Tag: regency jewish heritage

Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis: What’s the Difference?

Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis: What’s the Difference?

Posted on by Judah

Regency Nursing Centers and the folks who run our organization, have taught me more about healthcare just by just observing them, than I have ever learned from any continuing education seminar.

The information presented here is a subtle ode to these lessons. The nuances between these two related medical issues is totally unfamiliar territory to many healthcare “mavens” – unless they are part of the Regency family.

Regency is the place “Where Caring Comes to Life,” INDEED!

Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis: What’s the Difference?

50 million people in the US suffer from arthritis, making it the leading cause of disability in the country. The two most common types of arthritis are Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Both cause joint pain, stiffness, and swelling; however, proper treatment requires a diagnosis that differentiates between them.

Here are the differences between these two very different diseases:

OA is by far the most common form of arthritis, affecting 27 million people in the US.

RA afflicts 1.3 million people in the US.

OA affects both men and women, although men tend to develop it at a younger age.

RA affects three times as many women as it does men.

OA is caused by wear and tear of the joints, and its incidence increases with age.

RA is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the joint tissue. Although it most commonly appears in middle age, RA can occur at any age.

OA causes stiffness, pain, and a decrease in range of motion in the affected joints.

RA, similarly, causes stiffness, joint pain, and decreased range of motion, but symptoms can also include warmth, swelling, and redness around the affected joints. RA also produces generalized symptoms, like fatigue and low-grade fever.

OA most commonly affects weight-bearing joints, such as the knee and hip, followed by the joints in the hands, the neck, and the back. It is possible for a person to have OA in just one joint: for example, just one finger on one hand.

RA causes “symmetric” symptoms: for example, it can occur in both hands or both knees.

OA symptoms tend to get worse as the day progresses, since OA is caused by overuse of the joint.

RA is usually worse in the morning, or any long period of inactivity.

OA does not usually alter the appearance of the affected joints.

RA often leads to joint deformity that is often severe.

OA typically affects only the joints.

RA is associated with increased risk of other diseases, such as anemia and heart disease.

OA is generally treated with NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and other painkillers.

RA requires aggressive treatment to minimize symptoms and halt the autoimmune response.

Both OA and RA can be managed with physical and occupational therapy, and therapeutic life changes, including weight management. At the Regency Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers, we offer the very best of care in a patient-centered environment. This means always listening to our residents and patients and respecting their capabilities, while helping them to achieve maximum functionality and independence. And always maintaining the highest professional and quality standards in our staff and our facilities. Our 25 years of excellent care have led to us being awarded a Best Nursing Homes award by US News & World Today, a 5-Star rating by USA Today, and an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau, among many other awards.

Contact us by clicking here to see which of our three facilities will best meet your needs or the needs of your loved one.

Preventive Care from Medicare

Posted on by Judah

I spent this morning meeting with our Regency corporate team at the beautiful and inviting Regency Grande (truly a center for excellence in post-acute rehabilitation) in Dover, NJ. What a treat!

We discussed many things, including Medicare and how to continue to push for consumer  empowerment.

We are all about educating our patients and families and indeed this very blog is the pristine and quintessential example of this commitment.

Today’s article is no different.

MEDICARE

Medicare is best known for covering sick visits and hospital stays, but it also offers a variety of preventive care services to help recipients avoid getting sick to begin with.

The following services are available — for free — to everyone enrolled in Medicare.

Annual Wellness Visit

Medicare pays for a complete check-up with your healthcare provider every twelve months.

This visit includes receiving information about other healthcare screenings you may be eligible for, based on your condition.

Starting in 2016, the annual wellness visit includes the opportunity to work with your healthcare provider to develop an advance care plan. Advance care planning refers to decisions you make now about what type of care you would want to receive if you were in a situation in which you were unable to communicate your wishes.
There is no additional deductible or co-pay when advance care planning takes place during an Annual Wellness Visit. If the planning takes place at a different visit with your provider, it is subject to Medicare Part B costs.

Cost: FREE, during an Annual Wellness Visit

Colorectal Cancer Screening

Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the US. Everyone over the age of 50 is eligible for a colorectal cancer screening every 12 months.

Cost: FREE

EKG Screening

An EKG measures the electrical activity of your heart beat, and is an essential screening tool for detecting heart disease, the leading cause of death in the US. An EKG is covered whenever your healthcare provider considers it necessary.

Cost: FREE

Flu Vaccine

Medicare covers the administration of a flu shot, once a year, during the fall or winter. The flu is particularly dangerous for those over 50. Even though the flu vaccine does not offer absolute protection against getting the flu, if you do get the flu, you are likely to have a more mild case if you have been vaccinated.

Cost: FREE

Pneumonia Vaccine

Unlike the flu shot, which one needs annually, most people only need one pneumonia vaccine. Medicare covers pneumonia vaccines for everyone 65 or older, or as often as your health care provider deems necessary.

Cost: FREE

SCREENINGS FOR WOMEN

Mammogram

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in women. Mammograms, which detect breast cancer, are covered every 12 months for women aged 40 and over. Early detection is the key to successful treatment of breast cancer, and mammograms reveal the disease long before it can be found on exam.

Cost: FREE

Cervical Cancer Screening

Women of all ages are covered for a pelvic exam and Pap test every 24 months (every 12 months if they are at high risk). These tests detect abnormal changes in the cervix, and allow treatment before cancer has a chance to develop.

Cost: FREE

SCREENINGS FOR MEN

Prostate Cancer Screening

Prostate Cancer is the second most common cancer in American men. Medicare covers screening every 12 months for men ages 50 and over. Medicare covers both components of Prostate Cancer screening, the blood test and the physical exam. The physical exam, however, is subject to a co-pay.

COST: Blood test: FREE / Physical exam: Cost is subject to Medicare Part B deductible

Other preventive services are available to Medicare recipients who are at high risk for specific diseases. Speak to your provider to find out what is best for you. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and Medicare is happy to pay for it.

At the Regency Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers, we offer the very best of care in a patient-centered environment. This means always listening to our residents and patients and respecting their capabilities, while helping them to achieve maximum functionality and independence. And always maintaining the highest professional and quality standards in our staff and our facilities. Our 25 years of excellent care have led to us being awarded a Best Nursing Homes award by US News & World Today, a 5-Star rating by USA Today, and an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau, among many other awards.

Contact us by clicking here to see which of our three facilities will best meet your needs or the needs of your loved one.

Feeling “Busy” Leads to Healthy Choices

Feeling “Busy” Leads to Healthy Choices

Posted on by Judah

Recently, a fascinating yet simple study was conducted at the global business school INSEAD, which has campuses in France, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi, along with the Fox School of Business at Temple University in Pennsylvania, and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of “feeling busy,” in terms of self-esteem as well as in the ability to make healthy choices. The results of the study were published in the Journal of Consumer Research.

The team of researchers began the study by dividing a random set of people into two groups: a control group, which was given no psychological input; and a second group of individuals who, by means of subtle psychological techniques, were led to believe that they were busy.

After the researchers succeeded in making the psychologically-manipulated people feel that they were relatively busy people compared to their peers, they asked the participants to make a series of choices. By analyzing the choices, the researchers were able to determine how feeling busy related self-control and self-esteem.

The researchers were careful to avoid questions of great urgency, for example questions of life-and-death. Instead the participants were asked to make the types of choices that people make on a daily basis. For example, participants were asked about which foods to eat – healthy or unhealthy foods, whether or not to exercise, whether to spend or to save money, along with other similar questions.

The conclusions of the study are best summed up in the words of Prof. Chattopadhay of INSEAD, the lead author of the study: “Every day we make decisions that involve choosing between our immediate and future well-being. When we perceive ourselves to be busy, it boosts our self-esteem, tipping the balance in favor of the more virtuous choice.”

The authors were careful to point out that individuals who feel far too busy, or indeed are far too busy, often have greater anxiety, greater feelings of stress, and consequently often make worse decisions. As is always the case, balance is needed for optimum health.

At the Regency Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers we know that an active, involved and rewarding lifestyle is vital to our residents’ total well-being. For that reason, our recreation staff is much larger than a typical facility of similar size.

We have a comprehensive and stimulating array of programs is designed to appeal to a variety of tastes, interests and levels of ability, and is offered seven days a week. With an emphasis on empowering our residents, our recreational programs encourage patients and residents to fulfill their potential and remain engaged and involved. Individually tailored activities and programs include live entertainment, lectures, trips and events that encourage socialization and a healthy sense of “feeling busy.”

Our 25 years of excellent care have led to us being awarded a Best Nursing Homes award by US News & World Today, a 5-Star rating by USA Today, and an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau, among many other awards.

Contact us by clicking here to see which of our three facilities will best meet your needs or the needs of your loved one.

Researchers Find 500 New Genes That Affect High Blood Pressure

Researchers Find 500 New Genes That Affect High Blood Pressure

Posted on by Judah

Another new and original article for our beloved Regency readers and family, in honor of Heart Health month!

The American Heart Association estimates that more than 100 million people in the United States suffer from hypertension (high blood pressure). As we get older, our blood vessels lose elasticity, meaning that the risk of hypertension increases as we age.

Worldwide, high blood pressure is the leading cause of cardiovascular death. Moreover, between 2005 and 2015 the number of deaths due to high blood pressure increased by nearly 40%. In other words, the incidence of hypertension, already at epidemic levels, is increasing rapidly.

There are a number of risk factors for high blood pressure that can be influenced by our behavior. Those risk factors are diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, and stress.

However, there are a number of risk factors that we cannot change — they are embedded in our genes. Recently, a team of scientists at Queen Mary University of London and Imperial College, London completed a comprehensive study of the genetic data of more than 1 million people, and found more than 500 new genetic regions linked with high blood pressure.

According to Professor Caulfield, one of the authors of the study, “This is the most important advance in blood pressure genetics to date.” We now know that there are more than 1000 genetic markers which influence our blood pressure. This provides many new insights into the way our bodies regulate blood pressure. As result, it will also provide many new opportunities for the development of targeted drugs.

By calculating a person’s genetic risk for high blood pressure as they age, based on the multiple genetic markers we are now aware of, we could hopefully create a much more precise approach to helping those at high risk for hypertension.

Until such drugs are developed, you can rest assured that at the Regency Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers, we offer the very best care in a patient-centered environment. Because an active, involved and rewarding lifestyle is vital to our residents’ total well-being, our recreation staff is much larger than a typical facility of similar size. A comprehensive and stimulating array of programs is designed to appeal to a variety of tastes, interests and levels of ability, and is offered seven days a week.

Our Food Service Director, dietician and dietary staff serve varied, well-balanced meals, individually tailored to the clinical needs and personal preferences of each resident, in elegantly decorated dining rooms.

Our 25 years of excellent care have led to us being awarded a Best Nursing Homes award by US News & World Today, a 5-Star rating by USA Today, and an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau, among many other awards.

Contact us by clicking here to see which of our three facilities will best meet your needs or the needs of your loved one.

Finding Dangerous Inflammation with the ESR Test

Posted on by Judah

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) test is a commonly-administered blood test that can reveal inflammatory processes in the body. The test measures how quickly red blood cells sink to the bottom of a test tube of blood. Inflammation causes higher amounts of protein in the blood, causing red blood cells to “clump.” These clumps are heavier than regular blood cells, and therefore settle to the bottom of the test tube at a faster rate in people afflicted with inflammatory diseases.

Although the ESR test is nonspecific, meaning the specific cause of the inflammatory response is not indicated by the test, it nevertheless informs the doctor of the need for further testing to determine the cause of inflammation.

The normal reference range for ESR is 1-13 mm/hr for males and 1-20 mm/hr for females. The normal range changes with age, as is expected since some degree of increased inflammation is usually found among older people. But for those whose ESR level falls outside of the normal range, the possibility of disease requires further investigation.

People with low ESR levels may suffer from leukemia; congestive heart failure; or an increase in blood thickness, known as hyperviscosity; among other conditions.

People with elevated ESR levels may suffer from any of a number of inflammatory diseases, for example, rheumatoid arthritis, anemia, thyroid disease, kidney disease, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.

While ESR levels outside of the normal range do not always indicate serious illness, an out-of-range result will alert your doctor to check for underlying conditions.

With the availability of so many tests that can uncover potentially serious conditions, it is important to be proactive, visit your doctor regularly, and be willing to withstand the discomfort of a needle prick in exchange for the important information a blood test can provide. The earlier the diagnosis of any condition, the greater the likelihood of a good outcome.

At the Regency Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers, we offer the very best of care in a patient-centered environment. This means following our residents’ health carefully, listening to them, and respecting their capabilities, while helping them to achieve maximum functionality and independence — and always maintaining the highest professional and quality standards in our staff and our facilities. Our 25 years of excellent care have led to us being awarded a Best Nursing Homes award by US News & World Today, a 5-Star rating by USA Today, and an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau, among many other awards.

Contact us by clicking here to see which of our three facilities will best meet your needs or the needs of your loved one.

Mindfulness Found to Reduce Pain

Mindfulness Found to Reduce Pain

Posted on by Judah

At Regency Nursing Centers NJ, we are all about mindfulness.

Indeed, it permeates everything we do and it begins from the very top, with our leadership team.

Did you know that according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), chronic pain affects more than 25 million people in the United States, with particularly high prevalence in older people. Although some medications offer temporary relief from chronic pain, these medications are often accompanied by severe side effects, as in addition to a risk of addiction.

A recent NIH study, published in the journal PAIN, showed that the way people go about their daily routine, and in particular what they think about, can have a dramatic effect in terms of pain relief.

Researchers refer to the way a person goes about their daily routine and what they think about as “mindfulness.” Dr. Fadel Zeidan, an assistant professor of neurobiology and anatomy at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in North Carolina and lead author of the study, explains that mindfulness is related to being aware of the present moment without excessive emotional reaction or judgment. A mindful person focuses on what is going on around them more than what is going on within them.

The study examined the neurological aspects of this phenomenon in an effort to find effective strategies for the relief of chronic pain. Dr. Zeidan and his colleagues studied a group of participants whose baseline mindfulness levels were assessed via the standard Freiberg Mindfulness Inventory.

The researchers administered both painful and non painful stimulation to the participants, while analyzing their brain activity using MRIs. Researchers found that that mindfulness correlated with lower pain sensitivity, by means of a deactivation of the brain circuit known as the default mode network.

The default mode network consists of several interconnected brain areas that are activated when one is focusing on their internal state more than they are paying attention to what is happening around them. When a person is highly aware of their own inner state, drawing their attention inwards and becoming involved with their own thoughts and emotions, their default mode network becomes highly active. This state is associated with higher sensitivity to the awareness of pain.

Conversely, the default mode network becomes deactivated whenever people are involved with mindful tasks. For example, something as simple as reading a book, drawing a picture, talking with a friend, or even writing an email, will help deactivate the default mode network.

The main areas that make up the default mode network are the posterior cingulate cortex and the medial prefrontal cortex. The study found that higher levels of mindfulness correlated directly with greater deactivation of the posterior cingulate cortex. The more pain people felt, the more active the posterior cingulate cortex was.

What causes this difference? Dr. Zeidan explains that, “Mindful individuals are seemingly less caught up in the experience of pain, which is associated with lower pain reports.”

The take away message for us is that being involved with life in a direct way will not only lead to us to becoming more positive and happier people, but can even alleviate chronic pain.

The Hard Impact of Senior Falls

Posted on by Judah

 Falling is the most common way for a senior citizen to lose their independence.

See our infographic for shocking facts about the frequency and seriousness of falling.

But remember, falling, while common, is not an inevitable part of aging.

At the Regency Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers, we strategize ways to help our residents lower their risk of falling. In addition to assessing for fall risk, we:

  1. Encourage our residents to participate in appropriate exercises to increase their strength and improve their balance.
  2. Review medications prescribed to seniors with an eye toward reducing their fall risk.
  3. Ensure our residents have annual eye exams, and always wear glasses with a current prescription.
  4. Maintain a well lit, clutter-free environment that offers easy access to frequently-used objects.

Remember, falls are dangerous but avoidable. Taking the time to address fall risks will increase both the length and quality of a senior’s life.

At Regency, our 25 years of excellent care have led to us being awarded a Best Nursing Homes award by US News & World Today, a 5-Star rating by USA Today, and an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau, among many other awards.

Contact us by clicking here to see which of our three facilities will best meet your needs or the needs of your loved one.

Beloved Regency Resident Turns 104 Today

Posted on by Judah

Happy Birthday, Emma Tyukody!

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She was born when Woodrow Wilson was president and the world was three weeks away from the assassination that sparked World War I. She was a toddler when America joined the war in Europe, and was already a teenager when the stock market crashed and the Great Depression began. Emma Tyukody saw virtually every big event and technological advancement of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.  Today we wish her a very happy birthday.

Emma joined the Regency family over 8 years ago, when she moved into Regency Jewish Heritage. We very quickly grew to love Emma’s sharp wit and joyful attitude. Now at 104 years old, you can still see the wisdom and love of life stamped on Emma’s face.

Since her 100th year, Emma has been honored at Regency’s centenarian celebrations. In 2014, she said the secret to her longevity is “living right” and “doing the right thing.” In another interview, she said she was born happy—and apparently, she’s been living happy ever since. During the same interview, Emma said she was a good speller, and she still has her first spelling book! In fact, Emma was the Spelling Bee Champion at Regency Jewish Heritage back in 2010.

A few years ago, Emma was chosen to represent New Jersey centenarians in photographer Danny Goldfield’s portrait series To Live 10,000 Years. Danny captured Emma’s truly beautiful radiance in his stunning photos.

Regency Nursing: A Haven for Centenarians

At Regency Nursing we’re proud and honored of our residents who’ve lived ten decades or more.  Centenarians (and younger seniors, of course!) choose Regency Nursing because of our incomparable medical care and patient-centered philosophy. We provide our residents with outstanding nursing care, quality of life, and recovery services.

Regular readers of our blog will remember that Regency set a world record for the then largest gathering of centenarians. The 2013 event made it into The 2015 Guinness Book of World Records, as a testament to Regency Nursing’s commitment to excellent care.

 

Regency Heritage Hosts Stein Assisted Living For Social Service Appreciation Day!

Posted on by Judah

The Regency Heritage Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Somerset, NJ, was proud to host our exceptional colleagues from the Stein Assisted Living Center, located on our shared magnificent campus at the Oscar and Ella Wilf Campus for Senior Living!

We had a number of exceptional caregivers who were present, including our amazing social workers at Regency Heritage, as well as social workers from Stein.

I attached some pictures below.

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Left to right: Toby Ehrlich of Stein Assisted Living and Marlene Grossman, Regency Heritage Director of Admissions.
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Left to right: Phylicia Joseph, Social Worker, Regency Heritage, Mala Deodhari, Director Of Social Services, Regency Heritage, Marlene Grossman, Director of Admissions, Regency Heritage, Randi Rosen, Stein Assisted Living.
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The setup

 

About Regency Heritage

heritage money shot-3

The most recent addition to the Regency family, Regency Heritage is centrally located in Somerset, New Jersey, on the beautiful 59-acre Oscar and Ella Wilf Campus for Senior Living. Regency Heritage is committed to bringing advanced levels of skilled nursing care, rehabilitation and quality of life to all those we serve, in an environment that embraces Jewish values and traditions.

A recent multi-million dollar renovation project has transformed Regency Heritage into one of the area’s most elegant and luxurious senior residences. A generous 265-bed capacity addresses both the community’s long- and short-term care needs. Spacious, elegantly appointed rooms, cheery public areas and gracious dining facilities help create an atmosphere of comfort, companionship and community.

About Stein Assisted Living

wilf

The Martin and Edith Stein Assisted Living Residence is committed to providing personalized assisted living support in a pleasant, homelike environment to Jewish seniors and other older adults in central New Jersey. The facility  takes pride in recognizing and meeting the personal, medical and spiritual needs of their residents… and celebrating the traditional Jewish values that are central to their mission of caring for the elderly.

Their comfortable residence in Somerset, New Jersey offers senior living at its finest! Residents live in private or shared apartments, decorated lovingly with their own belongings. They enjoy delicious Glatt kosher meals served in our lovely dining room, and can participate in Jewish services and holiday celebrations in our spacious building. Seniors can also choose from a full calendar of stimulating recreational and social activities, visit nearby shops and restaurants, or just relax with a good book in their library.

 

Love On Display At Regency Nursing Centers

Posted on by Judah

For time immemorial, people have tended to throw around the term ‘love’ with reckless abandon.

Still, Love ‘aint what it used to be and has become something of a wholesale commodity; cheap and expendable.

You may know the old proverb about the wise man who witnessed someone catch a salmon, carve it up and cook it for his dinner. The man then proceeded to eat the fish with gusto. In middle of his feeding frenzy, he picked his head off the plate for a nano second and loudly exclaimed, “boy do I love salmon!”

The wise man heard this and immediately admonished the man and said “you don’t love the fish at all, you simply love yourself. If you ‘loved’ the fish you’d have certainly left it alone in its habitat instead of capturing it, killing it, carving it up and eating it!

Perhaps a more current application of this concept would be the guy who loudly proclaims in front of his wife how much he loves her mother! Perhaps here too, the wise man would admonish the hapless fool and point out that he couldn’t possibly love his mother in law, but loves himself instead and therefore understands that he must tolerate her if he knows what’s good for him.

(Hey, sweetheart, if you’re reading this, I really DO love your mother, I’m not referring to her of course! I’m talking about my good buddies, Mr. Smith, John Doe, Tom Dick and Harry and their mothers’ in-law!)

But I digress.

The truth is there are still instances where love actually means something.

In such cases, love is more than mere lip service it is real, quantifiable, tangible and palpable.

I’ll give you two cases in point:

I discussed an admission with a family a few weeks ago. They were researching kosher Rehab facilities in NJ and they found online references (on this blog and elsewhere) to Regency Jewish Heritage in Somerset and Regency Park in Hazlet NJ.
They chose Regency Park for its proximity in relation to where they live and because they are Jewish and “love” it.

(This post acute rehab patient will be admitted to Regency Park later this week from Monmouth Medical Center).

Of course, I quickly pointed out that our beloved President often says that one need not be Jewish to ‘love’ life at Regency Jewish Heritage in Somerset, or Regency Park in Hazlet.

However, the salient point in both of these declarations from the family and our Regency Founder is that the term ‘love’ is invoked with meaning, accuracy and sincerity.

The second example came from a dedicated Regency employee who I overheard remarking yesterday, “I think we should move George to a different room because I love him and feel it would be best for him.”

Similarly, in this instance, the term ‘love’ is used with alacrity, honesty and purpose.
If this employee loved only her own self, she would seek to maintain the status quo and wouldn’t look to create extra work for herself. However, because she truly loves the resident, she isn’t concerned for her own workload, but also for the welfare and best interests of the resident.

When ‘love’ has meaning it rings true and its ‘expression’ is no less beautiful and exhilarating than Beethoven’s fifth!