Family barbecue at Parker Jewish – fun for all

The support of friends and family makes dealing with any hardship that much easier – and when dealing with Alzheimer’s that support is not only recommended, it’s absolutely necessary.
Such was the theme at an outdoor family barbecue at Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care & Rehabilitation in New Hyde Park on August 11. The event, hosted by staff at Parker Jewish, brought family and friends of patients together for a celebration of healthcare at its best.
“We provide social and medical day care services to the adult population with Alzheimer’s or dementia,” said Stuart Almer, Parker Jewish executive vice president. “The program provides an opportunity for otherwise housebound individuals to receive the stimulus and motivation – which is critical to treatment.”
With music, dancing, food and conversation, families were shown just what kinds of treatment their loved ones receive at Parker Jewish. Almer said that this program provides so much more than just medical treatment – although they can receive medical treatment if their insurance qualifies them.
“With cuts to social and day care funding, we are still maintaining our commitment to providing these individuals with the opportunity to socialize,” he said. “It’s proven that with human interaction and strong personal relationships, patients hold on to certain capabilities. When they are home and isolated without stimulus and motivation, it makes coping with conditions much more difficult.”