heart rate monitor and cold weather

Here is a useful post from the DC Rainmaker blog on getting correct reading when using a heart rate monitor in dry, cold weather.
Troubleshooting your hrm in cold weather.

Dancing Crane Georgian Dancers

Santa's Land saying goodbye - WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-

View of 61 Street and Madison Avenue, NYC

Left looking south on Madison, right looking west from Madison

Blue Bloods - heart attack episode

I watched the episode of Blue Bloods on WCBS-TV called Thanksgiving.  In it Henry Reagan, the oldest member of the family, has a heart attack.  While his family is waiting for the outcome of the angioplasty they feast on pastrami sandwiches.  All that salt! all that fat!  These people should be thinking about heart healthy meals.  The mayor brings a cornbread and sausage stuffing to the family.  All that fat! all those carbohydrates!

NYS attacks home health care for the elderly

My Elder Advocate
The nursing home lobby is powerful in New York State.

FDA sees problem with some DES stents

FDA sees rare but serious issue with stents I hope to add more news about stents. If you are not having a heart attack, think twice about having a stent placed.

Eliminate the institutional bias in Medicaid

September 18, 2011

For Information contact:
Bruce Darling (585)370-6690
Rahnee Patrick (312) 320-5111
Bob Kafka (512) 431-4085

http://www.adapt. org

Open Letter About Medicaid to President Obama from ADAPT

Dear President Obama

The ADAPT Community has spent over 20 years working to eliminate the institutional bias in Medicaid. This institutional bias has forced millions of Americans into institutions because institutional services are an entitlement while community based services that provide supports in our own homes is optional. We have achieved systemic Medicaid reforms that have freed many of our brothers and sisters from oppressive institutions. While the institutional bias still exists in Medicaid, thousands of Americans now are able to use Medicaid optional programs in their state to find freedom from those institutions.

You say that you want to make modest "adjustments" to Medicaid which can only mean cuts. We know the programs that always face cuts first are the "optional" programs particularly those that provide services that have freed thousands Americans from oppressive and costly institutions.

You can use other words like "administrative changes", "leveling the F-MAP", or other terms, but lets not mince words, seniors and PWDs will pay the price. We will pay for such savings with our freedom, and quite possibly our lives.

We cannot support a leader that proposes Medicaid cuts that will cost us our freedom and jobs.

We demand that there be no arbitrary Medicaid cuts. Instead we support REAL Medicaid Reform. There are ways to protect our freedom and save money and more importantly end the institutional bias in Medicaid by:

* Expanding the use of community based services
* Demedicalizing services
* Expanding consumer directed options
* Reorganize Medicaid services to eliminate wasteful bureaucracy.

We urge you to include this approach and these prinicples in any plan that you develop to address the deficit.

The ADAPT Community

Yellow Berries in Van Cortlandt Park

Andre Carson speaks the truth

Andre Carson tells it like it is

Irene, the mta photos

MTA photos

They should not have put trains in yards that decades of experience showed flood in heavy rains.

Many bus lines could have kept running.

Bx26 breakdown

Today I was on a hybrid Bx26 westbound.  I got on at the Botanical Gardens.  The bus broke down on Bedford Park Blvd.  It was unable to climb the hill.

Memorial to Leiby Kletzky

Marigolds are thriving in the hot humid weather.  Ladybug by Jan (primouthouse)

Dyckman St. No 1 southbound, will get elevator

United Spinal Settles Suit with MTA Regarding Accessibility at a Subway Station

New York, NY – July 21, 2011– It was announced today that the MTA has agreed to the installation of an elevator at the Dyckman Street (#1)subway station. The agreement was the product of settlement of litigation between United Spinal Assoc -- represented by Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) -- the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA).

In the settlement, the MTA commits to installing an elevator at the elevated southbound platform of the Dyckman Street Station, which will enable people who use wheelchairs, among others, to get on and off southbound #1 trains.

June Exercise Classes at the Van Cortlandt Sr. Ctr.

June 2, 10 a.m. Thursday, Yoga with Trudy
June 3, 10 a.m. Friday, Tone and Stretch with Lydia
June 6, 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aerobics with Doriana
June 6, 1 p.m. Monday, Zumba with Adelaide
June 10, 10 a.m. Friday, Tone and Stretch with Lydia
June 13, 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aerobics with Doriana
June 14, 10 a.m. Dance Movement with Caroline
June 15 , 10 a.m. Tai Chi with Bei Li
June 16, 10 a.m. Thursday, Yoga with Trudy
June 17, 10 a.m. Friday, Tone and Stretch with Lydia
June 20, 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aerobics with Doriana
June 21, 10 a.m. Dance Movement with Caroline  - Date Change
June 24, 10 a.m. Friday, Tone and Stretch with Lydia
June 27, 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aerobics with Doriana

This was an outstanding event.  Here's a picture of the chorus in action.

JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center  June 2011 special events
See the page on the Van Cortlandt Senior Center for location. 

Sunday, June 5th A choral performance by the Boricua College Chorus. Lunch served at 12:15 PM. Menu: Chicken Chow Mein, Brown Rice, Oriental blend vegetables and dessert. Recommended contribution is $4.00. RSVP to office 718-549-4700. 

Compassionate Care Hospice Presentation by Priscilla on Tues. June 14th at 11:00 AM. 

Book Talk w/Francie Einenkel, NYPL Librarian on Wed. June 15th at 11:00 AM

Goldman Sachs Community Team Works Gardening and Picnic Event at JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center on Friday, June 17th. Highlights of the day’s activities include: gardening, exercise, picnic lunch and entertainment by Rob Silverman, Jazz Pianist. Pre-register for picnic lunch by calling the office at 718-549-4700 by Tues. 6/14.

Sunday,  June 19th featuring a lunch of turkey w/pastrami sandwich, potato and fresh green salad at 12:15 PM followed by entertainment by Roman Lankios, xylophone player extraordinaire. RSVP to center office by Wed. June 15th. Recommended contribution for this event is $4.00. 

Tour the Methodist Home on Wed. June 22nd including refreshments and entertainment. Meet at 12:45 PM. Pre-register in the office or call 718-549-4700.

Dinner and performance by Bronx Opera Ensemble on Wed. June 29th at 5:30 PM. Menu will include: Fresh fish, orzo, green beans and dessert.

RSVP to center office 718-549-4700 by Fri. June 24th. Recommended contribution for this event is $4.00.  Paperpest says: I highly recommend this event.

Last night, I like the other cooperators of Park Reservoir and Amalgamated learned that Patricia Goldwater is no longer the General Manager.  No explanation was given for the change.

JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center in June 2011 special events

Mon. June 6th & 27th: Zumba at 1:00 PM with Adelaide, Volunteer Instructor

Sunday June 5th featuring a choral performance by the Boricua College Chorus. Lunch served at 12:15 PM. Menu: Chicken Chow Mein, Brown Rice, Oriental blend vegetables and dessert. Recommended contribution is $4.00. RSVP to office 718-549-4700.

June 4, Tuesday 11 a.m.  Compassionate Care Hospice Presentation by Priscilla 

June 15, Wednesday 11 a.m.  Book Talk w/Francie Einenkel, NYPL Librarian .

June 17, Friday:  Goldman Sachs Community Team Works Gardening and Picnic Event at JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center. Highlights of the day’s activities include: gardening, exercise, picnic lunch and entertainment by Rob Silverman, Jazz Pianist. Pre-register for picnic lunch by calling the office at 718-549-4700 by Tues. 6/14.

June 22 Wednesday Meet at 12:45 p.m., Tour the Methodist Home on trip includes refreshments and entertainment.  Pre-register in the office or call 718-549-4700.

June 26 Sunday 12:15 p.m.  A lunch of turkey w/pastrami sandwich, potato and fresh green salad followed by entertainment by Roman Lankios, xylophone player extraordinaire. RSVP to center office by Wed. June 22nd. Recommended contribution for this event is $4.00.

June 29, Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.  Dinner and performance by Bronx Opera Ensemble. Menu will include: Fresh fish, orzo, green beans and dessert.

RSVP to center office 718-549-4700 by Fri. June 24th. Suggested contribution for this event is $4.00.  Paperpest says: I highly recommend this event.

Classes in Fitness,  Movement, Tai Chi, Yoga, Tone & Stretch, Painting,  Meditation, Knitting, Current Events and Short Stories, Indoor Gardening, Line Dancing, Jewelry Making, sing-along, computer lab and more are offered at JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center. We are located in the Van Cortlandt Jewish Center at 3880 Sedgwick Ave. off of Van Cortlandt Ave. West on the Bronx #1 or #10 bus routes. For more information, please call the center office at 718-549-4700.

JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center is funded by NYC Dept. for the Aging, UJA- Federation of NY and by special grants from Council Member Oliver Koppell and other NYS representatives.

Activities at the Van Cortlandt Senior Center for May
This is just a sampling.

May 2 10:30 am Aerobics with Doriana
May 5 10:00 am Yoga with Trudy
May 9 10:30 am Aerobics with Doriana
May 10 10:00 am Dance movement with Caroline
May 11 10:00 am Zumba
May 19 10:00 am Yoga with Trudy
May 23 10:30 am Aerobics with Doriana
May 24 10:00 am Dance movement with Caroline
May 25 10:00 am Zumba

May 2011 events at the JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center
Tues. May 3rd: Holocaust Memorial Program at 1:15 PM. Refreshments will be served.
Trip to Isamu Noguchi Museum on Fri. May 6th.  Depart at 9:00 AM. Fee: $3.00 includes for bus and tour. Call center office 718-549-4700 to pre-register.
Trip to South St. Seaport on Wed. May 11th. Depart at 9:00 AM. Fee: $3.00 for bus. Call center office 718-549-4700 to pre-register.
Make Up Day on Sunday, May 15th. Lunch menu: fresh fish, couscous, spring vegetables and dessert served at 12:15 PM followed by superb entertainment by Ari Leshans, keyboard and vocals. Suggested contribution is $4.00. RSVP to office 718-549-4700.
Wed. May 18th: Screening of The Eddie Cantor Story at 11:00 AM.

Celebrate April and May birthdays with international keyboard player Igor Sherbakov on Fri. May 27th following a chicken lunch at 12:15 PM.
Make Up Day on Sunday June 5th featuring a choral performance by the Boricua College Chorus. Lunch served at 12:15 PM. Menu: Chicken Chow Mein, Brown Rice, Oriental blend vegetables and dessert. Suggested contribution is $4.00. RSVP to office 718-549-4700.

April 2011 Events at the JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center

This is a sampling:
I regard the most important activities to be those that involve exercise.  Here is a listing of them.
April 11 10:30 am Doriana Castro leads an aerobics class
April 12 10:00 am Movement with Caroline Grant, a gentle, graceful class
April 13 10:00 am Tai Chi with Bei Li
April 15 10:00 am Tone and Stretch with Lydia
April 18 10:30 am Doriana Castro leads an aerobics class
April 21 10:00 am Yoga with Trudy Bacon
April 29 10:00 am Tone and Stretch with Lydia

Sunday Apr. 3rd: Lunch served at 12:15 PM followed by international entertainment by David Mandler, One Man Band. Suggested contribution is $3.00. RSVP by 3/29 to 718-549-4700.
Trips to:   Stew Leonard's at 9:00 AM on Apr. 4th
Empire City at 10:30 AM on Apr. 6th
Fairway Market at 9:00AM on Apr. 27th.
Call center office 718-549-4700 for more info and to pre-register.

Constant Companion (alert system) by Oppenheimer on Fri. Apr. 8th at 11:15 AM.
AARP presentation about Medicare Fraud on Apr. 13th.
Health Presentation by Lawrence Hospital on Fri. Apr. 15th at 11:15 AM.
Taste of Passover Model Seder with sing-along leader Marilyn Kaplan on Fri. Apr. 22nd at 11:00 AM.
 Suggested contribution is $4.00.
 RSVP by Fri. Apr. 15th to center office: 718-549-4700.
Trips in May: Noguchi Museum on May 6th at 9:00 AM
South Street Seaport on May 11th at 9:30 AM
Sands Casino on May 26th at 8:45 AM.

The voluntary contribution for meals is now $2.  One of the issues in keeping this senior center open was that not enough people were participating in the congregate dining experience.  This suggested fee will discourage people from coming in.

Quilt at St. Joseph's Hospital, Yonkers NY

Quilt by the elevators at the entrance to St. Joseph's Hospital, Yonkers

Bad News.  AT&T is acquiring T-Mobile USA

Impact of cutting meals to seniors (click to read story)
March 17, 2011
 
Cuomo planned cuts to programs for the aged
State Cuts FY 11-12 affecting Seniors Council of Senior Centers and Services of NYC e-ACTION ALERT Feb 3, 2010 “YES, THE SKY IS FALLING” CATASTROPHE FOR THOUSANDS OF OLDER NEW YORKERS AS STATE BALANCES BUDGET ON BACKS OF SENIORS TITLE XX CUT TO SENIOR CENTERS BACK ON THE TABLE - “INTENDED CONSEQUENCES” – WOULD CLOSE 110 NYC SENIOR CENTERS
1. Title XX cut back – $25.2 million cut to NYC senior centers –
a.. Last year, the Governor’s office said this cut had “unintended consequences”. This year, Governor Cuomo has put the same cut back which would close 110 senior centers in NYC and cut aging services around the state – these are “intended consequences”. The total cut to aging services statewide would be $37 million, of which $25 million funds senior centers in NYC. Funds would move over to child welfare services which is considered a “mandated service”.
b.. Title XX has funded NYC senior centers for about 30 years. While senior services is technically an “optional” service under title XX, after decades of providing core support (25% of all senior center funding), clearly it is not an optional funding source for the survival of 110 senior centers and the thousands of elderly New Yorkers who will be devastated at the loss of their local senior center. It is time to take this cut off the table once and for all.
2. $7.4 million cut to NY State Office for the Aging: Budget bill eliminates funding for various programs and develops local competitive grant program – Governor Cuomo’s budget eliminates funding for all these programs and uses some of the funds to establish a competitive grants program:
a.. “Establish Local Competitive Performance Grant Program for Aging Programs. A new local competitive performance grant program for aging programs will be funded with savings created by reducing support for various programs (with current funding levels) including: a.. Community Empowerment Initiative ($0.25 million)
b.. Congregate Services Initiative ($0.64 million)
c.. EAC/Nassau Respite Program ($0.24 million)
d.. Elderly Abuse Education and Outreach Program ($0.49 million)
e.. Enriched Social Adult Day Centers Program ($0.25 million)
f.. Foster Grandparent Program ($0.20 million)
g.. Long Term Care Senior Respite ($0.14 million)
h.. NY Foundation Home Sharing ($0.17 million)
i.. Patients’ Rights Hotline and Advocacy ($0.06 million)
j.. Regional Caregivers Centers for Excellence ($0.23 million)
k.. Retired and Senior Volunteer Program ($0.43 million)
l.. 2011-12 Value: $1.4 million; 2012-13 Value: $1.6 million"
a.. A total of $5.2 million annually is being cut from these programs, $10.4 million over two years. The competitive grant program is only $3 million over two years so funds leaving a $7.4 million loss of funds in total. CSCS is concerned that existing programs will be eliminated and that, overall, $7.4 million, will be lost in available dollars for services. It is our understanding that the Cuomo administration has established similar competitive grant programs in other state agencies as well. CSCS will find out more about the new local competitive performance grant program.
3. EISEP, SNAP and CSE funding –
a.. $5 million budget gap in EISEP, SNAP and CSE - Governor Cuomo’s budget left EISEP, SNAP and CSE funding the same. However, there is $5 million for EISEP, CSE and SNAP that is not in SOFA’s baselined budget that the legislature restored to prevent a previous cut. The state legislature needs to restore these funds.
b.. Budget bill does not proposed consolidating SOFA with DOH - However, Governor Cuomo has established a commission to look further into state agency consolidations. CSCS will keep you updated on this.
4. EPIC phased out – Governor Cuomo’s budget proposal ends premium subsidies for lower income seniors and only will pay in the donut hole. Since the donut hole is going to be closed by the federal health bill, eventually EPIC will be eliminated entirely. This goes into effect on January 1, 2012. Under this proposal, EPIC is being phased out as a state responsibility over the next ten years. Savings are $58 million this year and $93 million next year. EPIC was established under Governor Mario Cuomo.
5. Medicaid cuts - CSCS will be meeting with leaders in the Cuomo administration and the state legislature to discuss the important role community-based services could play in decreasing hospital admissions, nursing home placement and other costly Medicaid services. We are developing a series of recommendations that will be on our website soon. It is important that community-based service providers be part of the Medicaid re-design process as we have cost-effective programs to offer the state for both Medicaid and non-Medicaid eligible seniors. This is why it the March 2-3 Albany conference is so critical (see below) – to get educated and advocate for services. We will keep you updated on these issues. CSCS is still gathering information on the budget and will update you regularly. We will be reaching out to the aging services network to do advocacy to prevent title XX cuts and restore the $5 million to EISEP, SNAP and CSE. It is important to contact your state Assemblymembers and Senators. The city is reviewing the state budget’s impact and will be releasing its budget on February 17th. For further information, please contact Bobbie Sackman, (212) 398-6565, x226 or bsackman@cscs- ny.org

WITH BUDGET CUTS AND DISCUSSIONS ABOUT LONG TERM CARE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO ATTEND THE CSCS/NYSCA LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE IN ALBANY – MARCH 2 & 3, 2011 GO TO WWW.CSCS-NY. ORG FOR MORE DETAILS AND REGISTRATION

A Question of Loyalty

Editorial

Published March 09, 2011, issue of March 18, 2011.

Read more: http://www.forward.com/articles/136014/#ixzz1GQaQFRjw

Rights of senior citizens at senior centers NYS

Fulton Street station scary story
This is a story of an exit to nowhere. One night people exited at this point and the entrance to the outside was barred. People had to use their metro card again to reenter the subway and exit via a different route. What if you didn't have any more money on your card?

Bx 1 stop at 3835 Sedgwick Avenue will be restored.  This is according to a report in the January 20, 2011 edition of the Riverdale Press.  The service will begin in March. 

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot yesterday while meeting constituents.  She has supported health care and full time kindergarten.

Where was Bloomberg? January 5, 2011 
Daily News article - Was it a snow day for all the honchos at City Hall
Missing in action has been an unending story for Bloomberg.
Published August 8, 2007, several additions follow Where's Bloomberg? August 8
Did he take the subway this morning? How can anyone take his candidacy for President seriously? A major failure of public transportation hits the city just weeks after he advocates congestion pricing. He has not made his presence known all morning.
Steam pipe explosion, August 8 subway failure and now also on Aug 8 a building under construction at 1916 Park Ave has collapsed.
Aug 13 - The East River turbines that were supposed to be an example of green power at work have failed after just a few weeks of use. The idea was to use the currents of the East River to generate electricity.
Aug 18 - The deaths of firefighters Beddia and Graffagnino should be evidence of how little leaders of the City of New York have learned since 9/11 Mayor Bloomberg and his lackeys fail as administrators.