38 The Queens Courier • business • MARCH 13, 2014 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com business (continued from page 37) The Y additionally provides services for elderly with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of memory loss, and has a state licensed geriatric mental health clinic, CAPE for people over 50 that are struggling with emotional difficulties such as depression or anxiety. Within these senior and elderly programs, there are wellness and recreation staff members dedicated to helping older adults maintain their health, and transportation services for medical appointments and food shopping. Rides to the center are available as well. “I believe that there is a compelling reason to help people at every age and stage of life have the support that they need to be the best that they can be and have the best adjustment that they can have, no matter what the challenge they face,” Mendelsohn said about the senior programs. Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) programs are comprehensive supportive systems for seniors. The NORCs have a range of services, from nursing and social work to home visits and assistance in home repairs. The Y has three such NORCs – Deepdale CARES, Clearview Assistance Program in Whitestone and NORC Without Walls (WOW), which serves seniors in Bellerose, Floral Park and New Hyde Park. The focus of NORC programs is to empower seniors to continue living their independent lifestyles and maintain their health. Some services offered in NORCs are home visits, counseling and information about Medicare, Medicaid, drug programs, transportation and access to Meals-On-Wheels. CROSSING GENERATIONS AT THE Y While the Y provides learning and fun for different age groups, another feature of the center that is exceptional is that the Y provides opportunities for members of different age groups to facilitate learning across generations. The Y has volunteer programs so that adults can teach or mentor a younger person. Teens have even organized “senior proms” and events for the elderly. These are examples of the kind of cohesive atmosphere that is found at the Y, in which members can work together to help each other. “Every day is the promise of new beginnings,” Mendelsohn said. “We should know that we have the potential to be happier or stronger or better connected to others, and by putting oneself in that situation you can enrich your own life, what we also see is that person enriches the world around them.” Visit the Y’s websites at www.sfy.org or www.cqy.org for more information about programs and how to become involved with community center locations. Board Member Don Ashkenase, Executive Vice President Jeri Mendelsohn, Associate Executive Director Aaron Rosenfeld Bay Terrace Site Staff Business Council Annual Breakfast Associate Executive Director Aaron Rosenfeld, Scott Levine, Executive Vice President Jeri Mendelsohn, Ronald Fatoullah, Gus Buitrago, Howard Mann Senior volunteers Jean and Doug Fairtile
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