Folks, let us learn from our OFWs on how they help and treat the elderly in the United States, how they prepare them to enjoy the golden years, and how they show that even though advance years, they can still enjoy their rights to a decent and humane life. Notes by Ludy Resurreccion, former English Professor from Maryknoll College in the Philippines:
How Would You Prepare and Enjoy the Golden Years?
Philippine Community Center Services for Aging has a full-range of attractive and innovative options, according to Director Ma. Consuelo Almonte.
We envision Aging Seniors or Elderly Immigrants, who are educated and trained advocates, to access culturally sensitive & competent health-care services or therapies; fair housing practices; technological literacy; and financial independence.
We are seeing immensely Creative, Innovative, and Vibrant Seniors and Elderly Persons, utilizing their experience and hard-earned skills to mentor young people and activate intergenerational dialogues which inspire and motivate the next generation to create their own legacies.
We see these engaged Seniors and Elderly persons building strength for themselves, their families and communities, through Art, Dance, Theater, Literature, and many other expressive cultural forms.
We see active Seniors reach out to invisible aging or Elderly Immigrants seriously challenged by chronic illness, loneliness, isolation, or separation from close family, and by lack of information on access to government benefits. and engage them in self-empowering health & wellness practices.
We support Active Seniors who are opening their own private homes (or houses) to provide Living Spaces for fixed income Seniors, or Interactive Spaces for dialogues where Elderly Immigrants and Younger Immigrants interact, recall, and document their family and social histories living in Queens and other boroughs of New York City.
We encourage Seniors to expand their range of choices & strengthen support networks that help them navigate resources to address their health, housing, psycho-social, financial, or legal/immigration needs and issues.
We all look forward to our productive, beautiful and healthy Golden Years!
Ludy Resurreccion
Program Director, The Nursing Office
" A Day in the Life of a Gerontological Nurse" by Myrna D. Santos, RN
Mission:
To promote, celebrate and salute the elderly, and provide products and services to influence a change in culture to prepare and enjoy the golden years through a carefully designed program by and for seniors.
Vision:
Aging should not be a challenge.
Philosophy:
Aging is not loneliness and giving up. It is a continuing life of fun, diversity and spin. One must seek it.
Q: What is the Board all about?
A: The Board is the governing body of The Philippine Community Center Services for Aging
Q: What are the duties and responsibilities of the Board?
A: The duties of the board (Board Governance) will be designed by the board members themselves. Through business, leadership and management skills, we will start our organization, put up our bylaws, rules, policies and procedures, so that we will thrive as a successful organization both for services and financial sustainability. We will put up the basics for our projects, so that it can be implemented by our employees, or partners.
Q: What does it take to become a Board member?
A: We will be our greatest assets. Our willingness to give back and make a difference and influence the future of our aging communities will keep us together in this mission and vision.
VISION-MISSION:
Aging seniors or Elderly Immigrants who are educated and trained
To advocate for their rights to:
1. Culturally Sensitive/Congruent & Competent Health-care services or therapies
2. Fair housing practices
3. Technological literacy
4. Financial independence
Who are nurtured and honed in Senior-friendly spaces/environments with family, friends, and the general community of Richmond Hill and its surrounding neighborhoods.
Aging Seniors or Elderly Immigrants empowered to support other Immigrant Seniors in the community with similar situations, issues or challenges in their pursuit of optimum health and well-being as well as meaning and purpose in life.
GOALS:
To reach out to invisible Aging Seniors or Elderly Immigrants living in our community who are seriously challenged by chronic illness, loneliness, isolation/separation from close family, and lack of information on access to government benefits, by addressing unmet needs and encouraging active participation in TNO Community Center's community activities for the Richmond Hill neighborhoods.
To provide Space for Intergenerational Dialogue where Elderly Immigrants and Younger Immigrants interact, recall, and document their family and social histories living in Queens, New York.
To encourage Seniors to expand their range of choices & strengthen support networks that help them address their health, housing, psycho-social, financial, or legal/immigration issues (See www.thenursingoffice.com)
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
I. Case Management Program
A. Establish Case Management Protocol for technical, legal, financial, health, housing, etc., challenges of Aging Senior citizens and Elderly Immigrants, regardless of race, gender, color, religion, or ethnicity.
B. Draw up Support network, contacts, resource, & point person to meet the specific challenge of the aging Senior citizen and/or Elderly Immigrant.
C. Implement Plan of action to address urgent and/or pending issue of Elderly Immigrants and secure a Safe Space to protect confidentiality.
D. Execute timely, appropriate Documentation (paper, electronic, etc.) and Reference files on each Immigrant Senior’s case.
E. Resolve urgent issues with the least harm, at the least cost to the aging Senior citizen and/or Elderly Immigrant person.
II. Intergenerational Dialogue Program
F. Connect with Younger Immigrant groups to write, document via various media, their dialogue on family & social histories, by mentoring the youth and/or learning from them how life challenges were overcome.
III. Education, Training, and Advocacy Program
G. Conduct Education/literacy, Work Skills-training, and Advocacy-training classes necessary to upgrade aging Seniors’ learning & awareness on self- care, health care services, fair housing, financial and legal issues, such as, living will, estate planning, property management, pensions & benefits, such as Medicare/Medicaid, social security, taxes & retirement issues (both here or abroad).
H. Conduct and hold affordable Classes in Health Care-Giving in order to develop basic skills in self-care and home care-giving among the Elderly Immigrants and their family members.
I. Connect with Diabetes Health & Wellness Academy for healthy nutrition and diabetes prevention classes.
IV. Employment Referral & Placement Program
J. Connect skilled, trained, and experienced Home Care-Givers with health care agencies that provide FT or PT employment for willing, able, and healthy Elderly Immigrant Seniors.
V. Extended Arts Program
K. Provide spaces for Creative, Interactive, and Socializing activities that are Senior and Elderly Immigrant-friendly in the Community Center.
L. Conduct Visual arts, Performing arts, or Literary arts Workshops for elderly and aging Seniors as well as younger family members, to encourage individual and group collaborations that nourish and enhance their artistic/literary expressions and skills.
M. Connect with neighboring Senior centers (i.e., Hillcrest Senior Center, Alpha Phi Alpha Senior Center, Jamaica Library, etc.), arts and culture centers, and schools to collaborate on art/cultural exhibits and other activities, such as, Once Upon a Time, Inc. at 87-61 111th St., Richmond Hill, NY 11418; PS 90 Horace Mann School: Boys and Girls Club, Sikh Cultural Society, etc.
VI. Health and Wellness Program
To promote Non-conventional Modalities of Healing and Wellness for Individuals, Children, and their Families and Care-givers.
To provide a Sanctuary (or Safe Space) for Non-conventional Healing Modalities for Practitioners, Clients, Families, and Caregivers.
To utilize Native American, Asian, African, and/or Middle Eastern traditions in Circle Stages, Ethnic Food, Music, Dancing, and Storytelling as Healing Formats and/or Environments.
To allow the Creative Modes of Non-conventional Traditional Healing and Self-care to Flourish and Prosper for the General Wellness of the Community.
To connect and/or integrate non-conventional modes of healing & wellness with institutional health facilities open to collaborating with alternative medicine and innovative, nurse-driven healthcare solutions.
Non-conventional Healing (def.): Any or all healing modalities that flow with or use natural energies or elements not dependent on pharmaceutical or artificial chemical drugs; any modality that ensures health & wellness beyond codependency on drugs.
PROGRAMS &/OR ACTIVITIES
1. CIRCLE OF HEALING (STAGES)
Getting Acquainted, Building Relationships, Addressing Issues, and
Taking Action
2. STORY-TELLING
Introduction, Incident, Impact, Reflection
3. FOOD AS MEDICINE
Proper Choices, Preparation, Cooking, Enjoyment
4. MOVEMENT AS HEALTH
Qi Gong, Yoga, Tai Chi Exercises, Rhythmic Dancing
5. STILLNESS MEDITATION
Qi Gong, Healing Sounds, Breathing Techniques, Focused Prayer
6. HOLISTIC HEALING
Naturopathy, Homeopathy, Ayurveda
7. THE NURSE IS IN: Health Screening, Education, & Outreach
Nutrition & Organic, Natural Foods Education
"The Fisherman's Wife" Painting by John Walker
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