Programs at Mercy Care
MERCY CARE FRIENDSHIP VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
Among many elders living at home, there is a need for the benefits of friendship, companionship, assistance, and spiritual care which is not or cannot be adequately provided by family or friends.
Mercy Care’s Friendship Volunteer Program is designed to ease isolation and loneliness of elders or infirm persons. It is meant to keep elders connected with their churches and their communities.
Becoming a Mercy Care Friendship Volunteer
Mercy Care friendship volunteers are caring people interested in enhancing the lives of the aging by serving the spiritual and companionship needs of elders.
Imagine the joy and comfort you, as a Mercy Care friendship volunteer, can bring to an elder neighbor’s life.
For more information about becoming a Mercy Care friendship volunteer, please contact:
Sr. Catherine Mary Cummings, RSM, Ed.D., RN
518-523-5580
ccummings@adkmercy.org
Mercy Care’s Role in the Volunteer Friendship Program
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Recruits, trains and screens volunteers
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Develops volunteer assignments
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Matches volunteers with those in need
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Tracks volunteer hours
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Provides opportunities for friendship volunteers to network with others in Tri-Lakes communities and churches
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Develops evaluation tools to measure effectiveness and make program improvements
Mercy Care Parish Nurse/Faith Community Nurse Program
For information, contact Sr. Catherine Cummings at 518-523-5582 or by e-mail at ccummings@adkmercy.org
Become a Volunteer Faith Community Nurse
Parish Nursing for elders in the Tri-Lakes region of the Adirondacks
Imagine the joy and comfort you can bring to your elder neighbors by helping them manage their health needs. If you are a Registered Nurse who would like to promote the relationship of spiritual care and health in your practice of nursing, Mercy Care will provide training, equipment, encouragement, and coordination to you to serve the needs of your elder neighbors in their own homes.
Mercy Care welcomes nurses of all faiths to serve, as well as those nurses who are unaffiliated with any particular church or faith. Mercy Care Faith Community Nurses, in collaboration with church congregations, parishes, and community organizations, evaluate the medical, physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs of elder persons, meet those needs as they are able, and refer them for services as needed.
Would you like the services of a Mercy Care Faith Community Nurse?
If you are an elder residing in your own home or other independent living community in the Tri-Lakes region of the Adirondacks, and you would like the services of a Mercy Care Faith Community Nurse, please contact Sr. Catherine.
Volunteer Registered Nurses in church congregations, parishes, and other caring RNs in communities throughout the Tri-Lakes are trained, coordinated, and networked through Mercy Care’s Faith Community Nurse Program. Sister Catherine Mary Cummings, RSM, Ed.D, R.N. Nursing Education, directs the program.
Mercy Care Faith Community Nurses serve elders as:
- Integrators of Spirituality and Health
- Health Counselors
- Health Educators
- Liaisons to community agencies
- Advocates for quality care
Mercy Care relies soley on contributions to support its mission and programs. Donations are gratefully accepted.
Mercy Care’s role in the Faith Community Nurse Program
- Assists churches and communities in the recruitment of volunteer parish nurses
- Provides education and training
- Provides networking opportunities for Mercy Care nurse and friendship volunteers
- Provides health education materials and program information suitable for use and publication by churches and community organizations
- Serves as a resource and facilitator for parish nurses in the Tri-lakes
Mercy Care Education and Advocacy Program
Raising awareness of the changing views on aging is another positive contribution Mercy Care makes to help community leaders understand the need to create “elder-friendly communities.” Promoting older adults’ health, independence, well-being, and participation makes for healthy and vibrant neighborhoods, which serves the interests of all citizens in our Adirondack towns and villages.
Mercy Care for the Adirondacks sponsors conferences, presentations and education programs and advocates for the needs of elders and programs of care at local, county, state and federal levels of government. It is being developed as a primary advocate and promoter of quality long-term care for elders and infirm persons in communities served.
You are Invited to Attend Mercy Care's Educational Forum
at Paul Smith's College on May 26, 2010
Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging
Presented by Lenard W. Kaye, D.S.W./Ph.D.
Professor of Social Work at the University of Maine
Director of the UMaine Center on Aging
Building on Mercy Care's Aging in Place Initiative, Lenard W. Kaye, D.S.W./Ph.D. will be the key note presenter on the topic of Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging at a Mercy Care educational forum on May 26, 2010 hosted by Paul Smith's College.
A prolific writer in the field of health care and aging, Dr. Kaye has published many journal articles and 12 books on specialized topics in aging including home health care, productive aging, rural practice, family caregiving, support groups for older women, and congregate housing. His pioneering research and writing on older men’s caregiving experiences and help-seeking behaviors, is widely recognized and frequently cited.
There is no cost to participants to attend the forum but pre-registration is required. To register, please contact Sheila by calling 518-523-5583 or sending e-mail to sschneck@adkmercy.org
Msgr. Fahey and Sr. Janet Peters discuss quality long-term care
On June 26, 2007 Gene D. Cohen, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Center on Aging, Health & Humanities at George Washington University, presented new research at a Mercy Care educational forum entitled “Creativity and Aging--Promoting Elder-friendly Communities.” The presentation was co-hosted by Paul Smith’s College. The forum was held at the Joan Weill Student Center at the College. Dr. Cohen presented information to community leaders, clergy, health care providers, agencies serving aging persons, and the public about new ideas for planning innovative community programs, social policies, and health promotion strategies for older adults.
On June 27, 2008, Nancy Z. Henkin, Ph.D., Founder and Executive Director of the Intergenerational Learning Center at Temple University presented information and facilitated and educational forum entitled "Communities for All Ages." The forum was co-hosted by Paul Smith's College. For more information about the Forums, please contact Donna Beal, Executive Director, at 518-523-5580 or by e-mail at dbeal@adkmercy.org.
On October 22, 2008, Sr. Ann Billard, Ph.D. presented on the topic of "Transformative Aging: A spiritual Model of Aging." Over 80 people attended the educational forum at Paul Smith's College to learn about how Transformative Aging provides the older adult with tools to foster one's spiritual growth while promoting a positive approach to one's aging process.
On June 24, 2009, Susan Hunter, Ph.D., Senior Associate at the IDEA Center, State University of New York at Buffalo, presented on the topic of Aging in Place. The Center focuses on universal design of the built environment to improve accessibilty, safety, and health. Aging in Place is far more than architecture. It is a broad advocacy perspective that guides the way communities confront and plan for the needs of aging persons. Over 100 people attended to learn more about creating elder-friendly communities in the Adirondacks.
On October 13, 2009 Msgr. Charles Fahey presented on the topic of From Isolation to Integration--Helping Elders Stay Connected to Their Communities.
Mercy Care held its first education forum in October 2006. Msgr. Charles Fahey, program officer of the Milbank Memorial Fund and a Member of the National Commission for Quality Long-Term Care, made a presentation to Tri-Lakes clergy, healthcare providers, and directors of elder senior housing facilities on the topic of “Approaches to the Long-Term Care of the Elderly.”
We are currently conducting an Aging in Place in the Tri-Lakes survey.
We value your feedback, and would appreciate if you took a few moments to respond to some questions.
CLICK HERE
