Senior Meal Planning: What’s for Dinner?

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New Jersey Senior Health & Lifestyles

Nutrition and proper eating becomes more important as we age. As a result, menu planning becomes an important consideration. Here are some things to consider:

Easy to chew and swallow: Digestive processes changes with age and seniors tend to produce 30% less saliva then they did while younger. Foods that are dry can be difficult to chew and swallow. Many senior citizens wear dentures, so tough meats and raw vegetables can be difficult to chew. When planning a meal, select softer foods that are easy to eat.

Lower in salt: Most seniors have salt restrictions to reduce the risk of water retention and high blood pressure. Cooking with low or no salt is best, while processed foods and salted meats should also be avoided.

Make it tasty: Prescription medications can affect the flavor of foods and as we age our sense of smell and taste also changes. Foods that once were tasty may suddenly taste bland. When preparing a meal for a senior adding savory (but not spicy) seasonings will make a meal taste more flavorful.

Use recipes with lots of nutrition: Most seniors tend to have smaller appetites which can contribute to weight loss. Instead of preparing light & lean meals, meals that are high in nutrition and calories can help a senior maintain a healthy weight.

Fun Activities for New Jersey Grandparents and Grandchildren

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Maintaining close relationships with young grandchildren or great-grandchildren is important for the emotional health and well being of seniors. Here are some things to consider whether you live close or far away:

When you live nearby

Play dress-up. Go through your closet and set aside unused clothes for pretend play – the more vintage and outlandish, the better. Add shoes, handbags and costume jewelry, too. Let your grandchild choose clothes for both of you to wear.

Do a puzzle. Pick out a jigsaw puzzle together at the store, and when it’s done, use puzzle glue to create a keepsake the child can hang on his or her bedroom wall.

Make portraits of each other. Use crayons or paints to tap into your inner artists. Display your grandchild’s artwork at your house, and let him or her take home your masterpiece.

Cook or bake together. Even very young children can follow simple directions and help mix batter or shape dough. Keep track of what you make together in a blank journal. This is a great way to pass on heirloom family recipes.

Share a special hobby. Whether you knit, collect coins, go fishing or play cards, involve your grandchild in these activities. They are a wonderful opportunity for learning.

When you live far away

If you aren’t close enough for in-person bonding, try these easy high-tech ways to stay close to grand kids:

Try video chat. Get help setting up a webcam so you can have live video conferences with your grandchildren. It’s a fun way to connect in a more personal way instead of using the phone.

Send a DVD bedtime story. Record yourself reading your grandchild’s favorite book. They can watch it at home and read along before bed.

Start a photo scavenger hunt. Pick a theme each week, like animals, food or even a certain shape or color. You and your grandchild can take pictures (film or digital) of things relating to that theme. Then, share the images via e-mail or regular mail and collect them in a photo album. Bring the albums when you do get together so you can talk about the pictures.

Learning to Manage Your Diabetes

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New Jersey Home Care Issues

Diabetes is an insidious disease that preys on older people. Type 2 diabetes, once known as “adult onset diabetes,” affects 90 – 95 percent of the more than 20 million Americans affected with diabetes. While an estimated 14.6 million Americans have been diagnosed with Type 2, 6.2 million remain unaware they have the disease – while another 40 million have pre-diabetes (which can become diabetes).

People with Type 2 diabetes produce insulin; however, either their pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body cannot use the insulin adequately. Without enough insulin, glucose (sugar) can’t get into the body’s cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, the body’s cells are unable to function properly.

The incidence of diabetes increases with age, as about half of all cases of diabetes occur in people older than 55 years of age.

Here are the primary complications of diabetes:

Heart disease and stroke. More than 65 percent of people with diabetes will die of heart disease or stroke, and they are likely to die younger than people who do not have diabetes. People with diabetes are two to four times more likely to have heart disease or suffer a stroke.

Blindness due to diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes is the leading cause of new blindness among adults.

Kidney disease due to diabetic nephropathy. People with diabetes who are over 65 years of age are twice as likely to be hospitalized for kidney infections compared with those without diabetes.

Nerve disease and amputations. About 60 – 70 percent of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of diabetic nerve damage, which can lead to lower limb amputations. Monitoring and properly managing this condition is very important.

What you can do

Learn all you can about the disease so that you can recognize warning signs that your blood sugar levels are out of balance. Signs of high blood sugar – usually due to having eaten too much, being under stress, or having too little insulin in the body – include a frequent need to urinate, nausea, extreme thirst or hunger, and blurred vision. Signs of low-blood sugar – usually due to not having eaten enough, or having exercised too much – include shaking, sweating, a fast heartbeat, anxiety, dizziness, hunger, weakness and tiredness, and irritability.

Diet and exercise are extremely important. The nutritional goal for diabetics is to attain the ABCs of diabetes. The A stands for the A1c or hemoglobin A1c test, which measures average blood sugar over the previous three months; B is for blood pressure, and C is for cholesterol. People with diabetes should attain as near as normal blood sugar control, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.

Meanwhile, exercise can help by improving glucose tolerance – meaning that blood sugars are controlled with less medication, lowering the chance of developing serious complications from diabetes, helping the body manage stress, aiding in weight control, and decreasing one’s risk of getting diabetes in the first place.

Changing one’s lifestyle choices is also critical. Smoking, for example, increases one’s chance of developing diabetes complications in addition to increasing the risk of developing diabetes in the first place.

Diabetics usually need to regularly check their blood sugar levels at home. There are a number of devices available, and they use only a drop of blood. Self-monitoring tells how well diet, medication, and exercise are working together to control the disease. The American Diabetes Association recommends keeping blood sugar levels in the range of 80 – 120 mg/dL before meals and 100 – 140 mg/dL at bedtime.

Posted by: Frank Esposito, VP Expert Home Care.  New Jersey’s Expert Home Care provides professional, dependable home health care and companion care for NJ elderly, helping them with their daily living activities since 1984. Please call us toll free at 800-848-2336 when you have home care related questions or need assistance for a loved one. Get a Free Home Care Assessment (a $375 value!) when you mention this post.

Aging Causes Cataracts

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New Jersey Senior News

Aging is great for wine, but not when it comes to the health of your eyes. A common consequence of aging is the development of cataracts.

Many seniors are affected by cataracts that, in turn, affect their vision. Cataract surgery, where the eye’s natural lens is removed and replaced by an intraocular lens, tends to be very safe with a very high success rate. Yet, there are things that people with cataracts should be aware of.

As one ages, the eye’s lens becomes less flexible, less transparent and thicker. This results in areas of the lens becoming cloudy. If left in place, the cataract will become white and block vision. About 70 percent of people 75 and older have cataracts.

Here are some things to consider about cataracts:

If you are over 40 get a baseline exam. Signs of eye disease begin to occur at around this age. An eye exam should be performed annually.

Various risk factors increase the chances of cataracts. In addition to a family history, risk factors include diabetes, smoking, too much exposure to sunlight, eye injury or inflammation, and long-term use of steroids. Risks, however, can be reduced. Regardless of your age, wear UV-rated sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat when you’re in the sun for an extended period of time. If you smoke, try to quit. Proper diet and regular exercise can also help.

Surgery is an individual decision. The adage that a cataract is ripe for surgery is no longer a valid concept. If glare, halos, blurriness and dimmed colors are complicating your ability to drive and read, surgery may be the right option for you. If it’s not affecting your lifestyle, you may want to wait.

Those considering surgery will need to give their doctor a complete medical and eye history, including their use of medication. Certain medications can cause the iris to move out of its normal position, which can lead to complications during surgery. The surgery can still be successful, but the surgeon may need to adjust his or her surgical technique.

Home Care or Home Health Care?

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Each year there are many seniors in New Jersey that find themselves in need of either home health care or home care. While the two terms are often used interchangeably, the truth of the matter is that the two names actually refer to different things. As such, it is important to understand the different terminology before trying to find the right kind of caregiver to provide your loved one with the assistance he or she needs.

Home care, generally speaking is an umbrella term for a group of senior care services that are provided to individuals unable or unwilling to leave their homes. These services include non medical home care (also called companion care) AND skilled home health care.

Home health care is a sub type or sub classification of home care. It is the province of skilled certified home health aides to deliver these services. These caregivers can perform certain services that non medical caregivers cannot – such as bathing and grooming a client.

Non medical home care is also a sub type of home care. Caregivers that deliver this type of care are more limited in their scope. The types of services provided are typically meal preparation, medication reminders, companionship, running errands like grocery shopping and light housekeeping.

Both home health care and non medical home care can be be delivered to clients on an hourly and live in basis. Live-in care professionals tend to be hired more commonly to help individuals who need the most supervision or care.

Finding the right home care professional in New Jersey can be difficult, but it can be done with a little research and knowledge. Make sure not to only consider the needs of your loved one or family member, but also his or her wants. Whether it is non medical home care or home health care, the New Jersey agency contracted should provide a skilled, dependable caregiver with whom your loved one feels comfortable.

Home Health Care in New Jersey – Choosing the Right Kind of Care

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The search for a home health care or live in care professional in New Jersey can be a trying experience. It is not because there are few individuals available, far from it, in fact. The process is difficult, though, because it is often up to family members to determine the type of care necessary for their loved one. If you find yourself in such a situation, it is important to consider whether your loved one is in need of a caregiver or companion that will be able to visit from time to time – or – one that will be available around the clock.

The solution that is correct for one individual may not be correct for another, so it is always important to consider your family member’s needs when choosing a home health care professional. You need to take the time to consider the level of care necessary. A licensed and certified professional that visits from time to time may be helpful for some needs, but other individuals may need a live in care professional to help them around the clock. Determining the level of care necessary for your loved one should be done early, since finding a home health  aide or companion with whom the client feels comfortable may be a process unto itself.

If you have a family member in New Jersey that needs some help, it is important to make sure that they have the right kind of care. Home health care aides and companions that come to the home can be invaluable for those that are unable or unwilling to receive facility care and choosing a qualified, professional caregiver can greatly improve the comfort and health of your loved one. Also remember, the home care agency you choose should always be licensed or certified in New Jersey, which will give you confidence your family member will receive the highest level of care possible.

 

Planning for Home Health Care in New Jersey

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For New Jersey seniors, Home health care planning is an important process for both the themselves and their families. Many want to preserve their independence by remaining in their home, with the added security and safety of having a trained professional present. In this regard, licensed home health agencies typically provide both live in care and hourly home care. A licensed and experienced home health care agency can help develop a care plan and ensure a compatible pairing that meets the needs of clients and their families.

There’s no doubt the feeling of independence that comes from living at home provides a better environment for aging seniors. Most prefer the privacy and other comforts that come with being in one’s home. Live in care makes it possible for the elderly to stay in their homes rather than moving into a residential nursing home or assisted living facility.

Seniors living alone may also seek non-medical caregivers to work in a companionship or non-medical capacity. These caregivers assist with everyday functions such as shopping, driving, and basic housekeeping for their clients. Non-medical caregivers can be instrumental in helping seniors stay active and independent.

For the families involved in the decision making process, security is of the utmost importance. When customers use a licensed agency, they can rest easy knowing their loved one is in the company of a professional caregiver. Added comfort comes from knowing that the employees of a professional agency have passed a thorough screening process that includes an in-depth background check.

Whether a need exists for a home health professional, or non-medical companion, a reputable New Jersey home health care agency can provide safe, reliable and competent professionals for you.

Getting Quality Home Health Care In New Jersey: Ask The Right Questions

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For many New Jersey families the choice of providing live in care for an elderly family member is a much preferred option since home health care provides many obvious benefits for the client as well as the family when compared to a nursing home. The real challenge is choosing an agency who is competent, trustworthy, and caring. This is not a babysitting job, as the client will have very specific medical needs and the caregiver must be ultra-attentive to them. At the very least, this caregiver will need to know how to provide companionship, monitor medications, assist with personal grooming and meal preparation and perform other tasks relating to activities of daily living. Many states require home health care providers to be licensed or certified, but regardless of state requirements, a concerned family member should have very stringent standards when vetting caregivers. Thankfully, there are reputable NJ home care agencies using the best standardized screening procedures available to provide you with these experienced and skilled professionals.

Why Do This All By Yourself When You Do Not Have To?  

Obviously proper screening is essential, but how does one go about it? Even if a prospective caregiver hands over a stack of references and credentials, how do you know if these items are adequate or authentic? You need to have a thorough verification process in place to make sure the person is legitimate and trustworthy, but in reality, most people are not qualified to do this. Even the most resourceful and intelligent person would need some help, especially if this is the first time he or she has ever had to perform this task. Fortunately, there are agencies in New Jersey who specialize in hiring qualified, experienced care providers so that all you have to do is evaluate the company itself.

Now You Need to Choose the Right Company

When choosing a home health care agency, it is important to scrutinize the company’s history and procedures. A truly exceptional agency will only employ Registered Nurse (RN) supervisors and certified aides who pass thorough background screenings and skill assessments, and they will use standardized procedures to ensure that all employees will provide a consistent level of care. Additionally, the agency will handle all of the business management paperwork like payroll and tax forms and bonding. Most importantly, the best home health agencies provide personalized care that fits the client’s needs. This is especially important with patients who suffer from illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease or terminal illnesses because the provider’s skill set should include experience with the specific physical, mental, and emotional features of such conditions.

When you are considering a home health agency, be sure to ask up front about the company’s certifications and licenses and its screening procedures. Make sure that the company requires its nurse supervisors to have state licensing (RN) and that home health aides are supervised by them. The company should also make sure that the providers have appropriate insurance and bonding. Rest assured that your loved one will receive the best possible care if you ask the right questions when evaluating New Jersey home health care agencies.

Relieving Pain Caused by Cancer Treatment

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NJ Senior Health

What causes cancer pain?
Most pain is caused by the cancer itself. It often occurs because a tumor is pressing on nerves, organs or bones. How severe the pain is may depend on the type and extent of the cancer and your pain tolerance.

Cancer treatments can also cause pain. For example, pain is common after surgery. It may last for a few days or a few weeks, depending on the extent of the surgery. Sometimes people who have an arm, leg or breast removed have “phantom pain,” which seems to come from the missing body part. Doctors aren’t sure what causes it, but the pain is real.

Chemotherapy and radiation treatment can sometimes cause painful side effects, such as mouth sores or scarring. Like other types of pain, these can be treated.

How is cancer pain diagnosed?
Pain is a very individual experience. You will need to tell your doctor about your pain and how severe it is. Doctors use a pain rating scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain you can imagine. Using the pain scale will help your doctor determine the right treatment.

Your doctor may ask you to keep a pain journal. This is a record of what your pain is like, when it occurs and how well treatment works to relieve it. This can help your doctor figure out the best method of pain control for you.

How is cancer pain treated?
Cancer pain can usually be treated effectively with medication. Which type of medication is best will depend on what type of pain you have, what’s causing it and how severe it is.

Three main types of medication are used to treat cancer pain:

  • Non-opioids are often effective for mild to moderate pain. These include acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Many of these can be bought without a prescription. But check with your doctor before taking these medications.
  • Opioids (also called narcotics) may be prescribed for moderate to severe pain. These include morphine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxycodone, fentanyl and codeine. A non-opioid may sometimes be used along with an opioid for better pain control.
  • Other medications may be used to treat different types of pain. Antidepressants and anticonvulsants can help relieve tingling or burning pain from nerve damage. Steroids can help ease pain caused by swelling.

These medications can cause side effects. Be sure to discuss them with your doctor. There may be ways to reduce or avoid the side effects.

If medications don’t relieve your pain, your doctor may suggest other options, such as:

  • Radiation therapy. Radiation can sometimes ease pain by shrinking a tumor.
  • Surgery. Cutting certain nerves can prevent pain signals from reaching the brain.
  • Nerve block. Injecting a numbing drug in or around a nerve or the spine can block some kinds of pain.

Are there other ways to treat cancer pain?
There is a wide variety of complementary treatments that you may want to explore. They can be used along with medical treatments. Some people find that these treatments reduce their pain and help them cope with the stress having with cancer.

Complementary treatments include:

  • Acupuncture. This is an ancient Chinese technique that is a proven method of pain relief. It involves inserting very thin needles at various points on the body. Acupuncture should be performed only by a licensed acupuncturist.
  • Relaxation. This can include deep breathing, massage and listening to music or relaxation tapes. Relaxation can help relieve pain, reduce tension and anxiety, and help other pain relief methods work better.
  • Biofeedback. A licensed biofeedback technician uses a machine to teach you how to control certain body functions such as heart rate, blood pressure and muscle tension. Biofeedback may help you relax and cope with pain.
  • Hypnosis. Hypnosis can be used to block the awareness of pain and try to change the sensation to one that is not painful. Choose a person trained in hypnosis, usually a psychologist or psychiatrist.
  • Meditation. Meditation can help relax the body and quiet the mind. It may help relieve pain and reduce stress.

Posted by: Frank Esposito, VP Expert Home Care.  New Jersey’s Expert Home Care provides professional, dependable home health care and companion care for NJ elderly, helping them with their daily living activities since 1984. Please call us toll free at 800-848-2336 when you have home care related questions or need assistance for a loved one. Get a Free Home Care Assessment (a $375 value!) when you mention this post.

Alternative Medicine Vs. Traditional, Western Medicine

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Is alternative medicine (combined with traditional medicine) right?

Most people see a family doctor or a specialist for their medical care. Some people seek out other healing methods. In between, there is a type of medical practice that combines the two. This is often called integrative medicine.

Think of a hybrid vehicle. It uses two power sources – gas and electricity – to make the vehicle work. Integrative medicine works the same way. Its two “sources” are:

  1. Traditional, or Western, medicine. This is practiced by medical and osteopathic doctors (MDs or DOs).
  2. Complementary or alternative medicine (CAM). This is an approach to healing and staying healthy that is different from traditional or Western medicine.

Integrative medicine is when doctors use CAM along with traditional medicine.

How are integrative and traditional medicines different?
Western or traditional medicine typically uses conventional therapies to help prevent and treat disease. These include lifestyle changes, counseling, medication, physical therapy or surgery.

Complementary medicine uses different methods to promote health.  Some complementary medicines include:

  • Massage therapy
  • Yoga
  • Aromatherapy (using the scents of herbs and plant oils)

Some doctors will use a combination of traditional and complementary medicine. For example, your doctor may suggest massage or yoga along with standard treatments to help you manage pain or reduce stress that comes from certain chronic health conditions. These treatments are meant to support, but not replace, traditional medicine.

Alternative medicine is meant to be used instead of traditional medicine. It includes such methods as:

  • “Eastern” medicine
  • Folk cures
  • Faith healing
  • Herbal medicine
  • Acupuncture
  • Chiropractic treatment

Sometimes these therapies can be used along with traditional medical therapy for certain conditions.

Is integrative medicine safe?
Many alternative medicines have been used for thousands of years. But only a few have been studied in the same way as traditional medicine. For this reason, it is not possible to assure their safety. Also, the outcomes of some therapies are hard to measure using standard scientific methods. For example, it’s hard to assess the effectiveness of faith healing.

Before you try any CAM treatments, though, it’s important to talk to your doctor. Many substances an alternative medicine practitioner may prescribe could interact poorly with prescription drugs or over-the-counter medicines. For example, a dietary supplement promoted as a memory booster might also raise your blood pressure.

Posted by: Frank Esposito, VP Expert Home Care.  New Jersey’s Expert Home Care provides professional, dependable home health care and companion care for NJ elderly, helping them with their daily living activities since 1984. Please call us toll free at 800-848-2336 when you have home care related questions or need assistance for a loved one. Get a Free Home Care Assessment (a $375 value!) when you mention this post.