Isolation, depression, and loneliness in our elder population is a fast-growing issue in our nation, further exacerbated by the COVID pandemic. WPBS has joined with other New York State PBS stations to draw attention to this important issue with special programming during Aging Together in New York week: May 15th – May 21st, 2023. Read the press release here.
The 9 public television stations in New York have banded together to initiate Aging Together in New York, a statewide multi-platform project that will highlight authentic personal stories, model healthy relationships and connect older adults to resources in communities across the state that reduce isolation and build resiliency.
Even before COVID-19, loneliness among older adults represented a serious threat to wellbeing – as dangerous as smoking fifteen cigarettes a day. The systems and resources that exist to serve older adults have been challenged to overcome a lack of in-person connection.
Older adults need to know what resources exist to help them connect with community and they deserve stories that authentically reflect their lived experience. Public media is uniquely positioned to serve older adults, their families and loved ones.
Aging Together in New York serves as a multi-platform initiative anchored around in-depth community engagement, robust social media presence and short digital and broadcast videos created and distributed by partner NY public media stations to broadly reflect the unique lives of older adults across the state. Each short video will share compelling and personal stories that connect older adults to a local resource in their community. Together, they will project hope and reinforce the reality that resources are available to serve the emotional, physical and mental health needs of older adults in our state – either from federal, state, or local sources.
Tune in to our Aging Together in New York week, May 15 – 21, and to WPBS Weekly: Inside the Stories (Tuesday evenings at 7:30 pm) throughout the month of May, for special programming that addresses senior isolation, loneliness, and depression.
In addition to programming available both on-air and online, WPBS presented a Free Community Screening of Aging Together in New York – an original WPBS production, crafted from informative segments that will air throughout April and May on WPBS Weekly: Inside the Stories (Tuesday evenings at 7:30 pm). The event was held on Wednesday, March 29th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at the Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library in Watertown, NY. A brief discussion followed the screening with Guest Speaker Joanne Nugent-Ward of Seniors Helping Seniors.  Read the press release here.
SPECIAL PROGRAMMING
WPBS Weekly: Inside the Stories
(Broadcast Date: Tuesday, March 28 at 7:30 pm)
Watch Online
Featuring a segment on Robo-Pets. The New York State Office of Aging proposed a fresh solution to senior isolation and depression in 2018, launching an animatronic pet companion program that caught on like wildfire in 35 other states. Meet two seniors who own these AI creatures and learn how their furry friends have helped them cope.
WPBS Weekly: Inside the Stories
(Broadcast Date: Tuesday, April 11 at 7:30 pm)
Watch Online
Featuring a segment on Volunteers of Hospice. For our elders in hospice care, the way to ease their sadness and isolation at end-of-life is with an unlimited amount of love and compassion. The volunteers at Jefferson County Hospice, including one very furry volunteer, provide that love, compassion, and so much more.
WPBS Weekly: Inside the Stories
(Broadcast Date: Tuesday, April 25 at 7:30 pm)
Watch Online
Featuring a segment on Hospice. Learn how Jefferson County Hospice help seniors at end of life deal with isolation and depression.
WPBS Weekly: Inside the Stories
(Broadcast Date: Tuesday, May 9 at 7:30 pm)
Watch Online
Featuring a segment on exploring Aging Together in NY. WPBS visits the Albany Office for the Aging to discuss senior isolation with Director Greg Olsen and how we can thwart it.
Art + Medicine: Healthy Aging
(Broadcast Date: Sunday, May 14 at 2:00 pm)
Watch Online
Explore heathy aging with Drs. Jon Hallberg and Tseganesh Seleameab through the 4M’s framework of Mobility, Mentation, Medication and What Matters to older adults, with an artistic lens.
Lives Well Lived
(Broadcast Date: Sunday, May 14 at 3:00 pm)
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Lives Well Lived celebrates the incredible wit and wisdom of people aged 75-100, who reveal their secrets for living a meaningful life.
WPBS Weekly: Inside the Stories
(Broadcast Date: Tuesday, May 16 at 7:30 pm)
Watch Online
Featuring two segments on Aging Together in New York. Director Greg Olsen from Albany’s Office for the Aging shares statistics on how our senior population contributes financially to our economy.
Canadian Seniors also experience ageism when it comes to their financial and volunteer contributions.
Hospice Care in America Today
(Broadcast Date: Sunday, May 21 at 2:00 pm)
Learn More
An in-depth look at how hospice has historically changed the way families approach end-of-life care and provides a better understanding of what hospice care entails.
Young @ Heart’s 40th Anniversary
(Broadcast Date: Sunday, May 21 at 3:00 pm)
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An entertainment group created by and for the elderly, Young @ Heart Chorus is particularly noted for their unconventional covers of rock, punk, and other modern pop music songs.
Alzheimer’s: What You Can Do
(Broadcast Date: Sunday, May 21 at 4:00 pm)
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Delve into the research that shows how our social interactions, diet, sleep patterns, exercise, stress levels, and other daily health habits have dramatic effects on our cognitive abilities as we age.
WPBS Weekly: Inside the Stories
(Broadcast Date: Tuesday, May 23 at 7:30 pm)
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Featuring a segment on Hospice. Family members of Hospice patients talk about the power of the non-profit. Hospice volunteers are there for both patients at the end of their lives, and the caregivers who care for them, helping to ease depression, isolation, burnout, and fear.
The Art of Aging Well
(Broadcast Date: Friday, May 26 at 2:30 pm)
Watch Online
It’s said that with age comes wisdom, but unfortunately that wisdom is accompanied by a long list of possible age-related health issues. Local experts weigh in on how to maintain your health into your senior years.
WPBS Weekly: Inside the Stories
(Broadcast Date: Tuesday, June 13 at 7:30 pm)
Watch Online
Featuring a segment on Seniors Helping Seniors – A program that keeps seniors active – while helping other seniors – is making waves in the North Country. Discover the power of Seniors Helping Seniors.
WPBS Weekly: Inside the Stories
(Broadcast Date: Tuesday, July 11 at 7:30 pm)
Watch Online
Featuring a segment on Alzheimer’s disease. We take a closer look at a disease crippling more than 6 million Americans, Alzheimer’s. The brain disorder typically strikes people 65 and older. And while there is no cure, there are treatments that can help symptoms.
WPBS Weekly: Inside the Stories
(Broadcast Date: Tuesday, August 22 at 7:30 pm)
Watch Online
Featuring a segment on Protecting Seniors Online. At Flower Memorial Library, our Senior population was back in class. This time for cyber security tips to keep them safe online.
WPBS Weekly: Inside the Stories
(Broadcast Date: Tuesday, September 12 at 7:30 pm)
Watch Online
Featuring a segment on Gerontology. Across the country, students are learning how to help an aging community through gerontology, which of course is the study of older populations and the aging process. WPBS visits two different colleges in the North Country where students learn the importance of caring for previous generations.
WPBS Weekly: Inside the Stories
(Broadcast Date: Tuesday, September 19 at 7:30 pm)
Watch Online
Featuring a segment on Hospice myths. Too often, misconceptions surround Hospice care turning the benefits and truth of hospice inside out. Our Joleene DesRosiers sat down with Kathy Ardent and Andrea Paratore from Jefferson County Hospice to bust the myths surrounding this powerful healthcare option.
SUPPORT SERVICES
Jefferson County, New York:
Jefferson County Office for the Aging
(315) 785-3191
https://co.jefferson.ny.us/departments/OfficefortheAging
Hospice of Jefferson County
(315) 788-7323
https://www.jeffersonhospice.org/
Seniors Helping Seniors® In-Home Care Service
(315) 405-4950
https://seniorcarenorthernny.com/
Lewis County, New York:
Lewis County Office for the Aging
(315) 376-5313
https://www.lewiscounty.org/departments/office-for-the-aging/office-for-the-aging
Lewis County Hospice
(315) 376-5308
https://www.lcgh.net/hospice
Seniors Helping Seniors® In-Home Care Service
(315) 405-4950
https://seniorcarenorthernny.com/
St. Lawrence County, New York:
St. Lawrence County Office for the Aging
(315) 386-4730
https://stlawco.org/Departments/OfficefortheAging
Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley
(315) 265-3105
https://hospiceslv.org/
Seniors Helping Seniors® In-Home Care Service
(315) 405-4950
https://seniorcarenorthernny.com/
Oswego County:
Oswego County Office for the Aging
(315) 349-3484
https://www.oswegocounty.com/departments/human_services/office_for_the_aging/index.php
Oswego County Hospice
(315) 349-8259
https://health.oswegocounty.com/programs/1_hospice/index.php
Clinton County:
Clinton County Office For Aging
(518) 565-4620
https://www.clintoncountygov.com/aging
Hospice of the North Country
(518) 561-8465
https://www.hospicenc.org/
Seniors Helping Seniors® In-Home Care Service
(315) 405-4950
https://seniorcarenorthernny.com/
Essex County:
Essex County Office For Aging
(518) 873-3695
https://essexcountyny.gov/office-for-the-aging/
High Peaks Hospice
518-891-0606
https://highpeakshospice.org/
Seniors Helping Seniors® In-Home Care Service
(315) 405-4950
https://seniorcarenorthernny.com/
Franklin County:
Franklin County Office For Aging
(518) 481-1526
https://www.franklincountyny.gov/departments/human_services/office_for_the_aging/index.php
Hospice of the North Country
(518) 483-3200
https://www.hospicenc.org/
Seniors Helping Seniors® In-Home Care Service
(315) 405-4950
https://seniorcarenorthernny.com/
