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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

“Let food be thy medicine,” said Hippocrates thousands of years ago. And, just like a lot of ancient wisdom, it still holds true today.
When it comes to aches and pains, specifically the kind that affects the joints, it’s well worth taking a look at how diet might impact how much discomfort we deal with each day.
Arthritis affects millions.  Sometimes it involves the whole body as a systemic illness. For others it comes with the wear and tear of life and aging. Whether it’s rheumatoid arthritis or the more localized osteoarthritis variety, this condition can be life altering. Stiffness slows you down, ordinary tasks become a challenge, and the pain takes the joy out of life.
Managing arthritis might mean taking medication and modifying your lifestyle, but why not start at the beginning with our daily diets.
So here are two lists:  foods to include, and those you might want to limit, as well as their specific links to joint pain and discomfort.  As with any change in lifestyle, it’s a good idea to discuss your plan with your healthcare provider.

Try Including (Increasing) These:

OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS – decrease inflammation in arthritic joints. The best sources are salmon, sardines, tuna, trout, herring, mackerel, walnuts, almonds and flaxseed. There was study done close to home at Albany Medical College that showed that intake of Omega 3s significantly decreased the tenderness of inflamed joints.
OLIVE OIL – Contains polyphenol, an antioxidant that protects the body against inflammation. Use it in cooking instead of butter or other vegetable oils. Use it as a base for a fresh dressing for salads and cooked veggies.
FOCUS ON FRUITS – Pineapple contains bromelain, which reduces the swelling of inflammation. Other helpful fruits are grapes (particularly the skins), apples, and fruits rich in Vitamin C, such as berries, peaches, mango, kiwi, oranges and cantaloupe. Vitamin C also helps heal damaged cartilage in arthritic joints.
MORE VEGGIES – High intake of beta-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, lutein, lycopene and beta-carotene correlate with lower incidence of certain types of arthritis. Find these in foods like: red bell peppers, cilantro, and corn. Add lots of greens and a few sweet potatoes.
SPICE IT UP! – Tumeric, the spice used in curry dishes, contains the powerful anti-inflammatory curcumin, which suppresses the enzymes responsible for inflammation in the body. Ginger also reduces joint tenderness and pain.

Try Limiting (or Avoiding) These:

MEATS – Although meat can provide valuable iron, B-vitamins, protein and zinc, a diet high in animal products is also high in saturated fats and Omega 6 fatty acids which are pro-inflammatory.
NIGHTSHADE VEGETABLES – Some folks are very sensitive to the effects of the nightshades: white potatoes, eggplant, peppers and tomatoes. Although there doesn’t appear to be a ton of research on this, you might want to notice if eating these foods increases your pain, swelling and inflammation, and then decide to limit how much you eat.
PROCESSED FOODS – A diet high in refined grains, sugar, and empty calories does very little to build good health, and contributes to excess weight gain. Since the joints act as supports for the body, asking them to carry around extra pounds every day won’t make them happy.  Even five extra pounds can make a big difference in comfort for arthritic knees.
With any nutritional plan, self-awareness is key. Try to notice which foods seem to have a beneficial effect on how you feel physically and energetically.  Eat more of those things that “agree” with you, and less of those that seem to make things worse.
A balanced diet, low in processed foods, and high in fruits and vegetables is a good health practice. When the body is already stressed with a chronic condition like arthritis, choosing the right food is essential.
 

It’s hard to believe JFS has been helping families in the Capital Region for 160 years. That makes JFS older than the car (1920), but younger than the steam engine (1698). We are slightly older than the telephone (1876) and way older than the frisbee (1948).
Imagine our founding volunteers going to a home visit on a horse, or how far families had to walk to get the services they needed. Transportation and communication have come a long way, but many of our services have remained the same. JFS social workers visit with seniors in their homes every day and families come to our offices for professional guidance. At the core of our services, and something that has endured for 160 years, is that we are guided by the Jewish tradition of repairing the world.
We’ve come a long way and were are scheduling celebratory events. Stay tuned!
Look how far we’ve come…
1854
A small group of volunteers worked together to help new immigrants and their families who came to Albany from Europe.
1875
JFS created a home for the aged and infirm, which was later expanded to care for orphaned children.
1900
Social services were developed and volunteers were replaced with professional staff.
1937
JFS helped German refugees, placed children in foster care, helped families search for relatives, and provided a range of resettlement services including housing, employment, healthcare and citizenship.
1948
JFS expanded its capacity by providing employment and financial counseling services.
1965
JFS continued to assist new Americans with financial help, food, household goods, and furniture.
1974
JFS integrated services to the wider community, instituting programs at Daughters of Sarah, local high schools, SUNY and other groups with critical needs.
1987
Serving the elderly was in the forefront as JFS initiated  support programs at the Ohav Shalom Apartments.
1993
Services to the Jewish community were expanded to include JCCs, day schools, and bereavement counseling.
2000-Today
JFS launched the Supervised Visitation program, which has tripled in size. Services to seniors remain a priority as JFS is the lead agency in caring for seniors in the NNORC (Neighborhood Naturally Occurring Retirement Community). Counseling, both in-home and at JFS remains a primary service for the community.