News

Hospitals, too, face a whole new world as a result of the changing healthcare law and procedures. Many people ask, “Can I still just go to the ER?” Who pays for what? What takes so long to be seen?
We have invited Dr. Dan Pauze of the Albany Medical Center Emergency Group to visit with NNORC residents and talk about how to negotiate a hospital emergency room. The program will begin at noon with a light lunch. Dr. Dan will be on hand to answer all of your questions.
DATE: Thursday, January 30, 2014
TIME: 12:00 p.m.
PLACE: St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church, 440 Whitehall Rd., Albany
COST: The cost for lunch will be $3.00 for members and $5.00 for non-members.
RSVP: 518-514-2023

This centuries-old system of gentle stretching, focused breathing and deep relaxation helps to build health in body, mind and spirit.  Sign up for a six-week class and gain the tools for greater flexibility, balance and strength. Classes are led by Judi England, RN, NNORC Nurse and Senior Health Educator. Kripalu Yoga Certified Instructor with over 20 years teaching experience.
DATES: Tuesday, December 17, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
PLACE: St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church. 440 Whitehall Road, Albany, NY
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED: 514-2023
Participants should be able to get up and down from the floor unassisted. Please bring a yoga mat, and small pillow.
Wear clothing comfortable for movement and bring a water bottle.
 

What is Old? Nothing stays the same. Seasons come and go. We get sick, and we heal. We gain and we lose—money, weight, friends, jobs. And we age.
As many different people as I’ve seen in my life, I’m always amazed at how differently folks age. Some are old at 40, other vibrant and fully alive well into their 90s.
But for most people, the concerns around aging center on a desire to be able to lead a life that’s active and engaged and free from major disability. Our ability to be independent and functional means more than just the years—quality and not just quantity.
There was an interesting article that looked at the issue of “frailty” and explored how five simple questions can determine if, in fact, we are “frail”.  We can pose these questions to ourselves or encourage health care providers to use them as a quick screening tool for patients of a certain age who might be risk—regardless of their outward appearance, or absence of major complaints.
“Frailty is extraordinarily common, affecting between 5 and 10 percent of those who are older than 70. Women are more likely to be frail than men,” said John Morley, M.D., director of the division of geriatric medicine at Saint Louis University and lead author of the article that appears in the June, 2013 issue of Journal of the American Medical Directors Association.
Being frail doesn’t necessarily equate with disability. But frailty can become a disability in the face of something as common as a fall or a case of the flu. Those who are truly frail are living at the limits of their internal resources, and it may only take one more demand to upset the balance between wellness and catastrophe.
Here are the questions based on the word F.R.A.I.L.:
Fatigue:  Are you tired?
Resistance: Do you have difficulty walking up a flight of stairs?
Aerobic:  Are you unable to walk at least one block?
Illness:  Do you have more than five illnesses?
Loss of Weight:  Have you lost more than 5% of your weight in the past six months?
Answer “YES” to three of more of those questions, and it’s time to seek the help of a healthcare provider to investigate further and hopefully identify the root cause. And, finding that cause is the key to treatment, which can help reverse the negative effects.
Here are some possible interventions:

1. Exercise—Good for what ails you in so many ways.  Certainly strength and endurance will improve with regular exercise, but it can also help lessen the incidence of and fear of falling, and lift depression as well.
2. Nutritional Intervention and Supplements—Perhaps extra protein to build strength and muscle mass. Consider calorie-dense supplements to offset the weight loss that comes with poor appetite, and extra Vitamin D to build bones and improve muscle function
3. Reducing Inappropriate Medications—Polypharmacy (taking five or more medications) can create problems with drug interactions, and excessive side effects. Often “less is more” when it comes to medications. It’s helpful to have a qualified medical provider look at ALL medications someone is taking from time to time.

So there you have it—five simple questions that can mean the difference between thriving and just surviving. Wishing you all a long, and healthy life and plenty of opportunities to have some fun in the process!
 

The seniors are heading south to Kingston’s historic Rondout waterfront for lunch at the Mariner’s Harbor followed by a cruise on the Rip Van Winkle.
Mariner’s is located in the former Daily Freeman building and it is known as having the “finest seafood in the Hudson Valley.”   Following lunch we will board the Rip Van Winkle for a fall foliage cruise enjoying the breathtaking colors of autumn and exploring the personalities of the Hudson River. Foliage, good food and friends, lighthouse and mansions—so what could be bad?
Lunch choices are Grilled Tilapia, Prime Rib or Chicken. We will depart St. Sophia’s at 11:00 a.m. arriving in time for lunch at noon.  Our cruise will depart at 2:30 and we expect to head home by 4:30.  It should be a spectacular day and a great way to jump into fall.
DATES: Tuesday, October 15, 2013
FEE: $59 for NNORC members and $62 for non-members
TIME: 11:00 am departure from St. Sophia’s; return at approximately 4:30 pm
PLACE: Depart from St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church, 440 Whitehall Road, Albany
RSVP: 514-2023

If you have Medicare, ASK!  You may stay in the hospital overnight, wear a hospital bracelet and even be decked out in a fancy hospital gown, but your hospital status could be “OBSERVATION.”  That makes you an outpatient.  Your hospital status (whether the hospital considers you an “inpatient” or “outpatient”) affects how much you pay for hospital services like x-rays, drugs and lab tests and may affect whether Medicare will cover the care you get in a skilled nursing
facility.
Observation services are hospital outpatient services given to help the doctor decide if the patient needs to be admitted as an inpatient or can be discharged.  Observation services may be given in the Emergency Department or another area of the
hospital.
The NNORC has received several complaints from residents who “thought” they were admitted to the hospital only to find out weeks later when they receive an astronomical bill from the hospital that their stay was not covered.  The NNORC is grateful to StateWide Senior Action Council for their help with these
residents.
Where can I get more help?

• If you need help understanding your hospital status, speak to your doctor or someone from the hospital’s utilization or discharge planning department.
• For info on Medicare Part A and Part B coverage, read your “Medicare and You” handbook or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
• To ask questions or report complaints about the quality of a Medicare-covered service, call your Quality Improvement Organization. Call 1-800-MEDICARE to get the phone number. You can also visit www.medicare.gov/contacts