First Care of New York, Inc.

Preventing Falls: Some Steps to Take: With June being National Safety Month, this is a good time to discuss fall prevention. Falls are the biggest cause of injury among older adults. There are many factors that can lead to falls, thus there are many potential steps to try and prevent them. We’ll present an overview of what you can do to try and prevent falls. One thing to check is medication. Side-effects such as drowsiness and dizziness can increase the risk of a fall. If y...our medication has these potential effects, you might consider talking with your doctor about possible alternatives. Don’t stop moving. Physical activity can help prevent falls. Muscle weakness is one major contributing factor to falls. Keeping your muscles active and strong can reduce the chances of a fall. Make alterations to the house. Adding extra lighting to stairways can help prevent falls. Also, nightlights in bedrooms, bathrooms, and hallways can help reduce the risk of falls at night. Adding in stair rails, non-slip treads to wooden steps, and bathroom grab bars are often recommended for reducing falls. Falls pose major health risks. For this reason, it’s important to looking into preventative options. Don’t let you or your loved ones be caught off guard. More: http://1st-care.nwsltr.info//preventing-falls-some-steps-/

Home Remedies for Upset Stomach: Occasional stomach upsets are not uncommon. They can be triggered by certain foods, eating too much food, or even medications. While there are medicines for upset stomach, there are plenty of home remedies that can also help. Here are some home remedies to consider: Bananas Spices such as cloves and allspice Ginger... Apple cider vinegar mixed with water Chamomile tea Fruit in general (avoid citrus though) Foods high in vitamin B such as dark greens, spinach, dried plums, and brown rice It may also be a good idea to eat smaller, more frequent meals to avoid overtaxing the digestive system. Upset stomachs can be a pain to deal with, but home remedies and good nutrition can make them easier to treat. The next time you have digestion issues, try some of the above remedies. More: http://1st-care.nwsltr.info//home-remedies-for-upset-stom/

Legal Documents Family Caregivers Should Have: Family caregivers are responsible for taking care of their older loved ones. Occasionally this responsibility may require legal documentation to help make care easier. Having the following documents on hand may reduce future headaches. A Will: This document should lay out what loved ones want to do with their property once they are gone. HIPPA Authorization: This document allows family caregivers access to their loved one’s ...medical records. Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care: This document allows a family caregiver the right to make health decisions if the person is no longer able to do it. Durable Power of Attorney for Finances: It is similar to the above document, but it for financial matters instead of health-related ones. Advance Directives: This documentation lays out how the loved one wants their end-of-life care to be handled. This can include a Do Not Resuscitate order. These are some of the most essential documents for a family caregiver to have. Other important documents include financial records and insurance information. Having legal matters written out neatly and having the documentation ready may save a lot of trouble when those documents are needed. More: http://1st-care.nwsltr.info//legal-documents-family-careg/

Signs of When It's Time to Stop Driving: Talking to a loved one about when it’s time to stop driving is a hard conversation to have. However, it’s an important one to be had. Since this topic can open a can of worms, make sure that there is reason to suspect that your loved one may be a dangerous driver. Below are some signs to look out for. Decreasing confidence while driving. Delayed reactions to situations.... New dents or scrapes on the car. Driving at inappropriate speeds for road conditions. Frequently hitting curbs when making turns or backing up. Not wanting to drive at night. Changes in driving behavior. Ex: Becoming more of an aggressive driver. Becoming drowsy behind the wheel often. Increasing complaints of vision problems. Having one of these issues alone may not be enough to indicate that the person is now a danger on the road. Having multiple, though, is cause for concern. Remember, just because someone is older, that does not mean he or she is automatically a dangerous driver. Plenty of retirees are capable drivers well into their 80s and even early 90s. Make sure first that you are not letting their age make you biased when examining their driving behaviors. More: http://1st-care.nwsltr.info//signs-of-when-its-time-to-st/

Preventing Falls: Some Steps to Take: With June being National Safety Month, this is a good time to discuss fall prevention. Falls are the biggest cause of injury among older adults. There are many factors that can lead to falls, thus there are many potential steps to try and prevent them. We’ll present an overview of what you can do to try and prevent falls. One thing to check is medication. Side-effects such as drowsiness and dizziness can increase the risk of a fall. If y...our medication has these potential effects, you might consider talking with your doctor about possible alternatives. Don’t stop moving. Physical activity can help prevent falls. Muscle weakness is one major contributing factor to falls. Keeping your muscles active and strong can reduce the chances of a fall. Make alterations to the house. Adding extra lighting to stairways can help prevent falls. Also, nightlights in bedrooms, bathrooms, and hallways can help reduce the risk of falls at night. Adding in stair rails, non-slip treads to wooden steps, and bathroom grab bars are often recommended for reducing falls. Falls pose major health risks. For this reason, it’s important to looking into preventative options. Don’t let you or your loved ones be caught off guard. More: http://1st-care.nwsltr.info//preventing-falls-some-steps-/

Family Caregivers: Tips for Planning a Successful Outing: For caregivers, planning an outing for your loved one might seem daunting. However, with proper steps, outings can be less stressful and more fun for the one you are caring for. Outings are important as being outside and social are important aspects of life. We’ll outline some tips below. Look into the Venue Before You Go: No matter where you plan on going, a restaurant, a park, a mall, make sure that they have facili...ties that meet your loved one’s needs. For example, if you are caring for someone wheelchair-bound, make sure the venue has access points for wheelchairs. Preparation Makes a World of Difference: Prepare for many different potential obstacles. For example, if your loved one has medicines they need to take, pack the next dosage and take it with you. Even if you are planning on coming back before they need to take it. You never know if you will get held up. Pack an extra change of clothes in case of accidents or changes in weather as well. Plan: Know what the weather is going to be like and know the person you care for. If they are more energetic in the mornings, then that would probably be the best time to have the outing. Outings, when carefully planned, can be fun for the person receiving care. They will appreciate the planning and work going into it, and you’ll get the reward of seeing them smiling and having fun. More: http://1st-care.nwsltr.info//family-caregivers-tips-for-p/

Home Remedies for Upset Stomach: Occasional stomach upsets are not uncommon. They can be triggered by certain foods, eating too much food, or even medications. While there are medicines for upset stomach, there are plenty of home remedies that can also help. Here are some home remedies to consider: Bananas Spices such as cloves and allspice Ginger... Apple cider vinegar mixed with water Chamomile tea Fruit in general (avoid citrus though) Foods high in vitamin B such as dark greens, spinach, dried plums, and brown rice It may also be a good idea to eat smaller, more frequent meals to avoid overtaxing the digestive system. Upset stomachs can be a pain to deal with, but home remedies and good nutrition can make them easier to treat. The next time you have digestion issues, try some of the above remedies. More: http://1st-care.nwsltr.info//home-remedies-for-upset-stom/

Legal Documents Family Caregivers Should Have: Family caregivers are responsible for taking care of their older loved ones. Occasionally this responsibility may require legal documentation to help make care easier. Having the following documents on hand may reduce future headaches. A Will: This document should lay out what loved ones want to do with their property once they are gone. HIPPA Authorization: This document allows family caregivers access to their loved one’s ...medical records. Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care: This document allows a family caregiver the right to make health decisions if the person is no longer able to do it. Durable Power of Attorney for Finances: It is similar to the above document, but it for financial matters instead of health-related ones. Advance Directives: This documentation lays out how the loved one wants their end-of-life care to be handled. This can include a Do Not Resuscitate order. These are some of the most essential documents for a family caregiver to have. Other important documents include financial records and insurance information. Having legal matters written out neatly and having the documentation ready may save a lot of trouble when those documents are needed. More: http://1st-care.nwsltr.info//legal-documents-family-careg/

Signs of When It's Time to Stop Driving: Talking to a loved one about when it’s time to stop driving is a hard conversation to have. However, it’s an important one to be had. Since this topic can open a can of worms, make sure that there is reason to suspect that your loved one may be a dangerous driver. Below are some signs to look out for. Decreasing confidence while driving. Delayed reactions to situations.... New dents or scrapes on the car. Driving at inappropriate speeds for road conditions. Frequently hitting curbs when making turns or backing up. Not wanting to drive at night. Changes in driving behavior. Ex: Becoming more of an aggressive driver. Becoming drowsy behind the wheel often. Increasing complaints of vision problems. Having one of these issues alone may not be enough to indicate that the person is now a danger on the road. Having multiple, though, is cause for concern. Remember, just because someone is older, that does not mean he or she is automatically a dangerous driver. Plenty of retirees are capable drivers well into their 80s and even early 90s. Make sure first that you are not letting their age make you biased when examining their driving behaviors. More: http://1st-care.nwsltr.info//signs-of-when-its-time-to-st/

Family Caregivers: Tips for Planning a Successful Outing: For caregivers, planning an outing for your loved one might seem daunting. However, with proper steps, outings can be less stressful and more fun for the one you are caring for. Outings are important as being outside and social are important aspects of life. We’ll outline some tips below. Look into the Venue Before You Go: No matter where you plan on going, a restaurant, a park, a mall, make sure that they have facili...ties that meet your loved one’s needs. For example, if you are caring for someone wheelchair-bound, make sure the venue has access points for wheelchairs. Preparation Makes a World of Difference: Prepare for many different potential obstacles. For example, if your loved one has medicines they need to take, pack the next dosage and take it with you. Even if you are planning on coming back before they need to take it. You never know if you will get held up. Pack an extra change of clothes in case of accidents or changes in weather as well. Plan: Know what the weather is going to be like and know the person you care for. If they are more energetic in the mornings, then that would probably be the best time to have the outing. Outings, when carefully planned, can be fun for the person receiving care. They will appreciate the planning and work going into it, and you’ll get the reward of seeing them smiling and having fun. More: http://1st-care.nwsltr.info//family-caregivers-tips-for-p/

New Medicare Cards: An Overview for The Transition Period: As of the beginning of April, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have begun mailing new Medicare cards to beneficiaries across the country. They are set to be mailed out in waves over the next 20 months, with the final wave set to be mailed out in December 2019. We’ll discuss why they are doing this and what this means below. The big reason for the new cards is that they are phasing out the use of S...ocial Security Numbers (SSNs). Instead of having a person’s SSN printed on there, each person will have a Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN). This is being done to fight identity theft. The change comes after many years of requests from various advocacy groups and government agencies. For now, you can still use social security numbers when making claims. However, starting in January 2020, for most cases, you will have to use the newly assigned HICN instead. For more information go to the following link: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/New-Medicare-Card/index.html More: http://1st-care.nwsltr.info//new-medicare-cards-an-overvi/

Ways to Stay Connected When Providing Care: Communication is important for caregiving. Everyone involved in providing aid needs to be on the same page. It’s also important to stay in touch with the person receiving the aid. Physical distance and scheduling conflicts can make this harder for families to achieve. However, there are ways to stay in touch despite the distance. Journals and records: Keeping a caregiving journal and writing down exactly when medications were given..., or appointments made can help the next caregiver keep track of what previously happened. Cellphones: With modern cell phones, there are a variety of ways to communicate with someone. Email, phone calls and text messages can provide many opportunities to connect. Video chats: Many devices have web cameras now. With programs such as FaceTime, you can connect and see someone instantly. This can be a great way for distant family members to have a kind of face-to-face communication. Websites: There are websites out there that are made for caregivers that come with ready-made tools to help with caregiving, such as online calendars that anyone in the caregiving circle can have access too. With today’s technology, staying in touch and coordinating plans are easier than ever. It just takes knowing the resources available and figuring out which ways work best for your family. More: http://1st-care.nwsltr.info//ways-to-stay-connected-when-/

Gardening Tips for Retirees: Spring is here. With spring comes new growth. For those that garden, it’s time to get back into it. However, as with most things, age can present new problems. Below are some tips to make gardening a bit easier. Invest in raised beds. These raised beds can help save the back from exertion by keeping people from bending over as much. Tall raised beds make things like weeding, seeding, and harvesting easier. Vertical gardening is also a good idea. ...Growing crops that can be grown upwards, such as anything that comes off a vine, can have the same benefits to people that raised beds have. Keep proper posture when kneeling or squatting. When squatting, your heels should not lift off the ground. This creates extra strain on ligaments. If that position isn’t possible, try kneeling with just one knee down instead. Work in the mornings and evenings when it’s cooler. This will cut down on the chances of heat stroke or exhaustion. Gardening can be a relaxing and rewarding pastime for retirees. Keeping tips like these in mind can help keep it that way. More: http://1st-care.nwsltr.info///gardening-tips-for-retirees/

Oral Cancer: An Overview of Symptoms: April is oral cancer awareness month. Oral cancer, while not the most common of cancers, has a higher mortality rate than other, more talked about, cancers. Statistics show that, on average, 132 people will be diagnosed with it every day. Early detection is important for fighting any type of cancer. Below we’ll discuss some symptoms to watch out for. A lump or thickening in the cheeks Difficulty swallowing or chewing... Persistent bad breath Weight loss Mouth sores that do not heal Red or white patches in the mouth or throat Numbness of the tongue or other areas of the mouth Jaw and teeth pain Changes in the voice These are a few symptoms of oral cancer. These symptoms can also be caused by other, more common, health issues. If you have any of these symptoms, and they last for more than two weeks, set up an appointment with a dentist or doctor. They can examine to see if the symptoms are caused by more common ailments or are signs of oral cancer. More: http://1st-care.nwsltr.info//oral-cancer-an-overview-of-s/

Foods for Mental Health?: The physical benefits of a balanced, healthy diet are well documented. However, can those benefits extend to the psychological? While there is no one diet that is proven to cure depression or anxiety, a balanced diet filled with certain nutrients can be a great part of an overall care plan. Limit consumption of caffeine: Caffeine can trigger anxiety and interfere with sleep. Numerous studies have tied sleep troubles with depression. Antioxidants are... your friend: Antioxidants help fight free radicals. These molecules can have a destructive effect on the brain, as well as the rest of the body. Foods like broccoli, spinach, berries, nuts, and sweet potatoes are filled with antioxidants. Pack in protein: Protein contains the amino acid tryptophan. This chemical can help the body make serotonin. Serotonin is the hormone that helps boost mood. Meat is an obvious source, but other sources include yogurt, soy, beans, and low-fat cheese. These are a few examples of the kinds of diet changes that can be beneficial for mental health. Eating healthy foods like these are no guarantee that symptoms will improve, though. A balanced diet is just one part of an overall care plan. If you are struggling with mental health, please seek out the help of a trained professional. More: http://1st-care.nwsltr.info/2018/04/foods-for-mental-health/

Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms to Watch Out For: Over 1.5 million people living in the United States have rheumatoid arthritis. Most people know about the joint swelling and pain that go along with the disorder. However, what many people might not know about are the variety of symptoms that can come from rheumatoid arthritis. It can affect much more than just joint health. Below are some potential symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis to watch out for. Breathing trouble: rheumat...oid arthritis can lead to scarring of the lung tissue. Lung complications are one of the more common complications that arise from rheumatoid arthritis. Fever: certain medications used to treat rheumatoid arthritis can raise the risk of infection. Chest pain: rheumatoid arthritis can cause heart complications. Eye problems: rheumatoid arthritis can cause damage to the eyes. This can lead to worsening vision. Stomach pain/digestive issues: rheumatoid arthritis raises the risk of stomach conditions such as diverticulitis and ulcers. The inflammation from the disorder is a contributing factor as well as potential side effects from medication. Skin rash: rashes can either be a sign that the inflammation is spreading away from the joints or a reaction to medication. Hearing loss: just like the eyes, the inflammation can damage ears. Dry mouth and eyes: having rheumatoid arthritis raises the risk of developing Sjogren’s syndrome, which causes difficulty with chewing and swallowing. Note that rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are different conditions, and this article is not about osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect many areas of the body. It’s important to keep track of overall health to catch potential complications before they get too serious. More: http://1st-care.nwsltr.info//rheumatoid-arthritis-symptom/

Benefits of Having a Caregiver: Oftentimes, retirees resist the idea of having a caregiver. They imagine their independence being stripped away from them. However, having a caregiver does not mean that. There are positive benefits for both the person and the family. We’ll outline some of them below. Peace of Mind: For patients and their family members, there comes peace of mind in knowing that someone who is trained and knowledgeable is there to help. There is also comfort i...n knowing that they have someone who can respond to medical emergencies. Companionship: Caregivers can also become companions for the patient. This companionship allows seniors to have the independence they want while still being safe at home by providing services such as housekeeping, safety checks, and help with movement. Flexibility: Caregivers can allow family members to be more flexible in their caregiving schedules. If you ever find yourself in need of an in-home aide, remember that we are here to help. Our professionally trained staff is equipped to handle most non-medical home care needs. More: http://1st-care.nwsltr.info//benefits-of-having-a-caregiv/

How to Talk to Seniors Resistant to Change: Any caregiver can tell you of times they’ve met resistance to care from older adults. Sometimes change is necessary in regard to health conditions or other life circumstances. However, the person who needs it may not be open to making those changes. It’s important to be able to talk to your loved ones about the inevitable and plan ahead. Below are tips for navigating these difficult conversations. The most important thing to try is... to put yourself in their shoes during the conversation. Empathy goes a long way in talks like these. Hear their goals and let them know you want to help work towards those goals. Ask them questions. Instead of telling them what to do, seek out their opinions first. Let them come up with answers. This cuts down on the chance of coming across as condescending. It also empowers them by having them be involved in the problem-solving process. If they deny there is a problem, that is the time to cite specific examples to them about the issue. Listen to them. Sometimes they may be forthcoming with the reasoning behind their objections. Listening shows them that their input is valuable, which does not happen if you simply tell them that you know best. Listening to them also helps when they are less forthcoming. Finding out the heart of their issues may take a little reading between the lines. Talk often about this. It may be hard, but if you only talk about issues when the time comes for action, that lessens the chance of success. If you’ve been talking about these possibilities for a while before they become reality, this helps open people up to those changes. Though, it’s also good to know when to drop the conversation, too. If things are beginning to get too heated, change the subject and try again later when tempers are calmer. Talking about issues related to change is never easy. It’s important to be able to talk about them though as it could mean the difference between smoother golden years or more hectic ones. More: http://1st-care.nwsltr.info//how-to-talk-to-seniors-resis/