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July 2025
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3 - 4 cups of black coffee before noon might do you good. A study done at Tulane University found that drinking coffee at certain times during the day appears to be linked to significant impacts on longevity. Interestingly, the research indicates that only morning drinkers seem to benefit. Drinking black coffee in the morning: Coffee is packed with polyphenols, compounds that provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory support, and has been linked to lowering the risk of certain cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, and Type 2 diabetes. This study found that only morning coffee drinkers benefited from a 16% lower risk of death and a 31% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. Drinking coffee later in the day: Drinking black coffee later in the day appears to negate the advantages of drinking it in the morning. The study authors suggest that later coffee consumption may disrupt the body’s circadian rhythm, impacting sleep quality and bone health. What to do: Drink only 3-4 cups of black coffee between 4 am and 12 pm. Adding sugar, other sweeteners, and milk or coffee creamer of any type appears to eliminate the healthful effects of black coffee. 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 the 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.
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Join VNANNJ in Supporting Families and Advancing Care More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, and millions more are caring for someone they love with the disease. This June, Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey stands with families facing the daily challenges of memory loss and cognitive decline. As part of Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, we’re raising awareness about the importance of early diagnosis, brain health, and compassionate in-home care for those affected. Whether it’s skilled nursing, home health aides, or caregiver support, our team provides the personalized care and guidance families need to navigate Alzheimer’s and related conditions. Learn more about Alzheimer’s here: The Alzheimer's Association. 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.
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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.
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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.
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Your help may have made all the difference! Last month we asked you to please contact your congresspersons to support the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act (OAA). This was included in the end-of-year package that was presented to Congress. And it worked! The OAA is the backbone of federal aging policy, empowering older adults in our community to enjoy senior center activities, nutrition programs, health education programs, benefits counseling, caregiver support, job training and placement, elder rights protections, and more. But there’s more good news! The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) was also included in the end-of-year funding package. The result will help millions of older adults struggling with Medicare costs. This means that outreach to help low-income Medicare beneficiaries afford their health care costs can continue until the next funding deadline in March. Thank you for supporting government-funded programs for our beloved seniors. We hope you will continue to respond to our calls for support – you make all the difference! 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. The 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.
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Healthier Mac & Cheese We’re always looking for ways to help our patients and caregivers stay healthy while enjoying home and family. This holiday season, you don't need to give up the mac & cheese everyone enjoys, just lighten it up! You can also substitute chickpea-based pasta for even more protein. Click here for the recipe. 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 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. The 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.
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Did You Know? Home Care is Under Threat.9/27/2024 That's the headline from this week's story in Home Health Care News. Even though home care and hospice are critical services for families, they are undervalued by many government policymakers who have proposed dire funding cuts. This is a major problem, and we need your help to address it. It only takes a moment to become a virtual advocate for home care and hospice. TAKE ACTION HERE by telling your elected representatives to stop disastrous home health payment cuts! Many other issues are putting home care and hospice services at risk as well. Learn more here. 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 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. The 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.
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World Suicide Prevention Day Calls Attention to Senior Suicides World Suicide Prevention Day is September 10. According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide rates have risen more than 8 percent since 2021 for those 65+ (men aged 55 to 74 and women aged 55 to 84) with men who are 85+ at most risk. Adults are vulnerable due to many issues, including loneliness, social isolation, loss of loved ones, and decreased self-determination due to old age and disability. We ask you to be aware of these issues and visit Mental Health America to learn the warning signs for suicide and understand more about the mental health services available to seniors through Medicare. 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. The 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.
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Let’s honor our seniors all month, and everyday National Senior Citizens Day is observed on August 21st to recognize our seniors. As the longest-serving Visiting Nurse Association in the state of New Jersey (founded in 1898), we know about caring for our seniors and how much better they thrive when we honor their contributions and achievements. Let’s all take some time throughout August (and every day) to do the following:
By doing some or all of the above, you may be surprised to find what an amazing difference you can make in the life of a senior citizen, whether they are a loved one, a friend, a neighbor, or a complete stranger. 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. The 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.
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Hydration is even more important than you think. Multiple studies have shown that 75% of adults in the U.S. suffer from chronic dehydration. And adults over 65 may only have around 60% of their body mass as water, compared to 72% in younger adults, which can make older adults even more susceptible to dehydration. It’s no wonder that dehydration is a frequent cause of hospital admission for older adults. Staying sufficiently hydrated is important for many reasons, including some you may not realize. For instance:
Staying hydrated can be as easy as 1-2-3:
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 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. The 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.
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