Happy 40th Year, National Nutrition Month
March 28, 2013 at 10:30 am | Posted in Amy Shein, GCM | Leave a commentTags: Aging, Diet, Health, nursing homes, Personal, Tips
March is National Nutrition Month, celebrated across America. Sponsored annually by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, National Nutrition Month is an education and information campaign that stresses the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound physical exercise habits. I did a blog last year on National Nutrition Month and find it only fitting to blog about it this year as well.
This year’s “Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day” theme encourages the personal food preferences and healthful eating styles of people with diverse lifestyle, cultural and ethnic traditions. I remember last year’s theme was “Get Your Plate in Shape”.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals dedicated to helping people enjoy healthful lives through their daily diets. The group’s website, http://www.eatright.org, offers the public free facts and tips about a variety of nutrition topics.
Dietary guidelines
The U.S. Department of Agriculture publishes “Dietary Guidelines for Americans” with the five food groups that compose a healthy diet. Online at http://www.ChooseMyPlate.gov, people can access dozens of resources for healthful eating, plus nutrition tips, sample menus and recipes. The My Plate site also helps determine how many calories you need each day and gives examples for people over age 51.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends shifts in dietary nutrients as people age, including more:
• Calcium and Vitamin D to help maintain strong bone health. Older adults should eat three servings of vitamin D-fortified low-fat or fat-free milk or yogurt daily. Other sources of calcium-rich foods include dark-green leafy vegetables, canned fish and fortified cereals and fruit juices.
• Vitamin B12 is often low in people older than 50. Lean meat, fortified cereals and some fish and seafood are excellent sources of vitamin B12.
• Potassium is found in fruits, vegetables, and milk and yogurt products. To lower high blood pressure, seniors should increase potassium in their diets while reducing sodium or salt intake.
• Fiber found in whole-grain breads and cereals, beans, peas, fruits and vegetables is a natural way to stay regular, prevent Type 2 diabetes, control weight and lower one’s risk for heart disease.
• Healthful fats, found in olive oil and peanut oil, for example, are considered polyunsaturated or monounsaturated versus the saturated and trans fats found in many commercially processed and baked foods.
Distinctive Care Geriatric Care Management serves Bergen, Passaic, Rockland and Orange County with nurses licensed in New Jersey and New York. We help families dealing with various issues related to their elderly loved ones and would be happy to discuss any concerns you may have related to long term care.
Please contact us in our Ramsey Office to schedule a consultation. 201-587-5283.
A Week in the Life of a Geriatric Care Manager in Bergen County, NJ
March 19, 2013 at 10:30 am | Posted in Christine Clark, GCM | Leave a commentTags: GCM, Weekly
When Ms. P’s son first called us, he was having a tough time putting into words the changes he noticed in his mom. “Physically, she may out live me! But mentally, something is different”. Our geriatric care manager (GCM) quickly performed a full assessment and deemed that not only did she have mild dementia, she was also depressed.
Our GCM arranged and accompanied Ms. P to a consultation with a board certified Geriatrician who immediately started her on medications. We interviewed and placed a certified home health aide with her to ensure her safety, cook her meals, provide her transportation and assist with activities of daily living. We conferred with our licensed social worker and Ms. P began counseling. With our GCM visiting weekly overseeing all of her care, Ms. P’s quality of life improved significantly. From lunch at the diner with her girlfriends to attending religious services regularly, she now had the assistance in place to meet her needs.
18 months later, Ms. P was hospitalized for pneumonia after our GCM detected that she had diminished lung sounds and shortness of breath. At 93 years of age, Ms. P’s life was winding down. Following her wishes outlined in her advanced directive, artificial means of life support were not carried out.
Our GCM arranged for Ms. P’s Geriatrician to make house calls. Soon after, she arranged for Hospice Care. The Geriatrician and Hospice worked closely together for Ms. P.
At Ms. P’s memorial service, her son spoke openly about the hard life his mom endured. He was grateful for those who had shown their support over the years and specifically acknowledged our GCM for her tireless dedication to improving his mother’s quality of life.
Distinctive Care Geriatric Care Management serves Bergen, Passaic, Rockland and Orange County with nurses licensed in New Jersey and New York. We help families dealing with various issues related to their elderly loved ones and would be happy to discuss any concerns you may have related to long term care. Please contact us in our Ramsey Office at 201-587-5283 to schedule a consultation.
Helpful Foods for Arthritis Suffers
February 14, 2013 at 10:30 am | Posted in Amy Shein, GCM | Leave a commentTags: Aging, Arthritis, Diet, Education, Inflammation, Life, pain, Tips
We all have aches and pains at times, but so many of our elderly clients suffer from terrible arthritis. So I wanted to see and research if there is any relief that could be found in the foods that we eat or foods that we should avoid. The idea that food can cause or relieve arthritis isn’t new. More than 200 years ago, English doctors prescribed cod-liver oil to treat gout and rheumatism. More recently, some health experts have insisted that arthritics should eat or not eat specific foods. The debate is in full swing. Do certain foods cause arthritis? All the evidence isn’t yet in, but thanks to the studies currently available, more and more physicians are convinced that diet does play a valuable role in arthritis treatment plans.
Foods for arthritis relief
Which fruits, vegetables, meat, or fish should you eat? There are no absolute rules, but the results of studies and case histories suggest that these foods may be helpful:
- Anchovies: Three-and-a-half ounces of anchovies contain almost a gram and a half of omega-3 fatty acids. The omega-3 fatty acids help regulate the prostaglandins, which play a role in inflammation and, hence, pain. However, anchovies are extremely high in sodium, so if sodium-sensitivity or water retention is a problem for you, choose a different kind of fish.
- Apples: Apples contain boron, a mineral that appears to reduce the risk of developing osteoarthritis. Moreover, when boron was given to people who already have the disease, it helped relieve pain.
- Cantaloupe: This sweet fruit contains large amounts of vitamin C and beta-carotene, the plant form of vitamin A. These two powerful vitamins help to control the oxidative and free-radical damage that may contribute to arthritis.
- Chile peppers: Chilies contain capsaicin, which gives the peppers their heat. These vegetables also help block pain by encouraging certain nerve cells to run through their supply of substance P, which they normally use to help transmit pain signals.
- Curry: A combination of spices that often includes turmeric, garlic, cumin, cinnamon, and so on, curry contains powerful antioxidants that may help relieve inflammation and reduce pain.
- Fish: The omega-3 fatty acids in Norwegian sardines, Atlantic mackerel, sablefish, rainbow trout, striped bass, and other fish may help reduce inflammation and pain.
- Garlic: An ancient treatment for tuberculosis, lung problems, and other diseases, garlic also appears to relieve some forms of arthritis pain. Although never tested in large-scale, double-blind studies, garlic has been found helpful in many case reports. These helpful benefits may be due to the fact that garlic contains sulfur, which has been known for many years to help relieve certain arthritis symptoms.
- Grapes: These bite-sized fruit are good sources of the mineral boron, which is important for strong bones.
- Mango: A sweet treat, mangoes are packed with three powerful antioxidants: 90 percent of the RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowances) for vitamin C, 75 percent of the daily dose of beta-carotene, plus vitamin E.
- Nuts: Almonds, peanuts, and hazelnuts are good sources of boron, a mineral that helps keep bones strong and certain arthritis symptoms at bay.
- Papaya: Long used as a folk medicine for diarrhea, hay fever, and other problems, a single papaya contains three times the RDA for the antioxidant vitamin C, plus more than half the daily allotment of beta-carotene.
- Water: Drinking eight glasses of water per day can help battle gout by flushing uric acid from the body. Eight glasses is also the amount most health experts recommend to keep your body moisturized and healthy.
Distinctive Care Geriatric Care Management serves Bergen, Passaic, Rockland and Orange County with nurses licensed in New Jersey and New York. We help families dealing with various issues related to their elderly loved ones and would be happy to discuss any concerns you may have related to long term care.
Please contact us in our Ramsey Office to schedule a consultation. 201-587-5283.
The Winter Blues and Staying Connected During the Winter Months
February 13, 2013 at 10:30 am | Posted in Marianne Terry | Leave a commentTags: Emotional, Help, Life, Love, Personal, Prevention, SAD, Support, winter
As I write this blog entry in the warmth of my home, I just heard on the news that another snow storm is heading our way. The winter weather brings not just cold temperatures our way, but isolation and loneliness to many of the clients we home visit.
Winter brings with it shorter days with less sunshine, colder temperatures and yes that ever present questionable weather possibility. Often our seniors find themselves trapped indoors and even more isolated from friends and family members. This can intensify feelings of loneliness, sadness and anxiety and cause them to suffer from the “winter blues.”
Those with “winter blues” experience changes in their mood, energy level and ability to concentrate brought on by a decrease in exposure to sunlight that affects our bodies’ hormone production. The winter blues can also lead to a more severe illness like Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or even long-term depression. Those with SAD exhibit many of the common signs of depression—sadness, anxiety, irritability, social withdrawal, loss of interest in normal activities, and inability to concentrate.
If you think your loved one may be suffering from SAD call their doctor and arrange for them to have an appointment to discuss their treatment options.
Here are some tips to reduce your loved ones risk or better manage of their symptoms of winter blues:
- Encourage them to make healthy food choices and avoid sugary, empty-calorie foods.
- Encourage them to get a good night’s sleep and expose themselves to morning sunshine.
- Encourage them to keep moving and get some exercise! Many studies show that aerobic exercise decreases the feelings of depression, reduces stress, aids in sleep and improves your overall health.
- Encourage them to plan and schedule regular social outings, contacts with family or friends or enjoy a new hobby or television program.
You can help ease their isolation by arranging for neighbors to stop in periodically to make sure that their apartment/house is warm and there is extra food in their refrigerator and pantry. Develop a phone list so family members can get in touch with people in you older relatives’ neighborhood or community if a winter-related emergency occurs. Also, ask family members to call your loved one by phone, or mail or the internet.
Just a brief call will brighten up your loved ones day during these long, cold days of winter!
Distinctive Care Geriatric Care Management serves Bergen, Passaic, Rockland and Orange County with nurses licensed in New Jersey and New York. We help families dealing with various issues related to their elderly loved ones and would be happy to discuss any concerns you may have related to long term care.
Please contact us in our Ramsey Office to schedule a consultation. 201-587-5283.
A Week in the Life of a Geriatric Care Manager in Bergen County, NJ
February 11, 2013 at 10:30 am | Posted in Christine Clark, GCM | Leave a commentTags: GCM, Weekly
Making big decisions is never easy, and when it comes to a loved one’s care there is usually a lot of emotions attached.
I first met Ms. M. 3 years ago after she returned home from a subacute facility where she was rehabilitating after a fall. With Parkinson’s disease and dementia, it was imperative that she have a certified home health aide with her for 8 hours a day to assist in her care.
It has been unique and inspiring to see her relationship with her brother, who is her main caregiver. Although it isn’t always convenient or comfortable to have another person in your home, her brother quickly realized and welcomed the extra help that was now warranted for Ms. M.
It’s all been working out very well for the past 3 years but now with Ms. M’s Parkinson’s disease progressing and her need for much more assistance, her brother had to make the decision on whether to have 24 hour help or transfer her to a long term care facility. He and I worked closely together. As Ms. M’s Geriatric Care Manager, I had the confidence to assist him in this big decision and ensure that she would receive excellent care.
With a strong knowledge of how much assistance Ms. M would need, comparing the costs for her bother and touring a few facilities I recommended, he came to the realization that not only would he be unable to care for her at home without 24 hour assistance, he also realized that due to her confinement to a wheelchair it would too difficult to take her out. He saw the activities and entertainment at one particular long term care facility and realized how isolated his sister has been at home. He talks about the guilt he feels that she will no longer be living in their home but is hopeful that she will receive the care she needs in a setting that is supportive and nurturing.
Stay tuned…
Distinctive Care Geriatric Care Management serves Bergen, Passaic, Rockland and Orange County with nurses licensed in New Jersey and New York. We help families dealing with various issues related to their elderly loved ones and would be happy to discuss any concerns you may have related to long term care. Please contact us in our Ramsey or Ridgewood Office at 201-587-5283 to schedule a consultation
Protect your elderly loved one from financial and mental abuse.
February 7, 2013 at 10:30 am | Posted in Kimberly Joyce | Leave a commentTags: Advocacy, Dementia, Education, Elder Abuse, Eldercare, Finances, Help, Life, Prevention, Safety, Scams
Elder abuse doesn’t just refer to physical abuse. It could be related to situations such as taking advantage of an elder financially or mentally to gain advantage in any way. Unfortunately elder abuse is amongst us and many times goes un-noticed or, worse, ignored.
All too often the elderly feel helpless and won’t admit to what is occurring. Most of time the abuse is being done by someone the elder trusts and feels close to.
What are the signs of financial and mental Elder abuse?’
- Excessive fears, withdrawal, agitation.
- Changes in appetite or unusual weight gain or loss.
- Unexplained changes in health, personality or behavior.
- Frequent arguments or tension between the elder and his/her caregiver.
- Unsanitary or unsafe living conditions.
- Unnecessary services, goods or subscriptions.
- Sudden inability to pay bills, buy food or personal items.
- Financial activity the elder could not have done.
- Suspicious changes in wills, POA, titles and policies.
What can you do as a concerned friend or family member?
- If you suspect abuse, REPORT IT!
- Monitor the elder’s medication.
- Ask the elder if someone they trust could review their bank statements and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions.
- Pay attention to “new” friends.
- Offer to assist the elder with household needs (lawn care, repair work, etc.).
- Call and visit as often as possible.
- Get acquainted with the elder’s neighbors-enlist their help.
Family members of loved ones in the beginning stage of Alzheimers/dementia should monitor for cognitive changes and inability to handle their affairs.
Hire a geriatric care manager to assist in managing all healthcare needs and or reputable financial professional to assist with bill paying. Both could help in avoiding a crisis situation.
Distinctive Care Geriatric Care Management serves Bergen, Passaic, Rockland and Orange County with nurses licensed in New Jersey and New York. We help families dealing with various issues related to their elderly loved ones and would be happy to discuss any concerns you may have related to long term care.
Please contact us in our Ramsey Office to schedule a consultation. 201-587-5283.
Foods to Protect Against Macular Degeneration
February 6, 2013 at 10:30 am | Posted in Amy Shein, GCM | Leave a commentTags: Aging, Diet, Eldercare, Lutein, macular degeneration, Safety, Tips
One of my clients has been suffering from macular degeneration for most of her life. She lost sight in her right eye when she was in her late 40’s. Last year, at the age of 87, she was diagnosed with wet macular degeneration in her left eye. More than 14 million people in the U.S. are diagnosed with macular degeneration and about half of all Americans over the age of 80 have cataracts. Each week in my blogs, I try to focus on a nutritional standpoint. This week I have been researching and reading on what foods we can consume to prevent macular degeneration when young and to promote good eye health as we age. If you thought that eating carrots all day long would help, then you are not aware of all the other foods that can help us maintain the healthiest eyes possible. The most important foods for preventing macular degeneration are ones that are rich in the antioxidants beta carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, omega 3 fatty acids, lutein and zeaxanthin, plus zinc and Vitamin D.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are antioxidants which have shown promise in promoting eye health. Due to the needs for more research, there is no Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA) for lutein. But, current scientific research suggests that you can get adequate eye protecting health benefits from lutein by consuming 6,000-10,000 mcg per day. Here are the top lutein rich foods you would consume:
Kale-Kale contains 23,720 mcg of lutein and zeaxanthin per cup.
Spinach-Spinach contains 20,350 mcg per cup.
Swiss Chard -Swiss chard contains19,276 mcg per cup.
Collard Greens-Collard greens contain 14,619 mcg per cup.
Turnip Greens -Turnip greens contain 12,154 mcg per cup.
Squash-Winter Squash contains 2,756 mcg per cup.
Romaine lettuce-Romaine lettuce contains 2,589 mcg per 2 cup serving.
Broccoli-Broccoli contains 1,685 mcg per cup.
Carrots -Carrots contain 1,072 mcg per cup.
Artichoke -Artichokes contain about 780 mcg per cup.
Tomatoes-Tomatoes contain 221 mcg per cup.
Eggs-Eggs contain 191 mcg per large egg.
Kiwifruit is a very good source of lutein and vitamin C too.
Here are a few other excellent food choices you can select from to help protect your eyes.
Wild trout/Tuna/Salmon. These fatty fish are king when it comes to omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s were found to be essential to retina health according to a recent study. Participants consuming food sources high in omega-3 fatty acids experienced a 37% reduction in age-related macular degeneration, an eye condition that can deteriorate the part of the eye called the macula over time and cause blindness. In fact, macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in individuals over the age of 60.
Low-fat milk. High in vitamin D, this popular American drink may also help to prevent the onset of macular degeneration. In a 2011 study, the Archives of Ophthalmology found that individuals with the highest amount of vitamin D (determined by a blood test) had a 40% lower risk of developing macular degeneration.
Broccoli. While you may think that oranges are the only way to get lots of C, there are some other options that are just as, if not more, healthy! Broccoli is one of them. Researchers in a recent study found that vitamin C was essential for nerve cells to function in the eye. Vitamin C was also found to be protective of the retina of the eye as well. In addition to its high content of vitamin C, broccoli (as well as many other fruits and vegetables) has been associated with decreased inflammation in the body through its abundance of antioxidant compounds. This, in turn, can affect overall eye health.
Collard greens. What’s so great about these greens? They contain carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin – two compounds with big eye benefits when it comes to protection. A 2009 study found that lutein and zeaxanthin helped to protect against UVA light hitting the eye. Think of lutein and zeaxanthin as an army standing between you and harmful rays next time you’re out in the sun. But don’t forget to wear sunglasses with UV protection to protect your eyes from the sun’s damaging rays.
Oysters. This slippery creature from the sea is a great source of zinc, a mineral found in studies to help individuals with late-stage macular degeneration.
I always agree with the experts, that getting nutrients through food is almost always prefereable to getting them in a supplement form.
Bon Appetit!
Distinctive Care Geriatric Care Management serves Bergen, Passaic, Rockland and Orange County with nurses licensed in New Jersey and New York. We help families dealing with various issues related to their elderly loved ones and would be happy to discuss any concerns you may have related to long term care.
Please contact us in our Ramsey Office to schedule a consultation. 201-587-5283.
A Week a Life of a Geriatric Care Manager in Bergen County, NJ
February 5, 2013 at 10:30 am | Posted in Christine Clark, GCM | Leave a commentTags: GCM, Weekly
Last week I wrote about Ms. S whom I have had the privilege of caring for on a weekly basis for the last 3 years. As her Geriatric Care Manager and registered nurse, I have been involved in all aspects of her care including the most recent transition to Hospice. I received a call early in the morning from the nurse at the long term care facility where she has resided for the past year. She wanted me to know that Ms. S was surrounded by her 3 children and passed away comfortably and peacefully. The head nurse knew how much I cared for Ms. S and her family and that I would appreciate being informed of her passing. After giving the family several hours to absorb the news of their mother’s death, I reached out to her daughter to relay my heartfelt condolences and my sincere appreciation that I was given their trust and confidence. I spoke about how wonderful it was to work with a family that cared so deeply for their mother.
I attended the Memorial Service to show my support and honor the beautiful life Mrs. S lived. I received many hugs and words of appreciation for my help over these last 3 years. It was wonderful to hear Ms. S’s children explain to their friends and extended family what my role consisted of as their mom’s Geriatric care Manager. I especially loved hearing that having me in their life was like having a nurse in the family.
Distinctive Care Geriatric Care Management serves Bergen, Passaic, Rockland and Orange County with nurses licensed in New Jersey and New York. We help families dealing with various issues related to their elderly loved ones and would be happy to discuss any concerns you may have related to long term care. Please contact us in our Ramsey or Ridgewood Office at 201-587-5283 to schedule a consultation
Fall Prevention
January 30, 2013 at 10:30 am | Posted in Kimberly Joyce | Leave a commentTags: Aging, Falls, GCM, Health, Life, Prevention, Tips
Falling can happen to any of us at any time, but the likelihood increases with age. For elderly individuals, a fall can lead to devastating results. Falls are not a normal part of the aging process although falls are most likely to happen to the elderly population. 1 of 3 experience a fall each year. Those who survive the experience often require hospital treatment for moderate or severe injuries such as hip fractures, head traumas and lacerations.
While some risk factors are more common as we get older, we can reduce the likelihood of falling by taking preventive measures.
The top risk factors:
- Being female (though men are more likely to die from a fall)
- Having fallen in the past year — especially if medical attention was required
- Having problems with gait and balance when you walk (may require professional evaluation)
- Vision problems, like cataracts.
- Taking multiple medications that interact or make you unsteady.
- Living in a home with trip hazards, which almost all of us do because we’re not trying very hard to avoid these problems.
The consequences are often just as life shattering, expensive and avoidable. Prevention isn’t difficult, but it takes some effort.
There are four critical elements:
- Regular exercise for balance, strength and flexibility. Strong muscles help you keep your balance as you move, and a strong trunk keeps you upright and more likely to correct your balance if you trip. No one is too old or frail to exercise. Being a couch potato is a major reason so many older people fall and hurt themselves.
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your medications (over-the-counter and prescription) to reduce their side effects and interactions. Of particular concern are psychotropics, diuretics, anti-arrhythmics and digoxin.
- Have your eyes checked by an eye doctor once a year.
- Reduce the hazards in your home. Improve the lighting, get the clutter off the floor, add handrails in the bathroom (the most dangerous room in the home), get rid of slippery rugs.
Today, there are proven interventions that can reduce falls and help older adults live better, and longer.
Distinctive Care Geriatric Care Management serves Bergen, Passaic, Rockland and Orange County with nurses licensed in New Jersey and New York. We help families dealing with various issues related to their elderly loved ones and would be happy to discuss any concerns you may have related to long term care. Please contact us in our Ramsey or Ridgewood Office at 201-587-5283 to schedule a consultation.
Amy Shein, GCM
Christine Clark, GCM
Deborah Varisco, GCM
Joanne Jordan, Office Manager
Kim Joyce, GCM
Marianne@distinctivecare.net
Mark J Heftler, Esq.
Pat Linard
Sophia Heftler
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