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July 2024
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A Mother’s Day For Peace West Virginia resident Anna Jarvis first established Mother’s Day in 1907 to carry on the legacy of her own mother, Anne Jarvis, who advocated for a “Mother’s Day For Peace” during and after the Civil War. As Mother’s Day thrived and became commercialized with cards, flowers, chocolates, and other gifts, Jarvis suggested that mothers would better appreciate handwritten letters expressing love and gratitude. Sentiments last forever in the heart and mind Flowers and chocolates only last a short time, but mothers of all ages cherish the words of appreciation few of us express often enough, if ever. Time and again, our nurses and home care aides hear family members say, “I wish I had more time, I never told her how much I appreciated her.” Every day of home care is Mother’s Day Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) has been helping families care for their mothers since 1898, so we know that Anna was right – nothing means more to your mother than your time and heartfelt acknowledgment of her love and selflessness. This Mother’s Day, simply make time for Mom and really express how much she means to you, and why. Nothing is more valuable to a mother than that. Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is the longest-serving VNA in the state of New Jersey so we know a thing or two about helping Moms “age in place” to avoid hospitalization and nursing homes, and also what services people need to recover from illness and surgery at home. We suggest that you learn more about our home health care services and make a plan to age at home before you have a health emergency. Medicare and supplemental insurance often do not cover all the care our patients and caregivers need. If you would like to help, please visit vnannj.org/donate or call VNA Foundation: 973-451-4148. The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, Warren, Somerset, and Passaic Counties in Northern New Jersey. Established in 1898, generations have known that just one call to VNA opens the door to quality, patient-centered home health care solutions that allow patients to remain in the comfort of their homes with dignity, health, and independence. © All content on The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey's website, including blog posts, may be reproduced only if attributed to our organization with a link to vnannj.org.
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Love For The Nurses In Our Lives!5/9/2023 May 6 - 12 is Love Our Nurses Week If you know a nurse (and most of us do) you know nobody works harder, longer, or is more likely to be selfless. The purpose of National Nurses Week is to recognize their tireless and often thankless work. Nurses Are Patient People Most nurses work 12-hour shifts and even multiple shifts with few breaks. And since nursing is required around the clock, many nurses work the holidays we take for granted. In addition to the extensive education and training needed, the work is physically and emotionally demanding. Spread Some Love This week, please make a special effort to support the nurses you know. A card, a kind word, or a special act of kindness to make them smile will let them know they are appreciated. Help Make a Difference for Nurses Did you know that The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has cut funding for home health care by almost 4% and intends to cut it further? This lack of funding comes at a time when home care and hospice nursing is proven to be the better alternative to institutionalized care. Please be aware and actively support nurses by helping to lobby your state and federal government representatives for better funding of home health initiatives. Did you know that Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is the longest-serving VNA in the state of New Jersey? So we know a thing or two about helping seniors “age in place” to avoid hospitalization and nursing homes, and also what services people need to recover from illness and surgery at home. We suggest that you learn more about our home health care services and make a plan to age at home before you have a health emergency. Medicare and supplemental insurance often do not cover all the care our patients and caregivers need. If you would like to help, please visit vnannj.org/donate or call VNA Foundation: 973-451-4148. The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, Warren, Somerset, and Passaic Counties in Northern New Jersey. Established in 1898, generations have known that just one call to VNA opens the door to quality, patient-centered home health care solutions that allow patients to remain in the comfort of their homes with dignity, health, and independence. © All content on The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey's website, including blog posts, may be reproduced only if attributed to our organization with a link to vnannj.org.
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It might be time for a bone density test Too often, osteoporosis only becomes obvious due to severe pain or a broken bone. Perhaps that’s why osteoporosis is often called a “silent disease”. But there are some signs that indicate it’s time to see your physician for a bone density test, including losing height, chronic back and neck pain, stooped posture, brittle nails, dental issues including bone loss, loss of grip strength, and balance issues. Know your risks There is some good news – by recognizing your risk for osteoporosis you can delay or manage the effects of the disease.
Did you know that Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is the longest-serving VNA in the state of New Jersey? So we know a thing or two about helping seniors “age in place” to avoid hospitalization and nursing homes, and also what services people need to recover from illness and surgery at home. We suggest that you learn more about our home health care services and make a plan to age at home before you have a health emergency. Medicare and supplemental insurance often do not cover all the care our patients and caregivers need. If you would like to help, please visit vnannj.org/donate or call VNA Foundation: 973-451-4148. The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, Warren, Somerset, and Passaic Counties in Northern New Jersey. Established in 1898, generations have known that just one call to VNA opens the door to quality, patient-centered home health care solutions that allow patients to remain in the comfort of their homes with dignity, health, and independence. © All content on The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey's website, including blog posts, may be reproduced only if attributed to our organization with a link to vnannj.org.
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Physical activity provides brain benefits As reported in AARP,* a UK study finds that older adults who walk almost 10,000 steps daily were 50% less likely to develop dementia – 50%! Even seniors who walked up to just 3,800 steps daily saw a 25% reduction in risk for dementia. The study, published in JAMA Neurology, titled Association of Daily Step Count and Intensity With Incident Dementia in 78 430 Adults Living in the UK, adds to the ever-growing evidence that physical activity has tremendous benefits for the brain as well as for the body. More steps or a faster pace may also offer brain benefits Not everyone, especially seniors, can achieve close to 10,000 steps per day, so it is good news that the study discovered walking at a faster pace (sometimes called “power walking”) resulted in benefits “above and beyond” the total number of steps achieved. In fact, another study found that even short bursts of moderate to intense activity just six or seven minutes a day can benefit memory and mental processes.** Let’s get moving If this sounds intimidating, don’t be discouraged, because every little step counts. Here are some tips to get you started:
*Walking 9,800 Steps a Day May Cut Dementia Risk in Half, AARP **Exploring the associations of daily movement behaviours and mid-life cognition: a compositional analysis of the 1970 British Cohort Study, Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health Did you know that Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is the longest-serving VNA in the state of New Jersey? So we know a thing or two about helping seniors “age in place” to avoid hospitalization and nursing homes, and also what services people need to recover from illness and surgery at home. We suggest that you learn more about our home health care services and make a plan to age at home before you have a health emergency. Medicare and supplemental insurance often do not cover all the end-of-life care our hospice patients and caregivers need. If you would like to help, please call 1-800-WE VISIT (1-800-938-4748) or visit our Donation page. The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, Warren, Somerset, and Passaic Counties in Northern New Jersey. Established in 1898, generations have known that just one call to VNA opens the door to quality, patient-centered home health care solutions that allow patients to remain in the comfort of their homes with dignity, health, and independence. © All content on The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey's website, including blog posts, may be reproduced only if attributed to our organization with a link to vnannj.org.
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Volunteering is Good For Your Health4/18/2023 National Volunteer Week in April National Volunteer Week was established in 1974 to thank those whose acts of kindness improve their communities, highlight the benefits of volunteering, and encourage others to volunteer. No matter, if you call it “paying it forward, a thousand points of light, or random acts of kindness,” helping others, is proven to benefit the volunteer as well as the recipient. Volunteering can help you make friends, learn new skills, boost your social skills, and keep you mentally stimulated. While volunteering is good for all ages, it provides profound benefits for seniors. Nothing relieves stress better than connecting with other people. Researchers have discovered that the more we give, the happier we feel. And studies have shown that older volunteers walk more, cope with tasks more easily, have better thinking skills, have lower blood pressure, and a reduced risk of heart disease. Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) volunteer opportunities: • Time to Care: Your voice is needed. Make calls to those in your community who are ill or disabled, confined to home, and in need of a comforting voice. • House Call For Groceries: Volunteers provide shopping assistance to homebound residents. This rewarding activity is ideal for active adults, students, families, and community groups. • Hospice Volunteering: Volunteering to deliver comfort and companionship to patients and their families can be extremely rewarding. • Donate: Medicare and supplemental insurance often do not cover all that patients and caregivers need. There are many ways to help. For more information please visit our donation page here: vnannj.org/donate or call the VNA Foundation at 973-451-4148. • Friendly Visitors: This important volunteer opportunity matches volunteers with a VNA client to visit on a flexible schedule, providing socialization that is a much-needed break from the isolation that often comes from living alone. • Juniors Helping Seniors: Similar to “Friendly Visitors” but specially geared to high school students, this program provides a safe and rewarding volunteer opportunity in Morris County that is ideal for gaining life lessons, improving communication skills, and fulfilling volunteer activities for college applications (the consensus of college recruiters is the ideal volunteer hours for a college application is between 50 to 200 hours). Did you know that Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is the longest-serving VNA in the state of New Jersey? So we know a thing or two about helping seniors “age in place” to avoid hospitalization and nursing homes, and also what services people need to recover from illness and surgery at home. We suggest that you learn more about our home health care services and make a plan to age at home before you have a health emergency. The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, Warren, Somerset, and Passaic Counties in Northern New Jersey. Established in 1898, generations have known that just one call to VNA opens the door to quality, patient-centered home health care solutions that allow patients to remain in the comfort of their homes with dignity, health, and independence. © All content on The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey's website, including blog posts, may be reproduced only if attributed to our organization with a link to vnannj.org.
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Hospice Care is Comfort Care4/11/2023
Hospice care is comfort care that can make a huge difference in the quality of life for the patient, caregivers, and other family members. Too often, hospice care is not sought until a patient and their caregivers have endured much suffering, stress, and hardship. While it is true that hospice requires a specific diagnosis to end curative treatment, patients will occasionally even transition back to standard medical care based on changes in their condition. Families need to consult with their physicians and medical professionals like Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) for advice on when hospice care may be the most helpful. This article in AARP presents one specific case that conveys the benefits of early hospice care: How Hospice Helped My Family. VNA provides seamless services VNA's full spectrum of home health care services includes in-home hospice care for residents and communities of Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, and Warren Counties, New Jersey. Visiting nurses, home health aides, therapists, medical social workers, in-home and inpatient hospice, and respite care for overwhelmed caregivers are available. Additionally, select grant-funded services are available to individuals in Somerset and Passaic Counties.* *Grant services are made possible through funds received from the Morris County and Sussex County Boards of County Commissioners and the New Jersey Department of Human Services. Eligibility requirements may apply. Did you know that Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is the longest-serving VNA in the state of New Jersey? So we know a thing or two about helping seniors “age in place” to avoid hospitalization and nursing homes, and also what services people need to recover from illness and surgery at home. We suggest that you learn more about our home health care services and make a plan to age at home before you have a health emergency. Medicare and supplemental insurance often do not cover all the end-of-life care our hospice patients and caregivers need. If you would like to help, please call 1-800-WE VISIT (1-800-938-4748) or visit our Donation page. The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, Warren, Somerset, and Passaic Counties in Northern New Jersey. Established in 1898, generations have known that just one call to VNA opens the door to quality, patient-centered home health care solutions that allow patients to remain in the comfort of their homes with dignity, health, and independence. © All content on The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey's website, including blog posts, may be reproduced only if attributed to our organization with a link to vnannj.org.
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Stomach Symptoms You Should Not Ignore As age progresses we may become accustomed to changes in our bodies. After all, irregularity and stomach discomfort are often signs of aging. While this is sometimes true, an excellent article by Michelle Crouch, AARP, titled 10 Stomach Symptoms You Should Never Ignore points out that stomach discomfort may also be a sign of something more serious. Following is a quick synopsis. Click the linked article for more details. Stomach issues may be an early sign of COVID A number of stomach problems are on the rise since the occurrence of COVID-19. Diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms can be among the first signs of COVID-19 infection, appearing before more well-known symptoms such as cough or fever. Pay attention to stomach issues Frequent irregularity, unexplained weight loss, recurring heartburn or gas pains, and blood in bowel movements (among other stomach problems) may be signs of chronic conditions or something more serious, like colon cancer. Don’t wait to see your doctor Many temporary or chronic conditions indicated by stomach problems are easily managed with medication and diet changes, and more serious conditions like colon cancer are always more treatable when caught early. Did you know that Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is the longest-serving VNA in the state of New Jersey? So we know a thing or two about helping seniors “age in place” to avoid hospitalization and nursing homes, and also what services people need to recover from illness and surgery at home. We suggest that you learn more about our home health care services and make a plan to age at home before you have a health emergency. Medicare and supplemental insurance often do not cover all the end-of-life care our hospice patients and caregivers need. If you would like to help, please call 1-800-WE VISIT (1-800-938-4748) or visit our Donation page. The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, Warren, Somerset, and Passaic Counties in Northern New Jersey. Established in 1898, generations have known that just one call to VNA opens the door to quality, patient-centered home health care solutions that allow patients to remain in the comfort of their homes with dignity, health, and independence. © All content on The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey's website, including blog posts, may be reproduced only if attributed to our organization with a link to vnannj.org.
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Help for working caregivers3/28/2023 How to find caregiving resources When it comes to caring for a loved one, most families don't have a plan until there is a problem. But as many working caregivers have discovered, the stress of making caregiving arrangements in crisis mode can be overwhelming. Many caregivers try to go it alone but caregiving does not need to be a “DIY” process. Talk with your employer It’s called the “Sandwich Generation” for a reason. Many people are caregivers for elderly parents as well as for young children so this is not an unusual problem for workers and many employers provide family-friendly policies. Understand the Family and Medical Leave Act The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) entitles certain workers to take unpaid leave for up to 12 weeks per year, without losing job security or health benefits, to care for a spouse, child, or parent who has a serious health condition. Seek help and help others Caregivers understand each other. Reach out to friends and family to find other caregivers who may be willing to share information and resources. Learn more Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) can help with many services, including Grant-Funded Caregiver Support Programs. The AARP website is also a good resource for caregiver information, including the article at this link about caregiver rights, planning, and resources: Caregiving While Working. Did you know that Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is the longest-serving VNA in the state of New Jersey? So we know a thing or two about helping seniors “age in place” to avoid hospitalization and nursing homes, and also what services people need to recover from illness and surgery at home. We suggest that you learn more about our home health care services and make a plan to age at home before you have a health emergency. Medicare and supplemental insurance often do not cover all the end-of-life care our hospice patients and caregivers need. If you would like to help, please call 1-800-WE VISIT (1-800-938-4748) or visit our Donation page. The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, Warren, Somerset, and Passaic Counties in Northern New Jersey. Established in 1898, generations have known that just one call to VNA opens the door to quality, patient-centered home health care solutions that allow patients to remain in the comfort of their homes with dignity, health, and independence. © All content on The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey's website, including blog posts, may be reproduced only if attributed to our organization with a link to vnannj.org.
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Movement tips to avoid injuries3/21/2023 Improper movement is often the cause of falls and injuries As we age, we often fall into poor movement patterns to compensate for diminished mobility and pesky aches and pains. But those poor movements may have serious consequences in muscle strains, bad balance, and falls. Here are suggestions for just a few of the most common movement issues. Rounding the back The most common mistake is rounding the back when picking something up from the floor. Many people find squatting difficult so they bend from the waist and round the back to reach the floor. This strains muscles and ligaments, leading to back pain. It also throws the center of gravity forward, encouraging falling forward. Instead, keep your back straight and bend from the hips and knees. This uses your core muscles and keeps your center of gravity over your hips and feet, maintaining balance. If you find this difficult hold onto a counter or stable chair for extra stability and practice the movement until you can easily pick something up from the floor. Squat using your hips first Following up on the squats described above, make the movement easier by keeping your shoulders back and hinge from the hips first by pushing your bottom back as if you are going to sit, and only then begin bending your knees. Sitting and standing from a chair Squatting using your hips first is also the properly controlled way to sit in a chair. Many people lean forward, round their backs, and fall back into a chair, then lean forward again to get out of the chair. This movement throws your center of gravity forward, encouraging back strain and forward falls. Instead, practice the squat technique above, sit softly into the chair, and then adjust your position. To get up, move forward in the chair, place feet hip-width apart, and hinge from the hips, keeping your shoulders back and your center of gravity over your hips and feet. Keep your hands free Keeping your hands free when you move is essential. It’s not just seniors who need this advice. Using your phone and holding items in your hands while you walk distracts your attention, throws you off balance, and makes serious injuries from falling more likely. Instead, put your phone in a pocket while you move and use a shoulder bag to carry small items or a wheeled cart for heavy items. This helps to center your balance, improves your attention to potential obstacles, frees your hands to use railings and other supports, and helps avoid head injuries should you fall. Plan ahead Did you know that Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is the longest-serving VNA in the state of New Jersey? So we know a thing or two about helping seniors “age in place” to avoid hospitalization and nursing homes, and also what services people need to recover from illness and surgery at home. We suggest that you learn more about our home health care services and make a plan to age at home before you have a health emergency. Medicare and supplemental insurance often do not cover all the end-of-life care our hospice patients and caregivers need. If you would like to help, please call 1-800-WE VISIT (1-800-938-4748) or visit our Donation page. The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, Warren, Somerset, and Passaic Counties in Northern New Jersey. Established in 1898, generations have known that just one call to VNA opens the door to quality, patient-centered home health care solutions that allow patients to remain in the comfort of their homes with dignity, health, and independence. © All content on The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey's website, including blog posts, may be reproduced only if attributed to our organization with a link to vnannj.org.
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Is snoring dangerous for health?3/14/2023 Snoring can be a sign of something more serious. What is snoring? Nearly half of U.S. adults admit to snoring, at least occasionally, making it one of the most common health issues. When we sleep, the soft tissues in the mouth and throat relax, just as our muscles relax. When we breathe, those soft tissues may vibrate, making the sounds we call snoring. Simple. But sometimes snoring is a sign of a more serious health problem. Sleep apnea is a common disorder for seniors. Sleep apnea is when the soft tissues relax so much that they obstruct the airway causing a person to stop breathing. Poor sleep caused by apnea is linked to a number of health issues like high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, obesity, diabetes, and dementia. When to get help. Snoring may be annoying, but it does not commonly interfere with restful sleep. If you wake up often during the night, don't wake up feeling refreshed, or feel tired throughout the day, you may have a sleep apnea issue and you should talk to your doctor. There are a number of ways to address apnea, from noninvasive treatments including lifestyle changes and using a device while you sleep, to surgery. Get to know Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) now, and all the home health services available to you and your loved ones, before you have a health emergency. We are proud to be the longest-serving VNA in the state of New Jersey, so we know a thing or two about helping seniors. Medicare and supplemental insurance often do not cover all the end-of-life care our hospice patients and caregivers need. If you would like to help, please call 1-800-WE VISIT (1-800-938-4748) or visit our Donation page. The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, Warren, Somerset, and Passaic Counties in Northern New Jersey. Established in 1898, generations have known that just one call to VNA opens the door to quality, patient-centered home health care solutions that allow patients to remain in the comfort of their homes with dignity, health, and independence. © All content on The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey's website, including blog posts, may be reproduced only if attributed to our organization with a link to vnannj.org.
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