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Hudson Valley Hospital Center is hosting 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 lobby of the hospital at 1980 Crompond Road will feature interactive exhibits as well as information for seniors and caregivers about the latest research on 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, a nurse in Hudson Valley Hospital Center’s education department. “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 Hudson Valley Hospital Center 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 will learn what the hospital is doing to help older adults and their families. Seniors can receive free flu shots and blood pressure screenings as well as connect with services.
HVHC Associate Director of Quality and Standards Maggie Adler said the hospital hopes 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.
NICHE's premise is simple: Keep older adults from getting sicker while in the hospital and teach them and their families how to stay 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, Nursing Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders, is the only national geriatric initiative to improve care of older hospitalized adults. Hudson Valley Hospital Center is one of the country’s 300 NICHE hospitals. It recently became one of only nine hospitals in the nation to achieve Exemplar status from NICHE for raising the level of quality in care of older adult patients. HVHC was the only hospital in the region to receive this honor.
People over 65 are the fastest growing age group in the United States, making up 12.9 percent of the population or about one in eight people. By 2030, there will be an estimated 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.
Hudson Valley Hospital Center is dedicated to serving the community's health care needs and 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. Hudson Valley Hospital Center is located on Route 202 (1980 Crompond Road) in Cortlandt Manor, New York. Call 914-737-9000 or visit http://www.hvhc.org.
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