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Addiction recovery is an arduous process. Relapse is common and, some will say, a necessary part of eventual success. On one level, you cannot truly know if you can manage your addiction until you experience a relapse. As upsetting as a break in sobriety may be, it is essential for you to treat it like a routine bump in the road and have a plan in place for when it happens again.

Many of the supportive elements of recovery can help minimize relapse, but more importantly, they can help when you temporarily lose your struggle to manage substance abuse. Measures such as exercise, yoga, healthy eating, and self-care not only help support the body and mind through the rigors of recovery, but they can also help prop you back up after relapse. Here, Healthcare Consulting New York presents some helpful strategies to help you to stay sober.

What to Do if You Fear a Relapse

You know yourself best, and if you fear that you will be tempted to use drugs, alcohol, or otherwise relapse, take action before you break your sobriety. Contact your sponsor, physician, or addictions counselor. Speak with family members about whatever stresses may be triggering the potential relapse. The support of family and friends is crucial for recovery; not so they can pat you on the back for remaining sober, but so that they can help you during shaky times.

One tip to self-regulate during times of stress is to engage in self-care techniques. Mindfulness-centric methods such as meditation or yoga provide numerous relapse beating benefits. The first of these is helping to know oneself. Mindfulness accomplished this by slowing life down a bit. When you meditate or practice yoga, you can listen to yourself in stillness. If something seems off, you can make sure to speak to your sponsor or engage in activities that keep you occupied and out of harm’s way.

When You Fall Off the Horse

If you relapse, it’s important to not dwell on the experience as a failure. Doing so can drain vital energy that is necessary for a sustained recovery plan. The important thing is to contain your relapse to a minimal event and get back on the path to sobriety. You can use your faltering as a way to influence how you conduct yourself in the future.

Identify what led you to use again. Whether it was work stress, relationship problems, or maybe being in the wrong place and around less-than-supportive people, your relapse likely did not spring out of nothingness.

Identifying triggers and stressors is part of successful recovery. When relapse occurs, treat the experience as educational and immediately seek professional help. Just like yoga and meditation can help you identify when you might relapse, these techniques can also help you self-regulate to avoid future threats to your sobriety.

How to Manage a Relapse

Relapse during addiction recovery can be a discouraging setback, but it’s important to remember that it doesn’t define your journey to sobriety. The first step after a relapse is to reach out for support. Drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers offer various resources such as individual and group therapy, peer support groups, and relapse prevention plans to help you get back on track. Remember that recovery is a process, and setbacks can happen, but seeking help and staying committed to your goals are crucial to overcoming addiction.

The Path to Sobriety

Exercise can also help you power your way back to the right road to recovery. Researchers have identified brain chemical rewards that come from training, and they are identical to those triggered by drug and alcohol use. Incorporating outdoor exposure can also help stabilize mood, reducing feelings of depression and anxiety that might lead to relapse. Hobbies can also distract from relapse triggers and provide personal joy that improves mental states.

Be Patient with Yourself on Your Journey

Most importantly, realize that relapse is often part of the process of addiction recovery. That’s why managing substance abuse is so difficult. It is not an affliction that can be switched off like a light, but instead, think of recovery as a dimmer switch. You can dial down the threat of relapse, but a slight move in the wrong direction can turn the light back to full brightness.

If you are looking for other healthcare options, visit Healthcare Consulting New York for a simpler search process.

Finding a new primary care physician (PCP) can be a daunting task, especially when your current doctor retires. However, taking the time to find the right physician is essential to maintaining good health and receiving quality medical care. Here are some useful tips for finding a new PCP, courtesy of Health Care New York. 

Get an Endorsement 

One of the most effective ways to find a new PCP is to ask your retiring physician for referrals. Your current doctor will likely have colleagues or medical professionals they highly recommend to take over their practice. They may also be able to provide you with a list of physicians who are accepting new patients. 

Look Through Online Reviews 

Another way to find a new PCP is to read online reviews. Many healthcare providers have an online presence where their patients can leave feedback about their experience with them. Websites such as Healthgrades, Vitals, and Zocdoc also provide reviews and ratings on medical professionals. Reading these reviews can give you an idea of what to expect from a particular physician and help you make an informed decision. 

Consider an “In-Network” Doctor 

Selecting a new primary care physician is a crucial decision that demands thorough scrutiny of your insurance coverage to prevent any unanticipated costs. Therefore, it is imperative to locate a doctor who is under your insurance plan’s network to avoid paying out-of-pocket expenses. Fortunately, your insurance company can offer assistance in providing you with an extensive list of in-network physicians available in your vicinity. Also, take a look at Health Care New York’s licensed medical staff. 

Find a Doctor Who Understands Your Needs 

Everyone has unique health needs, and it’s essential to connect with a physician who understands your specific health concerns. If you have a chronic illness, for example, you’ll want to find a doctor who specializes in that condition. You may also want to consider a physician who takes a holistic approach to healthcare and focuses on preventative measures to keep you healthy. 

Choose a Doctor You Can Access 

The location of a new primary care physician’s office and their operational hours should be weighed in when making a selection. You need a doctor whose office is easily accessible from your residence or workplace, with flexible hours that align with your schedule. Furthermore, choosing a physician who provides telemedicine appointments can be a valuable convenience when you are unable to visit the physical office. 

Enroll in an Affordable Care Act Plan 

As a freelancer or self-employed individual, securing affordable healthcare coverage can pose difficulties. Nevertheless, enrolling in an Affordable Care Act healthcare plan can grant you access to top-notch medical care. These plans come with numerous benefits, such as preventive care services, emergency services, and prescription drug coverage, among others. 

Organize Your Medical Records for an Easy Switchover 

To ensure a smooth transition to a new PCP, it is crucial to keep your medical records well-organized. Converting your records into digital formats and storing them in secure cloud storage will provide you with quick access to your health history and test results. If you need to share your records with your new physician, try going for a PDF file converter to easily convert your files into the necessary format. 

Don’t let the initial overwhelm of finding a new primary care physician deter you from securing quality medical care. With ample research and evaluation, you can confidently identify the physician who best suits your unique needs. Remember, taking the extra time to make an informed decision will ultimately lead to a smooth and successful transition to your new PCP.

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I am at a crossroads; I have a family who hired my services. The aide tells me that when there is the woman’s daughter, she tells the aide that when her mother wakes up, they allow her to have breakfast with her adult diaper soil. Another issue is they (son and daughter) don’t know how to cook, so what they do is order takes out. I did not know how to cook but learned.

When I was there, I saw that the siblings talked and kept reading articles about nutrition and how to break down the food chain, all because the mother has been recently diagnosed with Frontal Temporal Dementia and Alzheimer’s. Something quietly frank I never thought would be possible. The siblings keep going. She can eat this but not that. When I have seemed that she is starving, when they bring something like a salad, she either does not want to eat or eats pleasantly.

I feel that they are so wrong that the woman is being neglected. Should I say something? Should I just be a money-grabbing person and not say anything? They think that by avoiding some sort of food, they are combatting her diagnosis. I personally want to help and first respect their vision. However, I can’t shake the fact that, for me, it is neglect.

It is or isn’t my job to say something if not the sibling because, after all, we are all trying our best, and I sure do want to believe in that. However, when looks like fish, smells like fish, it’s fish.

Some may think that neglection is a very strong word. Are the siblings aware of what they are doing? It falls into a new and very dangerous path. Are the siblings ignorant of their demise, and therefore they are unwillingly committing neglect?

What is more important? Count to twenty when an adult diaper is a soil or to take care of personal hygiene. They are so clueless that I mention that she overstimulated the daughter by saying not to give her coffee. I was like. Overstimulation is a Dementia issue. The mother screaming’s when taking a shower, and the daughter jumps like a lunatic, saying that the water is too hot (it wasn’t). I texted her how individuals with mental health issues react towards personal hygiene, bath, changing adult diapers, and the Alz.org website. I told her to read the articles so she could educate herself. Hopefully, she did and will come back better understood of how difficult it is for some to undress and be bath by someone else, their loved ones.

I still dwell. Should I make clear to them that what they are doing is neglect? The fact that they don’t have anything else, only cereal, sometimes they buy sweet potatoes for her to eat.

As an individual, you are your own best health advocate. Nobody else knows your body and your overall health better than you do. You are the one who knows when something feels off,
and you are the one who knows what steps you can take to feel your best. With that being said, how can you become your own best health advocate? Here are a few tips to help you take control of your health, courtesy of Health Care New York.

Focus on What You Can Control

One of the most important things you can do to take control of your health is to lead a healthier lifestyle. This includes eating nutritious food, getting regular exercise, drinking plenty of water, and getting enough sleep. These simple steps will help you to feel better both physically and mentally. They can also help to reduce your risk of developing chronic conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

Find the Right Providers

Another key to being your own best health advocate is to find the right healthcare professionals. You should start by finding a primary care physician that you trust and feel comfortable with. This person should be your first line of defense when it comes to your health. They can help you to manage any chronic conditions that you may have, and they can also refer you to other specialists as needed.

Educate Yourself

It’s important to educate yourself on any conditions you may have. This can help you to better understand your symptoms and how to manage them. It can also help you to work more effectively with your healthcare team. You can learn about your condition by doing research on reliable medical websites or by talking to your healthcare provider.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

When you’re at the doctor’s office or meeting with any other healthcare professional, don’t be afraid to ask questions. This is your health, after all. You have every right to know what’s going on with your body and to understand the options available to you. Ask questions about any tests that are being performed, any treatments that are being recommended, and any potential side effects of medications.

It’s Okay to Take Notes

Taking notes is another important step in becoming your own best health advocate. After each appointment or phone call with a healthcare professional, take a few minutes to jot down what was discussed. Include any recommendations that were made, any medications that were prescribed, and any follow-up appointments that were scheduled. This will help you to keep track of what’s going on with your health, and it will also help to ensure that you don’t forget any important information.

Keep All Documentation Digitally Organized

Finally, it’s important to keep your medical files organized. You should start by keeping all of your medical documents and records in one place. This can be a digital folder on your computer or a physical folder in your home. To make things even easier, consider scanning all of your documents and converting them as PDFs using this tool. This will allow you to easily share them
with your healthcare team as needed.

Being your own best health advocate requires taking control of your health, finding the right healthcare professionals, educating yourself on any conditions you may have, and keeping your medical files organized. With these tips in mind, you can take control of your health and ensure that you receive the care you need to feel your best.

Tuesday, we presented to a Senior Center. Director: Content is so important for the work we do. I need it in Spanish, Vietnamese, and Khmer. Carol: People want more information. Jim: Social workers already have clients. There is a 24/7 helpline. @alzassociation

Medicare Advantage is a newer approach to organizing Medicare benefits for seniors and other eligible individuals. Also known as Medicare Part C, these plans combine all coverage normally included under Original Medicare Parts A and B in a single monthly premium. Unlike Original Medicare, private insurance companies issue Part C plans and have agreed to meet all of the same coverage minimums of Medicare, except for hospice care, which Part A continues to cover. In addition to these minimums, many Part C plans also include prescription coverage, along with some extras Medicare doesn’t typically cover, such as dental, hearing and vision benefits. Many Medicare Advantage plans also have annual out-of-pocket limits, which Original Medicare does not.

Because Part C benefits are generally more expensive than Original Medicare, seniors who participate in these plans rarely need a traditional Medicare supplement, which reduces what seniors pay for health insurance every month. Issuers can organize Medicare Advantage plans like any other private insurance policy, with managed care packages with their own rules about referrals, network providers and specialist visits. The greater flexibility and potential cost savings make Part C plans attractive to many New York seniors, where over 1.5 million of the 3.6 million Medicare-eligible seniors choose this health coverage path, based on data from 2020. The 41% of the state’s Medicare beneficiaries covered by a Part C plan comes very close to the national average of 42%.

This guide to Medicare Advantage plans in New York state includes information about the plans available, what benefits they offer and who is eligible for coverage. It also provides helpful information about how to apply for Medicare Advantage in New York.

The Top 10 Medicare Advantage Plans in New York
Multiple insurance companies offer a variety of Medicare Advantage plans in New York. As a result, Medicare-eligible seniors have substantial choices when shopping for a plan. The table below lists the 10 most popular Medicare Advantage plans available in the Empire State, as judged by their enrollment figures. Because most Part C providers offer more than one plan, the list shows their rates as a range rather than a single average figure. The list also includes the number of current enrollees as of April 2022. For up-to-date information about the number of people enrolled in each plan, refer to the figures provided through Medicare.gov.

Name

Total Enrollment

Star Rating

Min Cost

Max Cost

Plan Types

UnitedHealthcare

391,715

3.5

$0

$84

HMO, PPO

Healthfirst Medicare Plan

227,400

4

$0

$42

HMO

Aetna Medicare

209,363

3.5

$0

$99

HMO, PPO

Excellus Health Plan, Inc

155,026

4.5

$33

$217

HMO, PPO

Wellcare

144,245

3.5

$0

$156

HMO, PPO, PFFS

Humana

114,690

4

$0

$40

HMO, PPO

EmblemHealth Medicare HMO

107,658

3

$34

$261

HMO

Empire BlueCross BlueShield

77,122

3

$16

$105

HMO, PPO

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New Yo

67,870

4.5

$26

$205

HMO, PPO

Independent Health

65,030

5

$65

$225

HMO, PPO

How Medicare Advantage Plans Work in New York
It’s important to understand how a Medicare Advantage plan works before enrolling. The companies offering plans typically organize their packages into a few different structures to deliver care. These include health maintenance organizations (HMOs), preferred provider organizations (PPOs) and special needs plans (SNPs). Each plan has its own rules about specialist care, condition-specific treatment and whether or not enrollees need to pick a primary care physician. The four most common plans are listed below.

Medicare Advantage Plan Types Graphic
What Medicare Advantage Plans Cover in New York
Medicare Advantage plans must include all of the same benefits that Original Medicare Parts A and B usually include, except for hospice care, which remains a Part A benefit. Services included in all Part C plans include screenings, lab tests, X-rays ordered by a doctor and the care provided during a stay in the hospital. Most Medicare Advantage plans also offer coverage for services that go beyond Original Medicare. This may include vision, dental and assistance with getting hearing aids.

Coverage Available With Medicare Parts A & B?

Coverage Available With Medicare Advantage?

Preventive Screenings

Yes

Yes

Hospital Care

Yes

Yes

Durable Medical Equipment

Yes

Yes

Prescription Drugs

No

Yes**

Vision Care

No

Yes*

Dental Care

No

Yes*

Hearing Aids

No

Yes*

*Select plans offer this coverage

** Most plans offer this coverage

Eligibility for Medicare Advantage in New York
To qualify for a Medicare Advantage plan, seniors must already be eligible for Original Medicare Parts A and B, as well as meet all of the other eligibility requirements for Medicare participation. It is unnecessary to have a Part D prescription drug plan to sign up for Medicare Advantage. Medicare Advantage providers are not normally allowed to charge extra or deny coverage for applicants with preexisting conditions, though it is important to apply within one of the designated open enrollment windows to preserve this advantage. Medicare may decline or charge a special penalty rate for applications made outside of the enrollment windows.

Read over the list below for information about open enrollment periods and when applicants in New York are allowed to make changes to their Medicare Advantage plan coverage.

Initial Coverage Election Period: This is the initial 7-month period, coinciding with one’s 65th birthday, during which everyone is eligible to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.
Annual Election Period (AEP): Also referred to as the Open Enrollment Period, this the time of year when anyone over 65 can enroll in Medicare Advantage for the first time or change to a new plan.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: During this period, those who are already enrolled in Medicare Advantage can switch to a different plan or switch back to Original Medicare.
Start Date

End Date

Initial Coverage Election
Period

3 Months Before One’s
65th Birth Month

3 Months After One’s
65th Birth Month

Annual Election Period
(AEP)

October 15th

December 7th

Medicare Advantage Open
Enrollment Period

January 1st

March 31st

Additionally, Medicare Advantage plan participants can change their plan outside of these enrollment periods under certain qualifying circumstances, such as moving to a new state.

How to Find & Choose a Medicare Advantage Plan in New York
Navigating the many intricacies of Medicare Advantage plan types, insurers, and the specific plan options available by region can be a difficult and time-consuming task. Below are several resources we’ve created to help you through the process.

First is a downloadable PDF that you can use as a guide to help you compare plans as you research. Finally, we have listed a number of organizations that you can contact with experts that will help you determine whether Medicare Advantage is right for you and what plans you should consider.

Choose a Medicare Advantage Plan
Download PDF

State-Wide Medicare Advantage Resources
Health Insurance Information Counseling and Assistance Program
The Health Insurance Information Counseling and Assistance Program (HIICAP) helps seniors navigate New York’s many medical insurance options. The program employs more than 500 counselors in offices throughout the state, who work directly with Medicare beneficiaries or individuals who are eligible to apply for state programs. These trained representatives provide information and education about Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, prescription drug plans and other health insurance options. Counselors can answer questions about coverage, give access to CMS and help seniors resolve complaints with insurers. Counseling is available in person at county offices or via telephone through a toll-free hotline. The program also offers helpful online resources, including the HIICAP Notebook, where seniors can access additional information about Medicare and Medicare Advantage.

CONTACT INFO
1-800-701-0501
To access HIICAP’s toll-free benefits hotline, call 1-800-701-0501. At the prompt, callers must state their county of residence so their inquiry can be directed to the appropriate Area Agency on Aging office or a participating community organization.

Community Health Advocates
Community Health Advocates (CHA) provides confidential one-on-one counseling free of charge to help New Yorkers understand their health insurance options and choose the plan that’s right for their unique medical needs. CHA gives community presentations designed to guide consumers through the complexity of the health care system. The presentations focus on a variety of health care topics and serve to educate individuals on insurance options and how changes in health care laws may affect individuals in the state. The program’s outreach services help high-need communities and offer help in more than 170 languages.

CONTACT INFO
1-888-614-5400
New York State residents can connect with CHA through its centralized helpline by dialing 1-888-614-5400 during weekdays from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. Seniors can also schedule a call by filling out the online form. A list of CHA affiliated organizations with staff who are qualified to assist consumers with health insurance questions and enrollment issues can be found online at CHA’s website.

Visit Website
New York State Attorney General’s Health Care Bureau
The New York State Attorney General’s Health Care Bureau provides information and assistance to help New Yorkers connect with public and private insurers so they can get affordable medical coverage regardless of age. The bureau educates consumers about their health care rights under the Managed Care Bill of Rights and has outreach programs that serve high-need communities. Through the bureau’s toll-free helpline, consumers can connect with trained intake specialists and advocates who can help individuals understand available benefits and how to secure coverage. The hotline also helps consumers resolve complaints concerning health plan denials, wrongful practices and prescription drug coverage.

CONTACT INFO
1-800-428-9071
Consumers can speak with a trained advocate or intake specialist at the New York State Attorney General’s Health Care Bureau through its toll-free helpline by dialing 1-800-428-9071. Additional information, including tips and brochures, is available through the Health Care Bureau’s website.

Visit Website
Local Medicare Advantage Resources
NYC Health
NYC Health provides in-person assistance at no cost to seniors who need help navigating health care enrollment and coverage-related issues. Certified health insurance enrollment counselors are available at locations in all five boroughs to help consumers explore plan options that are available to them. The counselors can also assist with complex enrollment or the renewal process for public and private insurance, including Medicare Advantage. NYC Health can help local immigrants secure quality health care regardless of their immigration status, and the agency provides assistance in a multitude of languages. Telephone enrollment appointments are also available.

CONTACT INFO
New Yorkers aged 65 and older who need help with health care enrollment can find a counselor in their borough of residence by searching the NYC Health Map. They can also set up an in-person or telephone appointment by calling 311 or texting “CoveredNYC” to 877-877. A list of locations broken down by borough is also available by visiting NYC Health’s website.

Visit Website
New York StateWide Senior Action Council
New York StateWide Senior Action Council is a group that provides health care advocacy and support to New York elders. The organization runs a confidential health and prescription medication coverage helpline, where certified counselors provide information on Medicare Advantage benefits and prescription drug coverage, answer consumer questions and assist with plan enrollment free of charge. New York StateWide Senior Action Council also connects seniors with essential resources at the local, state and federal levels. The council has offices throughout the state and hosts regional chapter meetings, presentations focusing on senior-friendly topics and telephone teach-ins on various subjects. It also sponsors a Senior Medicare Patrol, which empowers seniors and their families to detect, prevent and report potential Medicare fraud.

CONTACT INFO
1-800-333-4374
New York StateWide Senior Action Council’s Medicare and prescription drug coverage hotline is available free of cost by calling 1-800-333-4374. Seniors can also connect with a certified counselor by emailing info@nysenior.org. To find out more information on chapters and events, interested parties should visit the regional section of StateWide’s website.

Visit Website
Email
Jewish Association Serving the Aging (JASA)
The Jewish Association Serving the Aging is a nonprofit organization that provides a multitude of no-cost services for seniors of all races and religions residing in Long Island and New York City’s five boroughs. JASA’s Sally and Henry Pearce Help Center employs bilingual social workers trained to conduct comprehensive assessments to determine an individual’s health care needs and eligibility. Representatives can also help seniors navigate the health care enrollment process and secure benefits under programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.

CONTACT INFO
212-273-5272
Regardless of religion, race or economic background, seniors can connect with trained social workers through JASA’s bilingual Sally and Henry Pearce Help Center by calling 212-273-5272 or filling out a brief online form. Seniors or their family members who are looking for more information on Medicare and other health care benefits can search for association locations throughout the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and Long Island by visiting JASA’s website.

Image Source: Pexels

Trying to balance your work, social and family responsibilities each day can be exhausting. And while running behind these responsibilities, finding time for yourself can seem impossible. But, taking ample rest, eating healthy, and staying active is the bare minimum you should strive for, as these will keep stress at bay and give you the energy to tackle what life throws at you daily. In this article by Health Care New York, we’ve compiled five self-care strategies that can be easily incorporated into your hectic schedule.

• Sleep Early

As the CDC reports, adults require at least 7 hours of sleep each night. But along with the duration, the time you sleep is important as well. Our circadian rhythm, i.e., the body clock functions best when it’s in sync with the timings of natural light. Hence, you should plan to go to bed around 9-10 pm and wake up by 6 am.

Not only will proper sleep improve energy levels and mental sharpness during the day, but waking up early will provide you a head start over others and some much-needed alone time in a household when others aren’t early risers.

• Drink Plenty of Water

Do you commonly feel tired throughout the workday? It could be due to the simple fact that you don’t drink enough water. Research shows that 3-4% dehydration can reduce productivity levels by up to 25%. The recommended daily intake of fluids for men is 3.7 liters, while for women, it’s 2.7 liters.

One of the simplest ways to keep track of your intake is to buy a water bottle and consistently drink from it every hour. If it is a 1L bottle, you should ideally fill it 3-4 times to reach the recommended limit.

• Include Physical Activity

Whether it be at home or in the workplace, the convenience brought on by technology has made a living a sedentary lifestyle the norm. Between sitting for prolonged periods at the office and sleeping at night, we now spend the majority of our time in inactive positions. Hence it comes as no surprise that instances of neck, back, and joint pains, even in younger adults, are higher than before. Other common occurrences include weight gain, fatigue, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

If you consider your schedule too packed to make time for the gym, there are still various ways to remain active:

• Consider purchasing a bicycle to commute to work

• Make a conscious choice to take the stairs rather than elevators at work

• Make time for a brief walk around your neighborhood every morning or evening

• Review Your Eating Choices

What you eat has a direct impact on how you feel. If you stay away from donuts and pizza at work but come home and munch on other carb-laden snacks such as cookies, packaged snacks, etc., you’re not doing yourself any favors. A defining characteristic of these foods is the spike in energy that they provide shortly after consumption due to an increase in your blood sugar levels. But when these levels come down naturally, so do your mood, energy, and productivity levels.

Instead, make the switch to a healthy meal and snack choices, which include products made from whole grains, fruits and vegetables of all colors, and fermented foods which are rich in probiotics.

• Tackle Work-Related Stress

There is nothing more stressful than feeling stuck in a job that provides you with no sense of fulfillment. While a good salary can help push on for the short term, in the long term, you’re bound to want a change. Currently, workers have numerous options at their disposal when it comes to making a career change, from making the switch to freelancing to starting their own online business.

Additionally, one can consider completing a professional development course to learn in-demand skills and make the switch to a better role. For those in the healthcare industry, here’s an example of an online medical coding course.

Making small lifestyle changes can help seamlessly integrate self-care into your daily routine. But when it comes to making a career switch, a new accreditation such as a medical coding course will help to accelerate the process and land a new role that you enjoy.

In the good old days of the 70s, where you were trashing everything, now you have to educate and inform about what is trash, and what is not, where hard plastics go or fit in the recycling world.
If you leave in Manhattan within its five boroughs always call 311 it’s kinda hotline for whatever information one may need. If you are a computer wiz, well there are several websites to go to.

Below you will find your wave:

• nyc.gov/recycle
• nyc.gov/SanitationMaterials
• nyc.gov/safedisposal
• nyc.gov/CFCRecovery – this site is for ac, refrigerators, and appliances with chlorofluorocarbons
• nyc.gov/compost
• nyc.gov/donate
• nyc.gov/ecycle
• nyc.gov/refashion (this one is for me)
• nyc.gov/ZeroWasteTraining
• nyc.gov/HowtoGetRidOf
• nyc.gov/dsnynews

The site is very easy to navigate, I try myself, you can trash it after you learn a little bit more, and one more reminder, Salvation army also has a pick phone number where you can call and schedule a pickup time, which usually is Wednesdays. Salvation Army is not run by NYC.gov, just thought to share info.

My mother was adopted by her aunt(the family connection comes from the fact that the aunt who adopt my mother was married to my mother’s biological uncle. So the woman who I grew up calling and knowing as grandma is my second aunt. My grandma was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and boy let me tell you how hard was, end of 70’s early 80’s we did not know what we were doing, for how long, or how well we were doing. We were just doing. It was a nightmare. Everything that could, went wrong, my grandma, was a runner, so we need to be paid strict attention to doors, and because she did not have balance, she became prone to fall down, I remember one occasion when I was going out to bike with my friends and I saw her on the floor, I scream for help and off she went to be hospitalized.

Enduring months at a time, in the hospital, and every day we used to go to visit her. Painful and horrifying was to see her sleeping away. My mom did not have any other siblings so no sharing duties or anything else, but my grandma’s siblings used to come every Wednesday to talk to her and cheer her up giving my mom a break, but my grandma, just wasn’t there, my father took upon himself to cut her toenails, I work as her aid, believe or not waking up in the middle of the night to make sure she wasn’t gone, and changing her legs bandages because the water in her body was liking through her skin calves.

Her final hospitalization was her last everything. Alzheimer’s had her after all. Financially speaking no we would not have the means to have her transfer to a nursing home, and quite frankly back in those days, in Brazil people who went to nursing homes were people dean crazy. Now that I worked in the healthcare field for the last 15 years, when a family says they can’t afford, it or they have to talk with other family members to make a pool, I know in my heart they are financially stranded. For all the families out there who have a loved one in need of in-home care and don’t have the means to hire a caregiver I understand.

But I also say whoever needs medical professional help they are better off at home. With a part-time aid and some family members covering the other end. All the family needs to do is come together and pool their resources, have one leader to set schedules, and explain what needs to be done, not only financially but emotionally as well.
Lost for Alzheimer’s we lost big, and continue to lose as long as the disease can’t be treated or have definitive answers. For all the families out there who have a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s and don’t have the means to hire a caregiver I understand.