2012 February « The Professional Geriatric Care Manager’s Blog

A Week in the Life of a Geriatric Care Manger in Bergen County, NJ

February 28, 2012 at 10:30 am | Posted in Christine Clark, GCM | Leave a comment
Tags: GCM, Weekly

Finding a personal trainer that not only specializes in geriatrics, but makes house calls and has experience in dementia would seem like a tall order but at Distinctive Care, we strive to meet all the needs of our clients.

Ms. A is thrilled with her new personal trainer and her workout regimen designed to help minimize falls. At any age, muscle strength can be improved to help ward off frailty which can lead to falls.

Building muscle has many benefits. It boosts your metabolism, burns fat and most importantly for Ms. A, it can actually help to reduce arthritis pain when strong muscles help support and protect your joints. And because building muscle promotes weight loss, there will be a reduction of pressure on the joints themselves.

Weight bearing exercise can also keep your mind sharp as blood flow improves to the brain.

Building muscle doesn’t require a gym membership but proper guidance by a personal trainer can be an invaluable way to get started.

Ms. A and her caregivers are being educated weekly by her personal trainer. Not only are her muscles getting stronger but her sense of pride and accomplishment are immeasurable.

Please contact us in our Ramsey or Ridgewood Office to schedule a consultation. 201-587-5283.

145 N. Franklin Turnpike, Suite 311, Ramsey, NJ 07446

45 N. Broad St., Suite 503, Ridgewood, NJ 07450

Aphasia

February 24, 2012 at 10:30 am | Posted in Deborah Varisco, GCM | Leave a comment
Tags: Health, Help, Personal, Therapy, Tips

Aphasia is a disorder that results from damage to the area of the brain which is responsible for language. It can occur suddenly due to stroke or head injury or develop slowly as a result of a brain tumor, an infection, or dementia. Aphasia also will impair the expression and understanding of language as well as reading and writing. The middle-aged or elderly account for the most cases of aphasia. Men and women are equally affected. Once the underlining cause has been treated, the primary treatment for aphasia is speech therapy. Speech therapy focuses on relearning and practicing language skills and using alternative or supplementary communication methods.

A person with aphasia may speak in short or incomplete sentences, speak in sentences that do not make sense, not comprehend other people’s conversations or write sentences that do not make sense. Aphasia is often a sign of a serious problem, such as a stroke. An individual should seek emergency medical treatment if they have difficulty speaking, trouble with comprehending speech, difficulty with word recall or problems with reading or writing.

The best way for family and friends to communicate with an individual experiencing aphasia is to:

Simplify language by using short, uncomplicated sentences.
Maintain a natural conversational manner appropriate for an adult.
Minimize distractions, such as a loud radio or television.
Include the individual in conversation.
Avoid correcting the individual’s speech.
Allow the individual plenty of time to talk.

Organizations such as The National Aphasia Association, The American Stroke Association, and certain medical centers offer support groups for those with aphasia. These groups provide those with aphasia and others affected by the disorder a sense of community and a place to learn coping strategies. Your doctor, speech pathologist or other health care providers can help you locate and get involved in one of these local support groups.

Please contact us in our Ramsey or Ridgewood Office to schedule a consultation. 201-587-5283.

145 N. Franklin Turnpike, Suite 311, Ramsey, NJ 07446

45 N. Broad St., Suite 503, Ridgewood, NJ 07450

A Week in the Life of a Geriatric Care Manager in Bergen County, New Jersey

February 21, 2012 at 10:30 am | Posted in Christine Clark, GCM | Leave a comment
Tags: GCM, Weekly

I recently read a great article about ways to easily improve your mood. Whether you’re a gloomy teenager, a middle-aged mommy, or an octogenarian, the winter months can certainly dampen your spirits.

As a geriatric care manager it is important for me to consistently monitor my clients’ moods. This week, while visiting Mr. T on a dark gloomy rainy day we started to talk about simple ways to boost our moods.

I shared with him a few tips that I recently read for mood improvement:

Flipping through old photos of your family or pictures from your favorite vacation.
Volunteering boosts happiness because it increases empathy and makes you appreciate all the good in your own life.
A gratitude journal can help you reflect on a daily basis how well things went for you that day.
Listening to music or losing yourself in a novel.
Exercising outdoors whenever possible.
Religious services or meditation.
Singing in the shower.

We also agreed we could add pet therapy, the companionship of friends and family and a good night’s sleep to our list!

Please contact us in our Ramsey or Ridgewood Office to schedule a consultation. 201-587-5283.

145 N. Franklin Turnpike, Suite 311, Ramsey, NJ 07446

45 N. Broad St., Suite 503, Ridgewood, NJ 07450

The Myth of Multitasking

February 17, 2012 at 10:30 am | Posted in Deborah Varisco, GCM | Leave a comment
Tags: Memory, Personal, Study, Tips

We live in a very hectic environment where everyone wants tasks accomplished quickly. Our lives are busy and we often find ourselves trying to cope by doing several things at the same time. We talk on the phone while driving, we watch the evening news while cooking, or we text or email while walking. These are examples of multitasking, trying to do more than one thing at the same time. We are all guilty of trying to accomplish multiple tasks simultaneously and thinking that we are doing a good job at it. Research states otherwise. When you multitask your brain is shifting attention from one task to another which makes it difficult to focus on either task. We simply cannot focus on more than one thing at a time. One of the reasons for this is that similar tasks compete to use the same part of the brain. Studies have shown that we actually lose time when we try to multitask. Researchers state we go through two stages, goal shifting and rule activation, when we multitask and this uses significant time, particularly if we switch back and forth between tasks many times. You may think you are saving time and being more efficient, but you are actually taking more time in the end to complete a task. There is actually a lag of several tenths of a second each time your brain handles a switch. We overestimate our ability to handle multiple tasks.

New research also shows that multitasking may take a toll on our memory. Individuals who learned something new while multitasking were less likely to recall what they learned later on. This is particularly true of older adults. Studies are showing that multitasking takes a significantly greater toll on the memories of older adults, and they have more difficulty remembering tasks after experiencing a brief interruption.

One of the best things you can do to improve your memory is to pay attention to the things you want to remember. Multitasking causes you to pay less attention to what you are doing or learning, and you do not learn as well as if you had paid attention. While this probably won’t stop any of us from multitasking, remember that if you are trying to learn something new that you definitely want to remember, don’t multitask!

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 to schedule a consultation. 201-587-5283. 145 N. Franklin Turnpike, Suite 311, Ramsey, NJ 07446 45 N. Broad St., Suite 503, Ridgewood, NJ 07450

National Nutrition Month

February 16, 2012 at 10:30 am | Posted in Amy Shein, GCM | Leave a comment
Tags: Diet, Health, Personal

This March will mark the 32nd annual campaign for National Nutrition Month®.

National Nutrition Month® was first started by the American Dietetic Association (ADA) in 1973 as only a weeklong event. In 1980, it expanded to include the entire month of March. Each year the theme is different for National Nutrition Month®.

When I worked in the dietary department of a local hospital, I remember National Nutrition Month(R) very well. I use to love promoting this wonderful month-long event. The ADA provided us with so many useful and educational materials to hand out to the hospital staff and patients. The themes are always based on up to date information on food and exercise. This month is dedicated to Americans becoming well educated and more aware of healthy food choices, dietary guidelines and prevention of many disease that are attributed towards poor eating habits.

This year’s theme for March 2012 is “Get Your Plate in Shape.” Hospitals, schools and large corporations all get involved and try to promote National Nutrition Month® to the general public. The more people who can be reached, the better educated we all can be about what is placed into our bodies and promote better and longer lives be reached.

Most fast food restaurants over the last few years have openly posted the caloric intake of their foods to their consumers. This has helped the public make better informed choices to lowering their fat and cholesterol in their diets. Recently, I have read that they will also be offering smaller portion sizes at many of our nation’s fast food restaurants. No more “Biggie Sizes” for you!

I also want to mention that they also notice the Registered Dietitian on their own day during National Nutrition Month®. March 14th is Registered Dietitian Day. The purpose of this day is to bring the awareness and importance of the Registered Dietitian. They are advocates and experts on the proper way to eat and gain adequate nutrition in ones diet.

So, please make this March, 2012 a happy and healthy month.

A Week in the Life of a Geriatric Care Manager in Bergen County, NJ

February 14, 2012 at 10:30 am | Posted in Christine Clark, GCM | Leave a comment
Tags: GCM, Weekly

Success! Last week I wrote about Ms. A. She is 95 years of age with mild dementia and a recent diagnosis of depression. Her family was reluctant to agree with Ms. A’s geriatrician on starting an antidepressant. They were concerned that she was already on too much medication to treat her hypertension.

I am so happy to report that all who surround Ms. A, including her certified home health aides, her children, her geriatrician and I, all agree that after several weeks on the antidepressant, Ms. A is smiling more and showing less agitated and frustrated behavior. Where she would snap at the aides when they tried to assist her, she is now calmer and more appreciative of the help they provide. She engages in conversation more with family and started to laugh and smile again.

Because fatigue can be a common side effect of many medications, Ms. A’s geriatrician decided to see how well she could sleep at night without the prescription sleep medication she has been on for several years. She was hopeful that it was no longer necessary.

Ms. A’s doctor was right! She has been sleeping well at night and waking up in the morning rested and ready to take on the day!

Please contact us in our Ramsey or Ridgewood Office to schedule a consultation. 201-587-5283.

145 N. Franklin Turnpike, Suite 311, Ramsey, NJ 07446

45 N. Broad St., Suite 503, Ridgewood, NJ 07450

Statins for Women

February 10, 2012 at 10:30 am | Posted in Deborah Varisco, GCM | Leave a comment
Tags: Alzheimer's Disease, Gender, Health, Life, Personal, Prevention, Safety, Support

Friday, February 3, 2012 was National Wear Red Day to raise awareness for Women’s Heart Health. Although heart disease is often thought of as a problem for men, more women die of heart disease each year. The rise of heart disease in women increases with age. Heart disease is a leading cause of death in women over 40 years old. This is a result of changes in the walls of blood vessels, making it more likely for plaque and blood clots to form; changes in the level of fats in the blood, where the LDL or bad cholesterol increases and the HDL or good cholesterol decreases; and increases in fibrinogen levels, a substance in the blood that helps blood clot.

Women and their health care providers need to take the risk of heart disease in women seriously and take measures to reduce that risk. In the past the benefit of statins for women to reduce cardiovascular events has been questioned. Recent studies have proved otherwise. Statin therapy has been shown to cut cardiovascular events in both men and women, and statins should be prescribed in appropriate individuals regardless of gender. Individuals at risk taking statin drugs are less likely to have a heart attack or stroke, be hospitalized for chest pain, or require a cardiac procedure to restore blood flow to the heart. Women can reduce their risk for heart disease by quitting smoking; losing weight; exercising; following a diet low in saturated fats, high in fiber, whole grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables and fish; and treating and controlling medical conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Cholesterol lowering statin medications also continue to be studied for their potential preventive or therapeutic effect on Alzheimer’s disease. Lowering cholesterol levels may reduce production of beta-amyloid or improve blood vessel functioning in the brain. Statins also have an anti-inflammatory effect, which may target the brain inflammation associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Several studies have suggested people who take a statin to lower LDL levels have a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

If you are a women with at least one risk factor for heart disease such as age, hypertension, high cholesterol levels or especially a family history, it is important to talk to your doctor about your heart disease risk and start statin therapy to help reduce your risk!

Please contact us in our Ramsey or Ridgewood Office to schedule a consultation. 201-587-5283.

145 N. Franklin Turnpike, Suite 311, Ramsey, NJ 07446

45 N. Broad St., Suite 503, Ridgewood, NJ 07450

A Week in the Life of a Geriatric Care Manager

February 7, 2012 at 10:30 am | Posted in Christine Clark, GCM | Leave a comment
Tags: GCM, Weekly

I have had the privilege of working with Ms. A for over two years now. At 95 years of age, in good overall health but with mild dementia, I recently started to see her withdraw from her family and her caregivers. I know that dementia is a progressive disease without a cure, but I started to see signs of depression which can sometimes be mistaken for dementia. Although her family agreed with me, they were reluctant to start any medication to treat the questionable depression. They wondered if she was already on too much medicine for her hypertension.

After observing Ms. A and speaking with her candidly about how she was feeling, we decided to call her geriatrician to discuss her feelings of continued sadness.

The geriatrician explained to Ms. A that she agreed she may be suffering from depression. After a complete examination, which included blood work, the results excluded any medical conditions that may have caused the change in mood. The discussion was then opened up with Ms. A and her family on the benefits of starting on an antidepressant medication.

Possible side effects were discussed, as well as the importance of understanding that it could take a few weeks to see positive results from the antidepressant.

The new medication was started three weeks ago. So far the only complaint that Ms. A had was a feeling of tiredness the first two weeks. She is now back to her baseline energy level.

We are all hopeful that the antidepressant will improve her mood and help her enjoy her life once again.

145 N. Franklin Turnpike, Suite 311, Ramsey, NJ 07446

45 N. Broad St., Suite 503, Ridgewood, NJ 07450

The Hidden Disability

February 3, 2012 at 10:30 am | Posted in Deborah Varisco, GCM | Leave a comment
Tags: Aging, Education, Eldercare, Health, Life, Tips

Hearing loss is a sudden or gradual decrease in how well you can hear. If you have hearing loss you may not be aware of it. It has been called the hidden disability. An individual with hearing loss will ask others to speak up, repeat what they say, or speak more slowly. Family and friends may notice you have trouble understanding them. It can gradually worsen over time and is easily ignored. As one’s hearing worsens, though, an individual may become increasingly frustrated and socially isolated.

Social isolation has been linked to depression and an increased risk of heart disease. Studies have also shown another major risk associated with hearing problems is dementia. New research suggests that the strain of decoding sounds over the years may overwork the brain of individuals with hearing loss, leaving them more susceptible to dementia. Hearing loss could also lead to dementia by making individuals more socially isolated, a known risk factor for dementia and other cognitive disorders. Individuals who have a hard time hearing can’t follow conversations or respond to questions. They become frustrated and embarrassed, and begin to avoid socializing.

Common causes of hearing loss include noise, age related changes in the inner ear, injury to the ear, an ear infection or an object in the ear. Some common symptoms of hearing loss include muffled hearing, trouble understanding what people say, especially when there is background noise and listening to a television or radio at a higher volume. Noise induced or age related hearing loss can be treated with hearing aids. An audiologist will do tests to find out what kind of hearing loss you have, how severe it is and which part of the ear is affected. To prevent hearing loss, turn down the volume on anything you listen to through headphones, wear hearing protection when working around loud noises, avoid loud noise, avoid putting foreign objects in your ear and treat ear infections as soon as possible.

Individuals do not give hearing loss the same kind of attention they give hypertension or heart disease. Most accept hearing loss as an inevitable part of aging. It is time to take a more serious look at hearing loss. Urge individuals to get their hearing checked and if needed fitted with hearing aids to hear clearly again.

145 N. Franklin Turnpike, Suite 311, Ramsey, NJ 07446

45 N. Broad St., Suite 503, Ridgewood, NJ 07450

New Healthy Information Found Within Apples

February 2, 2012 at 10:30 am | Posted in Amy Shein, GCM | Leave a comment
Tags: Health, Life, Research, Safety, Tips

My husband is in the food industry and gets many interesting articles sent to him via email. He also knows that, as a Geriatric Care Manager and a Registered Nurse, I am always looking for interesting topics to blog about; he’s well-informed that I usually blog about good, healthy and helpful food facts for elder adults. So, for this week he sent me a worthy article on the positive compound found within apples.

I once wrote a blog about white fruit, like apples, and the wonderful benefits that they attribute to helping with retaining memory. Now I have just learned and would like to share information that apples could reduce the risk of E.coli 0157:H7 infection and intestinal inflammation. In a study conducted by Dr. Jintae Lee of Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Korea and just recently published in The Journal of Infection and Immunology (Dec.2011), he and many researchers were able to show that the anti-oxidant compound from apples had anti-inflammatory properties and a reduced biofilm formation on the top of many cells in the colon that make the dangerous strain of E coli 0157:H7 unreceptive to antibiotics.

The compound is called Phloretin; it suppresses the effects of the bacteria Escherechia Coli(E.coli) 0157:H7 that comes from contaminated food. E coli 0157:H7 can cause hemorrhage in the intestines or the bacteria is so harmful it could even lead to kidney failure if medical treatment is not seeked early enough. There is no treatment for this food-borne bacteria which is resistant to antibiotic therapy. Elderly people and infants are especially susceptible for becoming critically ill from E coli. Jintae Lee also said the study results confirmed that Phloretin in apples has anti-imflammatory properties that the researchers found in the lab and in live colitis models. They stated that Phloretin was even stronger than a drug that is would be used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. I also researched that tomatoes are also linked to having this flavonoid Phloretin, but does not do the same job as the apple.

I now make sure I eat an apple a day to help keep the E.coli away!

145 N. Franklin Turnpike, Suite 311, Ramsey, NJ 07446

45 N. Broad St., Suite 503, Ridgewood, NJ 07450