All About Organic Foods

By Sarah Daubman, R.D
Staff Dietician

You’ve seen them in the store, heard about them on the news and maybe knowingly, or unknowingly, eaten them at a meal. So what makes foods organic? Are they more nutritious? Should you start (or continue) buying them? Let’s start at the beginning: what exactly is organic?
The National Organic Program (NOP) is a division of the USDA that regulates organic standards, policies and labeling. They define organic as:
Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Before a product can be labeled "organic," a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too. (www.ams.usda.gov/NOP)
Organic foods may be labeled in different ways. “One hundred percent Organic” means all ingredients meet or exceed USDA specifications for organic foods, which translates to no synthetic pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers, antibiotics or hormones. Foods labeled “Organic” ensure that 95 percent of ingredients meet or exceed USDA standards and “Made with Organic Ingredients” guarantees 70 percent of the ingredients meet or exceed standards.
Many consumers equate the term organic with pesticide free. However under the guidelines of the NOP, certain quantities of natural pesticides may still be used in organic farming. While natural pesticides do have fewer harmful side effects than synthetic, they are still toxic and therefore organic produce may contain pesticide residue (though lower levels than non-organic produce.) For this reason it is important to wash ALL produce, even those with inedible skins and peels, whether organic or not to ensure optimal pesticide removal.
Even if pesticides are not a concern, there is still the question, “Is organic food more nutritious?” Until recently most research had found no conclusive evidence to support that organic foods were nutritionally superior to conventionally grown foods. However an extensive four year study completed in 2007 by Newcastle University in England found some interesting results. The research concluded that certain fruits and vegetables contained more antioxidants, zinc, iron and vitamin C when grown under organic standards. Despite these new findings, the USDA itself does not make claim to organic foods being more nutritious than non-organic foods.
So should you buy organic? There are arguably endless pros and cons that go beyond the scope of this blog. Believers of the organic movement tout fewer chemicals in their foods and more nutritious produce, not to mention more environment and animal friendly farming and reportedly better “taste.” Others argue that organic foods are too expensive and that quality and stability are reduced due to the lack of conventional fertilizers and preservatives. The fear also exists that the organic trend is merely a marketing ploy set upon unsuspecting consumers. In the end, the ultimate choice regarding eating organic foods is up to you. For more information, check out the following links:
USDA’s National Organic Program: www.ams.usda.gov/NOP
Organic.com www.organic.org/
Article on the Newcastle University study: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/86972.php

Sports Related Concussions - Part 1

By Jean M. Walsh, RN
Trauma Coordinator

A concussion, also known as a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull. Quite simply, a concussion alters how the brain normally functions. Concussions can have serious long term health effects and even a subtle “ding” or “bump” can be serious.
According to the Center for Disease Control, it is estimated that nearly 1.6 to 3.8 million sports and recreation concussions occur in the United States each year. Youth 5-18 years of age account for over 2 million sports related emergency room visits per year. Of these visits, nearly 6% or 135,000 involve concussions. Football accounts for nearly 60% of these concussions while bicycling, basketball, soccer and other playground activities round out the top five causes.
The signs and symptoms of a concussion can be subtle and may not appear immediately. Symptoms can last for days, weeks or longer. The two most common concussion symptoms are confusion and amnesia. The amnesia, which may or may not be preceded by a loss of consciousness, almost always involves the loss of memory of the impact that caused the concussion.
Common symptoms of a concussion may be one or several of the following; headache, blurred vision, dizziness, loss of balance, confusion, amnesia (short term), perseverating (repeating the same thing over and over), ringing in the ears, difficulty concentrating, nausea, vomiting. Symptoms which may occur later are sensitivity to light or sounds, mood changes and sleep disturbances
Concussions are broken down into III grades of severity, with Grade III being the most severe: A Grade I concussion can have some of the symptoms listed above, but with no loss of consciousness and with symptoms ending within 15 minutes. A Grade II concussion, there has been no loss of consciousness but the symptoms last longer than 15 minutes. A Grade III concussion, the person loses consciousness — even if it's just for a few seconds. Knowing the different grades is important because how soon a player can safely return to a sports activity is directly related to the grade of the concussion. With a Grade I concussion, the player can resume play once symptoms have stopped. However, that player should stop play if he or she gets another head injury. A Grade II concussion requires that a player stop playing and not return to any type of sport or physical activity that could cause a head injury for at least another week. This player should be seen by his pediatrician. Someone with a Grade III concussion should see a doctor immediately and not return until medically cleared to do so.
If you are a parent or a coach and you believe one of your children or players has suffered a concussion, what should you do?
More on that next time.

"Home Care" Means Much to Many

By Laura Dillon
Program Coordinator
Saint Francis Home Care Services, Inc.

Many Hudson Valley residents know that Saint Francis Home Care Services, Inc. has been providing compassionate in-home care assistance to our community for over 20 years. Our patients have received services such as wound care, physical therapy evaluations, cardiac rehabilitation, and the assistance of home health aide visits to the home. But what happens when an individual does not need nursing services or help with their personal care, but instead, they need help with tasks such as: laundry, light homemaking, meal preparation and grocery shopping? For example:

Mrs. S. lives alone. Her children live out of state. She appreciates the help that her neighbors have shown her, but feels that she needs more frequent, consistent help around the house. She can do all her own personal care, but because of her arthritis it is hard to push the vacuum and carry up the laundry basket from downstairs. Additionally, Mrs. S. does not drive and her medications need to be picked up at the pharmacy regularly. Despite these challenges, Mrs. S. wants to continue living in her own home.

To meet the needs of clients who want to stay safely at home as long as possible we have created the “Care-Givers at your Service” program which focuses solely on assisting with non-medical tasks. This non-medical care provides clients with services such as:


· companionship & friendly visitor services
· shopping & errand services
· meal preparation, baking & clean-up
· laundry/ironing services
· homemaking/housekeeping
· attend social/recreational activity
· monitor diet, eating & food expirations
· care of house plants & simple gardening
· medication reminders
· arranging medical appointments
· escort/reminders to appointments
· oversee home maintenance
· assistance with mail & paying bills
· accompany on vacations
· assistance with walking
· assist with pet care


Mrs. S. would benefit greatly from this program. Should her care ever require more medical attention, services can easily transition to our Licensed Home Care Program where nursing and certified Home Health Aide services provide more medical oversight and hands-on care.

For more information about the “Care-Givers at Your Service” program please contact Laura at 845-483-5528 or ldillon@sfhhc.org

Dealing With Medication Issues

By Frances H. Traver
Manager, Clinical Services

There are more than three million older adults in the United States. Many need to take medication every day in order to stay healthy. A majority of these older adults take an average of three-to-five different medications daily. It is often difficult for these older adults to take these medications as ordered. I have difficulty remembering to take my vitamins, I don’t know how they remember to take all their medications.

Studies show that up to 59 percent of the elderly have difficulty with taking medications correctly. The consequence of not doing so can be devastating and may lead to falls, hospitalization and/or nursing home placement.

There are many reasons an elderly person may have difficulty taking all their medications. The first may be the number or type of medical conditions, such as heart problems or depression. These conditions may cause the elderly person to be more forgetful. Other medical conditions may affect a person’s vision.

How can a caregiver be assured their elderly family member is taking all their needed medications? I have found it best to ask how they take their medications in a non-threatening manner and not “if they take their medications.” They will often say they are taking their medications but really having difficulties.

Our goal at Saint Francis Home Care is to help our patients help themselves. Home care nurses will ask the elderly patient to read the medication bottle label to them, assuring that the elderly can read the label correctly and understand what it means. In order to help these patients, the nurses and/or occupational therapists at Saint Francis Home Health services can work with you and your elderly family member who may be having trouble. Our agency has been able to improve the majority of our patient’s ability to manage their own medications.

When you compare our outcomes in medication management to other agencies throughout the country, we are about 20 percent higher.

A Tribute To Nurses

By Susan Hecht, RN
Nursing Rehabilitation Liaison


I would like to take some time and reflect back on Nurses Week and what it means to me as well as National Hospital Week. I was an LPN of six years when I first came to Saint Francis Hospital. I was hired for the Comprehensive Integrated Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit. Just starting in a hospital setting, I was very nervous and apprehensive. The nursing staff at Saint Francis oriented me and "took me under their wings" to teach me many new things.

It has been nine years now and I remain on the same unit as the Nursing Rehabilitation Liaison. I enjoyed being an LPN and continued on with the encouragement from the staff to obtain my RN (which I have had now for three years). I am also presently going to SUNY New Paltz for my BSN. Nursing is a wonderful career that has so many opportunities. The avenues in the nursing profession are endless.

Nurses are compassionate professional caregivers providing care to patients and families in the hospital as well as the community. Saint Francis has helped me and many others grow in our professions; allowing us opportunity to return to school to further our education, to encourage us to participate in hospital committees and be a part of the organization. I have learned many things from my peers and will continue to do so. Nursing can lead you down many paths: education, clinical, management, home care and so many more.

Saint Francis Hospital honors not only the National Hospital Week in May but honors their employees the entire month. Everyone wants recognition for the jobs they do and Saint Francis Hospital takes the time to do that. Some of the ways we have found to do this is: dedicate a day to say thank you to the volunteers that give their time; nursing recognition breakfasts are held at different sites; and the Sister Ann Elizabeth Nursing Excellence Award is presented (this is one of my favorites because you get to nominate your peers for the excellent job they do everyday). Hats off to Helen Bunyi from our Home Care Services for winning this year’s Sister Ann Elizabeth Nursing Excellence Award!

There are many days throughout the month recognizing different departments; but most of all to say thank you for all you do at Saint Francis. Saint Francis exemplifies their employees through their CREST of Values, Compassionate Care, Respect, Excellence, Service and Teamwork.Saint Francis is a team with everyone working together to give excellent health care to the community. We offer many services, Trauma and Emergency Room Care, Cancer Center, Joint Replacement Center, Spine Programs, Inpatient Acute Rehabilitation, Stroke Center, Physical and Occupational Services for inpatients and outpatients, Center for Communication Disorders, Blood Conservation Programs, Diabetes Programs, Diagnostic Imaging Services, Sleep Center, Behavioral Health, Cardiac Catheterization, Bariatric Services and so many more.

This month especially makes me proud to not only be a professional registered nurse but also to be a part of Saint Francis Hospital. We all remember back in our careers at some point or another those who have mentored, molded and shaped us in one way or another. I would like to take the time to say thank you to a few that have made a difference in my professional nursing career, Pat Nocket (Director/Patient Care Services), Pat Churna (Coordinator/Home Care Services), Carla Richardson (Business Coordinator), Suzanne McLaughlin (CNO), Jackie Ragone (ICU/RN) and Lousiemary Witcher-Schoonmaker (Education) and to Saint Francis Hospital for allowing myself and many others the opportunity to grow in our professions. To all nurses; Happy Nurses Week and hats off to Saint Francis Hospital and all others for National Hospital Week.

Think Home, Think Safety

By Laura Dillon
Program Coordinator
Saint Francis Home Care Services, Inc.

On average, one out of every three adults over the age of 65 falls each year. With this statistic, it is no wonder that for many, the mere thought of falling and hurting themselves can be scary and stressful. Even the most active seniors can feel inhibited enough by this fear that they hesitate to meet friends for lunch or even walk to the mailbox. The thought of having to leave our own home for a stay at a rehabilitation facility or nursing home is often unbearable.
With this in mind, we try our best to ensure our safety when we leave the home (bringing our walking aides, wearing proper footwear, etc.) On the other hand, we often either overlook the potential safety hazards within our own homes, or think “I have no time to change that.” But as Spring arrives, so does a chance to do some spring cleaning. This may be just the time to reevaluate how safe our homes really are, and to make changes if necessary. Whether you are a senior, a caregiver, or both, here are some tips on how to create a safer home for you or your loved one:

Have adequate lighting when walking through rooms or hallways and when going up and down stairs. Use a night light in the bedroom and bathroom.
Remove scatter rugs and/or use slip resistant rugs.
Repair, replace or remove worn carpeting.
Keep frequently used items on shelves or in cabinets at waist level. Use a reacher for high or low items.
Sit at the bedside a few minutes before standing. Stand at bedside a while before walking.
Keep pathways clear. Remove low-lying objects from walkway including extension cords and telephone wires.
Use a bedside commode if walking to the bathroom is difficult, especially during the night. Use a tub seat and/or install tub/shower grab bars in bathing areas for better stability.
Use stable chairs with armrests for seating.
Use non-skid strips or rubber mats in the bottom of the tub.
Use well fitting close-back shoes/slippers with non-skid soles.
Use walking aide as instructed.
Do not overload electrical outlets. Do not use cords which are cracked or frayed.
Wear glasses and hearing aids if necessary.

No matter how hard we try, however, accidents do happen. If an accident or fall does occur, then it is beneficial for your loved one to have either a cordless phone with emergency telephone numbers easily accessible, or a Lifeline (personal emergency response system) with them at all times. Wearing a Lifeline is a good safety precaution to take, even in the safest of homes. For a free consultation on how Lifeline could help you or someone you love stay safe at home, contact Laura at Saint Francis Home Care Services, Inc. at 845-483-5528 or ldillon@sfhhc.org. Remember, Saint Francis Home Care Services, Inc. is here to help.

Making Sense of Food Labels

By Joanne Chaconis, RD
Chief Clinical Dietician

Food labels are a great idea, right? They’re like windows on the products we buy. Despite the fact that they are under the watch of either the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or the U.S. Department of Agriculture, some of the wording can make food labels difficult to decipher. Here are some guidelines adapted from an article in the March edition of “Real Simple” magazine.

Heart Healthy: These foods are low in saturated fats, low in cholesterol, and low in sodium. They also have no trans fats. It also means they contain three or less grams of fat per serving and have at least 0.6 gram of soluble fiber.

0 grams trans fat: Contains less than 0.5 gram of fat per serving. Light means the food has up to 50 percent less fat than the counterpart.

Fat-free: This product contains less than 0.5 gram of fat per serving. Most adults should aim for 2,300 milligrams or less per day. Try to choose foods with fewer milligrams of sodium than calories.

Low-carb: There are no standards for this term. Remember that whole grains and fresh fruit and veggies are healthy carbs. The low-carb term does not distinguish between “good, healthy” carbs and “refined” carbs like sugar.

Sugar-free: The serving contains less than 0.5 gram of sugar. Sugar free doesn’t always mean low calorie as these products are sometimes laced with sugar alcohols or starch.

Gluten-free: This product contains no gluten, which is a wheat protein. A gluten-free product means no wheat, but a product labeled wheat-free doesn’t mean it’s gluten-free. Check also for rye, barley, malt, and malt extracts (oats can also be an offensive item to someone who is gluten intolerant.)

Organic: Foods are made without potentially harmful pesticides, fertilizers, antibiotics, synthetic hormones or genetic engineering. It also means the product contains at least 95 percent organic ingredients.

100 percent natural: These products do not contain artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. They can still be abundant with sugar, fat or calories, however.

Light: Most of the time this means the product contains a third less calories than the full calorie counterpart. If referring to sodium or fat, it means up to 50 percent less.

No antiobiotics: Found on the labels of red meat, poultry and milk. This means the animals were raised without being fed antibiotics.

No hormones: Found on the labels of beef and dairy. This means the animals were not given hormones. The hormones are usually added to make the animals gain weight or produce milk quicker.

Happy shopping!