Services for Older Adults, Staff at Peninsula Counseling Center

Programs For Older Adults

The Lindner Center for Older Adults addresses the current and emerging needs of the elderly, their families and caregivers.  Licensed social workers, specially trained to understand the needs of older adults, provide individual, family and group therapy to help individuals manage their emotional and physical concerns.

The Lindner Center programs include:

• Psychiatric Evaluation & Medication Management
• Consultation to Senior Centers & Nursing Homes
• Services for Nathan Hale Center
• Frail Elderly Social Day Program
• Alzheimer Social Day Program

Cancer Support Group

The Peninsula Counseling Center Cancer Support Group helps individuals and families mitigate the emotional difficulties that evolve as cancer progresses. Dealing with cancer is extremely stressful and often results in anxiety or depression. Adults with cancer or other chronic illnesses will find a caring, supportive environment and participate in groups with others who share similar experiences. In this unique setting, participants can learn from and encourage each other. Counseling is also available for individuals, couples and family members.

Bereavement Program

Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult life-changing traumas one can face. The bereavement program provides help and support for those grieving the loss of a loved one. Individual counseling and support groups are provided to help address feelings of loss, loneliness, hopelessness and anger.

Counseling for the Homebound

This program is a vital resource for the community, providing visiting counseling services to older adults for whom travel is not possible. Trained therapists provide counseling and, through networking arrangements with other professional agencies, aid individuals by seeking to mobilize and secure additional home care services. The program helps seniors maintain their independence while remaining in the comfort of their own homes.

Later Life Issues Group

Later Life Issues Groups, designed for the elderly, help men and women learn from each other's experiences and offer mutual support as a professional counselor guides them through such topics as changing self image, chronic illness and managing relationships with one's spouse or adult children.

Families of Adult Children with Chronic Mental and Emotional Illness

Families are often not equipped to cope with the problems associated with chronic psychiatric illness. Support groups provide a safe environment where participants can openly share experience and concerns, listen to others, and exchange information about available resources. Peninsula Counseling Center offers a 12-session support group for families of adult children with chronic mental or emotional illness. Relatives and caretakers of adults with chronic or emotional illness cope with issues such as denial of the diagnosis, how to deal with an adult child who is not following prescribed treatment regimens, and how to make time for themselves. Participants are also encouraged to attend the AMI LAMP meetings which are held once a month. These meeting offer group support and seminars whose topics range from the latest medications and therapies, advocacy for the mentally ill and the latest available resources for housing and other specialized needs.

Meet Carol And Florence From Our Project Cares Program

Thanksgiving at the Club

The Club, a PCC social day program for seniors over 60 with cognitive, physical or emotional fraility, hosts a special Thanksgiving Party every year including PCC staff, volunteers, members of The Club and their families. Helping to make sure everyone gets turkey and all the trimmings are (left to right) Carolyn Townsend, social work intern, Marie Humphrey, staff, Honey Geller, volunteer, Lorraine Nordlund, staff, and Carol Schwartz, client caregiver.

Director of The Club, Ellen Tolle, RN, MPS, enjoys a dance with a member. For more information about this program Ellen can be reached at 516-374-9253.

Dancing to the music of Don Dofter (staff) are long time volunteer, Dawn McGrath and Club member, Mildred Schneider.