Nov. 13, 2013: On Sunday afternoon, November 3, Gramatan Village hosted a talk by Dr. Mark Lachs, director of geriatrics for the New York-Presbyterian Healthcare System, which attracted a large, attentive crowd to the Bronxville Public Library's Yeager Room.
With the aid of cartoons, graphs, and a lot of humorous patient-related anecdotes, Dr. Lachs spoke about the challenges and opportunities of aging, information that is summarized in his book, What Your Doctor Won't Tell You About Getting Older: An Insider's Survival Manual for Outsmarting the Health-Care System.
Dr. Lachs urged everyone to "take responsibility for your own care". You should be especially alert during "care transitions" when moving from one health care place or provider to another, such as going from the hospital to your home or from a specialist to your primary doctor. This is a dangerous time when information can be lost. How not to be a victim of care transition? Assume your medical records will be lost, do not rely on electronic records, and carry a "greatest hits" list with you, including all your vital information, such as a photocopy of your most recent EKG.
Dr. Lachs also warned family members to look out for delirium--a sudden disturbance in a patient's thinking ability, involving confusion and disorientation--which is epidemic among hospitalized older adults, and he outlined proven interventions that can prevent or reduce the condition.
Not only hospitals can make you sick. According to Dr. Lachs, your home can make you seem sick. One patient who kept falling went through batteries of expensive tests, but when Dr. Lachs visited her home he noticed that her armchair and her carpet were the same color. Adding a different color cushion helped her sit without falling. He went over numerous other simple, inexpensive fixes that can keep older people safely at home.
Perceptions about aging also contribute to a person's well-being. Concepts such as "as you become older you become less useful," "it's normal to become disabled as you age," and "things keep getting worse as you age," can shorten a life by as much as seven years. The aim of Dr. Lachs and other geriatricians is "not to add years to your life but to add life to your years."
Dr. Lachs's final admonition was: "The meek do not inherit the earth. You need to be proactive and take responsibility for your own care. If you want to find your best primary care provider, simply look in the mirror!"
Dr. Lachs's talk will be broadcast on the Bronxville cable channel; to request a copy of the presentation, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Pictured here: Dr. Mark Lachs.
Photo courtesy Julie Dalton, Executive Director, Gramatan Village
Senior Citizens of Bronxville
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Eastchester Senior Services & Programs
Eastchester Senior Services & Programs provides a broad range of community based support services designed to enable seniors to remain in the community, living independently for as long as possible. Programs are available to residents of the Town of Eastchester(including the Villages of Bronxville and Tuckahoe) who are 60 and older, and include: transportation services, in-home assistance programs, care planning and Medicare counseling. There are three Senior Centers with a variety of activities and lunch available. Visit our website for a full listing of programs and services, calendars and menus, or call 771-3340 for more information.
Gramatan Village
Gramatan Village engages community residents who want to remain in the home and neighborhood they love. We support aging-in-community with a network of volunteers, community partnerships and peer connections that enable members to stay independent, and fully engaged in the community. For more information: 914-337-1338 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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85 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
Wartburg Adult Care Community
The Wartburg Adult Care Community provides a comprehensive range of residential and non-residential services. Older adults and their caregivers benefit from The Wartburg's unique continuum of care that meets their changing needs. A 36-acre campus in nearby Mount Vernon houses varying levels of secure residential care including Lohman Village supported independent living, Meadowview assisted living and Memory Care wing, short-term rehabilitation, nursing home and palliative care programs. Social and Medical Model Adult Day Programs, licensed home care and long-term home health care provide essential services for our neighbors in lower Westchester. An exemplary, compassionate team carries out The Wartburg's mission to treat all with kindness and respect.
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Waterstone of Westchester
Life at Waterstone of Westchester takes the idea of home to an entirely new level. In this premier independent senior living community, you’ll thrive in curated elegance and style in a beautifully appointed apartment with luxurious finishes, and enjoy connecting with friends and team members in our stunning common areas.
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