"Best of Home Care" Distinction

We are so pleased to announce that two of our very own locations have been recognized with Home Care Pulse's "Best of Home Care" distinction!  Awarded to the top 25% of agencies in client satisfaction scores from Home Care Pulse, Home Care Assistance of Central New Jersey and Home Care Assistance of Northern/Central New Jersey are now ranked among a select few of the best agencies in the country.

“We know that sometimes it is difficult to make care decisions when you don’t have specific experience with an agency.  It was our goal to provide families with the ability to make an informed decision, have tangible ways to measure quality and help them find a comfort level when choosing an agency to work with,” commented Aaron Marcum, founder of Home Care Pulse. 

Home Care Pulse, a company which measures client and employee satisfaction, created the award to identify those agencies in the in-home care space that demonstrate a passion for client and employee satisfaction. Home Care Pulse believes that honoring such companies can both educate and help families to make better care decisions for their aging loved ones.

The selection process for the “Best of Home Care” includes the evaluation of client and employee satisfaction in areas such as agency training, communication, overall quality of care, caregiver performance, caregiver morale, response to problems and recommendation of services.

Please join us in congratulating Kevin McClarren, Owner/President of Home Care Assistance of Northern/Central New Jersey, and Lance Abramowitz, Regional Director of Home Care Assistance of Central New Jersey for their accomplishments! 

Free Yoga and Meditation Classes Offered

Home Care Assistance of Central New Jersey is now offering free senior yoga and meditation classes taught by The Art of Living Foundation, a not-for-profit, educational and humanitarian NGO which champions physical and mental stress management.

In line with Home Care Assistance’s Healthy Longevity series, which promotes healthy lifestyle behaviors and optimal wellbeing, Art of Living yoga and meditation classes will teach seniors how to unify their breath, mind, body and spirit to experience ultimate relaxation and calm. Each session will involve light fitness, which will cater to the ability of each individual. Classes will be held 

Wednesdays from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm 

Home Care Assistance of Central New Jersey

9 Schalks Crossing Road, Suite 710, Plainsboro

Attendees are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and bring their own yoga mat or towel and water bottle. Join Home Care Assistance and The Art of Living Foundation as they introduce senior yoga and meditation to the local community!  For more information, please call us at 609-799-1011.  

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

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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.