Milano Family Testimonial
Sherry Saturno: Superstar Social Worker
Sprain Brook Manor recently received a 5- star rating from CMS.gov, the highest rating a facility can receive from the government. While we are obviously proud of this hard-earned accomplishment, it would not have been possible without all of the people who make our facility the special place that it is.
One of the outstanding individuals who serve our patients, residents and their families, is our Director of Social Services, Sherry Saturno.
When you meet Sherry, you immediately notice her bright smile, gentle demeanor and unmistakable warmth. Within moments of getting to know her, it’s clear that she operates from a place of compassion, understanding, and experience. All of these qualities are key components to her success as the Director of Social Services at Sprain Brook Manor.
Over the course of her highly successful and decorated career, Sherry has worked in various areas within her field. She’s helped at-risk youth and teen sex workers, clients in local housing authorities in New York City, worked as a direct care social worker, as a clinical director at a medical center, and as an executive director of a non-profit but her passion lies in helping seniors and their families.
When asked what she loves best about working with seniors, specifically here at Sprain Brook Manor, she said, “Seeing how seniors can still maintain a vibrant lifestyle…and have lots of friends here, lots of activities. Our nursing home and rehab center can be a place of support, a place of community. Where people are still learning and keeping up with current events.”
Sherry’s passion is evident not only in her day to day work here at Sprain but also in the diverse accomplishments outside the office, of which there are many. However, most families who sit down with Sherry may never know about the wide range of her professional achievements.
You see, Sherry doesn’t like to toot her own horn, so that’s why we’re tooting it for her.
Sherry is a national award-winning social worker with a multitude of degrees, and credits on her resume and this spring she’ll be adding another.
On April 14th, in Atlanta, Georgia, Sherry will be inducted as a Distinguished Fellow and Practitioner at the 2018 National Forum by the National Academies of Practice. NPA is a non-profit, inter-professional organization, comprised of 250 healthcare professionals who are carefully selected from all over the nation. NPA holds Healthcare Policy Forums, Membership Symposiums, Annual Conferences and Congressional Briefings.
Sprain Brook Manor is honored to be sponsoring Sherry’s upcoming trip to the NPA forumfor her induction. She’ll even be giving a speech while she’s there. Some people might feel nervous about taking on this high profile public speaking opportunity. Not our Sherry. Truth be told, it’s not a new experience for her because Sherry has given a TEDx Talk, Use Your Broken Heart to Find Your Greatness.
Wait. There’s more.
When she isn’t rocking amazing speeches, Sherry is busy being an award-winning filmmaker. Her short film, Human Investment, won the 2016 National Association of Social Workers Media Award for Best Documentary Film.
The list of Sherry’s professional accomplishments is seemingly endless and we are so proud to have her as an integral part of our Sprain Brook Manor team.
However, what rises above all the degrees and awards, is Sherry’s kindness and her dedication to the patients, residents, and families here at Sprain Brook.
Keep up the great work, Sherry! We are lucky to have you on our team.
Signs That Your Aging Loved One Needs Assisted Living
Wandering: One of the later signs of dementia is wandering. Even within a home wandering can be dangerous as daily tasks like going to the bathroom can lead to falls and injuries. Aggression: When an aging loved one begins to show physical and verbal aggression it may be another sign that their condition is deteriorating. Furthermore, this behavior could lead to family members becoming resentful. Their house no longer safe: If you no longer feel that your loved one is safe in their home if they are not being supervised then it is time for them to receive a higher level of care in an assisted living facility. Caregiver burnout: Taking care of an aging loved one can take an enormous toll on anyone. If you are feeling burnt out it does not help you or your loved one if you continue to try to take care o them if they need a higher level of care.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy Shown to Help Aging Adults
As our loved ones age, we tend to focus on their physical health. However, research indicates that anxiety disorders are as common among the elderly as they are among the young. In fact, as much as 7 percent of older people have generalized anxiety disorder. Often the elderly could be struggling with mental health issues without receiving the help they need. There is new hope for aging adults struggling with anxiety and other mental health problems.
New research shows that Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) can help people over 60 have fewer depressive symptoms, improve their mental health and worry less. In a study published in the Journal of American Medical Association, results showed that aging adults that had up to 10 sessions of CBT therapy had a 40% response rate (e.g. improved mental health) compared to only 22 percent response rate of those who received standard primary care.
Improving Aging adults mental health and general health is of utmost concern at Sprain Brook Manor. We understand the needs of our residents at our Westchester nursing home. That is why we provide the best short-term care and skilled nursing care possible. In addition, we understand that aging adults not only need their physical needs taken care of but also their psychological needs. Therefore, we have activities and caring staff that work to help heal our resident’s minds and body.
This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab which Provides unique opportunity to recover from medical procedures that result in true satisfying results. Getting you stronger and better every day. Contact Us today to receive more information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as health advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.
Holiday Season Red Flags
With the arrival of Thanksgiving, the holiday season has officially begun. For many families, it is the time of year where they travel and see loved ones they may not have seen for several months. For other families, it may be the part of the year where they spend long stretches of time with their elderly family members. For children of aging adults, the holiday season is a cherished time they can spend with their elderly parents. However, it is also a time of year where children can better assess their elderly parents’ cognitive functioning. If you are going to be spending an extended period of time with an aging loved one it is important to look out for any red flags that may require more assessment or intervention.
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Extreme Changes in weight: If you have noticed that your elderly loved ones have lost or gained a significant amount of weight since your last visit you may need to consult a medical professional to assess the potential causes of this change in weight. Extreme weight loss in the elderly could be due to cancer, dementia, heart failure, depression or other serious issues. Weight gain can also be caused by depression, heart disease, and medication. Significant changes in weight can be symptoms of a larger issue that need immediate intervention. In addition, significant weight changes can lead to increased medical problems such as type 2 diabetes.
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Changes in Home Environment: If it has been awhile since you have visited your elderly loved one’s residence and noticed their once clean and organized home is a mess with overflowing piles of garbage and uncleaned laundry this could be a sign of declining functioning. Even if your aging loved one was never known to be the cleanest and most organized individual, having them live in a messy and dirty environment could put them at increased risk of falling or getting sick.
If upon visiting your aging loved one you realize that they may need further assessment by a medical expert it will be important to broach the topic carefully. The holiday season is stressful for everyone and adding a serious and important conversation about your aging adults weight, home environment or other concerns can lead them to feel attacked or judged. Therefore you may want to begin the conversation by reviewing with them their previous doctor visits and making a new appointment with their primary care physician where you can voice some of your concerns. If your concerns are very serious, you may have to look into long-term nursing home care with skilled nursing services.
This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab which Provides unique opportunity to recover from medical procedures that result in true satisfying results. Getting you stronger and better every day. Contact Us today to receive more information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as health advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.
Taking Precautions While Traveling
Jet Lag: traveling across time zones can lead to jet lag. Jet lag has the potential to disrupt sleeping patterns, put aging adults at risk of exhaustion and affect an individual’s sensitive medication schedule. Injury: Traveling on an airplane includes several potential risks for injury, especially for aging adults because they are more prone to injury. Risks for injury include being shoved or pushed while entering or exiting a plane, falling in the airport or being hit by luggage from overhead carry-on storage. Any injury that an elderly individual receives during air travel can be increasingly dangerous as life-saving medical treatment can be unavailable during longer flights. Illness: Aging adults have weaker immune systems and therefore at an increased risk of getting sick during or after air travel. A more fragile immune system is particularly problematic when flying on an airplane as the close quarters makes it more likely for germs to spread between individuals. Also, staying too long in one position can lead to blood clots or worsen arthritis.
short term care westchester
Diabetes in the Elderly
Eating Correctly: Understanding how your diet affects your glucose levels is essential in managing diabetes. Creating a diabetic specific diet plan can help keep your glucose levels down. Exercise: Regular exercise can help improve glucose levels in older people with diabetes. Medications: Medications can help individuals with diabetes manage their blood glucose levels and can help improve the positive effects of eating right and exercise. Monitoring: Monitoring your glucose level and blood pressure can help ensure your condition does not get worse before it gets better,
This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab which Provides unique opportunity to recover from medical procedures that result in true satisfying results. Getting you stronger and better every day. Contact Us today to receive more information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as health advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.
How To Protect Seniors Against Scams
Telemarketing Scams- These scammers prey on the elderly and are extremely hard to trace.Three common phone scams are the pigeon drop, where the scammer tells the mark they found money and will split it with the aging adult if they give them a good faith payment, the fake accident ploy, where someone calls an aging adult and tells them to send them money on the premise that a family member is in the hospital and needs it and the charity scam, where money is “collected” for fake charities.
Scams that target the elderly can do a lot of financial and psychological damage to the victims. Just like when it comes to taking care of your aging loved one, it is important to be educated about potential hazards that can threaten their health. At Sprain Brook Manor we understand the importance of knowing that a family can trust the health and care of their loved one to our skilled nursing care staff. We have the best rehab center in the Westchester area and offer several therapies including Cardiac, Speech, Pulmonary and Physical therapy so that your loved one can regain their health and quality of life.
This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab which Provides unique opportunity to recover from medical procedures that result in true satisfying results. Getting you stronger and better every day.Contact Us today to receive more information.Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as health advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.
Watch Out for Caregiver Burnout
You don’t feel like seeing or talking to anyone. If all of a sudden you feel like you no longer want to be social with friends or family this is a sign you may be burning out. You no longer find interest in things that you used to enjoy. Anhedonia is a loss of experiencing pleasure in activities you used to find enjoyable. It is an early sign of depression and may mean you need a break from caregiving. You have had a recent significant change in appetite. A large increase or decrease in appetite can be a telltale sign that you are experiencing extreme levels of stress. You have had a recent significant change in your sleep patterns. Stress can wreak havoc on your sleep habits. If you’re oversleeping or under sleeping it can be your body telling you that you need a break from the stress of caregiving.
Things that are Cheaper in Retirement
Lower Taxes: Taxpayers that are 65 or older can receive a higher standard deduction if they don’t itemize. In addition, once you are retirement age you may see more of your paycheck as you no longer have to pay into social security and Medicare. Lower Commuting Costs: According to one study the average fulltime workers spends an estimated $240 per month traveling to and from work. Once you reached retirement you will save on commuting as well as other work related costs like dry cleaning or office gifts. Lower Insurance Costs: Once you reached retirement you may decide to get rid of disability insurance and you can be eligible for lower car insurance premium if you’re driving fewer miles. Save on home repairs and chores: When you are no longer working a day job you will have more time to do your home tasks such as gardening and maintenance like painting, instead of paying someone else to do these tasks. Saving on Travel: Once you retire you will likely want to travel more. Since you have more time and flexibility you can travel in the off season and save big on travel.
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