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.

National women’s health awareness week

This week is quite a special week as this is the week that we inspire the beloved women in our lives to get up and get themselves checked out to make sure they are still as healthy as the first day we met them. At First Care of New York we encourage you to stay healthy. While we care for those that are in need of home care services we still believe that a routine check up and screening is a key component to staying healthy. An early screening can mean a better chance of living a healthier lifestyle and a quicker path to recovery.

As per the president Barrack Obama’s proclamation “National Women's Health Week is also an opportunity for women of all ages, ethnicities, and economic circumstances to take simple, everyday steps to embrace healthier lifestyles. This week, we encourage women to schedule their annual checkups and talk to their health care provider about important health screenings, many of which will be free of charge because of the Affordable Care Act. All American women and their loved ones can visit www.WomensHealth.gov and www.GirlsHealth.gov for more information and resources on living longer and healthier lives.”

We at First Care of New York are proud of the fact that all our aides (including the men) are up to date and continue to get their yearly physical keeping them all as healthy as possible to provide the wonderful services that they provide to our clients. First Care aides provide such services as helping our clients with bathing, grooming, toileting, and even housekeeping. Our aides provide the services that help our clients remain healthy throughout the New York City area as we provide services in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens.

A Mother’s Day Blog…

On this very special weekend, we celebrate the women in our lives all over the world who have lost, given, and loved with all of their being. She may have been the person who gave birth to us, or the person who raised us, even the person who taught or fed us. Whether her skin today is flawless or wrinkled, she still possesses that presence, that aura that we respect and love for all the things she has done for us and who she is.

This weekend, we pay homage to those women all over the world: to the Mothers’, Motherly figures, Motherly influences and Mothers’ pulling double duties as fathers as well. Many of these women serve our thousands of clients all across the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan Areas, performing duties for Men and Women of all ages. These women care for these patients with class, style and pride. The women we have that coordinate, assess, administer and provide our great Live in Care, Personal Care, Home Health and Companionship services are to be saluted and thanked for all of their efforts.

Mother’s Day should quite honestly be celebrated every minute, but for this occasion, we at First Care of New York thank all of you who have been so instrumental in allowing us to provide care for our Mothers’ and yours, today and tomorrow.

Home Care After Plastic Surgery

Recovery is a very important step to minimize pain and discomfort and improve your healing process. Before the patient leaves the doctor’s office the doctor might change your bandage and prescribe some pain medication and possible other items. Then you are off to your home to recover. Sometimes healing might take longer if you have any health problems such as diabetes.
A common complaint by outpatient plastic surgery patients is that their spouses or friends are not prepared to provide recovery assistance. Busy households and hectic schedules make rest, relaxation and compliance to activity restrictions difficult. Patients without aftercare assistance may experience longer and more difficult recovery courses. At First Care of New York we can help you recover with the proper care you will need. After any surgery your doctor will provide you with specific instructions on how to care for your recovery.

First Care of New York can provide you with a highly skilled certified aide that can provide many services such as cooking, cleaning, and laundry. Our caring aides pamper their clients and follow all the doctors’ instructions to help keep you as comfortable as possible. First Care of New York aides can provide this caring all in the comfort of your own home. Our aides will keep you safe, relaxed and away from the general public while you recover.

Our Homemakers prepare a highly nutritious meal, which is important for a speedy recovery. The prepare meals that are rich in protein, zinc and vitamin C, which are recognized to promote healing. The aide will pamper you by bringing you ice or ice packs to help reduce swelling. Also, they will help you get your post surgery accessories on and off your body as well as helping you dress, bathe, toileting and grooming you so you may recover properly. Our aides may provide around-the-clock care at any home, hotel or other facility. Your time after plastic surgery needs to be dedicated to rest and recuperation not anxiety and deterioration.

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 and Queens. We keep all information from our clients 100% confidential and your safety and security is our number one concern. Please feel free to give us a call at (718) 741–5950 and let’s begin the nature of healing.

First Care and the Community

Spring is a coming! The weather is warming up and First Care of New York has already made several commitments to be a part of a variety of events across New York City this coming Spring and Summer in a community near you. We have events that will cover the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens Areas including Long Island City!
In May, we will be part of the Bronx Health Conference on East 149th St, beginning at 9am, with the purpose of presenting and educating the community on our wide range of services including Live in Care. On May 18th, we will be in Long Island City for a Health Fair Event beginning at 10 am, where we will talk about our Personal Care services and our unique Private Care option for homecare services for residents of the area. On May 21st, we are thrilled to be participating in the Spring Community Fair in Queens, New York, this is an event geared for residents of the five Boroughs who want information and are interested in learning about services such as our Home Health and Companionship programs.

On June 26th, First Care of New York will be a part of the “Hope and Possibilities” 5K Walk/Run and we will be there front and center participating in the race and raising money for Cancer research. We are currently raising money for the event through a fundraiser and are accepting donations 100% of which will be donated to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center for Cancer research. These are just a few of the events that we plan on participating in during the warm months to come and if you wish to have us be a part of your event, or to participate in our Fundraiser raffle, please feel free to contact Rina at 718-364-7251.

Community Health Fair
Wednesday, May 18th, 2011 from 10am-3pm
36-11 21st Street, Long Island City, New York

Spring Health Fair
Saturday, May 21st, 2011 from 11am- 5pm
57-02 Hoffman Drive, Queens, NY 11373

Hope & Possibilities 5K Walk/Run
Sunday, June 26th, 2011 from 8am- 1pm
If you wish to donate money or for more information please click here.