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Why We Need a Nurses Month5/10/2022  Nurses Need Your Support Nurses make a difference in our lives and yet are too often taken for granted. The COVID pandemic has pointed out more than ever the need to protect, support, and invest in the nursing profession to strengthen our healthcare system. From birth to death, care in hospitals and homes, nurses are the key to providing quality care for all. They make a difference as trusted advocates who ensure individuals, families, and populations receive quality patient care and services. The American Nurses Association has selected the theme Nurses Make a Difference for Nurses Month 2022 to honor the varying roles of nurses and their positive impact on our lives. We ask you to pay special attention to the issues that impact the nursing profession and support the nurses we all depend on. When you see appeals to support nurses, including expansion of home care, please lend your support. The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey is proud to recognize the dedication of our own home care nurses for their untiring efforts to help our patients receive treatment in the comfort of their own homes. 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. The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, and Warren 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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Every day is Mother's Day5/5/2022 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. The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, and Warren 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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4 Levels of Hospice Care5/3/2022  Hospice care has more to offer than ever before. Today’s hospice care focuses on the quality of life yet to be lived. The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) provides a comprehensive and flexible hospice program that gives patients the opportunity to truly enjoy life alongside family and friends, with the goal of being free of pain and other symptoms they may be suffering. In fact, the sooner a patient is approved for hospice care after a life-limiting diagnosis, the more they and their loved ones will benefit from the physical, emotional, and spiritual care available to them. Our comprehensive hospice program enables patients to seamlessly transition between four levels of service depending on their own medical, caregiver, and living circumstances. 1. Hospice Home Care Nothing is more comforting than receiving care at home, in familiar surroundings, and supported by family and friends. The focus of care is as-needed pain and symptom management, rehabilitative therapy, counseling by licensed social workers and chaplains, and assistance with personal hygiene and household tasks. 2. Inpatient Hospice Care If a patient's caregivers are unable to provide care at home, or symptoms can no longer be managed at home, VNA's Inpatient Hospice provides 24-hour care on a 12-bed unit at Saint Clare’s Dover Hospital. Our hospice team coordinates seamless transfers between an individual’s home and the inpatient unit as needed, with the goal of maximizing comfort and minimizing stress for the patient and their caregivers. 3. Continuous Hospice Care Round-the-clock nursing during intermittent medical crises is sometimes necessary and can be arranged at home or by transfer to our inpatient unit. Having all levels of hospice care available through one hospice team provides continuous support for caregivers so they can focus on being present with their loved ones. 4. Respite Hospice Care Providing ongoing care can be very stressful for caregivers. VNA's services such as intermittent or continuous nursing care, home health aide care, or temporary inpatient care, provide a much-needed break for caregivers to focus on their own needs. “When it came time for my husband to transition to your hospice, I felt like someone had wrapped me in a security blanket and given me the confidence I needed at a most difficult time.” – A VNA hospice family member in their own words Hospice at Home and Inpatient Hospice is arranged by request of the patient, the patient’s physicians, the hospital discharge planner, or the patient’s caregiver(s). Contact the VNA here https://vnannj.org/contact.html or by calling 1-800-WE VISIT (1-800-938-4748 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. The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, and Warren 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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You Can Prevent Falls4/26/2022 Falls are the leading cause of death due to injury for older Americans.  According to information reported by the National Council on Aging (NCOA), an older adult American, aged 65 or older, is treated in an emergency room for a fall every 15 seconds! NCOA reports that a growing number of older adults fear falling, and as a result, self-limit activities and social engagements. This can result in further physical decline, depression, social isolation, and feelings of helplessness. Following are some fall prevention tips that may help to maintain balance and mobility. Strengthen Muscles Age-related muscle weakness and deteriorating balance lead to falls. As we age, many people tend to reduce their physical activity, which is a mistake. Take daily walks and do stretching and balance exercises while steadying yourself with a sturdy chair. Even better, investigate local free gym memberships frequently offered to seniors through their insurance plans, and add resistance (weights or bodyweight) training to maintain muscle strength. Check Your Vision Poor vision is a major contributor to falls for the elderly. Be sure to have regular vision checkups and update glasses as needed. With diminished visual input, important information the body needs for maintaining balance is reduced or lost. Fall-proof Your Home Instead of one little change at a time, make fall-proofing your living space a serious project. Make a TO-DO list and check items off as you complete them. Here is a suggested list to get you started:
Become fall aware to avoid becoming one of the fall-incurred emergency room visits that could change your life. 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. The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, and Warren 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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Don't forget to exercise these parts4/19/2022  Exercise these forgotten body parts for improved mobility. FEET and ANKLES It’s important to strengthen the muscles in your feet and ankles to prevent pain, improve balance, and stay mobile. Weak feet and ankles lead to dangerous falls. Here are simple exercises to do daily. •MToe Curls — Sit or stand. Practice picking up small objects, like marbles, with the toes of each foot and hold them as you slowly count to 10. Rest and repeat 10 times. •MToe Spread -- Spread your toes as far apart as possible and hold for 5 seconds. Now squeeze them together and hold for 5 seconds. Relax and repeat 5 to 10 times. •MHeel Raises -- Heel raises are great for strengthening your feet and ankles to improve balance and coordination. Steady yourself with a wall or sturdy chair. Raise your heels as high as you can, standing on your toes. Hold for several seconds and slowly lower heels to the ground. Rest and repeat 10 times. •MHeel Walk -- Position yourself next to a wall for balance. Lift the front of both feet off the ground, balancing on your heels. Now walk along the wall on only your heels, turn and walk back. Repeat 10 times. KNEES Knees can be painful as we age, causing us to limit our mobility, but for some people, certain exercises can help to lessen their pain. Strengthening knee muscles with simple stress-free exercise helps to maintain flexibility and mobility. Here is a very simple exercise you can do every day. •MLeg Extension — Sit in a firm straight-backed chair with knees at a 90-degree angle and feet flat on the floor. Now raise your right foot, breathing in as you straighten your leg as much as you can. Hold for a second and breathe out as you lower your foot to the floor. Now do the same with your left foot. Repeat 10 times on each side. NECK When was the last time you thought to exercise your neck? Probably never. But your neck is key to maintaining a good posture that promotes stability. Try these simple exercises daily to maintain neck mobility and good posture. These are especially good to do first thing in the morning. •MNeck rolls -- This sounds easy but you're going to find out just how stiff your neck is. Start by dropping your chin to your chest. Now roll your head to one side, laying your ear on your shoulder. Continue rolling your head back, looking up at the ceiling. Roll to the other side, then back to chin to chest. Repeat 10 times. •MBack Straighten -- Stand with your heels up against a wall and flatten your back, shoulders, and head against the wall. Try to arch your back as little as possible, pressing your spine to the wall while also keeping your neck and head against the wall. Hold this position while you deeply breathe in and out several times. Rest and repeat 10 times. WRISTS and FINGERS Let’s face it, stiff hands, fingers, and wrists come with age. Keeping them exercised reduces stiffness and arthritis pain. Fortunately, these exercises are super simple to do, anywhere at any time. •MStretches
Keep up this whole routine daily and you’ll go a long way to having good mobility. 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. The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, and Warren 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.
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These Superfoods Help Aging Skin4/12/2022  Superfoods help fight aging – and aging skin If you follow our emails you’ll notice this isn’t the first time we’ve recommended some of the following “superfoods.” That’s because they are high in antioxidants that not only help reduce visible signs of aging in skin but also provide overall health benefits that fight aging throughout the body. Try to incorporate them into your daily diet:
Superfood No. 1: Wild salmon Wild salmon is high in protein and loaded with skin-plumping essential fatty acids and the powerful antioxidant astaxanthin. In addition to helping neutralize free radicals, those volatile molecules that accelerate inflammation (and thus the aging process), salmon is a good source of readily absorbable protein. Protein is broken down into amino acids, which provide the building blocks for all cellular repair. Experts say you should aim for 2-3 servings per week (3-4 oz. per serving). And make sure to always choose wild salmon; farmed salmon is often contaminated with PCBs, a “probable carcinogen” according to the EPA. Superfood No. 2: Blueberries and other low-sugar berries Blueberries and many other berries contain wrinkle-fighting antioxidants known as anthocyanins, flavonoids that researchers believe may help suppress the growth of tumor cells and regulate blood sugar (preventing glycation, a process that makes collagen and elastic fibers in skin become stiff and lose its firm supple nature). Blueberries also contain vitamin C, which helps boost radiance and aids in collagen synthesis. In addition, researchers believe the phytochemicals in blueberries may positively affect our gut microbiome, which plays a key role in maintaining the health of our skin (not to mention our brains and virtually every other system in our body). Superfood No. 3: Beans and legumes A great source of animal-free protein and essential micronutrients, just one-half cup of beans is equal to 1 ounce of animal protein. Beans also provide our bodies with valuable prebiotics, insoluble fiber that helps support gastrointestinal microflora, key gatekeepers of skin health. If the balance of good versus bad bacteria in your belly gets out of whack, it can lead to wrinkles, acne, sun spots, and rosacea, says Santa Monica, California-based dermatologist Ava Shamban. Avoid canned beans, which are high in sodium and can make skin look puffy. If you are short on time and need to use canned beans, make sure to drain and thoroughly rinse them before cooking. “This can cut the amount of sodium by around 40 percent, says New York City-based physician and certified nutritionist Jeffrey Morrison. Superfood No. 4: Full fat plain Greek yogurt High in protein (as much as 17 grams per cup versus 9 in regular yogurt) and teaming with gut-friendly bacteria, full-fat Greek yogurt helps keep blood sugar steady — and your microbiome in balance. Of course, not all yogurt contains live cultures (some bacteria get killed off during processing), so always check the label before you buy it. Also, avoid sweetened versions as they can trigger spikes in blood sugar (and accompanying inflammation). Shamban recommends sweetening yogurt with cinnamon, which adds “a ton of antioxidants” and virtually no calories. If you don’t like plain yogurt, probiotics can also be found in kefir (again, avoid sugar) and fermented foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, tempeh, miso, and kombucha. Superfood No. 5: Tomatoes Lycopene, the carotenoid that gives tomatoes their bright red color, may help ward off UV-induced damage like sun spots and wrinkles, according to Shamban. And yes, tomato sauce counts. Our bodies actually absorb lycopene more easily from cooked tomatoes than from fresh ones. Keep in mind: Though all processed tomato products contain high levels of lycopene, many also contain a lot of sodium (tomato juice) and/or sugar (ketchup), so read labels carefully. Superfood No. 6: Dark green leafy vegetables Spinach, kale, arugula, bok choy, swiss chard: Nutrient-dense and low in calories (one cup of spinach contains just seven calories) dark green leafy vegetables are loaded with detoxifying fiber and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients. In addition to helping to protect skin from UV damage, antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin help keep eyes bright and clear (while preventing age-related problems like macular degeneration and cataracts). According to a 2019 study in Food Chemistry, eating uncooked chopped spinach provides higher amounts of lutein than cooked methods. The best way to release lutein from the leaves is to slice it into strips in a salad or chop it up in a blender (try mixing it up in a blender with fresh lemon juice, celery, one-half green apple, and ginger). Superfood No. 7: Nuts and seeds Experts say you’ll get the most bang for your nutritional buck with walnuts and almonds. Both contain high levels of vitamin E, which helps keep skin supple and hydrated and may offer some protection from UV rays. Walnuts and flax seeds also boast skin softening alpha linoleic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid. Recent studies link dietary α-Linolenic acid (ALA) with reduced systemic inflammation, which helps protect your heart, brain — and yes — your skin, too. Nuts are a good source of potassium, which may help reduce facial bloat caused by excess sodium. The list above, as published in AARP, is from an article by Amy Synnott, an award-winning writer and former Executive Editor of Elle. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle, The New York Post, and Women's Health, among other publications.
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UTIs can be dangerous for seniors4/5/2022 Here’s what you need to know: 
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. The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, and Warren 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.
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Help for unpaid family caregivers.3/29/2022 The elderly are living longer and their caregivers are getting older.  It is estimated that 19% of the nation’s unpaid family caregivers are 65 and older according to the 2020 Caregiving in the U.S. report by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. Caregiving can be very challenging for anyone, but especially so for older caregivers who may be dealing with their own health issues, like arthritis and recuperation from surgeries. In fact, many find themselves providing physically demanding care to their parents who are very likely in their 90s. What Caregivers Need to Know 1.MMBe Prepared Once you are dealing with the pressures of caregiving it’s hard to find time to make a plan. If you expect to become a caregiver or expect your current caregiving duties to increase, do your research now. Talk with doctors and nurses about what will be expected of you. Make a plan that is manageable and provides time for your own care and responsibilities. 2.MMYou Are Not Alone While caregiving is rewarding it is also demanding. Too many caregivers become so overwhelmed they forget to seek help. Even if family members or friends are unwilling there are organizations like VNANNJ with special services for caregivers. 3.MMGet Connected For assistance with caregiving duties through programs such as In-Home Caregiver Education and Support, House Calls For Groceries, Friendly Visitors, and others offered by Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey, visit: VNANNJ Caregiver Support. And for more information about being a family caregiver, visit: AARP Caregiving Care Guides. 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. The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, and Warren 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.
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Are beans the secret to longevity?3/22/2022 People with the greatest longevity in the world have these things in common.  Blue Zones are the areas around the world where people live longest while remaining in good health. These octogenarians live in very different places and in different cultures but they all have similar diets and lifestyles. Here are some of the important things they have in common. What They Eat It appears that the cornerstones of every Blue Zone diet are beans of many types, which are incredibly nutritious. The good news is that beans taste great and can be prepared in many delicious ways, like soups, stews, and salads. It seems the old saying is true – ”Beans, beans for every meal, the more you eat, the better you feel!” People in Blue Zones also eat a diet rich in greens, root vegetables, fruit, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. This is often referred to as "The Peasant Diet" due to the lack of meat. More and more studies show that a plant-based diet is excellent for long-term health. How They Move People in Blue Zones walk. A lot. They don’t spend time in the gym but they get regular, low-intensity exercise like daily walks that appear to help reduce their chance of having heart disease and certain cancers. And rather than become sedentary, they maintain a lot of physical activity into old age, like stretching, bending, and squatting that keeps their joints flexible and bodies mobile. How They Start Their Day Cultures with longevity tend to wake up every day with a goal. Most often that goal includes being social. It may be babysitting their grandkids, volunteering, mentoring, or harvesting their garden. The important thing is not so much what the goal is, but that they have a purpose, which gives meaning to their day and to their life. How They Relax Blue Zone people all have some cultural custom that helps them to decompress. For some, it’s daily group prayer, or meditation, for others it may be a ritual happy hour at their local coffee bar or cafe. Every day includes time to wind down and enjoy socializing. What They Avoid The longest living people in the Blue Zones have avoided sugar, salt, and packaged foods most of their lives. They also avoid screen time and social media in favor of in-person connections. While aspiring to all the habits of the world’s longest-living people may not be reasonable for all of us – especially those of us who sit in front of a screen all day for work – we can adopt many of these common habits for better health. For more information, and to join The Blue Zones Project for a healthier lifestyle visit: bluezonesproject.com 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. The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, and Warren 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.
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5 Tips to Keep Your Brain Young3/15/2022 Cognitive impairment is not inevitable. Here are some tips for brain health.  It’s no secret that aging carries a risk of memory loss and cognitive ability. Recent studies show that retirement may actually worsen that risk. Today, the average American lives to about age 79. That’s a dramatic increase in lifespan over the last hundred years. This has led to a big increase in cases of cognitive impairment as more people age for longer. Here are some things you can do to help maintain cognitive function and keep your brain fit. 1. Use Your Brain When you stress your muscles they respond by building new muscle to handle the stress. The same applies to your brain. Read, take classes, volunteer to use your skill set, and expand your comfort zone to stress your mental capacity. Social media does not count. 2. Exercise Regularly Using your muscles promotes brain health by building new nerve cells and increasing blood flow, bringing more oxygen-rich blood to your brain. 3. Feed Your Brain Food is medicine. How many times do we need to say it? Shop the perimeter of your grocery store, filling your cart with brightly colored fruits and vegetables. Avoid packaged foods that are almost always high in salt, fat, and sugar. It might help to picture that what goes into your mouth is what fuels your brain. Eat accordingly. A good diet will also help to lower blood sugar, reduce cholesterol, and reduce the inflammation that leads to many health problems. 4. Stop Excess Stop smoking and excessive drinking, self-medicating, and social media. If you need help to stop, find supportive friends, family, or groups who will stop with you. Mutual support and socialization are good for your brain. 5. Challenge Yourself When older adults retire they sometimes need to find a whole new lifestyle. For some, it’s a welcome challenge, but some withdraw and become isolated. Seek out new challenges. Get engaged in brand-new activities that will challenge your skill set. This is exercise for your brain, and your brain will thank you. 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.
The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, and Warren 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.
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