Hebrew SeniorLife

A new study published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine has found a possible novel intervention for exercise-induced fatigue. A cross-disciplinary international team of U.S. and Chinese researchers, including at Hebrew SeniorLife’s Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, found that inhaling hydrogen-rich gas (HRG) before engaging in acute exercise can significantly reduce fatigue and enhance performance. “The study's findings suggest that HRG inhalation prior to exercise could be a valuable strategy for athletes and fitness enthusiasts looking to enhance performance and recovery. By mitigating fatigue and improving markers of oxidative stress, HRG has the potential to support more effective training and better overall health outcomes,” said Junhong Zhou, PhD, Assistant Scientist II, Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife. 

Celebrating our amazing nurses is one of our favorite traditions! Each year, Hebrew SeniorLife hosts an awards ceremony that spotlights the incredible dedication and care our nursing staff bring to their work every day. Among the highest honors given at this event are the Nurse of the Year and Nursing Assistant of the Year awards. This year’s winners, Nurse of the Year Nadejda Iurri, RN, and Nursing Assistant of the Year Mireille Michaud, each exemplify what it means to go above and beyond for their patients, providing compassionate, person-centered care day after day. Get to know them a little better In our latest blog post, “Leading with Care: Celebrating Hebrew SeniorLife's Nurse and Nursing Assistant of the Year!”  

Summer cookouts are back at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center - Roslindale! Each year, patients look forward to getting outside and enjoying a great barbeque prepared by the culinary department. This year’s menu included hamburgers, hot dogs, pulled chicken, corn on the cob, potato salad, and watermelon. Add in the warm summer weather and music from the speakers and you have a fun cookout for all! All hands were on deck, from volunteers and staff across several departments to help with transportation and serving patients their meals. The culinary team did a fantastic job catering to patients’ specific dietary needs. Thank you to everyone who made this event a success!

Senior Whole Health is bringing Hebrew SeniorLife’s Right Care, Right Place, Right Time (R3) initiative to more than 1,000 older adults in Massachusetts. The R3 initiative embeds wellness teams in affordable housing communities. By linking health care and housing, R3 improves health outcomes, reduces costs, and helps older adults stay independent and at home longer with ✅ On-site health support ✅ Proactive health management ✅ More community-based resources ✅ Specialized staff training Evaluations of the R3 program show that it has resulted in 📉 Fewer ER visits 🏥 Reduced hospitalizations 🔄 Lower readmission rates Learn more in our news release, “Senior Whole Health Invests $300,000 in Hebrew SeniorLife to Boost On-Site Health Support at Affordable Housing Sites.”

Lottery Deadline Approaching: Are you 62+ and looking for affordable housing? Center Communities of Brookline is accepting applications for apartments in our newest building at 108 Centre Street, which will open in December 2024. Our first residents will be selected following the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity guidelines to ensure access for those who may traditionally have difficulty accessing affordable housing. After the lottery, applications will continue to be considered on a rolling basis as apartments are available. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3W737In

There are new must-see spots on our Hebrew Rehabilitation Center - Roslindale and Center Communities of Brookline campuses! Both locations were recently visited by Alex Cook, a talented artist who graciously donated his time and effort to painting beautiful murals for each campus. Since 2014, Alex has created over 110 “You Are Loved” murals across the U.S. for a diverse range of communities of all ages. His murals are as beautiful in meaning as how they appear on the surface. They create a culture of community-wide support and seek to start a conversation about self-worth and well-being for all. Alex’s work is in perfect alignment with Hebrew SeniorLife’s core belief in building a sense of belonging for everyone. Creating a sense of purpose is vital in pursuing healthy aging, and “You Are Loved” murals act as a constant reminder that everyone - patients, residents, staff, volunteers, families and more - has purpose and means so much to our community. Thank you, Alex, for brightening up our campuses and spreading your message of inclusion and self-worth!

The great outdoors is great for a reason: getting outside is good for your body and mind. Time and time again, research has shown that exposure to nature can improve mood, boost the immune system, lower blood pressure, and even promote healing after surgery. Those benefits are equally realized by older people. According to a study in the Journal of Aging and Health, adults over 70 who spent time outdoors experienced improved mobility, fewer sleep difficulties, and less pain.  Though going outside may improve mobility, what about people whose mobility is already limited? Fortunately, there are many ways to experience the outdoors from finding a good walking trail to bringing the outdoors closer to home. Learn more in our blog post, “Enjoying the Outdoors With Limited Mobility.” To sign up to receive our posts visit: https://bit.ly/3WiKfHQ

Elder abuse is an intentional act or failure to act that causes or creates a risk of harm to anyone 60 years old or older. Neglect, which is one of the most common forms of elder abuse, can be intentional or unintentional. While some caregivers blatantly neglect older adults, others don’t realize that they’re neglecting the person they’re supposed to be taking care of. In other cases, self-neglect could be occurring - that’s when an older adult can’t meet their basic needs and puts their health, safety, and well-being at risk. Learn the signs of elder neglect and what to do about it in our post, “Neglect in Older Adults: Spotting the Signs and Taking Action.” 

Did you know that the Hebrew SeniorLife website is now available in 13 different languages? Visit hebrewseniorlife.org to try it out. On desktop, you can find it in the upper-right corner of every page. On mobile, click the menu icon in the upper-right corner to expand the menu and find the language options. For a full audiovisual walkthrough of how to use the translation feature, visit this link: https://lnkd.in/emFFSpCf

At a recent American Nurses Association Massachusetts award ceremony, Hebrew Rehabilitation Center-NewBridge Memory Support Unit Nurse Manager Lozel Greenwood, BSN, RN, received the Community Service Award, which recognizes a registered nurse “whose community service has a positive impact on the citizens of Massachusetts.” Lozel's nomination for the award reads in part: “Lozel is known for her advocacy for trauma-informed care, especially those who are nearing end-of-life… As a nurse leader, Lozel believes in the importance of succession planning and strengthening the workforce. “Her contributions to the workforce in Massachusetts are paramount. She has supported the workforce capacity committee, which contributes to the Massachusetts Nursing Council on Workforce Sustainability.... In addition, she participates in outreach programs on behalf of the Philippine Consulate General of New York in the eastern region. Her efforts in the promotion and maintenance of the spirit of Filipino culture and heritage are endless. She remains an avid supporter of cultural exchanges and programs featuring Filipino-American heritage. “Lozel is a people connector. She believes that one of the basic tenets of leadership is to set an example for others to follow.” Congratulations, Lozel, on your well-deserved award! If you are interested in joining Lozel and other members of our nursing team, please visit the link for open positions. As the only senior care organization affiliated with Harvard Medical School, we are just as committed to setting the standard in senior care as we are to setting the stage for you to fulfill your best life. At Hebrew SeniorLife, you’ll be actively encouraged to find new ways to grow, supported in reaching your professional and personal goals, and ensured a voice in what matters most to you. https://bit.ly/3xqu3Le