Minutes of ESCOTA General Meetings

Minutes from the September 18, 2008 General Membership Meeting

Date of Meeting: Thursday, September 18, 2008
Presentation: Cultural Connections
Speaker: Marlena Vaccaro

Approximately 50 people were present. Jo Brown of the 60+ program at the 92nd Street Y welcomed the group and gave an overview of her program which consists of over 700 members ages 60-99. The average age is in the mid-70’s and most members are retired professionals. There are over 85 classes a week such as humanities, fitness, languages, writing, music and the creative arts. A part-time nurse is available and special trips are offered. A new initiative has been Social Sunday which enables members to meet on their own for a special activity and an early dinner.

Gary Lechtenberg, Membership Chair encouraged participants to join ESCOTA to widen their own contacts, gain useful information and meet new people. The membership year is September through June and members receive a new directory every year.

Reeva Mager, Chair, encouraged individuals to make sure elders in their programs vote. She recommended the NYC.gov website in order to get an absentee ballot.

Announcements:

Marilyn Komisar directs a psychotherapy program for senior adults at the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy. The clinic accepts Medicare assignment and therapists will do home visits. She can be reached at 323-988-8815 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Diane Schottenstein is the owner of Elite Home Services, LLC, which provides “upscale companions who can prepare meals, run errands, and do light housekeeping as well as accompany clients on trips and help with bill paying.” For more information, please call 212-874-5341. The website is http://www.elitehomeservicesnyc.com.

Shelia Warnock, is the founder and president of Share the Care, Inc. The goal of her program is “create and maintain a caregiving family to help someone who needs assistance and includes support for the whole family.” Shelia is also sponsoring a full-day free training for health professionals on the Share the Care group caregiving model on October 30. For more information, email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 646-467-8097.

Adina Masid from the Alzheimer’s Association has young adult caregiver groups for those from 21-35 on the Upper West Side. Another group is for spouses and partners who are under 65 and are taking care of spouses and partners and meets at the Alzheimer’s Association. Call Adina at 646-744-2917 for more information.

Job Listings:

Mary Beaudet, is a social work manager at the Visiting Nurse Association and is looking for a Spanish-speaking social worker for the Upper East Side. Her number is 212-609-6624.

Presentation:

Marlena Vaccaro, program director of the Carter Burden Luncheon Club described the unique activities of the Cultural Connections program at her senior center. She traveled around the country to explore the concept of a senior center without walls. She become more aware of the need for more diverse services for older adults. She worked with the AARP program which was volunteer driven and led by one staff person.

She described her present senior center programs which offer a variety of activities such as yoga, meditation and finance (voluntary contribution of $1.30). Marlena realized senior centers need to change as the baby boomers begin to age. Marlena noticed that shared interests, rather than age, is an important link. She started off with $18 tickets to Lincoln Center and members arranged to get there on their own. A block of people would sit together and would be in their 60s, 70s and 80s. She publicized the program through Carter Burden’s mailing list which is about 2,000 people. In addition to the greater cultural opportunities, new friendships started, too. Marlena’s number is 212-535-5235.

Mary Nelson began her work at the Burden Center in the middle of 2005. There were 3 special cultural events in the fall and 3 cultural events in the spring. She stated, "we found a need and we filled it. It helped to have board members who are connected with the arts.” Events sold out quickly. There is no membership fee for programs. Entertainment includes Broadway, Off-Broadway, Hyde Park, Culinary Institute of the Arts; other activities include such events as Cuban drumming. She noted that membership has changed. At the beginning, 10% of the membership had Internet access, and now it is about 35%. For more information, contact Mary at 212-879-7400 ext 104.

Currently at Carter Burden, there are 17 varied cultural connections activities offered in September through December 2008.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:45pm.

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Respectfully submitted by Constance H. Gemson, Recording Secretary

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