According to the Centers for Disease Control, the elderly are more at risk for depression, particularly those that are homebound. So the opening of a new senior center in Hempstead called Parker on Madison by the Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation could not have come at a better time. Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation is proud to announce a new innovative senior center in Hempstead, called Parker On Madison. The new center, which offers unique Social Adult Day Care services, promises to be a boon for frail older adults, especially those with early memory issues. This issue of getting geriatric members of society out into the community hits close to home for Lina Scacco, Parker’s assistant vice president of corporate outreach and development, whose own mother attends an adult day program.
“Programming of ours is so vital to those who are now aging in place in the home, but yet are finding it difficult to get out,” Scacco said. “Maybe they’re a little intimated by the over-stimulation they might receive in a senior center, which is great too. I advocate for all senior centers—I feel we have the best on Long Island. But, at the same time, those folks [should] not be stuck in the home because that leads to depression.”
Parker on Madison moved from its old location in New Hyde Park, where the first Social Adult Day Care Center was established more than 25 years ago near the Institute’s New Hyde Park headquarters. The prior site was located on leased land whereas the new facility, which opened in September at 92 Madison Ave., is on a piece of property owned by the organization. This new spot simultaneously caters to an under-served population.
“Our new community-based center is a response to the needs of Nassau County’s frail older adults and their families,” said Michael Rosenblut, Parker president and CEO. “Most seniors prefer to remain in their life-long homes as long as possible. It is a given that caregivers are finding it increasingly stressful dealing with their aging parents’ isolation, poor nutrition, declining health and depression. Often, these children have to juggle, not just their careers and families, but looking after loved ones as well, who may have early memory loss, dementia or Alzheimers,” Rosenblut added.
Parker On Madison offers a range of supervised activities, including arts and crafts, exercise, dancing and yoga, music and gardening. According Scacco, “Our new center provides a safe and stimulating environment, where our seniors participate in activities that enhance quality of life, helping them make new friends and remain active.” The center also features special services such as bathing, grooming and personal care.
Parker’s new center also features weekly cultural programs and entertainment, a nutritious hot lunch and much more. In addition, door-to-door transportation is provided to seniors. Parker on Madison accepts Managed Medicaid, FIDA (Fully Integrated Duals Advantage), PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), Private Pay and most other insurance.
Center hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The center is scaled to accommodate about 30 seniors, but numbers fluctuate with attendance able to include about 100 people spread throughout the week. Four members with between 15 to 20 years of experience each are on staff, ensuring that groups are kept small for activities ranging from tai chi and yoga in chairs to painting and cooking demonstrations structured to teach about healthy eating and diabetes awareness. The fact that the Institute has been caring for those who are the most vulnerable for well over a century assures that participants are in good hands.
“Socialization is a really important part of living a full life and that is why these programs are very important because as someone outgrows some of the other types of community programs that are available, where does a person go and what does a family member do? Caregiver burnout is also part of that. So we’re equipped to take care of those types of issues as well, because we also offer support groups for family caregivers and we also have in-services to the staff on how to handle certain issues that come up,” Scacco explained. “We provide those stimulating activities, so there is a more purposeful day as opposed to sitting at home. We want to emphasize that living in the community is great—when it’s safe. If that person is being left alone for a few hours, that’s not a great idea either. These kinds of programs do help that and we feel that we’ve been doing this kind of programming for many, many years and we’re somewhat of an expert in that type of programming.”
Applications are currently being accepted and interested parties should call for an appointment at 877-727-5373. Visit www.parkerinstitute.org for more information.
