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Get Hope and Encouragement with Loss

Coping with the death of a loved one is often a painful and traumatic experience. Participating in a bereavement group allows those who have experienced a loss can give people the emotional connection with others who have experienced a similar loss.
This six-week support group will give participants an opportunity to share the myriad facets of grief, learn coping strategies to help them better understand their reactions and feelings, and move through their grief with the support and encouragement of others.
Haven is a non-denominational support program that honors and respects all spiritual beliefs. The group is open to anyone who has experienced the death of someone they love, whether the deceased was a parent, child, relative or friend.
Pre-registration is required and participants are encouraged attend all six sessions to maximize their experience and healing.
DATES Mondays, April 28, May 5, 12, 19*, June 2, 9
TIME 6:00 – 7:15 p.m.
PLACE Jewish Family Services, 877 Madison Ave., Albany
REGISTRATION 518-370-1666 or email 
FEE $15 per session, payable each time or in advance
* No session on Memorial Day, May 26

Do You Want to …

  • Make better food choices?
  • Incorporate regular physical activity into your life?
  • Manage stress in a positive way?
  • Communicate effectively with your healthcare team?
  • …and much more?

NNORC Nurses, Judi England and Pat Gumson, are once again pleased to offer this outstanding, evidence-based wellness program in our
community. With important information and lively group discussion, LIVING HEALTHY will give you important tools to use to build a healthier life— day after day!
This workshop series was created by Stanford University and is offered FREE OF CHARGE. Each participant receives a valuable reference book and relaxation CD. Sessions include a healthy snack break as well.
DATES: April 30, May 7, 14, 21, 28, June 11
TIME: 1:30 – 4:00 p.m.
LOCATION: First Congregational Church, 405 Quail St., Albany, NY
RSVP: Registration is required:  514-2023.
 

JFS is pleased to present the Golub Family with the 2014 Anschel Weiss Community Builders Award. They will be honored at our 160th Anniversary Celebration on Thursday, May 22, 2014 at miSci in Schenectady.

JFS and the Golub Family (Neil & Jane, Jerel & Geraldine, David & Andrea and Mona & Marie) share the same long-standing tradition of supporting Capital Region families. Their generous support of not-for-profit organizations embodies the spirit of this award—Serving Humanity with Humility.

“Going back to the days of our grandfather, pre-1930, there was always a strong incentive to help others and do for the less fortunate,” said Neil Golub. And giving back is in their DNA. “Helping the community is instinctive and often the result of organizations reaching out for assistance. Sharing with the community, whether corporate or personal, or giving time and effort has always been part of our makeup,” added Golub.

The Golubs are also supporters of miSci in Schenectady, and holding this year’s celebration at that venue is a perfect and unique setting for connecting with friends and colleagues, enjoying an array of delicious food and supporting the vital services JFS provides for individuals and families in the community.
“We are honored that the Golubs are celebrating our rich heritage of helping those in need,” said JFS Executive Director Christine Holle. “It seems natural to honor a family that whose legacy is about giving, especially at this time in the agency’s history.”
To become a corporate sponsorship, join the honorary committee or purchase tickets, please call JFS at 518-482-8856. Tickets can be purchased online beginning in April at jfsneny.org.

Do you need help preparing your taxes? Do you want to maximize your return? Is there a change in your status that will make filing taxes different this year?
Each Tuesday during the tax season, the NNORC WILL be helping seniors prepare their tax returns.
DATES: Now through April 15, 2014
TIME: Daytime appointments available
LOCATION: St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church at 440 Whitehall Road, Albany
RSVP: Call to schedule your appointment (518) 514-2023
COST: Free
 

The fastest-growing segment of the American population consists of individuals aged 60 and older. In 1994, one out of every eight individuals in our country was over 65 years old. By the year 2020 it is estimated that one out of every six people will be over 65 years old.  Just because you have 65 candles on your cake, it doesn’t mean that diabetes is inevitable.
Join us for lunch when Dr. Mark Fruiterman talks about “Living Empowered with Diabetes.”
DATE: Thursday, February 20, 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

Question

I’m worried about my mother. My Dad died three months ago and since then her emotions have been a rollercoaster. Some days she cries and can barely get out of bed and other days she tells stories about my dad that have my brother and me in stitches. It’s the down days that have me most concerned. I often wonder if she is really depressed. How can I tell the difference between normal grief and something more serious like depression?

Answer

Losing someone you love is very painful. And the more significant the loss, the more intense the grief will be. People experience all kinds of difficult emotions and it may seem like the pain and sadness will never go away. It’s normal to feel this way, but there are ways to tell whether or not a person is coping with the loss or if they are getting stuck, and potentially depressed.
Grieving is a highly personal and individualized experience and there is no “normal” timetable for healing. Since your father died three months ago, the fact that your mother is still grieving is quite typical.
What is normal about losing a loved one is that the person will feel a variety of emotions, and they will have a mix of good days and bad days. Grief can make a person feel sad, guilty, anxious and fearful. It can also include physical symptoms like nausea, insomnia and weight gain or loss.
In addition, when people are grieving, they can have moments of pleasure or happiness. You mentioned that your mother will tell funny stories about your dad. Reminiscing about a loved one after they have passed helps your mother maintain a connection to your father, and solidifies in her mind the meaning of their relationship. Both are a natural part of the healing process.
Grief can be a rollercoaster and this is what distinguishes it from depression. If your mother is constantly feeling empty and full of despair, overcome with pervasive guilt, or can’t function at home or work, it is an indication of something more serious and it may be time to talk to a mental health professional. However, if her mood vacillates between sadness and an ability to perform normal daily activities, she is likely experiencing the typical ups and downs of grief. Support her, and enjoy her stories about your dad. They will likely help you with your grief as well.

A special program slated for Alumni Groups in February:
The members and friends of the Living Healthy and Meditation Alumni Groups will combine for a special offering by NNORC Senior Health Education Coordinator, Judi England, RN.
Looking for a way to bring more pleasure to something you do every day—usually three times a day?  Join us for an opportunity to learn and practice Conscious Eating.
Conscious or Mindful eating is a shift in perspective, one that has nothing to do with counting carbs or calories. As a practice, it is a tool to experiment with, play with and learn from, and it can be part of an overall lifestyle that seeks to make us more awake, aware and in touch with “what really is”.
In this program we will investigate beliefs we hold about food and eating, explore how stress impacts eating and practice some techniques to bring greater satisfaction and joy to mealtimes.
DATE: Monday, February 3, 2014
TIME: 1:00- 3:00 p.m.
PLACE: B’Nai Sholom Reform Congregation, 420 Whitehall Rd.,
Albany
COST: Free
RSVP: Recommended 514-2023
 

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

Ah the holidays…a time for family, friend, fun…and, of course, food. Lots of Food.  Every goodie from turkey with all the trimmings, to Latkes, and Grandma’s special cookies.  Nowhere is family tradition more evident than in the goodies that fill our holiday tables.
So, how’s a health-conscious person to handle all these culinary land-mines?  How do you truly enjoy the culinary offerings of the season without feeling deprived, or do you dig in and just pay the price of extra pounds and sagging energy come January 1st.
Here are some simple tips adapted from nutrition blogger, Nicci Micco, who posts on a website entitled “www.eatingwell.com.”
CHALLENGE: Hard-to-resist homemade treats
STRATEGY: Make room in your diet for some small goodie by paring down calories and carbs ahead of time. Also, try not to keep a supply of temptations in your home.

CHALLENGE: A decadent buffet spread at your friend’s holiday party
STRATEGY: Don’t graze. Mindless picking can easily add up to a meal’s worth—or more—of calories.  Rather, plan to eat one of your three daily meals at the party. Inspect the offerings first before loading up. First trip should be for vegetables and salad. If you don’t think this will be available, how about offering to bring one to share!
CHALLENGE: Eating out all the time
STRATEGY: Plan your eating. If you don’t think about dinner until dinnertime, you’re likely to eat out or bring take-out home. Typically these choices have more calories, carbs, sugar, fat and salt than homemade meals. Keep healthy staples on hand to make a quick dinner such as canned beans and tuna, whole-wheat pasta, couscous, frozen vegetables and shrimp. Going to be out all day? Get that Slow Cooker going for something delish when you get home hungry and too tired to cook.

CHALLENGE: Reaching for sugary, caffeinated drinks when you need a boost
STRATEGY: Those special coffee drinks can add up to hundreds of extra calories—especially if you add that whipped cream on top. Choose skim milk in your beverages and skip the added sugar and syrups. The skim milk is also good source of dairy. If you notice you’re relying on caffeine for the jolt you need to get through the day, try taking a nap instead, and pacing your activity.

CHALLENGE: Forgotten calories
STRATEGY: Oh how easy it is to become mindless when we eat, especially if we are out with a group and enjoying fun and lively conversation.  You may want to consider keeping a food diary—writing down (honestly) everything that you eat. This is a bit of an effort, but it yields big results in building mindfulness about what and how much we eat.
Wishing you a happy, healthy, tasty holiday season!
 

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.
 

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