Hebrew SeniorLife Blog

Tips and resources to help you navigate the joys and challenges of aging, from Boston's trusted expert in senior care.

Video Helps Proxies Make Care Decisions for Advanced Dementia Patients

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BOSTON — Researchers from Hebrew SeniorLife’s Institute for Aging Research (IFAR) and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) have discovered that nursing home residents with advanced dementia are more likely to have advance directives that indicate they did should not get feeding tubes after their proxies viewed a 12-minute video on advance care planning. In addition, when proxies stated comfort was the goal of care, residents were more likely to have advance directives aligned with that goal. However, the videos did not have an effect on level of care preferences, decisions around do-not-hospitalize status, or other burdensome treatments.

In this cluster randomized clinical trial, researchers compared outcomes between proxies and advanced dementia residents in 32 nursing homes where proxies of watched the video and 32 other nursing homes where 190 proxies who did not watch the video. Results showed that the video did not impact preferences, do-not-hospitalize status, or burdensome treatments, but increased directives to withhold tube-feeding. When proxies preferred comfort care, advance directives of residents who proxies viewed the video were more likely to align with that preference.

Susan Mitchell, M.D., M.P.H., lead author of the study and Director of Palliative Care Research at IFAR said, “While the findings suggest that advance care planning videos do not alter care preferences, they do suggest that the video promotes alignment of proxy preferences with advance care directives.”

The results of this study were published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine (JAMA IM).

This research was supported by the following grants: NIH-NIA R01 AG043440 and NIH-NIA K24AG033640 (Mitchell).

About the Institute for Aging Research

Scientists at the Institute for Aging Research 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 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. The Musculoskeletal Center within IFAR studies conditions affecting bone, muscle, and joint health with aging.

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 http://www.hebrewseniorlife.org, follow us on Twitter @H_SeniorLife, like us on Facebook or read our blog.

Situated in a quiet, private setting overlooking the gardens and woods of NewBridge, you’ll find the villas at NewBridge are conveniently accessible to our community center through a beautiful courtyard garden or an underground walkway.

Each villa is a corner apartment ranging in size from 1,589 to 1,800 square feet and offers plenty of light. The spacious interiors offer two or two-and-a-half bathrooms, full laundry, walk-in closets, high ceilings, large windows, fireplaces, porches, and underground parking.

Sample Floor Plan

And So Much More

A NewBridge on the Charles resident sits and reads a magazine in a contemporary library with ample seating and open shelving for books and periodicals.

Everything You Need

Independent Living Amenities

Independent living residents of NewBridge on the Charles have access to exclusive amenities including the Centro restaurant, a vast resident-run library, indoor pool, spa, art studio, and putting green.

Explore Amenities
An older man in an oxford shirt and navy trousers walks across the community center bridge with the NewBridge on the Charles move-in coordinator.

Let Us Take Care of It

Independent Living Resident Services

Enjoy the pleasures of luxury living, and let us take care of the little things. From our concierge to housekeeping, home maintenance, and transportation services, our team has you covered.

Explore Resident Services
An older man is seen by a Harvard Medical School-affiliated health care provider as part of the on-site health care services offered at NewBridge on the Charles.

Harvard Medical School-Affiliated

On-Site Health Care

Residents of NewBridge on the Charles have priority access to a full continuum of on-site, Harvard Medical School-affiliated health care including primary care, in-home care, post-acute care, long-term chronic care, and hospice care.

Explore Health Care
A group of NewBridge residents enjoy coffee and conversation following a theatrical performance in Great Meadow Hall.

Every Day Offers Something New

Community Life

Living at NewBridge on the Charles means enjoying world-class arts and cultural events, high-level lifelong learning opportunities, and the friendship of fascinating neighbors.

Explore Community Life

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You Can Make a Difference

At Hebrew SeniorLife we are committed to transforming the experience of aging for the seniors we serve. Our life-enhancing programs depend on volunteers and their generous donation of time; making real differences in older adults' lives.

We welcome all ages, backgrounds, and abilities, individually and in groups. We're happy to work with you to find the right fit for your interests, talents, and schedule.

Volunteers play a critical role in all our communities, whether it’s at our five senior living communities in Greater Boston or at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center, our Harvard Medical School-affiliated long-term chronic care hospital with locations in Boston and at NewBridge on the Charles in Dedham.

Volunteer Activities

Volunteers work with older adults with all different levels of independence and needs, including active independent living residents and more frail patients in our long-term chronic care hospital. You’ll be provided with training and support from our team to make sure your experience is rewarding.

We can work creatively to match your skills and interests with the needs of our communities. Some of the roles our volunteers enjoy include:

  • Providing face-to-face tech support, helping residents learn to use devices that keep them connected with friends and family
  • Visiting one-on-one with patients - you can play games, do art projects, listen to music, walk outside, or just sit quietly together 
  • Providing support for the occupational and expressive therapy teams
  • Lead or assist with small group activities, including music, art, reading stories aloud, and holiday celebrations
  • Work individually with patients during mealtimes to assist with feeding 
  • Support resident services teams at senior living communities
  • Virtual roles are available, such as preparing supplies for holiday celebrations or visiting with patients or residents via Zoom.

How to Start Volunteering

The best way to explore volunteer opportunities at Hebrew SeniorLife is by filling out an application. This doesn’t obligate you to volunteer, it just gives us a little more information about your interests so we can start the conversation and find the right opportunity for you. Once you’ve completed the online application, a member of our Volunteer, Youth, and Community Engagement team will be in touch with you.

Please note that volunteers are required to be vaccinated (including against the flu and COVID-19), and will undergo mandatory background checks.

Apply Now

Do you still have questions? We’d love to talk with you! Contact us today.

Other Opportunities to Volunteer

A school-age girl and a senior living resident enjoy their time participating in an intergenerational program.

Building Relationships Across Generations

Participate in Intergenerational Programming

Hebrew SeniorLife unites generations, bringing together senior residents, patients, and students from the community to forge impactful, meaningful relationships. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we are offering virtual intergenerational opportunities for individuals and groups.

Learn More About the Program
A chaplain puts comforting hand on a patient’s shoulder

There When You’re Needed Most

Become a Hospice Volunteer in the Boston Area

Volunteering with patients and families at the end of life is among the most meaningful and rewarding work you can do. Hospice volunteers visit with patients in their homes, providing company, social interaction, and respite for caregivers. Training is provided.

Learn About Becoming a Hospice Volunteer

Internships in Senior Care

A student walks with a senior in a glass halfway at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston. Hebrew SeniorLife offers internships and clinical training opportunities for students looking to work with older adults.

Harvard Medical School-Affiliated Training

Internships and Clinical Training at Hebrew SeniorLife

If you’re enrolled in an academic program and are looking for an internship for credit or a clinical rotation, we offer a number of options. We provide expert geriatric education to tomorrow’s doctors, nurses, therapists, pharmacists, and other health professionals, along with internships and co-ops in administrative departments.

Opportunities for Students

What People are saying about Hebrew SeniorLife

  • "I started volunteering as a way to honor my grandmother, who I used to visit when she was a resident. Residents seem to recognize me as someone from “outside,” which helps break the ice and create lasting friendships. For me, volunteering at NewBridge provides an important balance to my career. It’s good for the soul."

    Jay Gordon

    Jay Gordon

  • "The volunteer engagement team is very supportive; always willing to help, answering all my questions, and making sure I’m doing ok. I enjoy meeting patients from all around the World—Europe, Latin America, Asia—and hearing all their stories. The rewarding part for me is seeing smiles on people's faces and the gratification of seeing a change in a residents’ sundowning behavior when we engage in music together."

    Weronika "Wera" Rozwadowska

    Weronika “Wera” Rozwadowska

  • "Volunteering at HSL has allowed me to meet people from all walks of life, each with their own stories. The residents and staff are always willing to lend an ear when needed and give heartfelt advice from their own experiences. My weekly walks with the senior residents provide welcome time away from my hectic academic schedule. I would recommend volunteering at HSL to those who enjoy working with the elderly and are looking for a fulfilling volunteering experience."

    Jude. A

    Jude A.

Weight changes associated with reduced bone strength

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BOSTON — Researchers from Hebrew SeniorLife’s Institute for Aging Research, Boston University, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and University of Calgary have found evidence that weight loss can result in worsening bone density, bone architecture and bone strength. The results were published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.

Douglas P. Kiel, MD, MPH, principal investigator for the study said, “The study is significant because it used data on weight changes over 40 years in participants in the Framingham Study. We showed that men and women with both shorter term weight loss over 4-6 years and longer term weight loss over 40 years had more micro-architectural deterioration of their bones than persons who did not lose weight.”

The magnitude of changes to the skeleton were clinically significant and translated into an almost three-fold increase in the risk of fracture for those who lost 5% or more weight over 40 years.

Elizabeth (Lisa) Samelson, PhD, senior author of the paper cautioned that “Older adults who are losing weight should be aware of the potential negative effects on the skeleton and may want to consider counteracting these effects through interventions such as weight-bearing exercise and eating a balanced diet. Given that weight loss is highly common in older adults, further work is needed to evaluate if these bone deficits can be prevented through interventions or therapy.”

Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute of Arthritis Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R01AR061445. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

About Institute for Aging Research

Scientists at the Institute for Aging Research 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 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. The Musculoskeletal Center within IFAR studies conditions affecting bone, muscle, and joint health with aging.

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 http://www.hebrewseniorlife.org, follow us on Twitter @H_SeniorLife, like us on Facebook or read our blog.

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Empowering Seniors to Meet their Goals

Available exclusively to residents, Vitalize 360 is an innovative and effective health and wellness platform that combines one-on-one coaching with research-based tools. Proven to improve health and quality of life, Vitalize 360 empowers participants in directing their lives and their health care.

“Vitalize 360 is the kind of thing you’d like to see go population-wide.” — Dr. Atul Gawande, author, Being Mortal

Our trained coaches engage seniors to discover what is most important to them, such as exploring their creativity through art or photography, enhancing their spiritual connection or practice, or improving their physical endurance or balance. We partner with you to define and then help you achieve what matters most to you.

As reported in the July 2016 issue of the Journal of Ageing Research and Healthcare:

  • 62% of participants reported that they were “delighted with their life” compared to 32% before the program.
  • 74% of participants exercised during the program, versus 33% who exercised before.
  • After a year in the program, a higher percentage of participants reported viewing their community as “supportive” and their mood scores improved markedly.

Vitalize 360 is just one of the ways our senior living communities strive to help every resident focus on what matters most to them personally.

Vitalize 360 participant talks about the program.

Hear From Participants

Vitalize 360 at Orchard Cove

What's most important to you? Learn how Orchard Cove helps residents plan and achieve personal goals with Vitalize 360.

Vitalize 360 coach and resident talk about what matters most to her.

Hear from a Coach

A Holistic Approach to Wellness at NewBridge

A Vitalize 360 Coach at NewBridge on the Charles shares what the program means to him.

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Vitalize 360 Coach stands in front of gratitude board created by residents.

Tips You Can Use Today

Getting “SMART” about Goal Setting

Sometimes it can be hard to take the leap from setting a goal to actually achieving it. If this sounds like you — then SMART goals might be just the tool you need.

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