The Geraldine

Geraldine is 101 years old. She has lived in Brooklyn her whole life, and still goes to church when she’s able to get there. Geraldine majored in accounting and economics and had jobs working for her church, the federal government, city government, and the Board of Education. She traveled all over the world on cruises with her husband and their group of friends from the church.

Geraldine was married to the love of her life for 50 years - he passed away a few years ago. Now she lives alone. She has many health challenges: hypertension, asthma, COPD, and osteoporosis. After a hospital stay, Geraldine’s insurance connected her to JASA’s Care Transitions program. The care transitions specialist helped Geraldine manage her conditions, instructed her on how to keep her medications in order, taught her how to prevent falls, and accompanied her to medical appointments. JASA also connected her to home care services, JASAChat for social connection, and physical therapy. Geraldine says she is "quite pleased" with the wonderful JASA staff.

JASA’s Care Transitions program helps high-risk patients transition from hospital to home, with the goal of preventing avoidable hospital readmissions. JASA partners with hospitals and health plans to provide targeted interventions that offer the social support each individual needs to live at home while staying healthy. The program is led by International Medical Graduates (IMGs), who have gone to medical school overseas and share the cultures and languages of many patients. JASA currently delivers the program in English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Haitian Creole, French, Hindi, Ukrainian, Urdu, Punjabi, and Igbo and emphasizes cultural understanding, in-language communication and building trusted relationships.

These earrings are handmade with love and care by JASA seniors. Treat yourself today and support older New Yorkers!