Saint Peter’s University Hospital has achieved “Senior Friendly” status for its NICHE (Nurses Improving Care

for Healthsystem Elders) program. NICHE hospitals such as Saint Peter’s commit to excellence in the care of patients 65-years-and-older.

The “Senior Friendly” status recognizes that Saint Peter’s has put in place a variety of programs, such as Care Companions and Silver Spoons, to assist senior patients. The first program calls for volunteers to keep elder patients company; the second program provides assistance during meals. Additionally, the hospital has invested time and resources to:• implement the NICHE Geriatric Resource Nurse (GRN) model, • develop aging-sensitive policies, and• obtain input of patients, families, and community-based providers in planning and implementation of NICHE initiatives.

The vision of NICHE is for all patients 65-and-older to be given sensitive and exemplary care. The Geriatric Resource Nurse model, an educational and clinical intervention initiative, calls for NICHE hospitals to train staff nurses as clinical resource persons on geriatric issues for other nurses on their unit. Based at New York University Hospital, NICHE is an international program designed to help hospitals improve the care of older adults.

“The NICHE designation and the ‘Senior Friendly’ status are proof of our commitment to quality, patient-centered care for older adults,” says Linda Carroll, MSN, RN-BC, director of Professional Practice and Clinical Education and Nursing Research Education at Saint Peter’s University Hospital. “Our participation in the NICHE program allows us to continually maintain the high standard of care that has always been available at Saint Peter’s. This leads to greater satisfaction rates for our patients, their families and our staff.”

In the United States, 8,000 people turn 65 every day. By the end of 2011, the senior population of America reached almost 49 million. By 2025, it is expected to grow to nearly 72 million, according to the Department of Health and Human Services and the State Department.

Seniors can be at risk for certain conditions, including anxiety, dementia, depression, falls, incontinence, osteoporosis, and pain. In addition to NICHE initiatives, Saint Peter’s integrated outpatient geriatric medicine program specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disease and the maintenance of good health and quality of life.

As people age, their medical issues tend to become more complex, explains Saint Peter’s geriatrician Shira Goldberg, M.D. “When developing a care plan for geriatric patients, physicians must use an interdisciplinary approach that incorporates not only medical, but also the patient’s social and psychological needs. A patient’s values and preferences need to be investigated and integrated into their individualized treatment plan.”

An interdisciplinary team of board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals, all of whom are trained in geriatric medicine, works with patients and their families to develop a comprehensive plan of care for improved overall quality of life.

Areas of specialty at Saint Peter’s include: diabetes; diagnosis and treatment of depression and anxiety; diagnosis and treatment of memory loss; hormone replacement therapy; minimally invasive surgery; nutrition; orthopedic services, including hip resurfacing and knee replacement; pain management; promoting and maintaining health, strength and functional abilities; and wound care and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for nonhealing chronic wounds.

Saint Peter’s is also designated as a primary stroke center. The hospital is staffed by a specialized stroke team that includes emergency physicians, neurologists and nurses with special training in acute stroke management who are available 24-hours-a- day, seven-days-a-week.

Programs and ServicesOutpatient services at Saint Peter’s include Geriatric Evaluation and Management Services (GEMS), a comprehen-sive assessment program that helps healthcare professionals diagnose and develop a plan of care for patients who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. The Wound Care Center® and Hyperbaric Services at Saint Peter’s University Hospital counts among the specialty services provided for seniors. With locations in Saint Peter’s Center for Ambulatory Resources in New Brunswick and in a new facility in Monroe Township, the center is a leader in the surgical and nonsurgical treatment of chronic nonhealing

wounds. Patients are treated by a multi-disciplinary team of board-certified physicians that includes general surgeons, vascular surgeons, plastic surgeons, internists, geriatricians, infectious disease specialists, physiatrists and clinical wound specialists.

The hospital’s three Comprehensive Care Group medical practices – in New Brunswick, Piscataway, and at the new Monroe Township facility – focus on providing primary and specialty care for seniors, as well as resources for their caregivers. With a focus on quality of life, the goal is to provide patients with services and programs that help to maintain their health, and independence, and enhance their daily living.

Other outpatient resources include: • Saint Peter’s Adult Day Center at Monroe Township• Margaret McLaughlin McCarrick Care Center, a not-for-profit skilled nursing facility in Somerset• Community Nursing Services, such as onsite nursing, blood pressure checks and educational programs at a number of adult communities in Monroe Township

Visit SaintPetersHCS.com/geriatric/ to learn more about our geriatric services. To find a doctor affiliated with Saint Peter’s visit SaintPetersHCS.com/findaphysician/

COMMUNITY CALENDAR JANUARY 2013

A LISTING OF PROGRAMS OFFERED THIS MONTH CAN BE FOUND ON THE REVERSE SIDE.

Hospital Achieves “Senior Friendly” Status– Focuses on Improving Care for Older Adult Patients –

Shira Goldberg, M.D.

Juy

SUPPORT GROUPSAutism Family Support GroupJANUARY 13, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM877-886-9462

Bariatric Support GroupJANUARY 10, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Lisa Lapinski, RD 732-745-8600, x8159

Bereavement Support GroupJANUARY 3 & 17, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM732-745-8565

Bereavement Support GroupJANUARY 15, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PMFor spouses and significant others 55 and older. Saint Peter’s Adult Day Center200 Overlook Drive, Monroe TownshipSean O’Brien, MSW, LSWLisa Sparaco, MSW, LSW 609-409-1363, Option 5

Caregivers Support Group/MonroeJANUARY 13, 1:30 PM – 3:00 PMSaint Peter’s Adult Day Center200 Overlook Drive, Monroe TownshipStephanie Fitzsimmons-Sexton, RN, NP1-800-269-7508 or 609-655-2220

Alzheimer’s Support Group/Monroe JANUARY 8, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AMSaint Peter’s Adult Day Center200 Overlook Drive, Monroe TownshipRachel Kallish, CSW Lisa Sparaco, MSW, LSW 609-655-6853 Craniofacial Boys & Girls Support Group(boys and girls ages 11 to 17 meet separately)MEETS SUNDAYS DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR Helene Knee, LCSW 732-745-7943

Pregnancy after Loss Support Group(for pregnant women who have previously experienced a loss)Registration required. Dawn Brady, MSW732-745-8600, x5214

SHARE Support Group(pregnancy and infant loss support group)JANUARY 10, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM732-745-8600, x8522

DIABETES EDUCATIONChildren’s Insulin Pump GroupJANUARY 8, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM Donna Dziedzic, RN, MSN, CDE 732-745-8600, x8751

Diabetes Self-Management Education HELD MONDAYS AND TUESDAYSRegistration and doctor’s prescription required.732-745-6667

Gestational Diabetes Self-Management ClassHELD WEDNESDAYS AND THURSDAYSRegistration and a doctor’s prescription required. 732-745-6667

COMMUNITY MOBILE HEALTH SERVICES For more information about screenings and educational programs, or the CMHS corporate flu shot program, please call 732-745-8600, x8903. Blood Pressure Screening JANUARY 11, 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM New Brunswick Senior Center, New Brunswick

Blood Pressure/Blood Sugar Screenings JANUARY 10, NOON – 2:00 PM South Brunswick Senior Center @ Municipal Complex, South Brunswick

JANUARY 11, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM Elijah’s Promise, New Brunswick

JANUARY 15, 9:00 AM – NOON Middlesex County One Stop Career CenterJersey Avenue, New Brunswick

JANUARY 16, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Hall’s Corner, East BrunswickResidents only.

JANUARY 17, 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM Quailbrook Senior Center, Franklin

JANUARY 24, 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM Richmond Towers, Plainfield Residents only.

JANUARY 28, 10:00 AM – NOON Perth Amboy Office on Aging, Perth Amboy

CANCER SERVICES The American Cancer Society offers daily information and support to cancer patients and their families. Call 1-800-227-2345 to talk to a cancer information specialist 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week or visit us online at www.cancer.org.

Breast Cancer Support GroupJANUARY 7, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PMGuest speaker and open discussion.Registration required.Cancer Institute of New Jersey Deborah Leif, MSW, LCSW732-235-7011

Gynecologic Cancer Support GroupJANUARY 8, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PMCancer Institute of New Jersey732-235-6792

NEW Latina Women with Cancer Support Group JANUARY 12, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM Sister Marie de Pazzi Conference Center Light lunch will be served. Free, but registration requested. Sessions conducted in Spanish. Call 908-658-5400 for more information.

Living with Cancer Support GroupJANUARY 9 & 23, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PMCancer Institute of New JerseyBarbara Hale, LCSW732-235-7557

FREE COMMUNITY LECTURESPreventing and Treating Hearing Loss JANUARY 14, 2:00 PM Presenter: Charles Highstein, MD The Ponds Adult Community, Monroe Township Residents only.

PARENT EDUCATIONFor information, fees and registration, call Parent Education at 732-745-8579, unless otherwise indicated.

Baby Care JANUARY 7 & 14, 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM

JANUARY 12, 12:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Breastfeeding ClassJANUARY 12, 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Breastfeeding Support GroupJANUARY 4, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM732-745-8600, x8820

Infant MassageJANUARY 2, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Marvelous Multiples JANUARY 28, 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM

New Mom Support GroupJANUARY 4, NOON – 1:00 PMLight lunch will be served at noon. Registration required.

Postnatal Yoga and Exercise Class(four-week sessions)HELD FRIDAYS, 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM Registration required.

Prenatal Nutrition Class and TourJANUARY 22, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PMRegistration required. Linda Hudak, MS, RD732-745-7930

Prenatal Yoga and Exercise Class(four-week sessions)HELD WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Registration required.

Prepared Childbirth ClassesMONDAYS, THURSDAYS, OR ALL-DAY SESSIONS SECOND AND FOURTH WEEKENDSRegistration required.

Sibling Class JANUARY 5, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Visit our website at saintpetershcs.com/maternity/ to watch our Maternity Virtual Tour.

Catholic hospital sponsored by the Diocese of Metuchen | State-designated children’s hospital and regional perinatal center

Regional medical campus of Drexel University College of Medicine | Affiliate of The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

JANUARY 2013

All programs are designed for community members and are held at Saint Peter’s University Hospital, unless otherwise noted. For more information or to register for a program, call the contact number listed or visit our Web site at www.saintpetershcs.com/newsandevents/

WEIGHT LOSS SEMINAR THURSDAY, JANUARY 10 7:15 PM - 9:30 PM For more information, and to register, call Lisa Lapinski at 732-745-8600, x8159

PALLIATIVE VS. CURATIVE CAREWEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16 4:30 PM Saint Peter’s Adult Day CenterPondview Plaza200 Overlook DriveMonroe TownshipPresenter: Kathleen McElwee, RN,Vitas Innovative Hospice CareLight refreshments provided by our sponsors.Registration is required; please call 609-655-6853 by January 11.

MARTIN LUTHER KING ANNUAL LEGACY INTERFAITH PRAYER SERVICE MONDAY, JANUARY 21 1:00 PM Sister Marie de Pazzi Conference Center Call 732-745-8551

AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION GO RED FOR WOMEN CAMPAIGN FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11:00 PM - 4:00 PMSister Marie de Pazzi Conference Center. Celebrate the nationwide campaign promoting heart health. Free blood pressure and cholesterol screenings and counseling provided by the Community Mobile Health Services staff. Call 732-745-8600, x8903 for more information. FOR WOMEN WITH CANCERLOOK GOOD/FEEL BETTER MONDAY, MARCH 116:00 PM - 8:00 PMCenter for Ambulatory Resources. A program of the American Cancer Society. Free makeovers for women undergoing treatment for cancer. Call 1-800-227-2345 to preregister.

“SPRING IS IN THE AIR” FASHION SHOW SATURDAY, MARCH 23 11:30 AM - 4:00 PM Sponsored by The Auxiliary of Saint Peter’s University Hospital to benefit the hospital’s Breast Center programs. Pines Manor 2085 Lincoln Highway, Edison Price: $60. Call 732-745-6641 or email saintpetersfashionshow@gmail.com for more information.

BABY FAIR SUNDAY, APRIL 28 NOON - 3:00 PM Local vendors and various Saint Peter’s departments will feature their services. Sister Marie de Pazzi Conference Center Call Parent Education at 732-745-8579 for more information about the event or about reserving a vendor table.

SAVE THE DATE

SPECIAL EVENTS

This calendar is for information only. Do not rely on it to make healthcare decisions on your own; instead, talk with your healthcare provider for advice and treatment. Do not ignore medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here. We do not suggest or endorse that you have any tests, use products, or use other information in this document without advice from your healthcare provider.

254 Easton Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 | 732-745-8600 | 800-269-7508 | www.saintpetershcs.com