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~ by Carol Vartuli
In case you haven’t been paying attention, flu season has arrived.
December 6th marks the start of National Influenza Vaccine Week. Its purpose is to remind us that the flu vaccine protects against flu illness and serious flu complications, including worsening of chronic conditions or pneumonia.
~ by Richard Sgaglio
November kicks off the holiday season. With all the baked goods, large meals, and holiday traditions that center around Thanksgiving, it’s hard to be concerned about maintaining an adequate weight and healthy lifestyle. Thankfully, with November as National Diabetes Month, we can re-focus our...
~ by Richard Sgaglio
November is National Homecare Month. What better way to celebrate it than to provide information about home care and how to know if it can be right for a loved one? As we age we still want our independence. Many older Americans are choosing to stay in their homes longer and “age in place.
~ by Richard Sgaglio
World Food Day is the most important day you’ve never heard of. Where would we be without access to proper food and nutrition? If the past several months have taught us anything, it’s not to take things for granted. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw shortages of paper products, cleaners, and...
~ by Richard Sgaglio
October is national Physical Therapy month. As a provider of both inpatient short-term rehabilitation and outpatient rehabilitation services, The Osborn knows the importance of physical therapy (PT) following an injury, accident, or surgery. Just as importantly, physical therapy can also help older...
Attitudes About Alzheimer's and Dementia
~ by Carol Vartuli
September marks World Alzheimer’s Month – a time to raise global awareness about Alzheimer’s’ related dementia, its devastating impact on families, and its societal cost.
~ by Carol Vartuli
If you’re a person of ‘Seniority’ you have probably walked many more miles than people do today—of necessity. In fact, you likely remember the old refrain: “When I was your age, I used to walk five miles to school, uphill, both ways.” Perhaps you even used that refrain on your own...
~ by Jennifer Christensen
Many of us take prescription medications to manage chronic health issues or to prevent them from happening in the future. We are fortunate that we have access to many tried and true ways to help us manage our health.
~ by Richard Sgaglio
Pets can warm our hearts and enrich our lives. This can be especially true for older adults who sometimes feel isolated and alone. They can form strong, meaningful bonds with their four-legged companions and receive health benefits as well. These benefits are varied and differ from person to...
~ by Carol Vartuli
It’s July, and local markets are providing an abundance of produce that hasn’t flown halfway around the globe: fresh peas, green beans, tomatoes, and zucchini, to name a few. Summertime is synonymous with healthy eating, and much eating happens outdoors.
~ by Richard Sgaglio
Summertime is fun time. It’s a great season to be outdoors enjoying the sun, fresh air and comradery of others. However, when spending time outdoors in the summer months, one should be careful about not overheating – especially as we age. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC...
~ by Carol Vartulli
The older we grow, the more losses we experience. We lose our supple skin, our hair, our flexibility and muscle strength. And as years pass, we lose more people we love — spouses, siblings, colleagues, and friends.
~ by Kaki Zell
As the name implies, caregivers take care of others, often seniors or others who have a physical or cognitive issues that make it difficult for them to engage in everyday activities. While some caregivers are trained employees of home health agencies, like Osborn Home Care, far more are family...
~ by Carol Vartuli
If you’re over 40, you may be among the 54 million Americans who experience pain from arthritis. Studies indicate that this disease, with more than 100 known types, has affected humans for thousands of years, as suggested by paleopathological evidence...
~ by Jennifer Christensen
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States, but far more people survive stroke than die from it. As many as nine out of 10 survivors have some paralysis immediately after. Thanks to medical advances in emergency treatment, recognizing a stroke immediately could make the...
~ by Carol Vartuli
April is Occupational Therapy Month, a time to consider what OT is, and how it could benefit you or your loved one.
What exactly is occupational therapy? Is it help for those suffering from career change? Not exactly.
~ by Carol Vartuli
The phrase “social media” might seem like an oxymoron. Being ‘social’ is defined as ‘coming together in friendly companionship.’ That used to mean gathering in a common, physical space to socialize with friends, family, or acquaintances...
~ by Richard Sgaglio
Spring can be a wonderful time of rebirth and fun. After a long, gray winter, sometimes the best medicine is spending time outdoors and feeling the sunshine on your face.
~ by Pippa Purdy, MS, RD, CDN
Nutrition is important at any age. As we get older however, we should be paying more attention to it and how it affects our overall health and well-being.
~ by Carol Vartuli
In the age of the Internet, we might expect fewer people to borrow books from libraries. On the contrary, Americans continue to love their public libraries.
~ by Richard Sgaglio
February is designated as American Heart Month by the federal government to encourage individuals to learn about, prevent, and treat heart disease. According to the CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/), more than 17 million deaths each year are caused by heart disease.
~ by Carol Vartuli & Richard Sgaglio
January is Thyroid Disease Awareness Month so it’s a great time to learn more about this tiny but important gland. According to Medicinenet.com, one in five women over the age of 65 have some form of thyroid dysfunction.
~ by Jennifer Christensen
Feeling great in 2020 is about listening to how your body feels and creating new habits that will serve you every day.
The New Years Eve party hats are barely stowed when we are inundated with advertising for diet programs and packaged meal plans. “Overindulged during the holiday season?
~ by Richard Sgaglio
The holiday season offers many opportunities to spend quality time with family and friends. If you are a caregiver or family member of an aging loved one, you may notice a change in their mood or behavior during the holidays. You may even see signs of sadness or depression.
~ by Carol Vartuli
Getting a flu shot can help seniors stay healthier during the winter months.
Chances are, you’ve been asked that question recently; it pops up frequently in conversations this time of year. It’s also impossible to avoid reminders, in local pharmacies, ‘minute’ clinics, and even big box stores.
~ by Carol Vartuli
November is not just Thanksgiving time; it also marks National Diabetes month. As we age, the prevalence and risk factors of the disease rises.
Let’s see how much you know about diabetes:
~ by Jennifer Christensen
When Betsy’s Dad fell, she moved in with her parents to help out around the house and make sure they were taking their medications and getting proper meals. With a full time job to manage, what started out as a good deed soon became overwhelming as her parents’ health declined.
~ by Carol Vartuli
For seniors, physical therapy can play a role in maintaining strength and flexibility. It can help them remain independent and agile as we age. We should not just think about physical therapy following an injury or illness.
~ by Jennifer Christensen
The challenges of co-existing with siblings are well documented – from the temperamental daughters in Shakespeare’s King Lear to The Kardashians of reality TV. Rarely is it more fraught than when family members are trying to help an older parent navigate the lifestyle changes associated with...
~ by Carol Vartuli
Every 3 seconds, someone in the world develops dementia. The number of people living with dementia around the world is over 50 million, which is expected to almost double every 20 years, reaching 152 million by 2050. The annual global cost of dementia is over $US one trillion annually, which will...
~ by Carol Vartuli
The idea to accentuate the positives of aging was introduced when Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) began to turn 50. That post-war generation didn’t accept the status quo in the 1960s, and they were determined to debunk myths about aging as they approached their 60s and 70s.
~ by Jennifer Christensen
One of the inconveniences of aging is the natural lessening of our ability to see small print or make out objects in the dark. We may have to reach for our reading glasses when reading a menu in a dimly lit restaurant. That’s a normal process called Presbyopia when you can’t see small print...
~ by Elissa Gould, Art Therapist
Successful aging is often linked to a person’s level of activity and engagement. Naturally, the degree of to which the activity is personally meaningful improves their satisfaction, as does how they are feeling as they navigate the aging process.
~ by Carol Vartuli
Summertime, and the livin' is easy. Or so the Gershwin song goes.
But easy doesn't mean living completely carefree. Longer days beckon us outdoors, exposing us to heavy doses of sun and heat. Add in physical exercise, and our bodies can dehydrate rapidly. Heat exhaustion - even heat stroke - are possible.
~ by Jennifer Christensen
As we imagine our future in retirement, our thoughts turn dreams of a stress-free life. Proper planning now can make that dream a reality.
Getting started
~ by Richard Sgaglio
June is National Aphasia Awareness month. Although about 2 million people in the U.S. are living with Aphasia, according to the National Aphasia Association, very few of us even know what the disorder is.
~ by Jennifer Christensen
Do you ever find yourself doing two things at once (or three or four)? The velocity of information and technology-enabled task management has made our lives more complicated than ever. Gone are the days when we just stirred the soup without listening to television, radio or talking on the phone at...
~ by Carol Vartuli
“I want to go home.” That’s a common plea from people with advancing dementia. Family members often take it literally, and try to convince Mom that she is indeed at home, or in a hospital, or visiting elsewhere. They’re responding to a seemingly logical question with a logical explanation.
~ by Richard Sgaglio
Retirement is a time to relax and enjoy life without the burdens of owning a home. If you’re thinking about making the move to a Life Plan Community, then you’ll want to know about the choices that come with it.
~ by Carol Vartulli
You’re headed for fresh, new surroundings, where you’ll be free from the care of a house and yard. Yet, the transition can be bittersweet: You’ll need to shed belongings, and the task may seem overwhelming.
~ by Richard Sgaglio
Searching for home care services for a loved one? As we age, we still want our independence. Many older Americans are choosing to stay in their homes longer and “age in place.” This trend allows people to remain in their family home surrounded by familiar furnishings that make them feel...
~ by Carol Vartuli
Many younger people do not think about the subtler signs of ageism. After all, Grandma is tiny, and she is cute. But when a grocery clerk refers to her as “young lady,” it is disrespectful. Likewise, when a younger man uses a parental voice and addresses an 80- year-old as “buddy,” it is...
Senior living should be relaxing and filled with enjoyable activities, but sometimes the unexpected can happen. If you have recently experienced a serious illness, injury, or surgery, you may find that you need help getting back on your feet.
~ by Jennifer Christensen
Everyone is talking about food these days! Heartfelt discussions about where the food is grown, how wide the chickens can roam and what exactly GMO stands for have replaced calorie and carb counting as topics for the lunch room. The good news is that being mindful of what we eat is helping more of...
~ by Jennifer Christensen
It’s Valentine’s Day and love is in the air. For some this conjures up images of high-school sweethearts or cartoon characters kissing against a Technicolor sunset. We may remember cutting out red paper hearts and gluing them together with paper doilies and glitter to present to our favorite...
~ by Richard Sgaglio
If you have an aging parent, you probably have already thought, “Is my mom or dad safe living home alone?” This is a difficult issue for many families. As people live longer lives, many older Americans want to stay in their homes as long as possible and caregiver children must be the catalyst...
~ by Deb Garvin
What happens when you are sitting all day? Do you fidget? You might be doing something that is actually good for your health! If you fidget it counts as exercise, no matter how slight. The best part - scientists will agree!
Get ready for a great show with Michele Thomas! Pour your coffee and get comfortable. Tune to AM1490WGCH on August 7th at 9:30am when Michele sits down with Sarah E. Buckingham, MD.
Clinical Physical Therapist Alicia Spiro MSPT, NCS, NDT, LSVT was Michele Thomas’ guest on the “Good Living” radio program on WGCH (1490 am) this week. Ms. Thomas is the Executive Vice President of Osborn Home Care (OHC), which offers professional home care services to residents of Fairfield...
Who doesn't forget a word every now and then? It's right on the tip of your tongue! Doesn't it just drive you crazy! There are technical reasons for these lapses. They are believed to be caused by disruptions in the brain which cuts the ability to access the word's sound.
Buckle up!! Tune in at 9:30am on AM1490WGCH! Michele will be sitting down with Detective Mark Solomon of the Greenwich, Connecticut Police Department. Detective Solomon is a 22-year veteran of the department, spending his last 15 years in the Criminal Investigation Division.
So, it is finally here!! Sunshine and warm temperatures! You know what that means - more glorious time outdoors! That means fun in the sun, right? Wrong. With that comes all of those critters you are not so happy about. Ticks. Mosquitoes. Even fleas.
For years and years the diet always recommended for maintaining health and longevity was that of the Mediterranean people. What's not good about that? This type of diet recommends nuts, fresh produce, and olive oil. Yummy! If eating this type of diet will lower my risk of heart disease - I'm...
What do you take to stop a cough? This time of year allergies are about to kick into high gear. Colds and flu just don't want to give up! With that, the gift that keeps on giving is the dreaded cough! When you walk into a drug store in search of relief, it is hard to decipher what is what!
If you walk for two minutes and repeat the walk over many times does that have a positive impact on your health? How about walking 10 minutes? Can you do that three times a day? The benefits of living longer seem to be the same with each pattern according to a new study of physical activity...
Pour your coffee. Make it an especially aromatic blend this morning. On Tuesday, April 3rd tune to AM1490WGCH when Michele will be sitting down with Ruth Sutcliffe. Ruth is the founder of The Scent Guru Group, LLC and the creator of Essential Awakenings Smell and Memory Kit.
Generation Grandparent
Happiness is a grandchild! As our children get older and start settling down, face it, we think baby booties! What could be a more amazing experience then spending time with your child's child? Does what we envision work out better if it happens to be our daughter's baby?
Just how good is walking a dog for you? Is it truly yet another health benefit? Yet another great reason to own a dog?
A British study found older dog owners who walked their dogs at least once a day got at minimum of 20 percent more activity than people without dogs. They also spent less time perfecting the art of turning into a coach potato.
Most of us exercise to stay fit. We want to stay heart healthy, slim and trim. As you get older, sometimes it gets more difficult to find that get up and go. What if remaining physically active could actually keep our muscles healthy. More importantly, our immune system healthy.
March is definitely coming in like a lion!! Well, get settled, get a good cup a coffee on Tuesday, March6th at 9:30am and tune to AM1490WGCH. Michele Thomas will be sitting down with Lori Contadino, Director of the Commission on Aging in Greenwich.
Are you prepared for the future? Would you like to learn how to become empowered and make the right decisions? Learn why you should periodically reevaluate your plans for the future. Learn how and what to do!
There is certain dietary advice that will crop up every so often, just when you think you've figured out what to eat. Now another curve ball. What do you do? Start from scratch? One of the most popular health and diet issues are fats and oils. What is a good oil and which one causes heart...
Get your coffee in hand and AM1490WGCH cued up at 9:30am for an excellent show on Good Living! Michele's guests will be Dr. Erick and Dr. Brenda Slovin from Slovin Chiropractic Center. Located in Norwalk, their practice focuses on ending the pain of headaches and neck pain for people without...
Research shows a link, but it isn't retirement itself that leads to a longer life, but what you do in retirement.
Here is some good news – retiring early could lengthen your life! That seems to be what recent research is finding, including a 2017 study from the journal Health Economics.
Refresh your coffee and tune to AM1490WGCH on Tuesday, February 6th for a compelling show on Good Living. Michele will be sitting down with Kerry C. Mills, MPA of Engaging Alzheimer's LLC. Kerry has been working in the Alzheimer's field for many years where her goal is to change the public...
What happens when your spouse or someone else in your household comes down with a cold – or worse, the flu!!! Is there a way to avoid getting sick besides vacating the premises entirely!! Avoiding close contact still doesn’t guarantee you safe passage through the “sick zone.
Loneliness Can Affect Your Health - Here's Why Choosing a Retirement Community With a Vibrant Social Life is So Important:
The harmful effects loneliness and social isolation can have on health, particularly among older adults has been well researched. It can increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, dementia and even suicide attempts.
Get that cup of coffee ready and tune in on Tuesday, January 23rd at 9:30am for Good Living with Michele Thomas on AM1490WGCH when Michele's guest is Jenna Hourani. Jenna is a Registered Dietitian at Grade A ShopRite, doing most of her work in the Stamford store. Who knew that a supermarket had...
Yes, it's that time of year again. No not the holidays. It's the time of year when falls occur most. Falls! I have even logged my first fall of the season. Thankfully that foot of snow broke my fall, no pun intended. Obviously fall injuries rise throughout most of our country during the winter...
Yes, it's that time of year again. No not the holidays, it's the time of year when falls occur most. Falls! I have even logged my first fall of the season. Thankfully that foot of snow broke my fall, no pun intended. Obviously fall injuries rise throughout most of our country during the...
What is it that gets people sick? Is it getting coughed on when you are food shopping? Touching a door handle? How do you stay well? What about older people? It could be any number of issues, especially this time of year when colds and flu are running rampant. We all know those people who...
It's WellSpring Wednesday!!
Here in New York, we have already had our dose of frigid temperatures this winter!! But, there are still a few helpful tips that might prevent you from hiding under the covers waiting for the mercury to rise above freezing. As NYT Jane E. Brody explores in "7 Tips for Making It Through the...
It’s time to put down your electronic device. We have all heard people say we need more time with each other and less time on our devices, but now there are actually studies to prove it. There are now cafes in both Toronto and New York that are declining Wi-Fi to their customers in order to...
47 students received grants from Osborn residents
Residents of Sterling Park, The Osborn’s Independent Living community, awarded financial grants to 47 children of employees pursing higher education. This is the 15th year of the annual Academic Achievement Award presentation. It is held in June at the Resident Association Meeting.
Dr. Catherine Isaac, from Scarsdale Medicine Group’s Mind-Body Medicine Department, gave a presentation at The Osborn about “The Mind-Body Medicine Approach to Coping with Illness.” The presentation was part of The Osborn’s WellSpring program which includes a series of talks that are free...
Dr. Joonun (Chris) Choi, MD, cardiologist at Stamford Health
Dr. Joonun (Chris) Choi, a heart specialist with the Stamford Health Medical Group and affiliated with Stamford Hospital, was a recent guest on “Good Living with Michele Thomas,” which airs every other Tuesday at 9:30am on WGCH (1490 am).
How many times have you gone to the doctor, been prescribed a prescription and not filled it? Have you ever decided not to finish taking one of your prescription medicines because you feel "better" already? If your answer to either one of these questions is yes, you are not alone.
Ulcers. Everyone has heard about ulcers. How do you know if you have one? What causes ulcers? Almost 16 million adults of all ages nationwide reported having an ulcer in 2014, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics.
Geriatrician Dr. Allison Ostroff
Michele Thomas, EVP of Osborn Home Care, recently interviewed Dr. Allison Ostroff, Geriatric Physician and Director of the Division of Geriatrics at Stamford Hospital. “Good Living with Michele Thomas” airs every other Tuesday at 9:30am on WGCH (1490 am).
Could learning the cha-cha keep our mind sharp? Can waltzing protect our brains from aging?
There is a new study that used country dancing to compare the neurological effects with those of walking and other activities. It does suggest there is a connection that could make dancing an unusual way to slow down the aging of our brain due to the physical demand both on our mind and...
Over 120 people, representing different organizations that serve seniors in Westchester County, met at The Osborn today to share ideas about policies and services relating to area seniors. The event was called, “The Age-Friendly Experience Reimagined: Reaching the Hard to Reach.
Norman Roth, President of Greenwich Hospital, was a recent guest on “Good Living with Michele Thomas.” Thomas is the EVP of Osborn Home Care, and her show airs every other Tuesday at 9:30 am on WGCH (1490 am).
These days all of us are looking for the healthiest diet possible. As a result, many people are making the switch to a gluten free lifestyle. Who knew there was a downside? As Nicholas Bakalar explains in "A Downside to Gluten Free" from NYT, sometimes more of a good thing is not...
Michelle Beltrano, principal of Beltrano Law, was Michele Thomas’s guest on WGCH (1490 am) on Thursday, January 24. Michele Thomas is the Executive Vice President of Osborn Home Care.
Do you know the right way to fall? Did you even know that a right way to fall exists? Well, it does!! Which is good news because who hasn’t fallen at some point in their life – and with a winter storm about to hit New York, now might be a good time to find out the best way to fall with the...
Insomnia. How many of us have precious sleep time stolen from us every night? We need sleep. Not just sleep, quality sleep. There are many causes for insomnia and they increase with age in severity.
As many of us have heard, the Mediterranean diet - high in veggies, fruits, olive oil and whole grains plus moderate protein and has been shown to be beneficial in reducing the risk for diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Here’s the good news – it may also be good for the brain!!
What is better then pampering yourself and getting actual health benefits? How about indulging in a nice sauna to relax AND keep your brain healthy. A study out of Finland finds you can potentially accomplish both! In the NYT Nicholas Bakalar delves deeper into this study in "Are Saunas Good...
Now that it's 2017 who says you have to make a resolution that you're not going to keep! Why not start something new? Something that comes complete with both physical, mental and spiritual benefits! Oh and add in health benefits! If this sounds good take a look at NYT "Yoga for Everyone.
Executive Vice President Michele Thomas, Vice President Eileen Killeen, Town Selectman John Toner, and Osborn President and CEO, Matt Anderson cut the ribbon at the new office.
Viviana DeCohan gave an inspiring address at the quarterly meeting of Osborn Home Care’s Peer Advisory Committee today. Thirty home health aides, including a balance of veterans and new hires, were invited to a luncheon with senior management from The Osborn and Osborn Home Care.
Everyone is talking about food these days! Heartfelt discussions about where the food is grown, how wide the chickens can roam and what exactly “GMO” stands for have replaced calorie and carb counting as topics for the lunch room. The good news is that being mindful of what we eat is helping...
Michele Thomas, Executive Vice President of Osborn Home Care, is hosting a bi-weekly radio program on the Greenwich, Connecticut news station WGCH (1490 am). Called “Good Living,” the show features experts sharing strategies for living well during the retirement years. Ms.
With the first big snow storm of the year just about to arrive we wanted to assure you Osborn Home Care takes special precautions for our clients. We call all of our clients to reassure them that they will have support and home health coverage during the storm. Our coordinators are busy calling our...
Dr. Robert Figlerski, Director of Psychological Services at IPC Healthcare, Inc. gave a presentation on the Challenges of Managing Dementia to Osborn residents and their families, community members and staff at The Osborn on Wednesday evening, September 16.
~ by Carol Vartuli
In case you haven’t been paying attention, flu season has arrived.
December 6th marks the start of National Influenza Vaccine Week. Its purpose is to remind us that the flu vaccine protects against flu illness and serious flu complications, including worsening of chronic conditions or pneumonia.
~ by Richard Sgaglio
November kicks off the holiday season. With all the baked goods, large meals, and holiday traditions that center around Thanksgiving, it’s hard to be concerned about maintaining an adequate weight and healthy lifestyle. Thankfully, with November as National Diabetes Month, we can re-focus our...
~ by Richard Sgaglio
November is National Homecare Month. What better way to celebrate it than to provide information about home care and how to know if it can be right for a loved one? As we age we still want our independence. Many older Americans are choosing to stay in their homes longer and “age in place.
~ by Richard Sgaglio
World Food Day is the most important day you’ve never heard of. Where would we be without access to proper food and nutrition? If the past several months have taught us anything, it’s not to take things for granted. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw shortages of paper products, cleaners, and...
~ by Richard Sgaglio
October is national Physical Therapy month. As a provider of both inpatient short-term rehabilitation and outpatient rehabilitation services, The Osborn knows the importance of physical therapy (PT) following an injury, accident, or surgery. Just as importantly, physical therapy can also help older...
Attitudes About Alzheimer's and Dementia
~ by Carol Vartuli
September marks World Alzheimer’s Month – a time to raise global awareness about Alzheimer’s’ related dementia, its devastating impact on families, and its societal cost.
~ by Carol Vartuli
If you’re a person of ‘Seniority’ you have probably walked many more miles than people do today—of necessity. In fact, you likely remember the old refrain: “When I was your age, I used to walk five miles to school, uphill, both ways.” Perhaps you even used that refrain on your own...
~ by Jennifer Christensen
Many of us take prescription medications to manage chronic health issues or to prevent them from happening in the future. We are fortunate that we have access to many tried and true ways to help us manage our health.
RYE, NY, – (October 29, 2020) –The Osborn Pavilion in Rye, NY is one of only 20 skilled nursing facilities (out of 617) in New York State to be recognized as a “Best Nursing Home” for 2020-21...
The Osborn's VP of Sales Christa Picciano-Daniello has been appointed vice president of LeadingAge New York’s Retirement Housing Cabinet.
Fitch Ratings has affirmed its 'A-' rating on revenue bonds issued on behalf of the Miriam Osborn Memorial Home Association (The Osborn). This rating indicates the high credit quality maintained by...