Those living with Rheumatoid Arthritis often have difficulty with daily activities and cooking is no exception. This chronic condition causes inflammation at the joints and surrounding tissues. This can affect your ability to use a cutting board, open jars, carry pots and stand for long periods of time.

But by using certain kitchen tools and modifying your kitchen environment, you can decrease the amount of stress placed on your joints. If you or a loved has Rheumatoid Arthritis, follow these tips to make cooking easier.

Use Adaptive Kitchen Tools

• Speed up and reduce prep work with a food processor
• Decrease…

The greatest impact on health can often be found in the mouth. Yes, the health of our teeth when they are first errupting (at a rapid rate in some young children) is when daily dental care should begin. Many pediatric dentists feel that as soon as teeth begin to show, the child should see a dentistm and “baby bottle tooth decay” should be discussed and prevented. Brushing, cleaning and overall oral hygiene should be a natural part of all children’s care. As they age, kids will become more independent and more efficient…

Have you found that there are many things that distract you in your daily life? All of us are exposed to so many distractions, it is often very hard, (sometimes even impossible) to focus on only one thing. Driving while texting–DISTRACTED! Cooking while watching TV, and having a conversation on the telephone–DISTRACTED!! So what would happen if we were distracted while taking medication? Reading diet instructions? How to operate that new medical equipment in your home? My guess: only part of the information would be absorbed, there would be and…

Hearing aids have come a long way in the past decade.  According to Dr. Paul Y. Takahashi of the Mayo Clinic, “In recent years, hearing aid manufacturers have made great strides in developing hearing aids that are more effective for all types of hearing loss — including high-frequency hearing loss, the most common type of age-related hearing loss.”¹ Of course, you may have to prepare your loved one for the fact that finding the right hearing aid, in terms of effectiveness, cost and comfort, may take some time.  They may have…

The Girl Scouts Troop 1986 from Westchester has been coming to the VNSNY CHOICE Adult Day Center to lead and participate in intergenerational activities for many years. We’ve literally watched the girls grow up. Over the years, they’ve become so comfortable and developed a true appreciation for seniors. For our seniors, their creativity and energy has been an inspiration and comfort. Sadly, this year will be Troop 1986’s last year with us. We’re hoping Victoria’s younger brother in the Cub Scouts and younger sister in the Daisies continue intergenerational activities for many years to come. Here…

Eating three meals a day and healthy snacks is hard to do under the best of circumstances. Snack time can turn into SUGAR time, if you are not careful. So what is a parent or caregiver to do to ensure healthier habits? Let’s begin with what we know is healthy–fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and grains. Even on limited budgets, adjustments can be made so that the nutritional value of the foods you  and your family eat meets everyone’s metabolic needs. We need healthy food to work and function and…

The latest research from Johns Hopkins University and the National Institute on Aging showed that seniors with hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop dementia over time than those who retain their hearing.¹ When I read this, I was expecting to see the suggestion that the use of hearing aids can, therefore, help prevent dementia. Unfortunately, that recommendation did not come (hearing aid use is the subject of the researchers’ next study).  So are there any lessons for a family caregiver of an elderly person who is exhibiting signs of hearing loss?

First, it…

Image courtesy of Winnod/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Installing grab bars in the bathroom are a great way to improve the safety of the older adults in our lives. But there’s more to improving safety than just purchasing a pair of grab bars. Try these helpful tips to improve the safety of your loved one when they’re getting in and out of the tub.

Concentration Counts

• Getting in and out of the tub requires concentration
• Your loved one may need help in the bathroom if they have difficulty with attention or concentration

Practice Makes Perfect

• Practice using newly installed grab bars before…

Photo by Michele Mieklejohn

Responsibilties at any age are important. They teach us the value of taking something to completion. Yes, even your two year old can handle some responsibilities, such as putting clothes in the hamper and making the bed. It is a great way to instill routines that can make life easier later. But what if your child runs from responsibility, what then? I have a ten year old who seems to hide whenever his name is called! Granted, at times, he thinks it is funny, but is it? We have had…

Art therapy has such a positive effect on our seniors and we see the benefits every day. It gives many a way to express themselves and for others, it unleashes new talents. Some of our seniors have never had the time or opportunity; while others may have been intimidated to try. At the VNSNY CHOICE Adult Day Center (www.vnsnychoice.org), the seniors feel comfortable trying something new–and the results have been amazing.      

Our Activities Coordinator is an art therapist and through her encouragement and creativity, art has flourished at the Center. Our seniors create beautiful artwork…