Your help is needed to supply seniors with incontinence products

Marlene Ceragno
Helping seniors
Adult absorbent products help seniors remain mobile, social and productive

Through my work, as a recreational therapist at the Kaplen Jewish Community Center on the Palisades, and as a graduate student at UMass Boston in the Gerontology department, I have come to realize that incontinence products help seniors remain mobile, social and productive.


Without these products many seniors would be trapped in their homes and unable to attend senior programs and/or nutritional sites for congregant meals, or family/social functions. People are living longer and leading more active lives. They should not be afraid to leave their homes because of incontinence problems, especially since adult protective underwear and related product are so readily available. 

This issue can only be addressed on the Federal level, through Medicare. While I am advocating, writing letters to local politicians and testifying at senior needs hearings, I am trying to help my community by developing an ‘adult absorbent product bank’. I will be hosting my first drive for the month of July at the Kaplen Jewish Community Center on the Palisades in Tenafly, New Jersey. I have partnered with the Caregiver Coalition of Bergen County and I have the support of the Center for Food Action of Bergen County that will help warehouse and distribute these products to those in need.

I am reaching out to you, the professionals, for suggestions on how to advocate, change policy, and other ways to educate our public on this issue. We have to assist those in need, especially our seniors who have contributed to society all their lives and who now would appreciate our assistance. Please contact me at ceragno4@msn.com

Marlene S Ceragno, CRC, CDP, Assistant Recreational Therapist at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly, New Jersey. She holds a B.S. in Gerontology and is currently perusing her Master’s degree in Gerontology and Aging Services at University of Massachusetts. She is a certified facilitator for the retirement workshop 2young 2retire, and a Certified Retirement Options Coach. She has worked in the Senior Adult Department of the JCC for five years, and also works as a Division Head at Camp Dream Street, a summer program for children with cancer and other blood disorders.

Note, manufacturers may send quantities of absorbent products to:
Kaplen Jewish Community Center
411 East Clinton Avenue
Tenafly, NJ
(201) 569-7900
jccotp.org


About The CareGiver Partnership. The CareGiver Partnership helps caregivers and their loved ones with answers to their caregiving questions, including information about home health care products and supplies, from our Wisconsin-based team of Product Specialists who are all current or former caregivers. The company’s Web site provides the largest online library of resources on subjects most important to caregivers — from arthritis to assisted living, and Parkinson’s to prostate cancer — as well as access to more than 3,000 home care products for incontinence, skin care, mobility, home safety and daily living aids. The CareGiver Partnership was founded in 2004 by Lynn Wilson of Neenah, Wisc. Visit http://www.caregiverpartnership.com to learn more or call 1-800-985-1353.





2 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is an idea whose time has come... a brilliant concept by an obviously caring individual!!!

CareGiver Partnership said...

We totally agree and pledge our full support to get the word out and encourage manufacturers to donate off spec, but useable products.

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