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 Home Care Help For Frequent Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) partnered with the Rutgers University School of Nursing to complete a clinical study of UTIs in those most likely to experience UTIs with dire complications. UTIs occur in people of all ages and account for more than seven million physician visits, 2.3 million emergency room visits, and 100,000 hospitalizations in the U.S. annually. However, one segment of the population — women over age 65, especially elderly homebound women — is at the greatest risk of experiencing persistent UTIs that result in hospitalizations and dire complications. UTIs can have serious consequences for patients. Study participants reported generally feeling unwell, having a frequent and urgent need to urinate, altered thinking, and confusion. “We believe this study helped to inform UTI home care strategies for elderly women and make a case for increased home care assistance for this population,” says Faith Scott, MPH, MBA, President & CEO of VNA. VNA has partnered with Pathnostics, a clinical diagnostics company, to implement Guidance UTI rapid testing and VNA patients have experienced significant decreases in UTI emergency visits and related hospitalizations. This innovative diagnostic tool has been shown to reduce the need for urgent care by 13% and inpatient admissions by 67%. Tips For Avoiding UTIs • Stay hydrated – drink adequate amounts of water or other fluids • Limit intake of beverages and foods that contain caffeine • Take non-prescription, OTC probiotic supplements • Practice good personal hygiene when toileting and bathing • Urinate often – avoid “holding it in” when you have the urge • Seek help early – when you first experience UTI symptoms, get tested 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, 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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Did You Know? You're Needed in Nov.11/1/2022  November is National Home Care and Hospice Month Each November the home care and hospice community honors the healthcare workers who make a remarkable difference for the patients and families they serve. With 10,000 Americans turning 65 every day, the need for home care will continue to rise. And even though Medicare pays nearly $2,000 per day for a typical hospital stay and home care costs less than $100 a day, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has proposed cuts of $810 million to home care reimbursements. Reducing payments to home health agencies threatens access to this vital care that helps seniors to “age in place” (at home), as they prefer. Click this link to send a message to your congressional representatives. 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, 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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Five Inflation Fighting Tips and Tricks10/4/2022  Tips for stretching your budget during inflation Those of us living on fixed incomes really feel the bite inflation takes out of our wallets. Here are some maybe not-so-obvious tips to help beat inflation and maybe even improve our lifestyle. 1. Make a monthly budget This is the most important thing you can do. A monthly budget is (surprisingly) something many people fail to do whether they are on a fixed income or not. Be very detailed about what you are currently spending, including utilities, rent, mortgage, groceries, and all other household expenses. Include what you spend monthly to fill your gas tank, order take-out, and even your daily coffee. And don’t forget what you’re paying for ALL your cable TV and streaming services, your mobile charges, and digital apps. 2. Decide what you can live without Now that you know what you are spending, you might be surprised to find what you are not really using. Decide what you can easily live without and cut it out of your budget. 3. Choose alternate entertainment It’s surprising how much we tend to spend on entertainment, including cable TV, streaming services, shopping, and dining at restaurants. Consider reading more and socializing with friends on walks or over coffee instead of over restaurant meals. 4. Trade Down If you have been holding onto a large home now is the time to consider if the pressure on your lifestyle is worth the cost. Housing prices are still robust in many places, so you might improve your income and lifestyle by downsizing now rather than later. And if you own a large car, consider trading in that gas guzzler for a small hybrid car of an older year. You might be shocked at how much a hybrid will save on fill-ups. 5. Stay healthy If you have been meaning to diet and exercise now is a great time to start. You’ll save on groceries and spend more time taking care of yourself instead of spending on entertainment and eating out. And as we all know, being ill can be expensive in uncovered healthcare costs. 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, 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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Hospice Care or Palliative Care9/13/2022  What is the difference between hospice care and palliative care? We find that many people are confused about the difference between hospice and palliative care. It is subtle. Hospice care helps people nearing the end of life to live in comfort and dignity, surrounded by family and friends. Care includes pain management, counseling, and spiritual support. Hospice care also provides services to the patient’s family during and after the patient’s death, such as respite care and bereavement counseling. While hospice typically begins when a patient has 6 months or less to live, palliative care starts much sooner. Comfort care, also known as palliative care, for those with terminal or potentially incurable illnesses may be required before an end-of-life diagnosis. Comfort care provides pain management, counseling, and family assistance. The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) provides home care for any stage of life, including end-of-life care. Our Hospice at Home provides both hospice and palliative care, including pain management, and emotional and spiritual support to the patient and family. For patients that have needs or desires that require additional support, VNA’s Inpatient Hospice provides 24-hour care on a 12-bed unit at Saint Clare’s Dover Hospital. Providing both at-home and in-patient care permits VNA to coordinate seamless transfers between an individual’s home and the inpatient unit to everyone's benefit. 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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Home Health Care Needs Your Help9/6/2022  The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) wants to cut Home Care reimbursements by an unprecedented $810 million. This cut would be particularly damaging to home health agencies, like Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA), who are already suffering from increased inflation, staffing challenges, rising fuel prices, and unprecedented costs of COVID-19 procedures and supplies. Since 1898, VNA has been providing care in the home that is proven to be the preferred choice for seniors and people with disabilities. Reducing payments to home health agencies threatens access to this vital care. Please click on this link to send a message to your congressional representatives. 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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Let's Honor Judie Ward!8/30/2022 
Judie Ward has been involved with VNA for over 25 years as a supporter, volunteer, and advocate, helping our VNA adapt to meet the current needs of the community. Her wisdom, insight, knowledge, and ability to embrace change have helped transform the organization into the premier home health care provider that it is today. Judie's eagerness to lend her support and selflessly give back stems from her own experience assisting her aging parents. During that period, she developed an understanding of the value and significance of home care.  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 Save Home Health Care Now!8/23/2022  You Can Help Preserve Access to Home Health Care The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed cutting provider reimbursements by an unprecedented $810 million. This cut would be particularly damaging to home health agencies, like Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA), who are already suffering from increased inflation, staffing challenges, rising fuel prices, and unprecedented costs of COVID-19 procedures and supplies. A bipartisan bill has been proposed to prevent CMS from making these disastrous cuts to home care. The Preserving Access to Home Health Act, S. 4605 is being led by Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan) and Susan Collins (R-Maine). Since 1898, VNA has been providing care in the home that is proven to be the preferred choice for seniors and people with disabilities. Reducing payments to home health agencies threatens access to this vital care. Please join us in safeguarding the Medicare home health program – Click on this link to send a message to your congressional representatives: Ask Congress to Prevent Home Health Cuts that Will Devastate Access to Care 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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The Best Time For Joint Surgery8/9/2022  There have been dramatic improvements in joint replacement surgery over recent years and many people are experiencing the benefits of joint replacement due to injured, diseased, or aging joints. One of the most common questions about joint replacement surgery is: “What is the best time of the year to schedule joint replacement surgery?” While this decision is very personal, based on lifestyle and family considerations, patient consensus tends to suggest spring and early fall are the best seasons to schedule joint replacement surgery in New Jersey. Why Spring and Early Fall? CLOTHING: You’ll want to wear as little clothing as possible during your recovery because it makes cleaning the wound and moving around easier. Cold, snow, and ice will make it necessary to wear more layers and more restrictive garments. Before you go to the hospital prepare a wardrobe that will be easy to get in and out of after surgery and during recovery. SLEEP: Your sleep may be troubled in the weeks after surgery, so you’ll want to avoid the warm pajamas and heavy bedding needed during cold New Jersey winters. EXERCISE: You’ll want to have a variety of exercise options available during your recovery to rebuild joint muscles and avoid boredom. Winter snow and ice and summer heat may keep you confined to the indoors, limiting your freedom. WARMTH: Seniors especially, may find that it takes longer to loosen joints and get moving in cold weather. When temperatures are more consistent inside and outside there is less chance of discomfort, especially for those suffering from arthritis. WORK: While the best time to schedule surgery will depend on individual circumstances, avoiding the popular summer vacation and winter holiday schedules of co-workers may make covering your absence easier for everyone. Of course, this doesn’t work for everyone, including teachers and those working in seasonal retail. SURGEON: Some doctors are so busy that you must schedule your surgery 2 to 3 months ahead. Once you choose the best time, make your surgery appointment as early as possible. CAREGIVERS: You will need a caregiver for at least the first few weeks after surgery. You may want to avoid conflicting with their own summer and holiday plans. Don't forget, one of your best pre- and post-surgery options is Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey… 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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 According to AARP's November 2021 "Home and Community Preferences" survey, approximately 81 million seniors, or two-thirds of U.S. adults, want to stay in their homes as they get older, for as long as they are able. This is known as “Aging in Place”. Do You Have a Plan? Most people put off planning how to age in place until they have a medical emergency, like a fall or chronic health condition. Clearly, that is not the best time to start planning how to remain in your home for the long haul. We all need to have a plan. Fortunately, there is a great guide called Aging in Place: Growing Older at Home from the National Institutes of Health. Check it out to learn:
And remember, Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey is an important community resource to have on your side in this planning process. 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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Easy Summer Pool Exercises7/26/2022  Aquatic Exercises Anybody Can Do There are many reasons people give up on exercise, including arthritis, joint pain, recovery from surgery and illness, weight gain, boredom, and more. But aquatic exercises can help with all of that. Exercising in the water takes the weight off hurting muscles and joints, making exercises less uncomfortable. The hydrostatic pressure “pushes” against your body, lowering the heart rate and helping blood circulate more efficiently. Aquatic workouts also help to improve the range of motion and balance so they can be very beneficial to everyday functioning and reducing falls. And water resistance actually makes any exercise harder than doing it on land, resulting in faster development of muscle strength, endurance, and flexibility – all while having fun. Here are some tips:
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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