Welcome to

The Episcopal Diocese of Newark
Senior Ministries-Diocese of Newark
(fomerly COMMISSION ON AGING AND PASTORAL CARE)


THE TURNING OF THE WHEEL

wheel

"AGING — IT'S THE ONLY WAY TO LIVE!"
 

Canon R. Carter Echols
Canon for to the Ordinary and Congregational Development Director
31 Mulberry Street
Newark, NJ 07102
Phone: (973) 430-9907 •  Fax: (973) 622-6508
E-mail:  canonechols@dioceseofnewark.org

Mission Statement
Commissioners
Upcoming Events
Available Programs
Links to Other Sites

The Senior Ministries - Diocese of Newark offers a valuable resource: Hospitalization Cards.

If you are hospitalized and you would like to have a priest visit you, it's not going to automatically happen. Hospitals are no longer allowed to give out information about who has been admitted.  If you do not contact your priest, (s)he will not know that you are hospitalized.  This is due to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, known as "HIPAA."  The Act was the result of efforts by the Clinton Administration and congressional healthcare reform proponents to reform healthcare.  The goals and objectives of this legislation are to streamline industry inefficiencies, reduce paperwork, make it easier to detect and prosecute fraud and abuse, and enable workers of all professions to change jobs, even if they (or family members) had pre-existing medical conditions.  Still, there needs to be a way for people to get hold of their priests in time of need.  To help all Episcopalians in the Diocese of Newark, the Senior Ministries has created a wallet card, which can be completed, signed and carried in your wallet.  (Text prepared by Ms. Patty Watts, St. Gabriel's, Milton/Oak Ridge.)

The card is available in PDF format for printing onto business card stock.  A recommended card stock is the Avery Form 5871 or similar card stock that would provide a sheet of ten cards of 2"x3.5" in size.  Click onto this line of text or the top line in this section.  Or you can go directly to the card at http://www.dioceseofnewark.org/HospitalIDCard.pdf.

For more information about HIPAA, go to www.hhs@gov/ocr/hipaa.

For more information about Senior Ministries-Diocese of Newark, call 973-430-9906.



For information about Living Wills and Advanced Directives go to the LSNJ Law website.  The information is available in both English and Spanish (Espanol).

The web addresses are:

http://www.lsnjlaw.org/english/healthcare/advancedirectives.cfm
http://www.lsnjlaw.org/english/healthcare/livingwills.cfm

http://www.lsnjlaw.org/espanol/index.cfm

 
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Mission Statement

The Senior Ministries-Diocese of Newark (formerly called The Commission on Aging and Pastoral Care) has as its Mission to help the Diocese and its parishes establish ministries with members of our congregations that both celebrate their involvement in parish life and respond to their needs and functions as the advisory Board to the Senior Ministry-Diocese of Newark.

The Senior Ministries-Diocese of Newark reaches out to the individual, the parish, and the diocese. For parishes and diocesan organizations the members are available to assist each congregation in developing active ministries to, for, of and with parishioners. These ministries may be developing Pastoral Care or Visitation Teams, tailoring presentations and programs on diverse topics such, planning for one's later years, community educational forums on issues and concerns on caring for a loved one, or help in developing intergenerational activities. All programs are designed to support and enrich participants, expand awareness and sensitivity, educate clergy and laity about community resources available for their use; and provide practical answers to the concerns expressed by members of diocesan congregations.

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Commissioners

The Commission is comprised of a total of 21 members of which 11 are appointed by the Bishop for 3-year terms (their class indicates the ending year of their term) and 10 are appointed by the District Conveners for 1-year terms.

Members of the Commission

Ms. Dorothy Fowlkes
Chairperson

Church of Our Saviour, Secaucus

Appointed September 1993

Ms. Diane Mayo
Vice Chairperson
Christ Church, Bloomfield/Glen Ridge
Appointed January 2001
Ms. Patsy Brooks
St. Paul's, Paterson
Appointed November 1993
The Rev. Walter Carlson
St. George's, Maplewood
Appointed May 2002
The Rev. Lorraine Dughi
St. Peter's, Clifton
Appointed April 2001

Ms. Karen Eberhardt
St. Stephen's, Millburn

District 4

Canon R. Carter Echols

Diocese of Newark

Staff

Mr. Robert Gray

Secretary

Holy Trinity, West Orange

Appointed June 2004
Ms. Rosemarie Harvey
St. John's, Passaic
Appointed September 2002, District 7
Ms. Marymae Henley
St. George's, Maplewood
Appointed December 1997
Ms. Hope Lampe
Christ Church, Short Hills
Appointed September 1993
The Rev. Oscar Mockridge III
St. Luke's, Montclair
Appointed August 2005

Mr. Junius L. Powell, Jr.

St. John's, Montclair

Appointed September 1993

Ms. Emily Rennie
St. John's, Ramsey
Appointed September 2001, District 10

Ms. Joan Smart

Ephiphany, Orange

Appointed June 2004
Ms. Patty Watts
St. Gabriel's, Milton/Oak Ridge
Appointed May 2003, District 2

Ms. Hester Wharton

Grace, Madison

District 4

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Upcoming Events

Senior Ministries-Diocese of Newark meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month from September to June in Episcopal House, 31 Mulberry Street, Newark at 4:00 p.m.

2007 Meeting Dates
April 18, 2007 - 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. May 16, 2007 - 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
June 20, 2007 - 4:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. July 18, 2007 - 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
August 15, 2007 - 4:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. September 19, 2007 - 4:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.
October 17, 2007 - 4:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. November 14, 2007 - 4:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.
December 12 , 2007 - 4:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.  

 

Upcoming Special Events
June 17 , 2007 - Evensong at Calvary, Summit - Please download this flyer

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Available Programs

The Senior Ministries-Diocese of Newark is available to assist in putting on and adapting any of these programs. Additional information is available by contacting Canon R. Carter Echols, Canon for Congregational Development at canonechols@dioceseofnewark.org or 973-430-9907.

INFORMATION SESSIONS
for Church Organizations and Groups
AGING ISSUES—RESOURCES AND TOOLS
  • Community Resources {Transportation, Home health, housekeeping, etc.}
  • Living Options {Own home, retirement community, assisted living, etc.}
  • Legal Tools {Will, Power of Attorney, etc.}
  • Insurance Issues {Medicare options, long term care insurance, etc.}
  • Financial Aids/Benefits/Entitlements {Medicaid, PAAD, lifeline, etc.}
CAREGIVER ISSUES—RESOURCES AND TOOLS
  • The Aging Process {Physical, social, psychological, etc.}
  • Community Resources {Transportation, Home health, housekeeping, etc.}
  • Living Options {Own home, retirement community, assisted living, etc.}
  • Legal Tools {Will, Power of Attorney, etc.}
  • Insurance And Financial Issues {Will, Power of Attorney, Medicare options, long-term care insurance, etc.}
  • Respite {Breaks for the caregiver}
  • Support Systems {Family, church, groups, etc.}
ENTITLEMENTS AND BENEFITS
  • Medicare
  • Social Security
  • Supplemental Security Income
  • Medicaid
  • Subsidized Housing
RETIREMENT PLANNING
  • Personal And Health {Nutrition, health and physical fitness, etc.}
  • Social And Housing {Family, friends, stay, move, etc.}
  • Income, Investment, And Financial Planning
  • Legal And Estate Planning± Spiritual Considerations
  • Spiritual Considerations
KEEPSAKE—A PROGRAM ON MEMORY, AGING, AND ALZHEIMER'S
{Developed by National Council on Aging, Alzheimer's Association, Eisai and Pfizer.}
This presentation is designed to heighten awareness and understanding among older adults and their families about memory, aging, and the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease.
ENLIGHTEN—A NEW LIGHT ON DEPRESSION IN OLDER ADULTS
{Developed by National Council on Aging and Pfizer.}
This educational program is designed to identify how to recognize depression, how to obtain help and, how to talk to a doctor about depression.
MINISTRY DEVELOPMENT
PARISH MINISTRIES TO, FOR, OF, AND WITH THE AGING

A Brain Storming Session to help define where your congregation is, the direction you want to go in, and what information and training may be necessary to move in that direction.

  • Sensitivity to Aging & Clarification Training
  • Brainstorming Ideas & Desires
  • Prioritizing Parish Concerns & Needs
  • Development of an Action Plan
VOLUNTEERS—THE SOUL OF THE PARISH

A strong volunteer program can enrich the spirit of your parish. This workshop explores:

  • Who volunteers are
  • How to capitalize on their skills and talents
  • Development of job descriptions
  • Recruitment strategies
  • Recognition retention
REMINISCENCE PROGRAM TRAINING & SUPPORT

{developed by AARP}
This program teaches visiting and listening skills, which help those who visit the frail, convey the message that they are still valued and important and their lives matter.

  • Clarification of One's Perspective on Aging
  • Develop Active Listening Skills
  • Using Triggers to Spur Memories
  • Dealing with Personal Attitudes and Feelings
FRIENDLY VISITOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM TRAINING & SUPPORT

This Program is designed to match trained volunteers with the homebound individual and provide companionship on a regular mutually agreed upon schedule. Training includes:

  • The Role of the Friendly Visitor Volunteer
  • Skills and Techniques for Building a Relationship
  • Dispelling Misconceptions Regarding the Aged and Frail
IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE and CLOSING THE GAP
{Developed by NJ4A Elder Abuse and Neglect Project}
These educational programs are designed to educate elementary school (It's Hard To Imagine) and Middle School (Closing the Gap) age students about the issue of elder abuse and to strengthen their appreciation of older people.

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Links to Other Sites

The following links are to external sites that are maintained by their own author/owner. We offer these as aids in your search for information on various topics.

Agencies
(click on agency to go to website)
Descriptions
Federal Information Center The Federal Consumer Information Center [FCIC] offers answers to questions about consumer problems and government services. Consumers can read, print out, or save the current Consumer Information Catalog and the full text of all the publications listed in it.
New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services
 The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services provides information on community programs, benefits, NJEASE, and a searchable database of care options within New Jersey that include nursing homes, assisted living facilities, residential health care facilities, adult day care, hospice care and home health agencies.
Social Security Administration The official website for Social Security offers on-line application for retirement and spousal benefits, request for replacement cards, and screening tools to assess eligibility for other social security benefits.
MEDICARE The official website for Medicare offers a information on Medicare Plan Choices, searchable databases for Medicare participating Doctors, Home Health Agencies and Durable Equipment Suppliers and Nursing Home Compare throughout the United States.
National Council, on Aging's BenefitsCheckUp® BenefitsCheckUp® is a service of the National Council on Aging. It provides a comprehensive online service to screen for federal, state and some local private and public benefits for older adults (ages 55 and over). In addition to identifying the programs that a person may be eligible to receive, it also provides a detailed description of the programs, local contacts for additional information and materials to help successfully apply for each program.
Administration on Aging The official website for the US Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Aging provides links to information and services for consumers, family caregivers, professionals, practitioners, researchers, and students.
Bishop Anand Resource Center The Bishop Anand Resource Center is a multi-media special library designed for use by the clergy and lay people of the Diocese of Newark. This website is an easy and convenient way to survey what is currently available on a given subject and to borrow what you need to help plan your parish programs.
Helpguide Helpguide is a non-commercial, consumer-friendly website,providing expert information on mental health and aging.
Forum on Religion, Spirituality, and Aging The American Society on Aging's Forum on Religion, Spirituality & Aging brings together professionals from all disciplines in the field of aging to discuss religion and spirituality and their value to older adults.
AARP The American Association of Retired Persons is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to addressing the needs and interests of persons 50 and older. Through information and education, advocacy and service.
New Jersey Lawyer Referral Service This website is the New Jersey State Bar Association's lawyer referral service to assist in finding an attorney in your area to meet your needs.
 
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