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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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 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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Safer Sunscreens for Summer7/5/2022  There are two basic types of sunscreen. Chemical sunscreens are absorbed into the skin and absorb ultraviolet light. Zinc oxide or titanium dioxide sunscreens are called mineral or physical sunscreens because they stay on top of your skin and deflect UVA and UVB rays. A recent clinical study by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agency found that some commonly used sunscreen chemicals can seep through your skin and into your bloodstream. The study found that even after a single application, the chemicals remain in your body for an extended period. The FDA did not say that these chemical ingredients are necessarily harmful to your health but some are under review in the US and are already banned in Europe. Oxybenzone, in particular, has been shown to cause allergic reactions and some studies have linked it to hormone problems, and some cancers. In addition, chemicals that dissolve in water sources like rivers, lakes, and the ocean, can be extremely harmful to aquatic life. There are safer sunscreen alternatives For those with sensitive skin, mineral or physical sunscreens cause fewer skin reactions because they don't get absorbed by your skin. Some people don’t like mineral sunscreens because they can leave a white film on your skin, but some brands have new formulas that use tiny micronized particles or skin-tone tints to reduce the appearance of the sunscreen. Mineral sunscreens are also believed to be a better choice for the environment. But if you do purchase a chemical sunscreen check the ingredients to be sure they don’t contain oxybenzone or octinoxate — these are the chemicals most detrimental to marine life (and possibly you). Why “SPF 30” and “Broad Spectrum” are important UVA rays form 95% of the UV (ultraviolet) radiation which reaches the earth. UVA rays are the concern in forming some types of skin cancers. UVB rays have a shorter wavelength that can only reach the outer layer of your skin called the epidermis. SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is a measure of a product’s ability to protect you from the sun’s UVB rays that cause sunburn. Dermatologists recommend an SPF of 30 or higher, which blocks 97 percent of UVB rays. An SPF of more than 30 isn’t really going to add much more protection. Be sure to look for “broad spectrum” in addition to SPF 30, which is a better indicator that the sunscreen will also help protect you from the UVA rays which cause wrinkles and aging. Get regular skin checkups No matter how careful you are about using sunscreen, everyone is at risk for skin cancer and early detection is your best defense. So be sure to schedule a yearly skin check-up with your dermatologist IN ADDITION to daily use of your favorite mineral sunscreen. 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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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.
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UTIs can be dangerous for seniors4/5/2022 Here’s what you need to know: 
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.
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Top 10 Foods to Fight Aging3/1/2022 Foods rich in antioxidants are shown to help fight disease, cancer, and aging. Here are the top 10.  Antioxidants are molecules that fight free radicals in your body. But what does that actually mean? Free radical damage, also known as oxidative damage, produced from our body’s own cellular processes contributes to the aging process. There are many natural foods that have significant sources of antioxidants to fight free radical damage. Think of them as anti-aging agents. Here are ten of the best antioxidant foods to include in your daily diet. 1. Dark Chocolate. The antioxidants in dark chocolate have been linked to many health benefits like reduced inflammation. 70% cocoa content or higher is recommended. Dark chocolate can be bitter but milk chocolate contains a lot of milk and sugar which eliminates the health benefit so it must be dark chocolate. 2. Pecans. A good source of healthy fats, minerals, and antioxidants, pecans are also high in calories, so just a few as a snack will do the trick. 3. Blueberries. Packed with antioxidants and only 1 calorie per berry, blueberries have been shown to have many health benefits, including aiding weight loss and delaying age-related decline in brain function. 4. Strawberries. A rich source of vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, strawberries are also low in sugar despite their sweet taste. The brighter red they are, the higher the health benefit. 5. Artichokes. While not common to many American diets, artichokes are rich in antioxidants and well worth adding to your diet. Look for steamed (not fried) artichoke recipes which raise their antioxidant content, and avoid buttery dressings, opting for healthy olive oil dressing instead. 6. Concord and Purple Grapes. The skin and seeds of these grapes are especially full of antioxidants and have been shown to help reduce blood cholesterol and type 2 diabetes while benefiting brain health. Red and green grapes contain fewer antioxidants. 7. Black Raspberries. A great source of antioxidants, dietary fiber, vitamin C, and manganese, black raspberries have been linked to lower risks of cancer and heart disease, likely due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. 8. Red Kale. The health benefits of kale are so well-known that it has become a synonym for a healthy lifestyle because it is one of the most nutritious greens to be found anywhere. It is rich in calcium, vitamins C, A, and K, and of course, antioxidants. Red kale is higher in antioxidants than the green variety. 9. Red (Purple) Cabbage. Like kale, red cabbage is rich in vitamins C, A, and K, and its high level of antioxidants provide its red color. Raw or stir-frying red cabbage is best, while steaming it may reduce its antioxidant content significantly. 10. Beans. All types of beans contain antioxidants and are good for us, but according to a study reported on WebMD, those highest in antioxidants are red beans, followed by red kidney beans, pinto beans, and black beans. Simply tossing beans into a salad is an easy and delicious way to get more into your diet. Top Tip: Fill your shopping cart from the fresh produce aisle before any other area of the grocery store. Eat well to be well. 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.
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February is American Heart Month2/1/2022  According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), nearly 1 in 3 deaths in the US each year are caused by heart disease and stroke, and more than half of these deaths happen to people under age 65! But 80% of premature heart attacks and strokes could have been prevented through these lifestyle changes: 1. Track your progress The most important thing you can do to prevent heart disease is start a health journal and track your progress. Click here for a guide to making your own health journal (health diary). 2. If you smoke, stop now There are many helpful techniques and organizations to help. Click here for some self-help tips and a planning guide. 3. Increase your physical activity The benefits to your heart health are dramatic. Simply sitting less and walking every day is a great start. Learn more here. 4. Re-evaluate your diet Almost everything in moderation is the key to eating healthy, including plenty of fruit and vegetables, whole grains, lean meat, and fish. But make sure you restrict salt, sugar, alcohol, and saturated fats (fats that are solid at room temperature). Visit VNANNJ for some great recipes. 5. Get regular check-ups High blood pressure may present no symptoms, but it is one of the biggest causes of sudden stroke or heart attack. Visit your doctor to check your blood pressure, ask about your results, and know your numbers. Then you can then take your blood pressure at home to track your progress in your personal health journal. Click here for the best at-home blood pressure monitors. 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.
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5 Key Ways to Lose Weight After 501/4/2022  Let’s face it, as we age we lose muscle mass and become more sedentary – and that means we gain weight even if we don’t eat more than usual. Weight loss from fad diets never lasts, but these basics will help you develop long-lasting success:
See your doctor or a licensed nutritionist for a diet and exercise plan best suited for you. 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.
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FREE, IN-HOME Vaccines & Boosters12/7/2021 VNA will administer the COVID-19 vaccine, including booster shots, at no cost to the homebound and their caregivers. For information or questions about scheduling a reservation, please call VNA's COVID hotline (973) 451-4121.  • COVID-19 Vaccines are safe, highly effective, and help to prevent you from getting sick. Everyone 5 years or older is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in NJ. • Booster Shots are available for adults, 18 and older, who are eligible if their 2nd Pfizer or Moderna shot was at least 6 months ago or 2 months ago for the Johnson & Johnson shot. 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.
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