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When most of us hear the words "vaccination" or "immunization" we automatically think: oh, that's for kids. It's true: young children receive several vaccinations as they grow up and prepare to attend school, including measles, mumps, chickenpox, polio, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, or whooping cough. Influenza, or flu, shots are administered yearly beginning as young as six months. The bad news is…getting older doesn't mean you no longer need those shots! Throughout our lives we can be susceptible to catching many diseases just by coming into physical contact with someone who is ill or breathing air that is carrying germs from a sneeze or cough. We all know the importance of sneezing into a tissue or the crook of our arm when we have a cold and washing our hands frequently — all the time. These simple actions can help prevent transmission of illness from person to person. For some diseases, however, an immunization is necessary to help keep you healthy. As we get older, our age, job, lifestyle, travel, or health conditions can put us at risk for acquiring vaccine-preventable diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), here are the immunizations adults should receive to help prevent them from getting and spreading serious diseases that could result in poor health, missed work, medical bills, and not being able to care for family: seasonal flu (influenza) — All adults need this vaccine every year. It's especially important for people with chronic health conditions, pregnant women, and older adults.pneumococcal — There are two types of vaccines that are necessary to help fight pneumonia and its complications in seniors. The first is Pneumovax, which is given once. The second is Prevnar 13, which is also a one-time vaccine and should be given one year after receiving Pneumovax or vice versa. Tdap (whooping cough) and Td (tetanus and diphtheria) — Every adult should get a Tdap shot once if they did not receive it as an adolescent. All adults need a Td booster shot every 10 years. Herpes zoster — Zostavax is a one-time vaccination; however, since it contains a live Virus, some people should not take it. Be sure to check with your doctor to see if you are up to date on your immunizations and make a plan to follow up yearly. Regular visits can help insure you and your doctor are doing your most to protect your health…and you can improve your chances of living a healthy life at any age.

September is Healthy Aging Month. Here are 6 things you can do to maintain your health as you age. 1. Keep movingWant to maintain a healthy body and mind? Exercise! Doctors recommend you get at least two and a half hours of exercise a week. Belong to a gym? Go! How about a daily brisk walk with a friend or family—or the family pet—which bolsters both your heart and lungs? Practice yoga or tai chi to improve balance and help prevent falls. Dance or do yardwork. The point is, keep moving. 2. Eat rightRemember what your parents told you: eat lots of fruits and veggies. Beans and other high-fiber foods are excellent for digestive and heart health. Feeling lethargic? Eat iron-rich foods such as spinach, beans, dried fruit, and meats. Want a snack? Stay away from processed sugar foods. Try nuts, dried fruit or trail mix. And remember, September is still harvest season, so check out your local farmers market. 3. Get your sleepLike they say, sleep is the best medicine. If you have trouble sleeping, talk to a sleep specialist. And take cat naps. Healthy Aging® magazine reports people who take naps are 37% less likely to die from heart disease. 4. Be socialThere's a link between having active social ties and living a longer life. Spend time with family. See old friends and make new ones. Surround yourself with positive people who make you happy. Continue your old hobbies and find new ones you can do with your friends or alone. 5. Keep learningIt's never too late to learn something new! Learn how to paint, sculpt, or play a musical instrument. Take history or computer classes. Study archeology or architecture. Learn whatever interests you. Remember, when you learn, you grow. 6. Spend wiselyCreate a budget. It's important to know where your money is going. And reducing your expenses can help reduce stress in your life. Plus, the money you save can go toward activities you enjoy: traveling, hobbies, sports…whatever makes you happy and keeps you moving. Celebrate Healthy Aging Month this month… and every month!

Healthy eating should be a priority throughout our lives. As we age, it becomes an important factor in staying active and independent. Planning our meals with a focus on getting the right nutrients and maintaining a healthy weight will give our immune system a boost. Plan your meals to maximize nutrients by including lean protein, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy. Seniors may become more susceptible to foodborne illnesses as their immune system weakens and stomach acid decreases, leaving bodies unable to fully fight the bacteria or virus causing the illness. For older adults age 65+, the results can be dangerous, even fatal. If you have ever experienced a foodborne illness, commonly known as food poisoning, you know it is extremely unpleasant, to say the least. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, even body aches, fever and headaches combine to create quite the memorable experience. This takes a toll on the human body at any age, often resulting in dehydration and an overall feeling of weakness. The good news is we can take action to prevent contracting foodborne illnesses by following 4 basic food safety rules: CLEAN. Washing your hands frequently with soap and warm water throughout the food preparation process. Be sure to wash them again if you sneeze or cough. Also keep all surfaces clean, including counters, cutting boards, and tables as well as utensils.SEPARATE. Be sure to keep raw and cooked foods separate. While in the refrigerator, raw fruits, vegetables and ready-to-eat foods should be kept away from raw meats. During prep, clean surfaces and wash your hands after handling raw foods.COOK. Always cook foods to their proper temperatures. A food thermometercan ensure your food is cooked thoroughly all the way through. When preparing food in a microwave, make sure there aren't any cold spots that may contain bacteria.CHILL. Refrigerate foods promptly. Follow the 2 Hour Rule: Don't allow perishable foods to sit on the counter for more than 2 hours. Do not thaw meat on the counter! Toss any food not stored at the appropriate temperature for more than 2 hours. There are also some foods that seniors should avoid or consider carefully before eating: raw fishhot dogs and lunch meat unless heated to the appropriate temperatureraw or unpasteurized milk or fruit and vegetable juicesrefrigerated pates or smoked fishraw or lightly cooked eggsraw meat or poultryraw sprouts So be careful about storing, preparing and eating food. By cleaning, separating, cooking, and chilling you can help prevent contracting a foodborne illness… at any age!

National Physical Therapy Month is commemorated each October by the American Physical Therapy Association. The goal of this month-long celebration is to raise awareness of the important role physical therapists and physical therapy assistants play in helping people decrease pain, improve mobility, and engage in healthy lifestyles. A physical therapist is a trained and licensed medical professional specializing in diagnosing physical abnormalities, maintaining and restoring mobility, and promoting physical activity and function. Licensed physical therapists work in a variety of healthcare settings including outpatient offices, private practices, hospitals, rehab centers, nursing homes, home health, sports and fitness settings, schools, hospices, occupational settings, government agencies, research centers…and the Los Angeles Jewish Home. Physical therapists treat a wide range of medical conditions: sports-related injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain, neurological disorders, and much more. Physical therapy is particularly beneficial for seniors, especially after they've had a stroke, knee or hip replacement or other surgery, or are recovering from a fall. Are you in pain? Do you need a licensed physical therapist? Ask your doctor to refer you to the Los Angeles Jewish Home. Noah S. Marco, M.D., Jewish Home Chief Medical Officer, says, "We offer a wide range of physical therapy programs, including therapeutic exercise and fitness training, massage, and thermal therapy. All in a comforting, welcoming environment. We'll help get you back on your feet." To learn more about physical therapy at the Jewish Home, please call our Connections to Care® hotline at (855) 227-3745.

As we recover from an illness, injury, medical procedure or acute hospital stay, short-term rehab can be a crucial ally in putting us on the road to wellness. For seniors, this is especially true: The support short-term rehab provides is often a key factor in helping them regain self-sufficiency and return to their own homes or communities as quickly as possible. The Advantages of Short-term Rehab. Seniors working to get back on their feet can reap enormous benefits from short-term rehab. A surgery, illness or medical episode can leave seniors lacking the vital strength they need to care for themselves, and working with medical professionals who specialize in short-term rehab can help them rebuild that strength, restore their confidence, and prepare to reclaim their former independence. How Short-term Rehab Helps Short-term rehab serves as a bridge for seniors – facilitating their transition between hospital and home. It is geared to treat a broad range of conditions including: Joint replacement rehabilitationOrthopedic post-hospitalization careStroke and neurological rehabilitationPost-medical and post-surgical recoveryAdaptive equipment instruction and conditioning In short-term rehab, seniors focus on regaining critical function and recovering their physical, sensory and mental capabilities. They receive a wide variety of therapies and nursing services as they heal and make progress toward their ultimate goal: getting home as quickly as possible. A number of things to keep in mind while evaluating potential options for short-term rehab are: Defining short-term rehabKnowing what to look for in a short-term rehab facilityHoming in on short-term rehab that specializes in serving the elderlyFinding a short-term rehab that accepts Medicare Short-term Rehab at the Jewish Home When it comes to effective short-term rehab, the Jewish Home offers unparalleled expertise. Seniors in the Home’s Transitional Care Unit (TCU) are cared for by physicians and geriatric specialists in physical, occupational, and speech therapy. They also enjoy full access to all of the Home’s cutting-edge clinical and support services. The Jewish Home short-term rehab team integrates state-of-the-art medical care and prescribed therapies with personal coaching, counseling, and nutritional guidance. Seniors spend an average of two to six weeks in the TCU, though the unit accommodates stays of up to 90 days. For more information about short-term rehabilitative care and physical therapy at the Jewish Home, please contact our Connections to Care® hotline at (855) 227-3745.

Finding a good short-term rehabilitation definition can help seniors determine whether short-term rehab is right for them. Understanding the range of options available makes it easier to achieve the best fit. There are many short-term rehabilitation definitions out there, but they all boil down to the same basic points. What Is the Right Definition of Short-term Rehabilitation? Recovering from an injury, illness, medical procedure, or acute hospital stay can take time. The definition of short-term rehabilitation is a suite of inpatient services designed to help seniors and others recoup their strength and prepare to regain their independence and resume their former lives. Patients in short-term rehab benefit from rehabilitative and skilled nursing care, typically offered in a warm, nurturing, technologically state-of-the-art environment that focuses on physical, occupational, and speech therapies, as well as addressing other critical needs. Expanding Short-term Rehabilitation Definitions Some providers of short-term rehab are better equipped—and more experienced—than others. Their expertise expands the definition of short-term rehabilitation to include addressing seniors' emotional well-being; catering to their unique nutritional needs; and enabling them to have a positive outlet for socializing and staying intellectually engaged. Identifying these providers takes asking pointed questions and talking to others who have utilized the service. The Limitations of Short-term Rehabilitation Definitions Sometimes, what people understand as the definition of short-term rehabilitation does not translate well in practice. Promotional literature can be helpful in evaluating a short-term rehab, but there is no substitute for seeing it in person and getting a first-hand sense of how rhetoric matches up with reality. Consider touring a facility to build your own definition of short-term rehabilitation and ensure you are making an informed choice of care providers.

Many seniors are able to use Medicare to access high-quality, short-term rehab. Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with end-stage renal disease. Short-term rehab falls under Medicare Part A, and seniors can work with short-term rehab administrators to determine whether the government-provided insurance covers the services they need. What to Know About Short-term Rehab and Medicare Medicare Part A covers short-term rehab under certain conditions—and for a limited amount of time— in a skilled nursing facility. Among the short-term rehab services allowed under Medicare are: Skilled nursing carePhysical and occupational therapyMedicationSpeech-language pathology servicesMealsSemi-private roomMedical supplies and equipment used in the facility Short-term Rehab and Medicare: How Patients Qualify Medicare will cover short-term rehab if patients meet specific criteria—and assuming the skilled nursing facility in question is Medicare-certified. Those criteria include: Patients must have Medicare Part A and have days remaining to use in their benefit period.There must be a qualifying hospital stay—an inpatient stay of three consecutive days or more.The services needed at a skilled nursing facility must be ordered by a physician.Patients must require the care on a daily basis, and the services provided must require inpatient residence at a skilled nursing facility.The care required must be for a medical condition that was treated during a qualifying three-day hospital stay—or that began while the patient was receiving skilled nursing care for a medical condition that was treated during a qualifying three-day hospital stay.The services must be deemed reasonable and necessary. Making the Most of Short-term Rehab and Medicare Seniors should feel comfortable engaging with the staff of their short-term rehab of choice to discuss Medicare and a host of related issues such as how their care is planned and their rights and protections under the law.

When seniors begin searching for the best fit in rehabilitation care, it pays to focus on facilities that specialize in short-term rehab for the elderly. Finding caregivers with the right expertise helps ensure a fuller, quicker recovery. Short-term rehab for the elderly offers other key benefits, as well, including a peer group of like-minded patients all working toward the same ultimate goal. Why Experience Matters in Providing Short-term Rehab for Elderly Short-term rehab for the elderly is most effective when it is provided by experienced professionals who understand the unique set of medical challenges seniors face. Those challenges include strain on aging bodies and minds, which necessitates prioritizing physical and emotional health as seniors work to regain their independence after an injury, illness or hospital stay. Natural loss of physical strength, feelings of powerlessness and isolation, difficulty reaching out for critical assistance—these can characterize seniors' physical and psychological profiles even before they confront an acute medical problem, and seasoned providers of short-term rehab for the elderly are skilled at helping them confront and cope with these issues in a positive and productive way. Characteristics of High-quality Short-term Rehab for Elderly It is important to take a methodical approach to evaluating short-term rehab for the elderly. Seniors and their caregivers should look at their options with an eye toward determining which one will provide them with the best: Individualized care24-hour skilled nursing servicesWellness and enrichmentSubacute careFamily and discharge planning services Choosing Short-term Rehab for Elderly that Meets Specific Needs Also essential in selecting short-term rehab for the elderly is making sure it can accommodate seniors' specific needs for services such as: Orthopedic rehabilitationOccupational therapyPhysical therapySpeech and language therapyNeurological rehabilitation

Short-term rehabilitation facilities provide a customized level of nurturing and care for seniors and others as they work to regain their independence after an injury or illness. But not all short-term rehabilitation facilities are created equal: There are clear differences ranging from the services offered and the quality of staff to the emphasis of the organizational mission. Choosing whether short-term rehabilitation is for you—and identifying the best facility to meet your needs—comes down to evaluating some key criteria. Why People Choose Short-term Rehabilitation Facilities People turn to short-term rehabilitation facilities to help them recover from a surgery, hospitalization, or other serious medical problem. There are multiple benefits to selecting this path, including lower costs than hospitals or medical centers, a warmer, more nurturing environment, and numerous comforts and amenities. The licensed professionals at short-term rehabilitation facilities are uniquely focused on advancing patients' immediate objective: recovering sufficiently so they are ready to go home. How to Find the Right Short-term Rehabilitation Facility The goal of short-term rehabilitation is to ease the transition between hospital and home—but finding the right short-term rehabilitation center can make all the difference. There are a number of important considerations to keep in mind when evaluating your options. Reputation is at the top of the list: Is the short-term rehabilitation facility well reviewed by seniors (and their families) who have utilized its services? Is the staff qualified—and are staff members welcoming, compassionate, and eager to help? How is the physical environment? Does it feel clean and modern, and is there a positive, upbeat atmosphere? Does the staff work as your advocate and ally, both in terms of restoring physical and emotional health and also in working with your insurance provider? Short-term Rehabilitation Facility Checklist Additional questions to consider when determining whether a short-term rehabilitation facility is right for you include: Does the short-term rehabilitation facility specialize in treating seniors?Are family members and private caregivers welcome at the facility, and are they encouraged to play a role in the patient's care plan?Does the facility make use of state-of-the-art technologies to speed and improve your recovery?Are the dining options appealing and nutritious?Are the rooms shared or private—and which one works better for you?Are there outlets for socializing with other patients in the facility?

November is Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month. Alzheimer's is a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. According to the Alzheimer's Association, here are the 10 signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's: Memory loss that disrupts daily life. One of the most common signs of Alzheimer's is memory loss, especially forgetting learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events, asking for the same information over and over, increasingly needing to rely on memory aids (such as reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.Challenges in planning or solving problems. Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure. People with Alzheimer's often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game.Confusion with time or place. People with Alzheimer's can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships. For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer's. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast, which may cause problems with driving.New problems with words in speaking or writing. People with Alzheimer's may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name.Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps. A person with Alzheimer's disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time.Decreased or poor judgment. People with Alzheimer's may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.Withdrawal from work or social activities. A person with Alzheimer's may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite sports team or remembering how to complete a favorite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced.Changes in mood and personality. The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer's can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone. If you notice any of the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's in yourself or someone you know, don't ignore them. Schedule an appointment with your doctor. With early detection, you can get the maximum benefit from available treatments; explore treatments that may provide some relief of symptoms and help you maintain a level of independence longer; and increase your chances of participating in clinical drug trials that help advance research.