Recent Press Releases
April 24, 2008
Lifespan is hosting a series of FREE workshops in May in recognition of Older Americans month. Call 244-8400, ext. 124 to register.
Medicare 101, Tuesday, May 6, 10:00 – Noon
Presenter Ron Brandwein, Health Insurance Information Specialist at Lifespan
Learn more about the ins and outs of Medicare. Important information if you are approaching age 65!
Ethical Wills, Tuesday, May 13, 1 – 2:30 pm.
Presenter, Cindy Steltz, Director of Education at Lifespan
One of the most valuable things you can leave your family is a record of the values, wisdom and beliefs that guided you in your life. Composing an ethical will is an opportunity to articulate your legacy to your family and generations to come. Join us and learn the basics of creating this treasured document.
Peace of Mind Planning, Tuesday, May 13, 5:30 – 7:30pm
Presenter JoAnne Sims, Retirement Specialist at Lifespan.
An overview of all the issues that retirees, or those approaching retirement, should consider! Workshop attendees will receive a 100-page binder with information about paying for health and long-term care, housing options, financial and legal planning, finding fulfillment and part-time retirement employment.
Should I buy Long-Term Care Insurance?, Wednesday, May 14, 5:30 – 7:30pm
Presenter, Ron Brandwein, Health Insurance Information Specialist at Lifespan
We don’t sell long-term care insurance, but we do provide the information you need to make an informed decision.
G Forces of Caregiving (Guild, Grief & Grace), Thursday, May 15 , 5:30 – 7:00pm
Presenter Cindy Steltz, Director of Education at Lifespan
You will learn about the normal emotions and challenges of caregiving and how communication skills can help alleviate some of the challenges.
Home Modifications, Monday, May 19, 5:30 – 6:30pm.
Presenters Mike Gow, Fall Prevention Specialist at Lifespan and Jeff Tallon of Barrier Free Living
Learn how modifications can decrease the risk of falls and make your home easier to live in!
Your Family Finances and Paying for Nursing Home Care, Tuesday, May 20, 5:30 – 7pm
Presenter: Alan Illig, Esq., Financial Specialist at Lifespan
Learn more about how to prepare financially for the possibility of nursing home care.
How to Advocate for Nursing Home Residents, Thursday, May 29, 5:30 – 7:00pm
Presenter: Rose Marie Fagan, Nursing Home Specialist
Learn about your role as a family member and how to become a better advocate for your loved one.
February 13, 2008
Lifespan is hosting a free, two-hour Peace of Mind Planning workshop to provide an overview of all the issues that retirees, or those approaching retirement, should consider. Attendees will receive a comprehensive, 100-page binder that includes information about paying for health and long-term care, housing options, financial planning, finding fulfillment, part-time employment and legal planning.
Date: Monday, February 25, 2008
Time: 5:30 to 7:30
Reservations required: Call 244-8400, ext. 475 or email jsims@lifespan-roch.org
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December, 2007
Lifespan Receives $194,000 Grant to Conduct a Statewide Elder Abuse Prevalence Study
Lifespan of Greater Rochester Inc. was recently awarded a $194,000 grant to conduct a statewide elder abuse prevalence study. The project is a partnership between Lifespan, the New York City Department for the Aging (NYC DFTA), and Cornell University. Principal investigators will be Mark Lachs, MD (Cornell) and Jackie Berman, PhD, (DFTA).
This will be the first in-depth, statewide study of elder abuse prevalence in the nation. The project is funded, in part, through the New York State Children and Family Trust Fund, a program administered under the NYS Office of Children and Family Services.
Info about Elder Abuse in our Community: In 2006, in Lifespan’s ten-county service area:
80% of our clients were women.
70% were age 75 or older.
Financial abuse occurred in 40% of cases.
Neglect occurred in 11% of cases.
Physical abuse occurred in 7% of cases.
Psychological abuse occurred in 33% of cases.
Who are the perpetrators of elder abuse?
Sons: 29%
Daughters: 20%
Other family: 15%
Not related: 21%
Where do victims of elder abuse live?
41% resided within the City.
59% resided outside the City.
In 2006, Lifespan investigated 348 cases of elder abuse.
Experts estimate that only 1 in 14 cases are known to authorities.
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December 2007
Lifespan Hosts Nothing-to-Sell Workshops about Long-Term Care Insurance in 2008
Are you thinking about buying long-term care health insurance? Do you have questions about the many types of policies and what type of coverage you could need? You are invited to attend "nothing-to-sell" workshops about long-term care insurance. Click here to see workshop dates
Lifespan is part of New York State's Long Term Care Insurance Education and Outreach program. The experts at Lifespan provide free, unbiased advice about long term care insurance. We have nothing to sell. Our only goal is to help you become a smart consumer.
Long term care insurance can help protect older adults and their families from thefinancial hardship of nursing home care or a long illness - but it's not the right decision for everyone. Not sure what you should do?
Lifespan can help you make the right choice. When it's time to think about long-term care insurance, call Rochester's number one resource for guidance for older adults - call Lifespan at 244-8400. We'll help you take it on.
Neither New York State nor Lifespan endorses or recommends any specific insurance product or insurer; this program is solely intended to educate consumers about their choices.Reservations ARE required. Call Lifespan at 244-8400, ext. 161.
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October 15, 2007
Lifespan to Host Information & Inspiration for Caregivers in November
In recognition of National Caregiving Month, Lifespan is hosting a month-long series of free workshops for caregivers of older adults. The series, Information & Inspiration for Caregivers, is sponsored by Preferred Care.Fact: About 25% of American families are caregiving for family members. The average caregiver is a 47 year-old employed woman.
Workshop List
Your Family Finances and Paying for Nursing Home Care
When Home Alone Isn’t Safe
She’s Being Discharged When & I Need to Do What?!
Should My Parents Be DrivingOpen Discussion: The Stress of Caring for Parents and Your Children (The Sandwich Generation)
Coping Techniques for Stressed Caregivers
The “G” Forces of Caregiving (Guilt, Grief & Grace)
Total Recall: Understanding Memory and Aging
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January 2007
Lifespan Receives Grant for Outbound Scams & Fraud Education Call Center
Rochester NY: Lifespan has received a $200,000 national grant to open a call center dedicated to educating older adults from around the country about scams delivered by telephone, mail and the Internet.
During the next year, Lifespan volunteers and staff will call 100,000 older adults who are known or potential victims of telemarketing scams. They are persons identified by AARP as being at risk because they have already been scammed or because they fit criteria that may make them more vulnerable. Their names may have been found on a call list that was seized when a telemarketing ring was exposed, or they are known to be isolated or recently widowed. Callers will educate about fraudulent telemarketing and provide tips on how to avoid being victimized by scams.
“What we will do through the Consumer Fraud Prevention Project is fight back against those criminals who promote false promises of grand prizes, a ‘second chance’ to win an online auction, or stories about international lotteries. We are going to turn the tables on these criminals, and speak directly to consumers with warnings about the current scams and tips on avoiding harm,” said Ann Marie Cook, president/CEO of Lifespan.
“Financial losses in later life are harder, if not impossible to recoup, and in a society which equates money with choice, con artists are not only robbing bank accounts, they also are potentially robbing people of their independence,” Cook added.
The majority of the 100,000 calls will be made by trained volunteers in a peer to peer approach. “Volunteers provide the power for our project” said Maureen Murphy, project coordinator, and we asking anyone interested in this topic to call us about volunteering for as little as six hours a month.”
Lifespan has almost 20 years experience in the field of elder abuse and financial exploitation. For more information about the project or to become a volunteer, contact Maureen Murphy at 585-244-8400.
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Lifespan in Recent Media
Lifespan Featured in Many Voices, Many Visions Public Affairs Interview
Click here to see interview on 13 WHAM-TV January 20, 2008
Lifespan Staff Testifies at Hearing on Elder Abuse
Click here to read about Assembly Hearing on Elder Abuse Democrat & Chronicle, January 19, 2008
R News: Lifespan Seeks Nominees for Second Half Hero Award
R News: Carol Channing Speaks at Lifespan's Celebration of Aging
Lifespan's Golden Wishes Program Surprises Vet Residing in Nursing Home
Click here to see Story as seen on RNews.
Articles by Lifespan Staff/Board Members
About Senior Housing and Assisted Living by Mary Rose McBrideBeing a Caregiver by Patricia Phillips, Chair of Lifespan's Board of Directors. Published in the Democrat & Chronicle, November, 2007
Being a Caregiver by Joseph Kufta published in the Democrat & Chronicle, November, 2007
Nursing Home Residents Have Rights published in the Democrat and Chronicle, October, 2007
World Elder Abuse Day 2007 published in the Democrat & Chronicle, June 2007
Fraud and Scams Against Seniors published in the Democrat & Chronicle, February, 2007
World Elder Abuse Day, published in the Democrat and Chronicle, June, 2006
Lifespan is Making Wishes Come True, published in the Democrat and Chronicle, October 6, 2006
Older Adults and Driving, published in the Democrat and Chronicle, September 25, 2006
Lifespan Reacts to Jennifer Matthews Nursing Home Investigation, published in the Democrat and Chronicle, January 12, 2006
Lifespan's President Writes about the 2005 White House Conference on Aging published in the Democrat and Chronicle, December 20, 2005
Volunteer Advocates Sought for Nursing Home Residents published in the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, October, 19, 2005
Long-Term Care Insurance, published in the Democrat & Chronicle, August 2005
Lifespan Launches Geriatric Substance Abuse Coalition released July, 2005