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April 2024
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Brain Health is a Lifestyle8/22/2023 These 5 traits are common among seniors with good brain health. Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) has worked with the aging population since 1898, so we know a thing or two about healthy aging. You may have heard that the best exercises for brain health are games like crossword puzzles, but they are just one small aspect of a holistic approach to brain health. We know that seniors who maintain healthy brain function, including good memory and cognition, tend to be active and inquisitive. Here are 5 traits known to help people maintain good brain health as they age:
Think about challenging your overall lifestyle – it may be fundamental for healthy aging, including your brain health. 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. Will you help? 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. 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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Managing Diabetes With Diet8/8/2023 A healthy diet may reduce your need for diabetes medication. The nurses and other dedicated staff of Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) have cared for those with diabetes for over 100 years (since 1898) and we know that diet plays a crucial role in the management of diabetes. While it's important to note that every individual's condition is unique and treatment plans should be discussed with healthcare professionals, adopting a healthy diet can often help reduce the need for diabetes medication or even prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. Here's how diet can positively impact diabetes management:
It's worth noting that dietary changes alone may not be sufficient for all individuals with diabetes, and medication or insulin therapy may still be necessary. However, a healthy diet can be a powerful tool in managing diabetes and reducing the need for medication in some cases. It's crucial to consult with healthcare professionals to determine the most appropriate treatment plan for your specific situation. 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 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. 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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Heat stroke is especially dangerous for the elderly – know these signs Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) has been treating patients in their homes since 1898 – well before the invention of air conditioning. Even today many of our patients don’t have reliable air conditioning in their homes and we know that heat stroke is a very real danger, especially for the elderly. Heat stroke is a severe heat-related illness that requires immediate medical attention. Please be aware of these signs and symptoms of heat stroke for yourself or a loved one you care for:
Heat stroke is a medical emergency, and if you suspect someone is experiencing heat stroke, you should call 911 immediately. While waiting for help to arrive, move the person to a cooler environment, remove excess clothing, and try to cool them down by applying cool water or wet towels to the body and fanning them. Do not give them fluids to drink if they are unconscious. Prompt medical attention is crucial to prevent complications and potential organ damage associated with heat stroke. 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 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. 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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Home Care Urgently Needs Your Help7/27/2023 View the message from VNANNJ and Faith Scott, President & CEO The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has made drastic cuts of close to $20 billion over the next 10 years. This means that nearly 3 million Medicare beneficiaries may lose access to clinical nursing and therapy services in the home. This is unprecedented in our 125-year history of caring for communities. It will be particularly damaging to our VNA and all Home Care agencies already challenged by inflation, staffing shortages, fuel prices, and continuing COVID-19 issues. 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. 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 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. 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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10 steps to reduce stress.7/25/2023 Reducing stress leads to better health. Reducing stress is important for maintaining overall health and mental and emotional well-being. Here are some effective strategies to help manage and reduce stress:
There is no plan that works for everyone, so it's essential to find what works best for you. Simply try a combination of these stress-reducing techniques, adopt what works easily for you, and add more as you are able. 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 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. 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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Not all hospice programs are the same.7/18/2023 Why VNA Hospice? Hospice care is intended to enhance the quality of life for people with terminal illnesses by providing pain management and care and support for the patient and their caregivers. But not all hospice programs are the same. Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) provides a team-oriented approach to expert medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support expressly tailored to the patient’s needs and wishes. What does this mean?
Just because a hospice diagnosis is received, it does not mean it is final. Some patients improve and are moved from hospice to conventional medical care. That’s when VNA patients also benefit from our unique hospice program. VNA patients may move seamlessly between traditional home health care, palliative care, and hospice care with the same VNA team instead of moving in and out of different facilities and programs. When families are dealing with the stress of terminal illness this is especially comforting. 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 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. 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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Tips to keep those with Dementia safe7/11/2023 A practical guide for caregivers of a loved one with dementia. Keeping someone with dementia safe from getting lost requires implementing various strategies to minimize the risk. Here are some suggestions:
Remember, every individual with dementia is unique, and what works for one person may not work for another. It's important to regularly reassess the safety measures and adapt them based on the person's changing needs and abilities. Consulting with healthcare professionals, dementia support groups, or organizations specializing in dementia care, such as VNA of Northern New Jersey (VNA), can provide additional guidance and resources for keeping someone with dementia safe. 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 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 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. 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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Exercise is good preventive medicine. After 40, muscle and bone mass decrease every year, eventually leading to instability, falls, and fractures. In fact, 1 in 3 adults 50 years and older experience at least one fall per year which leads to ever-increasing inactivity and physical decline. This age-related reduction in muscle mass, strength, and physical performance is known as sarcopenia. Osteoporosis, obesity, and many other age-related conditions are associated with or made worse by sarcopenia. So, if muscle and bone mass are maintained or improved, will health improve? Many studies show the answer is a resounding YES, and the preventive medicine is simple.
Remember, consistency and patience are key when it comes to gaining muscle and bone mass. It may take time to see significant results, but with dedication and the right approach, you may find that exercise is indeed your fountain of youth. 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 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. 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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2022 Annual Report • Spring Newsletter6/27/2023
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, 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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Please Help Us Continue To Bloom!6/20/2023 You can help someone age in the comfort of home As life renews around us this spring, we are reaching out to you, our valued supporter because we are so grateful for your belief in our mission to help those in the winter of life. Founded in 1898, Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey (VNA) has been serving the state of New Jersey for 125 years, 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. Today, we invite you to join us once again in making a tremendous impact on the lives of so many of our neighbors hoping to age in place in the comfort of their own homes. But did you know that Medicare and supplemental insurance often do not cover all the care our patients and caregivers need? On the last day of this spring season, we ask you to consider making a tax-deductible donation to support our ongoing efforts. Your gift, no matter the size, will have a significant impact. Here are a few ways you can contribute:
To make your contribution or learn more, please visit vnannj.org/donate or call our VNA Foundation at 973-451-4148. Thank you for being a beacon of hope to those we serve. 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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