Happy Greetings to all of our First Care family in the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Westchester County, we celebrate National Patient Safety Awareness Week from March 6-12. As a society, we are in the planning stages of that wonderful time when we decide that we want the feeling of the sun on our faces, which means vacations and spring break. This is the time of year we start yearning to break free from our every day routine and travel; even if we only travel across the great boroughs of New York City or even Westchester County for just a few hours. The purpose of this week is to keep in mind that as the weather gets warmer and your outdoor activities increase, we need to keep safety in mind, in particular those who are traveling somewhere that requires an overnight stay or more. As seniors, safe and healthy travel is a necessity therefore we look to a blog titled Safe and Healthy Travel for seniors as provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) on their website www.cdc.gov has some great advice.
The retirement years can be an exciting time to see the world, and travel is easier and safer than ever before for seniors. With a little planning and some caution, seniors can safely visit almost any destination. All travelers, including seniors, should see a doctor for a pre-travel visit, ideally 4–6 weeks before they travel, although even a last-minute visit can be helpful. The doctor should be told about illnesses the traveler has and medicines he or she is taking, since this will influence medical decisions. In addition to providing vaccines, medicine, and advice for keeping healthy, a doctor can conduct a physical exam to assess a senior's fitness for travel. Seniors should consider their physical limitations when planning a trip. Seniors with heart disease, for example, might choose an itinerary that does not involve strenuous activities. Seniors may also have a hard time recovering from jet lag and motion sickness, so they should take these factors into account when planning a trip. Before travel, seniors should have information about their destination that could affect their health, such as the altitude and climate. They should be aware of whether the destination is prone to natural disasters, such as earthquakes and hurricanes, since seniors may have more problems in those extreme situations.
Vaccines
Before travel, seniors should be up-to-date on routine vaccines, such as measles/mumps/rubella and seasonal flu. Some of these may be considered "childhood" vaccines, but their protective effect decreases over time, and the diseases they protect against are often more common in other countries than in the United States. More than half of tetanus cases are in people over 65, so seniors should consider getting a tetanus booster before they travel. Seniors should also receive other vaccines recommended for the countries they are visiting. These may include vaccines for hepatitis, typhoid, polio, or yellow fever. Seniors should discuss their detailed travel plans with their doctors and, if necessary, alternatives to vaccination.
Medication
A doctor may prescribe medicine for malaria, altitude illness, or travelers' diarrhea; seniors should make sure the doctor knows any other medications they take, to watch out for possible drug interactions. In addition to medicine prescribed specifically for travel, seniors are likely to take other medicines regularly, such as medicines for high blood pressure, diabetes, or arthritis. They should plan to pack enough medicine for the duration of the trip, plus a few days' extra in case of travel delays. Prescription medicine should always be carried in its original container, along with a copy of the prescription, and all medicine should be packed in carry-on luggage, in case checked luggage gets lost.
Injury Prevention
Although exotic infections make the headlines, injury is the most common cause of preventable death among travelers. Seniors can minimize their risk of serious injury by following these guidelines:
• Always wear a seatbelt.
• Don't ride in cars after dark in developing countries.
• Avoid small, local planes.
• Don't travel at night in questionable areas.
In addition, seniors should consider purchasing supplemental travel health insurance in case of injury or illness overseas. Many health plans, including Medicare, will not pay for services received outside the United States. Seniors who are planning travel to remote areas should consider purchasing evacuation insurance, which will pay for emergency transportation to a qualified hospital.
First Care of New York wants to keep you safe. When traveling for a doctor’s visit or somewhere else with one of our aides, know that you are traveling with someone who is trained and certified to provide great care for all your needs. All of our Live in Care, Personal Care, Home Health and Companionship services are performed with care efficiency and flexibility to help you and yours enjoy the warm light of the sun.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
National Healthy Heart Month Finale
To commemorate the final week of National Healthy Heart month, First Care of New York has written a series of blogs and articles concerning the heart and raising awareness, while providing information and tips to strengthen one of your most powerful organs in the human body. All of our clients all across the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens areas, with varying types of heart illnesses or heart related conditions, have received this information through our many different aides. Most of these ailments have distinctive causes and require different treatments, our Live in Care, Personal Care, Home Health and Companionship services help our clients on the road to recovery with a variety of needs that are vital to helping a person regain their health and strength. In the first part, we spoke about what our heart does, and what causes heart failure. We then discussed 7 signs of an impending heart attack that are often overlooked: what they were, the methods to prevent them and their different effects on gender. This blog asks a different question. I want to protect my heart, what foods can I eat that will help me accomplish this goal? Last week, you read about foods 10-6, so this week we finish our month-long post for National Healthy Heart month with the top 5 as written by health.com
Berries
Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries—whatever berry you like best—are full of anti-inflammatories, which reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer. "Blackberries and blueberries are especially great," says Sinatra. "But all berries are great for your vascular health."
Legumes
Fill up on fiber with lentils, chickpeas, and black and kidney beans. They're packed with omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and soluble fiber.
Spinach
Spinach can help keep your ticker in top shape thanks to its stores of lutein, folate, potassium, and fiber.
But upping your servings of any veggies is sure to give your heart a boost. The Physicians' Health Study examined more than 15,000 men without heart disease for a period of 12 years. Those who ate at least two-and-a-half servings of vegetables each day cut their risk of heart disease by about 25%, compared with those who didn't eat the veggies. Each additional serving reduced risk by another 17%.
Flaxseed
Full of fiber and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, a little sprinkling of flaxseed can go a long way for your heart. Top a bowl of oatmeal or whole-grain cereal with a smidgen of ground flaxseed for the ultimate heart-healthy breakfast.
Soy
Soy may lower cholesterol, and since it is low in saturated fat, it's still a great source of lean protein in a heart-healthy diet.
Look for natural sources of soy, like edamame, tempeh, or organic silken tofu. And soy milk is a great addition to a bowl of oatmeal or whole-grain cereal. But watch the amount of salt in your soy: some processed varieties like soy dogs can contain added sodium, which boosts blood pressure.
Our aides are very good and are capable of preparing meals and dishes with these kinds of ingredients and measures that will help you retain your health and strengthen your heart as we give you first class service. We at First Care of New York are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for any and all Live in Care, Personal Care, Home Health and Companionship services. We can offer these services all across the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Westchester and Queens Areas.
Berries
Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries—whatever berry you like best—are full of anti-inflammatories, which reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer. "Blackberries and blueberries are especially great," says Sinatra. "But all berries are great for your vascular health."
Legumes
Fill up on fiber with lentils, chickpeas, and black and kidney beans. They're packed with omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and soluble fiber.
Spinach
Spinach can help keep your ticker in top shape thanks to its stores of lutein, folate, potassium, and fiber.
But upping your servings of any veggies is sure to give your heart a boost. The Physicians' Health Study examined more than 15,000 men without heart disease for a period of 12 years. Those who ate at least two-and-a-half servings of vegetables each day cut their risk of heart disease by about 25%, compared with those who didn't eat the veggies. Each additional serving reduced risk by another 17%.
Flaxseed
Full of fiber and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, a little sprinkling of flaxseed can go a long way for your heart. Top a bowl of oatmeal or whole-grain cereal with a smidgen of ground flaxseed for the ultimate heart-healthy breakfast.
Soy
Soy may lower cholesterol, and since it is low in saturated fat, it's still a great source of lean protein in a heart-healthy diet.
Look for natural sources of soy, like edamame, tempeh, or organic silken tofu. And soy milk is a great addition to a bowl of oatmeal or whole-grain cereal. But watch the amount of salt in your soy: some processed varieties like soy dogs can contain added sodium, which boosts blood pressure.
Our aides are very good and are capable of preparing meals and dishes with these kinds of ingredients and measures that will help you retain your health and strengthen your heart as we give you first class service. We at First Care of New York are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for any and all Live in Care, Personal Care, Home Health and Companionship services. We can offer these services all across the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Westchester and Queens Areas.
Friday, February 18, 2011
National Healthy Heart Month III
This month, First Care of New York is joining in the celebration of National Healthy Heart month. Many of you reading this know someone, or have some kind of heart ailment that requires a lot of attention and care. As part of National Healthy Heart month, First Care of New York will be providing a series of blogs and articles concerning the heart and raising awareness, while providing information and tips to strengthen one of your most powerful organs in the human body. If you have missed the first two entries you can read Part I and Part II here. At First Care of New York we have treated clients all across the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens areas, with varying types of heart illnesses or heart related conditions. Most of these ailments have distinctive causes and require different treatments, our Live in Care, Personal Care, Home Health and Companionship services help our clients on the road to recovery with a variety of needs that are vital to helping a person regain their health and strength. In the first part, we spoke about what our heart does, and what causes heart failure. We then discussed 7 signs of an impending heart attack that are often overlooked: what they were, the methods to prevent them and their different effects on gender. This blog asks a different question: I want to protect my heart, what foods can I eat that will help me accomplish this goal? In honor of Letterman, here are this week’s top 10 heart healthy foods. Today’s blog will feature foods 10-6 as written by health.com.
Oatmeal
Start your day with a steaming bowl of oats, which are full of omega-3 fatty acids, folate, and potassium. This fiber-rich superfood can lower levels of LDL (or bad) cholesterol and help keep arteries clear. Opt for coarse or steel-cut oats over instant varieties—which contain more fiber—and top your bowl off with a banana for another 4 grams of fiber.
Salmon
Super-rich in omega-3 fatty acids, salmon can effectively reduce blood pressure and keep clotting at bay. Aim for two servings per week, which may reduce your risk of dying of a heart attack by up to one-third. "Salmon contains the carotenoid astaxanthin, which is a very powerful antioxidant," says cardiologist Stephen T. Sinatra, MD, the author of Lower Your Blood Pressure In Eight Weeks. But be sure to choose wild salmon over farm-raised fish, which can be packed with insecticides, pesticides, and heavy metals. Not a fan of salmon? Other oily fish like mackerel, tuna, herring, and sardines will give your heart the same boost.
Avocado
Add a bit of avocado to a sandwich or spinach salad to up the amount of heart-healthy fats in your diet. Packed with monounsaturated fat, avocados can help lower LDL levels while raising the amount of HDL cholesterol in your body. "Avocados are awesome," says Dr. Sinatra. "They allow for the absorption of other carotenoids—especially beta-carotene and lycopene—which are essential for heart health."
Olive oil
Full of monounsaturated fats, olive oil lowers bad LDL cholesterol and reduces your risk of developing heart disease. Results from the Seven Countries Study, which looked at cardiovascular disease incidences across the globe, showed that while men in Crete had a predisposition for high cholesterol levels, relatively few died of heart disease because their diet focused on heart-healthy fats found in olive oil. Look for extra-virgin or virgin varieties—they're the least processed—and use them instead of butter when cooking.
Nuts
Walnuts are full of omega-3 fatty acids and, along with almonds and macadamia nuts, are loaded with mono- and polyunsaturated fat. Plus, nuts increase fiber in the diet, says Dr. Sinatra. "And like olive oil, they are a great source of healthy fat."
Our aides are very good and are capable of preparing meals and dishes with these kinds of ingredients and measures that will help you retain your health and strengthen your heart as we give you first class service. We at First Care of New York are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for any and all Live in Care, Personal Care, Home Health and Companionship services. We can offer these services all across the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Westchester and Queens Areas.
Oatmeal
Start your day with a steaming bowl of oats, which are full of omega-3 fatty acids, folate, and potassium. This fiber-rich superfood can lower levels of LDL (or bad) cholesterol and help keep arteries clear. Opt for coarse or steel-cut oats over instant varieties—which contain more fiber—and top your bowl off with a banana for another 4 grams of fiber.
Salmon
Super-rich in omega-3 fatty acids, salmon can effectively reduce blood pressure and keep clotting at bay. Aim for two servings per week, which may reduce your risk of dying of a heart attack by up to one-third. "Salmon contains the carotenoid astaxanthin, which is a very powerful antioxidant," says cardiologist Stephen T. Sinatra, MD, the author of Lower Your Blood Pressure In Eight Weeks. But be sure to choose wild salmon over farm-raised fish, which can be packed with insecticides, pesticides, and heavy metals. Not a fan of salmon? Other oily fish like mackerel, tuna, herring, and sardines will give your heart the same boost.
Avocado
Add a bit of avocado to a sandwich or spinach salad to up the amount of heart-healthy fats in your diet. Packed with monounsaturated fat, avocados can help lower LDL levels while raising the amount of HDL cholesterol in your body. "Avocados are awesome," says Dr. Sinatra. "They allow for the absorption of other carotenoids—especially beta-carotene and lycopene—which are essential for heart health."
Olive oil
Full of monounsaturated fats, olive oil lowers bad LDL cholesterol and reduces your risk of developing heart disease. Results from the Seven Countries Study, which looked at cardiovascular disease incidences across the globe, showed that while men in Crete had a predisposition for high cholesterol levels, relatively few died of heart disease because their diet focused on heart-healthy fats found in olive oil. Look for extra-virgin or virgin varieties—they're the least processed—and use them instead of butter when cooking.
Nuts
Walnuts are full of omega-3 fatty acids and, along with almonds and macadamia nuts, are loaded with mono- and polyunsaturated fat. Plus, nuts increase fiber in the diet, says Dr. Sinatra. "And like olive oil, they are a great source of healthy fat."
Our aides are very good and are capable of preparing meals and dishes with these kinds of ingredients and measures that will help you retain your health and strengthen your heart as we give you first class service. We at First Care of New York are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for any and all Live in Care, Personal Care, Home Health and Companionship services. We can offer these services all across the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Westchester and Queens Areas.
Friday, February 11, 2011
National Healthy Heart Month Part II
This month, First Care of New York is joining in the celebration of National Healthy Heart month. Many of you reading this know someone, or have some kind of heart ailment that requires a lot of attention and care. As part of National Healthy Heart month, First Care of New York will be providing a series of blogs and articles concerning the heart and raising awareness, while providing information and tips to strengthen one of your most powerful organs in the human body. At First Care of New York we have treated clients all across the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens Areas, with varying types of heart illnesses or heart related conditions. Most of these ailments have distinctive causes and require different treatments, our Live in Care, Personal Care, Home Health and Companionship services help our clients on the road to recovery with a variety of needs that are vital to helping a person regain their health and strength. In the first part, we spoke about what our heart does, and what causes heart failure. In this blog, we discuss 7 signs of an impending heart attack that are often overlooked. What are they? How can you prevent them? Are these signs gender specific? The article written by Melanie Haiken will answer these questions and more.
Conventional wisdom has it that heart attacks come out of the blue. We're also trained to expect a heart attack to happen a certain way: The victim clutches his chest, writhes in pain, and collapses. But for women, it often doesn't happen that way. Study after study shows heart attacks and heart disease are under-diagnosed in women, with the explanation being that they didn't have symptoms. But research shows that's not the case. Women who've had heart attacks realize, looking back, that they experienced significant symptoms -- they just didn't recognize them as such. In a study funded by the National Institutes of Health and published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, 95 percent of women (that's almost all!) who'd had heart attacks reported experiencing symptoms that were decidedly new or different from their previous experience a month or more before their attacks. Even when a heart attack is occurring, women are often slow to realize what's happening and call a doctor. The reason? Women's heart attack symptoms are different than men's. This failure to recognize heart attack signs in women has led to a grim statistic: Women are more likely to die from sudden cardiac death than men are, and two thirds of women who have a heart attack don't recover completely.
To prevent a heart attack from sneaking up on you, watch for these 7 little-known signs of heart attacks:
Fatigue. More than 70 percent of women in the NIH study reported extreme fatigue in the month or months prior to their heart attacks. This was not just your run-of-the-mill tiredness -- the kind you can power through -- this was an overwhelming fatigue that sidelined them from their usual schedules for a few days at a time.
Sleeplessness or Insomnia. Despite their fatigue, women who've had heart attacks remember experiencing unexplained inability to fall asleep or stay asleep during the month before their heart attacks.
Anxiety and Stress. Stress has long been known to up the risk of heart attack. But what women report is the emotional experience; before their heart attacks they felt anxious, stressed, and keyed up, noticeably more than usual. Moments before or during a heart attack, many women report a feeling they describe as "impending doom;" they're aware that something's drastically wrong and they can't cope, but they're not sure what's going on.
Indigestion or Nausea. Stomach pain, intestinal cramps, nausea, and digestive disruptions are another sign reported by women heart attack patients. Become familiar with your own digestive habits, and pay attention when anything seems out of whack. Note especially if your system seems upset and you haven't eaten anything out of the ordinary.
Shortness of Breath. Of the women in the NIH study, more than 40 percent remembered experiencing this symptom. One of the comments the women made is that they noticed they couldn't catch their breath while walking up the stairs or doing other daily tasks.
Flu-Like Symptoms. Clammy, sweaty skin, along with feeling lightheaded and weak, can lead women to wonder if they have the flu when, in fact, they're having a heart attack.
Jaw, Ear, Neck, or Shoulder Pain. While pain and numbness in the chest, shoulder, and arm is a common sign of heart attack (at least, among men), women often don't experience the pain this way. Instead, many women say they felt pain and a sensation of tightness running along their jaw and down the neck, and sometimes up to the ear, as well. The pain may extend down to the shoulder and arm--particularly on the left side--or it may feel like a backache or pulled muscle in the neck and back.
What You Can do to Protect Yourself?
In addition to the symptoms they do have, women differ from men in another significant way -- they may not experience many of the symptoms we traditionally associate with heart attacks. This, experts say, is a major reason why women's heart attacks go unrecognized and untreated. Almost half of all women in the NIH study felt no chest pain, even during the heart attack itself. Numbness is another symptom women may not experience, experts say. If your body is doing unusual things and you just don't feel "right," don't wait. Go see your doctor and ask for a thorough work-up. And if you have any risk factors for cardiac disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, or family history of heart disease, mention these to the doctor. Time is of the essence, so don't count on medical staff to know your background or read your chart -- tell them your risk factors right away, so your condition can be evaluated fully and completely.
But 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. We can offer these services all across the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Westchester and Queens.
Conventional wisdom has it that heart attacks come out of the blue. We're also trained to expect a heart attack to happen a certain way: The victim clutches his chest, writhes in pain, and collapses. But for women, it often doesn't happen that way. Study after study shows heart attacks and heart disease are under-diagnosed in women, with the explanation being that they didn't have symptoms. But research shows that's not the case. Women who've had heart attacks realize, looking back, that they experienced significant symptoms -- they just didn't recognize them as such. In a study funded by the National Institutes of Health and published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, 95 percent of women (that's almost all!) who'd had heart attacks reported experiencing symptoms that were decidedly new or different from their previous experience a month or more before their attacks. Even when a heart attack is occurring, women are often slow to realize what's happening and call a doctor. The reason? Women's heart attack symptoms are different than men's. This failure to recognize heart attack signs in women has led to a grim statistic: Women are more likely to die from sudden cardiac death than men are, and two thirds of women who have a heart attack don't recover completely.
To prevent a heart attack from sneaking up on you, watch for these 7 little-known signs of heart attacks:
Fatigue. More than 70 percent of women in the NIH study reported extreme fatigue in the month or months prior to their heart attacks. This was not just your run-of-the-mill tiredness -- the kind you can power through -- this was an overwhelming fatigue that sidelined them from their usual schedules for a few days at a time.
Sleeplessness or Insomnia. Despite their fatigue, women who've had heart attacks remember experiencing unexplained inability to fall asleep or stay asleep during the month before their heart attacks.
Anxiety and Stress. Stress has long been known to up the risk of heart attack. But what women report is the emotional experience; before their heart attacks they felt anxious, stressed, and keyed up, noticeably more than usual. Moments before or during a heart attack, many women report a feeling they describe as "impending doom;" they're aware that something's drastically wrong and they can't cope, but they're not sure what's going on.
Indigestion or Nausea. Stomach pain, intestinal cramps, nausea, and digestive disruptions are another sign reported by women heart attack patients. Become familiar with your own digestive habits, and pay attention when anything seems out of whack. Note especially if your system seems upset and you haven't eaten anything out of the ordinary.
Shortness of Breath. Of the women in the NIH study, more than 40 percent remembered experiencing this symptom. One of the comments the women made is that they noticed they couldn't catch their breath while walking up the stairs or doing other daily tasks.
Flu-Like Symptoms. Clammy, sweaty skin, along with feeling lightheaded and weak, can lead women to wonder if they have the flu when, in fact, they're having a heart attack.
Jaw, Ear, Neck, or Shoulder Pain. While pain and numbness in the chest, shoulder, and arm is a common sign of heart attack (at least, among men), women often don't experience the pain this way. Instead, many women say they felt pain and a sensation of tightness running along their jaw and down the neck, and sometimes up to the ear, as well. The pain may extend down to the shoulder and arm--particularly on the left side--or it may feel like a backache or pulled muscle in the neck and back.
What You Can do to Protect Yourself?
In addition to the symptoms they do have, women differ from men in another significant way -- they may not experience many of the symptoms we traditionally associate with heart attacks. This, experts say, is a major reason why women's heart attacks go unrecognized and untreated. Almost half of all women in the NIH study felt no chest pain, even during the heart attack itself. Numbness is another symptom women may not experience, experts say. If your body is doing unusual things and you just don't feel "right," don't wait. Go see your doctor and ask for a thorough work-up. And if you have any risk factors for cardiac disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, or family history of heart disease, mention these to the doctor. Time is of the essence, so don't count on medical staff to know your background or read your chart -- tell them your risk factors right away, so your condition can be evaluated fully and completely.
But 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. We can offer these services all across the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Westchester and Queens.
A First Care Plan.
All year First Care of New York has presented our plans for our clients, aides and their families. Our new training aides, staff advancements and fundraiser efforts are all well underway. For this post we wanted to take the time to write about you. Specifically, your plans for life down the line. You know about our great services in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens Areas and you know about the Live in Care, Personal Care, Home Health and Companionship services that we can offer.
We at First Care want to ask you about you! The following article by Erin Schmidt asks you, how prepared you may or may not be for the unexpected occurrence.
If something sudden happened - a fall, a stroke, a heart attack, an accident - would you and your family be prepared? If the answer is "no," you're not alone. According to a 2009 study by Avalere Health, a research and consulting firm, and the Kaiser Family Foundation, only about 10 percent of seniors have insurance coverage for nursing home care or assisted living.
That's why, although difficult, it is so imperative to have a plan. Here are five steps to help you start planning with ease: Talk to your family. Something as simple as having a family meeting can pay dividends later. Socialize the issue of planning and play the "what if" game because you and your family will be more effective and ready to act if/when a need arises.
1. Mobilize your support system, or the support system of a loved one. According to msn.com, for many people, that's going to mean patching together a safety net that consists of savings, caregiver help from friends and family, support from local community services and perhaps long-term-care insurance.
2. Think about your family, friends and loved ones. Who is nearby? Who lives furthest away? Then, consider everyone’s strengths and roles those close to you may play, i.e. who might be able to help with finances versus looking after belongings, etc.
3. Then, consider your own strengths and weaknesses, both physically and mentally. For example, are you a worrier? Try to establish a fitness routine to manage your stress that you can adapt as you age. Another example: if you're 35 and your eyesight is already poor, consider your needs down the road if it progressively worsens. Or maybe you've got an existing medical condition that you manage - talk to your doctor about ways to manage it as you age.
4. Know what resources you have locally. Is there an elder care attorney you could speak with? Are there special programs for seniors? Talk to a local homecare agency and/or your doctor. They will be able to point you in the right direction.
5. And finally, evaluate what you enjoy doing. What gives your life meaning and purpose? Exercise? Cooking? Going to the movies? Gardening? Sports? Fishing? Whatever it is, hold on to these things, and make sure that, no matter where you are in life or whatever your abilities are, you are able to keep them up as long as you can. Even if you and/or your loved one(s) need assistance someday, be sure to find a provider that will help see this through.
These are some great first steps toward planning for an unknown future. Thinking about it is the first step, but in the grand scheme of things, one step is better than none at all. Have you or has a loved one done some planning?
First Care of New York is available Monday- Friday from 9am-5pm to help you initiate your plans as this article advises. We can help you with all kinds of services and in some cases arrange for you to apply for missing services that you may need to properly address your homecare needs.
We at First Care want to ask you about you! The following article by Erin Schmidt asks you, how prepared you may or may not be for the unexpected occurrence.
If something sudden happened - a fall, a stroke, a heart attack, an accident - would you and your family be prepared? If the answer is "no," you're not alone. According to a 2009 study by Avalere Health, a research and consulting firm, and the Kaiser Family Foundation, only about 10 percent of seniors have insurance coverage for nursing home care or assisted living.
That's why, although difficult, it is so imperative to have a plan. Here are five steps to help you start planning with ease: Talk to your family. Something as simple as having a family meeting can pay dividends later. Socialize the issue of planning and play the "what if" game because you and your family will be more effective and ready to act if/when a need arises.
1. Mobilize your support system, or the support system of a loved one. According to msn.com, for many people, that's going to mean patching together a safety net that consists of savings, caregiver help from friends and family, support from local community services and perhaps long-term-care insurance.
2. Think about your family, friends and loved ones. Who is nearby? Who lives furthest away? Then, consider everyone’s strengths and roles those close to you may play, i.e. who might be able to help with finances versus looking after belongings, etc.
3. Then, consider your own strengths and weaknesses, both physically and mentally. For example, are you a worrier? Try to establish a fitness routine to manage your stress that you can adapt as you age. Another example: if you're 35 and your eyesight is already poor, consider your needs down the road if it progressively worsens. Or maybe you've got an existing medical condition that you manage - talk to your doctor about ways to manage it as you age.
4. Know what resources you have locally. Is there an elder care attorney you could speak with? Are there special programs for seniors? Talk to a local homecare agency and/or your doctor. They will be able to point you in the right direction.
5. And finally, evaluate what you enjoy doing. What gives your life meaning and purpose? Exercise? Cooking? Going to the movies? Gardening? Sports? Fishing? Whatever it is, hold on to these things, and make sure that, no matter where you are in life or whatever your abilities are, you are able to keep them up as long as you can. Even if you and/or your loved one(s) need assistance someday, be sure to find a provider that will help see this through.
These are some great first steps toward planning for an unknown future. Thinking about it is the first step, but in the grand scheme of things, one step is better than none at all. Have you or has a loved one done some planning?
First Care of New York is available Monday- Friday from 9am-5pm to help you initiate your plans as this article advises. We can help you with all kinds of services and in some cases arrange for you to apply for missing services that you may need to properly address your homecare needs.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
National Healthy Heart Month
This month, First Care of New York is joining in the celebration of National Healthy Heart month. Many of you reading this know someone, or have some kind of heart ailment that requires a lot of attention and care. As part of National Healthy Heart month, First Care of New York will be providing a series of blogs and articles concerning the heart and raising awareness, while providing information and tips to strengthen one of the most powerful organs in the human body. At First Care of New York we have treated clients all across the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens Areas, with varying types of heart illnesses or heart related conditions. Most of these ailments have distinctive causes and require different treatments, our Live in Care, Personal Care, Home Health and Companionship services help our clients on the road to recovery with a variety of needs that are vital to helping a person regain their health and strength. But what does our heart do? What causes it to fail? In this first part of our blog, we will answer these questions using some excerpts from an article by Dr. Arthur Agatston of everydayhealth.com.
The heart is not an inanimate pump: It is a living, dynamic community of millions of hardworking cells. Its job is to deliver blood to organs that would die without it. Blood contains oxygen and nutrients necessary for the functioning of every cell in the body, including heart cells. Everyone's heart beats around 70 times per minute, or 100,000 times per day, or about 2.5 billion times in the average lifetime. This vital organ is programmed to work automatically for every second of every day for as long as you live, no matter what else you're doing mentally or physically. In other words, your heart never rests.
The heart has different arteries which have branches, which are also known as coronary arteries. They supply the beating heart muscle with blood and oxygen. If anything obstructs the flow of blood through one of these arteries for more than 20 to 30 minutes, the heart will likely not receive enough oxygen, and the part of the heart muscle fed by that artery will die. This is what happens when you have a heart attack. Heart failure occurs when your heart muscle is damaged to the point that your heart can no longer pump sufficient blood to the rest of your organs. When your heart is damaged and can no longer pump efficiently, blood also tends to back up into the lungs, making them heavier, which results in difficulty breathing. First Care of New York exists to help you overcome these issues, many of which have occurred over many years if not decades. We are committed to helping you get to those Doctor’s appointments, cooking health-conscious food, walking through parks and gardens to help boost your energy and confidence and above all else, enjoy life.
The heart is not an inanimate pump: It is a living, dynamic community of millions of hardworking cells. Its job is to deliver blood to organs that would die without it. Blood contains oxygen and nutrients necessary for the functioning of every cell in the body, including heart cells. Everyone's heart beats around 70 times per minute, or 100,000 times per day, or about 2.5 billion times in the average lifetime. This vital organ is programmed to work automatically for every second of every day for as long as you live, no matter what else you're doing mentally or physically. In other words, your heart never rests.
The heart has different arteries which have branches, which are also known as coronary arteries. They supply the beating heart muscle with blood and oxygen. If anything obstructs the flow of blood through one of these arteries for more than 20 to 30 minutes, the heart will likely not receive enough oxygen, and the part of the heart muscle fed by that artery will die. This is what happens when you have a heart attack. Heart failure occurs when your heart muscle is damaged to the point that your heart can no longer pump sufficient blood to the rest of your organs. When your heart is damaged and can no longer pump efficiently, blood also tends to back up into the lungs, making them heavier, which results in difficulty breathing. First Care of New York exists to help you overcome these issues, many of which have occurred over many years if not decades. We are committed to helping you get to those Doctor’s appointments, cooking health-conscious food, walking through parks and gardens to help boost your energy and confidence and above all else, enjoy life.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Getting ready for the Storm.
Happy Greetings to our First Care family! We hope you have had a wonderful and productive week enjoying your freedom, your routine and your lives with enjoyment. We know that this week was difficult because of the inclement weather and travel that spread across all of the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens Areas. As much as we’d love to proclaim this week to be the end of it, in all likelihood it is not. However, we are here to give you some ideas or tips on what to do to prepare for the next time a storm comes through that we find useful and effective for our clients. You should know that our staff contacts our clients to account for each of them, we ask about their materials and food available in their homes and their physical needs to ensure that each client is fully prepared and stocked with everything they may need. We make sure our aides are also accounted for and are present through these conditions so they may be able to tend to the needs of our clients that simply can’t afford to be without our aides.
You should make sure that your gas tank is totally full. We understand that you have to move and get to places if you can’t avoid this, please do not take any chances out on the road and risk getting stranded in the midst of a blizzard. Another reason to have your gas tank full is in the event you need to use your generator or snow blower, both in most cases are powered by gasoline. If this does happen, you should want to have non-perishable food of some kind and water handy, as well as any materials that may help you gain traction to be able to drive off. Make sure your cell phones are totally charged, if you live in areas where the power lines are vulnerable you want to make sure you have a charged phone and a backup battery at your disposal, if you still have one, it would be a good idea to have the old-fashioned landline set up. Make sure you stock up on your non-perishable food and water, if you are low on your medications you will want to refill them, and make multiple trips outside to shovel in intervals, as most feel it is much easier on a person as opposed to doing one big job. As always, no matter the weather conditions First Care of New York will be ready and available to provide our services including Live in Care, Personal Care, Home Health and Companionship during all seasons. We understand the responsibility of being there for you when you need us the most. Those are the days that we truly earn our awards and recognitions like what we received for Aide of the Year from one of our contracts. First Care of New York will be there for you rain, snow or shine.
You should make sure that your gas tank is totally full. We understand that you have to move and get to places if you can’t avoid this, please do not take any chances out on the road and risk getting stranded in the midst of a blizzard. Another reason to have your gas tank full is in the event you need to use your generator or snow blower, both in most cases are powered by gasoline. If this does happen, you should want to have non-perishable food of some kind and water handy, as well as any materials that may help you gain traction to be able to drive off. Make sure your cell phones are totally charged, if you live in areas where the power lines are vulnerable you want to make sure you have a charged phone and a backup battery at your disposal, if you still have one, it would be a good idea to have the old-fashioned landline set up. Make sure you stock up on your non-perishable food and water, if you are low on your medications you will want to refill them, and make multiple trips outside to shovel in intervals, as most feel it is much easier on a person as opposed to doing one big job. As always, no matter the weather conditions First Care of New York will be ready and available to provide our services including Live in Care, Personal Care, Home Health and Companionship during all seasons. We understand the responsibility of being there for you when you need us the most. Those are the days that we truly earn our awards and recognitions like what we received for Aide of the Year from one of our contracts. First Care of New York will be there for you rain, snow or shine.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
You made resolutions. Now what have you done to fulfill them?
Unbelievably, we are already three weeks into 2011, we hope it has brought you excitement, joy and fulfillment as we as a society continue to plug away with our daily activities. We are also three weeks removed from making some important decisions and resolutions that will help shape us in 2011. How committed have you been to your resolutions? What steps have you taken? Have you made the proper adjustments and planning? If you have, great! If you haven’t fret not, there are still 49 weeks of a very prosperous New Year to go and with the proper planning we all will be highly successful in 2011. Perhaps your resolutions involved goals of health for you and your family, or to be more serviceable in terms of volunteering time for charities or causes.
First Care of New York has several goals of our own this year and we hope that we can help each other achieve these goals by continuing to improve our methods of service to help you provide and achieve those goals you have for your family members in need. Our Live in Care, Personal Care, Home Health and Companionship services are undergoing innovative training techniques and new methods that will help us be more efficient, more effective and more advanced homecare. We have made a greater emphasis this year on equipping our Aides with the tools that will help them make their jobs easier and educate them on the different types of methods that clients require, using new training seminars, videos and hands on equipment training. All of our Aides undergo these training seminars at all of our locations in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens. If you are interested in fulfilling charitable type goals and lending a helping hand for a great cause, look no further than the Hope and Possibilities event which First Care is participating in, where we will be selling raffle tickets to raise money that will go to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Each $10 raffle ticket will benefit Cancer Research, the raffle prizes are a 40” TV, a Home Theater System and a 16GB ITouch all courtesy of First Care of New York. Furthermore, the highest selling raffle seller will win a Gaming System also courtesy of First Care of New York. We hope that we can help fulfill your goals in 2011 in more ways than one, First Care of New York will help you achieve your goals rain or shine, sleet, snow or sun. Happy 2011.
First Care of New York has several goals of our own this year and we hope that we can help each other achieve these goals by continuing to improve our methods of service to help you provide and achieve those goals you have for your family members in need. Our Live in Care, Personal Care, Home Health and Companionship services are undergoing innovative training techniques and new methods that will help us be more efficient, more effective and more advanced homecare. We have made a greater emphasis this year on equipping our Aides with the tools that will help them make their jobs easier and educate them on the different types of methods that clients require, using new training seminars, videos and hands on equipment training. All of our Aides undergo these training seminars at all of our locations in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens. If you are interested in fulfilling charitable type goals and lending a helping hand for a great cause, look no further than the Hope and Possibilities event which First Care is participating in, where we will be selling raffle tickets to raise money that will go to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Each $10 raffle ticket will benefit Cancer Research, the raffle prizes are a 40” TV, a Home Theater System and a 16GB ITouch all courtesy of First Care of New York. Furthermore, the highest selling raffle seller will win a Gaming System also courtesy of First Care of New York. We hope that we can help fulfill your goals in 2011 in more ways than one, First Care of New York will help you achieve your goals rain or shine, sleet, snow or sun. Happy 2011.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
New Year’s Endeavors
Most people like to call them resolutions, others call them goals, but in the end, they are all things we wish to do or try to make happen not just within a calendar year but over a whole life span. At First Care, we aim to allow our clients to enjoy life and all of its gifts; we travel with our clients all over the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens areas every day, every year, endeavor to endeavor. We want our clients to be goal-oriented and driven to learn and accomplish new things, in spite of any physical short-comings. It is with this in mind that we dedicate this blog to suggesting a series of different endeavors that you or your family members may wish to partake in. The following was written by Laura Bianco of Comfort Keepers.
• Start a letter journal. Handwritten letters have nearly become a thing of the past, thanks to the Internet. However, our seniors are from an era when writing letters by hand was an important and valued form of etiquette – a more personal way of keeping in touch. Purchase a bound journal and write a letter inside, then give it to your loved one who will write a letter to you and return the journal. The same can be done with individual letters written back and forth and pasted into the journal. The process repeats throughout the year, or until the journal is full. Sharing a letter journal with your loved one is a unique way to strengthen your connection, and for you to get to know each other better. An added perk is the excitement of looking forward to receiving “real” mail. You find yourselves thinking of each other more often…and contemplating what bit of news to share in the next letter!
• Plan to age gracefully. Growing old has advantages, as well as a few disadvantages, such as wrinkles, gray hair and changes our bodies undergo in the process. It is never too late to decide to pursue a healthy lifestyle, which increases the odds of aging gracefully. Plan to exercise often, eat nutritious foods and to encourage each other while doing so. If you live near your beloved senior, take walks or participate in a group exercise class together. Even if your senior lives far away, you can take walks during the same time of day and talk on the phone to plan healthy meals and other activities.
• Share your favorite recipes. Exchanging healthy recipes can help your elderly loved one eat more nutritious meals and gives you the opportunity to ensure they are eating well. The bonus is receiving favorite family recipes from your loved one that have been passed down through the generations!
• Get tech savvy. Believe it or not, seniors are the fastest growing segment of computer users. If Grandma and Grandpa do not already have a computer, now is the time to expand their horizons! It might seem a bit intimidating at first, but once they are comfortable their prowess might surprise you. Communication and trading pictures becomes a snap, and imagine being able to see each other over a web cam if you live apart! The grandkids can relay their adventures, and you all get the pleasure of seeing each other laugh! You also get the chance to observe the general appearance of the senior, and to check for signs of good or failing health.
• Talk about the hard stuff. This resolution may not be fun, but it is the most important of all. While your senior is able, help set standards of care they desire should they become incapacitated later. Form plans within your family as to who might become the caregiver or if an outside source, will be required. First Care of New York can offer all kinds of services from Live in Care, Personal Care, Home Health and Companionship service to help you through these times. Discussing these things in advance ensures that your loved one’s wishes are recorded and understood by all.
• Start a letter journal. Handwritten letters have nearly become a thing of the past, thanks to the Internet. However, our seniors are from an era when writing letters by hand was an important and valued form of etiquette – a more personal way of keeping in touch. Purchase a bound journal and write a letter inside, then give it to your loved one who will write a letter to you and return the journal. The same can be done with individual letters written back and forth and pasted into the journal. The process repeats throughout the year, or until the journal is full. Sharing a letter journal with your loved one is a unique way to strengthen your connection, and for you to get to know each other better. An added perk is the excitement of looking forward to receiving “real” mail. You find yourselves thinking of each other more often…and contemplating what bit of news to share in the next letter!
• Plan to age gracefully. Growing old has advantages, as well as a few disadvantages, such as wrinkles, gray hair and changes our bodies undergo in the process. It is never too late to decide to pursue a healthy lifestyle, which increases the odds of aging gracefully. Plan to exercise often, eat nutritious foods and to encourage each other while doing so. If you live near your beloved senior, take walks or participate in a group exercise class together. Even if your senior lives far away, you can take walks during the same time of day and talk on the phone to plan healthy meals and other activities.
• Share your favorite recipes. Exchanging healthy recipes can help your elderly loved one eat more nutritious meals and gives you the opportunity to ensure they are eating well. The bonus is receiving favorite family recipes from your loved one that have been passed down through the generations!
• Get tech savvy. Believe it or not, seniors are the fastest growing segment of computer users. If Grandma and Grandpa do not already have a computer, now is the time to expand their horizons! It might seem a bit intimidating at first, but once they are comfortable their prowess might surprise you. Communication and trading pictures becomes a snap, and imagine being able to see each other over a web cam if you live apart! The grandkids can relay their adventures, and you all get the pleasure of seeing each other laugh! You also get the chance to observe the general appearance of the senior, and to check for signs of good or failing health.
• Talk about the hard stuff. This resolution may not be fun, but it is the most important of all. While your senior is able, help set standards of care they desire should they become incapacitated later. Form plans within your family as to who might become the caregiver or if an outside source, will be required. First Care of New York can offer all kinds of services from Live in Care, Personal Care, Home Health and Companionship service to help you through these times. Discussing these things in advance ensures that your loved one’s wishes are recorded and understood by all.
Monday, January 3, 2011
A First Care Resolution: The Hope & Possibilities Cancer Fundraiser Part II
On behalf of First Care of New York, we hope you had a safe and enjoyable holiday as you prepare for a joyous celebration to ring in the New Year 2011. As you read in our last blog, First Care of New York has already begun planning for some of the major events we are going to be either hosting or participating in for 2011. Among them is The Hope & Possibilities walk/run event which takes place in New York City and will be held at Central Park in the Summer of 2011 (the exact date will be announced). First Care is proud to announce that we will be participating in the event while raising money that will be donated to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Over 6,000 people from the five boroughs as well as all over New York participated in the 5K walk/run.
This year we aim to surpass 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. 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 event will be one of many which will include our company in a variety of different functions and causes during 2011, we hope to have you join in and help us fulfill one of the many resolutions we have set for 2011. As always, we thank you and wish you a Healthy and Happy New Year!!!
This year we aim to surpass 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. 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 event will be one of many which will include our company in a variety of different functions and causes during 2011, we hope to have you join in and help us fulfill one of the many resolutions we have set for 2011. As always, we thank you and wish you a Healthy and Happy New Year!!!
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