Fairfield County Boomers & Beyond December 2016 ebook

Boomers d n o y e &B December 2016

FairďŹ eld County

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Boomers & Beyond - Fairfield County

Griffin Hospital to host Fall Prevention Program The Valley Parish Nurse Program at Griffin Hospital and Griffin Hospital Lifeline will host a free Fall Prevention Program on Friday, Dec. 9 from 9 a.m.-noon at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division Street in Derby.

The program will discuss the dangers of falling, especially for seniors, and will help attendees prevent falls by: Assessing their fall risk; teaching them to assess their, or a loved one’s, risk of falling; teaching and practicing exercises to improve balance and leg strength; providing a medication review; encouraging annual eye exams; teaching ways to reduce tripping hazards at home and learning how to get up or to call for fast help if a fall occurs.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of three adults 65 and older will fall each year. For those 65 and older, falls are the leading cause of injury, death and hospital admissions for trauma. Those who fall, even if not injured, develop a fear of falling. This fear causes people to limit their activities reducing their mobility, causing loss of physical fitness, which in turn increases the actual risk of falling.

A light breakfast will be provided by Griffin Hospital Lifeline.

To reserve a seat or for more information, contact Esther at 203-732-1523 or ejones@griffinhealth.org.

December, 2016

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provided

Free fall prevention program features fall risk assessments, fall prevention techniques and exercises to improve balance.

Waveny Care Center named among the best of best

by US News & World Report PAGE 4

December, 2016

On November 16, U.S. News & World Report released its official list of the nation’s Best Nursing Homes for 2016-17, and Waveny Care Center of New Canaan was once again named among the best of the best.

A leading expert in the evaluation of healthcare providers, U.S. News bases its nursing home ratings on data from Nursing Home Compare, a star-rating system developed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that serves as the industry standard for assessing nursing home quality.

Waveny is one of only 14 Medicare and Medicaid accredited nursing homes in Fairfield County to boast an overall 5-star CMS rating, and is one of only two nursing homes in Fairfield County with a perfect 5-star rating across all of CMS’s categories of quality measures: Health inspections, staffing, quality measures.

Boomers & Beyond - Fairfield County

“This designation is not only a great honor, but also a reflection of the exceptional care our team provides each and every day to our residents and patients,” said Claudia Katz, RN, Director of Nursing at the Care Center. “More than anything, this ranking is great validation of our team’s talent, teamwork, dedication and commitment to providing compassionate quality care in everything we do.”

To qualify as a Best Nursing Home by U.S. News & World Report this year, facilities had to earn an average of 4.5 stars or better during the 12 months of federal reports ending in October 2016 and had to consistently meet certain performance standards set

by U.S. News during the period, including earning at least 4 stars in CMS’s overall rating for all 12 months.

“To maintain a perfect 5-star ranking while steadily advancing the level of care we provide at Waveny to meet the needs of today’s higher acuity rehab in-patient is no easy feat,” said Bill

Piper, CEO of Waveny LifeCare Network.

“This superlative status from U.S. News and World Report speaks to a lot of hard work, success and achievement.”

Waveny Care Center is part of Waveny LifeCare Network, a non-profit organization that provides a comprehensive continuum of healthcare to serve the changing needs of older adults from all areas. Waveny offers independent living at The Inn, assisted living and respite care for people with memory impairment at The Village, and skilled nursing, inpatient and outpatient Rehabilitation Services at Waveny Care Center. It also includes the Brown Geriatric Evaluation Clinic, an Adult Day Program that provides free door-to-door transportation throughout most of lower Fairfield County, and an array of community-based services through Waveny Home Healthcare, Waveny at Home and Geriatric Care Management.

For more information, call 1-855-WAVENY-1 or visit www.waveny.org.

Staff and residents Waveny Care Center pose proudly after earning the designation as of one of the Best Nursing Homes in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

provided

Boomers & Beyond - Fairfield County

Hearing Loss

By Theresa Santoro, MSN, RN, CHCA President & CEO, RVNA

It is frustrating not to be able to hear well enough to enjoy social interactions with family and friends. Hearing disorders make it challenging, and deafness prevents you from hearing at all.

Hearing loss can result from a number of different causes: heredity, diseases such as ear infections and meningitis, trauma, certain medications, longterm noise exposure and aging. There are two main types of hearing loss, permanent loss when

your inner ear or auditory nerve is damaged, and temporary loss when sound waves can’t reach your inner ear due to wax build-up, fluid or a punctured eardrum. These latter types of hearing loss can often be reversed, but if untreated, hearing problems can get worse. Treatments to help with hearing loss include hearing aids, cochlear implants, special training, certain medications and surgery.

Research finds that hearing loss among elderly Americans is widespread, especially for those above 90 years old. Based on a study of people age 80 and

December, 2016

older, hearing loss is nearly universal and accelerates with age, and hearing aids are greatly underused despite their potential benefit. Only 59% of the study participants used them. Hearing loss is associated with a number of deleterious psychosocial, functional and cognitive effects and is a major public health concern, especially as the over 80 population is doubles in the next 40 years. Experts agree that hearing loss can be easily treated with hearing aids or cochlear implants, and some doctors suggest that hearing tests should be incorporated into routine patient care. Another small study has found that hearing problems may not just be in your ear but also in your brain and that the brain’s ability to process speech declines with age. Two study groups, one in their 20’s and another in their 60’s, were given speech comprehension tests and underwent brain scans. In both quiet and noisy settings, the older group had more trouble tracking and understanding speech. These hearing deficits were also evident in the brain scans. The findings suggest that age-related hearing problems may be due to an inability of the brain to correctly interpret sound signals as well as the inability to understand speech at certain volumes.

Founded in 1914, RVNA is an accredited non-profit Medicare-certified home healthcare agency that also supports public health and safety, and promotes the highest quality of life. RVNA provides compassionate care to all individuals, whether young or old, through a continuum of care that encompasses health care at home and in the community. RVNA also provides home health aides and companionship through a nonmedical subsidiary called HomeCare by RVNA.

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Boomers & Beyond - Fairfield County

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& Beyo

845-534-7500 • (fax) 845-534-0055 Info@HealthcareNewspaper.com PUBLISHER

Joseph P. Belsito

Our View The holidays are almost here, which means family dinners, parties and gifts.

What a wonderful time for us to come together and enjoy this magical season.

Boomers & Beyond would like to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a Happy Holiday season!

The Holiday season, festive and warm, provides us an opportunity to be grateful for all that we have. While we are at it, we would like to wish you a Happy New Year!

Have a happy and healthy 2017.

The Boomers & Beyond staff looks forward to providing readers with more insightful issues in 2017. You can depend on us every month to get diverse stories and information about healthcare that matters to you. Boomers & Beyond continues to grow in our two markets, Westchester County, NY., and Fairfield County, CT., and we would like to thank you for your support.

We are humbled to be a part of your lives and wish you the best holiday season!

Get in touch at info@healthcarenewspaper.com.

Jim Stankiewicz, General Manager

(Joe@belsito.com)

••• GENERAL MANAGER

James Stankiewicz

(Jim@healthcarenewsmagazine.com)

••• MARKETING DIRECTOR

Gregory W. Buff (Greg@belsito.com)

••• MANAGING EDITOR

Cathryn Burak

(Cathy@healthcarenewsmagazine.com)

••• SENIOR SALES CONSULTANT

Maureen Rafferty Linell

Next Month

Rob Stankiewicz

Rehabilitation Taking the first step to recovery

Anthony Mairo

Best options when a parent needs to move to a place of care Long Term Care, Assisted Living, Adult Communities

(MRLinell@charter.net)

••• SALES & MARKETING SPECIALIST (Rob@healthcarenewsmagazine.com)

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••• CIRCULATION

Michelle Belsito

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Dale McKnight

Corporate Information

Healthcare News - Fairfield County, CT edition - Vol. 3 No. 12 - is published monthly, 12 times a year by Belsito Communications, Inc., 1 Ardmore Street, New Windsor, NY 12553. Postage Paid at New Windsor, NY and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to Healthcare Newspaper, 1 Ardmore Street, New Windsor, NY, 12553. No financial responsibility is assumed by this newspaper to publish a display, classified, or legal ad or for typographical errors except of reprinting that part of the ad which was omitted or in error. Omissions or errors must be brought to the attention of the newspaper during the same month of publication.

Hearing Best options from Audiologists Glaucoma Awareness Month More than 2.7 million Americans age 40 and older suffer from glaucoma

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Six ways to make the Holidays special for Home Care clients December, 2016

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The holidays are upon us, and as the saying goes, “Tis the season to be jolly.” Unfortunately for many seniors, that sentiment isn't always true. While the holidays bring joy to many older adults, they can also be a time of loneliness and depression for others.

Luckily as home care providers, who have frequent contact with seniors, you have the unique opportunity to make the season a little more merry and bright for your clients. These six ideas for you and your caregivers are simple ways to fill your clients' holiday with a little more cheer.

Source://www.homecarepulse.com

1. Decorations Holiday decorations can help a home feel warm and festive. They can also help seniors to recall happy memories from years past and provide them with an opportunity to share those experiences. Decorating is a very social and active event, and it can become a fun occasion for seniors to chat and move around their home transforming it into a bright new space.

2. Visits and Calls Contact with family and friends can transform a lonely holiday into a joyful one. Work with family members to coordinate a visit, or prepare the house to welcome those who are planning on coming. If family and friends live too far away for a visit, it's a great idea to set up a call or Skype visit with one or more of them.

3. Social Events While your agency may not frequently hold events or activities for clients, you may want to make an exception for the holidays, by holding a small social with cocoa or cookies for your clients. It can act both as a thank you and as an opportunity for clients to meet with other local seniors in similar situations. If you don't want to plan an event yourself, you may consider researching local events for seniors and encourage your caregivers to take their clients out to attend and enjoy themselves.

4. Cooking a Holiday Dish Food and the holidays go hand in hand, and the method and activity involved in cooking can help seniors to interact more with their caregivers and to get up and moving. Ask clients about their favorite holiday dishes or treats and help them to make and share it. It may be as simple as a cup of tea or cocoa, but regardless of the simplicity, cooking is a great way to connect more with clients and help them to enjoy the holiday.

5. Small Gifts & Holiday Cards Whether it's a small treat, a flower, or a simple holiday card, a gift can serve as a physical token of your appreciation. Sending a gift or a sincere note not only shows your clients that you value them, but it can also boost the spirits of seniors who may not receive many other gifts this year.

6. Maintain Traditions To the degree that your caregivers are comfortable with it, help your clients to maintain their holiday traditions.

That may mean playing holiday music around the house, setting up a tree, or attending a place of worship.

Perhaps the caregiver could help the client to write and send Christmas cards or to wrap gifts for family members. Assisting with these activities is a great way to help seniors to hold on to bond with their caregivers and to keep their special traditions alive.

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December, 2016

Patient Blood Management saves lives, blood, and money

Patient blood management (PBM) is an evidence-based, multidisciplinary approach to optimizing the care of patients who might need transfusion.

PBM encompasses all aspects of patient evaluation and clinical management surrounding the transfusion decision-making process, including the appli-

cation of appropriate indications, as well as minimization of blood loss and optimization of patient red cell mass. PBM can reduce the need for allogeneic blood transfusions and reduce health-care costs, while ensuring that blood components are available for the patients who need them.

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The ultimate goal of patient blood management (PBM) is to reduce patient harm from overexposure to blood products. Blood transfusion is the most common procedure patients receive while in the hospital. Although blood transfusion therapy can be life-saving, careful consideration must be given to the associated dangers. The more transfusions patients receive, the greater the risk of complications including hospital-acquired anemia, infection, organ damage and even death.

Over the past 15 years, many clinical studies have determined that the risks often outweigh the benefits.

Effective blood management programs ensure each and every transfusion is necessary, appropriate, safe and the most efficient use of the many resources involved in the complex process of blood component therapy. These resources extend well beyond blood products to include nursing time, technologist time, medical supplies, medical devices, laboratory tests, pharmaceuticals, hospital beds and healthcare dollars.

As a leading organization in the education of health-care professionals about blood management and utilization review, AABB offers resources that address the various aspects of PBM, helping members achieve their goals of optimizing patient outcomes, preventing unnecessary blood usage and auditing physician compliance with established criteria for transfusion.

Coloring books for adults offer creative stress relief: AARP and HCI introduce new book In the Inkspirations series

From HCI, the original publishers of Chicken Soup for the Soul, now comes a line of coloring books ready to encourage, inspire, and help worries fade. With the newest, Inkspirations Create While You Wait, HCI and AARP are working together to help grown-ups destress with coloring.

With moving quotes alongside unique and graceful images, Inkspirations coloring books include a wide array of themes to help express creativity and enjoy therapy through coloring. To start overcoming heartache, releasing tensions, and building positive energy, readers can visit the new Inkspirations website, www.Inkspirations.com.

The website is a reader's portal to a more colorful world, giving a peek at the wide spread of unique pages Inkspirations has to offer, and some highly anticipated releases.

New from HCI and AARP! Create beautiful art wherever you are with this portable coloring book. Next time you're waiting—at the doctor's office, in the airport, or on the bus—stop stressing and start creating! In today's busy world, finding peace can be a challenge. Now, with this unique, compact coloring book, you can use those idle moments to foster your creativity and enjoy a sense of calm. Perfectly sized to fit into a purse, pack, or pocket, Create While You Wait will help you color your day brighter wherever you go.

A special binding lets you lay the book flat, and the unique horizontal layout is perfect whether you're left- or right-handed. So grab your colored pencils, crayons, markers or pen—and find your inner Zen. (More at www.aarp.org/coloringbooks)

Boomers & Beyond - Fairfield County

December, 2016

PAGE 9

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December, 2016

Boomers & Beyond - Fairfield County

Katz named Director of Nursing at Waveny Care Center Bill Piper, Chief Executive Officer of Waveny LifeCare Network, has appointed Claudia Katz, RN as Director of Nursing at Waveny Care Center, the nonprofit eldercare organization’s 5star rated skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility. Katz will be responsible for providing leadership and direction for Waveny’s nursing department and will play an active role on the organization’s management team.

“I came to Waveny for all the right reasons, but especially so I could redirect my entire focus back to quality nursing,” said Katz. “I am very excited about team building and capitalizing on our 5-star nursing team’s strengths. I have a passion for empowering people to grow and for motivating them to take on more ownership and responsibility in their roles. I feel very supported by Waveny’s entire management team – they are incredibly dedi-

provided

cated, and really raise the bar. I am very happy to be here.”

A registered nurse with more than 40 years of diverse clinical and managerial experience in acute, sub-acute, rehabilitation and long-term care nursing settings, Katz most recently served as Director of Nursing for Fairview of Fairfield, a 120-bed skilled reha-

bilitation and long-term care facility in Fairfield, Conn., and previously as Director of Nursing for the William and Sally Tandet Center for Continuing Care in Stamford, Conn.

“We are extremely pleased to have Claudia join us in this important position,” said Bill Piper, CEO. “With the addition of increasingly acute modalities at Waveny Care Center in recent years – including IV therapy, Wound Care and Respiratory Therapy – I know our entire nursing team and all whom we serve will benefit from her guidance, direction, breadth of experience, and proven record as a dedicated nurse and healthcare leader.”

A Nightingale Award recipient with multiple certifications including IV therapy, wound care and dementia care, Katz attended the Faulkner Hospital School of Nursing of Boston, Mass. and has since attained additional degrees and

coursework at both Norwalk Community College and Sacred Heart University.

Waveny LifeCare Network provides a comprehensive continuum of healthcare to serve the changing needs of older adults from all areas. Waveny is a non-profit organization that offers independent living at The Inn, assisted living and respite care for people with memory impairment at The Village, and skilled nursing, inpatient and outpatient Rehabilitation Services at Waveny Care Center. It also includes the Brown Geriatric Evaluation Clinic, an Adult Day Program that provides free doorto-door transportation throughout most of lower Fairfield County, and an array of community-based services through Waveny Home Healthcare, Waveny at Home and Geriatric Care Management.

For more information, please call 1-855-WAVENY-1 or please visit www.waveny.org.

Hartford HealthCare at Home receives Triple Aim Award

Photo courtesy of Connecticut Association for Healthcare at Home

Tracy Wodatch, vice president of Clinical and Regulatory Services, Connecticut Association for Healthcare at Home, left, presents the organization’s Triple Aim Award to Wendy Martinson, MSN, RN, director of Care Transitions, Hartford Health Care at Home.

Hartford HealthCare at Home recently received the Triple Aim Award from the Connecticut Association for Healthcare at Home in recognition for its innovative method of improving health outcomes, access to care and reducing costs.

The award-winning Transitional Care RN (TCRN) program provides patientcentered, free visits to individuals in the community who are not presently receiving certified home-care services. TCRNs effectively coordinate the care of patients transitioning from one level of care to another while ensuring safe and effective transitions across the care continuum, regardless of payer source or homebound status, linking them to community resources including homecare services, if appropriate.

Wendy Martinson, MSN, RN, director of Care Transitions, Hartford Health Care at Home, accepted the award on behalf of the Hartford HealthCare at Home TCRN program at the association’s annual conference held Oct. 18 at the Hartford Marriott Downtown. Other TCRN

team members include Lillian Swan, RN, BSN, Monica Leone, RN, and Nicholas Arsenault, MSN, RN, CNL. An article written by Martinson and Leone was recently published in “Collaborative Case Management, a Publication for Case Management and Transitions of Care Professionals.” The article highlighted the need to conduct thorough assessments in the home, coordinate care, and uncover medication errors and discrepancies, and link patients to community supports including certified homecare services in an effort to prevent hospitalizations and readmissions.

“The TCRN Program is a unique service that has been able to facilitate better outcomes for our patients. The program has received glowing feedback through our patient satisfaction surveys.

Because of this program, many individuals gained access to services they desperately needed to age safely at home,” Martinson said.

For more information about Hartford HealthCare at Home, visit http://hartfordhealthcareathome.org/

Boomers & Beyond - Fairfield County

December, 2016

PAGE 11

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December, 2016

Boomers & Beyond - Fairfield County

Day Kimball In-Home Care Executive Director Renee Smith addresses the crowd at the National Homecare and Hospice Month celebration at Day Kimball Hospital.

Day Kimball Healthcare celebrates history of homecare in NECT, recognizes today's outstanding providers

In honor of National Homecare and Hospice Month, Day Kimball Healthcare hosted a celebration in recognition of home health care providers both past and present on Thursday, November 10, at Day Kimball Hospital.

The event included a presentation that detailed the history of homecare in northeast Connecticut, tracing the roots of today’s Day Kimball HomeMakers, Day Kimball HomeCare, and Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Connecticut all the way back to the region’s first visiting nurse, Esther Wells, who began caring for people in their homes in 1919.

The celebration continued with an award presentation of several “Hero at Home” awards honoring Day Kimball In-Home Care staff for providing exceptional patient care along with a “Hero for Homecare “ award presented to a healthcare partner who advocates for Homecare and promotes collaborative patient care across the continuum.

“Hero at Home” awards were presented to: Susan Antonelli RN, CHPN, Hospice & Palliative Care; Nancy Severs, Physical Therapy Assistant, HomeCare; Donna Hendrickson, Administrative Assistant, HomeCare; Alecia Fontaine, RN, “Remarkable Rookie,” Hospice & Palliative Care; Faye Logee, Personal Care Aide/Homemaker, HomeMakers; and Michael Peterson, Personal Care Aide/Homemaker, HomeMakers, Kelly Percy, HomeCare home health aide. The “Hero for Homecare” award was presented to Denise Oles, RN, CCM, CCDS, Day Kimball Hospital Case Management.

DKH In-Home Care Executive Director Renee Smith, Dr. Joseph Botta of Botta & Associates and Ann Hinchman of the Friends of Hospice Committee each spoke to the advanced, high quality care that these services have grown into today and the tremendous impact they have on people’s lives.

“Even though our organization has changed a great deal over the years, our love for what we do and our commitment to the community has as always remained the same. Our dedication to providing the highest quality in-home care possible is not only evident in the skill and compassion of our employees, but is also reflected in our ability to keep people where they want to be the most, in the comfort of their own homes,” Smith said.

She continued, “Our agency’s score for preventing avoidable re-hospitalizations, a quality measure found on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Service’s Home Health Compare website, is significantly better than both state and national averages, as well as other competing agencies serving our region, and this is something we are extremely proud of.”

Dr. Botta spoke to the value of homecare and hospice for patients, saying, “The most important part of health care is at home. We keep people at home with prevention. You, our dedicated home health care providers, prevent minor and major catastrophes in the homes of our patients every day, and what you do is so important. You are at the center of the patients’ care, coordinating all

of their needs. Not only do you prevent illness but you provide our patients with a quality of life by giving them freedom and dignity. There really is no way to measure the impact that has on a person’s life.”

Speaking about the history and impact of hospice and palliative care in the region Hinchman said, “Hospice began 50 years ago this year in London. In 1974, Connecticut began its first hospice in New Haven which was the first hospice program in the United States and since then we have worked diligently to build the program here in our corner of the state. We have done tremendous work during that time but there is still so much work to be done, as patients are not taking advantage of this kind of care soon enough. It is important that patients understand that hospice does not mean a time to die, it is a time to help the patient and their family to live!”

In addition to the awards ceremony and speaking program, a historical display showcased a half-century of home health care memorabilia preserved through the years including local inhome care equipment, news bulletins and other items from years past. The event concluded with a touching slide show of hundreds of photos of Day Kimball home health care providers and patients over the years that served to illustrate the many important ways these health care providers help to improve people’s lives each and every day.

For more information about Day Kimball Healthcare, please visit www.daykimball.org.

Boomers & Beyond - Fairfield County

PAGE 13

December, 2016

“I know the best when I see it.

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Boomers & Beyond - Fairfield County

Waveny Care Center named Center of Excellence for Wound Care Management PAGE 14

December, 2016

On November 14, Waveny Care Center, Waveny LifeCare Network’s five-star skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility, was named a Certified Center of Excellence for Wound Care Management by VOHRA PostAcute Physicians – the nation’s largest multispecialty post-acute physician group.

This designation is awarded to elite facilities that meet strict criteria and provide superior wound care management programs.

VOHRA Centers of Wound Care Excellence must have an outcome-focused, physician specialist-led wound care program with designated wound-certified nurses on-site every day, regular team meetings that focus on quality and process improvement (QAPI), and notably, less than a 1 percent wound-related hospitalization rate

“VOHRA Wound Physicians is proud to certify Waveny Care Center as a Center of Excellence for Wound Care Management,” said Brad Sherwood, VOHRA’s Regional Director of Business Development.

“VOHRA Physician Dr. Dennis Ng, MD and Waveny’s nursing team have a proven track record of improving wound outcomes and reducing wound-related hospitalization rates.”

With a top priority on healing and rehabilitating short-term patients to return home, Waveny partnered with VOHRA to bring physician-led bedside wound care to the facility. Each week, Dr. Ng conducts rounds at the Care Center with Waveny’s wound care team to treat and monitor those with wound and skin issues, reducing the need to send residents or patients out to wound care centers or hospitals.

Waveny Care Center is part of Waveny LifeCare Network, a non-profit organization that provides a comprehensive continuum of healthcare to serve the changing needs of older adults from all areas. Waveny offers independent living at The Inn, assisted living and respite care for people with memory impairment at The Village, and skilled nursing, inpatient and outpatient Rehabilitation Services at Waveny Care Center. It also includes the Brown Geriatric Evaluation Clinic, an Adult Day Program that provides free door-to-door transportation throughout most of lower Fairfield County, and an array of community-based services through Waveny Home Healthcare, Waveny at Home and Geriatric Care Management. For more information, call 1-855-WAVENY-1 or visit www.waveny.org.

Brad Sherwood, Regional Director of Business Development for VOHRA Post-Acute Physicians, presents Dr. Dennis Ng, MD and members of Waveny Care Center’s clinical team with an award naming Waveny a Certified Center of Excellence for Wound Care Management.

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Boomers & Beyond - Fairfield County

December, 2016

PAGE 15

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Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease: What’s Normal, What’s Not PAGE 16

December, 2016

November is National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month—and this neurodegenerative disorder is the most common and feared neurodegenerative disorder among the aging population. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) affects approximately 15 million people throughout the world. An estimated 5.4 million individuals in the United States have AD, and by 2050 the prevalence is projected to be 13.2 million. Since the risk increases dramatically with age, an increase in longevity means that more people will be at risk of AD. In most cases, the initial symptoms are forgetfulness and personality changes. But memory dysfunctions are not always related to Alzheimer’s disease. Although memory may deteriorate in some areas as we age, most people continue to live a normal life.

Here’s what to know about what’s normal and what’s not as it relates to AD: Normal forgetfulness in late adulthood: • Tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon— failure to retrieve a word from memory, combined with partial recall; the feeling that retrieval is imminent, and sense of relief when the word is found.

• Effortful recall—the person is aware of difficulty, and is usually ultimately successful (after a delay)

• Speed of processing steadily slows and affects all cognitive domains

• In terms of vocabulary, performance on reading irregular words (part of the National Adult Reading Test) is preserved. (This happens even in early stages of dementia.)

Risk factors for AD:

• Primary risk factors: o Advanced age: after age 65, prevalence almost doubles every 5 years

Boomers & Beyond - Fairfield County

Early Warning Signs of AD: • Memory loss affecting job performance

• Difficulty performing familiar tasks • Language difficulties

• Disorientation to time and place • Poor judgment

• Misplacing things

• Mood or behavior changes

• Personality changes

• Loss of initiative

By Pasquale Fonzetti, M.D., Ph.D. Director of the Memory Evaluation and Treatment Service (METS) Burke Rehabilitation Hospital

o Family history of dementia

o Genetic factors

• Modifiable risk factors: o Cardiovascular disease and its associated risk factors, such as diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, obesity and atherosclerosis

o Educational level: people with fewer years of education have a greater risk of AD

• Other possible risk factors: o Depression

o Micronutrient deficiencies (vitamin B12 or folate) o Head injury

As with other types of dementia, the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is clinical. This includes a detailed history, physical and neurological exam, evaluation of functional abilities (ADLs), screening for depression, mental status testing and/or a neuropsychological assessment, laboratory testing, and head CT or brain MRI studies to rule out other brain or systemic disorders causing the symptoms. This process, which can be done through programs such as Burke Rehabilitation Hospital’s Memory Evaluation and Treatment Service (METS), allows doctors to make an accurate diagnosis.

Once a clear diagnosis is made, a family conference—an important part of the process that is stressed in the METS program—can be arranged to discuss the natural course of the disease, implications and treatment with the patient and family members. While there is no medical intervention that can stop the disease progression at this time, there are therapies that can help keep memory functioning longer.

For more information about the Memory Evaluation and Treatment Service at Burke Rehabilitation Hospital, please visit www.burke.org/mets. To schedule an appointment for an evaluation, call (914) 597-2405.

Boomers & Beyond - Fairfield County

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Boomers & Beyond - Fairfield County

VNA South Central makes a difference this Thanksgiving PAGE 18

December, 2016

The Visiting Nurse Association of South Central Connecticut, Inc. (VNA South Central) has teamed up with other local organizations to donate holiday food baskets for Thanksgiving to local families. Webster Bank, Yale New Haven Hospital Heart Center, Gateway College’s Student Nurse Association, Benjamin Jepson School, Day Pitney and Coldwell Banker have gathered $2,000 in gift card donations and over 1,000 food items for families less fortunate. This year surpassed the requested donation amounts of years past.

This year, VNA South Central is providing Thanksgiving baskets to 98 families this holiday season, stocked with food and includes a grocery store gift card for a turkey purchases. However, the giving behavior of VNA South Central is not new to the organization.

Pam Gent, RN is a nursing supervisor who has been with VNA South Central for over 30 years.

She created “Pam’s Pantry”, a food pantry, for patients in need

approximately 18 years ago. This pantry provides emergency food supplies to patients and their families who are in need of food donations throughout the year.

Prior to the establishment of the pantry, individual staff members were purchasing groceries for these patients out of their own pockets. The pantry is supported

by VNA South Central staff donations, a grant from Webster bank, as well as annual food drives from Yale New Haven Hospital’s Heart Center and Gateway College’s Student Nurse Association. Pam stated while packing up the gift baskets at the One Long Wharf office, “I am overjoyed with the generosity of the community and staff members in support of the program.

We are looking forward to helping these 98 families and look forward to helping even more throughout the year.”

Lisa Dupuis, President & CEO commented on this year’s holiday food drive, “this showing of generosity is common every day here at the VNA South Central.

VNA South Central employee filling the last of the Thanksgiving Food Baskets

We have since our inception been a non-profit mission driven organization. We, along with the other organizations that were

Rehabilitative Therapies

By Theresa Santoro, MSN, RN, CHCA President & CEO

Rehabilitative therapies include physical, occupational and speech and language therapy which are used to address a wide range of physical conditions and illnesses. Physical therapy focuses on treating pain, weaknesses or immobility caused by sports, injury, surgery or illness. Specialties are joint replacement therapy; orthopedic therapy to rehabilitate impairments from overuse, injury or illness; and neurological physical therapy to correct the pain and dysfunction associated with diseases and conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, head and spinal injuries and other neurological conditions. Occupa-

tional therapy focuses on helping a patient perform everyday tasks to live a full, productive life. Occupational therapy may be necessary after a stroke or injury or to address changes resulting from physical and cognitive aging. Speech, language and swallowing therapy is designed to help people who are experiencing difficulties resulting from ALS, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis or stroke. Other therapeutic specialties include kinesio taping to stabilize muscles and joints to encourage the natural healing process; vestibular rehabilitation for patients suffering from dizziness, vertigo, head trauma or Meniere’s disease to improve balance; and massage and reiki therapy to improve circulation, reduce tension and re-align muscles.

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a part of this effort, have the common goal of helping and supporting the community.”

RVNA therapists have been providing these services in the home for over 40 years. Now at RVNA’s Center for Exceptional Care at 27 Governor Street, Ridgefield, our Rehab by RVNA therapists are able to offer these services on an outpatient basis under our own roof.

The approach is hands-on, one-on-one with a very personalized and goal oriented care plan, working collaboratively with a patient’s healthcare provider to coordinate care. The Rehab at RVNA facility is handicap accessible and provides private treatment rooms in addition to a gym with state-of-the-art equipment.

Our team of therapists are fully certified and highly experienced. We accept Medicare and beginning in January, will accept most private insurances. For more information or to make an appointment, call 203.438.RVNA (7862).

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PAGE 20

December, 2016

Boomers & Beyond - Fairfield County