Prostate cancer is the number one form of cancer among men in the U.S., with 240,000 new cases diagnosed every year (according to the American Cancer Society). An estimated 11 percent of all men who have the disease will die from it, and it will affect one in six men (compared to one in eight women diagnosed with breast cancer) at some time in their life. Many men with prostate cancer are most concerned about the possible effects of prostate cancer treatment – surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone treatment, or some combination – which can result in impotence and/or incontinence.

As with most cancers, the earlier diagnosed the better. According to the American Urological Association, the survival rate is nearly 100 percent when prostate cancer is detected at an early stage when the tumor is still localized and has not spread.

For this reason, and because there are virtually no symptoms during the early stages, annual screenings are strongly recommended for Caucasian men beginning at age 50 and African-American and Hispanic men beginning at 40, and earlier for those with family histories. While statistically prostate cancer is more common among men 65 and older, doctors see many men with prostate cancer in their 50s and even in their 40s, particularly among those at higher risk.

The screening for prostate cancer is simple and painless. It consists of a blood test called a PSA (which measures prostate-specific antigen, a protein produced by cells of the prostate gland) and a digital rectal exam. The PSA has led to a 40 percent reduction in prostate cancer deaths since the mid-1990s.

A diet that is high in fat, meat and sugar and low in fruits, vegetables and fiber is considered a factor contributing to the disease. Studies have shown a strong relationship between consumption of saturated fat or dairy fat and prostate cancer, while polyunsaturated fats like Omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent the disease.

Exercise is associated with higher metabolism and weight loss, which can contribute to lowering the risk of prostate cancer. Studies to date, however, are inconclusive that exercise has a direct impact on prostate cancer risk. There are indications that smoking may contribute to the growth of prostate cancers.

Guidelines historically recommended annual screenings for men only up to the age of 75, as it was thought that older men should not be put through the rigors of treatment since they are more likely to die from something other than this slow progressing disease. However, there is some new thinking on this. Many older men are still active and healthy, and 75 is not as old as it once was.

The high hospital readmission rate of those who suffer from heart failure impacts adversely on both the cost of health care and the health and well-being of the patients themselves.

Nationally, one of every four heart failure patients is readmitted within 30 days of discharge and as many as 40 percent within six months. At the same time, studies have shown that with proper management, heart failure patients could be kept out of the hospital in at least 40 percent of cases.

Whereas it was once felt that heart transplants and other state-of-the-art technologies was the best way to help these patients, today the thinking is to start with the basics by educating and teaching people to make lifestyle changes. This includes teaching the importance of eating and exercising properly, and taking their medication, which can avoid having heart failure patients get to the point where they need a high-tech procedure to stay alive.

Heart failure, once called congestive heart failure, is when the heart can no longer pump enough blood to the rest of the body. With this often chronic condition, blood may back up in other areas of the body causing fluid buildup in the lungs, liver, GI tract, and arms and legs. This causes a lack of oxygen and nutrition to the organs and extremities, damaging and reducing their ability to work properly.

Coronary artery disease (or CAD), which is a narrowing of the small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart, is the most common cause of heart failure. Diseases like emphysema and severe anemia can also contribute to heart failure.

Symptoms often begin slowly, and may only be apparent when one is active. They include shortness of breath, coughing, swelling of the feet and ankles, weight gain, heart palpitations, difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite and fatigue.

A preventive program often includes diet and exercise and other healthy lifestyle changes. Recommended diets include foods low in sodium and salt – which can mean avoiding such staples as cured meats, bacon, sausages, ham, cheese and bottled dressings – and the use of such spices as pepper, garlic and lemon instead of salt. Patients are urged to lose weight and, for those who smoke, to quit.

Doctors also closely manage the multiple medications that most heart failure patients take. This can include ACE inhibitors to open blood vessels and decrease the workload of the heart, diuretics that help the body eliminate fluid and salt, digitalis glycosides to help the heart muscle contract properly and treat heart rhythm disturbances, angiotensin receptor blockers to eliminate the side effects brought on by the ACE inhibitors, and beta blockers that can improve the heart’s pumping ability.

Home Care Pulse is a consumer-oriented research and due diligence organization that surveys clients and employees of U.S. based home care agencies. Every year they gather agency data nationwide that is used to determine both the quality of home care provided and the quality of the employer employee relationship. From the results of these comprehensive surveys Home Care Pulse chooses the best qualified agency or agencies to serve a local area’s needs.

Expert Home Care has received a “Best of Home Care” designation every year since the inception of the designation.

“We’re pleased to be recognized with Home Care Pulse’s Best of Home Care 2013 distinction.” exclaimed Frank Esposito, Vice President and Operations Manager for Expert Home Care. “Our primary focus is always on quality of service for customers coupled with a great work environment and advancement opportunities for employees. We regularly monitor and respond to feedback channels to consistently improve our services.” said Esposito.

Home Care Pulse digs deep into the ways a home care agency performs its services and manages its business. They measure client feedback, agency improvements across all facets of operation, agency communication and more. With regard to agency caregivers they measure timeliness, attitude, compassion and quality of care delivered to clients. To gauge agency employee satisfaction, Home Care Pulse measures important things like work environment satisfaction, caregiver improvements, caregiver advancement and caregiver incentives. These are things almost never asked about by the average person searching for New Jersey home care services.

About Expert Home Care New Jersey

Expert Home Care is a NJ home health care agency providing screened, professional, hourly and live in caregivers. They have been in business since 1985 serving seniors, disabled and infirm individuals. They are one of the largest and most experienced providers in New Jersey.

For more information please visit the following pages:

http://www.experthomecare.com/about_us.php

http://www.experthomecare.com/why_choose.php

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Contact Information

Frank Esposito
Expert Home Care
100 Bayard St #206 New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Phone: 800-848-2336
Google+ Verified Local Business

Lola, who turned 8 years old this month, is a Havanese certified in pet therapy for seniors. She has been making visits with the public and clients of Expert Home Care for several years. The happy-go-lucky pooch with her owners Frank and Desiree Esposito make the rounds at local New Jersey assisted living residences and client homes, where Lola doles out her special brand of comfort and affection. The well-groomed, cuddly canine brings happiness to everyone she encounters.

Pet therapy has been shown to have numerous benefits for people such as relieving stress and anxiety, improving mood and lowering blood pressure. Certified therapy dogs are used in a multitude of settings, including hospitals, schools and senior living communities where they provide entertainment, comfort and general enjoyment.

“We’re very pleased with the results of the pet therapy program and how it’s been received by the community and our clients.” said Frank Esposito, Vice President of Expert Home Care. “It’s also quite heart warming to see senior spirits lifted by the affection of an animal.” he added.

Lola is certified for pet therapy duties by Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs. She has undergone training to be comfortable in different environments and earned the AKC Canine Good Citizenship Award, which is only bestowed upon dogs with superb dispositions.

Lola enjoys the company of people, is both calm and playful and knows how to work a room. She comes to the NJ home care office fairly often and the staff enjoy her company. She is a morale booster and truly part of the team.

The free offer to spend time with Lola is open to Expert Home Care clients who do not have a communicable illness. People can meet her, have her sit on their lap or by their side and watch her play and dance.

About Expert Home Care New Jersey

Expert Home Care of New Jersey has been providing hourly and live in caregivers and certified home health aides to elderly clients since 1985. Their experience in the field of home health care is unrivaled in the garden state. The company employs and supervises its caregivers and takes care of all tax matters, federal and state. They also offer a unique 48 hour caregiver guarantee which allows new clients to try their service risk free. Clients can receive a full refund for the first 48 hours of care plus a replacement caregiver if they are dissatisfied.

For more information please visit : http://www.experthomecare.com/

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Company Contact Information

Frank Esposito
Expert Home Care
100 Bayard St #206 New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Phone: 800-848-2336
Google+ Verified Local Business

Surviving and thriving as a small business for nearly three decades is no easy task. The Small Business Administration estimates only forty-four percent of businesses survive the first five years in the marketplace.

“I’m very pleased we have been able to thrive in an increasingly competitive climate.” said Frank Esposito, Vice President of Expert Home Care. “I think twenty eight years in business speaks to our commitment and relevance to the communities we serve.”, he added.

Significant Company Milestones

During their nearly three decades long tenure as certified NJ live in care providers, the officers and staff at Expert Home Care have gained invaluable experience and extensive knowledge about home health care, which has been thoughtfully incorporated into their services, work culture and overall value to clients.

One of the extraordinary services they developed is certified pet therapy with Lola, a friendly Havanese dog and family pet of Frank Esposito. Every year Lola visits with dozens of home care clients and seniors at local nursing homes. The adorable, outgoing canine brings smiles and joy to everyone she meets.

Company founders David Goodman and Frank Esposito are longstanding members of Home Care Association of America, Case Management Society of America, National Association of Home Care and New Jersey Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

Goodman and Esposito are highly sought after for their expertise in home care operations and solutions. For years they hosted the national radio shows “Focus on Seniors” and “Crossroads” at a local station. They have had TV appearances on WABC and News 12 New Jersey and authored articles for New Jersey Voice Magazine. In 1998, Goodman was awarded “Best Young Entrepreneurs Under 40″ by Business News NJ and more recently he was featured in an article for Entrepreneur Magazine.

The partners have an obsession with customer service. For example, both became Certified Senior Advisors (CSA) over eight years ago, the company is A+ rated by BBB for over 5 years (since inception) and has earned the “Best of Home Care” designation every year since that award’s inception.

The company has consistently earned good marks for excellent relations with and support of its employees. Many home health aides have been with Expert Home Care for 15-20 years, which is a substantial accomplishment in a field riddled with employee retention problems.

About Expert Home Care New Jersey

In business since 1985, Expert Home Care provides certified NJ live in care and hourly care services to elderly and infirm clients in their own homes. 24-hour live in care is often a preferred alternative to nursing homes and assisted living facilities because the care recipient is not uprooted from the comfort of their home environment. In every case the process starts with communication about a loved one’s needs and desires. Expert Home Care also offers a 48-Hour Caregiver Guarantee, which gives prospective new clients the opportunity to try out one of their caregivers risk-free.

For more information please visit the company website: http://www.experthomecare.com/

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Company Contact Information

Frank Esposito
Expert Home Care
100 Bayard St #206 New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Phone: 800-848-2336
Google+ Verified Local Business

Hepatitis C is the number one cause for liver transplants. It is five times more prevalent in the United States than HIV/AIDS and kills about 10,000 Americans annually.

It puts patients at risk for cirrhosis of the liver as well as liver cancer. It can be a relatively silent disease, as many people have no symptoms for years after contracting the virus. In many cases, these are people who are in their 50s and 60s, who often learn of their illness through a routine blood test and are shocked to hear they have the disease.

Primary risk factors for Hepatitis C include use of intravenous drugs (as well as intranasal administration of cocaine), promiscuous sex, blood transfusions, and exposure to tainted blood.

The good news is that recent advances in treatment have dramatically improved the success rate in eradicating the Hepatitis C virus from 50% to 80%. The old standard of care has taken a major leap forward by adding directly acting antiviral agents called DAAs. The new medication, called Incivek, is given for 12 weeks with the old treatment (peginterferon and ribavirin), with the old treatment then continued for 36 more weeks. Incivek, which received FDA earlier this year, is taken in pill form.

Should a senior consider adopting a pet? And if so, what kind of pet? Studies have shown that pet owners live longer. As loneliness is a major challenge for older people, adopting a pet makes good sense. Not only will a pet be a loving companion, but it will also help with exercise and boredom. You just have to be careful to adopt the right pet, as some pets are better for older people than others. Here are some thinks to consider:

Dogs. The size of the dog – as well as the breed – may be your biggest decision. Bigger dogs usually require fenced-in backyards and more exercise. Smaller dogs tend to be more protective of their owners. Smaller breeds are “lap dogs” and easier to transport, and usually are less energetic. There are, however, exceptions, such as high-strung breeds like Jack Russell terriers. Puppy or adult dog? Adult dogs have longer attention spans and do less damage to your house. However, with an older dog, you also acquire a dog who may have certain negative habits.

Cats. In some ways, cats can be a better choice than a dog as they tend to adjust to a wider variety of lifestyles. They do just as well in small apartment as big houses. Kittens, like puppies, tend to be more rambunctious and playful, whereas older cats are more settled and not so prone to roam. Visit a pet store or pound and get to know the various breeds before making a decision. Short-haired cats are easier to care for as they need less grooming.

Birds. Birds can also make good pets.Choices need to be made here as well. Cockatiels aren’t as nervous as parakeets and live longer. Some cockatiel owners even claim they’ve taught their birds to talk. Parrots make delightful pets and can be taught to talk, and tend to live a long time (so a senior may want to name a guardian).

If owning a pet is just too much to consider or not possible, you can always get a visit from our Certified Pet Therapy Dog- “Lola”. She is available for visits to our clients homes.

It’s that time of year again. Emergency rooms at hospitals around the country are preparing for an onslaught of patients with the flu.

Not sleeping well or being under additional stress can make you more susceptible. If you smoke, this is a good time to stop, because it can lower your resistance. It is strongly recommended that people over 65 get a flu shot.

How do you prevent the flu? You can reduce your chances of getting the flu by following these common sense steps:

1. Get a flu shot
2. Wash your hands throughout the day
3. Keep your fingernails short
4. If possible avoid people who are sick
5. Drink plenty of liquids
6. Don’t touch your eyes or mouth with your hands
7. Use a hand sanitizer
8. Get plenty of sleep
9. Avoid/reduce smoking
10. Avoid/reduce stress

New Jersey Home Health

If you’re planning on traveling out of the country, getting your plane tickets and packing your suitcase may not be enough.Travel medicine experts strongly recommend that you don’t leave home without also taking the proper health precautions.

If you’re planning on traveling to certain locations, you should see a travel doctor a month or so before because if any immunizations are recommended it takes time for the body to form antibodies to the vaccines. For example, while the Yellow Fever vaccine needs to be given a minimum of 10 days prior to entering a country that requires it, the Japanese encephalitis vaccine series and rabies pre-exposure series require 2-3 vaccines given over three to four weeks. Doctors are limited in what they can do to protect travelers who wait until the last minute to see them.

Taking precautions is not only important when traveling to countries in the developing world. Certain health issues can also present dangers in countries that are generally not viewed as part of the developing world – such as Israel, where Hepatitis A can be a problem, or the Dominican Republic, which not too many years ago had a polio scare.

Travel medicine doctors will discuss with patients the Centers for Disease Control’s (www.cdc.gov) latest recommendations on vaccines and recent health warnings.

Here are some additional things to consider:

• In addition to avoiding sink or tap water (or even brushing your teeth with the water) in developing countries, stay away from eating any food sold by street vendors or found on communal tables. Other reminders: only eat fruits with a peel that you can peel yourself, avoid dairy products that are made from unpasteurized milk, stay away from raw food and undercooked meats, and only eat vegetables that are piping hot.

• Even travelers on cruises can be prey to such illnesses as noroviruses which cause diarrhea. As a result, it is suggested that travelers take alcohol sanitizers with them and wash hands frequently.

• When traveling to warmer countries stay away from swimming in fresh water lakes and streams that may contain parasites. Well chlorinated pools and saltwater are safe.

• Travelers are encouraged to pack a kit that includes basic medications for pain and headache relief and diarrhea, bug spray that includes DEET to repel mosquito-born illnesses, and antibiotics for such common problems as gastroenteritis, ear infections, sinusitis, and urinary infections.

Expert Home Care is one of the largest providers of New Jersey home care services. Since its beginning in 1985, the agency continues to lead the field by example. Each year, Home Care Pulse interviews customers and employees nationwide in an effort to determine the quality of care that home care agencies provide. From this important feedback, they select the best qualified agency or agencies to serve a community’s needs.

“We’re honored to have received the 2012 Best of Home Care award.” said Frank Esposito, Vice President of Expert Home Care. “We closely monitor client and employee feedback and are committed to quality across all facets of the care experience, including caregiver work ethic, morale, timeliness, compassion, coordination of caregivers schedules and overall quality of service. It is important that we truly go beyond making statements about ‘quality and satisfaction’ and put them into action” said Esposito.

Choosing a home care provider for your loved one can be a stressful process. When faced with many choices in agencies, it is sometimes difficult to know why one is better than another. What does it mean to win a “Best of Home Care” Award? Simply put, a “Best of Home Care” award means that an agency has proven that they care about quality in both client and caregiver interactions.

To learn more about the New Jersey home care services of Expert Home Care, please visit http://www.experthomecare.com/ for details.

About Expert Home Care
Since 1985, the agency continues to lead the field by example. The NJ State Division of Consumer Affairs licenses Expert Home Care as a Health Care Services Firm. As required by law, Expert Home Care is the direct employer of all it’s personnel and assumes full responsibility for all employee withholding taxes and insurances such as unemployment, disability and workman’s compensation. Regulations also dictate that any agency providing hands on personal care and assistance must use Certified home health aides licensed by the NJ State Board of Nursing.

Company Contact Information
Expert Home Care
Frank Esposito
100 Bayard St, Suite 206 New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Phone : (800) 848-2336