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File Photo Homebound for the Holidays? Tips for mental health in difficult times By Deirdré DeLeo, Associate Director of Programs and Clinical Operations, Visiting Nurse Service of New York The holiday season is often referred to as the “most wonderful time of the year,” but for many, including those who are elderly or homebound, the holidays can heighten feelings of isolation, grief, and upset.  This year may be especially difficult for those experiencing the “holiday blues,” as the COVID-19 pandemic has generated fear, distance, and the absence of traditional communal activities. Many times, however, these “blues” are a symptom of something much greater, such as depression, anxiety, or even self-destructive ideation. Nearly one in four adults ages 65 and older reported experiencing depression or anxiety in August 2020, a rate that has been steady since the start of the pandemic, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Similarly, 46% of older adults in...

N ew York City landmarks to be lit in recognition of International Human Rights Day include: One World Trade Center. (Kevin P. Coughlin/Office of the Governor) Governor Kathy Hochul announced that landmarks would be lit blue on December 10, 2021, to commemorate International Human Rights Day — which is observed every year on December 10th to commemorate the 1948 adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  This milestone document proclaims the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.  Subscribe in a reader

File photo Subscribe in a reader Follow @Bronxvoice1 Tweet By Jessica L. Zwerling, MD, Director of the Montefiore Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease  As we get older, it’s natural to forget things from time to time: the name of the actor in your favorite television show, the title of a movie you are seeing with friends, or where you put your house keys when you came home. Eventually the answers will come to you, even if it is in the middle of the night. It could be that you are worrying too much, or you might have a medical condition you are not aware of, like a vitamin deficiency. But if you or a family member think your forgetfulness is getting worse, or--more important--getting in the way of daily life, it could be the beginning of Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. Signs can include getting lost in a familiar place or having difficulty with tasks like paying bills or preparing meals. The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease progress ov...