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Town of North Hempstead Urge Port Washington Seniors to Take Advantage of Project Independence Programs at Senior Center

 

For Immediate Release                                                                            Media Contacts: Collin Nash, Sid Nathan, and Jason Elan
November 2, 2011                                                                                                                                                        (516) 869-7794

Town of North Hempstead Urge Port Washington Seniors to Take Advantage of Project Independence Programs at Senior Center

Port Washington, NY
Supervisor Jon Kaiman and Councilman Fred L. Pollack announced today that Project Independence, North Hempstead’s innovative “aging in place initiative, is not only being eyed as a national model but is well on its way to becoming a local household name.

Long-term plans are in the works to establish eight Project Independence sites throughout the Town. Currently there are four locations, the newly-opened Roslyn area office, one at Clinton G. Martin Park, one at the Great Neck Senior Center and the other at the Port Washington Senior Center at 80 Manorhaven Blvd.

Each site operates a myriad of programs. With that in mind, North Hempstead plan to feature each site and their respective programs separately and encourage senior residents to take advantage of these critical services.

In Port Washington, registered nurse Kelly Steinmann and gerontologist Gail Kaiden are on hand several days a week answering questions and providing a host of services. They include:

Blood pressure screenings every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 am to noon. Before coming, please call 33 to make sure that nurse Steinmann has not been called out on assignment. Otherwise, just walk in.

A bereavement support group every first and third Wednesday of each month from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. During the informative sessions, Kaiden will help those who have lost a loved one learn about the grieving process and coping skills, in a supportive company of others experiencing similar circumstances.

A care-givers support group every First and third Wednesday of each month from 10:30 am to 11:30 am. Gerontologist Kaiden urges care-givers to join and meet others coping with the same demands, stresses and rewards of critical responsibility.

A second opportunity on Thursday, Nov. 10 for all residents 60 and older who missed the October Port Washington flu shot program to register for another vaccination. All residents age 60 and over who missed the October flu shot program in Port Washington, sponsored by Project Independence and North Shore/LIJ Health System, will have another opportunity to register for a flu shot. Sponsored by Project Independence and North Shore/LIJ Health System, the free immunizations will also be available to all Town residents at Clinton Martin Park in New Hyde Park. Registration is required. Call 311 or 869-6311.

A guest appearance Friday, Nov. 11 by World War II Canadian Army veteran and Port Washington resident Lou Pasternak, who will join other veterans as a guest of Project Independence and You, a weekly radio program “by and for seniors” which airs on WCWP 88.1 FM every Friday morning from 10am to Noon. Tune in for a Veterans’ Day special featuring Long Island veterans from the WWII, the Korean War, Vietnam and Cold War eras.

A winter fire safety seminar for seniors Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 11:00 am. Sponsored by Project Independence, the presentation by Vincent J. McManus, a supervisor with the Nassau County Fire Marshal Public Affairs unit, will focus on fire and burn prevention and how to avoid cooking accidents and problems arising from the use of heaters, fire places, candles, and, of course, holiday decorations. Marshal McManus is a certified Fire Service instructor with 31 years as a Nassau firefighter.

For more information about any of these programs and services, call 311 or 869-6311.
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