the diabetes epidemic in our country. A one-time session offered by Nancy Brennan-Jordan, Diabetes Nurse Educator, will provide important information and encourage open discussion in a relaxed, non-clinical setting. Strategies to prevent and tools to manage diabetes will be explored.
Did you know that….

  • 1.7 million New Yorkers have diabetes…enough to fill Yankee Stadium 27 times
  • 50% of adults have complications at the time of diagnosis
  • 79 million people in the US are at high risk for diabetes

Is this class for you?
Consider this…simply being 60 or older places you at high risk for developing diabetes. Other risk factors include: family history, race, being overweight, lack of exercise, high blood pressure/triglycerides/cholesterol, and giving birth to infants who weigh over 9 pounds.
There are few families whose lives are not touched by this condition. Please join us as we begin an ongoing campaign in the NNORC to give our residents an “edge” in the battle against diabetes.
Choice of two times and locations available:
Wednesday, August 20, 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
B’nai Sholom Reform Congregation
420 Whitehall Road, Albany
OR
Monday, August 25, 5:30–7:00 p.m.
First Congregational Church
405 Quail Street, Albany
RSVP: This class is free. Registration is requested: 514-2023.
 

During our May Community Council meeting, a number of you had expressed concern over the alarming degree to which seniors find themselves victims of fraud and scams. NNORC has responded by inviting The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York (LASNNY) to present Staying Safe:  Protecting Yourself from Common Scams and Fraud..
LASNNY Attorneys Anne-Marie Malak, Susan Grutza and Brittany Strier have put together an informational session on how to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of fraud. The presentation will cover a variety of common scams, how to spot them and tips for avoiding them. A general question and answer session will also be provided together with information regarding programs and assistance available to those who believe they have been a victim of a scam or fraud. Registration is required – please call.  Also, transportation will be made available to a limited number of attendees; please inquire when registering.
DATE: Thursday, July 31, 2014

TIME: 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.

PLACE: Bach Branch Library’s Community Room, 455 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY

RSVP: NNORC at 514-2023

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Join us as we take a day trip to the Lake George Dinner Theatre to see the highly acclaimed comedy, “Lake Effect.” This delightful comedy is about the Pazinskis, who gather in their family bar for an important meeting and find themselves trapped in a Lake Effect snow storm. With nowhere to go, they’re forced to grapple with a mixture of hilarious and heartfelt issues.
Now in its 47th season, The Lake George Dinner Theatre holds the distinction of being the most intimate, professional dinner theatre in the entire United States! Come and enjoy a delicious full-course meal served by friendly wait staff and a contemporary comedy in an intimate theatre, where no seat is more than 30 feet from the stage.
DATE: Tuesday, August 12
TIME: leave at 9:30 a.m. and return at approximately 5:00 pm
MEETING PLACE: St Sophia’s parking lot
RSVP REQUIRED: NNORC 514-2023
Space is limited. Call NNORC to reserve your seat and your lunch choice: Medallions  of Beef; Broiled Salmon; Chicken Marsala; or Vegetarian Lasagna. Cost: $69 Members, $74 non-members. The price includes transportation, lunch, desert, coffee and the play.

The good times from the David Kalish Book Signing will continue to roll into the dinner hour with NNORC Night. They will be serving up a summertime favorite, barbecue chicken, and we’ve no doubt that there will be a lot to chew over (no pun intended!) following the reading and discussion with David and Lale.
The suggested donation for dinner is $5.00. (Please note that dinner reservations are only accepted up until 9:30 a.m. that day, August 6.) Should you need transportation, Claire may be able to arrange it for you.  Hope to see you there for what promises to be one of the most popular NNORC “doubleheaders” of the year.
DATE: August 6, 2014 

TIME: 4:45 p.m.

PLACE: Albany JCC, 340 Whitehall Rd., Albany

RSVP: Please call Clair Sigal, JCC’s Director of Senior Programs at 438-6651.

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