News

On January 19, 2014, New York’s Observation Status Law went into effect requiring all hospitals to inform patients who are assigned to observation status that they are not admitted to the hospital, but are under observation status. Verbal and written notification is required within 24 hours of assignment to observation status.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

Your hospital status (whether the hospital considers you “inpatient,” as when you’re admitted or “outpatient,” as when you’re placed on observation) affects how much you pay out-of-pocket for hospital services like x-rays, drugs and lab tests.  It may also affect whether Medicare will cover the care you get in a skilled nursing facility. As the law stands right now, Medicare will only cover the cost for rehabilitation care at a SNF for those hospital patients who have actually been admitted for 3 days, and observation status days do not count.

How can you prepare and protect yourself in the event of a hospital stay?

• If you have a planned, non-emergent hospital visit, be sure to understand your diagnosis and prognosis, ask if there will be follow-up care and if that care is likely to occur at a skilled nursing facility.
• If you are placed on “observation status” and have concerns, speak to your primary care physician and/or the hospital’s patient advocate.  Also contact Medicare (and any other insurance plan you may have) to see how observation status may affect your coverage.
• Always be sure to convey (or prepare your health care proxy to do so) the history and complexity of your health condition to the medical staff upon arriving at the hospital.
• Be sure to inquire about your status each day throughout your hospital stay, as it can change.

More questions?

The StateWide Senior Action Council operates the Patients Rights Helpline ((800) 333-4374) to help inform people about their hospital rights. The hotline can explain the options and ramifications for patients classified as “observational.”  More information is also available at http://www.nysenior.org
 

You requested it…and we’re making it happen!  Come and join us for a two-part program “Introduction to Meditation”.
Meditation has been shown to reduce stress, bolster creativity, and enhance our level of overall satisfaction with life. Come and learn about the techniques and benefits of this ancient practice. In this class we will:

•  Learn how meditation can help reverse the damaging effects of stress
• Explore several different meditation techniques to find one that will work for us
• Identify potential challenges and obstacles to forming a regular home meditation practice
• Enjoy the support of sharing practice opportunities with a group

All are welcome to attend this program—whether you are brand new to the practice, or experienced in meditation. Though it is not required, it’s highly recommended that you attend BOTH SESSIONS.
Instructor: Judi England, RN – Kripalu Certified Yoga Instructor with over 20 years experience leading yoga and meditation classes. Because her own life has benefited so greatly from these practices, she is delighted to share them with you!
DATES: Monday, July 7 and Monday, August 4, 2014
TIME: 1:00–3:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Congregation B’Nai Shalom420 Whitehall Road, Albany, NY
RSVP: For more information, and to register call 518-514-2023.
FEE: Free
 

On Thursday, May 22, 2014, JFS commemorated a 160-year tradition of giving back to the community by honoring the Golub Family, who also embody the spirit of supporting others. Nearly 140 people gathered at miSci in Schenectady to celebrate the agency’s rich heritage and to honor the Golubs (Neil & Jane; Jerel & Geraldine; Andrea & Mona; and David & Andrea), who received the Anschel Weiss Community Builders Award.
Hosting the event at miSci created a unique, cocktail party style setting, which allowed professional and personal friends of JFS and the Golubs to mingle, enjoy delicious food (Saati Deli & Catering) and listen to a lively jazz trio (A3).
The event raised $57,000, which will directly benefit individuals and families in the Capital Region who might otherwise not have been able to receive needed services. Through the generosity of sponsors, JFS will be able to provide a range of services including: nearly 200 supervised visits to parents and children who have been separated due to divorce, substance use or trauma; 50 individual or family counseling sessions; 75 crisis intervention visits; 80 in-home counseling sessions for the elderly and disabled; 35 psycho-educational groups; and 50 home visits to the elderly to assess for safety and provide support.
JFS is grateful to the many corporate and individual sponsors including:
PLATINUM
Charles Freihofer Baking Company
GOLD
Neil & Jane Golub
MVP Healthcare
Nigro Companies
Price Chopper’s Golub Foundation
Schulyer Companies
SILVER
Albany ENT & Allergy Services
Albany Medical Center
Avila
BAST Hatfield Construction
BEM Sales & Marketing
CDTA
Capital District YMCA
Fact Finders
Fenimore Asset Management/FAM Funds
Karen & Jerry Hausler
JOH
miSci
NBT Bank
Omni Development
SEFCU
Law Offices of Bruce S. Trachtenberg
Wilson,Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman & Dicker

Join the Roman Catholic Diocese Commission on Aging for their 2014 Aging and Spirituality Day presentation, “The Symphony in the Storm.” Speakers Sister Anne Bryan Smollin, Rabbi Monte Sugarman, Dr. Dennis Rassias, and Dr. Chame’ Blackburn will lead a discussion on the delicate connection of finding God’s presence in the storm.
A number of medical and health representatives, along with many community-based organizations, will be on hand. Doors open at 12:30 and the program begins at 2:00 p.m. Lunch will be served.
We look forward to seeing you there!
DATE: Thursday, June 12, 2014
TIME: 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
PLACE: St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church, 440 Whitehall Road, Albany, NY
FEE:  This event is free and open to the public.
RSVP:  Reservations are required and can be made by calling NNORC at 514-2023.

If you missed the May 5^th program on “Stress Management with Mindfulness” here are seven techniques/suggestions for incorporating the practice in your daily life:
1)  TAKE CARE OF THE BASICS – Try to remember to eat well, balance exercise with rest, and get sufficient sleep at night. It’s hard to be mindful if you body doesn’t feel well.
2)  GET OUT OF YOUR HEAD! – Engage in activities that ground you get you back “in the body.” For example: Get out in nature, play with pets, enjoy a meal, dance, sing, listen to music, etc. Simple physical distraction can often help break a cycle of thinking about stressful events.
3)  SHIFT YOUR FOCUS – Direct your attention to the needs of others through volunteer work, friendly visiting or even just a phone call to a shut in.
4)  PAY ATTENTION – Practice a technique to hone your ability to focus – meditation, yoga, tai chi, fly fishing, mindful eating, conscious communication, etc. Even just sitting still and watching the birds with full attention can help.
5)  DO ONE THING AT A TIME – Multi-tasking doesn’t make us more productive – only more stressed.  We may appear to be accomplishing more, but in fact, our brain can only really attend to one thing at a time.
6)  EMBRACE IMPERMANENCE – Nothing lasts—good or bad —forever—even though you think it might. If you are feeling stressed about something ask yourself “How important will this really be—in an hour, in a day, in a month, in a year?”
7)  REMEMBER TO BREATHE! – Give yourself permission to take a few deep, relaxed breaths when the pressure builds up. It makes all the difference in the world!
With mindfulness we can fully inhabit the present moment and see life as it really is—not how we fear or worry it might be. It allows us to ride the ups and down that are a natural part of all our lives.