Aging « The Professional Geriatric Care Manager’s Blog

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.

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

Shingles

January 27, 2012 at 10:30 am | Posted in Deborah Varisco, GCM | Leave a comment
Tags: Aging, Eldercare, Health, Life, Medication, Prevention, Tips

It can start out with burning or shooting pain, tingling, or itching on one side of the body or face. The pain can be mild or severe. Blisters then form and can last one to 14 days. It’s shingles, a disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Once one has had chickenpox, the virus stays in your body, and can cause shingles many years later. Other symptoms of shingles include fever, headache, chills and upset stomach. Sometimes a shingles infection can lead to pneumonia, hearing problems, blindness, brain inflammation or death. The pain of shingles may last for weeks, months or even years after the blisters have healed.

You cannot catch shingles from another person with shingles. A person who has never had chickenpox, though, can get chickenpox from someone with shingles. Shingles is far more common in people 50 years of age and older. It is also more common in people whose immune systems are weakened because of a disease such as cancer, or drugs, such as steroids, or chemotherapy. There is no cure for shingles. Early treatment with antiviral drugs, such as Zovirax or Valtrex, that fight the virus may help. Medication may also help prevent any lingering pain. Taking a cool bath or using cool, wet compresses on your blisters may relieve the itching and pain.

Two vaccines may help prevent shingles. The chicken pox vaccine has become a routine childhood immunization to prevent chickenpox. The vaccine is also recommended for adults who have never had chickenpox. In 2006, a vaccine was approved for the treatment of shingles. It is recommended for adults 60 years and older. It does not guarantee you will not get shingles, but will reduce the course and severity of the disease if you do. A person should not get the shingles vaccine who has had a life threatening allergic reaction to gelatin, the antibiotic neomycin or any component of the shingles vaccine, a weakened immune system, or is pregnant. Minor problems associated with the shingles vaccine have included redness, soreness, swelling and itching at the site of the injection and headache. At least one million people a year in the United States get shingles. The shingle vaccine is used only as a prevention strategy. It cannot be used to treat people who currently have the disease. Speak to your doctor or other healthcare provider to learn more and if the shingles vaccine is for you.

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

Oral Care for the Elderly

January 20, 2012 at 10:30 am | Posted in Deborah Varisco, GCM | Leave a comment
Tags: Aging, Eldercare, Health, Life, Safety, Tips

Dental disease can lead to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, oral cancer and respiratory problems. The elderly are more susceptible to oral disease, and this can lead to further medical complications and complaints. Oral disease is closely linked to overall health. Current research states providing the elderly with proper dental care can help avoid illness and discomfort.

As we age it is important to continue with daily mouth care and regular dental checkups. As with other activities of daily living, one should encourage the older adult to do as much of the brushing and flossing as possible. The elderly usually have less saliva, and certain medications decrease saliva output. This decrease in saliva output can change the taste of toothpaste and mouthwash. You may have to switch toothpaste to find one that is acceptable. The same is true for mouthwashes. Try switching brands or diluting the mouthwash if it causes irritation.

To maintain independence in the oral care regime, the toothbrush may have to be adapted. If an individual has difficulty holding a toothbrush, a sponge or rubber ball can be attached to the end of the toothbrush. Sometimes using an electric toothbrush is easier and speeds up the brushing process. If an individual has dentures, it is important to brush the gums and roof of the mouth prior to setting the dentures into place. The dentures should be cleaned once a day and if they break they need to be given to a dentist to repair. Elderly individuals need to watch for any signs of gum bleeding, severe weight loss, loose or chipped teeth, red and swollen gums, change in tooth fit or increased bad breath and loss of taste. These symptoms could all be signs of periodontitis, or gum disease.

Gum disease left untreated will result in tooth loss and other medical complaints. Risk factors which increase periodontitis include older age, poor nutrition, certain medications, tobacco, poor oral care habits and diabetes. Preventing gum disease involves daily brushing, flossing, and regular visits to the dentist for professional cleaning. If the individual has a problem with mobility and is unable to visit a dentist, many dentists now will make visits to the home or a facility, such as nursing homes. The aging process does not mean teeth should be neglected and regular dental care will ensure the elderly have a full set of healthy teeth.

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

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

Drug Reactions in the Elderly

January 6, 2012 at 10:30 am | Posted in Deborah Varisco, GCM | Leave a comment
Tags: Aging, Education, Health, Medication, Prevention, Safety, Tips

There are four medications used alone or together that are felt to be responsible for drug reactions resulting in the most emergency room visits in the elderly. They are Coumadin (Warfarin); aspirin, Plavix (Clopidogrel), or other antiplatelet drugs; Insulin; and oral diabetes drugs. All of these medications or medication groups are commonly prescribed to older adults. In addition, they are difficult to use correctly. Some of them require regular blood testing and dose changes, and the correct therapeutic index is a narrow one.

Every year in the United States, approximately 100,000 individuals 65 years and over are taken to the hospital for adverse reactions to medications. These visits may be a result of an accidental overdose or because the amount of medication prescribed for them was too much and resulted in an adverse reaction. Common factors among the drugs responsible for these visits are they are difficult to use, require blood testing to adjust their doses, and a small dose can have a powerful effect.

Coumadin or Warfarin, a blood thinner, tops the list. It is one of the drugs which requires regular blood monitoring and dose adjustment. Its therapeutic range is narrow and it can interact with many other drugs and foods. Insulin injections are next on the list. Blood sugars are difficult to control in people with diabetes. A diabetic who takes a slightly larger dose of insulin than needed can send themselves into shock. Antiplatelet drugs, such as aspirin and Plavix are next on the list, followed by oral hypoglycemic drugs used to control diabetes. These medications are critical for many older adults, yet none of these drugs are typically listed as “high risk.” The medications usually listed as high risk are the over the counter drug Benadryl and powerful narcotic painkillers such as Demerol. These drugs, though, account for fewer emergency room visits.

When individuals show up at the emergency room as a result of drug misuse or abuse, it provides an opportunity to reach out with counseling or exploring other options that could help prevent it from being repeated or further consequences. Often times this opportunity is missed. Data suggests focusing on safety initiatives on a few medicines that commonly cause serious harm can improve care for many older adults. Individuals need to work with their physicians and their nurses, pharmacies, or a geriatric care manager to make sure they are receiving appropriate testing and taking the correct dose of their medications.

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

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

How Much Is Too Much?

December 29, 2011 at 10:30 am | Posted in Amy Shein, GCM | Leave a comment
Tags: Aging, Diet, Health, Holidays, Life, Safety

New Year’s Eve is approaching us very soon. With that, I sometimes think of alcohol and why people consume too much of it on that particular day, or any day for that matter. I have attended educational programs and have learned that drug and alcohol abuse is becoming more common in the elderly population. The fact is, many family members, friends, and health care professionals often overlook their concerns about older adults’ drinking habits. Sometimes trouble with alcohol in older people is mistaken for other conditions that happen with age. Alcohol use deserves special attention, because the aging process affects how the body handles alcohol; the same amount of alcohol can have a greater affect as a person grows older. Over time, someone whose drinking habits have not changed may find that he or she has a problem.

Facts about Alcohol and Aging

It has been shown that as people age they become more sensitive to alcohol’s effects. The same amount of alcohol can have a greater affect on an older person than on someone who is younger.
Some medical risks, such as high blood pressure, ulcers and diabetes can worsen with alcohol use.
Both prescription and over the counter medications can be dangerous or even deadly when mixed with alcohol. This is a worry for older people, because the average person over the age of 65 takes at least two medicines a day. Examples: aspirin can cause bleeding in the stomach and intestines. If you mix with alcohol, the risk of bleeding is much higher. Cold and allergy medicines (antihistamines) often make people sleepy and when combined with alcohol, it can make drowsiness worse and driving even more dangerous. Alcohol used with large doses of acetaminophen (Tylenol) can raise the risk of lever damage. If you are taking any over the counter or prescription medications, ask your doctor of pharmacist if you can safely drink alcohol.

Effects of Alcohol

Even drinking a small amount of alcohol can impair judgment, coordination, and reaction time. It can increase the risk of work and household accidents, including falls and hip fractures. It also adds to the risk of car crashes. Heavy drinking over time also can cause certain cancers, liver cirrhosis, immune system disorders & brain damage.

Alcohol can make some medical concerns hard for doctors to find and treat. For example, alcohol causes changes in the heart and blood vessels. These changes can dull pain that might be a warning sign of a heart attack. Drinking also can make older people forgetful and confused. These symptoms could be mistaken for signs of Alzheimer’s disease.

How to Know if Someone Has a Drinking Problem

There are two types of problem drinkers: early and late onset. Some people have been heavy drinkers for many years. But, as with great Uncle George, over time the same amount of liquor packs a more powerful punch. Other people, like Grandma Betty, develop a drinking problem later in life. Sometimes this is due to major life changes like shifts in employment, failing health, or the death of friends or loved ones. Often these life changes can bring loneliness, boredom, anxiety, and depression.

Not everyone who drinks regularly has a drinking problem, and not all problem drinkers drink every day. You might want to get help if you or a loved one:

Drink to calm your nerves, forget your worries, or reduce depression.
Lose interest in food.
Gulp down drinks.
Frequently have more than three drinks in one day. (A standard drink is one 12-ounce bottle or can of beer or a wine cooler, one 5-ounce glass of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.)
Lie about or try to hide drinking habits.
Drink alone.
Hurt yourself, or someone else, while drinking.
Were drunk more than three or four times last year.
Need more alcohol to get high.
Feel irritable, resentful, or unreasonable when not drinking.
Have medical, social, or financial worries caused by drinking.

Resources for Help

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, part of the National Institutes of Health, recommends that people over age 65 who choose to drink have no more than one drink a day. Drinking at this level usually is not associated with health risks.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
6000 Executive Boulevard
Bethesda, MD 20892-7003
Phone: 301-443-3860
Website: www.niaaa.nih.gov

National Drug and Treatment Referral Routing Service
National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Phone:
Website: http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/Resources/RelatedWebsites/Referral.htm

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Grand Central Station
P.O. Box 459
New York, NY 10163
Phone: 212-870-3400
Website: www.aa.org

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD)
20 Exchange Place, Suite 2902 New York, NY 10005

Saving Sight

December 2, 2011 at 10:30 am | Posted in Deborah Varisco, GCM | Leave a comment
Tags: Aging, Education, Health, Life, Tips

The retina is a thin layer of tissue that lines the back of the eye. The nerve cells in the retina detect light entering the eye and send signals to the brain about what the eye sees. At the retina’s center is a critical area called the macula, which allows you to see things directly in front of you. If the retina is injured, vision is seriously threatened. Retinal vein occlusion and retinal detachment both can put vision at risk at any age, but are more common among the elderly.

Retinal vein occlusion is a common vascular disorder of the retina, and a common cause of vision loss in older adults. Retina vein occlusion occurs when the blood flow through the retina becomes blocked. The blockage causes pressure to build up and the blocked vein may rupture, spilling blood into the vitreous humor causing blurry and cloudy vision. Most retinal vein occlusion involves a branch vein, which is less serious. Central retinal vein occlusion is more serious, causing swelling of the macula and loss of central vision. The major risk factors for retinal vein occlusion are age, hypertension, diabetes, elevated blood lipids, smoking, kidney disease, and glaucoma. Symptoms include sudden, painless vision loss in all or part of the eye. Treatments include laser treatment or injections of an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drug into the eye. The outcome varies, but individuals with retinal vein occlusion often regain useful vision.

Retinal detachment is less common than retinal vein occlusion, but it is more likely to cause permanent vision loss if not properly treated. The longer the retina remains detached the less likely vision can be restored. Retinal detachment begins when the vitreous gel, a thick gel that fills the center of the eye, shrinks and separates from the retina. This is a normal part of aging and can be harmless. Sometimes vitreous gel is strongly attached to the retina and as it shrinks it pulls so hard that the retina tears. The tear allows fluid to collect under the retina and cause it to detach. Retinal detachment is painless, but does have symptoms. Before the detachment starts, one may experience a sudden appearance of floaters and flashes. Floaters are spots, specks and lines that float through your field of vision. Flashes are brief sparkles or lightning streaks that are most easily seen when your eyes are closed. Sometimes a retinal detachment occurs without warning. The first sign of detachment may be a shadow across part of your vision that does not go away, or the sudden loss of peripheral or side vision that continually gets worse. In addition to age, risk factors for retinal detachment include extreme nearsightedness, family history, a prior detachment in one eye, cataract surgery and a severe eye injury, occurring in an auto accident, or from a paintball or BB gun. To diagnose retinal detachment, an eye doctor, or ophthalmologist, will examine the eye with a lighted magnifying tool called an ophthalmoscope. Once diagnosed, retinal detachment requires immediate treatment to prevent vision loss and blindness. Surgery, using lasers or a freezing probe, to seal the tear in the retina will restore vision. After treatment, it may take months for vision to improve. It is important to schedule follow-up eye exams and properly manage any complications.

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.

What Hospice Can Do!

December 1, 2011 at 10:30 am | Posted in Amy Shein, GCM | Leave a comment
Tags: Aging, Caregiver, Health, Help, Life, Personal

Last week was difficult one for me. I experienced my first loss of a client as a Geriatric Care Manager. I was with this client for over 16 months and she was actually one of my first clients with Distinctive Care. She was 92 years old and lived a full life. Working so closely with this woman, who had severe Dementia, and with her family, was so rewarding, both spiritually and educationally. It was a beautiful relationship that I had worked so hard to develop and embrace.

As a nurse for 16 years, I have experienced death of a patient in many different ways. When death happens in the hospital it seems to be so much worse. Patients come to the hospital to find answers and healing to prevent the worst possible outcome. This particular client was placed on hospice during the last 3 weeks of her life (she was on hospice once before for 2 months last year, then eventually graduated off) while she was living in a skilled nursing facility. Hospice is a special way of caring for people who are terminally ill, as well as care for their family members. She received excellent palliative care, love and compassion from the local hospice nursing team and so did her family.

Hospice was even amazing to the entire team that worked directly with my client. The team included her physician, skilled nursing staff, private caregiver and me. Hospice was able to educate her family and her team with frequent updates of her declining status on a daily basis. The family was so grateful to the entire team that assisted with their loved one during her last few days of life. This was my first “close” experience working with hospice. It was truly an amazing occurrence that my so sweet client rightly deserved. Hospice is covered under Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurances. It is best to speak to your physician and health care team to learn more about the benefits of hospice services.

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.

Healthy Aging

November 4, 2011 at 10:30 am | Posted in Deborah Varisco, GCM | Leave a comment
Tags: Aging, Health, Life, Prevention, Tips, Vitamins

Most of us are all trying to find that “fountain of youth” that delays the natural aging process. The signs of aging include wrinkles, memory loss, decreased brain function and an increased risk for chronic diseases, such as heart disease, osteoporosis and cancer. Healthy aging means living a longer, healthier lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle includes regular exercise, adequate rest, avoiding tobacco and eating a diet full of healthy foods. Some foods and beverages contain a substance called phytonutrients, which are antioxidants. Antioxidants help cells fight off damage from free radicals and minimize aging. Aging may be reversed by consuming foods that are rich in a variety of compounds, such as cold water, fish, and vegetables. Adding whole grains, legumes, nuts, yogurt and at least 3-4 glasses of water daily will also reduce the signs of aging. Eating large amounts of saturated or trans fatty acids, sugar, and starches accelerate the aging process. Stress, hormones, ultraviolet light and a weakened immune system all contribute to aging. Dermatologists recommend staying out of the sun and wearing daily sunscreen to ward off aging.

Make physical activity a part of everyday life. Exercise can make you feel better and enjoy life. Regular exercise can prevent or delay diseases like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. It can help you stay independent and prevent depression. Keep your mind active also. Challenge your intellect on a daily basis by reading, learning a new activity, solving crossword puzzles, or playing a game. Stress can take a toll on your body and mind. You can decrease your stress with physical activity and meditation. Supplements such as melatonin are also believed to have antioxidant effects which help slow down aging. Melatonin is a hormone produced in the pineal gland of the body. Darkness signals the pineal gland to release melatonin into one’s bloodstream which helps an individual to sleep. Sleep allows the cells of our body to rejuvenate and stave off the effects of aging. As we age though, melatonin production decreases. The lack of sleep can lead to many health problems which can contribute to the aging process. In addition to helping to get a good night’s sleep, melatonin may also stimulate the immune system. Studies have shown that melatonin can diminish the effects of hormones that trigger certain cancers. Melatonin can reset the body’s age clock and slow down aging. As with any medication, it is best to check with your doctor prior to starting melatonin. Start turning back the clock by eating healthy, exercising your body and mind, and getting plenty of sleep.

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.

Breast Cancer Awareness for the Older Adult

October 20, 2011 at 10:30 am | Posted in Amy Shein, GCM | Leave a comment
Tags: Aging, Education, Health, Life, Prevention, Tips

During the month of October, we celebrate breast cancer awareness. The American Cancer Society (ACS), states there is no age limit for having mammograms. The society urges individuals who are in good health to get an annual mammogram regardless of age. The ACS feels women should begin in their 20’s with breast self-examination. Then by her 40’s receive annual mammography and clinical breast examinations. Screening should continue for as long as a woman is in good health and would be a candidate for treatment “if life expectancy is > 5 years.”

The American Geriatric Society encourages women to have a mammogram every two or three years past the age of 75. The United States Preventive Services Task Force feels strongly to continue with mammograms at older ages, either annually or every two years, as long as their life expectancy is not decreased by another serious illness.

These guidelines I listed are just three of many societies/organizations that doctor’s use to screen patients for breast cancer by either performing a clinical breast exam or from regular mammograms. It has always been a rule of thumb that early detection is what saves lives from breast cancer. Breast screening for older women and men should be based on the individual, their health, and other serious illnesses, such as congestive heart failure, end-stage kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and moderate to severe dementia. An individual’s age alone should not be the reason to stop having regular screenings and mammograms. As long as an individual is in good health and would be a candidate for treatment, they should continue to be screened with clinical breast exams and mammograms.

As we age, we are placed in a moderately higher risk factor of developing breast cancer. Our risk for breast cancer increases as we age. The American Cancer Society states that about 77% of women diagnosed with breast cancer each year are over age 50, and almost half are age 65 and older. Breast cancer in men is rare, accounting for only 1% of all breast cancers. Most cases of male breast cancer are detected in men between the ages of 60 and 70. Older women and men need to be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to detect breast changes and get them checked by a doctor.

The most common sign of breast cancer is a new lump or mass. Other possible signs of breast cancer include:

Swelling of all or part of the breast (even if no lump is felt).
Skin irritation or dimpling.
Breast or nipple pain.
Nipple retraction (turning inward).
Redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin.
Nipple discharge.

Those who opt to continue to go for regular breast examinations and mammograms regardless of their age are doing right for early detection. If you feel strongly about having a mammogram done, tell your doctor.

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.

Seniors Staying in the Workforce

October 6, 2011 at 10:30 am | Posted in Amy Shein, GCM | Leave a comment
Tags: Aging, Life, News, Research

This past Sunday night was Andy Rooney’s final broadcast on 60 Minutes. At the age of 92 and still working as a writer, a profession that he has loved since starting out in the Army during WWII. He stated that he will not be seen on the television anymore, but he will never stop being a writer and will continue to write. I have always liked his ending commentaries at the end of 60 Minutes and looked forward to them each week. I could not believe how old he really was when I watched his last episode on Sunday.

I was visiting a client last week at a nursing home. The facility was celebratring the Assistant Director of Activities 85th birthday. She told me she loves her job and does not know anything different, but to get up each morning and go to work helping others. I see it in my own family. My father is 79 and my father in law is 81. They both go to work in their longtime careers everyday. Except when they go to Florida for a month or two.

I read from the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistic on a current population survey, shows the number of workers age 75 years and older has steadily risen since 1985. Last year more than 1.2 million people age 75 and up were still in the workforce. It was said that seniors that are closer to age 65 are working because the cannot survive on their pensions or their retirement savings. Some researchers now say it is a different reason for the older senior, most of whom now work for social interaction and for the sense of fulfillment and keeping their mind and body functioning. They want to maintain their quality of life and feel that working is the ticket to keeping mentally and physically well.

After reading an article from Mind Power News about 70 Ways to Increase Your Brain Power, Number 13- is writing is good for your mind by telling your memory what is important and so you can recall things more easily. Number 33 is learning. So when an older person is still working, they are always learning or educating themselves and others. The best way to end this blog, is by stating; my kids love Betty White…

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.