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Understanding Medicare, Caregiver Fatigue: SBU's innovative Geriatric Care Ministry Program

Newswise — The School of Social Welfare at Stony Brook University is sponsoring an innovative Geriatric Care Ministry Program that is designed to help clergy of all faiths and other spiritual leaders improve the quality-of-life for older people in their congregations and communities.

Research conducted by the Center for Aging Policy Research at the SBU School of Social Welfare found that seniors, and those who help them, often seek help with age-related issues from their religious leaders.

With those results in mind, the Center developed the Geriatric Care Ministry Program to provide practical information and training for clergy on how to better understand age-related topics such as Social Security and Medicare, counseling, caregiving, financial, legal and end-of-life issues.

“Older Americans are the fastest growing segment of our population, and while this is cause for celebration, we recognize that ‘Aging in America’ comes at a time when many older adults need help in order to live to their fullest potential,” says Frances L. Brisbane, Ph.D., Professor and Dean of the SBU School of Social Welfare.

“The training that clergy will receive from the program will add to their knowledge and help them implement new approaches to their ministry.”

The educational and training program features many experts in elder care, including professionals from the SBU School of Social Welfare, Bronx-Lebanon Medical Center, the Washington, D.C.-based Elder Justice Coalition, and the New York State Office for the Aging.

Topical sessions include: Recognizing and Overcoming Caregiver Fatigue; Social Security: More Than Just A Retirement Program; How Religious and Spiritual Leaders Help Address the Needs of Older People in Underserved Communities; Hospice and End-Of-Live Care; Understanding the Benefits and Gaps in Medicare, and Health and Wellness in Older Life.

“Old age is often a stage of life when an individual is faced with many crises and challenges, such as making sense of the complicated, confusing and expensive Medicare program, or knowing the various benefits provided by the Social Security Program,” says Thomas M. Cassidy, M.A., Clinical Associate Professor, SBU School of Social Welfare, and Course Developer of the Geriatric Care Ministry Program.

“Our program gets into such details and reinforces the concept that it is important for older people to receive help from caring professionals they trust, who have the experience, training and knowledge to help them address difficult issues and celebrate joyous occasions.”

The School of Social Welfare acknowledges the support of the Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, particularly the efforts of Robert Sancho, Vice President for Development and External Affairs, for coordinating this event.

Also recognized for their efforts are the Planning Committee members: Cheryl Simmons-Oliver, Esq., District Director at the Office of United States Congressman José E. Serrano; Reverend Franklin W. Simpson, M.S., Coordinator of Protestant Chaplaincy at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center; Ted Jefferson, CEO, Bronx Shepherds Restoration Corp; Reverend Bruce C. Rivera, M.A., Assistant Pastor of Christ Church UCC; and School of Social Welfare faculty members John R. Colon, M.A., and Marvin L. Colson, M.S.

The schedule of the Geriatric Care Ministry Program runs from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There is no fee, and upon completion of the scheduled six hours of training in geriatric related courses, associates will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement in Geriatric Care Ministry from the Center for Aging Policy Research, SBU School of Social Welfare.

 Continuing professional education units will be awarded when authorized by discipline-specific governing boards. For more information, contact Mamie Gladden at 631-444-3142, or Mgladden@notes.cc.sunysb.edu.

The same program will also be offered in Spanish later this year, at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, which is the largest voluntary, not-for-profit health provider in the South and Central Bronx.

The mission of the Center is to provide compassionate quality health care to those in need, regardless of their ability to pay.

About the Sponsor
The SBU School of Social Welfare mission is the furtherance of social justice with the foundation of the curriculum being health care.

Research conducted in 2001 by the School’s Center for Aging Policy Research estimated that about one in 10 New York State households include an adult who provides some level of home care to an individual age 60 or older.

To meet this need, the School offers courses specific to gerontology and courses in clinical and research practice that incorporate gerontology into the overall curriculum.

About Stony Brook University
Part of the State University of New York system, Stony Brook University is considered one of the “flagship” campuses in the SUNY system. Stony Brook has been ranked among the top 100 national universities in America and among the top 50 public national universities in the country by U.S. News & World Report.