Hebrew Rehabilitation Center (HRC), an integral part of Hebrew SeniorLife and an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, received re-accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) following a survey conducted in November 2015.

Hebrew Rehabilitation Center’s three year re-accreditation applies to its post-acute care services at locations in Boston and Dedham. In Boston, HRC offers a Medical Acute Care Unit (MACU) and a Rehabilitative Services Unit (RSU). In Dedham, its Rehabilitative Services Unit is located on the campus of NewBridge on the Charles, a continuing care retirement community.

Re-accreditation, which extends through January 31, 2019, is another indication of HRC’s dedication and commitment to improving the lives of persons served. The service delivery, personnel and documentation demonstrated conformance to the high standards CARF establishes for rehabilitation facilities. As noted by one of the surveyors, “HRC is recognized for high levels of satisfaction from patients at both campuses.”

Hebrew Rehabilitation Center has held accreditation status by CARF since 2001 with the opening of the RSU in Boston. HRC expanded its post-acute care options in 2004 with the opening of the MACU and in 2009 with the opening of the RSU in Dedham.

A trusted provider and partner with several Boston area hospitals, Hebrew Rehabilitation Center delivers high quality health care that meets the needs of older adults following an acute hospital stay. A team of highly skilled professionals, including physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, physical, occupational and speech therapists, pharmacists, social workers and dietitians, provide care to more than 2,500 patients annually. Physicians representing dozens of medical specialties are available for consultation to ensure all patients’ medical needs are addressed during their stay.

About Hebrew Rehabilitation Center
Hebrew Rehabilitation Center, an integral part of Hebrew SeniorLife and an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, provides both post-acute rehabilitative care and long-term care at two locations in Boston and Dedham. Our goal is always the same – to help individuals regain as much independence as possible. That independence can mean going home after recovering from an illness or surgery, or setting meaningful goals as a long-term care resident. At HRC we are redefining the experience of aging by respecting resident and patient choice and working to improve the quality of life for people as they age.

BOSTON — Hebrew SeniorLife (HSL), a national senior services provider, and Boston University’s Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) have finally made it official. The two organizations signed a new affiliation agreement designed to provide top-notch dental care for patients at Hebrew SeniorLife. In addition, a primary goal of the affiliation is to expand on HSL’s commitment to teaching by offering more training to the next generation of dentists in the art and science of Geriatric Dental Medicine.

Helen Chen, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at HSL said, “This collaboration is a win-win for both GSDM students and the patients at HSL. It ensures that our seniors get exceptional dental care, and that GSDM students have the opportunity to learn important skills in Geriatric Dental Medicine.” GSDM and HSL have a long history of working together to provide excellent dental care to HSL seniors. Dr. Joseph Calabrese, GSDM Director of Geriatric Dental Medicine, has cared for patients at HSL several times a week for 20 years. However, this will be the first time that GSDM will oversee the clinical operation at HSL, which will allow for increased opportunities to train dental students along with an increased number of available appointments for the patients.

“We are so proud of our partnership with Hebrew SeniorLife. GSDM will continue to provide the best oral health care to the patients we have the privilege of treating at HSL, while also bringing excellence to the educational experience of our students in Geriatric Dental Medicine,” said Dr. Jeffrey W. Hutter, GSDM Dean.

While geriatric dentistry is not a recognized specialty, it does present its own set of unique challenges and techniques. With this new affiliation agreement, BU dental students will have more mandatory geriatric rotations at HSL, and will have the opportunity to spend more time with senior patients.

Dental services are available to patients in Long Term Chronic Care at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center on both the Dedham and Roslindale campuses.

About Hebrew SeniorLife (HSL)

Hebrew SeniorLife is a national senior services leader uniquely dedicated to rethinking, researching, and redefining the possibilities of aging. Founded in Boston in 1903, the nonprofit, non-sectarian organization today provides communities and health care for seniors, research into aging, and education for geriatric care providers. For more information about Hebrew SeniorLife, visit https://www.hebrewseniorlife.org, follow us on Twitter @H_SeniorLife, like us on Facebook or read our blog.

About Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM)

Founded in 1963 under the leadership of Dr. Henry M. Goldman, GSDM is a premier academic dental institution promoting excellence in dental education, research, oral health care, and community service to improve the overall health of the global population. More information about GSDM can be located on their website at www.bu.edu/dental, follow us on Twitter @budental, or like us on Facebook at budental.

BOSTON - Finally, the first flowers of spring have begun to bloom, indicating that brighter days are upon us, and golf season is in the air. In keeping with yearly tradition, supporters of local nonprofit Hebrew SeniorLife (HSL) will tee off to raise money for its programs and services on Monday, June 19 at Belmont Country Club. This year’s annual tournament will honor the Sloane Family and Century Bank.

Marshall Sloane, founder and chairman of Century Bank; son Barry Sloane, President and CEO of Century Bank (and an HSL Trustee); and daughter Linda Sloane Kay, Executive Vice President of Century Bank -will each be honored for their many years of commitment to HSL’s mission.

Barry Sloane said, “We’re so proud to be honored at this year’s golf tournament. The much needed services that HSL provides to our community continue to inspire us after all these years.” Founded in Boston in 1903, Hebrew SeniorLife today provides communities and health care for seniors, research into aging, and education for geriatric care providers.

This year’s HSL Golf Committee is chaired by Reese Genser of Newton Centre who remarked that “this is a great day on the course to support an amazing organization. Proceeds from this year’s tournament will support the creation of a center of excellence for Alzheimer’s disease at Hebrew SeniorLife – so many will benefit from this center. I am very proud to be involved with HSL.”

The HSL Golf Committee also includes Jeff Drucker and Jonathan Kay of Chestnut Hill, Todd Finard of Weston, Jonathan Freedman of Newton Highlands, Doug Gordon and Rob Rudnick of Brookline, and Jeff Winnick of Wellesley Hills.

About Hebrew SeniorLife

Hebrew SeniorLife, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, is a national senior services leader uniquely dedicated to rethinking, researching and redefining the possibilities of aging. Founded in Boston in 1903, the nonprofit, non-sectarian organization today provides communities and health care for seniors, research into aging, and education for geriatric care providers. For more information about Hebrew SeniorLife, visit https://www.hebrewseniorlife.org, follow us on Twitter @H_SeniorLife, like us on Facebook or read our blog.

BOSTON — Hebrew SeniorLife (HSL), the largest provider of senior health care and communities in New England and an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, has received a $525,000 grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation. The three-year grant will support the expansion of HSL’s “Making Real Progress in Emotional Health” (MARPEH) program to patients enrolled in HSL Home Care. The goal of MARPEH is to integrate behavioral health treatment with primary care and other health services to reduce the severity of depressive symptoms in seniors and improve overall health.

“Seniors who are enrolled in home care, particularly low-income seniors, are especially vulnerable to depression,” said Mary Moscato, President of Hebrew SeniorLife Health Care Services and Hebrew Rehabilitation Center. “This grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation will allow us to improve seniors’ access to mental health screening and treatment, leading to improved physical and emotional health.”

At least 20 percent of older adults in primary care in the United States are estimated to suffer from major depression—yet more than 90 percent of these patients are not receiving adequate clinical treatment. Most seniors in home care have recently been discharged from the hospital and may be suffering from isolation, pain, and increased frailty. Many are adjusting to a life with new physical challenges. These stressors can increase their risk for depression, while limiting their ability to seek and receive mental health treatment.

“The Foundation is investing in behavioral health integration programs that serve low-income and vulnerable patients across the entire life span, and the needs of seniors are often forgotten,” said Audrey Shelto, President of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation. “MARPEH is strong example of how this population is having their behavioral and medical health needs successfully met.”

The MARPEH program is led by Dr. Eran Metzger, HSL Director of Psychiatry and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Metzger will oversee the training of HSL Home Care staff to screen patients for depression and other mental health issues. Patients who screen positive for mild to moderate depression will receive basic problem-solving therapy from trained home care staff. Those with more advanced mental illness will be referred for more intensive treatment with HSL advance practice clinicians. Dr. Metzger and home care staff will collaborate with each patient’s primary care provider to ensure continuity and integration of medical and psychiatric care.

“Primary care physicians juggle multiple demands, particularly when it comes to treating seniors,” said Dr. Metzger. “By partnering with home care patients and primary care practices, we can reduce or eliminate barriers to accessing care for depression and other mental health issues. This will also improve patients’ physical health, since we know that poor mental health can worsen physical health. Hopefully, this integrated care program will serve as a replicable model for senior care organizations locally and nationally.”

MARPEH was launched by HSL in 2013 and is currently reaching more than 1,000 residents at all three of HSL’s supportive housing communities for low-income seniors. This represents the first time that MARPEH will enroll seniors living independently in the community.

HSL Home Care serves approximately 2,000 seniors each day in Greater Boston. The average age is 85 years old, and one in five patients is Russian-speaking. In 2015, HSL acquired Jewish Family & Children’s Services Medicare-certified home health and home care services, whose patients were primarily low-income and dual eligible, thereby expanding HSL’s impact on a highly vulnerable population.

The grant is part of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation’s Fostering Effective Integration of Behavioral Health and Primary Care. Through the grant program, the Foundation is evaluating and assessing experienced integrated care models that have the greatest likelihood of demonstrating the impact of integration on increased access, improved outcomes, and greater patient engagement and satisfaction.

About Hebrew SeniorLife
Hebrew SeniorLife, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, is a national senior services leader uniquely dedicated to rethinking, researching and redefining the possibilities of aging. Based in Boston, the non-profit, non-sectarian organization has provided communities and health care for seniors, research into aging, and education for geriatric care providers since 1903. For more information about Hebrew SeniorLife, visit https://www.hebrewseniorlife.org, follow us on Twitter @H_SeniorLife, like us on Facebook, or read our blog.

Boston - Hebrew SeniorLife, the largest provider of senior health care and senior living communities in New England, hosts its third annual signature event, EngAGE, this year featuring Arianna Huffington and Dr. Atul Gawande, on October 27 at the Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA) in Boston.

Guests at EngAGE will enjoy a series of high-level TED-like talks about aging, combined with relevant entertainment, and conclude with a series of intimate dinners where they can continue the conversation. This year speakers include Dr. Atul Gawande, world-renowned surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and best-selling author (his latest book is Being Mortal), and Arianna Huffington, editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post and author of the #1 New York Times best seller Thrive. The night will touch upon several topics critically related to how people can live healthy, fulfilling lives as they age.

“We’re creating an amazing evening of ideas, conversation and innovation at this year’s EngAGE,” said Louis J. Woolf, President and CEO, Hebrew SeniorLife. “Those who attend have a unique opportunity to rethink how they approach the subject of aging by clearing up misconceptions and addressing what issues people should be focused on today.”
A pioneer in senior care, Hebrew SeniorLife aims to lead the conversation about how society considers aging, while delivering impactful programs, access to senior living communities with the highest standards of care, and conducts leading research to tackle important issues that the elderly population faces. Today, the topic of aging remains more relevant than ever, as the United States Census Bureau projects that by 2050, the population of people aged 65+ will reach 83.7 million. Aging is a lifelong process, and affects each person and their loved ones differently. There is no time limit on when this issue can touch people, and this event initiates that conversation.

“EngAGE is a crucial platform for Hebrew SeniorLife to share the latest innovations and research findings around aging,” said Todd Finard, Board Chair of Hebrew SeniorLife. “We aim to start new conversations and inspire a new approach for those in this growing population and those who love and care for them.”

EngAGE participants will experience an unforgettable evening combining thought leadership and personal eye-opening stories, with entertainment and a chance to dine and discuss with fellow attendees. Hebrew SeniorLife researchers, caregivers and medical professionals, along with leading experts on the topic, will help guide the conversation on aging, and a series of short videos will offer a unique look at the organization’s mission and impact on the community, including stories of advocacy, care and support for elderly loved ones. Last year, the event raised more than $650,000 for Hebrew SeniorLife’s health care, communities, research and teaching. For more information on supporting the event, visit http://hslengage.org/index.html. Also, join the conversation on social media by using the hashtag: #HSLEngAGE.


About Hebrew SeniorLife
Hebrew SeniorLife, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, is a national senior services leader dedicated to rethinking, researching, and redefining the possibilities of aging. Based in Boston, the non-profit organization has provided communities and health care for seniors, research into aging, and education for geriatric care providers since 1903. According to Boston Business Journal, Hebrew SeniorLife is the third largest non-profit organization in Massachusetts (excluding universities and hospitals) with more than 2,400 employees on eight sites. Serving more than 3,000 seniors each day, HSL’s senior living communities and programs are open to people of all religions, races, creeds and ethnic origins. For more information about Hebrew SeniorLife, visit https://www.hebrewseniorlife.org, follow us on Twitter @H_SeniorLife, like us on Facebook, or read our blog.

BOSTON –  A new study published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine, Inhalation of hydrogen-rich gas before acute exercise alleviates exercise fatigue, has found a possible novel intervention for exercise-induced fatigue. A cross-discipline international team of U.S. and Chinese researchers, including at Hebrew SeniorLife’s Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, found that inhaling hydrogen-rich gas (HRG) before engaging in acute exercise can significantly reduce fatigue and enhance performance.

The research involved 24 healthy adult men who were tested for their maximum cycling power (Wmax) and maximum cycling time (Tmax). In a double-blind, counterbalanced, randomized, and crossover design, participants inhaled either HRG or placebo gas (air) for 60 minutes before cycling at 80% Wmax until exhaustion.

Key findings from the study include:

• Reduced Perceived Fatigue: Participants who inhaled HRG reported significantly lower scores on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for fatigue compared to those who inhaled placebo gas.
• Improved Exercise Performance: HRG inhalation improved cycling frequency during the final 30 seconds of the exercise and reduced the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) at both the beginning and end of the ride.
• Oxidative Stress Markers: HRG inhalation showed a significant improvement in the ability to inhibit hydroxyl radicals and lower serum lactate levels after exercise, indicating reduced oxidative stress.
• Functional Performance: While HRG did not significantly impact counter-movement jump (CMJ) height or glutathione peroxidase activity, the overall benefits on fatigue and oxidative stress markers were notable.

“The study’s findings suggest that HRG inhalation prior to exercise could be a valuable strategy for athletes and fitness enthusiasts looking to enhance performance and recovery. By mitigating fatigue and improving markers of oxidative stress, HRG has the potential to support more effective training and better overall health outcomes,” said Junhong Zhou, PhD, assistant scientist II, Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife.

The study opens new avenues for exploring the benefits of hydrogen-rich gas in sports and exercise science. As further research continues, HRG inhalation may become a widely adopted practice for enhancing athletic performance and combating exercise-induced fatigue.

Co-authors include:

• Gengxin Dong, School of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beijing Sport University, Beijing
• Jianxin Wu, Ministry of Sports, Tsinghua University, Beijing
• Yinglu Hong, School of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beijing Sport University, Beijing
• Qian Li, Sports Coaching College, Beijing Sport University, Beijing
• Meng Liu, Sports Coaching College, Beijing Sport University, Beijing
• Guole Jiang, Sports Coaching College, Beijing Sport University, Beijing
• Dapeng Bao, China Institute of Sport and Health Science, Beijing Sport University, Beijing
• Brad Manor, PhD, Director of the Mobility and Brain Function Program at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research
• Junhong Zhou, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

About Hebrew SeniorLife
Hebrew SeniorLife, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, is a national senior services leader uniquely dedicated to rethinking, researching, and redefining the possibilities of aging. Hebrew SeniorLife cares for more than 4,500 seniors a day across seven campuses throughout Greater Boston. Locations include: Hebrew Rehabilitation Center-Boston and Hebrew Rehabilitation Center-NewBridge in Dedham; NewBridge on the Charles, Dedham; Orchard Cove, Canton; Simon C. Fireman Community, Randolph; Center Communities of Brookline, Brookline; Jack Satter House, Revere; and Leyland Community, Dorchester. Founded in 1903, Hebrew SeniorLife also conducts influential research into aging at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, which has a portfolio of more than $98 million, making it one of the largest gerontological research facilities in the U.S. in a clinical setting. It also trains more than 500 geriatric care providers each year. For more information about Hebrew SeniorLife, visit our website or follow us on our blog, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn.

About the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research
Scientists at the Marcus Institute seek to transform the human experience of aging by conducting research that will ensure a life of health, dignity, and productivity into advanced age. The Marcus Institute carries out rigorous studies that discover the mechanisms of age-related disease and disability; lead to the prevention, treatment, and cure of disease; advance the standard of care for older people; and inform public decision-making.