Image Above: Finger Lakes Independence Center--FLIC--Logo: The letters: F-L-I-C and the letter I looks like an open door. Finger Lakes Independence Center Opening Doors to Independence

November 2022

November is Home Care & Hospice Month!

Image Above: White background with light blue house icon in the center. A white heart is in the center of the house icon. Below, it reads "November, Home Care and Hospice Month" in orange letters.

During the month of November, the home care and hospice community honors the millions of nurses, home care aides, therapists, and social workers who make a remarkable difference for the patients and families they serve. These heroic caregivers play a central role in our health care system and in homes across the nation. To recognize their efforts, we call upon all Americans to commemorate the power of caring, both at the home and in their local communities, and ask them to join with the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) by celebrating November as Home Care and Hospice Month.

In addition, Home Care Aide Week takes place the second full week of the month, November 7-13, 2021. Join us in honoring these compassionate, tireless workers who play an invaluable role for their clients as caregivers, companions, and friends.


https://www.nahc.org/consumers-information/november-is-home-care-hospice-month/

Tompkins County 28th Annual

Mental Health Conference

Suicide Prevention, 988, & Local Resources

Image Above: Two sets of hands, one black, one white, reaching across wooden surface to clasp in front of a window.

Join us for the 28th Annual Mental Health Conference. This conference is for professionals and community members alike to learn more about community resources and join important discussions about Suicide Prevention, 988, & Local Resources. Drop in to virtual sessions as you desire throughout the day.

Sessions include:

  • 9:00am - 10:30am Panel Discussion outlining 988 and other local hotline/warmline and immediate response services
  • 10:45am- 12:00am Panel Discussion on local Suicide Prevention and Mental Health resources
  • 1:00pm - 2:00pm Keynote Address from Scott MacLeod, of the Sophie Fund
  • 2:15pm - 3:15pm Book Talk with Tompkins County Public Library Staff


Click Here to Register

Poster Above: Poster detailing information about Tompkins County 28th Annual Mental Health Conference-same as listed in article above.

The 2022 Medicare Open Enrollment Clinics

Annual Election Period at Lifelong

119 West Court Street, Ithaca

Image Above: At top of image, in turquoise letters, it reads "Open Enrollment." Below words in center of image is a stethoscope laying on a wooden surface. Below stethoscope, in Scrabble letter tiles, it reads "Medicare."

Ask questions abourt Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans, Medigap, and coordination of benefits. Explore ways to save money on premiums and medications. Compare options and select the best match for YOU!


Certified HIICAP counselors offer FREE, non-biased 1:1 health insurance counseling on a first-come, first-served basis, on teh following clinic dates:

Tuesday, November 1, 9:00 to Noon

Thursday, December 1, 9:00 to Noon

Tuesday, December 6, 9:00 to Noon

New Walk-ins not accepted 30 minutes before the clinic ends.

Limited scheduled appointments available on the following dates: 11/2, 11/9, 11/16, 11/30, 12/7.


Call Lifelong at 607-273-1511 for more information.


Please bring the following with you:

  • List of your prescriptions, dosages and frequency;
  • Your Medicare card;
  • Any other health insurance cards or information;
  • Documentation of monthly or annual income.


Lifelong's HIICAP Program is funded by the Tompkins County Office for the Aging.


Open Enrollment of New York Health Covereage


This time of year is always fun with the colors changing and the kids excited about Halloween. Once again this year our team of friendly health insurance Navigators at The Human Service Coalition of Tompkins County starts preparing to assist you with Open Enrollment for your New York State of Health Coverage. Open Enrollment begins November 16th 2022 so make an appointment to talk with one of our Navigators soon. We look forward to assisting you again this year. Please click the link below or dial 2-1-1 (1-877-211-8667) to make an appointment. Until then stay safe and stay warm!


https://hsctc.org/health-appointment-booking/


Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Now Available

Image Above: Photo focused on the open hand of an African American man. In the palm of his hand is a tiny, black hearing aid.

Starting in mid-October, less expensive hearing aids became available over the counter at many stores, including Walmart, Walgreens, CVS and Best Buy. This increases access to hearing aids because people do not need a prescription to get them and because it has significantly decreased prices so that there are now models available for around $200. This change was announced in an Executive Order by President Biden this summer and finalized in a Food and Drug Administration Ruling. For more information, see the included article.

Read the Article

Image Above: Brown background with feathers in yellow, brown and turguoise. In letters of same colors, it reads, "November, National Native American Heritage Month."

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month Throught the Stories of Native Americans with Disabilities

November is Native American Heritage Month, or as it is commonly referred to, American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. It is important to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people, including those who also are members of the disability community.


Actress Alaqua Cox exemplifies this intersection. Marvel Studios’ latest episodic series Hawkeye premiered November 24, 2021 on Disney+, featuring Cox as Maya Lopez, who is the second deaf character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In addition to being deaf and an amputee, Cox is Native American (Menominee and Mohican Nation).


“I believe kids deserve to see inclusivity and accurate representation,” Cox said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “It will make kids with all types of cultures and disabilities feel like our dreams can break free from limitations.”!


Read more of Respect Ability's article by clicking the button below.

Read the Article

Emergency Preparedness Monthly Goal

Goal for November

Remember important items that may be overlooked when leaving your home in a disaster.

Image Above: "Remember!" written in black and underlined on a yellow post-it note, pinned to a cork board by a red pin.

Any emergency is easier to handle when you have prepared ahead of time. Put together an emergency kit with important items to keep at home, and a go bag with items you will need to take with you if you evacuate. Think about what you and your family would need in a disaster. You can make kits for your home, car or workplace. Emergencies can happen anywhere.

When severe weather is predicted, make sure your car has a full tank of gas. You don’t want to wait in line for gas if you are told to evacuate. Some storms may also knock out electricity, causing gas stations to close.


Task One  Gather your emergency supplies in an accessible place

Have a go bag ready if you have to shelter in place or evacuate your home. Your go bag can be part of your emergency kit, just make sure it is in a bag or easy to carry container and that it is easy to get to.

Think about these items for your go bag:

  • Battery powered radio and extra batteries
  • Flashlight with extra batteries
  • Lightweight blankets
  • Emergency information, including insurance policies
  • A list of medications and correct dosage, and doctor’s names
  • Personal items such as toothbrushes, soap, extra glasses, etc.
  • Whistle
  • First aid kit
  • Change of clothing
  • Non-perishable snacks
  • Books, cards or magazines to pass the time

Consider these additional items for infants and children:

  • Baby formula and food
  • Diapers
  • Baby wipes
  • Blanket or toy

Consider these additional items for medical conditions:

  • Empty pill bottle(s) or a list of current medications
  • Your doctor’s phone number

*Make sure you update your go bag when your medications change.

For pets:

  • Pet food & water
  • Collar with ID tags
  • Pet medication(s)
  • Pet carriers and leashes
  • Medical records from vet
  • Photos of your pet
  • Microchip information

  

Task Two: Create an emergency supply kit for your pet, your car, and your work place or school.

Disasters can strike when you are away from home. If your office or school does not have an emergency kit, offer to help make one. The kit should include:

  • First aid supplies
  • Flashlights or light sticks
  • Building emergency procedures
  • Building maps showing evacuation and shelter areas
  • Pens or pencils
  • Signs with the words “Need Help” and “All Clear”
  • Clipboard with class/staff names

Make or buy an emergency kit for your car. If you travel with your pet regularly, make sure that you have an emergency kit for them as well. Some items to think about for your car kit are: a small first aid kit, flashlight or light sticks, flares or reflective cones, a blanket, cell phone charger, jumper cables, bottled water, non-perishable snacks, and a “help” flag or brightly colored cloth that can be tied to the antenna.


Task Three: Slash some cash in case ATM’S and credit card machines are not usable in a disaster

Many things that we take for granted are not available when there is no power. ATM machines may not work. Grocery stores and other businesses may not be able to accept your credit or debit card. Cash could be the only acceptable means to make a purchase. Some experts say you should have at minimum $150.00 in cash stashed away. Realizing this may not be possible for everyone, any amount is good to start with. Take $1.00 dollar a week and place it in an envelope in your emergency kit. In just a little time, you will have some cash stashed away for use in emergencies.

https://www.do1thing.com/individuals/emergency-supplies-2/

Image Above: Cover of the book. Background is a silhouette of a woman standing in a doorway, leaning on the doorframe with one foot crossed over the other. Colors are green, blue, pink and gold. Over the image in white letters with black trim, it reads, "A Room Called Earth: A Novel. Madeleine Ryan." 

In January! Disability Perspectives: Read with FLIC! 


FLIC is partnering with the Tompkins County Public Library (TCPL) for a book group. Join Rashke Bradley and Teressa Sivers as we read together an unforgettable story of a fiercely original young woman, whose radical perspective illuminates a new way of being in the world. The debut novel from Madeleine Ryan, A Room Called Earth is a humorous and heartwarming adventure inside the mind of a bright and dynamic woman. This hyper-saturated celebration of love and acceptance, from a neurodiverse writer, is a testament to moving through life without fear, and to opening ourselves up to a new way of relating to one another. -www.goodreads.com


More details coming in our November newsletter. Books and registration will be available through the TCPL. The book group will be held virtually through Zoom. Email Rashke@fliconline.org or Teressa@fliconline.org with questions. 


Click Here to Register and Reserve Your Copy of the Book

CNYRID Presents:

Strange Words, Are You Ready to Express Yourself?

November 27th, 2022

12:00 to 5:00 pm


On Zoom and In Person!

FLIC Conference Room

215 Fifth Street, Ithaca, NY 14850


Presented By: Cassie Simmons


Image Below: Picture of Cassie Simmons, African American woman with straight black hair and brown eyes, smiling at the camera, wearing a bright blue shirt and standing against a brick wall.

Below the picture of Cassie are two agency logos: Interpretek and FLIC: Finger Lakes Independence Center. These agencies are helping to plan and present the event.

Non-Manual Skills!

This workship is focused on facial expressions and other non-manual skills (NMS) aspectes of ASL. Spoken English relies on vocal intonation to show modd, intent, and intensity and ASL students and interpreters often find it challenging to transfer these features into a signed language. "You've got to learn it before you move up through different levels of ASL classes so you don't come out looking stiff-faced." The goal of the workshop is for participants to develop "new ASL faces" and be able to display natural looking facial expressions appropriate in ASL dialogues. There will be scenarios, improvisations, and word games. Everyone is encouraged to participate and will be given support to enhance their NMS skills. The workshop aims to reduce self-consiousness when using NMS in ASL.


REGISTER ONLINE! CLICK HERE


CEU registration available!

.4 CEU's

$50 for CNYRID members

$65 for non-members

$40 for students


About Cassie: My deafness was diagnosed when I was 3 years old, but my mother believes that i may have been born deaf. We do not know what caused it. I am a graduate of the Detroit Day School for the Deaf and the Michigan School for the Deaf.


Special Thanks! 

A special thanks to the ASL professors at Cornell University for helping CNYRID make this workshop happen!

National Weather Service

Winter Weather Safety for You and Your Family

Image Above Right: Photo of yellow caution road sign with snowy trees in the background. On the sign it says, "Cold Weather Ahead."

BEFORE a Winter Storm

Before the store strikes, make sure your home, office and vehicles are stocked with supplies you might need if stranded in a winter store. Know hot to dress for varying degrees of cold weather.


At Home and Work:

  • Your primary concern at home or work during a winter storm are loss of heat, power and telephone service and a shortage of supplies if storm conditions continue for more than a day. In either place, you should have Home & Work Winter Storm Survivial Kit.

In Vehicles:

  • Before you leave the house, call 511 for the latest traffic weather condititions. TAKE IT SLOW IN THE SNOW.
  • Fully check and winterize your vehicle before the winter season begins. Carry a Car Winter Storm Survival Kit.

On the Farm/Pet Owners:

  • Move animals to sheltered area or bring pets inside.
  • Haul extra feed to nearby feeding area.
  • Have water available. Most animals die of dehydration in winter storms.
  • Make sure pets have plenty of food, water, and warm shelter.


To read more and see survival kit instructions, click the buttons below.

Winter Safety Flyer
Full Interactive Webpage

Mental Health Mindfulness 101

The Finger Lakes Independence Center presents Mental Health Mindfulness 101 -A peer selfhelp mutual support group which uses the basics of mindfulness to assist its members towards bettering their mental health.


Meeting Dates: November 7 & 21

                           December 5 & 19

Time: 3:00 to 4:00 pm

Place: Via Zoom


Guiding Principles 1. This is a self-help and mutual support group. 2. We believe that improving our lives and healing is possible using mindfulness, peer support, and learning coping skills. 3. We are not here to fix each other or give advice, but rather to “Be” with one another with a culture of respect and support. 4. We refrain from universalizing our experience and world view. We speak from the “I” prospective. Differences are expected and welcomed. Come join us as we support each other as we learn, share, and experience ways to live a more peaceful, happier, and empowered life. We will learn how to incorporate mindfulness tools such as the power of our thoughts and words, self-love, meditation, positivity, and much more.


To register or for more information contact

Steven Karris 631-745-2850/stevenjames6560@gmail.com or

Jeff Boles 607-272-2433/ jeff@fliconline.org

The Registry Referral Program

The Finger Lakes Independence Center administers the Registry Referral Program. This is a free referral service linking individuals seeking independent employment to people who need care in their home. Opportunities include: elder companion, housekeeper, run errands, cook, personal care aide, home care aide, LPN, RN. People looking for help can call and receive names of people willing to provide those services. If you either need assistance or if you would be interested in listing your name as a caregiver, pease call FLIC at 272-2433 or email: info@fliconline.org. If you have experience caring for a friend or loved one, please consider sharing your compassion with others. This program is made possible through funding from the Tompkins County Office for the Aging. 

Need a Public Notary?


Contact Cheryl Baker at FLIC at

607-272-2433 to make an appointment.


Services are free!


Image left: gold star with the words "Notary Public" in black, bold letters in the center. Double circle surrounds these words. In the circle at the top it reads "Official" and, at the bottom, "Duly Commissioned."

Image Above: White background with blue letters reading, "Giving Tuesday." The V in Giving is a red heart.

Click the button below to give to FLIC! Thank you for your generosity!

Give to FLIC!

November 29th is Giving Tuesday


GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of radical generosity. GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Since then, it has grown into a year-round global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.


Join the movement and give – each Tuesday and every day – whether it’s some of your time, a donation, or the power of your voice in your local community.

Image Above: Black background with white lettering in the center reading, "Dia De Los Muertos." Surround the words is a wreath made up of images: decorated skulls, marigold flowers, candles, bones, coffin--all in pink, green, orange, purple and white.

October 31-November 2 is celebrated in Mexico and many Latin American countries as the Day of the Dead-Dia de los Muertos. It is not Halloween. Watch the video below to learn more.

Image Above: Background is the American flag with a white banner across the center. On the banner, in blue letters, it reads, "Election Day."

November 8 is election day! Your vote matters! Be sure to make time to vote. For Tompkins County residents, visit the link below to learn about election details. 

TC Election Details

For those who live in New York State but not Tompkins County, visit: 

https://www.elections.ny.gov/

For those outside of New York State, use your favorite search engine to locate the details for your state, county and municipality. Let us exercise our rights and vote on Election Day!

Image Above: Dark blue background with the American flag in the center. In bold white letters above the flag, "Veterans Day." Below flag in smaller white letters, "Honoring All Who Served." Three white stars at bottom.

Every year we mark Veterans Day on November 11th. It is a day to honor those who serve and is marked with events, parades and services around the country. Click the button below to visit the Department of Defense's site about Veterans Day.

US Dept. of Defense

Image Above: Blue background with faint outside of the world map. In white and light blue letters it reads, "13th November World Kindness Day." Next to words is a hand under a heart with the outline of the world map. 

World Kindness Day is a global day that promotes the importance of being kind to each other, to yourself, and to the world. The purpose of this day, celebrated on November 13 of each year, is to help everyone understand that compassion for others is what binds us all together. This understanding has the power to bridge the gap between nations.

Image Above: White-grained wood background with orange bowl filled with maple leaves in shades of orange, yellow and brown. Are bowl are acorns and orange-colored berries on branches. In black letters, across the main portion of the image, it reads, "May your Thanksgiving be full of peace, love, and joy." The word, "Thanksgiving is large and in a flowing script.