How to stay committed to your commitments

O.k. so the New Year is upon us. We have made our list of New Year’s resolutions and like every year, we think this year is the time for change. Sadly, two weeks later, we stop going to the gym, one month later we are still fat and now paying a monthly gym membership, yoga class and Pilates, which we thought was going to make us healthy, skinnier and open our minds. By the end of February, our hopes and dreams have once again been shattered until next year.

The big question here is: WHY?

Why do so many of us make New Year’s resolutions (i.e. eating healthy), commit to do things (i.e. love more) and even commit to make changes (i.e. quit smoking), but time and time again we keep failing. This does not make us a bad person or a failure by any means. Most of us have plenty of distractions in our lives, which force us to make different levels of commitments. The shameful truth is that we make excuses because we LOVE comfort, safety and simplicity. We all know the effort it takes to count calories, go the gym and work out, but most times we slip into our old habits with “yeah but” which always trumps our commitments.

In order to stay committed one must learn how to be and stay committed without letting “yeah but” back into our vocabulary. Regardless of the commitments that we make to ourselves or others, here are a few key words of advice to help you stay committed.

Sacrifice
A key to knowing we are committed is by being able to sacrifice for the good of our commitment. Think of the athlete that is willing to train for countless hours at the gym to be able to perform at their personal best. If you are willing to sacrifice for something knowing it will disrupt the comforts of your life then you are committed.

Create a ritual
Make working out part of your schedule. The same way taking your kids to soccer practice every Tuesday and Thursday is part of your routine, you should make the gym or whatever other commitment part of that same schedule. Over time this will make you go to the gym almost subconsciously, since it will be part of your weekly routine.

Determination
There will be inevitable setbacks while you are trying to complete your goals. Like the athlete that could not workout on Monday but decides that they will go to the gym on Tuesday instead to make up for Monday. We must face our challenges with confidence and resilience to make sure that our commitments are met. This involves us learning to solve problems in order to take the necessary steps to work past them.

Get support
There are plenty of people out there and in our lives that would love to help us if we need the help. If you are trying to go to the gym as a regular routine, but sometimes feel discouraged or “out of it”; find someone to go with you so you can motivate them and they can motivate you.

Lastly, it is also important that we keep our goals in context. We should remember that the point of achieving our goal either today or years from now is to improve our lives. However, we are still living in the present and must acknowledge that. If we live only for our goals, we will possibly resent the present, and start resenting our goals as well.

At First Care of New York we are always committed to providing the best home care services possible. We understand the delicacies that come with our clients and the condition they are in versus the life they used to lead. We understand that they want to continue to live freely, independently and with the same energy and fervor that makes them happy. The ability to continue to perform their daily activities, whether it be in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan or Queens areas. You can count on First Care of New York to be available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for any and all Live in Care, Personal Care, Home Health and Companionship. For your convenience, we may even schedule a nurse to visit you or your loved one’s home and evaluate the level of care that is needed. This will help clarify some questions you or your loved one may have. First Care is a licensed home care service agency that provides top quality aides to all our clients. We are regulated by the NYS Department of Health and are accredited by The Joint Commission. If you would like to have more information, please feel free to contact us by phone at 718-741-5950 or on our website at http://www.1st-care.org/.

Senior’s Holiday Blues

The Holiday season is amongst us. It is a time of year when many people are jolly and are usually looking forward to gathering with friends and family; looking forward to getting presents and ringing in a new year. Nevertheless, for many of our seniors, the holiday season is sometimes the roughest part of the year. Many seniors are widows/widowers, have lost friends and other family members as they have aged, are separated from family or their current loved one or themselves could be ill either physically or mentally and can no longer participate in the holiday events like they used to. While many will try to hide their feelings during the holidays, it can be quite a tough time for our seniors, which can lead to the holiday blues and even worse depression.

Several symptoms of the blues are:

• Crying often
• Loss or gaining weight
• Difficulty sleeping
• Difficulty thinking, remembering or concentrating
• Irritability
• Loss of interest
• Sense of worthlessness
• Thoughts of suicide – Contact a mental health professional immediately

One should pay special attention to their friends and family during these times and if you notice any of the symptoms; even if they are not an elderly person, you should approach them and see if they might be feeling blue during the holidays. Listen carefully if someone complains to you about being depressed or says people don't care. That person may be telling you he or she needs help.
There are many things one can do to avoid feeling the blues:

• Volunteer – Helping others is a great way to distract your mind from your own troubles. Churches and other civic groups would appreciate your help.
• Do not be alone – If you cannot be with family during the holidays invite some close friends to come over.
• Avoid alcohol if possible – Alcohol is a depressant and that is what you are trying to avoid.
• Don’t deny or hide your feelings of sadness – Just being able to share your feelings with someone can help you cope with the holiday blues.
• Avoid stress – Stress during the holidays may make you feel more isolated and worsen your mood.
• Honor loved ones – Remembering the person that cut the turkey or dressed as Santa can be difficult, but it can also bring the family closer and aide in having a pleasant holiday.

At First Care of New York, Inc., we are here to help with concerns like the holiday blues and depression. Our staff is trained to recognize and handle clients who may be dealing with depression when visiting patient’s homes in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan. Our home health aides and personal care aides are trained to help you. The aides serve as companions during those hard and dark times. We also have Live-in care for those of you who may need 24 hour support. No matter the time, day or place, we want to brighten your day first with care. We hope you have a very happy and safe holiday season.

The beautiful winter months are coming

The winter brings many joyful things such as: Christmas, the New Year and a bunch of snow and rain. Sometimes the weather turns out worse than expected and we end up in a severe storm that knocks out the electricity, shuts down roads. Severe weather can even lead to people needing to be evacuated from their homes. Every year the weather seems to be more unpredictable than the last and since the winter is only a few weeks away; First Care of New York would like to give you some advice on how to prepare for it.
The basics of winter are as follows:

1. Be sure to check all your doors and windows to check for drafts. If you do feel a draft, try to seal it or find someone that can do it for you. A great deal of heat loss is because of drafty doors and windows leading to higher heating bills.
2. Check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. With your windows shut, you never want to take the chance of having carbon monoxide creep into your home as it is a colorless and odorless killer.
3. Prepare an emergency kit – You should have all the necessities like spare batteries, medicine, first-aid kit, battery operated radio, flashlights, blankets and a list of emergency contacts. You also want to stock up on non-perishable foods and plenty of bottled water. You never want to get stuck in a storm without having some form of lifeline.

If you are a homeowner you will also want to do the following as well.

1. Replace your heater’s air filter today and every 3 months
2. Have your home’s heater serviced to ensure optimum efficiency (get a furnace inspection)
3. If you have an attic, make sure you are not losing significant amounts of heat due to poor insulation or improper ventilation.
4. If you have a fireplace, order firewood early to get a better price and do not forget to have someone inspect your fireplace to make sure it is still in good working order.

The winter is a beautiful time of year to enjoy hot cocoa, have snowball fights, and have a sleigh ride (granted this is mostly for kids), but we can also enjoy cozy nights, snuggling up for good movies and going ice-skating. This is what winters are supposed to be about, not about freezing temperatures and high heating bills. At First Care of New York, we always want to keep you informed of the best ways to keep yourself and your loved ones safe and healthy. Enjoy the winter!!!

“First Care Picks Up Where Others Leave Off”

Open House

First Care of New York Inc.

2488 Grand Concourse , Suite 329

Bronx, NY 10458 

(Inside our Training Facility)

December 5th, 2011

2:00pm – 5:00pm

We are currently seeking Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Speech Therapists

(718) 364-7251 x 228 or x220

We are currently seeking Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Speech Therapists. Please send your resume to fax (718) 364-7255 or email us at info@1st-care.org . Or you can come in person on December 5th 2011 to our Open House for an Interview.

PHYSICAL THERAPY: Physical Therapy services are provided to individuals who demonstrate the presence of a functional limitation. A Physical therapist’s role is to provide skilled intervention to improve the patient’s level of functioning in self-care, mobility, safety, range of motion, or strength and to establish a safe and effective maintenance program. Examples of therapy services include: assessment of needs and development of a therapy program for the patient. The physical therapist’s functions also include: Therapeutic exercises; Gait training and active range of motion exercises.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY: The occupational therapist assists patient’s in acquiring the skills necessary to accomplish ADLs. An occupational therapist’s interventions on the patient’s upper extremities and on the fine muscle skills are needed to perform functional activities, such as: eating or dressing. In addition to assisting patients in developing self-care skills; the therapist is involved in assessing the patient’s home for safety and suggesting modifications to improve the patient’s ability to function independently. The skilled OT program may include:

 Selecting and teaching task-oriented therapeutic activities designed to restore physical function.

 Planning, implementing and supervising therapeutic tasks and activities designed to restore sensory integrative function.

 Planning, implementing and supervising of individualized therapeutic programs as part of an overall “active treatment” program.

 Teaching ADLs and instrumental ADLs.

 Designing, fabricating, and fitting orthotic and self-help devices.

SPEECH THERAPY: Speech Therapy services are provided to individuals who have speech and language problems, including difficulties or delays in language development. Problems with speech and language may be either expressive or receptive. In addition, ST services are also helpful with patients who are experiencing dysphasia. The speech therapist works with patients to improve their ability to carry out independent ADLs related to communication or swallowing, i.e. talking on phone, eating or managing oral secretions. Speech Therapy includes:

Assessment; Diagnostic testing and evaluation; Maintenance therapy, Therapeutic services; Aural rehabilitation; Teaching and training.

Breast Cancer Fact & Fiction

October is known as breast cancer awareness month. This tradition began back in 1984 between several organizations aspiring to help bring awareness and education to the general public about breast cancer. Many companies, organizations, athletic leagues and even federal departments all support this cause by sporting pink ribbons. However, too many people remain confused to certain myths and facts concerning breast cancer. Though there is no cure for breast cancer, the best thing to do is get yourself checked out by a physician and let them be the one to give you a clean bill of health. At First Care of New York we would like to provide you with some facts and fictitious things people think of when it comes to breast cancer.

Only women get breast cancer – Fiction
Though rare, men get breast cancer as well. It is equally as important for men to undergo regular breast self-check techniques for prevention and early diagnosis.

Breast feeding – Fiction
There has been no direct correlation of breast feeding and breast cancer. Some scientists actually believe it might help to fight breast cancer.

Underwire bras causes’ breast cancer – Fiction
The verity is that there is not enough evidence to support this argument

All breast lumps are cancerous – Fiction
Not all breast lumps are malignant or cancerous. However, this does not imply that a person should stop reporting any breast changes that occur to their doctor. In order to determine whether a lump is cancerous or not, further diagnostic procedures like mammogram, biopsy or ultrasound should be done.

Birth control pills can lead to breast cancer – Fiction
It is true that birth control pills do contain a small amount of estrogen. Nonetheless; there is no substantial proof to authenticate this statement.

Breast cancer is contagious – Fiction
Breast cancer is not contagious, contradictory to what most people believe it to be. This misconception is mainly due to the fact that a number of cases of breast cancer are linked with a family history.

Antiperspirants and deodorants cause breast cancer – Fiction
I guess people began to think of this because deodorant is applied near the breast area. The Truth Researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) are not aware of any definitive evidence relating the use of underarm antiperspirants or deodorants and the development of breast cancer.

Having a family history of breast cancer means you will get it – Fiction
Although women who have a family history of breast cancer are in a higher risk grouping, most women who have breast cancer have little or none family history. If you have a mother, daughter, sister, or grandmother who had breast cancer, you should take precautions and have a mammogram five years before the age of their diagnosis, or starting at age 35.

Though there might be other fictitious rumors about how one may get cancer. There is only one way to help manage your health concerning breast cancer. Screening by a licensed professional is the only sure way to help identify and treat cancer if detected. If you should ever detect any changes in your breast area, whether you are male or female, you should have yourself checked out. Early detection may be the difference between recovery or the need for treatments.

Using the 5 senses to determine if you or your loved one needs care and assistance

Every day people forget things, fall or just do something that is out of the norm. Most of us do it because of lack of paying attention, being in a hurry or just because we did something foolish without thinking of the consequences. Over time people give off many clues as to their mental and/or physical condition. For people or seniors with mental or physical difficulties, these incidences can be the first clue that things might be becoming more challenging for them. A good way to tell if someone might need care or assistance is by using all of our senses.

Use your eyes – With a visual inspection of someone or their living condition, we can pick up many signs that things are not going well.

• Look to see if their place is a mess or becoming more messy than usual.
• See if their clothes are dirty, stained or if they are wearing the same clothing for several days at a time.

Use your nose – Your nasal senses are very powerful especially in picking up foul odors.

• Sniff around their living quarters to see if it smells like an old gym locker or if the trash has not been taken out in some time.
• Smell the individual to see if they have taken a bath.
• Smell their breath as well to check if they are brushing their teeth and doing everyday activities.

Use your hands – Your hands are the best tools to maneuver through many things.

• Wipe a finger/hand around areas that should generally be clean to check for dust or other dirty conditions
• Bathroom areas – such as the sink and toilet area
• Kitchen – touch to see if things have spilled and the fridge is all sticky
• Living room – Check the TV for excessive dust on it, making it hard to view the screen.

Use your taste buds – Your tongue can distinguish between four basic taste of salty, sweet, bitter and sour.

• Not everything smells like it is spoiled. So give several items in the fridge a small taste test to see if they are good or spoiled. But use caution, because you don’t want to end up being the one that needs care for food poisoning.

Use your ears – Giving people the opportunity to be heard is one of the greatest ways to find out what is going on with them. Listening to how people speak can tell you a lot about their current mental status.

• Listen for clues of repeated events – Such as I fall often, I forget to take my medication; I forgot another doctor’s appointment.
• Listen for signs of sadness, disorientation or confusion.
• Listen to see if their speech is slurred or impaired, as this can signify mental problems.

If you sense that you or your loved one is having these issues, do not hesitate to get them care now. Being proactive can be the difference between them getting hurt and ending up in the hospital or having a safe, happier and healthier life.

For any aspect of care or information on care-giving, please feel free to contact First Care of New York. At First Care of New York we provide services in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens. For your convenience, a nurse can be scheduled to visit you or your loved one at home to evaluate the level of care that is needed at no cost to you, if they participate in our program. The nurse will also be able to evaluate the home to make you aware of any potential hazards that might cause harm to your family member. They will help clarify some questions you or your loved one may have. We can provide as much care as is needed from a couple of hours a week to 24 hour live-in care and everything in between. We employ highly trained and caring home health aides, personal care aides, homemakers, and nursing care. Services provided include: help with bathing, cooking, toileting, grooming, medicine reminder, laundry and cleaning services. First Care of New York is a licensed home care service agency that provides top quality care to all our clients.

Labor Day weekend happiness!

According to the U.S Department of Labor, “Labor Day”, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.” Though this stands true for most people it also means a long weekend for most of us to enjoy and celebrate with our families with backyard barbeques and other activities.
If you are doing the good old barbeque don’t forget to plan accordingly for this weekend. Scores of people will be doing the same thing. There are a few things to have smooth BBQ especially if you are the one hosting the event.

• Make a list of all your supplies you will need for your BBQ – Don’t forget the extra napkins
• Go shopping and pick up all your supplies – Or you might end up going to the store 22 times during the BBQ.
• Prepare the BBQ area the day before if possible – This will make it easier to notice what is missing or give you ides for things you can improve.
• If you are going to a park or some other place – You will want to leave as early as possible to get a “good spot”
• During the event – be a good host and check on all your guests to see if they are enjoying themselves
• Lastly the cleanup – Be sure to clean up the area and recycle all that you can. BBQ grease stuck on your backyard furniture will become a nightmare if you let it sit for a few days.

Once you have enjoyed yourself with friends and family it is time to go out and enjoy the events around town. Below is a brief list of things to do in different boroughs.

Bronx – Check out the baseball game at Yankee Stadium as they are playing against the Baltimore Orioles. Prices vary depending on seats.

Brooklyn – Habana Outpost’s Back to School Bash – Fort Greene

Brooklyn’s eco-eatery sends summer out with a bang. Arts and crafts, stilt walkers, clowns, dancing, face painting and lots more to entertain the crowds. Plus there will be free notebooks and pencils while supplies last, and a concert by Jeremy Plays Guitar. FREE

Manhattan – Holiday Monday at the Met – Upper East Side
The Met is usually closed on Mondays but today it opens for the holiday and offers fun family programs for kids ages 5-12 and their parents. Explore the masterpieces, then sketch and discuss. FREE with museum admission.

Queens – West Indian American Day Jr. Carnival – Crown Heights
All the excitement of Carnival for the smaller set: Catch the festive parade of kids donning colorful garb as they travel from Kingston Avenue and St. Johns Place to Franklin Avenue South, to President Street, into the grounds of the Brooklyn Museum for a costume competition. $2

At First Care of New York we want to keep everyone safe, secure and comfortable during Labor Day weekend. As a leading license home care agency we provide the best possible home care services in New York City. With our highly trained personal care aides and skilled home health aides we provide the adequate care you and your loved ones may need. Our aides provide such services as: grooming, bathing, toileting, dressing and feeding to name a few items. We provide services in the Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens.

Can Vitamin D better the life of the Elderly?

Many seniors spend their days doing indoor-related activities to stay active across the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens.  Although, these are great ways to spend your days, there is an increasing lack of sunlight exposure which can cause potential health issues as a person ages.  Vitamin D is a fantastic way to replenish and acquire valuable nutrients that will help you retain valuable functions as you age.  With the help of alzheimersreadingroom.com, we will discuss the value of Vitamin D in the human body, specifically as to how it relates to seniors. 

Vitamin D works in unison with Calcium to keep bones and muscles healthy and strong, preventing osteoporosis.  Calcium is not absorbed and distributed appropriately without Vitamin D.  On its own Vitamin D doesn’t do very much.  There are specific functions within the body that only work correctly by Vitamin D.  Without strong and healthy muscles and bones the elderly are at risk for falls, fractures, and even death.  Falls are the second leading cause of death in the US, with 75% of those falls occurring in the older population.  First Care of New York aides can assist with this problem by helping all of our patients of Live-In, Personal Care, Home Health and Companionship programs take medication and Vitamins to prevent such issues. 

The hormone Calcitonin, which is released from the thyroid gland, can cause cartilage to degrade if Vitamin D didn’t inhibit that process. So in essence this very important vitamin can help by assisting processes or preventing processes.  Many people do not realize the heart is a muscle.  Vitamin D plays an important role in heart health, and there is increasing research recognizing Vitamin D deficiency and its association to heart disease.  Chronic inflammation can cause many diseases which may include rheumatoid arthritis, kidney and prostate disorders, autoimmune diseases, as well as disorders affecting the skin, pelvis, bowels, respiratory, and vascular systems. Vitamin D deficiency also plays a part in Type I Diabetes.

It is recommended that you ask your physician, and advocate for your loved one to get tested for Vitamin D deficiency.  You should not begin a Vitamin D supplement without knowing your lab results or speaking with your physician.  It is possible to overdose on Vitamin D, but what if a simple daily supplement of Vitamin D can help you or your loved one’s quality of life? It’s worth pursuing.

First Care talks Cancer Fundraiser

A bright sunny day, a festive atmosphere, Jon Stewart and First Care of New York were all proud, pumped and prepared to fight against Cancer.

On Sunday, June 26th, 2011 First Care of New York was out in full force along with our parents, brothers, sisters and children, participating in the 5 mile Walk/Run as part of the Hope & Possibilities Event held in Central Park. First Care of New York was there in matching blue t-shirts and the universal pink ribbon paying homage to all the brave men and women fighting against Cancer. We are proud to announce that we raised over $10,000 for Cancer research, funds that went directly to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. The race commenced at Central Park and 72nd street, where we ran/walked up hills, through beautiful and scenic Central Park with people from all over New York State including the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens. We cheered everybody on as the runners, joggers, trotters and walkers all made it to the finish line. But the biggest cheers were for the brave men and women who completed the course on wheelchairs, with prosthetic limbs and other disabilities. These participants made it to that finish line with cheers and applause in what amounted to a total team victory. We are proud that all of our participants finished the course. We took pictures, congratulated each other and went home with the pride and satisfaction of having done something truly great. Below are just a few of the reactions from some of our runners about their experience with the event as a whole:

“I enjoyed walking for a good cause and getting to spend the time with my co-workers. Plus I got to meet Jon Stewart. Yay!”

"It was inspiring to see the community support those in need".

"Truly inspirational"

“The Giving is Receiving turned inside out!!!”

“It was a great experience, for a great cause in honor of my Grandmother and many others”.

“I must say the environment and the ambience was grand, we were well received. As the parent of a US Marine who is now serving abroad, it brings great joy to my heart watching the injured service men and women participate in the walk. Seeing the elderly and injured do so well, it gave me encouragement to reach the finish line, and we all did!”

Yes, we did.

First Care Fundraiser Countdown

We are at the half way point of 2011, and have been absolutely thrilled that you and your loved ones have been so happy with our services and support thus far. At First Care of New York, we aim to reach our singular goal of satisfying your every need, at all times. Every year we set goals in terms of service and support for our clients, as well as in the community. As you read earlier this year, one of the biggest community events that we have will take place in less than 9 days. Since December 2010, we have been raising funds and have participated in awareness campaigns for the 2011 Hope & Possibilities Walk/Run 5K event. On June 26th, 2011, First Care of New York will be part of this event which will be held in Central Park. Since December, we have been raising money that will be donated to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center as part of this event.


This year we added a little wrinkle in hopes of surpassing last year’s fundraiser total by announcing a very special raffle that everyone can participate in for a great cause, and to win great prizes. The raffle tickets cost only $10, and 100% of the proceeds will go towards donations for cancer research. The $10 dollar raffle ticket will make you eligible to win one of 3 prizes: a 16 GB I-Touch, a Home Theater System or a 40’ HD Television. If you wish to participate in the raffle or are interested in acquiring raffle tickets, you may ask for Rina at 718-741-5956.

First Care of New York aims to donate, time, money, effort and sweat to this event as several of our family members will participate in the actual 5 mile race. Many of our participants are the same people who provide our Live in Care, Personal Care, Home Health and Companionship services. The other members will be on the sidelines encouraging and cheering on their friends and family.

The actual Walk/Run 5K event features some 6,000 runners who are from all kinds of backgrounds who run in different levels including: runners with disabilities, prosthetic limbs, wheelchairs and open divisions, thereby excluding no one. First Care participates in this event to raise community awareness and raise funds for Cancer research. It is a cause that is near and dear to the First Care family, and we are committed to raising funds for this next year’s event as well. We are less than 10 days away, if you wish to donate, purchase a raffle ticket or sell raffle tickets call Rina at 718-741-5956, on behalf of First Care of New York we thank you.