38 The QUEE NS Courier • business • march 14, 2013 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com business s Entrepreneur Space turns two BY ANTHONY O’REILLY editorial@queenscourier.com The Entrepreneur Space in Long Island City celebrated its second birthday after recently being ädopted” by Martha Stewart. The Queens Economic Development Corporation (QEDC) helped celebrate the second anniversary of the Entrepreneur Space, located at 36-46 37th Street, on Wednesday, March 6. Rob MacKay, director of marketing and tourism for the QEDC, explained that the building is used for up-and-coming food businesses to develop their products and company. The building’s main space is a 5,500-square-foot professional kitchen incubator that business owners can rent out. Throughout the building are several classrooms where small business owners can receive consultations and attend workshops. MacKay said the space currently stands about 70% full. Mogul Martha Stewart “adopted” the space as part of her “American Made” program, an initiative that helps to grow small businesses across the country. Kate Bittman, public relations director for Martha Stewart, explained that by “adopting” the space, Stewart would be providing her own craft editors and food directors to give the vendors guidance on their products. “The space is completely organic so it’s the perfect thing for her to support,” Bittman said. “We’d like to see a lot more small businesses.” Although not personally at the event, Stewart still showed her support on her personal Twitter account, tweeting, “Happy 2nd Birthday to @QEDC‘s Entrepreneur Space incubator - thank you for helping NYC Dreamers become Doers!” “We definitely feel like we fit with her and we are very grateful to have her staff and viewpoint,” said Kathrine Gregory, founder of the Entrepreneur Space. “It’s Definitely beneficial for our clients.” Throughout the night, food vendors who utilize the space were offering free samples to the general public, as well as trying to sell their products to retailers. “It’s a very special and unique event,” Bittman said. “Everyone’s been amazing and so passionate.” THE COURIER/ Photos by Anthony O’Reilly Thomas Joseph, director of food development, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia; Seth Bornstein, executive director, QEDC; Gail Roseman, QEDC; Kathrine Gregory, founder of Entrepreneur Space; Jodi Levine, editorial director of arts and crafts, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia The Elder Law Minute TM Challenging decisions for families By Ronald A. Fatoulah, Esq. and Joy R. Rivera-Hampton, LMSW As individuals age, their needs may change, and their ability to make the best choices involving their safety and the safety of the people around them is altered. Can mom stay home or does she need a nursing home? What is the difference between a skilled nursing facility and supportive housing? The responsibility of this individual falls on children and well spouses. In order to determine the best plan of action, it can be complicated. Families often are entangled with emotions and are motivated by different beliefs. For example, if a male client is functioning fairly well and in relatively good health, but he demonstrates diminished capacity in his ability to drive safely, a question arises for the well spouse and the children. Should my husband or dad continue to drive? Is he a danger to himself and other drivers while on the road? The family dilemma lies with the children and the well spouse, sharing fundamentally varying expectations of how the issue should be handled. This presents an excellent occasion for an Elder Care Coordinator (ECC) to assist the children and well spouse in the navigation of caringly approaching their relative’s concerns and his or her interest in driving. The ECC will organize and implement a plan of action to sensitively elder law address the family member’s decline. The ECC will convey that as we age, it’s normal for our driving abilities to change. Sometimes, by reducing risk factors and incorporating safe driving practices, many elders can continue to drive safely as seniors. However, the ECC will detail the importance of paying attention to warning signs that age is interfering with driving safety and assist the family and driver in making appropriate adjustments. The ECC helps to ease the transition, even if the driver needs to reduce driving or give up his or her keys. The ECC works diligently at communicating that the change does not mean the end of independence. The ECC will provide suggestions for best practices and guide the implementation of an agreed upon plan with the family. Senior Driving Tip #1: Understand how aging affects driving Everyone ages differently, so there is no arbitrary cutoff as to when someone should stop driving. However, older adults are more likely to receive traffic citations and get into accidents than younger drivers. Aging tends to result in a reduction of strength, coordination and flexibility, which can have a major impact on your ability to properly control a car. To continue driving safely, you need to be open to the fact that changes can happen, get help when they do and be willing to listen if others voice concerns. Senior Driving Tip #2: Know the warning signs of unsafe driving Sometimes signs of unsafe driving can develop gradually. But a recent change in health may hasten problems. Health issues don’t always mean that driving needs to be stopped, but they do require extra vigilance, awareness and willingness to correct issues. Always check the label on medications and double check with your healthcare team if you are taking several medications or notice a difference after starting a new medication. Keep eyesight and decreased hearing problems in mind, as both affect your ability to drive safely. Decreased range of motion and reflexes also come into play, as do problems with memory. Senior Driving Tip #3: Maximize safety on the road To drive safely, you may modify your car and/or the way you drive and understand and rectify physical issues that may interfere with driving. Diligence with regular check-ups is important, including annual eye and ear exams. Discuss with your doctor the effects that ailments or medications may have on your driving ability. Choose a vehicle with automatic transmission, power steering and power brakes and make sure it is maintained in good working condition. While driving, leave adequate following distance, pay extra attention at intersections and make sure you are driving appropriately with the flow of traffic. Avoid any driving situations that make you uncomfortable. If relatives, friends, or others begin to talk to you about your driving, it may be time to take a hard honest look at your driving ability. Senior Driving Tip #4: Adjust to life without driving Adjusting to life without a car may be challenging at first. Most likely, you’ve been driving your whole adult life, and it feels like a major shock. It’s normal to be angry or irritable. You may even feel ashamed or worry that you are losing your independence. However, it takes a lot of courage to stop driving and put the safety of yourself and others first. You may also find that there are benefits to getting around without a car, such as saving money on the cost of car ownership, including car insurance, maintenance, registration and gasoline. These savings can pay for alternative transportation if necessary. How to talk to a loved one about driving concerns and deal with a loved one who refuses to give up keys: A driver’s license signifies more than the ability to drive a car. It is a symbol of freedom and self- sufficiency. Understandably, driving is not a privilege that anyone wants to relinquish willingly, yet safety must come first. Another person’s concerns may force the senior driver to act. When talking to an older friend or family member about his or her driving, please remember to be respectful. However, don’t be intimidated or back down if you have a true concern. Provide specific examples because it is easier to tune out generalizations. Offer concrete assistance, such as researching transportation options. Don’t dismiss any feelings of loss that your loved one might experience. Ronald A. Fatoullah, Esq. is the principal of Ronald Fatoullah & Associates, a law firm that exclusively concentrates in elder law, estate planning, Medicaid planning, guardianships, estate administration, trusts and wills. The firm has offices in Forest Hills, Great Neck, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Cedarhurst, NY. This article was written with the assistance of Joy R. Rivera-Hampton, LMSW, Geriatric Care Manager/ Elder Care Coordinator at the firm. Ronald Fatoullah & Associates can be reached by calling (718) 261-1700, 516-466- 4422, or toll free at 1-877-ELDER-LAW or 1-877-ESTATES. ROnald Fatoullah, ESQ, CELA*
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