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| SCS WELCOMES INDIA HOME |
Last Spring, Sunnyside Community Services celebrated the festival of Holi with a whirlwind of color, thanks to an intricate and energetic performance by the beautiful ladies of India Home. The music and dance capped a program held at SCS to announce the inauguration of India Home at SCS.
According to Judy Zangwill, executive director of Sunnyside Community Services, opening their doors to the group was a no-brainer. “We pride ourselves on our diversity at SCS, and welcome the opportunity to introduce different cultures to our members. We are excited and absolutely thrilled about this partnership, and eager to see it grow. Please consider SCS your second home.”
There is a growing need for programs that cater to the social, psychological, recreational and spiritual needs of the elder Indian population in a culturally sensitive manner. According to the last U. S. Census in 1990, the Indian population in New York City jumped by 118 percent, from 94,590 to 206,228, and the population of Indian adults over the age of 65 years has continued increasing dramatically. But few programs exist to serve this population.
India Home was founded by Dr.Vasundhara Kalasapudi to fill this void.
“The senior center is the initial step in the larger continuum of care for seniors. In particular, Indian senior citizens need a
place where they can gather and socialize, and that will let them stay connected to their Indian roots while experiencing and sharing with other cultures,” said Dr. Kalasapudi.
“We are very happy to be here at Sunnyside Community Services, and so pleased to be able to welcome our members to this beautiful new space.”
SCS will host India Home every Monday. Activities include yoga and meditation; lectures, discussions and bhajans; arts,
crafts and discussion groups; medical,
social and legal services; English and citizenship classes; as well as music,
movies,
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Judy Zangwill, executive director of Sunnyside Community Services, welcomes Dr.Vasundhara Kalasapudi, founder of India Home, to SCS
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Members of India Home celebrate the inauguration of the program at SCS |
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festivals, celebrations, and day trips to areas of interest. India Home meets at SNAP (Services Now for Older People) in Queens Village on Wednesdays,the Kerala Center in Elmont on Thursdays, and at Sai Mandir in Baldwin on Fridays. Thanks to the donation of a 14-seat minibus to India Home by Dr. Leena Doshi (Doshi Family Foundation), transportation is available for members.
India Home Inc. is a not for profit organization committed to provide services for seniors and people with special needs in a culturally sensitive environment. Their goal is to provide quality care by adding life to the years, and achieve this goal by collaborating with other not for profit organizations, individuals, health care professionals and government organizations. For more information, visit the web site at www.indiahome.org, call (917) 288-7600, or email indiahomeusa@gmail.com |
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| SUNDAY LUNCH PROGRAM |
SCS' Center for Active Older Adults is now serving lunch on alternate Sundays! Due to popular demand, the Center, open on Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., now offers a nutritious hot meal from noon to 1 p.m. in addition to regular weekday service. Come enjoy good food and good conversation, then stay for a lively Bingo game immediately following from 1 to 3:30 p.m.
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| CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP |
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Providing care for a frail, elderly, or disabled parent or family member can be a deeply rewarding experience that brings people closer, deepens bonds, and creates opportunities to improve and build relationships. Sometimes, however, the physical, emotional, and psychological challenges of providing such care take their toll on the caregiver through increased potential for depression and anxiety, resulting in negative impact on the caregiver’s own health and relationships.
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SCS is offering a free caregivers support group for individuals who may be feeling depressed, anxious, or overwhelmed by their responsibilities. Led by Joanne Lehman, LCSW, coordinator of SCS’ Geriatric Mental Health Initiative, the group will meet one evening a week starting in October. Interested participants must attend a preliminary interview with Ms. Lehman before joining the group. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 784-6173, ext. 431 (TDD/TTY (800) 662-1220).
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| SCS OFFERS FREE JOB TRAINING |
SCS' licensed home care agency, Sunnyside Citywide Home Care Services, Inc. (SCHCS) announced this week that it is offering free training to individuals interested in becoming home health aides. SCHCS will offer immediate job placement upon successful completion of the training program. For program information, please call (718) 784 6160 (TDD/TTY (800) 662-1220).
“If you made a New Year’s resolution to get a rewarding job with great benefits, which include flexible schedules, competitive wages, weekend differentials, paid in-service educational training, as well as group health insurance, vacation, holiday, and sick pay, then you should definitely give us a call,” said Melissa Vitale, director of human resources. “We are always on the lookout for candidates.” Home health aides (HHA’s) enable elderly or otherwise homebound individuals to live at home rather than be placed in an institutional facility. At the direction of nursing or medical staff, HHA’s may provide health-related services such as administering oral medications, checking the client’s pulse and respiration, assisting with simple physical therapy exercises, and changing nonsterile dressings. Home health aides also perform household tasks and duties that some clients cannot do, such as laundry, grocery shopping, preparing meals, personal hygiene, and escorting clients to their doctors and other appointments.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of home health aides is projected to grow much faster than average through the year 2014 as the “baby boomer” population ages. At the same time, the health care industry continues transferring patients out of hospitals and care facilities as quickly as possible. Moreover, it is becoming recognized that a patient’s quality of life is improved by staying in familiar environments rather than institutions. This means that home care jobs will remain in very high demand. SCS, Sunnyside Citywide Home Care Services, and Sunnyside Home Care Project, employ more than 100 in-house staff, and 2,000 field staff including home care. |
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