Latest news with #CostofCaregiving
CBS News
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Juilliard students' musical medicine is helping seniors stay young at heart and mind
Senior citizens are enjoying the benefits of music from Juilliard students Senior citizens are enjoying the benefits of music from Juilliard students Senior citizens are enjoying the benefits of music from Juilliard students When it comes to healthy aging, music can have a big impact. That's why senior centers and renowned institutions like The Julliard School are creating senior-friendly music classes. In the latest part of CBS News New York's Cost of Caregiving series, reporter Jennifer Bisram takes a deeper look at musical medicine. Read more: Geriatric care improvements needed immediately in New York, doctors say "It is a very, very special ingredient for life" Every note evokes emotion and elevates the mood in a room at Sunrise Assisted Living Facility in Manhattan. Some seniors even close their eyes to take in the classical harmony. "I think my mother made a mistake with my birth certificate. I'm really 63, haha," 101-year-old Barbara Fleischman said. She spoke of her secret to aging. "Music is soothing. It's exiting. It makes one think, and it is a very, very special ingredient for life," Fleischman said. The bubbly grandmother, who lives at the senior center, takes music classes every week. "It's very exciting that at this age I still want to learn," Fleischman said. Juilliard students create the soundtracks Students from Juilliard passionately play the instruments. "It's human connection through music. So, we connect with those seniors through this music. We don't even need to talk to each other. Music speaks, itself," Sandro Gegechkori said. "The people listening can really record a memory from my performance and it can also improve their memory," student Zhouhui Shen said. Alyssa Friedman is the program director at the senior center. She has also become a sort of caregiver for the seniors, assisting them with whatever they need on a daily basis. "What's most remarkable for me is being able to see a resident who has dementia come down to a program. Maybe they're nonverbal but sing along," Friedman said. "I was very close with my own grandparents and I think being able to work with seniors is a little piece of that every day." What science says about music and aging According to the National Institute of Aging, music has a positive influence on healthy aging on the brain and body. Studies show it improves memory, enhances emotional health, and triggers heartwarming memories. Experts say more research is needed before it can medically be concluded, but there's growing scientific interest in music's effects as we age. Some aging New Yorkers say it's also helping them keep some of their independence. "I enjoy being with my friends and being with my family, obviously. Going to theatre, going to the opera, taking part in the cultural benefits of the city," Mina Werner said. Read more: What services does NYC provide for aging New Yorkers and their caregivers? Werner is 88 and still going strong. She walks to Juilliard's extension program in Midtown weekly for her musical medicine. In one class, a student guitarist played chords that at times brought her back to her childhood. "I feel very engaged. I guess I'm back at school. I'm learning," Werner said. "I think it's very important to keep your mind going. It's not the same as keeping it young, but keeping it going." Music helps seniors reflect and keep moving forward John-Morgan Busch, the dean of Juilliard's extension program, says 1,300 students are currently in the extension division. Most are 65 and older. "Music and dance and drama as well, it can be a lifeline for people to come together," Busch said. "We believe the performing arts are a way to help combat loneliness, isolation, [and] work with cognitive development." While musical instruments and melodies have been key to their longevity, the thriving seniors say there have been other ingredients to their aging recipe. "I think one thing that is so important is to maintain an interest and a zest for life," Fleischman said. "Looking forward, not backward, I think that's really it," Werner added. They are all living life through music, one note at a time.
CBS News
17-02-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Dementia impacts the caregiver as well as the patient, social workers say. Here's what's being done to help both.
According to the Alzheimer's Association, nearly 7 million Americans age 65 and older are already living with Alzheimer's and dementia. In this part of CBS News New York's Cost of Caregiving series, reporter Jennifer Bisram takes a look at what's being done to help New Yorkers living with the disease, and those who are caring for them. Symptoms of dementia Victoria Henriquez, who is 65, showers her 93-year old mother, Vivianna, with kisses every day in their Bronx home, moments her mom says give her joy. Henriquez has been caring for her mother, who has dementia, for more than a decade. "She asked me the same thing every five minutes. The worst part of this is the repetition," Henriquez said. Doctors say dementia affects your thinking, memory, reasoning, mood and personality. Alzheimer's disease is just one type of the illness. Social workers say there are warning signs. "The hallmark one is forgetting things," said Edward Cisek, the chief research grants and evaluation officer for Caring Kind. "It's putting something in the refrigerator that doesn't belong there." Helping loved ones navigate the stress of caregiving Caring Kind helps New Yorkers living with dementia and guides their caregivers through the challenging journey -- for free. "We have a new Connect to Living program, which helps keep people living with dementia engaged in their communities after their diagnosis," Cisek said. Dante Tipiani is a navigator and community builder with the organization. He also understands the pain, struggles and frustration. His father died from dementia last year. "That was tough, very tough, especially juggling professional work, personal work, and trying to get help for him and trying to live my life as well," Tipiani said. He been helping Henriquez and her mother maximize their time with one another. "She is able to look at the challenges that her mother throws and says, OK, this is how I'm going to react to that. I think she's more prepared," Tipiani said. "What's the scariest part about dementia?" Bisram asked. "Memory. Dementia robs you of memory," Tipiani said. Henriquez, who's also dealing with her own health challenges, says dementia doesn't just affect her mom; it impacts the whole family. She says the coaching and services are helping. "I will never let her go to a home," Henriquez said. "She took care of me when I was a child." Therapies that help those with the disease Tipiani says cognitive stimulation therapy, a healthy diet, socializing with friends and family, and managing your stress can help decrease chances of dementia, and added being patient is key when caring for someone with the disease, especially if they've wandered off before. "Reassure. I'm reassuring you it's okay, you are not home. There's also something called a therapeutic lie. 'We're going to go home in five minutes. We'll go home later.' Maybe it's as simple as having a conversation," Tipiani said. According to the state's Office for the Aging, more than 426,000 New Yorkers 65 and older have Alzheimer's or another form of dementia, and New York has the second highest projected prevalence of the disease in the country -- with the Bronx the highest in our area. That's why Caring Kind has a specific program in the borough to help improve eating habits and brain health. "We're asking people in the Bronx to follow this program for 30 days to help give them nudges for a healthier lifestyle," Cisek said. Experts say keeping the brain active and healthy will also decrease risks for dementia and help stimulate what's left. "The conversations you have with people, even learning new instruments, singing, dancing," Cisek said.
CBS News
28-01-2025
- Business
- CBS News
What to know about financial planning for long term care. Here's where to start.
NEW YORK -- Caring for elderly loved ones can be costly, which is why financial planning is critical for seniors and their families. This Cost of Caregiving series takes a look at the challenging financial and legal decisions families might have to make, and what they need to plan ahead. 5 essential documents by 55 "There's really some serious legal matters," elder law attorney Judith Grimaldi explains. "Privacy matters, rules, HIPAA releases." Planning for retirement, a family's future and unexpected health care emergencies and expenses can be a daunting task. "Begin to think about: How do I want to live my later years? Your finances, your family makeup, your current health conditions and projections of what your health conditions might be, and how you would you pay for it, and then how do you give an instruction manual to your family members about how to take care of it if you were to lose capacity," says Grimaldi. Grimaldi is an elder attorney and the author of "At 55." She shares five essential legal documents you need by age 55: Health care proxy Power of attorney for legal and financial decisions Living will for end-of-life choices Last will and testament, including trusts, outlining how assets should be distributed Digital diary "Please make sure that you have your passwords noted. Make sure that you have any listing of things that are held only online that might disappear if the family didn't know they existed," Grimaldi said. "And if you're going to get involved with Bitcoin and cyber assets, make sure you really have those passwords clearly identified, because they could be lost forever." "I was able to plan without fear" Santos Macaya, 74, started receiving legal assistance from the Grimaldi Yeung Law Group in Park Slope, Brooklyn when his wife, Rosemary, was diagnosed with dementia. "There's not going to be any government agency or social welfare agency that's going to come out to you and say, 'Hey, listen, we have this,'" he said when asked whether he would recommend an elder care attorney. "I got to this point where I don't know how much I can extend our finances," said Macaya. "She was able to put us in a place where we could qualify for Medicaid, and then Medicaid would be able to pay for long term care." "By having her help me do all of these things, in order to protect me and my assets, I was able to plan without fear," he added. Sadly, his wife died right before Thanksgiving. "For a split second, we made a connection, she was clear, and then she faded away," Macaya said, adding, "I miss being able to tell her my innermost thoughts." "She was a magnificent person, she was beautiful, she was smart," he said. Macaya is still grieving, but he says he was prepared, legally and financially. He's now working with attorneys to do his own elder care and estate planning so their son, who has special needs, will be protected. "Prepare for when you're not quite so able to do the things that you do, that you must do, to maintain yourself and others who depend upon you," he said. First steps for long term care planning Long term care insurance can be pricey and, for those who don't qualify, Grimaldi says financial burdens are often placed on families' hard earned savings, like using equity from the family home. She says start with a financial advisor, make a list of all your assets, disclose them to someone your trust, update your beneficiaries and repeat every five years, or as needed. "You really want peace of mind and you want to make sure they're done right, because there's no do-overs," she said. Counselors say downsizing and moving closer to your adult children can also lighten the load for both the caretaker and receiver. Elderly law attorneys can cost hundreds, even thousands, of dollars, but there are free or low cost clinics across the Tri-State Area. The New York City Department for the Aging also has counselors who can help.
