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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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 5 Tests to Assess Aging Issues Here at Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA), one of the most frequent questions we get from families is, “How do I know when home care is the right choice?” In June of 2021, there was an excellent article in AARP by Barbara Stepko, titled How to Assess When an Older Adult Requires Caregiving Assistance. Following is a short recap of the article, but we recommend clicking on the link to read the entire piece. Often, age-related changes happen gradually. The article suggests these simple tests to help evaluate the ability of someone to safely age in place (at home). Mobility: Mark a line about 10 feet from a chair. Ask your loved one to stand up from the chair, walk at a normal pace forward to the line, turn, walk back to the chair, and sit down. On average, people who take 12 seconds or more to complete the test are at a high risk of falling, which happens to one in four elderly people. If mobility is an issue, physical therapy by VNA and home safety measures may help to avoid a life-altering fall. Mental Health: Everyone feels down sometimes, but for the elderly, changes in attitude and behavior may indicate more serious health concerns. Take note of changes in energy level, irritability, anger, difficulty sleeping or staying awake, and loss of appetite. This may be treatable depression. Difficulties with basic activities like cooking, bathing, driving, and managing finances and medications may indicate a more serious problem that requires VNA assistance. Money Management: Watch for unusual money transactions and stacks of unopened mail and unpaid bills. Helping to manage finances may be all that is needed, but trouble keeping up with money management may indicate a more serious cognitive decline, requiring more proactive home care services. Driving: The article points out that seniors are outliving their ability to drive safely by an average of seven to 10 years, according to AAA (American Automobile Association). Multiple accidents or tickets, even minor ones, indicate a potentially dangerous situation for your loved one. This may be an early and more obvious indication of a cognitive problem or vision difficulty and time for a medical evaluation. Changes in Appearance: Has your loved one gained or lost a significant amount of weight? Are they neglecting personal care and cleanliness? These problems may be improved with home care services or may indicate more serious issues like depression and dementia. The most important thing is to pay attention to your loved ones, note their ability to cope with aging at home, make a care plan, and act early before a fall or health decline seriously impacts their quality of life. Learn more about the services available to you at: VNANNJ.com 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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Better Home Health Care & Hospice2/28/2023  125 Years of Better Home Health Care & Hospice Starting in 1898 with one nurse visiting patients by bicycle, Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) has endured by seeing, anticipating, and innovating to meet health care challenges for 125 years. Research studies have shown that patients can recuperate and heal faster and more comfortably at home compared to in a hospital or nursing facility. There's also less chance of needing the hospital again when a patient recovers at home with the care of family and professionals. And the need for our home care and hospice services continues to grow. In fact, as reported in AARP, the future of hospital-level care may not take place in a hospital at all. A new study shows that keeping sick patients out of traditional health care settings, and instead bringing medical experts and equipment to the home, can reduce costs and readmission rates. But not all home care providers are the same. Since VNA’s founding, nursing has always been the center and cornerstone of our care. Then and now, it is a privilege to be a community-based nonprofit that is able to offer services to help people age in place in the familiarity of their 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. Many of our patients and caregivers rely on Medicare, Medicaid, and supplemental insurance, which very often do not cover all the care they require. If you would like to help, please visit our Donation page or call 1-800-WE VISIT (1-800-938-4748). 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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Seniors — take the common cold seriously2/21/2023  The “common cold” can be serious for seniors Despite popular belief, cold weather does not cause the common cold. It is caused by more than 200 different viruses transmitted in secretions of the upper respiratory system. What seems to be a common cold can become serious quickly for seniors, especially if they have other existing health issues. When someone who is infected sneezes they are transmitting saliva and mucus containing viral particles, and since people spend more time indoors during cold weather, viruses are more readily transmitted. Here is how to help avoid infections that cause the common cold and other viruses, including COVID, flu, and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus):
Many of our patients and caregivers rely on Medicare, Medicaid, and supplemental insurance, which very often do not cover all the care they require. If you would like to help, please click here to contact the VNA or call 1-800-WE VISIT (1-800-938-4748). Get to know Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA)Home, 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, 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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VNANNJ Supports Caregivers2/14/2023 National Caregivers Day is Saturday, February 18  National Caregivers Day is a day to honor the many caregivers who work so hard to care for others. At Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA), we understand the burden home care can place on family members and friends. Seniors “aging in place” (at home), those with chronic medical conditions, and patients recovering from surgery often require care over a very long period of time. That’s why we offer respite care – assistance that relieves some of the burdens and allows caregivers a little time for themselves to deal with their own physical and mental health as well as their own chores. Here are the services available to caregivers:* Morris County:
*These services are made possible through grants received from the Morris County Board of County Commissioners, the County of Hunterdon Board of County Commissioners, and the New Jersey Department of Human Services. Eligibility requirements may apply. Many of our patients and caregivers rely on Medicare, Medicaid, and supplemental insurance, which very often do not cover all the care they require. If you would like to help, please visit our Donation page. Get to know Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA), 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, 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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What are you doing for your heart?  February is American Heart Month, a time when the nation spotlights heart disease as the No. 1 killer of Americans. Heart disease awareness is now even more important due to the potentially harmful impact of the coronavirus on the heart and vascular system. If you have been following our emails and social media posts, you know Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is constantly encouraging our patients and their caregivers to practice the things that can help prevent heart disease. American Heart Month is the perfect time to remind you again that heart disease is preventable. Here are 5 things you can do right now for your heart health:
Many of our patients have heart disease but Medicare and supplemental insurance often do not cover all the care they require. If you would like to help, please visit our Donation page. Get to know Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA), 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, 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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How Hospice Helps1/31/2023 Hospice 101 For Family Caregivers  The first and most important rule when considering hospice is to find a trustworthy hospice care partner. Established in 1898, The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is the longest-serving VNA in the state of New Jersey. That’s 125 years of experience and innovation in helping patients and their families receive the medical care they need without giving up the comforts of home. Our VNA hospice team is more than a group of medical professionals. We are teachers, motivators, and comforting shoulders to lean on. We are able to help the family understand what is happening with their loved one, how to help them, and how the family can help enhance the quality of life even at the end of life. Our approach and capabilities are unique in that we provide a stress-relieving home hospice and inpatient hospice model with seamless transfers between them as needed. Hospice at Home provides supportive medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support. For patients who require additional support, VNA’s Inpatient Hospice provides 24-hour care. Learn more about VNA’s Hospice Care and Palliative Care Program here. 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 visit our Donation page. Get to know Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA), 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, 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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Should You Use an Expired COVID Test?1/24/2023 No, you should not use an expired COVID test kit. At-home COVID tests do expire While it’s tempting to use at-home COVID test kits that you may have had for a while, it’s not recommended by the FDA. Typically, the FDA authorizes at-home COVID tests with a shelf life of about four to six months. Using one that has expired could result in a false negative because of a breakdown in test components. Where can I find my COVID test’s expiration date? The expiration date for FDA-authorized COVID tests is printed on the outside of its box. The location of the expiration date may vary by brand, so look at all box panels. Also, be sure to check out the FDA’s website to see if your test’s expiration was part of the extended shelf-life update. Want more information? AARP has an excellent article about at-home COVID tests on its website (Rachel Nania, December 2022). Get to know Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA), 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, 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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How to Stay Healthy This Winter1/17/2023 Reduce your risk, avoid getting sick  The best way to avoid getting sick this winter is to make a plan to stay healthy. Here are some tips. 1. Avoid COVID: Many COVID cases are much milder now, but COVID is still life-threatening for some people, so don't let your guard down. Continue to take COVID precautions, including avoiding close contact and masking in crowds. 2. Boost: It's always wise to be up-to-date with COVID and FLU vaccinations. Check with your doctor if you are unsure of your vaccination history. And remember that although you may still contract COVID or FLU, vaccinations greatly reduce the severity of symptoms. 3. Strengthen your immune system: Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit and speak with your doctor about adding appropriate supplements, like Vitamin C and D. 6. Exercise: Do whatever you enjoy, but do some form of exercise every day because it increases blood flow and improves respiration – walk, swim, or go to the gym. 7. Sleep: Who doesn't like to sleep? And sleep is when your body rejuvenates, so lack of sleep can lower your body's defenses against cold, flu, and other common winter ailments. 8. Keep Medical Appointments: Winter weather may encourage you to skip routine health checkups but if you want to AVOID illness one of the best ways is to get regular health checkups. Get to know Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA), 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, 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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