New York State Commissioner of Health Reminds All Moms of the Importance of Making Time To Take Care of Themselves
MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. (May 9, 2016) – In celebration of Mother’s Day, New York State Commissioner of Health Dr. Howard Zucker recognized mothers for all the care and support they provide for others and urged them to protect their health by taking care of themselves too.
Mothers of all ages gathered on Wartburg’s beautiful 34-acre campus on Friday, May 6 to take part in demonstrations on fitting healthy eating, exercise, and better sleep into increasingly busy days—all while enjoying a healthy snack. Each mother was given a tulip from Dr. Zucker in appreciation for all they do.
Dr. Zucker began the event by highlighting the links between parenting, caregiving, stress, diet, exercise, and disease. Research suggests that many women do not make self-care a priority after having children. A survey by Healthy Women and Working Mother magazine showed that women rank themselves last when it comes to managing the family’s health care, behind the care they provide to their children, elderly relatives and spouse or significant other. In fact, 78% of women said they often put off taking care of themselves or making their own health appointments because they’re so busy taking care of other family members.
“This Sunday we will celebrate mothers and other significant women in our lives,” Dr. Zucker said. “Too often, women let go of their own care in order to care for others. This event is a reminder to all mothers and their families that moms need to make time to take care of themselves.”
Wartburg, a senior care facility including inpatient/outpatient rehabilitation, adult day programs, a skilled nursing facility and independent and assisted living, provided the venue for the event.
“I would like to thank the Commissioner and his staff for selecting Wartburg to be the location for this exciting event and for celebrating mothers of our communities,” said David Gentner, president and CEO of Wartburg. “While this is our 150th anniversary year, it is also a celebration of our future. Post-acute senior care is evolving and we believe Wartburg will play a key role in a new standard of integrated housing and services for seniors in Westchester County.”
About Wartburg
Wartburg is an internationally-recognized, award-winning provider of comprehensive senior services, including independent living, assisted living, Alzheimer’s/dementia care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, adult day services and hospice care. Its 34-acre campus in Mount Vernon serves seniors and their families in Westchester and the New York Metro area. Wartburg’s nursing home has been recognized by U. S. News & World Report as among the “Best Nursing Homes in New York State” for the fifth straight consecutive year, in 2015. Over the past few years, Wartburg has launched an ambitious building expansion program, including the Friedrichs Residence, providing affordable housing for seniors with 61 independent living apartments, and a rehabilitation and adult day services center of excellence both opened in 2013.
Launched in 2009, Wartburg’s award-winning Council for Creative Aging allows nearly 500 Westchester seniors with assisted living, memory care, nursing home and adult day care programs to express themselves through art, song, theater, poetry and oral histories. The Creative Aging Initiative promotes greater emotional health, social engagement and lifelong learning for older adults through a wide range of arts-based programs led by professional teaching artists trained to develop the creative capacity of older adult learners. Over the past several years, the Wartburg Creative Aging Initiative has been the recipient of numerous prestigious industry awards and recognitions, including the 2012 Innovation of the Year Award by LeadingAge New York, a premier organization dedicated to creating the future of aging and continuing care services in New York State and Partners for Livable Communities selected Wartburg Creative Aging as one of two winners in their 2011 Stories for Change Contest and highlighted it as a “Best Practice” for innovative arts programs addressing the growing needs of older adults.
Wartburg Website Homepage: www.wartburg.org
See Wartburg’s Creative Aging program and learn more about our extensive history: http://www.creativeagingstories.com
Wartburg Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/thewartburg
Media Contact:
Angela Ciminello
Director of Development & Marketing
