Use Your Diet to Help Manage Arthritis

Osteoarthritis is a chronic, degenerative disease that affects over 50 million Americans, many of them seniors. Although there are treatments for this condition, there is no cure – and the pain and loss of joint flexibility can dramatically affect the quality of life. Along with effective medications, you can help fight osteoarthritis by getting the right nutrients into your diet. Simply follow the advice below from our assisted living team in Gloucester County, NJ.

5 Anti-Inflammatory Foods 

Diet plays an important role in our everyday health and wellbeing. Keeping a healthy weight and exercising regularly is essential. For people with osteoarthritis, certain foods with anti-inflammatory qualities can help keep joints from getting sore and swollen. These foods include the following:

1. Fatty acids – Foods rich in Omega-3s are not only good for the heart, but they also fight inflammation too. Foods rich in these fatty acids include chia seeds, walnuts, almonds, trout, salmon, eggs, and avocados.
   
   
2. Spices – Ginger and turmeric have great anti-inflammatory properties. The added benefit is that they also make food more flavorful! Add it to muffins, make yourself a nice warm cup of ginger tea, or season chicken to add it into your diet.
   
   
3. Green tea – A refreshing drink, green tea is rich in antioxidants that can help to fight inflammation. It is lovely as a hot or cold drink, mixed with fresh lemon or fruit juice, or even added into marinades and salad dressings.
   
   
4. Vitamin C – This vitamin isn’t just good for fighting off colds, it also helps the body produce collagen – an essential component of the cartilage in our joints. It is most effective when you eat it in foods rather than taking it in tablet form. Try adding cauliflower, guavas, bell peppers, sweet potatoes, strawberries, leafy greens, and oranges to your diet.
   
   
5. Anthocyanins – This is a type of antioxidant that helps keep connective tissue healthy. It is found in brightly colored fruits and vegetables like beets, cherries, berries, grapes, plums, and pomegranates.
   

Independence for Seniors – Quality Assisted Living in Gloucester County 

Pitman is an assisted living community in Gloucester County, NJ, offering high quality, scalable assisted living services in a comfortable, well-supported and beautiful environment. As part of the United Methodist Communities network, we also offer rehabilitation, access to therapists, hospice care, respite- and memory care, and support services. We welcome seniors from all faith backgrounds.

To find out more about our assisted living community, please contact us today or book a personal tour, or visit our website at https://pitman.umcommunities.org/

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/use-your-diet-to-help-manage-arthritis/

A Guide to Thyroid Conditions and Senior Health

As we age our risk of developing certain health conditions increases and thyroid conditions are among these. Knowing what these conditions are and how to detect them early on is the best way of staying independent and in good health. That is why our in-home respite care team is raising awareness about this condition – what it is, what the symptoms are, and how it can be treated.

What is the Thyroid?

The thyroid is a very small but very important gland that is located at the front of the neck, just below the larynx. It produces hormones that help regulate metabolism, heart and digestive functions, brain development, muscle control, mood regulation, and bone health. Because it controls so many important bodily functions, thyroid health conditions can lead to a wide range of symptoms and health problems.

Common Thyroid Conditions in Adults

Hypothyroidism. This is known as an underactive thyroid, where the gland isn’t producing enough hormones to support the body’s functions. Symptoms often include weight gain, fatigue, feeling cold, dry skin, weakness, and constipation. Treatment for this condition involves taking a synthetic thyroid hormone in medication form to supplement the gland’s low production.

Hyperthyroidism. This is an overactive thyroid, where the thyroid is flooding the body with excess hormones. Symptoms can include sweating, sudden weight loss, racing heartbeat, an enlarged thyroid gland, and difficulty sleeping. Treatment can include taking medication that slows thyroid hormone production, followed by treatment with radioactive iodine. Grave’s Disease is a common cause of hyperthyroidism.

6 Risk Factors for Thyroid Health Conditions in Seniors

Anyone of any age can develop a thyroid health condition, but it’s important to be aware of the following risk factors that may make you more likely to develop these health problems:

• If you have a close family member with a thyroid disorder
• If you have Grave’s or Plummer’s disease
• If you have swelling or nodules on the thyroid gland
• If you or close family members have an autoimmune disease
• If you have an iodine deficiency
• If you are a woman over the age of 50 (more women suffer from hypothyroidism than men)

Professional In-Home Respite Care for Seniors in New Jersey

At United Methodist Communities, we strive to offer the very best quality senior independent home care options, including in-home respite care through HomeWorks. This program is about assisting older adults in the comfort of their own homes and providing them, their families and caregivers with personalized, compassionate care that prioritizes health, happiness, and independence. In addition to daily home care, we also offer pastoral care for spiritual and emotional support in the home.

For more information on our senior home care services and in-home respite care, please contact us today or visit our website at https://homeworks.umcommunities.org/home-respite-care-services-nj/

Original content posted on https://homeworks.umcommunities.org/blog/a-guide-to-thyroid-conditions-and-senior-health/

3 Steps to Find a Senior Community for Older Adults with Alzheimer’s

September is World Alzheimer’s Month. And, that means it is time to raise awareness about this condition as well as the challenges faced by caregivers and loved ones in supporting and providing for their loved ones. Today, we’d like to talk about a significant decision – finding a long-term care option for a senior with Alzheimer’s Disease.

It Is All About What’s Best for Your Loved One

Making the decision to move your loved one into an assisted living community is a very difficult one, and many family caregivers and loved ones feel guilty or upset about making this choice. It is important to realize that whatever your reasons for making this decision, it may be the best choice, not only for them, but also for you. It is all about finding a place that gives you the peace of mind knowing that their needs are being expertly and compassionately met, which gives you more opportunities to spend quality time with them.

Step One – Research

Speak to your loved one’s doctor as well as neighborhood support groups to get recommendations for long-term care facilities in your area. Go online and take a look at their websites to get an idea of the spirit of the community and the services they offer. Call up the different CCRCs and assisted living communities to get an idea of how they charge for their services so you can develop a budget. It is also a good idea to write down a list of priorities, so you can narrow down your options.

Step Two – Visit

Once you have a shortlist prepared, visit the facilities in person. Pay attention to how the associates interact with the residents, how friendly they are, and how well-cared-for the residents look. Ask to see a room like the one your loved one will be staying in, and ask about mealtimes. Get the details, for example, what is the food like, can you or visitors join in for a meal, and so on.

While it is important to focus on your loved one’s medical care and assistance with daily tasks, it is also a good idea to ask about social events and activities. Are there gardens for your loved one to enjoy? What activities might he or she be able to participate in? How are companionship and spiritual care provided?

Of course, it is also important to ensure that they are equipped to support Alzheimer’s residents and their specific needs, and that their staff are experienced in assisting residents with dementia conditions. They should also have the facilities to care for your loved one’s future needs as they change.

Step Three – Costs

Every assisted living community structures the costs differently. Therefore, it is important to get a clear breakdown of the costs involved so that you can plan ahead financially. This is also a good time to speak to your eldercare lawyer and get all your loved one’s finances and legal needs in order, as you may be planning to sell property or assets to fund your loved one’s care. You may even need to obtain guardianship over your loved one to ensure that you can manage their finances and medical needs effectively.

Compassionate Care from Experienced Professionals at Beautiful United Methodist Communities in New Jersey

United Methodist Communities’ network of CCRC and assisted living communities in New Jersey is dedicated to compassionate, comprehensive care for seniors that promote independence and quality of life. We offer scalable services so residents only pay for services they need.

Through Tapestries Memory Care, we provide comfortable accommodations and support for seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia conditions.  Each resident enjoys a private studio apartment, spacious communal areas, and programs designed to meet each resident’s individual capabilities and aptitude. We accept seniors of all faith backgrounds.

Our communities include Bristol Glen (a CCRC in Newton, NJ), Collingswood, The Shores (Ocean City, NJ) and Pitman. Each community offers a unique setting and a different range of services, including assisted living, memory care, respite, rehabilitation, hospice, and senior housing.

To find out more about our CCRC in Sussex County, NJ, assisted living in Sussex County, NJ, or our other New Jersey communities, please contact us today or visit our website. https://umcommunities.org/senior-living-options-nj/

Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/3-steps-to-find-a-senior-community-for-older-adults-with-alzheimers/

5 Great Medication Safety Tips for Seniors with Alzheimer’s

It’s World Alzheimer’s Month, and our home care agency team is using this time as an opportunity to share some useful tips on medication management and safety for seniors with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. These patients are often on multiple medications for this and other health issues, so it’s important to take the proper precautions to avoid medication-related issues.

1. Get to Know the Medications. Write up some basic notes on each medication – what it is for, the dosage, and possible side effects – and spend some time studying them. This makes it so much easier to quickly spot the side effects or any possible complications.
2. Talk to the Doctor about Drug Interactions. Your doctor should know of each medication and supplement that your loved one is on (always take your list of medications and supplements to appointments to make sure your list is complete). However, it is possible for some medications to interact badly with others, especially if they are for different health conditions. Talk to the doctor about possible drug interactions and how you can help avoid them. This may mean changing what medications are taken at what time of the day, taking certain medications with food, or perhaps even changing out medications for alternative drugs.
3. Use a Pill Box and Medication Management App. As a caregiver, there’s a lot on your plate. So, organizing medications in advance according to the doctor’s instructions and using technology to remind you when medications need to be taken can be a great help. Pill organizer boxes can be filled for each day or week, and apps like Dosecast, MedHelper, and MyMeds can be downloaded onto your smartphone and set up according to your loved one’s schedule.
4. Develop a Routine. Individuals with Alzheimer’s rely greatly on established, reliable routines, so try to fit medication into your existing routine by making it a daily ritual. This can mean making medications part of the breakfast routine or taking them with a favorite warm drink right before bed. If your loved one has trouble swallowing, pills can be ground up into a smoothie – but ask your doctor first. Also, try to avoid making the routine part of a potentially busy time of day.
5. Lock Medication Away. All medications that are not required for the day should be safely locked in a medication cabinet – even over-the-counter drugs. It’s very easy for those with Alzheimer’s to accidentally overdose. Another good idea is to keep emergency numbers taped to your cabinet door, including your local Poison Control Center, emergency room, and your loved one’s doctor.

Compassionate Full and Part-Time Care for Alzheimer’s Patients from Our At-Home Health Care Agency

At United Methodist Communities, we strive to offer the very best home health aide services in New Jersey through our HomeWorks program. This program assists older adults in the comfort of their own homes and provides them, their families, and their caregivers personalized, compassionate care that prioritizes health, happiness, and independence.

For more information on our at-home health care agency or at-home care for older adults, please contact us today or visit our website at https://homeworks.umcommunities.org/elderly-home-health-care-nj/ 

Original content posted on https://homeworks.umcommunities.org/blog/5-great-medication-safety-tips-for-seniors-with-alzheimers/