outREACH

Serving the Community Since 1957

 

Photo of Victoria Sidrow

Dear Friends:

The past six months have been quite tumultuous. The economy has affected everyone in one way or another, putting stress on individuals, families, relationships and budgets. We, too, are impacted as service demand increases, individual donations and foundation grants are down and individuals who may have lost their insurance have less money to pay for essential treatment. You hear heartbreaking stories, we hear even more.

As spring arrived and we left the gray, cold days of winter behind, this time of rebirth and bright colorful flowers is keeping my optimism alive. I am hopeful that our legislators recognize the need to protect non profit organizations who serve vulnerable children, adolescents and adults. The irony is that when the economy is down and more individuals are in need of mental health or substance abuse services, the funding is decreased. We here at Vantage, staff, clients and the Board will be advocating for the state's FY2010 budget to include appropriate funds to maintain the services. Funding put into community services like ours is preventative in nature—oftentimes preventing a more costly and uninviting hospital stay. I invite you to join in our efforts to ask our legislators to keep behavioral health care services a priority. You can find your legislator contact information at: www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/legsearch.asp

I am also hopeful that some of the federal stimulus funding will find its way down to organizations like ours which provide quality, affordable direct treatment services to residents in our communities.

The month of May is nationally designated as Mental Health Awareness month. It is always important to be aware of your own mental health status and the accompanying article has some tips on reducing stress. In these difficult times, it is essential.

Any help you can give us in raising awareness by contacting your legislators or by making a contribution is very much appreciated.

My best for a healthy spring!

Sincerely,

Victoria L. Sidrow
President and CEO, vsidrow@vantagenj.org

SIMPLE TIPS TO HANDLE STRESS

Times are tough. Individuals are losing their jobs. Families are losing their homes and more and more people are experiencing increased levels of stress. How are we supposed to deal with all of this negativity?

Christine Lidestri, LCSW, CYT, (Certified Yoga Teacher), has some helpful tips to manage stress.

"Managing stress is all about taking charge and making choices that will reduce the harmful effects of stress," said Lidestri, director, Dumont Recovery Center. "In order to create a healthful habit, you have to do something 21 times over. It takes effort, but it is well worth it. Equip yourself with daily stress management strategies. Recognize what drains you and what energizes you. Be mindful of nourishing yourself; mind, body and spirit."

First things first, take care of the basics:

Good Sleep. Develop a sleep routine and stick with it. Go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time each day; 10:30 pm to 6:30 am is a good rule of thumb. If you don't get enough sleep, you're starting at a disadvantage.

Good Nutrition. What are you eating? Simple carbs, no protein? Try to eat wholesome, balanced meals and nutritious snacks. Make food work for you.

Good Exercise. We store stress, we hold on to it. We need to release that stress and exercise is a great way to do that. Walking, yoga, shooting hoops at a local park, are some great ways to exercise. Thirty minutes of physical exercise per day is an ideal goal.

When an individual continually feels overwhelmed and stress begins to affect their relationships, mood, ability to function, and sleep pattern, it may be time to seek professional help. For more information, please call Vantage's Access Center at (201) 567-0059.

Helpful Tips to Manage Stress

GERIATRIC ADULT DAY CENTER HELPS ALLEVIATE DEPRESSION

Vantage Health System's Northern Valley Adult Day Health Center is helping to lessen the depression the elderly often experience because of physical and cognitive decline. Participants at the Adult Day Center are involved in daily therapeutic activities and medical monitoring that foster improved self esteem and physical strength.

The Adult Day Center reports semi-annually to the Bergen County Department of Senior Services quantitative data on the benefits of participant's attendance at the Northern Valley Adult Day program. These reports help the county evaluate and approve the services at the center.

"One of the quantitative tests used for the report is The Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia test," said Nancy Bortinger, LCSW, Director of Geriatric Services. "The test evaluates mood-related signs, behavioral disturbance, physical signs, cyclic functions, and ideational disturbance". Our participants are tested upon admission, and retested after 6 months of attendance. More than 50% of the participants tested showed an improvement in their score noting less depression or absence of depression.

"These are dramatic and positive changes in our clients. The vast majority of clients appear to be less depressed following their integration into the program. Their self care is better and their social skills are more appropriate. Many are starting to live life again." added Bortinger.

It is noted by family members, that clients not only appear to be enthusiastic about attending the center, but the greatest void is on the weekend when clients need explanation as to why they have to stay home. One family member described her experience:

"My husband has suffered from Alzheimer's for a number of years, but he was only diagnosed about 2 ½ years ago. He takes a number of medications, but he was not responding very well until he started attending the Adult Day Center. Prior to this he slept as much as 20 hours a day. Now he gets up as soon as the clock rings and gets ready to go as fast as he can. He likes the people (both staff and clients) a lot and he always has an amusing story about his day. He is very unhappy on weekends and holidays as he would rather be there.

His depression and mood changes seem to be lessened by the time he spends at the center and he sleeps much more normally. It has made a huge difference in the quality of his life (and mine)".

Alleviating depression in the lives of the elderly who are afflicted with dementia allows family members greater ability to care for their loved one at home with daytime care at the center. For more information about the center, please call (201) 384-7734.

Welcome New Board Members!

"I would like to welcome both Tom and Lisa to the Board.We thank them for volunteering their time and talents.They believe in our mission and are passionate about making a difference."
-Patrick O'Brien, chair,Vantage Board of Trustees

Tom Colwell

Thomas D. Colwell, a resident of Closter, is Vice President of Conrad Direct, Inc., a direct marketing company. Tom, who holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Rutgers University, brings an interest in geriatric services and looks forward to actively engaging in Development and Fundraising activities for Vantage. He will serve on Vantage's Development Committee.

Lisa Gladwell

Lisa E. Gladwell, a resident of River Edge, is presently enrolled at Pace University School of Law. Prior to Vantage, Lisa served as a Board member for the Van Ost Institute. She brings her interest in addiction recovery and board experience with her to Vantage. Lisa will also serve on Vantage's Development Committee.

SPECIAL THANKS FOR GIVING BACK!

Carolyn Jaime, Vantage's Director of Residential Services, and staff would like to thank Andy Raupp, a 5th grade teacher at Ridgewood's Henrietta Hawes Elementary School, and his class for their school's community service project.

Students Liz Bozian and Samantha Hernandez came up with the idea to host a blanket drive. Betsy Bozian, Liz's mom, googled "blanket drives" and discovered that there was a need at Vantage Health System. So she visited Vantage's web site www.vantagenj.org, watched the online video, and gathered the necessary contact information.

The fifth grade students collected a generous amount of stuffed animals, blankets, coats, hats, and gloves and donated the items to Vantage.

In the spirit of giving back, Vantage's clients sorted through all the items and distributed the goods to the local homeless shelter, women's shelter, animal shelter, and the Wildlife Preserve. Everything was greatly needed and appreciated.

If you would like to donate blankets, sheets, towels, hats, gloves, scarves, coats, etc., for a future project, please contact Carolyn Jaime at (201) 567-0500 ex. 3256.

Mark Your Calendar!

Vantage Health System's 11th Annual Golf Outing

Monday, August 3, 2009

White Beeches Golf & Country Club Haworth, NJ

For more information, please call (201) 567-0500 ex. 3259 or go to the events page for registration and ad journal forms.

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