Community / Resources
Community:
Celebrating Generosity: Every month, our team at North Star Navigators proudly spotlights a charity that embodies the spirit of giving. For February, we're thrilled to shine a light on this month's chosen charity, which will receive a heartfelt donation from us.
Giving back is at the core of everything we do, and supporting those in need is a vital part of our mission. Join us in celebrating and supporting this wonderful cause, because together, we can make a meaningful
difference.
We’re proud to spotlight the Clay Crafters Club at Leisure World as our July Benjamin Donation recipient!
North Star Navigators is honored to support this inspiring group of residents whose creativity brings beauty to the community—and purpose with every piece. Their handmade ceramics are sold to benefit the Leisure World Social Workers, helping fund the crucial support and resources these health professionals provide for seniors every day.
By turning art into advocacy, the Clay Crafters are uplifting the very caregivers who help others age with dignity. We’re grateful to stand with them in their mission.
🌟 June’s Benjammin Donation: Spreading Love & Care 🌟
This month, North Star Navigators proudly supports Four-Legged Forgotten Oldies (FLFO), a sanctuary giving senior dogs a second chance at love and security. Just as we advocate for seniors, we believe every aging pup deserves comfort, companionship, and dignity.
https://www.flfosenioranimals.org/
Senior Animal Farm | Four Legged Forgotten Oldies Senior Animals
Four-Legged Forgotten Oldies (FLFO) Senior Animal Farm is a new, safe haven for older dogs. Located in northern Baltimore County Maryland, the farm is a long-time dream of its founder. Dogs who come to live here will stay here forever. Our goal is to work with area animal shelters to offer them a loving lifetime home.
Together, we champion care at every stage of life—human and canine alike! 🐾❤️ #NorthStarNavigators #FLFO #BenjamminDonation #SeniorCare #SeniorPet
Resources:
Living Will/ Advance Directives. - Creating a living will is a crucial step in ensuring your wishes are respected regarding medical treatment if you become unable to communicate. It provides clear instructions for your healthcare preferences, such as life-sustaining measures or specific treatments you do or don't want. By doing so, it relieves your loved ones from the burden of making difficult decisions
during emotionally challenging times and prevents potential disputes among family members.
Essentially, a living will empower you to maintain control over your medical care and ensures that your values and desires are honored.
Code Status - A code status shows what a patient wants to happen if they are close to dying. It's important to talk about these choices with doctors and family members so everyone knows what the patient wants.
Definitions the below can be used in a color-coded table for each Code Status.
Full Code
Reason: The patient desires all possible life-saving measures, including CPR,
defibrillation, and intubation, if their heart or breathing stops.
Cons: Can lead to prolonged suffering, potential brain damage, and reduced quality of life if resuscitation is successful.
Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)
Reason: The patient does not want CPR or other resuscitation measures if their heart stops.
Cons: May result in a natural death without attempts at revival, which could be
distressing for family members.
Do Not Intubate (DNI)
Reason: The patient does not want to be placed on a ventilator if they cannot breathe on their own.
Cons: May limit options for life support, potentially leading to respiratory failure if other measures are insufficient.
Comfort Measures Only (CMO)
Reason: The patient wants to focus on palliative care, managing symptoms like pain and anxiety, without aggressive treatments.
Cons: Does not include life-saving measures, which may hasten death.
Maryland’s Department of Aging:
https://aging.maryland.gov/Pages/default.aspx
Has many great resources to support you, such as the following:
• Health and Wellness: Programs promoting health and wellness through exercise, chronic
disease self-management, and nutritional counseling.
• Nutrition and Meal Services: Home-delivered meals and meals in community settings to
ensure seniors receive proper nutrition.
• Senior Care: Case management and support services for those at risk of nursing home
placement, including personal care, chores, medications, and transportation.
• Elder Abuse Prevention: Education and resources to prevent elder abuse and financial
exploitation.
• Medicare Support: Assistance with Medicare and health insurance options, including
counseling and fraud prevention.
• Housing Services: Support for community housing, continuing care retirement
communities, and senior assisted living subsidies.
• Durable Medical Equipment Reuse Program: Providing free medical equipment to those
in need.
• Senior Call Check Program: Daily automated calls to verify the well-being of seniors
Related News:
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/a46912193/snow-shoveling-heart-attack-risk-age/
https://www.wmtw.com/article/staying-physically-active-through-winter-important-for-heart-mental-health-maine/63376451
https://www.businessinsider.com/millennials-gen-xers-burdened-long-term-care-costs-for-boomers-2025-1
https://apnews.com/article/wellness-balance-preventing-falls-43e36ecad0d3be8cf891e86a2ff2ad87
