Coming Together to Aid Those Who Have Lost so Much

As you are aware, New Jersey was ravaged by Hurricane Sandy on October 29th. Thousands of people lost their homes and cars and are currently living in shelters wondering when they will be able to return home. Millions of people lost power and sustained remarkable damage to their homes and personal property. Thousands of pets have been rescued and are waiting to be reunited with their loved ones.  We've seen the pictures and heard the stories.  Now let's ban together and make a difference!

Home Care Assistance wants to join the effort in supporting the victims of Hurricane Sandy by serving as a drop-off location for necessary items.  We are asking everyone if they can donate:   

• Blankets
• Winter coats
• Socks
• Non-perishable staple food items (i.e. canned goods, peanut butter, etc.)
• Baby formula
• Dog & cat food
• Cat litter
• Cleaning supplies
• Paper towels
• Gift cards to grocery and pet stores

Items can be dropped off at any of our three main locations, which include Monroe, Warren, and Red Bank.  Likewise, we may be able to assist by picking up items at your home or office.  Please call the location that is closest to you in order to make pick-up arrangements. 

Information About Upcoming Webinar for Caregivers of Loved Ones with Alzheimer's & Dementia

If you are a caregiver helping a loved one cope with Alzheimer’s or dementia, you are not alone. Over 15 million family members throughout North America provide some level of Alzheimer’s or dementia care. In observance of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, Home Care Assistance will be hosting a free webinar on Wednesday, September 12^th at 11 AM Pacific, 2 PM Eastern to help educate family caregivers on effective communication techniques and practical tips for managing the evolving needs of a loved one with dementia. By being proactive and identifying potential problems that dementia sufferers may encounter, caregivers can better provide for their safety and wellbeing.

The webinar will feature renowned dementia expert Dr. Judith London, a licensed psychologist with over two decades of experience in the field of Alzheimer's and related dementia research and the author of Connecting the Dots: Breakthroughs in Communication as Alzheimer's Advances. To register for the webinar, please visit http://homecareassistance.com/alzheimers-awareness and reserve your spot today.

"We’re so excited to have Dr. London speak to our audience of thousands of family caregivers,” said Lily Sarafan, President of Home Care Assistance. “Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be a physically and emotionally trying experience. Providing public education to reduce caregiver burnout and improve quality of life is clearly in line with our mission to change the way the world ages."

September’s webinar on the topics of Alzheimer’s and dementia is the third installment in Home Care Assistance’s Healthy Longevity Webinar Series. The series brings experts from a diverse spectrum of health and wellness fields to the company’s clients and the wider community in an engaging and informative format.  The premise driving the webinar series is that individuals who are well-informed will make better health decisions, become active partners with their healthcare professionals in promoting their own health and encourage loved ones to also engage in healthy lifestyle behaviors. The webinars are offered free to the public as part of our broader education initiative, through which we actively provide information and resources around topics related to aging, wellness and quality of life.

Women and Alzheimer's Disease: The Caregiver's Crisis | workingmother.com

This is how Alzheimer's Disease is impacting today's working mothers.

Women and Alzheimer's Disease: The Caregiver's Crisis | workingmother.com

May is Arthritis Awareness Month

by Anne Pagnoni

According to the CDC, over 50 million Americans are living with the pain and discomfort of arthritis.  Of these, 21 million are experiencing physical limitations due to the disease.  While arthritis is a word that most of us have heard, did you know that arthritis is actually a general term used to describe joint inflammation and that the term arthritis is used to describe over 100 different conditions impacting the joints?   While osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, lupus, and gout are other frequently occurring forms of arthritis.  Arthritis is seen more commonly in adults over age 65, but it can impact anyone including children. 

Arthritis is seen as a public health problem as it impacts such a large number of people.  As our population continues to age, the number of people living with arthritis is going to increase.  It is predicted that the number of adults living with arthritis will increase to 67 million by the year 2030 with at least one third being impacted with limited activity as a result. 

There are a variety of factors that have been shown to increase a person's risk for arthritis.  The risk of developing arthritis increases with age. Women are at a greater chance of developing arthritis than men.  Almost 60% of all people with arthritis are women.  Certain genes can increase a person's chance of developing certain types of arthritis including rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus.  Excess weight can lead to someone developing osteoarthritis of the knees.  If someone has a job that involves them repeatedly bending and squatting, then they are at an increased risk of developing arthritis. 

There are things that you can do to protect your joints and help prevent osteoarthritis in particular.  Maintain your ideal body weight.  The more you weigh the more stress you're putting on your knees, back, hip, and feet joints.  Exercise regularly.  Exercise protects joints by strengthening the muscles around them.  Strong muscles keep joints from rubbing on each other.  When lifting or carrying items, use your largest and strongest joints and muscles.  This helps alleviate stress and prevent injury to smaller joints. Listen to your body.  If you're in pain, then you probably overstressed your joints. 

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with arthritis, there are things that you can do to continue to live a relatively pain-free life.  While there are medications that can help alleviate joint pain and swelling, there are many things that can be done that don't involve medications.  Physical and occupational therapy, splints or assistive devices, and weight loss can all help control pain and maintain function.  For more suggestions on how to "do it easier" with arthritis, please visit Arthritis Today. 

For more detailed information about arthritis, please visit the Arthritis Foundation and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Take It. Share It.

In 2011, the American Diabetes Association encouraged Americans to “Join the Million Challenge” and more than 600,000 people took the Diabetes Risk Test. On March, 27, 2012, the Association will aim to top that number, inspiring people to take the all-new Diabetes Risk Test, as well as to share the test with everyone they care about - friends, family members and colleagues. With each person that takes the test and knows their risk, the Association is that much closer to stopping diabetes.

American Diabetes Association Alert Day®, which is held every fourth Tuesday in March, is a one-day, “wake-up call” asking the American public to take the Diabetes Risk Test to find out if they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

The new Diabetes Risk Test asks users to answer simple questions about weight, age, family history and other potential risks for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.  Preventative tips are provided for everyone who takes the test, including encouraging those at high risk to talk with their health care provider.

Diabetes by the Numbers

Diabetes is a serious disease that strikes nearly 26 million children and adults in the United States, and a quarter of them—7 million—do not even know they have it. An additional 79 million, or one in three American adults, have prediabetes, which puts them at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Recent estimates project that as many as one in three American adults will have diabetes in 2050 unless we take the steps to Stop Diabetes®.
 

Are You at Risk?

Everyone should be aware of the risk factors for type 2 diabetes.  People who are overweight, under active (living a sedentary lifestyle) and over the age of 45 should consider themselves at risk for the disease.  African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and people who have a family history of the disease also are at an increased risk for type 2 diabetes.

Unfortunately, diagnosis often comes 7 to 10 years after the onset of the disease, after disabling and even deadly complications have had time to develop.  Therefore, early diagnosis is critical to successful treatment and delaying or preventing some of its complications such as heart disease, blindness, kidney disease, stroke, amputation and death. 

The American Diabetes Association has made a strong commitment to primary prevention of type 2 diabetes by increasing awareness of prediabetes and actively engaging individuals in preventative behaviors like weight loss, physical activity and healthful eating.  Alert Day is a singular moment in time in which we can raise awareness and prompt action among the general public – particularly those at risk.

Take Charge of Your Health

Studies have shown that type 2 diabetes can often be prevented or delayed by losing just 7% of body weight (such as 15 pounds if you weigh 200) through regular physical activity (30 minutes a day, five days a week) and healthy eating.  By understanding your risk, you can take the necessary steps to help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.
 

You can be part of the movement to Stop Diabetes® and get your free Diabetes Risk Test (English or Spanish) by visiting the Association on Facebook, stopdiabetes.com or by calling 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383). Although Alert Day is a one-day event, the Diabetes Risk Test is available year-round.

About the American Diabetes Association

The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Some might be surprised to learn that St. Patrick's Day is actually a religious holiday celebrated yearly on March 17th.  St. Patrick's Day commemorates the arrival of Christianity in Ireland as well as the life of St. Patrick, who is the patron saint of Ireland.  It became an official Feast day in the 17th century but has gradually become a secular festival, which celebrates Irish culture in general. 

St. Patrick is said to have been born into a wealthy Roman Britain family sometime in the 4th century.  Both his father and grandfather were deacons in the church.  When he was 16 years old, he was taken captive by Irish raiders and was taken to Ireland where he was imprisoned as a slave.  Eventually Patrick was able to flee captivity and return to Britain.  Upon his return, he joined the church and studied to become a priest. 

In 432, Patrick said that God called him to return to Ireland so that he could bring Christianity to them.  After spending 30 years in Ireland, Patrick passed away on March 17, 461, and was buried in Downpatrick.  Patrick is held in esteem in the Irish church and is heralded for bringing Christianity to Ireland.  According to Irish folklore, Patrick taught the pagan Irish about the holy trinity by using the example of the three leaf shamrock. 

In the early days, the original color associated with St. Patrick's Day was blue.  Over time, however, green began to grow in popularity.  In the 1798 rebellion, Irish soldiers hoping to make a political statement and gather public attention, wore green on March 17th. 

In the mid 1990s, the Irish government began an initiative to globally showcase Ireland and its culture on St. Patrick's Day.  In doing so, the government hoped to make a day whereby all Irish descendents could join in on festivities celebrating their heritage and to have a celebration that was amongst the largest and greatest in the world.  March 17, 1996 marked the first St. Patrick's Day festival in Ireland.  By 2006, the festival had become five days long with almost 1 million people in attendance. 

In the United States, every year since 1991 March has been proclaimed Irish-American Heritage month.  Today St. Patrick's Day is celebrated by both the Irish and non-Irish alike.  For most Irish Americans, St. Patrick's Day is both a religious and festive day.  Many Irish-Americans start the day off with church services followed by parades, parties, Irish music and food, and dances.  Alcohol consumption on St. Patrick's Day has soared over the past several years as individuals are allowed to break their Lenten sacrifices in order to celebrate the day. 

One would think that the largest St. Patrick's Day parade would take place in Ireland; however, this isn't true.  The largest St. Patrick's Day parade takes place in New York City.  It has close to 15,000 people marching in the parade with almost 2 million in spectators lining the NYC streets. 

It needs to be mentioned that there are more Irish-Americans than there are Irish!  There are 36.5 million Americans claiming an Irish heritage.  Ireland, on the other hand, only has a population of about 6 million. 

Erin go braugh! 

New Report Reveals Alzheimer's Will Cost Nation $200 billion in 2012

The recently released Alzheimer’s Association 2012 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report says that caring for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias will cost the United States an estimated $200 billion in 2012. This includes $140 billion paid by Medicare and Medicaid. 

In addition, Medicare payments for an older person with Alzheimer’s and other dementias are nearly three times higher and Medicaid payments are 19 times higher than for seniors without these conditions. These costs will only continue to soar in the coming years given the projected rapidly escalating prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease as the baby boomers age.

 

The facts outlined in the report also underscore the need for investment in research. While the estimated costs of Alzheimer’s to the country are $200 billion, only one percent of this, $2 billion, is what scientists say is needed to make significant inroads in Alzheimer’s research that can begin to solve the crisis. To learn more about the information released in Facts and Figures, visit alz.org to watch a video summarizing the report.

Facts and Figures also includes a special section focusing on individuals living alone with Alzheimer’s. While Alzheimer’s imposes profound challenges on individuals and their families, for the one out of seven individuals with Alzheimer’s who live alone these challenges are even more formidable. An estimated 800,000 individuals have Alzheimer’s and live alone, and up to half of these individuals do not have an identifiable caregiver.

The Alzheimer’s Association provides a wealth of resources, programs and materials to assist individuals who live alone and their families, including:

Helpline: Available 24/7, this free call center (800.272.3900) offers information and support from master’s level clinicians.

Care consultations: The Alzheimer’s Association offers care consultations to individuals and their families living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Care planning is essential to provide those with the disease information about medical and non-medical options for treatment and support services.

ALZConnected: ALZConnected, powered by the Alzheimer’s Association, is the first dedicated online social networking community for anyone affected by Alzheimer’s disease; it provides a safe place for people to connect with others in similar situations 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at no charge.

For more information and resources to support those living alone with Alzheimer’s, visit the Alzheimer’s Association website at alz.org. 

Get Your Plate in Shape!

by Anne Pagnoni


During March we observe National Nutrition Month^®.  For 2012 the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics encourages everyone to think about what goes on his or her plate or in his bowl through this year's theme: "Get Your Plate in Shape."

It’s important to focus our thoughts on foods like fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, lean proteins, and whole grains as they contain necessary nutrients without too many extra calories.  Make sure that you eat foods from all of the food groups during the day. 

The food and nutrition experts at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics make the following recommendations on how to “Get Your Plate in Shape”: 

·         Make half of your plate fruits and vegetables: Eat a variety of vegetables, especially dark-green, red and orange varieties. Add fresh, dried, frozen or canned fruits to meals and snacks.

·         Make at least half your grains whole: Choose 100 percent whole-grain breads, cereals, crackers, pasta and brown rice. Check the ingredients list on food packages to find whole-grain foods.

·         Switch to fat-free or low-fat milk: Fat-free and low-fat milk have the same amount of calcium and other essential nutrients as whole milk, but less fat and calories. For those who are lactose intolerant, try lactose-free milk or a calcium-fortified soy beverage.

·         Vary your protein choices: Eat a variety of foods from the protein food group each week, such as seafood, nuts and beans, as well as lean meat, poultry and eggs. Keep meat and poultry portions small and lean. And be sure to choose seafood as the protein at least twice a week.

·         Cut back on sodium and empty calories from solid fats and added sugars: Compare sodium in foods and choose those with lower numbers, and season your foods with herbs and spices instead of salt. Switch from solid fats to healthy oils like olive and canola oil. Replace sugary drinks with water and choose fruit for dessert.

·         Enjoy your foods but eat less: Avoid oversized portions. Use a smaller plate, bowl and glass. Cook more often at home where you are in control of what’s in your food. When eating out, choose lower calorie menu options.

·         Be physically active your way: Adults need at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of physical activity every week. Choose activities that you enjoy, and start by doing as much as you can. 

For more information on how you can “Get Your Plate in Shape”, please visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ National Nutrition Month.  

African Americans and Alzheimer's Disease

Currently, as many as 5.4 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. This devastating, deteriorating and debilitating disease is the ultimate thief — a thief of memories, thief of independence, thief of control, and ultimately, a thief of life.

Many Americans dismiss the warning signs of Alzheimer’s, believing that these symptoms are a part of normal aging. They are diagnosed too late and miss the opportunity to get the best care possible. This issue is of even greater concern for African-Americans, who are about two times more likely to have Alzheimer’s and other dementias than whites.

African-Americans have a higher rate of vascular disease (diseases involving blood vessels, including heart attack and stroke) – one of the suspected risk factors of Alzheimer’s disease. Often caused in part by poor nutritional habits and low physical activity levels, vascular disease may trigger cognitive decline.

To help reduce these risk factors and reverse the growing trend of Alzheimer’s disease among African-Americans, visit alz.org/africanamerican. This Web portal from the Alzheimer’s Association offers tips on brain and heart health, summarizes the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s and suggests methods of stress relief for the African-American caregiver.

Heart Health 101

We are proud to invite you to participate in an exciting webinar next Friday, February 17, 2012 in honor of Heart Month. Heart Health 101 will provide practical information and tips you can apply to your day-to-day life, whether you are managing an existing cardiac condition or you are healthy and keen to maintain your heart health.

Heart Health 101 is presented by Home Care Assistance and will feature renowned Cleveland Clinic heart experts Dr. Steve Nissen, chair of the Cardiac Department, and Dr. Marc Gillinov, a recognized Cardiovascular Surgeon. Drs. Nissen and Gillinov, in addition to being accomplished physicians, are the authors of Heart 411-The Only Guide to Heart Health You'll Ever Need, released last Tuesday to coincide with American Heart Month.

This free webinar will be held on February 17, 2012 at 2:00 PM (EST). We recommend this webinar for anyone who is interested in health and wellness topics, especially those who have a history of heart disease. Space is limited to the first 1000 registrants, so make sure to reserve your seat as soon as possible at www.homecareassistance.com/heartmonth.

Heart 411 has been described as the definitive guide to heart health from two of America's most respected doctors at the Cleveland Clinic, the leading hospital for heart health in America. Their book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in heart health that provides answers to common questions such as "Can a high stress job really lead to a heart attack?" and "What are the most important medical tests to run to check on heart health?" in an accessible way and provides useful health tips from which everyone can benefit.

"Good information is the key to good heart health," said Dr. Gillinov, Cardiac Surgeon at Cleveland Clinic. "Myths and misinformation abound. Our mission is to arm people with real, evidence-based medical information that will empower them to ensure their heart health."

In addition to the webinar, Home Care Assistance is also celebrating Heart Month by providing free copies of our Patient Guide to Cardiac Rehabilitation, Patient Guide to Post-Stroke Recovery and the latest book in our series, From Hospital to Home Care: A Step by Step Guide to Provide Care to Patients Post Hospitalization. For your free copies or for questions regarding the webinar or any other topic, please call us at one of our local offices.

Stay tuned for more exciting news from Home Care Assistance as we announce future webinars and other educational initiatives. If you'd like to join our mailing list for weekly updates related to health and wellness, sign up on our website at http://www.homecareassistance.com/ (enter your e-mail address in the upper right hand corner sign-up section). Thank you!

Online Dementia and Driving Resource Center Helps Families Tackle a Difficult Topic

Due to the progressive nature of Alzheimer’s, every person with the disease will eventually become unable to drive. Some people are able to continue driving in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, but it requires ongoing evaluation to ensure safety.

As hard as it is for people living with Alzheimer’s to give up driving, addressing the topic is often just as hard on caregivers. In response to this delicate topic and lack of resources to address it, the Alzheimer’s Association, with support from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, created a new Dementia and Driving Resource Center (DDRC) located online at alz.org/driving.

The DDRC was designed to inform and support the needs of both caregivers and people living with dementia in a compassionate manner. The site features four short videos depicting different scenarios for approaching driving and dementia. In addition, the DDRC has tips and strategies for planning ahead and handling resistance, common signs of unsafe driving, resources for alternative methods of transportation and additional information on driving and safety.

The Alzheimer’s Association recommends that families discuss driving, ideally while the person with Alzheimer’s is still able to participate in the conversation and decision-making process. The following are signs that it may be time for the person with dementia to stop driving:

• Forgetting how to locate familiar places 
• Failing to observe traffic signs 
• Making slow or poor decisions in traffic 
• Driving at an inappropriate speed 
• Becoming angry or confused while driving 
• Hitting curbs 
• Using poor lane control 
• Making errors at intersections 
• Confusing the brake and gas pedals 
• Returning from a routine drive later than usual 
• Forgetting the destination you are driving to during the trip  

If you are concerned that your loved one with Alzheimer's Disease or another related dementia may no longer be able to drive safely, then please visit the Alzheimer's Association's Dementia and Driving Resource Center.