PSS Circle of Care February Newsletter

February 2024 Newsletter

February Dates to Remember

World Cancer Day is the global uniting initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). It is held on Sunday, February 4th by raising worldwide awareness, improving education and calling for personal, collective and government action to eradicate cancer.

Presidents Day is a federal holiday and takes place on the third Monday in February, which is February 19th this year. The holiday celebrates the life and achievements of the first President of the United States, George Washington. It has since expanded to honor Abraham Lincoln and all the presidents who have ever held the office.

National Caregivers Day

National Caregivers Day is observed on the third Friday in February — on February 16th this year. The day honors individuals who selflessly provide personal care, and physical/emotional support to those who need it most.

There are different types of caregivers, and they are not just limited to the health sector. There are family caregivers, professional caregivers, independent caregivers, private duty caregivers, and informal caregivers. Most of the caregivers are not always paid and that is why PSS Circle of Care is there to provide free services to family and informal caregivers. We thank all caregivers and appreciate them for their dedication and long-term commitment.

Pictured above are Circle of Care staff members with caregiver clients at a recent event.

What is Brain Age and Why is it Important?

Research is beginning to uncover the importance of brain age on health outcomes. Neuroscientists are beginning to accumulate evidence that could lead, perhaps soon, to a true brain age measure. A younger brain age means that one is functioning better than one's peers age wise on this predicted value.

Recent studies have focused on multimorbidity, a realistic situation in which chronic diseases occur in combination. Higher brain age plus higher biological age predicted greater mental health multimorbidity. Higher brain age was also associated with greater physical multimorbidity in men only. Brain age's impact on daily life can be profound!

Continuing education, improving reasoning skills, and doing daily puzzles are activities that can have a protective effect on brain age. Given the interaction between biological and brain age, it seems that what’s healthy for the body should also be healthy for the brain, and hence will affect one's outlook on life. Read more.

Winter Donation Project

PSS Circle of Care offers a heartfelt Thank You to The Brookdale Foundation Group for their donation of coats and winter gear to our Kinship families!

Their generosity will keep fifty kinship families warm and toasty this winter, and it also brought warm smiles to their faces.

Risk Factors for Early Onset Dementia Uncovered

There are 15 possible factors that significantly increase the risk of early-onset dementia, according to a “groundbreaking” study. Researchers from the universities of Exeter and Maastricht in the U.K examined what could affect a person’s predisposition to early-onset dementia, including genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors.

Some examples are health factors such as vitamin D deficiency, hearing impairment and depression, and lifestyle factors such as alcoholism and social isolation.

The study findings show that staying on top of both mental and physical health is important, especially during mid-life. While young-onset dementia is rare, the CDC reports that young-onset Alzheimer’s disease still affects around 200,000 people in the United States.

Click here to read the full article with all 15 underlying risk factors.

Visit our PSS Life! University events page and search the category "Caring for Family and Friends" for events especially for caregivers and their loved ones. https://pssusa.org/events/

Upcoming Free Events

Friday, February 2nd, 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM EDT

Dementia Raw

Join PSS Circle of Care for our Dementia RAW workshop. This engaging interactive workshop lays the Dementia RAW Method foundation, which equips family caregivers to handle everyday communication challenges by focusing on creating connection and simplifying communication with the person living with dementia using the rules of improv comedy and the pillars of empathy. This educational training is sponsored by Sunnyside CARE NYC.

Tuesday, February 6th, 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM EDT

How Healthy Is Your Heart?

Join Registered Dietitian Dina D’Allesandro as she talks about cholesterol and your heart. Topics to be addressed include factors that affect Heart Health, Cholesterol and its role in the body, Heart Healthy food choices and setting personal heart healthy goals.

Wednesday, February 7th, 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM EDT

Powerful Tools for Caregivers

Caring for a family member or friend with a chronic condition can be physically, emotionally, and financially draining. This self-care educational program for family caregivers builds the skills caregivers need to take better care of themselves as they provide care for others. Join PSS Circle of Care for this six-week class, where caregivers develop a wealth of self-care tools to reduce personal stress, change negative self-talk, communicate their needs to family and healthcare or service providers, communicate effectively in challenging situations, recognize the messages in their emotions, deal with difficult feelings, and make tough caregiving decisions. Class participants also receive a copy of The Caregiver Help book.

Tuesday, February 13th, 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM EDT

Moving Into Love: Dance Joint Enrichment for Caregivers

Jump on the Love Train and Let’s Groove! Join PSS Circle of Care for this online dance event led by creative aging advocate, Magda Kaczmarska. We invite you to join us for this specially themed session of the Stories in the Moment dance, movement and storytelling program celebrating Valentine’s Day.

Tuesday, February 20th, 10:30 AM to 11:30 PM EDT

Tips for Successful Caregiving

Join PSS Circle of Care in collaboration with Adina Segal of CaringKind for this one-hour webinar which will explore ways to optimize caregiving in order to reduce stress while caring for a loved one battling memory loss or dementia. We will look at common caregiving challenges and experiences.

Tuesday, February 27th, 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM EDT

Navigating Family Disagreements in Caregiving

Family conflict is common in caregiving situations. Join PSS Circle of Care in collaboration with Adina Segal of CaringKind for this one-hour webinar that will discuss ways to navigate this challenge and discuss ways to cope.

Thursday February 29th, 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM EDT

Hearing Loss 101

Hearing Loss is a common issue impacting a third of adults age 65 and older. When left untreated, hearing loss is associated with an increased risk of social isolation, depression and cognitive decline and puts a strain on communication and daily interactions. Join audiologist Geleeza Idolyantes and Carolyn Stern for an informative session covering signs of hearing loss, what steps to take to address it, what to expect from an audiologist and a hearing test, low cost and free solutions/apps and insurance coverage. Come with your questions!

Click for More Upcoming Webinars & Online Meetings

Catch Up On Recent Webinars

Visit our YOUTUBE channel to view all our webinars

Click on the image below to view a recent webinar

Healthy Living For Your Brain and Body

If you are caring for someone who is chronically ill, frail or has memory loss, call us at (866) 665-1713 or email careinfo@pssusa.org.

Join us in a virtual support group where caregivers meet in a non-judgmental setting to share, learn and grow from the comfort of their homes. Contact us to learn more.

PSS Circle of Care Is Hiring!

PSS Circle of Care has openings for skilled professional Care Consultants and Social Workers. English and Spanish-speaking candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Please share with your network or apply online today!

Please click here for volunteer opportunities with PSS.

Help Us Help Our Caregiver Families

PSS Circle of Care helps thousands of people annually to be cared for at home by a loved one rather than in a hospital or nursing home. By making a donation, you will help us to help families in need.

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PSS Circle of Care is supported in part by grants from the New York State Department of Health and the U.S. Administration on Aging’s National Family Caregiver Support Program through the New York City Department for the Aging.