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Why Volunteering is Good For You1/25/2022  Volunteers make the world a better place and help many important organizations survive. But did you know that volunteering is good for your health as well? Here are five reasons why: 1. Socialization Making new friends with similar interests is a proven strategy to provide mental stimulation and maintain communication skills, especially as we age. 2. Support Network Even if you have family living close by, your support network can never be too deep when you need help for any reason. Your support network has a direct impact on your health and safety by making sure you have transportation, are well-cared for, avoid debilitating falls, and so much more. 3. Happiness Depression sneaks up on people, especially when they become isolated. Being with others and making positive contributions counteracts the effects of stress, anger, and anxiety. Researchers have discovered that being helpful to others provides immense pleasure and that the more we give, the happier we feel. 4. Physical Health Volunteering keeps you moving. Studies have found that those who volunteer have a lower mortality rate than those who do not because volunteers tend to walk more, remain more limber, and find it easier to cope with everyday tasks. This also tends to lessen symptoms of chronic pain, reduce blood pressure, and reduce the risk of heart disease. 5. Fun Many older adults find they simply aren’t having enough fun in their lives. Volunteering provides you with the ability to pursue new interests that you never had time for. Like to cook, garden, or read? Soup kitchens often need volunteer cooks. Community gardens and parks need help with planting and maintenance. And your local library probably has volunteer reading programs for children. There are many volunteer opportunities available. Look for a position that you will enjoy, are capable of doing, and fits your choice of time commitment. Investigate opportunities with your local animal shelter, parks department, library, church, soup kitchen, homeless shelter, and healthcare organizations. Our own VNA welcomes volunteers for a number of programs to benefit our homebound and elderly patients and their caregivers. And if your skillset includes fundraising you will be in high demand by most nonprofit organizations. Just make sure the situation is a good fit for you so it doesn’t feel like an obligation instead of a joy. 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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Learn About Testing for COVID-191/18/2022
 Home Testing Thorough information about both rapid and PCR home testing kits is available at AARP. Here are their top tips about using home testing kits. Tips for taking a COVID test at home
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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Foods to Fight Chronic Inflammation1/11/2022 Chronic inflammation, which has been linked to many health problems such as heart disease, cancer, arthritis, depression, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease, increases as we age. But here is some good news – you can reduce chronic inflammation by eating the following delicious foods!  Fruits Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, cherries, oranges, mangos, and papaya are all high in antioxidant nutrients. Tip: Bright colors typically indicate a food high in antioxidant nutrients. Nuts Nuts are a good source of fiber, plant protein, and healthy fats. Almonds, walnuts, pistachios, cashews, and pecans are all good, but eat them in moderation since they are high in calories. Tip: crunch them up and sprinkle over salads. Colorful Vegetables Tomatoes are nutritional powerhouses, as are colorful peppers, and avocados. All are high in vitamin C and other important anti-inflammatory nutrients. Tip: As with fruits, bright colors typically indicate a food high in antioxidant nutrients. Green Leafy Vegetables Spinach, kale, collards, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage pack a big anti-inflammatory punch. Tip: to make salads more interesting combine different greens and add yummy extras like apples, oranges, nuts, seeds, and berries. Fatty Fish Fatty fish like salmon, sardines, herring, mackerel, and anchovies are a great source of protein and healthy long-chain omega-3 fatty acids that help to reduce inflammation. Tip: Look for wild-caught fish, as farm-raised fish may not provide the same antioxidant benefits. Olive Oil Extra-virgin olive oil has benefits beyond stemming inflammation. Several studies have shown benefits for heart health, bone loss, and neurological diseases affecting the brain, spine, muscles, and connecting nerves. Tip: Just 3-1/2 Tbsp. of extra-virgin olive oil has more than 400 calories so use it sparingly. Green Tea Green tea is one of the healthiest beverages you can drink. It is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, obesity, and more. Tip: Green tea is delicious hot or cold when flavored with fresh mint or lemon or even combined with other teas. Dark Chocolate and Cocoa Flavanols are responsible for chocolate’s anti-inflammatory effects and help keep the endothelial cells that line your arteries healthy. Tip: The sugar used to sweeten bitter chocolate is not your friend. Look for 70% cocoa (or more) which indicates your best anti-inflammatory benefit. Eating local is best. When shopping, check out your farmer’s market to see their seasonal selections. And be sure to avoid foods that increase chronic inflammation, like refined carbohydrates (white bread and pastries), fried foods, sugar, red meat, and margarine. There are many more anti-inflammatory foods you may like, so research online and see your doctor or a licensed nutritionist for the best anti-inflammation diet and exercise plan suited for 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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5 Key Ways to Lose Weight After 501/4/2022  Let’s face it, as we age we lose muscle mass and become more sedentary – and that means we gain weight even if we don’t eat more than usual. Weight loss from fad diets never lasts, but these basics will help you develop long-lasting success:
See your doctor or a licensed nutritionist for a diet and exercise plan best suited for 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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