|
|
Back to Blog
Is it physical or is it anxiety?5/13/2025  Anxiety may not be diagnosed in seniors. Research shows that anxiety disorders are less commonly diagnosed in adults over 65 compared to younger adults. Why? Anxiety is often attributed to many other health issues common in older adults, such as:
Talk to your doctor if you need help managing anxiety as a senior or caregiver of a senior. While anxiety is mentally rooted, the body often manifests the stress response physically. That’s why effective treatments frequently combine psychological strategies (like therapy) and physical approaches (like breathing techniques, exercise, or medication). 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 healthy aging and how to successfully “age in place” while avoiding hospitalization and nursing homes. 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 at 973-451-4148.  Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care and hospice services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, Warren, Passaic, and Somerset 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.
Back to Blog
Weightlifting is good for your brain3/18/2025  Resistance training is good for body AND mind! According to a number of recent studies, resistance exercise such as weightlifting, and bodyweight movements like squats and push-ups, have been shown to significantly improve memory and focus. Research indicates that high-intensity resistance training can impact the function of the hippocampus, a key region of the brain focused on memory performance. This suggests that regular resistance training could be helpful for cognitive health across different age groups, and even in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease and other kinds of dementia. What to do:
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 healthy aging and how to successfully “age in place” while avoiding hospitalization and nursing homes. 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 at 973-451-4148.  Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care and hospice services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, Warren, Passaic, and Somerset 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.
Back to Blog
Aging-related careers are growing.3/11/2025  March is Careers in Aging Month The number of Americans 65 and older is projected to increase to 82 million by 2050, with the population of centenarians projected to quadruple by 2054. The U.S. will need between 5.7 million and 6.5 million nurses, nurse aides, home health, and personal care workers by 2050 to care for them, so it’s no surprise that careers for professionals with expertise in aging and long term support are growing rapidly. These include professions such as skilled nursing, physical and occupational therapists, social workers, certified home health aides, and age-related administration roles. As the longest-serving VNA in the state of New Jersey, Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) has long been aware of this ever-increasing need. Since 1898 generations of our home health care professionals have testified to the rewarding aspects of helping an aging population to “age in place” while avoiding hospitalization and nursing homes. We suggest that you learn more about our home health care services and help those you love to make a plan for aging at home before they have a health emergency. And we encourage anyone considering a career in home health care to consider our VNA. Learn more here: vnannj.org/careers.  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 at 973-451-4148. Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care and hospice services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, Warren, Passaic, and Somerset 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.
Back to Blog
 A recent poll shows nurses are held in high regard. Nurses are routinely held in high regard, and a recent Gallup poll (Americans' Ratings of U.S. Professions Stay Historically Low, January 13, 2025)noted that a majority of those surveyed found nursing to top the list of 23 occupations with respect to honesty and ethics. In another poll cited by AARP, 98% of those asked said nurses are vital to the health and well-being of the nation. Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is proud to have served New Jersey since 1898, and our longevity, as well as these polls, indicate how vital nurses are to the communities we serve. Home health care is a rewarding profession as evidenced by the many letters of thanks and support our nurses receive (visit these links to leave a review on our website or Google listing). We encourage anyone considering a career in home health care to consider our VNA. Learn more here: vnannj.org/careers.  Did you know that Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey is the longest-serving VNA in the state of New Jersey? So we know a thing or two about healthy aging and how to successfully “age in place” while avoiding hospitalization and nursing homes. 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 at 973-451-4148. Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care and hospice services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, Warren, Passaic, and Somerset 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.
Back to Blog
 Flu, RSV, and COVID are very real — don’t let your guard down! The best way to avoid getting sick this winter is to make a plan to stay healthy. Here are some tips. 1. Avoid the Flu, RSV, and COVID: Just because you haven’t caught the flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or COVID lately doesn’t mean they are any less prevalent or dangerous. These are still life-threatening illnesses for some people, so don't let your guard down. Continue to take precautions, including avoiding close contact and masking when traveling or in crowds. 2. Boost: It's always wise to be up-to-date with flu, RSV, and COVID vaccinations. Check with your doctor if you are unsure of your vaccination history. Remember that although you may still get sick, vaccinations may 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 vitamins C and D. 4. Exercise: Do whatever you enjoy, but do some form of exercise every day because it increases blood flow and improves respiration. 5. Sleep: Sleep is when your body rejuvenates. A lack of it can lower your body's defenses against cold, flu, and other common winter ailments. 6. 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.  Did you know that Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey is the longest-serving VNA in the state of New Jersey? So we know a thing or two about what services people need to recover from illness and surgery at home and how to help seniors "age in place" to avoid hospitalization and nursing homes. For help in making a plan for successful aging at home before you have a health emergency visit our Guide to Aging at Home. And visit www.vnannj.org to learn more about our home health care and hospice services. 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 at 973-451-4148. Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care and hospice services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, Warren, Passaic, and Somerset 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.
Back to Blog
Can you prevent cancer?2/18/2025  February is cancer prevention month. So can you prevent cancer? Not all cancers can be prevented but research shows that many cancer diagnoses and deaths are attributed to preventable causes, including smoking, excess body weight, physical inactivity, excessive exposure to the sun, and more. Here are some basic things you can do to limit your risk of developing many forms of cancer:
You can also visit The American Association for Cancer Research website to learn more.  Did you know that Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey is the longest-serving VNA in the state of New Jersey? So we know a thing or two about what services people need to recover from illness and surgery at home and how to help seniors "age in place" to avoid hospitalization and nursing homes. For help in making a plan for successful aging at home before you have a health emergency visit our Guide to Aging at Home. And visit www.vnannj.org to learn more about our home health care and hospice services. 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 at 973-451-4148. Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care and hospice services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, Warren, Passaic, and Somerset 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.
Back to Blog
 Random Acts of Kindness and Valentine’s Day — the perfect combination! Valentine’s Day is Friday, February 14, and fittingly, Random Acts of Kindness Week is February 14 through 20. What better way to honor the day than with a random act of kindness — a selfless act performed to bring joy to others without expecting anything in return? Here are some thoughts:
 Did you know that Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey is the longest-serving VNA in the state of New Jersey? So we know a thing or two about what services people need to recover from illness and surgery at home and how to help seniors "age in place" to avoid hospitalization and nursing homes. For help in making a plan for successful aging at home before you have a health emergency visit our Guide to Aging at Home. And visit www.vnannj.org to learn more about our home health care and hospice services. 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 at 973-451-4148. Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care and hospice services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, Warren, Passaic, and Somerset 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.
Back to Blog
 American Heart Month is celebrated February 1 - 28 Your heart health is crucial for your overall well-being, yet heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Learning about heart-healthy habits and lifestyle changes can help you reduce your risk of heart disease and related conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. By raising awareness, American Heart Month helps to educate people about the risk factors and ways to prevent heart disease. It's a reminder to pay attention to your nutrition, exercise, stress management, and early detection of heart problems. Being informed empowers you to make healthier choices and take control of your cardiovascular health. A healthy heart is essential for maintaining a good quality of life. By caring about your heart health and participating in American Heart Month activities, you can improve your chances of living a longer, more active, and fulfilling life. For a wealth of information about heart health, visit https://www.heart.org.  Did you know that Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey is the longest-serving VNA in the state of New Jersey? So we know a thing or two about what services people need to recover from illness and surgery at home and how to help seniors "age in place" to avoid hospitalization and nursing homes. For help in making a plan for successful aging at home before you have a health emergency visit our Guide to Aging at Home. And visit www.vnannj.org to learn more about our home health care and hospice services. 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 at 973-451-4148. Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care and hospice services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, Warren, Passaic, and Somerset 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.
Back to Blog
“Hospice” Means Care, Not Fear1/28/2025  Hospice provides better quality end-of-life care Hospice isn’t a word to fear. It’s not about giving up; it’s about focusing on what matters most—comfort, a patient’s wishes, and loved ones. Hospice care surrounds a patient with a team of experts who bring medical support, emotional care, and peace of mind to them and their family. It’s a compassionate choice for patients and families facing serious illnesses. At its heart, hospice is about enhancing the quality of life, providing comfort, understanding, and communication; and ensuring dignity during what are life’s most meaningful moments for many patients and families. Click here to learn more about hospice care. Are you interested in supporting hospice patients and their families? Click here to learn more about becoming a volunteer.  Did you know that Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey is the longest-serving VNA in the state of New Jersey? So we know a thing or two about what services people need to recover from illness and surgery at home and how to help seniors "age in place" to avoid hospitalization and nursing homes. For help in making a plan for successful aging at home before you have a health emergency visit our Guide to Aging at Home. And visit www.vnannj.org to learn more about our home health care and hospice services. 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 at 973-451-4148. © 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.
Back to Blog
 Kindness is Contagious Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Life's most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?” The news and social media often tend to emphasize controversy and negativity. That’s why we need to recall the importance of selflessness, compassion, and service to others exemplified by leaders like Martin Luther King. This reminds us here at Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) how fortunate we are to be living these values every day as we perform our jobs in home care. Please join us in remembering Dr. King by performing acts of kindness today, and every day.  Did you know that Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey is the longest-serving VNA in the state of New Jersey? So we know a thing or two about what services people need to recover from illness and surgery at home and how to help seniors "age in place" to avoid hospitalization and nursing homes. For help in making a plan for successful aging at home before you have a health emergency visit our Guide to Aging at Home. And visit www.vnannj.org to learn more about our home health care and hospice services. 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 at 973-451-4148. Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) is a leading provider of comprehensive home health care and hospice services in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, Warren, Passaic, and Somerset 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. |
