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Home Care Leads in Hospice Care6/28/2022  VNA Provides Seamless End-of-Life Care In 1969 Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross published a book titled On Death and Dying which went on to become an international bestseller. In the book, she made a plea for home care as opposed to treatment in an institutional setting and argued that patients should have the ability to participate in their end-of-life decision-making. It should not surprise anyone that home care became the preferred service for end-of-life care since most patients want to be in a comfortable setting with familiar surroundings and with their loved ones. Hospice and palliative care have come a long way since then, but the difference between the two still confuses many people. In an article published in AARP (Kim Hayes, AARP May 31, 2017), it was noted that most people lump palliative care in with hospice, but while they work very much hand-in-hand, there are distinct differences between the two. While both hospice and palliative care focus on patient comfort and treatment of pain, curative treatment may still be tried during palliative care and some patients may move between the two programs as their condition changes over time. Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey’s (VNA) Hospice Care and Palliative Care program provides an integrated care approach with the added benefit of both in-home care and VNA’s Inpatient Hospice at Saint Clare's Dover Hospital. 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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Your Neighbors Need Your Help6/21/2022 Providing Neighborhood Healthcare for 124 years Our loved ones, friends, and neighbors who recover or age at home due to illness, injury, or advanced age rely on home care. But many cannot cover all the necessary costs. With your help, the Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) never turns away those in need of care. Your gift will make a real difference. And rest assured that your tax-deductible gift will be put to work locally.
*Comments received from clients or family caregivers via correspondence or response to a 3rd-party survey. 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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Father's Day is June 196/14/2022  It's time again to celebrate the dads in our lives. Dads bring something special to the table but too often we don't tell them so. Compliments are free and may mean more to your dad than anything you can buy. This Father's Day, join all of us at VNA of Northern New Jersey in not only wishing dads everywhere a happy and healthy Father's Day, but telling the dads in our lives what they mean to us. For more information about VNA gifts or memorials, see the Memorials page or the Donation page on our website. Or call our Foundation at (973) 451-4128. Last year VNA suggested ways to remotely celebrate the dads in your life. We hope this year is different and those special dads can be honored and celebrated in person. Family, friends, food, photos – these can help create a memorable day with lasting memories. More than ever, we’ve learned how important it is to be together and enjoy our time with each other. 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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How to Spot Early Signs of Dementia6/7/2022  In an article published on AARP.com (Patrick J. Kiger, AARP, October 22, 2019) it was reported that from age 50 on, it’s not unusual to have occasional trouble finding the right word or remembering where you put things. However, persistent difficulty with memory, cognition, or the ability to perform everyday tasks might be signs that something more serious is happening. If you are concerned about the following persistent symptoms for yourself or a loved one, speak with your doctor and see an expert who can conduct tests and come up with an appropriate diagnosis. Dementia symptoms to watch for Dementia isn’t actually a disease but a catch-all term for changes in the brain, including Alzheimer’s, that cause a loss of functioning that interferes with daily life. Here are some of the warning signs identified by dementia experts and mental health organizations: 1. Difficulty with everyday tasks. Everyone makes mistakes, but people with dementia may find it increasingly difficult to do things like keep track of monthly bills or follow a recipe while cooking, the Alzheimer’s Association says. 2. Repetition. Asking a question over and over or telling the same story about a recent event multiple times are common indicators of mild or moderate Alzheimer's, according to the Cleveland Clinic. 3. Communication problems. Observe if a loved one has trouble joining in conversations or following along with them, stops abruptly in the middle of a thought, or struggles to think of words or the name of objects. 4. Getting lost. People with dementia may have difficulty with visual and spatial abilities. That can manifest itself in problems like getting lost while driving, according to the Mayo Clinic. 5. Personality changes. A loved one who begins acting unusually anxious, confused, fearful, or suspicious; becomes upset easily; loses interest in activities, or seems depressed is cause for concern. 6. Confusion about time and place. Loved ones who forget where they are or can’t remember how they got there should raise alarms. Disorientation about time, like routinely forgetting the day of the week, is another sign. 7. Troubling behavior. If your family member seems to have increasingly poor judgment when handling money or neglects grooming and cleanliness, pay attention. Patrick J. Kiger is a contributing writer for AARP. He has written for a wide variety of publications, including the Los Angeles Times Magazine, GQ, and Mother Jones, as well as the websites of the Discovery Channel and National Geographic. 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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Stay up to date with your VNA5/25/2022
You can read our Spring Newsletter and Annual Report, along with our other publications, on our website. 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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Can you get too much sleep?5/24/2022 Eight Hours of Sleep May Not Be The Right Number After All  An article published by AARP (Donna Fuscaldo, AARP, May 11, 2022) found that too little or too much sleep hurt cognitive performance including processing speed, visual attention, memory, and problem-solving. In a 2016 study available in the journal Nature Aging, a panel of experts with AARP’s Global Council on Brain Health said that sleep is vital to brain health. But what is the right number of hours to sleep? Researchers found that seven hours of sleep improved cognitive performance and mental health. More than or less than that amount may prevent the brain from unloading toxins, hurting cerebral performance, and ultimately become a risk factor for intellectual decline later in life. How to get a better night’s sleep • Create a sleep schedule. It’s hard for your body to get into a sleep routine if you go to sleep and wake up at different times every day. Putting yourself to sleep on a schedule will get your body and brain accustomed to going to sleep and waking up at the same time. • Don’t nap too much. Taking a nap during the day is enticing, but if you sleep too long it could disrupt your sleep patterns at bedtime. According to the Sleep Foundation, the best time to nap is right after lunch, in the early afternoon. Naps should last only around 20 minutes. • Create a calming bedtime environment. Tossing and turning at night can be avoided if you create a calm environment before going to sleep. That means engaging in some quiet activity such as reading a book, listening to soft music, or stretching 30 minutes prior to bedtime. Stay away from bright lights and disconnect from smartphones, laptops, and tablets that will keep your brain awake. • Limit your caffeine and alcohol intake near bedtime. Sound slumber will be hard to come by if you are hyped up on caffeine or have a cocktail right before bedtime. That’s why experts say to avoid caffeine late in the day and alcohol right before you hit the sheets. Donna Fuscaldo is a contributing writer and editor focusing on personal finance and health. She has spent over two decades writing and covering news for several national outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Investopedia, and HerMoney. 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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Hydration is critical for older adults5/17/2022  Hydration is critical for everyone, but even more so for the elderly. Staying properly hydrated can be a challenge at any age. For the elderly, dehydration can occur rapidly and be difficult to detect as it may be confused with other symptoms such as memory loss, tiredness, weakness, falling, skin conditions, urinary tract infections, constipation, and more. So as you can see, drinking enough water is essential! Unfortunately, incontinence is another reason many elderly people avoid drinking enough water throughout their day. Here are some tips that may help:
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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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. |
