Home Safety: Try This Not That

jjue February 2nd, 2012, 8:44 AM
Jeffrey Jue, PT, Rehabilitation Consultant
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Have you ever tried to finish a home improvement project without using the right tools? How did it turn out? As a new homeowner, I’ve learned the results aren’t pretty.

Along the same lines, using the right equipment can enable people with certain physical limitations to safely accomplish every-day tasks in the home. If you use any of these common household items for these (or similar) reasons, allow me to share with you a few safer options.

1) Avoid holding onto the towel rack to enter and exit the bathtub or shower.…

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Falls Prevention – Educating People with Dementia

dstricoff January 24th, 2012, 3:49 PM
Debbie Stricoff, Dir., Adult Day Care Services
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One of the wonderful benefits of being an adult day center affiliated with VNSNY CHOICE (http://2012.vnsnychoice.org/) is that we have access to experts to provide health education.  Recently, VNSNY CHOICE Rehabilitation Consultants gave excellent Falls Prevention presentations to seniors in our dementia program. Although one might think that people with dementia may have difficulty understanding the information, we’ve been pleasantly surprised at how much the seniors learned and what good questions they’ve been asking about this important topic.

Since the presentations, we have seen noticeable changes in behavior that are helping our…

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5 Simple Winter Safety Tips

jjue January 4th, 2012, 3:21 PM
Jeffrey Jue, PT, Rehabilitation Consultant
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24779fbpwwr230nNew York City temperatures are beginning to drop. Before you know it snow will be in the forecast, which means older adults need to take adequate precautions before heading outdoors. They can reduce their risk of falling by sticking to these guidelines.
 
1. Simply stay indoors
 
New York’s sidewalks are notoriously uneven and riddled with cracks. Winter storms can result in decreased visibility of sidewalks and street crossings, increasing one’s risk of falling. Avoid the bad conditions altogether by staying indoors until everything has been cleared.
 
2. Wear the right snow boots
 
If you…
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4 Steps to Taking Care of Your Body

jjue December 13th, 2011, 8:49 AM
Jeffrey Jue, PT, Rehabilitation Consultant
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It’s no surprise that many successful athletes have been able to prolong their careers by taking care of their bodies. At age 42, relief pitcher Mariano Riveria who is famous for his conditioning regimen continues to help the New York Yankees win close games. He also happens to be their oldest player in a sport that values youth.

Equally if not more impressive are the elderly I work with who continue to take care of their bodies by staying physically active. Here are some of the ways I have observed how…

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The Only Field I’ve Known

jjue November 25th, 2011, 12:40 PM
Jeffrey Jue, PT, Rehabilitation Consultant
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A few months ago, a friend of mine asked what I would choose to do if I could work in a different field. Am I right if I assume that many of us have tossed around the same question? To provide you with a little background, I have wanted to be a physical therapist since my senior year of high school, and after graduation attended a combined undergraduate/graduate program at Boston University. It’s the only field I’ve known.

Now back to the question, my immediate reply to my friend’s question…

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Safety Within Reach

jjue October 18th, 2011, 3:33 PM
Jeffrey Jue, PT, Rehabilitation Consultant
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Is there anything we can learn about falls prevention from the sports fan that is glued to his TV? You may be surprised, but there is one thing I can think of.

Here’s the scenario: the big game everyone has been waiting for is about to start, and one second of action can’t be missed. Now let’s examine what items surround our sports fan sitting in his living room.

Things you may find:

  • Remote Control: It’s too risky to allow someone to change the channel.
  • Food and Beverage: Nutritional requirements need to be sustained, right?
  • Phone:…
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Memorable Storms

smcternan August 30th, 2011, 8:17 PM
Sandra McTernan, MSN, Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist
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When I first became an RN in a hospital setting I would ‘moonlight’ as a visiting nurse in Upstate NY. I enjoyed the variety in my caseload and would meet families in varying levels of care need. In the wake of the recent earthquake/hurricane, I recall some significant hurricanes in the late 1980s that took out power for a week at a time. Although most patients had their homes equipped with some alternate power, many did not. This left them pretty much stranded with no way to keep insulin cold…

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How to Find a Safe Pair of Shoes

jjue August 4th, 2011, 9:16 AM
Jeffrey Jue, PT, Rehabilitation Consultant
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brownshoeFinding a good pair of shoes is priceless. During my teen years I was one of those sneaker fanatics. I admit to spending hours at the local shoe store combing through aisles and aisles of footwear in search of the perfect sneaker.

Perhaps I was hoping to jump as high, run as fast, and play ball like my favorite athletes. Looking back, the closest I got to the pros were the upper deck seats.

But I wasn’t so far off, good shoes make a huge difference. For instance, older adults who wear…

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What’s Up with Tylenol?

pwilson July 31st, 2011, 8:08 PM
Paula Wilson, RN, Registered Nurse, Clinical Coordinator
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Photo by renjith krishnan
The announcement came on Thursday: Tylenol is reducing their dosage recommendations.

Extra Strength Tylenol, previously with a maximum dosage of eight pills a day, is now to be no more than six pills a day. The change is due to a 2009 announcement by the Food and Drug Administration, that makers of acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) need to do more to prevent the chance of overdose and liver damage. Tylenol is a brand name, but acetaminophen is found in other medications as well.

People will see that the label has been changed to reflect…

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Home Health Aides—an Invaluable Resource

dstricoff June 1st, 2011, 6:53 AM
Debbie Stricoff, Dir., Adult Day Care Services
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One of the keys to success at a Day Center is teamwork, and an essential part of that team is the home health aide. Not only are our aides trained in personal care, but they are also skilled in identifying issues that may affect a person’s ability to function in everyday life. Especially for our participants with dementia, it’s critical to observe behaviors and report issues because the participants may not be able to articulate a problem themselves. Since the aides spend so much time with our seniors, they are…

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