Newsroom

If we are lucky, we will all grow old someday. But until we get there, most of us have no idea of the challenges that older adults face in their day to day lives.

On October 1, NewYork-Presbyterian/Hudson Valley Hospital will host a unique kind of health fair: one that illustrates in an interactive way, what it’s like to get old, and what we can do to help older adults – who are living longer - maintain their quality of life. "The Silver Lining Health Aging Fair" from 9 a.m. to noon in the Hospital lobby will feature interactive exhibits as well as educational information for seniors and caregivers on the latest information about aging.

"What is it like when your hands are shaking and you have difficulty feeding yourself or you have trouble maintaining your balance?" said Suzanne Mateo, MA, BSN, RN, administrative director of nursing at NewYork-Presbyterian/Hudson Valley Hospital. "Those of us who are not older adults take for granted the freedom of movement, clear eyesight and mental acuity that we experience when we are younger. At NewYork-Presbyterian/Hudson Valley Hospital we want to educate the community on what it means to get older and what those of us in healthcare are doing to help keep older adults independent and healthy."

At the Silver Linings Health Aging Fair the public can try out new state of the art walkers as well as weighted eating utensils and glasses that simulate vision with cataracts among other interactive activities. Seniors can received free flu shots and blood pressure screenings as well as connect with participating agencies including the Visiting Nurse Service of Hudson Valley, the Visiting Nurse Service of Westchester, Bethel Homes, Atria Senior Living and Drum Hill Senior Living Communities, Leave the Light on Foundation Caregivers Support group. The day will also feature giveaways, raffle prizes and refreshments donated by Shoprite.

Maggie Adler, HVHC’s Associate Director of Quality and Standardsat HVHC, said the Hospital hopes that seniors and families can take away with them many of the practices used by the hospital and its NICHE program to keep older adults happy and healthy longer.

The premise of NICHE is simple: Keep older adults from getting sicker while in the Hospital and teach them and their families how to keep them healthy once they are out. That means keeping them up and moving around so they don't lose mobility and become prone to infections; keeping them mentally active with conversation and activities and helping them to stay hydrated and well nourished.

NICHE or Nursing Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders is the only national geriatric initiative to improve care of older hospitalized adults. NewYork-Presbyterian/Hudson Valley Hospital is one of the country’s 300 NICHE hospitals.

People over 65 are the fastest growing age group in the nation, making up 12.9 percent of the population or about 1 in 8 people in the United States. By 2030, estimates are that there will be about 72.1 million older adults, according to U.S. Census data.

An aging population contributes to the rising cost of healthcare. Much of this is because people over 85 spend a lot of time in and out of hospitals. As a result, their health continues to deteriorate unless something is done while they are in the hospital to keep them active and interested.

NewYork-Presbyterian/Hudson Valley Hospital is dedicated to serving the health care needs of the community and to providing quality, comprehensive medical care in a compassionate, professional, respectful manner, without regard to race, religion, national origin or disease category. Offering state-of-the-art diagnostic treatment, education and preventive services, the Hospital is committed to improving the quality of life in the community. In fulfilling this mission, the Hospital will strive to continuously improve the care provided and develop and offer programs, facilities, systems and alliances that most effectively respond to community health care needs. NewYork-Presbyterian/Hudson Valley Hospital is located on Route 202 (1980 Crompond Road) in Cortlandt Manor, New York. Call 914-737-9000 or visit hvhc.npgdev.com