Arthritis and the Anti-Inflammatory Diet

RVNAhealth Arthritis in Hands, elder care programs

I know nutrition can help with conditions like heart disease and diabetes, but what about arthritis. Will changing my diet help my condition?

I’m sorry to hear about your arthritis but am happy to report that there are definitely things you can do nutritionally to protect against the development of the condition or lessen the severity of symptoms. Simply put, arthritis is inflammation in the joints that worsens over time. Several types of arthritis together affect millions of Americans and limit their daily activities. So, what’s the nutritional approach to help with the inflammation of arthritis? An anti-inflammatory diet. Here are key elements to keep in mind.

Out with the Bad — Foods that Promote Inflammation
Higher intake of meat and alcohol contributes to increased inflammation in the body. Lower consumption of vitamin C in fruits and vegetables, whether in combination with high meat and alcohol intake or not, also contributes.

In with the Good – Foods that Help
Evidence suggests that increasing consumption of vitamin C, vitamin D found in fatty fish, omega 3s found in ground flaxseeds and flaxseed oil, and nutraceuticals such as glucosamine and chondroitin may help with arthritic symptoms. Phytochemicals found in a wide variety of foods such as fennel, garlic, basil, rosemary, pomegranate, turmeric, red pepper, cloves, anise, and ginger can also fight inflammation.

Lighten Up
For osteoarthritis in particular, weight loss is effective because excess weight strains the joints. As little as a 5% reduction in weight from a sensible diet— in an overweight person — can bring an 18% gain in overall functioning. While it’s not recommended that people at a healthy weight attempt to lose weight, everyone benefits from vitamins A, C, D, E and omega-3s.

Translating it to the Kitchen Table
The anti-inflammatory diet isn’t new. In essence, it’s similar to the Mediterranean diet, which has myriad health benefits beyond reduction of inflammation. The recommendations from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics include:

  • Fish: 3-4 oz. fatty fish (cold water fish like salmon, tuna, scallops, sardines, herring) twice a week. If you’re not a fish fan, try taking 600-1,000 mg of fish oil daily. Omega-3s found in these foods and supplements can help with pain, swelling, stiffness, and tenderness.
  • Nuts: 1 ounce per day to provides benefit from vitamins B6 and Omega-3s. Choose walnuts, almonds, pistachios, or pine nuts.
  • Fruits and vegetables: Nine or more 1-cup servings per day helps due to the antioxidants and phytochemicals they offer. Quick tip — the brighter the color, the higher the antioxidants, so choose broccoli, spinach, kale, blueberries, cherries.
  • Beans: 1 cup at least twice per week. Beans contain fiber and phytonutrients that can help lower a key marker of inflammation in the blood, and are filled with protein which helps with muscle health. Best choices include red kidney beans, pinto beans, and small red beans.
  • Whole grains: 6 oz. of grains per day (at LEAST 3 oz. should be whole grains). A serving boils down to a cup of cooked brown rice or one slice whole grain bread. Much like beans, the fiber here is key.
  • A word about night shade vegetables: Some people report more pain when consuming tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes, and red bell peppers, sometimes referred to as nightshade vegetables. If they cause discomfort for you, avoid them. Otherwise, feel free to eat them as they contain antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals!

By following an anti-inflammatory diet, you can keep inflammation and arthritic symptoms at bay. As always, it’s important to talk to your doctor or healthcare team about supplementation and what’s the best fit for you.

Meg Whitbeck, MS, RD, counsels patients in disease management through nutrition. For more information or to schedule a private consultation, contact RVNA at 203-438-5555

Sponsor Spotlight: How Do You Spell ‘Partner”?

Partnership. Noun. The state of being a partner.   P-A-R-T-N-E-R-S-H-I-P

Pictured Left to Right: David Schneider (Chief Executive Officer of Fairfield County Bank), Theresa Santoro, (RVNA President and CEO), Alice Meenan (RVNAhealth former Director of Donor Relations), Daniel Berta (President of Fairfield County Bank)

If you attended the recent RVNAhealth Spelling Bee, you would have noted that Fairfield County Bank was the title sponsor of this annual fundraising event, responsible in large part for bringing the Bee to life since 2012 and for giving RVNAhealth another fun and friendly way to draw community attention and support to our organization.

Which well defines the nature of Fairfield County Bank and their partnership with RVNAhealth – it’s a relationship that has spanned decades; is philanthropic and collegial; and does much more than support RVNAhealth financially, it also encourages us to build and thrive on our own with their support at the foundation.

As Theresa Santoro, RVNAhealth President & CEO explains, “RVNA’s growth and innovation have been due, in no small part, to the support received throughout the years from Fairfield County Bank, its employees, and its board members. From banking, insurance, and investments to guidance, advice, and support across countless volunteer hours, the impact Fairfield County Bank has had on RVNAhealth has been immeasurable. They are a sponsor, a partner, a mentor, a friend … and we are very appreciative and happy customers.”

Founded in 1871, Fairfield County Bank is a cornerstone in the communities it calls home. It has grown and expanded in its business sector while remaining true to its roots as a community-minded business with a passion for philanthropy. Each year, they invest about $1 million into 330 nonprofits and lend over 4,000 hours of time and expertise. Fairfield County Bank corporate leadership, employees, and even the spouses of employees are all engaged in its philanthropic efforts.

Fairfield County Bank has been an RVNAhealth partner for two decades. Members of the Fairfield County Bank community serve on our Board of Directors, Board Committees, and Event Committees. They were awarded RVNAhealth’s Community Partnership Award in 2012; were significant contributors to our campaign to build the Center for Exceptional Care; and, as a pioneering member of our Governor’s Society, Fairfield County Bank continues to support not only the Spelling Bee but also the Autumn Dinner and Spring Breakfast.

Throughout the relationship, Fairfield County Bank and RVNAhealth have worked in parallel, sharing mutual respect, similar values, and a similar history. “We are extremely proud to say that Fairfield County Bank has been supporting RVNAhealth, a local non-profit whose roots started in Ridgefield just like our own, for more than 20 years,” said Dan Berta, President of Fairfield County Bank. “The home healthcare their dedicated employees provide is admirable while the community wellness services they offer are of incredible value to our community members. We are pleased to contribute to an organization whose services make a profound difference. Watching RVNAhealth grow over the years and extend their services to 28 towns while increasing the number of residents and businesses they help is beyond rewarding.”

And while, among the two, RVNAhealth is the organization dedicated to helping individuals age with dignity and independence, Fairfield County Bank is the perfect example of how to grow and evolve gracefully as a business. “We’ve been very fortunate to closely observe Fairfield County Bank as a role model and leader in their own history and growth in the banking industry,” says Theresa Santoro, President and CEO of RVNAhealth. “In doing so, we’ve set our own course of growth in health care.”

How do we spell partnership? Fairfield County Bank.

Interested in learning more about RVNAhealth’s Governor Society? Please contact Mary Jean Heller, Director of Philanthropy, at mjheller@rvnahealth.org or 203.438.5555 ext. 1028.

2018–2019 Annual Appeal

December 2018

Dear Friends,

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease that is 100% fatal. More than 5,000 people are diagnosed with ALS every year. The average life expectancy is 2-5 years, but some live longer. There is no cure.

RVNA is caring for a growing number of patients with neuromuscular disorders, including ALS. In fact, over the last six months, we have cared for six ALS patients. One of these patients, a beloved wife and mother of two, passed away in April after receiving our services for two and a half years.

Ann was diagnosed with bulbar onset ALS in April 2014, a form of ALS that first affects speech and swallowing, before spreading to other parts of the body. She was a young and vibrant woman, a human welcome wagon in her community. She was a voracious reader and lover of books, librarian, teacher, coach and fabulous cook. She was an active member in her church and sang in the choir. She was an outstanding athlete — a force to be reckoned with on the golf course and tennis courts, the slopes and the ice. She played competitive ice hockey until muscle weakness and atrophy made it too difficult to skate. Her disease was managed for a year and a half, before frequent choking and trips to the ER necessitated a tracheostomy. Her life then changed forever.

It takes a village to care for someone with ALS. For Ann, RVNA was this village. Weakness, immobility and a feeding tube required round-the-clock care. She received this from her loving family and routine visits from her RVNA nurse, occupational therapist, speech therapist and physical therapist. As she struggled with the complications of this progressive disease, our clinical team made it possible for Ann to remain living safely in the comforts of home, alongside her family, the only place she wanted to be.

Each and every day, RVNA is in the homes of people in your community, caring for many diverse medical needs, thanks to you. RVNA now provides home healthcare to more than 1,600 patients annually, 60% more patients than five years ago. We need your continued help to pay for programs and services which are not covered or reimbursed by private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid. Your contributions also help to keep our nurses and therapists trained and certified in the latest medical skills and caregiving techniques, so that patients like Ann can receive the specialized care they need.

It was RVNA’s privilege to care for Ann — to protect her independence and honor her desire to live out her days with dignity at home. For Ann, RVNA gave her the best quality of life possible. We are here to do the same for you and your loved ones.

Ann never gave up on life and her effort to live. She fought to the very end. Together, we can help more patients live through the challenges of degenerative disease, sustain those living with chronic illness, and care for those acutely ill or recovering from surgery — from birth to end-of-life.

RVNA meets you wherever you are in life, whatever your healthcare needs might be. Please consider a gift to RVNA today.

With gratitude,

Theresa Santoro, MSN, RN, CHCA
President and CEO

P.S. A gift match from your employer will make your gift go twice as far. Check here to find out if your company has a matching gift program.  Please be as generous as your means allow.

Introducing Meg Whitbeck, MS RDN

Meg Whitbeck

Meg Whitbeck with the men in her life: (l to r) her husband Drew and sons Luke and Parker

One of the great things about Meg Whitbeck, MS RDN, is that even though she’s a registered dietitian and nutrition educator — and an excellent one at that — she doesn’t make you feel bad if she catches you eating a piece of decadent cheese. Or a malted milk ball.  If she catches you doing a juice-only fast, however, Meg may look at you askance.

Meg knows that good nutrition is a critical component to feeling your best, and that means eating a breadth of the right things for you, not depriving yourself altogether.

Another great thing about Meg is that she is deeply and genuinely kind, and one of the more comedic people in the world.  Which makes it pretty spectacular that she’s right here at RVNAhealth.

Meet Meg Whitbeck …

Where did you grow up and where do you live now?
 I grew up in Brewster, NY and now live in Ridgefield, CT.

How long have you been at RVNAhealth?
 I began working here in January 2016.

What brought you to RVNAhealth?
The opportunity to be a part of RVNAhealth’s center for excellence and to spearhead our nutrition program.

Describe your role at RVNAhealth.
I am the Registered Dietitian and Nutrition Educator. I support our clinical staff by offering outpatient nutrition counseling and education. In addition, I hold classes and seminars throughout the year and offer community-based nutrition events.

What is your favorite part of your job?
Definitely spending time with my patients and improving the quality of their lives.

Did you ever consider becoming a nurse?
Mmmmm. No.

When did you realize that you wanted to become a dietitian?
At age 23, when I was diagnosed with celiac disease and met my dietitian  — this amazing woman who helped me to eat again.  I realized that — behold! — I could merge science, healthcare, and people. I never looked back.  At the time, I was a molecular genetics technician, so my career changed dramatically.  I still have a soft spot for genetics, though!

What do you love to do when you’re not working?
Run, bake, dance, volunteer!

What is your hidden talent?
I sing and play the piano.

What would you do if you won the lottery?
I have nine siblings and would pay off all of their mortgages. In addition, I would buy a big house in Ridgefield and host many wonderful parties! I would definitely keep working because I LOVE my job!

Do you have a favorite RVNAhealth moment or story?
There have been so many! Lately, I have been inspired by my colleagues who work so tirelessly to provide exceptional care. I am in awe of the skill sets and expertise that I am surrounded by here at RVNAhealth. From marketing to development, nursing to occupational therapy, rehab to hospice – we have the best of the best here.

What are you doing for Thanksgiving*?
I am helping with a new effort in town: The Ridgefield Community Thanksgiving Dinner for local people looking for a nice meal to share. I will be overseeing food handling and food prep as part of a collaboration between a collection of local organizations, including St. Mary’s Parish, Meals on Wheels, Jesse Lee, Dimitri’s Diner, Melillo Farms, Bernard’s, Adam Broderick, Caraluzzi’s, Genoa Deli, JK’s Original Texas Hot Weiners, and RVNAhealth, of course! Plus, some lovely anonymous supporters.

I will be there with my husband and sons and we are going to have a ball!
*This post was prepared in November 2018.

What is your favorite book? Movie?
My favorite book is The Count of Monte Cristo and my favorite movie is The Princess Bride.

If you had a racehorse, what would you name it?
Slow Poke

If you could eat one food for a year, what would it be?
Soup!

Eating to Sleep

RVNAhealth nutrition programs

Are You as Tired as We Are?!

The old concept that you can’t catch up on lost sleep is a dismaying one, particularly if you’re already a few months – or years! – behind.  Fortunately, time and attention can help reverse the course and side effects of sleep deprivation. Which is a good thing because sleep deprivation can lead to chronic weight issues, fatigue, brain fog, chronic pain, trouble fighting off illnesses, depression, anxiety and more. Not to mention dark circles and crabbiness.

Meg Whitbeck, MS, RDN, RVNA’s nutrition educator and registered dietitian has two young sons, ages 4 and 7, and – like many of us – has had her share of sleepless nights. Our question to Meg:  Can we eat our way to better sleep?

“Yes!” says Whitbeck. “Of course, diet alone won’t get you on a regular cycle of seven to nine hours of sleep per night, which is what you need to do to get your circadian rhythms back on track,” she adds, “but there are definitely dietary dos and don’ts that will help you along the way.”

Here are a few suggestions:

  • Eat Well: There’s no way around it. Nutritious meals rich in fruits, veggies, whole grains and lean protein support good sleep. Feed your body what it needs and it will respond in kind.
  • Timing:  Digestion takes a back seat when we sleep, so be sure to give yourself at least two hours from your last main meal before hitting the hay. Going to bed with a full stomach can lead to acid reflux (heartburn) and subsequent tossing and turning.
  • Relax with a warm drink: Sipping on a beverage like herbal tea helps us relax and tames tension, which encourages a peaceful rest. Our body can fall asleep more readily when we are warm and cozy. Wouldn’t you agree?
  • Avoid Caffeine and Alcohol: Both disturb sleep cycles, so skip alcohol and late-day caffeine if you need a good night’s sleep. If a cocktail or glass of wine is on the agenda for your nightly social activities, abstain from alcohol for 2 hours before going to sleep to allow your body to process out some of that ethanol.
  • Sweet Dreams, just not sweet desserts:  If we have sweets before bed, we can literally jolt ourselves awake with a sugar rush, compromising our ability to fall and stay asleep. Avoid sweets in the evening and you will notice that your sleep quality improves.
  • Try a Supplement: Several supplements available on the market offer improved quality sleep. The top two are L-theanine, an amino acid, and the hormone melatonin. L-theanine, when taken in doses of about 200mg, provides a calming effect to most users. L-theanine is often suggested to reduce anxiety and promote more restful sleep. Melatonin is a hormone that our bodies make. It helps to regulate our circadian rhythms and help our bodies differentiate between day and night. It is by far and wide the most popular “sleep” supplement available. Melatonin can also be found in many foods, with grains, legumes, nuts, seeds and mushrooms topping the list. The thing is, there is no way to be sure that the melatonin that we take via supplement or are exposed to in our food actually gets absorbed into our bodies. The only way to know if it helps you? Try it. Please note that melatonin interacts with several medications, including blood pressure medications – so check with your doctor before you start taking it!

Meet Mary Frangus, Physical Therapist

At a young age, Physical Therapist Mary Frangus, MSPT, witnessed first-hand the importance of physical therapy. It gave her a deep understanding of what really matters to patients. A goal of getting back to the life you love. Safely and confidently. And Mary strives to do just that with a multi-tiered approach to understanding the whole patient. Meet Mary.

Where did you grow up and where do you live now?
I was born and raised in NJ and moved to CT in my early 20s. I went to grad school in CT and have been here ever since. I currently live in Monroe with my husband and our two children.

How long have you been at RVNA?
I have been with RVNAhealth for about 2.5 years as an in-home physical therapist.

What brought you here?
I had worked in a skilled nursing facility for over 25 years and was looking for a change. I very much enjoyed the patients I met and worked with in the skilled nursing facility, but wanted to have a greater sense of what barriers and limitations they might face upon return home.

Describe your role at RVNA.
My role as an RVNAhealth in-home physical therapist gives me the ability to address the issues I described above first-hand for a safer environment and long-term success at home.

What is your favorite part of your job?
In high school, I had knee surgery, requiring physical therapy. This was my first introduction to the profession. My PT helped me return to being an active teenager, and I was so grateful to her. I wanted to be able to help people like she did for me. As I focused on my career path, I found helping folks get back to living, in their own homes, was the most fulfilling.

Did you ever consider becoming a nurse?
I always knew from a very young age that I would choose a career that allowed me to help people.

What do you love to do when you’re not working?
I enjoy the outdoors, hiking, and working in our yard/gardens. I also enjoy reading when I find a moment to sit still. As much as I love being home, I like to travel and would plan more adventures if time and funds allowed.

What would you do if you won the lottery?
I would take the opportunity to travel and increase my opportunities to get together with extended family.

Do you have any favorite RVNAhealth moments or stories?
The moments that I find the most fulfilling and enjoyable are when I am collaborating with other RVNA disciplines (like skilled nursing, occupational and speech therapy) to provide cohesive care for our patients. Problem-solving to help a complex patient situation is always something that makes me enjoy the people I work with and the agency I provide care for each day.

My sense of purpose as ‘a helper’ was recently renewed when I performed the Heimlich maneuver on a stranger who was choking in a parking lot. She was needing help and I am so grateful that I happened to be there in her moment of need. I now look forward to seeing her smiling face in that same parking lot, as our paths cross again time after time.

What’s your hidden talent?
I asked my kids (the experts) and was told that I could make a quiche with my eyes closed. That’s their breakfast of choice.

What are you going to be for Halloween?
A soccer Mom. No costume needed. 🙂

HomeCare by RVNA Job Fair and Open House

HomeCare by RVNA is hosting a Job Fair and Open House on Thursday, November 15 and Friday, November 16 from 8:30am – 7:00pm at RVNA.  All Certified Nursing Assistants and Home Health Aides are invited to stop by, learn about RVNA, complete an application, and meet our team.

HomeCare by RVNA is the agency’s non-medical service line, offering live-in and hourly caregivers to help clients with household tasks and personal care.  As HomeCare by RVNA grows, our need for excellent and committed caregivers grows as well.

If you are a reliable, motivated, and interested CNA or HHA, please come on by and spread the word.

RVNAhealth is located at 27 Governor Street, Ridgefield CT 06877.  203-438-5555.

Visit the RVNAhealth Employment page for other open positions.