Perkins, VNSNY CHOICE Help Harlem Seniors

Dr. Eileen Bach, VNSNY’s Director of Rehabilitation Quality Assurance and Education Services, and New York State Senator Bill Perkins at the “Preventing Falls Among Seniors” seminar presented by VNSNY CHOICE in Harlem on June 28th. (Photos by Janet Charles) Click on photos to enlarge. 

New York State Senator and Organization Provide Vital Tips and Techniques for Preventing Falls

Harlem, NY – Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for seniors, and Senator Bill Perkins, representing the 30th senate district which includes East Harlem, Harlem, Morningside Heights, Washington Heights, West Harlem and parts of the Upper Westside, recently took part in an event designed to help elderly constituents stay strong on their feet.

On Thursday, June 28th, Senator Perkins and experts from VNSNY CHOICE Health Plans, a nurse-led health plan for Medicaid and/or Medicare eligible New Yorkers by the not-for-profit Visiting Nurse Service of New York, presented a Falls Prevention workshop at the Taino Towers in East Harlem.

More than 200 Harlem seniors, their family members, and caregivers attended the workshop to hear Senator Bill Perkins and Dr. Eileen Bach, VNSNY’s Director of Rehabilitation Quality Assurance and Education Services, speak about how to stay safe and confident in their home and environment.

At the beginning and end of the seminar, Senator Perkins and Dr. Bach performed stretching exercises with seniors in attendance.

Additionally, they provided Harlem seniors with tips and techniques for avoiding falls, such as how to assess a home environment for potential fall hazards, how to choose footwear and walking aids that offer increased stability, and how to find local resources that can help seniors build strength and increase stamina.

“The fact is that many of our seniors are prone to falls – the CDC estimates that every hour there are two deaths and more than 250 emergency room visits for falls-related injuries among older people,” said the senator.

“Our work with the renowned health experts at VNSNY CHOICE helped boost the confidence and sense of well-being of the seniors by providing them with life-saving information.”

New York State Senator Bill Perkins (left) and Dr. Eileen Bach (right), VNSNY’s Director of Rehabilitation Quality Assurance and Education Services, conduct warm up exercises with more than 200 seniors at a Preventing Falls workshop.
 

“Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injury in older adults and research states that one in two adults 85 and older fall – with 70% of falls occurring in the home,” added Dr. Bach.

“Senator Perkins has a strong connection with the elderly population in the Harlem community, and we truly enjoyed teaming up with him to share tips and techniques for seniors and their loved ones.”

VNSNY CHOICE is an affiliate of the Visiting Nurse Service of New York and shares its mission to care for the most vulnerable New Yorkers: the poor, the chronically ill and the elderly, many suffering with multiple chronic conditions.

With more than 20,000 members, CHOICE offers an array of health plans for New Yorkers eligible for Medicare, Medicaid or both, all designed to help those with complex health needs live safely and independently at home for as long as possible.
 

CHOICE’s Medicaid Managed Long Term Care plan (MLTC) is the largest program of its kind in New York State, serving more than 10,500 members.

CHOICE also offers Medicare Advantage plans, including a Special Needs Plan for Dual Eligibles. 

Additionally, CHOICE has a Medicaid Advantage Plus option, an integrated plan that combines a Medicaid plan with the benefits of a Medicare Advantage plan.

Visit www.VNSNYCHOICE.org or call 1-855-AT-CHOICE (1-855-282-4642) for more information.

As the largest not-for-profit home health care agency in the nation, VNSNY has more than 30,000 patients in its care on any given day.

VNSNY has the capabilities and resources to deliver a full range of home health care services and provides care throughout the five boroughs of New York City -- as well as in Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties.

Services include short and long-term home care, including skilled nursing, rehabilitation therapy, home health aide and companionship services, behavioral health, nutritional guidance and infusion care; services for children and families; end of life services; community mental health services; paraprofessional services, and private care services.

Visit http://www.vnsny.org for additional information.