A Week in the Life of A Geriatric Care Manager

December 27, 2011 at 10:30 am | Posted in Christine Clark, GCM | Leave a comment
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When one of my client’s sons asked me to accompany his father to his post op visit I thought it was a great idea, even though my 93 year old client didn’t feel it was necessary!

After any surgical procedure, there can be medication changes, wound care instructions even dietary changes and follow up testing may need to be scheduled.

With his complex medical history, medication regimen and hearing loss, my client was relieved that I was with him while the doctor went over a multitude of changes in his medications, as well instructions to care for his incisions. I asked pertinent questions and relayed the information to my client in the doctor’s presence to alleviate any confusion. I took good notes and simplified the instructions.  Using his calendar, we both developed an easy to understand timeline to stay organized day by day.

As the saying goes, “just take it one day at a time”… I know those very words have helped me when life seems overwhelming and disorganized.

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 201-587-5283 to schedule a consultation.

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

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

 

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

December 26, 2011 at 10:30 am | Posted in Pat Linard, PR | Leave a comment
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If you, like me, suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, otherwise known as SAD, there is good news. The shortest day of the year is behind us. It occurred on December 21 this year, 2011, as it ushered in the winter season. For those who do suffer from SAD, there is help as outlined in our blog (A Week in the Life of a Geriatric Care Manager) from Christine Clark.

I took a walk this morning and felt my lethargy lifting as I walked out the door into the morning light. The other good news is that the exercise is good for me, too. So far we have been lucky in the New Jersey/New York area in that our only snow came and went on October 29. Like so many of our elderly clients who are living at home or in assisted living facilities and nursing homes, I’m hoping for a mild winter.

I know that I also have to be cognizant of those things that help me beat the “winter blues” when the weather throws me curve balls. The same advice that is helpful for our older adults is also helpful for the younger people, too! The information in Christine’s blog is so helpful, I felt that I had to highlight it again.

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 Offices at 201-587-5283 to schedule a consultation.

Boost Your Health with a Dose of Gratitude

December 23, 2011 at 10:30 am | Posted in Deborah Varisco, GCM | Leave a comment
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The holiday season is upon us. It typically starts with Thanksgiving and lasts through to New Year’s Day. Giving thanks or possessing the “attitude of gratitude” is linked to and celebrated during the holiday season. Studies have shown that a positive emotion such as gratitude can guarantee better health. Gratitude has been linked to better health, sounder sleep, less anxiety and depression, increased satisfaction with life, and kinder behavior towards others. Individuals who perceive gratitude as a permanent trait have been shown to take better care of themselves and engage in more protective health behaviors like regular exercise, a healthy diet, and regular physical examinations.

Stress can make us sick, particularly when we can not deal with it. Stress is linked to several diseases, such as heart disease and cancer. Gratitude can help us better manage stress. Research suggests that feelings of thankfulness have tremendous positive value in helping people cope with daily problems and stress. Grateful people are more optimistic, a trait which may boost the immune system. Optimism has also been shown to have a positive health impact on people with compromised health. Studies of patients preparing to undergo surgery had better health outcomes when they had attitudes of optimism.

Some people always manage to feel grateful, even when challenged by life circumstances. Others are not the grateful sort and sink into despair. If you are not the grateful kind, here are some ways to get into the grateful spirit.

  • Maintain a grateful journal. Write down things which you feel grateful for once a week. They may include a friend’s generosity, something new they have learned, or a beautiful sunny day. Research discovered that people who kept grateful journals were more optimistic and felt happier. They experienced fewer physical symptoms and felt better about their lives as a whole. They slept better and were more optimistic about the future. Counting blessings worked better than counting sheep.
  • Create a list of benefits in your life. Many of us take many things for granted. Making a visual list of some of the benefits we have, such as the freedoms we enjoy, will be a reminder.
  • Try a gratitude visit. Begin with writing a letter to someone who changed your life for the better. Deliver the letter in person and read it to that person.
  • Share the feeling. Do one small thoughtful or generous thing for a friend or a member of your family. As a result, that person will not only realize how much you matter to them, but are more likely to help someone else.

Trying these simple gratitude-enhancing strategies can improve your health and well-being. Gratitude is the best approach to 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 Ridgewood Office at 201-587-5283 to schedule a consultation.

The Benefits of Unsaturated Fats

December 22, 2011 at 10:30 am | Posted in Amy Shein, GCM | Leave a comment
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Tonight is the second night of Hanukah. I was not sure what I was going to write about during this week’s blog. Since I usually blog about nutritional support in regards to health care, I decided to write about the using and eating of healthy oils.

During Hanukah you are suppose to eat foods made with oil, to symbolize the oil that was used to supply light in the time when the Jew’s had to leave Egypt. That oil was only supposed to last for one night. Amazingly, the oil lasted for eight nights. During this time, we are to eat lots of potato latke’s fried in oil.

My mother and mother in law only use peanut oil to fry their latkes. Peanut, Canola, Olive, Almond and Avocado oils are all Monounsaturated fats. Flaxseed, Walnut, Grapeseed, Flaxseed, Fish, Sunflower and Safflower Oil are all polyunsaturated fats. Monounsaturated fats are usually liquid at room temperature, but can turn into solids when in the refrigerator. Monounsaturated fats are commonly thought of as “healthy fats.” There is evidence that they may lower our risk of heart disease and stroke.

There are two main types of polyunsaturated fats; omega-3 fats and omega-6 fats. These are essential fatty acids, which means that our body cannot manufacture them and that we must supply our body with these fatty acids through our diet or supplements. Lately a big trend in recent years has been the addition of taking increased quantities of omega-3 fish oil to help with lowering total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Doctors have also felt that people who tend to consume more of the unsaturated fats and oils do tend to lower their cholesterol levels because they are using less saturated fats that where the main cause for their elevated cholesterol levels in the first place.

To be aware of what you are eating, you need to be good at reading food labels. Everything we purchase in the store is required to have a full nutritional label to inform us of what we are consuming. This is regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). So, the next time you go to purchase butter to cook or fry with, look instead at the many healthy oils that we have to choose from in our grocery stores. This change will only help you in the many years to come.

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 Ridgewood Office at 201-587-5283 to schedule a consultation

A Week in the Life of a Geriatric Care Manager

December 20, 2011 at 10:30 am | Posted in Christine Clark, GCM | Leave a comment
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With winter approaching, I wanted to make some recommendations for Ms. A. We have come to know that her mood drastically improves when she is able to go outside. Even if it’s only standing on her terrace for a few minutes looking at the sky and taking some deep breaths, Ms. A always feels that her spirits are lifted when she gets fresh air.

When she mentioned dreading the winter weather, I started to read up on seasonal affective disorder, also known as SAD. It is described as episodes of depression that usually occur at certain times of the year. It primarily affects women and mostly during the winter months. Symptoms are usually the same as depression. There is no real test for SAD. It’s important to see your physician for a physical exam and blood tests to rule out other disorders that are similar to SAD. Just as with other types of depression, antidepressant medication and talk therapy can be very effective. Other ways to treat SAD are to make sure that taking walks and exercise are being done during daylight hours. Keep active socially even if it takes a lot of effort.

Light therapy can also be used. This is a very bright florescent light that mimics the sun. Your doctor would need to give you instructions on how to use a light box for light therapy. Typically you sit in front of the light box for 30 min. each morning to mimic the sunrise .

People who’ve had repeated seasonal affective disorder should talk to their mental health care provider about prevention measures. Starting treatment in the fall or early winter before the symptoms begin may be helpful.

I had a good conversation today with Ms. A. and her caregivers.  We are all on board with the commitment to spend time outdoors each day as long as the weather permits.  They will encourage her to exercise daily as well as socialize even if socializing means just a simple phone call to a friend.

“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 Ridgewood Office at 201-587-5283 to schedule a consultation.”

Maximizing Your Memory – From Community Presentation to CEU

December 19, 2011 at 10:30 am | Posted in Pat Linard, PR | Leave a comment
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Sophia Heftler, RN, MSN, CALA, CMC, CDP® has given our free community presentation, Maximizing Your Memory, numerous times in the past year. Why is that? What I have been told is that it is an upbeat topic that is pro-active and offers ways to improve quality of life. The program covers what memory is and how memory works, as well as what is normal memory loss and what is not. It offers tips on avoiding memory loss. It touches on when memory loss should be investigated further, and covers current medications used for memory loss, Alzheimer’s and the various other forms of dementia.

When I present the list of topics for someone to choose, the topic of Maximizing Your Memory has been chosen most often. And each time it is presented, it gets improved upon. So much so, that there is now enough information gathered on memory that is has been submitted for approval as a 2.0 credit continuing education unit (CEU) course for nurses and soon will be submitted for social worker approval.

When approved, we hope to offer this course to nurses and social workers who are working in hospitals, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and wherever nurses and social workers may work with older adults in Bergen and Passaic Counties in New Jersey and Rockland County in New York. At Distinctive Care Geriatric Care Management, we think it is an important topic and the information should be available to everyone, both seniors and those working with them.

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.

Slowing Cognitive Decline with B12

December 16, 2011 at 10:30 am | Posted in Deborah Varisco, GCM | Leave a comment
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As we age, our ability to absorb B12 from the foods we eat declines. We also tend to consume less foods rich in B12 as we get older. As a result, an individual can develop a B12 deficiency without warning. A B12 deficiency can lead to an individual having increased symptoms of confusion and possibly being misdiagnosed. These symptoms may even be thought to just be a part of aging.

B12 is an essential vitamin. Having a vitamin B12 deficiency means your body does not have enough of this vitamin. You need B12 for the development and maintenance of a healthy nervous system, the production of DNA, and the formation of red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body and not having enough B12 can lead to anemia, where you feel weak and tired. Other symptoms of a B12 deficiency include muscle weakness, fatigue, shakiness, unsteady gait, incontinence, low blood pressure, depression, and cognitive problems like poor memory. An individual with a B12 deficiency may also have pale skin, bleeding gums, weight loss and numbness and tingling of fingers and toes.

The recommended daily amount of vitamin B12 depends on your age. The recommended daily amount of vitamin B12 for individuals 14 years and older is 2.4 mcq daily. This level is obtained by eating a well-balanced diet with foods containing vitamin B12. B12 is found in foods from animal protein, such as meat, seafood, milk products, poultry and eggs. Other foods, like cereals, are fortified with B12.

Plant sources of food are low in B12 and the vitamin is poorly absorbed from them. Vegetarians should consume supplements to get adequate amounts of vitamin B12.

Normally, B12 is absorbed by your digestive system. A deficiency will occur when the digestive system is unable to absorb the vitamin. This can occur with chronic users of acid suppressing drugs, like Prilosec and Nexium; individuals who have had stomach surgery for weight loss; heavy drinkers of alcohol; individuals with digestive diseases, like Crohn’s disease; and older adults, since stomach acid levels decline with age. Older adults may lack sufficient stomach acid to absorb adequate amounts of B12 from natural food sources. In this situation, regular consumption of fortified foods or a B12 supplement is recommended.

A simple blood test can check if your body has enough vitamin B12. If your B12 level is low, you will probably be prescribed a B12 supplement, given by either pills or shots. You can also improve your health and B12 levels by eating a varied diet that includes meat, milk, cheese and eggs, which are all good sources of vitamin B12. Eating plenty of foods that contain folic acid, another type of vitamin B, is also helpful. They include leafy, green vegetables, citrus fruits, and fortified breads and cereals.

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 Ridgewood Office at 201-587-5283 to schedule a consultation.

Seasonal Affective Disorder

December 9, 2011 at 10:30 am | Posted in Deborah Varisco, GCM | Leave a comment
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Some people experience a serious mood disorder when the seasons change. They may sleep too much, have little energy and crave sweet and starchy foods. They may also feel depressed. Though symptoms can be severe, they usually resolve. This condition is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder. It occurs most often in the winter. It is believed that a lack of sunshine during the winter, when the days are shorter, may be the cause.

Light therapy, where individuals expose themselves to a special type of light for thirty minutes everyday, sometimes helps. Light therapy uses a special lamp with a bright fluorescent light that mimics light from the sun. Light therapy works well for most people with Seasonal Affective Disorder and it is easy to use. You will start to feel better within a week after you start therapy. You need to stick with it though, and use it every day until the season changes or your depression could come back.

Other treatments include medicines, such as antidepressants; counseling; changes in diet; taking long walks during the daylight hours and getting exercise; keeping active socially; or going to a sunny climate during the cold months. The disorder may begin during the teen years or in early adulthood. It occurs more often in women than men. Symptoms include increased weight gain; increased sleep and daytime sleepiness; less energy and the ability to concentrate; loss of interest in work or other activities; slow, sluggish lethargic movements; social withdrawal; and unhappiness and irritability.

There is no test for Seasonal Affective Disorder. It is often hard to tell the difference between Seasonal Affective Disorder and unseasonal depression, because many of the symptoms are the same. To diagnose Seasonal Affective Disorder the doctor will ask if you have been depressed during the same season and have gotten better when the season changed for at least two years in a row. Sometimes family and friends are not sure how to help someone who is experiencing symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Some suggestions to help are to spend time with the individual even if they are withdrawn or quiet, remind them they will feel better with treatment and time, offer to help with daily tasks that are temporarily too difficult for them to do alone, take a walk or involve the individual in some type of exercise or activity, and help them to stick with the prescribed treatment plan.

If you have concerns about the individual, talk with a health professional. If you choose to try light therapy, first consult with a health care provider before starting treatment to rule out other medical conditions and to help with monitoring the therapy. Try to get out as much as possible during the brightest time of the day and if you can not get outside sit near a window during the day to try to get more natural light to help with seasonal mood changes.

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 Ridgewood Office at 201-587-5283 to schedule a consultation.

Fish is the New Brain Food!

December 8, 2011 at 10:30 am | Posted in Amy Shein, GCM | Leave a comment
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I just finished reading an interesting article that was sent to me a few days ago from Emaxhealth.  The title of the article was “Baked Fish, Not Fried May Reduce Alzheimer’s Risk.” We have known for many years that fish contains omega-3 fatty acid which has been very helpful for lowering cholesterol levels.  According to a new study presented by the Radiological Society of North America annual meeting, at least one serving of baked or broiled fish per week helps preserve gray matter of the brain, strengthening the area of the brain deemed critical to memory and cognition.  This is particularly important for people with dementia or leading to Alzheimer’s disease.

A study took place at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Mercy Hospital. They found study participants that ate baked and broiled fish (not fried) had larger brains.  They had larger brain cells in areas of the brain most responsible for memory and learning.  This area is known as the gray matter.  It was noted that these brain areas are at higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease.  After five years of following the effects seen with eating fish one to four times a week, the study showed mild cognitive impairment went down significantly in these participants.  It is easy as including broiled or baked fish at least once a week into your diet that may help reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

I had my weekly dose of fish tonight. Baked Salmon, delicious!

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 Ridgewood Office at 201-587-5283 to schedule a consultation.

A Week in the Life of a Geriatric Care Manager

December 6, 2011 at 10:30 am | Posted in Christine Clark, GCM | Leave a comment
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When Mr. T found out he needed to have a procedure at his local hospital, he immediately called me for assistance.  He was completely overwhelmed with the details. He didn’t know when or how he would get to and from the hospital. He didn’t understand his preoperative instructions; he was confused about how long it would take to heal and wondered why he wouldn’t be able to drive for a few weeks.

Because I am Mr. T’s Geriatric Care Manager, I was able to advocate on his behalf.  I spoke to his physician who would be performing the procedure, I learned all I could about pre and post op care. I arranged for the hospital’s transportation service to pick him up at his house and reassured him that I would be there to bring him home and review his discharge instructions.  Because Mr. T lives alone, his doctor and I spoke about the need for overnight supervision just to ensure Mr. T would have help should he need it.  With Mr. T on board, I contacted a Home Health Care Agency and set up a certified home health aide to stay with him from 8:00pm until 8:00am.

I am pleased to say that the procedure went well and Mr. T is getting stronger every day.

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 Ridgewood Office at 201-587-5283 to schedule a consultation.

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