So the “Aha” moment arrives. Circumstances make you realize two things. 1) I’m not as young as I used to be, and 2.) “Old age ain’t for sissies” as the great Bette Davis once said.

Gradually, or sometimes suddenly, it happens… we can’t keep up with household chores, we can’t see the street signs to drive safely, we give up cooking or we can’t walk without holding on to the furniture. And it begins, a nagging fear that we’re losing our independence. In fact, loss of independence is the biggest fear among seniors. So what is the typical senior response? Pull ourselves up by the bootstraps and keep on going, of course! Call in the kids to help out! They’re supposed to take care of us in our old age, aren’t they? Unfortunately, the kids have spouses and children of their own. And they have full time jobs, not to mention they live out of town. It’s time for a new strategy.

Many seniors are finding the solution to remaining independent at home lies outside the family circle with paid caregivers. Rosemarie Tamunday-Casanova, RN  of RIGHT ACCORD Private Duty-Home Health Care explains, “Most seniors find caregivers in two ways.

The old way is to run a classified ad or hire through a temporary service. The senior bears all the “employer” responsibility for this kind of caregiver.”

Tamunday-Casanova  recommends seniors ask the following questions of independent caregivers:

1. What client references can you provide?
2. What is your experience/background?
3. Do you have any certificates or training? Is it current?
4. Have you worked with ( Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson, Cancer, etc)?
5. What would you do if I had medical emergency?
6. How much notice would I have if you could not come in for a day? Can you arrange your own substitutes?
7. How do I contact you?
8. Are you bonded? Have you ever been convicted of a crime?
9. Do you have liability insurance?

“These folks are usually less expensive but there’s a lot of risk involved in hiring them”, Tamunday-Casnova says. He continues, “The downside is:

• It‘s difficult to find the right person.  You are responsible for performing a criminal background check.
• You are responsible for finding a replacement if the caregiver is absent

• You bear the burden for withholding payroll taxes, and providing state mandated worker’s compensation coverage.

• You bear the burden for liability problems like theft from or damage to your property. “

The new way is to contract with a State licensed  Home Health Care – Companion Care Agency. These private agencies provide “in-home, non-medical care”. The number of agencies are growing quickly to meet the demands of a fast-growing senior population. They provide a wide range of services including light housekeeping, meal preparation, laundry, transportation, shopping & errands, and in many states including Florida,  including assistance with personal care. These one on one services can continue should the senior move into assisted living or even a nursing facility or hospital.”

Home Health Care and  Companion Care is usually available anywhere from a few hours up to 24 hours a day. Payment is private pay and may be covered by long term care insurance policies or Veterans Aid and Attendant benefits.

Some questions Tamunday-Casanova suggests you ask a Home Care – Companion Care agency:

1. Do they have references from other clients?
2. What services will they be providing?
3. What training/experience do the caregivers have?
4. How do they supervise their caregivers?
5. Are the caregivers bonded and covered by workers compensation insurance?
6. What is the schedule for service?
7. How do I change the schedule?
8. What if I have a problem with a caregiver?
9. Does the agency have an emergency or after-hours phone number?
10. What are the financial arrangements?
11. Who owns the agency? Is it part of a larger organization?
12. Are the caregivers employees held accountable by the agency or independent contractors accountable to no one?
13. Does the agency carry Professional Liability Insurance?

The Pros:

• Service is easily customized for each client’s needs

• Extensive hours available

• Staff is screened and supervised

• Agency is responsible for all employer tasks like payroll, taxes, liability insurance, workers compensation, bonding

• Agency is responsible for providing a replacement should the assigned caregiver fail to arrive or need a day off.

Tamunday-Casanova says, “This service is more expensive than independent caregivers but the right agency will provide the most customizable, reliable, worry free, in- home service available.”

For FREE in-home care consultation or assessment, call 941.366.0801 or Toll Free 1.877.685.3889

Private Duty-Home Care services provided in Sarasota, Venice, Longboat Key, Casey Key, Nokomis, Siesta Key, Lakewood Ranch and surrounding areas.

Our seniors and their caregivers enjoy different activities in the area. Sarasota SpringFest is scheduled on March 19, 2011. A FREE day of Family Fun and local business expo from 9am-4pm. Fun, Food, Music, PAL’s Sailor Circus and Egg Hunts! For more information, visit www.SarasotaSpringfest.com or call 941.922.3866

Home Care Executive Earns Approval for Alzheimer’s Disease Training Provider

Sarasota, Florida, January 17, 2011.  Rosemarie Tamunday-Casanova, RN – RIGHT ACCORD Private Duty-Home Health Care, Administrator and Owner becomes a certified Home Health Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders (ADRD) training provider through the Florida Policy Exchange Center on Aging (FPECA), A Multi-University Consortium at the University of South Florida.

According to facts and figures reported by the Alzheimer’s Association, an estimated 5.3 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer’s disease. This figure includes 5.1 million people aged 65 and older and 200,000 individuals under age 65 who have younger-onset Alzheimer’s. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that there are 500,000 Americans younger than 65 with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Of these, approximately 40 percent are estimated to have Alzheimer’s. One in eight people aged 65 and older (13 percent) have Alzheimer’s disease. Every 70 seconds, someone in America develops Alzheimer’s. By mid-century, someone will develop the disease every 33 seconds.  www.http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_facts_and_figures.asp

The Home Health Care Alzheimer’s Disease Certification is a two-hour State mandatory training required for employees hired to work with elderly in a home care setting. The curricula must be taught exactly as approved. No modifications are permitted. The Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) reserves the right to attend and monitor training courses, review records and course materials approved pursuant to State Rules and Florida Administrative Codes.

Upon successful completion of the ADRD training, the trainee shall be issued a certificate of completion by the approved training provider. The certificate shall include title of the approved training course and the DOEA curriculum approval number, the expiration date of curriculum, the number of hours of training, dates of attendance, location, trainee’s name, the providers name and DOEA approval number.

A list of all approved Home Health Alzheimer’s Disease and related Disorders curricula is posted on www.trainingonaging.usf.edu.

RIGHT ACCORD Private Duty-Home Health Care specializes on clients with Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease. Caregivers are trained, certified and undergo monthly in-service training to review on different home care procedures. Clients and families are assured that  home care providers assigned to their loved ones are experienced,  well aware of the disease process and care at different stages.

In-Home Care Services provided in Sarasota, Venice, Longboat Key, Siesta Key, Osprey, Nokomis, Casey Key and neighboring cities.

For free professional in-home care consultation and assessment, call 941.366.0801.

Alzheimer’s Support Groups are available in Sarasota, FL.

Alzheimer’s Association-Florida Gulf Coast Chapter affiliated support groups are for family members, caregivers, and others interested in learning more about Alzheimer’s disease.  Meetings are open to everyone and free of charge.  Support group facilitators have received training as required by Chapter and National Alzheimer’s Association standards.  For program information and to verify meeting dates, times, and locations, please use the telephone contacts listed below.  For other questions or to arrange free respite care so you can attend a group, call the  Sarasota office at (941) 365-8883 or 1-800-772-8672.

First of all let’s define what is Parkinson  Disease.  According to the National Institute of Health www.nih.gov/parkinsondisease:

Parkinson Disease is a brain disorder that leads to shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with walking, balance, and coordination. It currently affects about half a million people in the United States, although the numbers may be much higher. Parkinson’s disease is both chronic, meaning it lasts for a long time, and progressive, meaning its symptoms grow worse over time. It is not contagious.

Parkinson’s disease occurs when nerve cells, or neurons, in an area of the brain that controls movement die or become impaired. Normally, these neurons produce an important brain chemical known as dopamine, but when the neurons die or become impaired, they produce less dopamine. This shortage of dopamine causes the movement problems of people with Parkinson’s.

Parkinson signs and symptoms varies with each person affected by it.  Parkinson’s disease does not affect everyone the same way. Symptoms of the disorder and the rate of progression differ among people with the disease. Sometimes people dismiss early symptoms of Parkinson’s as the effects of normal aging. There are no tests to diagnose the disease, so it can be difficult to diagnose accurately.

Although there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, medicines and surgery can often provide dramatic relief from the symptoms. However, there are limits to the effectiveness of these therapies, and scientists are working to find better ways to treat the disease. Research on Parkinson’s disease is very active, and scientists are making great progress in understanding and treating the disease. Recent advances in areas such as genetics, drug therapy, and brain stimulation offer hope that some day it may be possible to cure the disease, delay its onset, or prevent it altogether.

Medications for Parkinson’s fall into three groups. The first group includes drugs that increase the level of dopamine in the brain. The second group affects other neurotransmitters in the body in order to ease some of the symptoms of the disease. The third group includes medications that help control non-motor symptoms (those that do not affect movement) of Parkinson’s.

The main therapy for Parkinson’s is the drug levodopa, also called L-dopa. It is a simple chemical found naturally in plants and animals. Nerve cells use levodopa to make dopamine to replenish the brain’s dwindling supply. People cannot simply take dopamine pills because dopamine does not easily pass through the blood-brain barrier. The blood-brain barrier is a lining of cells inside blood vessels that controls the transport of oxygen, glucose, and other substances into the brain.

Usually, people take levodopa along with another medication called carbidopa. Carbidopa delays the body’s conversion of levodopa into dopamine until the levodopa reaches the brain. This prevents or reduces some of the side effects that often accompany levodopa therapy. Carbidopa also reduces the amount of levodopa needed.

Levodopa successfully reduces the tremors and other symptoms of Parkinson’s during the early stages of the disease. It allows most people with Parkinson’s to extend the period of time in which they can lead relatively normal, productive lives.

However, not all symptoms respond equally to levodopa. It usually helps most with bradykinesia (slowness of movement) and rigidity. Problems with balance and other non-motor symptoms may not be helped at all.

People with Parkinson’s disease often see dramatic improvement in their symptoms after starting levodopa therapy. However, they may need to increase the dose gradually over time to maintain maximum benefit.

Levodopa is often so effective that some people may temporarily forget they have Parkinson’s during the early stages of the disease. But levodopa is not a cure. Although it can reduce the symptoms, it does not replace lost nerve cells or stop the gradual loss of brain cells that causes the disease.

Sarasota, Florida will have its Annual Suncoast Parkinson Disease Symposium on January 22, 2011. The symposium will discuss the Advances in Treatment of Parkinson Disease.  It is a community education event for patients, caregivers, healthcare providers and the community, sponsored by Sarasota Memorial and the Neuro Challenge Foundation.

For more information visit www.neurochallenge.org or www.smh.com

RIGHT ACCORD Private Duty-Home Health Care specializes in Parkinson Care through intensive training and certification of its caregivers. Caring are provided by certified home health aides and nursing assistants who understand the needs and care of Parkinson clients. Services are provided in-home or in- facility setting in Sarasota, Venice, Longboat Key, Lakewood Ranch, Siesta Key, Nokomis and its neighboring towns.  For a free in-home care assessment, call 941.366.0801.

November 15, 2010

Right Accord-Private Duty Home Health Care

Earns the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval

Right Accord Private Duty- Home Health Care demonstrated the highest level of quality and safety after passing through a full accreditation by the Joint Commission on Thursday, September 23^rd, 2010.  Right Accord is proud to be one of the first private duty home care companies to earn this gold seal of approval.

The Joint commission, founded in 1951, is an independent not-for-profit organization that seeks to continuously improve health care for the public.  The Joint Commission facilitates this goal by rigorously evaluating health care organizations and motivating them to exceed in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. To earn and preserve The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™, an organization must endure an on-site survey by a Joint Commission surveyor at least every three years.

The Joint Commission’s standards vary depending on the type of services the healthcare organization provides.  As for Home Care, the standards include maintaining a high quality environment of care, upholding infection prevention and control practices, demonstrating life safety and trained medication management, as well as recording and revising care, treatment and services.   Home care organizations must also manage emergency situations safely and effectively, facilitate training and staff development, and exude professional leadership. Right Accord passed the rigorous evaluation with flying colors!

RIGHT ACCORD provides services in Sarasota and Manatee Counties and its neighboring towns. Longboat Key, Venice, Siesta Key, Casey Key and Osprey.
For information please contact:

Rosemarie Tamunday-Casanova, RN,BSN,CCRN,MHA

Administrator/Owner

(941)366-0801

www.RightAccordHealth.com

rose@rigthaccordhealth.com

The Brown family reunion has always been an event everyone looks forward to. Family visits, games, stories and everyone’s favorite foods are always on the agenda. On the top of the menu is Grandmas Lemon Coconut Cake. Grandma always makes the traditional cake from her old family recipe. This year, however, the cake tasted a little on the salty side, perhaps a half cup full of salty.

Though the family was disappointed over the cake, of more concern was Grandma’s confusion with the recipe and her similar confusion about the loved ones around her. Could something be wrong with grandma’s mental state?

One might say that for an elder person a little forgetfulness or confusion is normal, but when do you know if there is a serious problem, such as dementia?

An online article from FamilyDoctor.org outlines some common symptoms in recognizing dementia.

“Dementia causes many problems for the person who has it and for the person’s family. Many of the problems are caused by memory loss. Some common symptoms of dementia are listed below. Not everyone who has dementia will experience all of these symptoms.

• Recent memory loss. All of us forget things for a while and then remember them later. People who have dementia often forget things, but they never remember them. They might ask you the same question over and over, each time forgetting that you’ve already given them the answer. They won’t even remember that they already asked the question.
• Difficulty performing familiar tasks. People who have dementia might cook a meal but forget to serve it. They might even forget that they cooked it.
  Problems with language. People who have dementia may forget simple words or use the wrong words. This makes it hard to understand what they want.
• Time and place disorientation. People who have dementia may get lost on their own street. They may forget how they got to a certain place and how to get back home.
  Poor judgment. Even a person who doesn’t have dementia might get distracted. But people who have dementia can forget simple things, like forgetting to put on a coat before going out in cold weather.
• Problems with abstract thinking. Anybody might have trouble balancing a checkbook, but people who have dementia may forget what the numbers are and what has to be done with them.
• Misplacing things. People who have dementia may put things in the wrong places. They might put an iron in the freezer or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl. Then they can’t find these things later.
• Changes in mood. Everyone is moody at times, but people who have dementia may have fast mood swings, going from calm to tears to anger in a few minutes.
  Personality changes. People who have dementia may have drastic changes in personality. They might become irritable, suspicious or fearful.
• Loss of initiative. People who have dementia may become passive. They might not want to go places or see other people.”

Dementia is caused by change or destruction of brain cells. Often this change is a result of small strokes or blockage of blood cells, severe hypothyroidism or Alzheimer’s disease. There is a continuous decline in ability to perform normal daily activities. Personal care including dressing, bathing, preparing meals and even eating a meal eventually becomes impossible.

What can family members do if they suspect dementia? An appointment with the doctor or geriatric clinic is the first step to take. Depending on the cause and severity of the problem there are some medications that may help slow the process. Your doctor may recommend a care facility that specializes in dementia and Alzheimer’s. These facilities offer a variety of care options from day care with stimulating activities to part or full-time live-in options. Sometimes if patients tend to wander off, a locked facility is needed.

In the beginning family members find part time caregivers for their loved one. At first, loved ones need only a little help with remembering to do daily activities or prepare meals. As dementia progresses, caregiving demands often progress to 24 hour care. Night and day become confused and normal routines of sleeping, eating and functioning become more difficult for the patient. The demented person feels frustrated and may lash out in anger or fear. It is not uncommon for a child or spouse giving the care to quickly become overwhelmed and discouraged.

Family gatherings provide an excellent opportunity to discuss caregiving plans and whole family support. It is most helpful if everyone in the family is united in supporting a family caregiver in some meaningful way.

“The first step to holding a family meeting, and perhaps the most difficult one, is to get all interested persons together in one place at one time. If it’s a family gathering, perhaps a birthday, an anniversary or another special event could be used as a way to get all to meet. Or maybe even a special dinner might be an incentive.

The end of the meeting should consist of asking everyone present to make his or her commitment to support the plan. This might just simply be moral support and agreement to abide by the provisions or it is hoped that those attending will volunteer to do something constructive. This might mean commitments to providing care, transportation, financial support, making legal arrangements or some other tangible support.” The Four Steps of Long Term Care Planning

Professional home care services are an option to help families in the home. These providers are trained and skilled to help with dementia patients. Don’t forget care facilities as well. It may be the best loving care a family member can give is to place their loved one in a facility where that person is safely monitored and cared for.

RIGHT ACCORD Private Duty-Home Health Care is based in Sarasota, Florida offering in-home care assistance to clients and family by sending certified caregivers to assist seniors in the home from bathing, dressing, cooking, medication reminders, errands and transportation from few hours to 24 hours.  All caregivers are certified,  criminal background checked, employed by the agency.insured and bonded. Services are available in Sarasota and Manatee Counties, Venice, Nokomis, Osprey, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat key and its neighboring towns.

Staff and caregivers of RIGHT ACCORD has specialized training and newly hired staff completed mandatory Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Training last July 23, 2010 conducted by Pam Polowski, Director Alzheimer’s Association Gulf Coast Florida Chapter.  Next training is scheduled for October, 2010.

Memory Screening is also available through the Sarasota Memorial Memory Disorder Clinic. Call 941.917.7197 or visit their website at: http://www.sarasotageriatrics.com

For further information contact:

Rosemarie Tamunday-Casanova, RN, BSN, CCRN, MHA

Administrator

(941) 366-0801

Email: rose@rightaccordhealth.com

www.RightAccordTrainingCenter.com

www.RightAccordHealth.com

September 1, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CARRERS AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN HEALTH CARE

Sarasota, August 16, 2010 Rosemarie Tamunday-Casanova, a Registered Nurse, Owner  and Administrator of RIGHT ACCORD Private Duty – Home Health Care presented a topic on “Careers and Employment Opportunities in Health Care at the Sarasota Women’s Resource Center. Tamunday-Casanova experience in health care industry span over 25 years in acute care settings, home care and health care administration. The free presentation offers women to learn about employment and training opportunities in the health care field.

For more information for the next upcoming free presentation, please visit www.the WomensResourceCenter.org or call 941.366.1700

According to the American Nurses Association (ANA), The nation is facing an impending shortage of nurses, which is expected to peak by 2020; here are some of the prime indicators:

According to projections released in February 2004 from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, RNs top the list of the 10 occupations with the largest projected job growth in the years 2002-2012. Although RNs have listed among the top 10 growth occupations in the past, this is the first time in recent history that RNs have ranked first. These 10-year projections are widely used in career guidance, in planning education and training programs and in studying long-range employment trends. According to the BLS report, more than 2.9 million RNs will be employed in the year 2012, up 623,000 from the nearly 2.3 million RNs employed in 2002. However, the total job openings, which include both job growth and the net replacement of nurses, will be more than 1.1 million. This growth, coupled with current trends of nurses retiring or leaving the profession and fewer new nurses, could lead to a nursing shortage of more than one million nurses by the end of this decade. (For details, see www.bls.gov/emp/#outlook.)

RIGHT ACCORD Private Duty-Home Health Care is a company based in Sarasota, Florida providing  in-home care assistance to seniors in the community who prefers to maintain their independence and lifestyle  at the comfort of their own homes. Caregivers are certified nursing assistants, home health aides, homemakers and companions. We service Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Bradendon, Venice, North Port, Longboat Key, Siesta Key, Osprey, Nokomis and all it’s sorrounding areas.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RIGHT ACCORD Private Duty-Home Health Care INITIATES PROACTIVE MEASURES TO ENSURE SARASOTA AND MANATEE COMMUNITY in Florida RECEIVES BEST CARE

Sarasota County, June 8, 2010 – As a son, daughter, sibling or spouse of someone who has, or will need, home care services, nothing is more important than selecting the right caregiver for your loved one. RIGHT ACCORD Private Duty-Home Health Care announces a new CAREGIVER QUALITY ASSURANCE program (CQA) to identify home care companies and companion care companies that go above and beyond the norm when selecting quality caregivers and ensure the best care is provided.

The CAREGIVER QUALITY ASSURANCE program allows RIGHT ACCORD Private Duty-Home Health Care to select the right individual who represents their standards and values of making each client and family member’s experience with RIGHT ACCORD Private Duty-Home Health Care pleasant, consistent, safe and worry-free.

RIGHT ACCORD Private Duty-Home Health Care is committed to matching each client to the right caregiver through its Caregiver Pre-employment Assessment. This unique technology identifies individuals with the potential to put loved ones at risk. The caregiver pre-employment assessment examines whether an applicant has the right personality and behavioral skills to provide quality care. These criterion include:

• Dependability — Measures the risk that an individual will be undependable, careless, lazy or disorganized.
• Honesty/Integrity — Measures the risk for dishonest behavior.
• Hostility/Aggression — Measures the risk of a person being aggressive, hostile, disruptive or having poor control of their anger.
• Substance Abuse — Measures the risk of substantial use of alcohol or illegal drugs.

Additionally, the assessment measures six core traits that are designed to better match caregivers more closely to the client’s personality and needs.

RIGHT ACCORD Private Duty-Home Health Care made the decision to use the Private Duty Caregiver Pre-employment Assessment and become a member of the CAREGIVER QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM, to ensure its clients and their loved ones feel confident in the quality of care received by the caregivers. Both initiatives are provided by Leading Home Care of Louisville, Kentucky.

For more information about RIGHT ACCORD Private Duty-Home Health Care or CAREGIVER QUALITY ASSURANCE, visit www.RightAccordHealth.com or HTTP://WWW.SELECTACAREGIVER.COM.

RIGHT ACCORD provide caregiver services in Florida, Sarasota and Manatee Counties and it’s neighboring towns. Services are available in Venice, Longboat Key, Bird Key, Siesta Key, Casey Key, Lakewood Ranch and North Port.

Contact:

Rosemarie Tamunday-Casanova, RN, BSN, CCRN, MHA – (941) 366-0801

For further information contact:
Rosemarie Tamunday-Casanova, Administrator
(941) 366-0801
Email: rose@rightaccordhealth.com
www.RightAccordHealth.com

July 19, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Good Deed to Benefit Local Organization

Sarasota, June 23, 2010 RIGHT ACCORD Private Duty-Home Health Care

Kathryn Larkin, Client Relations & HR Manager of RIGHT ACCORD Private- Duty Home Health Care, participated in the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) by being “locked-up in jail” in order to raise bail to benefit children with MDA. Larkin raised $230 and the funds will be able to help a child with one group session and one physical, occupational or respiratory therapy consultation.

The organization can be reached at www.mda.org

RIGHT ACCORD Private Duty-Home Health Care provides an affordable solution for older individuals or couples capable of managing their physical needs or personal care, but who require non-medical assistance, light housework, meal preparation and/or companionship in order to remain at home. Right Accord provides services in Sarasota, Bradenton, Longboat Key, Venice, Siesta Key, Casey Key, North Port and neighboring towns.

RIGHT ACCORD services can be arranged for as little as three hours, or for as many as 24 hours, a day. Short term assistance or longer term care is available seven days a week, including holidays.

When a potential client contacts the company, RIGHT ACCORD will arrange a meeting with the client and his or her families to discuss what services are needed. “Cost is on an hourly basis, “Tamunday-Casanova said, “so hours can be decreased or increased based on changing needs.”

The company’s Caregivers are carefully selected individuals who are thoroughly screened, bonded and insured. “Special attention is given to matching Caregivers with clients to achieve the utmost compatibility, “Tamunday – Casanova said.

The Company can be reached at (941)366-0801.

In people and elderly with diabetes, this process doesn’t work properly. Food is changed into glucose, but a problem with the insulin prevents glucose from entering the cells. Glucose begins to collect in the blood.

The 2 main types of diabetes are Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes – means the body makes little or no insulin

Type 2 Diabetes – means the body still makes some insulin, but the cells can’t use it effectively. Over 90% of people with diabetes have Type 2 Diabetes.

Diabetes if left untreated can cause serious problems, including blindness, heart disease and kidney disease. There’s no cure for diabetes but diabetes can be controlled through diet, exercise and medication.

Good food is the key to controlling your diabetes and to good health. Proper diet can reduce the risk of long-term health problems.

Eating right helps control blood glucose levels. Many people with Type 2 Diabetes can manage their condition with proper diet and exercise.

Try to maintain a healthy weight. This helps your body make and use insulin more effectively.  Here’s a few general guidelines:

1. Limit protein to 10-20% of daily calories
2. Limit fat to 30% of calories or less (less than 10% from saturated fat and no more than 10% from polyunsaturated fat).
3. Limit cholesterol to 300mg or less per day.
4. Eat more fiber – 20-35 g per day
5. Limit sodium to 2,400 – 3,000 mg per day
6. Be careful with alcohol – it can lower your your blood glucose level dangerously

Plan your meals  using the exchange system. It can help you control your blood sugar and lose weight.

The exchange system groups similar foods are foods in an exchange group that have about the same amount of carbohydrates, protein, fat and calories.  It’s important to eat a variety of foods from each group. Foods in the same group can be swapped. For example, you can exchange 1/3 cups rice or 1/2 cup mashed potatoes for a slice of bread.

Eat the right amount. Eat the recommended amount of food each day – not too little or too much. Measure portions carefully until you can estimate accurately. Check your estimates every 6 months to make sure portions are not growing. Record what you eat. A journal or diary can help you keep track on how many exchanges you’ve eaten.

Meet with a dietitian. Work with your dietitian. Ask for other foods and recipes and ask your dietitian to help determine the exchanges. A dietitian can help you design a meal plan that’s right for you. Review your meal plan regularly. Changes in your weight and health can mean changes in your diet.

Here’s a few guidelines for managing diabetes with diet and nutrition:

• Eat regularly. Try to eat meals about the same time each day. The type and amount of food eaten for each meal should be about the same from one day to the next.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight makes it hard for your body to use insulin effectively.  If you need to lose weight, work with your health care provider or dietitian to develop a weight-loss program based on your sex, height, weight and activity level
• Lose weight slowly. Aim to lose 1-2 pounds per week. Eat at least 1,200 calories a day to make sure you get all the nutrients your body needs.
• Plan for sick days. Being sick makes diabetes harder to control. Keep regular soft drinks, sweetened gelatin, sherbet and fruit juices on hand for days when you can’t eat solid foods. Drink plenty of fluids.

Good Nutrition and exercise go hand in hand. Consider the following:

1. Talk to your health care provider. Exercise can help lower blood glucose levels. Bu there may be risks for some people with diabetes. Work with your health care provider to develop an exercise plan that’s right for you.
2. Start slowly. Start with moderate activities such as walking or easy biking. Be active for at least 30 minutes on most, preferably all days of the week. Gradually, you can include more vigorous exercise such as jogging, running or rowing. Aim to do vigorous exercises for 20-60 minutes, 3-5 times a week.
3. Balance exercise with diet. In general, it’s best to exercise 1-2 hours after meals, when blood glucose levels are the highest. Eat a snack before exercising, if appropriate.
4. Take special care of your feet. Foot problems are a common complication of diabetes, so take care. Wear supportive shoes that fit properly. Wear clean socks.

Right Accord is dedicated in keeping you at home with certified home health aides, certified nursing assistants, homemakers and companions who can assist elderly with activities of daily living including meal preparation. Caregivers are trained to prepare special diet prescribed for the elderly. Please call for a free care assessment by a registered nurse at (941) 366-0801.

We provide services in Sarasota and Manatee Counties including neighboring areas such as Longboat Key, Siesta Key, Casey Key, Nokomis, Osprey, Venice and Bird Key.

Getting older does not necessarily mean a person’s driving days are over. But it is important to plan ahead and take steps to ensure the safety of your loved ones on the road. NHTSA offers free materials to help you learn more about how to recognize and discuss changes in your older loved one’s driving.

If you think you need to have a conversation with an older driver about his or her driving abilities, remember that many older drivers look at driving as a form of independence. Bringing up the subject of their driving abilities can make some drivers defensive. So, be prepared with your observations and questions, and – if necessary – provide possible transportation alternatives.

Answering the following questions may help you decide if you need to initiate a conversation with an older driver about driving safely:

- Getting lost on routes that should be familiar?
- Noticing new dents or scratches to the vehicle?
- Receiving a ticket for a driving violation?
- Experiencing a near miss or crash recently?
- Being advised to limit/stop driving due to a health reason?
- Overwhelmed by road signs and markings while driving?
- Taking any medication that might affect driving safely?
- Speeding or driving too slowly for no reason?
- Suffering of any illnesses that may affect driving skills?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might need to talk with an older driver about safe driving.

This article is courtesy of The National Highway and Traffic Administration. For more information visit their website at: www.nhtsa.dot.gov

In Sarasota, there’s a Driver’s Assessment and Re-Education Program given by Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
Designed to evaluate and improve driver safety, the Sarasota Memorial Driver’s Assessment and Re-Education program is coordinated by occupational therapists certified in driver evaluation and rehabilitation.

The program includes:
• Assessment of vision, thinking, visual perceptual, physical skills and reaction time
• Behind-the-wheel exercises in a customized driving program car, beginning in a parking lot and then advancing into more complex traffic. Behind-the-wheel assessments are performed in your community where the area is familiar.

Results of your assessment are sent to your referring physician for follow-up and referrals for further services if needed.

Re-Education & Training
The training and re-education program consists of in-vehicle education and practice in challenging situations, correction of unsafe habits and, if necessary, use of adaptive equipment to facilitate safer driving habits.

Referral
A physician referral requesting a driving assessment and listing a medical diagnosis is required for participation.

Information
We are unable to evaluate and treat people who are obtaining their license for the first time or who must drive while seated in a wheelchair. Individuals must be able to get into and out of a vehicle independently to participate in the program. For information, please call (941) 917-2183.

Functional Capacity Evaluations
A Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) safely and objectively measures:
• Repetitive lifting capacity at various levels
• Repetitive push, pull, and carrying capacities
• Hand grip strength
• Tolerance for elevated work
• Prolonged trunk flexion in sitting and standing
• Prolonged trunk rotation in sitting and standing
• Prolonged crawl, knee and sustained crouch positions
• Repetitive squat
• Tolerance for prolonged sitting and standing
• Maximum walking, stairs and stepladder capacity
• Balance
• Hand coordination

Results and recommendations are discussed with the patient and the referring physician before a program of rehabilitation is designed.

For more information, please call (941) 917-1385 or visit www.smh.com

If you or your loved one is experiencing difficulty with transportation, our caregivers are able to provide companionship, in-home care assistance and incidental transportation services to keep you or your loved ones at home as long as they possibly can. Transportation to doctor’s appointments, errands, social and personal appointments are travel -assisted by our qualified care providers such as certified nursing asssitants, home health aides or companions.

We provide services in Sarasota, Manatee and its’ neighboring towns such as Longboat Key, Siesta Key, Casey Key, Bird Key, Lido Key, Nokomis, Venice, and Osprey.