What does the word “elder” mean to you?

• Boss
• Wise person
• Teacher
• Apostle
• Have loot
• A good neighbor
• Pastor
• Someone in charge
• Experienced
• Someone you respect 

What are the gifts and contributions you make to our lives and world?

• Words of wisdom to live by
• Behave well
• Teach
• Ethics
• Good manners
• Strength
• Respect for others
• Affection
• Faith
• Honor
• Know right from wrong
• Know how to raise children
• Know how to LOVE

How would you or your loved ones answer these questions?   Might be a great way to stimulate conversation with a special senior in your life…

2) Carry that medication list with you at all times. Many times people are prescribed the same medication from two doctors. Be aware that the same medication can have two names, a brand name and a generic name causing you to take an overdose or double dose. Ensure that every doctor, emergency department, and pharmacist that you visit has the complete list of medications you are taking. Don’t forget over the counter medications, pain relievers, sleep aids, laxatives, stool softeners, vitamins and herbal remedies. All the over the counter medications can potentially have interactions with the prescribed medications so make sure to keep everyone informed so you can avoid problems.

3) Buy a medication box and fill it for a week at a time. This will help you to remember to take the medication. Make sure the medication does not need to be stored in the original container.

4) If you experience any side effects notify your doctor. Many people who are on multiple medications especially as we get older experience changes in the way our bodies process them. Write down any changes, for example, dizziness, nausea, loss of appetite, unusual fatigue or sleeplessness and bring the list to your doctor. Many people experience falls (especially elderly) as a result of multiple medications and their side effects. Sometimes dose adjustments need to be made.

5) Communicate with your doctor if you are not getting the intended effect from the medication. For example, if the medication is prescribed to decrease blood pressure buy an electronic blood pressure cuff and keep a daily log of blood pressure, if the medication is for pain take note if the pain is decreasing and if the medication requires blood work ensure that you follow up timely.

Navigating the health care system is quite complicated and I hope that you will take this information to empower you to be the owner of your wellness. Be informed as to what your medications are for, how to properly take them (how many times per day, with or without food etc.) and how you are responding to them. For more information go to Tips for Taking Medicine on vnsny.org.

Peace,
Lisa

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. These racks were never designed to hold more than the weight of wet towels.

Instead, consider installing grab bars, which designed to provide adequate support.

2) Avoid holding onto furniture to maintain balance when walking around the home. Furniture can serve many purposes, but it is not a adequate long-term solution to make walking safer.

Instead, consider using an assistive device, such as a cane or a walker, which can help keep you steady when walking around the home.

3) Avoid sitting on a bucket or a step stool when taking a shower.

Instead, use a shower chair or a tub bench. Both items are designed to assist with bathing activity and are height-adjustable.

If you think any of these devices can benefit a loved one speak to their physician or a home health care professional.

Click on the video below to learn more ways to keep the home safe for your loved one.

^{Photo by Danilo Rizzuti}

Why is it so high here and is there anything that can be done to change that? I’m glad to say that there is something that can be done to change it, and it is called getting informed and controlling your symptoms. Medication management is very important in any disease but environmental changes often bring the biggest impact on symptom control. This means that there are things that you and your family can do to reduce the asthma triggers and control your symptoms.

Focus on the room you sleep in. Get rid of excess there, no carpeting and weekly mopping will keep (invisible) dust mites under control. Dust mites are a major trigger for symptoms.

No Pets. If you must have pets they do not stay in the bedroom ever! Fish are OK but sorry, no furry creatures allowed.

No smoking in your home EVER!

These three steps will change your asthmatics life for the better.

photo by Jonathan Fitch

If you ever think about it, the feet support us, can get us around, and take a lot of abuse. However according to the American Podiatric Medical Association, 75% of Americans will have some type of foot problem in their lives. The feet are a very important but often neglected part of our body and often when I see patients, it is the feet that they are having issues with. When the feet are not well, it can cause pain, interfere with mobility, and thus your freedom.

Some common problems include athlete’s foot, warts, bunions, plantar facititis (heel pain) corns and calluses, gout, blisters, bunions, hammertoes, ingrown nails, nail fungus, neuromas (pinched nerves), and warts. So this begs the question – how can we take better care of our feet before a problem starts? First of all, wear shoes that fit properly. Wash your feet daily if possible, and keep your feet dry, including in between the toes. Have clean socks (not just because your mother said so), but to avoid inviting fungi. If you have a condition such as diabetes, daily foot checks are necessary by you or a family member. Invest in a telescoping self-examination mirror so you can see the bottom of your feet. Examining your feet should be included in your daily ritual just like brushing your teeth. If you notice any redness, swelling, cracks in the skin or sores, contact your doctor or podiatrist.

Luckily, many foot problems can be treated successfully if found and dealt with. The bottom line is, don’t neglect your feet! Give them the attention they need and deserve. Your feet will thank you for it. So let’s avoid the agony of “defeet”. There, I said it. Corny, I know – whoa! another one! OK I’ll stop now.

Be well.

Since the presentations, we have seen noticeable changes in behavior that are helping our members live safely at home. Before, many of our ladies were wearing high heels to the center. After hearing the falls prevention information from the CHOICE Rehab Consultants, they’re now all wearing sneakers or flat shoes to the center.

Not only did the seniors learn from the health education, but our Home Health Aides learned much about identifying risks in the home. Last week, when our HHA arrived at a member’s home for van pick-up, the member crawled to open the door. She had just fallen in her living room. Thankfully the member was not injured, but given the new falls prevention information, the HHA noticed many falls hazards around the home including long extension cords, loose rugs and phone cords, boxes in the hallway and pocketbooks on the floor. When the HHA reported the hazards, center staff immediately notified the member’s Nurse Consultant. The nurse and family are now working with the member to make safe pathways and reduce clutter in order to improve safety in the home.

Video: How To Prevent Trips and Falls In The Home

H — Happiness lives there;
O — Overwhelming love and safety;
M — Me and my family, strong together;
E — Everyone I care about is there.

And that spells HOME. Support at home to care for these children is where VNSNY plays a strong role. We have infants and children in our care that are thriving at home. Keeping families together is our goal.

Last week when she arrived at our Adult Day Center, she appeared lethargic. Our staff spoke to her about the change in her condition, but she didn’t realize there was anything wrong. She showed staff a paper bag filled with medications and told them that she wasn’t sure how to take them. The Day Center staff immediately called Ms. N.’s VNSNY CHOICE Nurse Consultant. 

 On the afternoon that the phone call was placed, Ms N.’s Nurse Consultant visited her at home and worked with her family to set up her medications properly. Thanks to the coordination of care in the VNSNY CHOICE Managed Long Term Care Program, Ms. N. quickly returned to her energetic self, and her caregivers were grateful to have a system in place to manage her medications. This is just one example of the services and assistance that VNSNY CHOICE provides to help people with long-term care needs live safely at home.  

VNSNY CHOICE (http://2012.vnsnychoice.org/) understands how much your home and community mean to you. CHOICE has a variety of health plans to meet you needs:

• Designed for people with Medicare, VNSNY CHOICE Medicare offers three health plan options that include prescription drug, doctor and hospital coverage – plus EXTRA benefits that don’t cost extra. Find out which Medicare plan is best for you. You can call for a free information guide that can help you make the right choice: 1-866-583-7126.
• CHOICE Managed Long Term Care is a health plan designed for people who need help with day-to-day activities but want to remain in their homes. This health plan provides all the Medicaid long-term care and other health-related services you need to live well at home and in your community. For more information, call 1-855-AT-CHOICE (1-855-282-4642).

If you or a loved one needs long-term care and wants to stay at home in the community, VNSNY CHOICE may be right for you. Please call the above phone numbers for more information on how VNSNY CHOICE can help you live well at home.

Mashi Blech is the Director of VNSNY Community Connections TimeBank.

This guest blog was written by Mashi Blech, Director of VNSNY Community Connections TimeBank

Irma was in a panic. She was having surgery and was worried how she would manage alone after coming home from the hospital. Her son was coming from out of town on Day One but what about Day Two, Three and Four? Who would run to the pharmacy or make her some chicken soup?

Vivian moved to this country knowing no one. She was afraid to even leave her house. Who could she trust?

Doris, a talented painter, writer and chef, was having difficulty getting around. She moved to live closer to her son but he was at work all day. How would she spend her days?

All three of these retired women joined the VNSNY TimeBank, a free community project open to all. In the TimeBank, members give what they can and get what they need. It’s as simple as neighbor helping neighbor, and it has changed so many lives. Since December 2006, more than 2,300 TimeBank members of all ages have exchanged over 130,000 hours of service.

Irma met some wonderful friends who took turns visiting her after she returned home from the hospital. They even made her bed and cooked her some chicken soup. Once she recovered, Irma taught English and Spanish, cooked for others and helped recruit new members. Vivian’s new friends from the TimeBank taught her how to get around the city and how to access services she needed. She often travelled to the TimeBank office to help organize the monthly member mailings and cooks regularly for our gatherings. And Doris found Regina… the two of them did everything together. Regina even helped get Doris’s work displayed in a local art show. Doris was a big help to another member going through cancer treatments. She also gave art and English lessons to other members.

Read more about the VNSNY TimeBank and learn how you and your family can join the fun!