Aging is inevitable, and for many, it signals the beginning of a new chapter - one where you cross off bucket list items and live life to the fullest, on your own terms. However, for some men, aging is a horrible prospect, filled with chronic fatigue, irritability, and inability to perform in the bedroom. If you're concerned about life in middle age and beyond, we've got great news: there are easy, proven steps that you can take to help stop the negative effect of aging.
Global Life Rejuvenation was founded to give men a new lease on life - one that includes less body fat, fewer mood swings, and more energy as you age. If you're ready to look and feel younger, it's time to consider TRT (testosterone replacement therapy), and growth hormone peptides. These therapies for men are effective, safe, and customized to fit your goals, so you can keep loving life as you get older.
TRT, and growth hormone peptide therapies bridge the gap between your old life and the more vibrant, happier version of you. With a simple click or call, you can be well on your way to a brighter future. After all, you deserve to be the one in charge of your wellness and health. Now, you have the tools to do so - backed by science and applied by our team of TRT and HRT experts with more than 13 years of experience.
For men, getting older comes with its perks, like living life on their own terms and not having to "sweat the small stuff" day in and day out. At the same time, there are aspects of aging that men dread, like hormonal changes. Yes, you read that right – men, not just women, go through hormonal changes as they age. For men, the biggest change involves a drop in testosterone.
Lower levels of testosterone can wreak havoc on a male's mind and body and when left untreated, can result in symptoms like:
Those symptoms are concerning, but with testosterone replacement therapy and anti-aging medicine, many males improve their quality of life with age. The good news is that TRT and anti-aging meds aren't only reserved for "old guys." In fact, there's no magic age at which men should start thinking about hormone replacement therapy. Everyone's body is different, so if you're experiencing the above conditions in your mid-30s, TRT could be a viable solution when you consult with a doctor.
Testosterone is a crucial hormone for men and plays an important role throughout the male lifespan. Most of a male's testosterone is produced through the testicles. Also called the male sex hormone, testosterone starts playing its part during puberty.
When a male goes through puberty, testosterone helps males develop:
As boys turn to men and men grow older, testosterone levels deplete naturally. Sometimes, events like injuries and chronic health conditions like diabetes can lower testosterone levels. Unfortunately, when a man loses too much T, it results in hypogonadism. When this happens, the testosterone must be replaced, or the male will suffer from symptoms like muscle loss, low libido, and even depression.
TRT is exactly what it sounds like: a treatment option for men that replaces testosterone so that your body regulates hormones properly and restores balance to your life. Also called androgen replacement therapy, TRT alleviates the symptoms that men experience with low T.
Originally lab-synthesized in 1935, testosterone has grown in popularity since it was produced. Today, TRT and other testosterone treatments are among the most popular prescriptions in the U.S.
Without getting too deep into the science, TRT works by giving your body the essential testosterone it needs to function correctly. As the primary androgen for both males and females, testosterone impacts many of the body's natural processes – especially those needed for overall health. For example, men with low T are more prone to serious problems like cardiovascular disease and even type-2 diabetes.
When your body quits making enough testosterone, it causes your health to suffer until a solution is presented. That's where TRT and anti-aging medicine for men can help. TRT helps balance your hormones and replenish your depleted testosterone. With time, your body will begin to heal, and many symptoms like low libido and irritability begin to diminish.
For men, aging is the biggest contributor to lower testosterone levels, though there are other causes like obesity, drug abuse, testicular injuries, and certain prescribed medications. Sometimes, long-term health conditions like AIDS, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease can lower testosterone levels.
When a man's testosterone levels drop significantly, it alters his body's ratio of estrogen and testosterone. Lower testosterone levels cause more abdominal fat, which in turn results in increased aromatase, which converts even more testosterone into estrogen.
If you're concerned that you might have low T, you're not alone. Millions of men in the U.S. feel the same way. The best way to find out if your testosterone is low is to get your levels tested.
For sustainable testosterone replacement therapy benefits, you must consult with hormone doctors and experts like those you can find at Global Life Rejuvenation. That way, you can find the root cause of your hormone problems, and our team can craft a personalized HRT plan tailored to your needs.
Are you used to blasting through a productive day and accomplishing all your daily goals? Do you find yourself losing muscle mass and the craving to be intimate with your partner? Does your partner complain about how irritable you have become? If you're not usually a curmudgeon, your body could be giving you a sign. It could be time to speak with a doctor about TRT and anti-aging medicine for men in Lyons, NJ.
If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, you might be battling against low testosterone:
One of the most common reasons that men choose TRT is because they have lost that "spark" with their partner. It's not easy for a man to hear that they're not performing like they used to. Intimacy is a powerful part of any relationship. When a once-healthy sex life dwindles, it can cause serious relationship issues.
The good news is that low libido doesn't have to be a permanent problem. TRT and anti-aging medicines help revert hormone levels back into their normal range. When this happens, many men have a more enjoyable life full of intimacy and sex drive.
Weak erections – it's an uncomfortable subject for many men in the U.S. to talk about. It's even worse to experience first-hand. You're in the midst of an intimate moment, and you can't do your part. Despite being perfectly normal, many men put blame and shame upon themselves when they can't achieve an erection. And while the inability to perform sexually can be caused by poor diet, obesity, and chronic health conditions, low testosterone is often a contributing factor.
Fortunately, weak erections are a treatable condition. The best way to regain your confidence and ability in bed is to speak with your doctor. Once any underlying conditions are discovered, options like TRT may be the best course of treatment.
Hair Loss
Do you find it harder and harder to work out and lift weights in the gym? Are you having problems lifting heavy items that you once had no problem lifting?
Recent studies show that when men are inactive, they lose .5% of muscle strength every year, from ages 25 to 60. After 60, muscle loss doubles every decade. While some muscle loss is common as men age, a significant portion can be tied to low testosterone levels. When a man's T levels drop, so does his muscle mass.
Testosterone is a much-needed component used in gaining and retaining muscle mass. That's why many doctors prescribe TRT Lyons, NJ, for men having problems with strength. One recent study found that men who increased their testosterone levels using TRT gained as much as 2.5 pounds of muscle mass.
Whether your gym performance is lacking, or you can't lift heavy items like you used to, don't blame it all on age. You could be suffering from hypogonadism.
If you're like millions of other men in their late 20s and 30s, dealing with hair loss is a reality you don't want to face. Closely related to testosterone decline and hormone imbalances, hair loss is distressing for many men. This common symptom is often related to a derivative of testosterone called DHT. Excess amounts of DHT cause hair follicles to halt their production, causing follicles to die.
Because hair located at the front and crown is more sensitive to DHT, it grows slower than other follicles and eventually stops growing permanently. Thankfully, TRT and anti-aging treatments for men in Lyons, NJ, is now available to address hair loss for good.
While it's true that you can't change your genes, you can change the effects of low testosterone on your body. Whether you're suffering from thinning hair or hair loss across your entire head, TRT and other hormone therapies can stop hair loss and even reverse the process.
Also called "man boobs," gynecomastia is essentially the enlargement of male breast tissue. This increase in fatty tissue is often caused by hormonal imbalances and an increase in estrogen. For men, estrogen levels are elevated during andropause. Also called male menopause, andropause usually happens because of a lack of testosterone.
If you're a man between the ages of 40 and 55, and you're embarrassed by having large breasts, don't lose hope. TRT is a safe, effective way to eliminate the underlying cause of gynecomastia without invasive surgery. With a custom HRT and fitness program, you can bring your testosterone and estrogen levels back to normal before you know it.
Decreased energy was once considered a normal part of aging. Today, many doctors know better. Advances in technology and our understanding of testosterone show that low T and lack of energy often go hand-in-hand.
If you're struggling to enjoy activities like playing with your kids or hiking in a park due to lack of energy, it could be a sign of low T. Of course, getting tired is perfectly normal for any man. But if you're suffering from continual fatigue, a lack of enjoyment, or a decrease in energy, it might be time to speak with a doctor.
Whether you're having a tough time getting through your day or can't finish activities you used to love, TRT could help.
A study from 2011 showed that men who lose a week's worth of sleep can experience lowered testosterone levels – as much as 15%, according to experts. Additional research into the topic found almost 15% of workers only get five hours of sleep (or less) per night. These findings suggest that sleep loss negatively impacts T levels and wellbeing.
The bottom line is that men who have trouble sleeping often suffer from lower testosterone levels as a result. If you find yourself exhausted at the end of the day but toss and turn all night long, you might have low T.
TRT and anti-aging medicines can restore your T levels back to normal, which can help you sleep better with proper diet and exercise.
You're feeling down about everything, and there's no solid explanation for why you're in such a crummy mood. Your daily life is great and full of success, but you can't help but feel unexcited and unmotivated. If you're experiencing symptoms like these, you may be depressed – and it may stem from low testosterone.
A research study from Munich found that men with depression also commonly had low testosterone levels. This same study also found that depressed men had cortisol levels that were 67% higher than other men. Because higher cortisol levels lead to lower levels of testosterone, the chances of severe depression increase.
Depression is a very real disorder and should always be diagnosed and treated by your doctor. One treatment option gaining in popularity is TRT for depression. Studies show that when TRT is used to restore hormone levels, men enjoy a lighter, more improved mood. That's great news for men who are depressed and have not had success with other treatments like anti-depression medicines, which alter the brain's chemistry.
Ask anyone over the age of 50 how their memory is, and they'll tell you it wasn't what it used to be. Memory loss and lack of concentration occur naturally as we age – these aren't always signs of dementia or Alzheimer's.
However, what many men consider a symptom of age may be caused by low testosterone. A 2006 study found that males with low T levels performed poorly on cognitive skill tests. These results suggest that low testosterone may play a part in reducing cognitive ability. If you're having trouble staying on task or remembering what your schedule is for the day, it might not be due to your age. It might be because your testosterone levels are too low. If you're having trouble concentrating or remembering daily tasks, it could be time to talk to your doctor.
Why? The aforementioned study found that participating men experienced improved cognitive skills when using TRT.
Even though today's society is more inclusive of large people, few adults enjoy gaining weight as they age. Despite their best efforts, many men just can't shed the extra pounds around their midsections, increasing their risk of heart disease and cancer.
Often, male weight gain is caused by hormone imbalances that slow the metabolism and cause weight to pile on. This phase of life is called andropause and happens when there is a lack of testosterone in the body. Couple that with high cortisol levels, and you've got a recipe for flabby guts and double chins.
Fortunately, TRT treatments and physician-led weight loss programs can correct hormone imbalances and lead to healthy weight loss for men.
The benefits of hormone replacement therapy for men are numerous. TRT not only grants relief from low-T symptoms but can help give protection against age-related diseases. Additionally, doctors now recognize male testosterone as an important role in alleviating depression.
Some of the most exciting benefits of TRT can include:
Because men do not go through a specific period of hormonal changes like women do (called menopause), many doctors refer to "male menopause" as androgen decline. This is just another term for low testosterone, but like female menopause, the symptoms can be serious and affect your quality of life.
The best way to fight back against male menopause is with male HRT treatment from Global Life Rejuvenation. We provide the following HRT treatments for men:
Our treatment options are personalized for your body and are available as creams, gels, injectables, and implantable pellets. To find out if testosterone replacement therapy is safe for you, contact Global Life Rejuvenation today to schedule your comprehensive testing and anti-aging treatment consultation.
Growth hormone peptides are an innovative therapy that boosts the natural human growth hormone production in a person's body. These exciting treatment options help slow down the aging process and give you a chance at restoring your youth.
Sermorelin is a synthetic hormone peptide, like GHRH, which triggers the release of growth hormones. When used under the care of a qualified physician, Sermorelin can help you lose weight, increase your energy levels, and help you feel much younger.
Human growth hormone (HGH) therapy has been used for years to treat hormone deficiencies. Unlike HGH, which directly replaces declining human growth hormone levels, Sermorelin addresses the underlying cause of decreased HGH, stimulating the pituitary gland naturally. This approach keeps the mechanisms of growth hormone production active.
Benefits of Sermorelin include:
Ipamorelin helps to release growth hormones in a person's body by mimicking a peptide called ghrelin. Ghrelin is one of three hormones which work together to regulate the growth hormone levels released by the pituitary gland. Because Ipamorelin stimulates the body to produce growth hormone, your body won't stop its natural growth hormone production, which occurs with synthetic HGH.
Ipamorelin causes growth hormone secretion that resembles natural release patterns rather than being constantly elevated from HGH. Because ipamorelin stimulates the natural production of growth hormone, our patients can use this treatment long-term with fewer health risks.
One of the biggest benefits of Ipamorelin is that it is suitable for both men and women. It provides significant short and long-term benefits in age management therapies, boosting patients' overall health, wellbeing, and outlook on life. When growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland using Ipamorelin, clients report amazing benefits.
Some of those benefits include:
Whether you are considering our TRT services, HRT for women, or our growth hormone peptide services, we are here to help. The first step to turning back the hand of time starts by contacting Global Life Rejuvenation.
Our friendly, knowledgeable TRT and HRT experts can help answer your questions and walk you through our procedures. From there, we'll figure out which treatments are right for you. Before you know it, you'll be well on your way to looking and feeling better than you have in years!
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Phoebe Lyons couldn’t wait to meet Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams on Tuesday morning, except for one thing. The fifth grader was concerned she’d be late for school. Her father, Peter Lyons, assured her as they made the drive from Westfield, New Jersey to the Jets facility in Florham Park it would all be worth it.Want to bet on the NFL?...
Phoebe Lyons couldn’t wait to meet Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams on Tuesday morning, except for one thing. The fifth grader was concerned she’d be late for school. Her father, Peter Lyons, assured her as they made the drive from Westfield, New Jersey to the Jets facility in Florham Park it would all be worth it.
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The Jets invited Phoebe, who turns 11 on Saturday, and her brother Ben, 13, to present Williams with an award for his nomination as the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. They were stunned when, in return, Williams surprised them with four tickets to this year’s Super Bowl: One for each sibling, one for their dad, and one for their uncle, Bill Lyons.
Dad knew about the surprise all along, but kept it to himself. Watching his children meet an NFL star who shared their own tragic background was the real gift. Lyons’ wife, Yun Won Cho, died of pancreatic cancer in 2018. He said she is now watching over them.
Williams’ mother, Marquischa Henderson Williams, died of breast cancer at the age of 37, in 2010, when he was just 12 years old. He was named the Jets Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee for his work as an American Cancer Society ambassador and with his own Quinnen Williams Foundation which helps support others in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. He began his work as an ambassador as soon as he was drafted by the Jets.
“I was so excited, first-hand as a person who went through the whole entire process,” Williams, the No. 3 overall pick out of Alabama in the 2019 NFL Draft, said. “Understanding the process and the mindset or feelings people are going through when a family member or loved one has cancer, or they have cancer. To be able to use my stature or use my platform to do anything I can to work with the American Cancer Society, it is an amazing thing.”
His mother’s death left his father, Quincy Williams Sr., a single parent raising four kids with the help of his grandmother, Yvarta Henderson. Williams and his older brother, Jets linebacker Quincy Williams Jr., helped take care of their younger siblings, Giovanni and Ciele.
A single father himself, Lyons understands how difficult it is to navigate parenthood after losing a spouse, but the Manhattan native does everything he can to keep their lives in order. He remained in the same Westfield house he and his wife moved to 12 years ago so he could rely on a community support system. He didn’t want to uproot his children and make them leave their friends. Both remain active in athletics, including a flag football league.
“It was important for me to show them and meet with somebody who had a tragedy in their life as well but continued to excel … he didn’t let that hold him back,” Lyons said.
“To meet somebody to say, yeah this is a really bad thing and extremely unfortunate thing that happened to you, but you can still go on and do well. And once you do well, to pay it back to your community, which he’s done. It’s why he’s a Walter Payton nominee. The whole thing was teachable, and those things are really important to me being a single father to make sure they do well going forward.”
The Lyons brothers have been Jets fans ever since their father took them to a Jets, Giants game near the end of the Joe Namath era. Namath led the Jets to victory and a fandom was born. Since Yun Won Cho’s death, they’ve become even closer, and soon, they’ll be making new, lifelong memories with Ben and Phoebe at Super Bowl LVI.
Before the family left the Jets facility, Williams made sure the kids were headed back to school. His mother was an elementary school teacher. She would have smiled at Phoebe’s hesitation to meet her famous, NFL son in fear of being late to class.
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But just like her father promised, it was a worthwhile experience in more ways than one. Williams not only surprised the siblings with the opportunity of a lifetime, but with an understanding that they can accomplish anything, despite the overwhelming grief that comes from losing a mother at a such a young age.
“I followed her in everything she did. I knew everything she did. She basically molded me into a male version of her, so I knew I was capable,” Williams said. “As I grew up, I had to handle some situations when it comes to mindset, to my own mindset, but as I keep growing in life, I keep falling back on the things that she taught me.”
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Everybody knows Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.But Southside Johnny Lyons and his Asbury Jukes were also rocking the Stone Pony and other iconic Jersey Shore venues in the mid-1970s with co- founder (and longtime E Street Band member) “Miami” Steve Van Zandt.Lyons, the so-called “Grandfather of the New Jersey Sound,” and his revived Asbury Jukes are bringing that brass-heavy rock ’n’ roll to Jacksonville’s Ritz Theatre Sunday.Lyons and a 7-member band that...
Everybody knows Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.
But Southside Johnny Lyons and his Asbury Jukes were also rocking the Stone Pony and other iconic Jersey Shore venues in the mid-1970s with co- founder (and longtime E Street Band member) “Miami” Steve Van Zandt.
Lyons, the so-called “Grandfather of the New Jersey Sound,” and his revived Asbury Jukes are bringing that brass-heavy rock ’n’ roll to Jacksonville’s Ritz Theatre Sunday.
Lyons and a 7-member band that now includes Glenn Alexander on guitar, Chris Anderson on trumpet, Neal Pawley on trombone and John Isley on sax play about 100 concerts a year.
“It is a strange mixture of rock, rhythm and blues, blues and chaos. I love to make music but it changes year to year,” Lyons said. “The core of it is what we did in the ’70s, but we have been making records for 40 years. Having horns and having the band I have to work with is very versatile. We can play anything that comes to mind. We can play anything we want and the great freedom is you really make music.”
The Jukes were born like many bands in the 1960s and ’70s, Lyons said — playing the rock music they heard growing up in the Tri-State area. Lyons and Van Zandt joined forces in the early 1970s after playing in bands in Asbury Park, N.J., at the same time Springsteen and other future E Street Band members were playing the same venues.
“We were all in bands in the ’60s, the band of the week. You would con a club owner to play and we all played the same songs of Chuck Berry and the Rolling Stones,” Lyons said. “We would try to play and make a few dollars, then we realized we wanted to be real musicians. I wanted a horn band and to do some R&B and blues. It was really just a chance to make the music you wanted to make.”
Along with playing together in the early days, Springsteen and Van Zandt helped create the songs for the Jukes’ debut “I Don’t Wanna Go Home” album in 1976. In fact, in 1991’s “It’s Been a Long Time,” Lyons, Van Zandt and Springsteen sang about those early years together as one of 11 songs on the “Better Days” album. And since it came out in the heyday of MTV music video play, it saw heavy rotation then, along with “I’ve Been Working Too Hard” and Lyons’ duet with Jon Bon Jovi. And “Miami” Steve’s hand was there as well, eight of that album’s songs written by him, as he did on the band’s first three.
Lyons, with and without the Jukes, recorded 36 albums, including 2015’s “Soultime.” The sound is heavy with the blues, including 2000’s “Messin’ With The Blues,” “Going to Jukesville” in 2002 and 2004’s “Missing Pieces.” He says he is working on an album of Billie Holiday songs now.
As for what the Jacksonville fans will hear at The Ritz, Lyons said they should go with the flow.
“You will hear the older stuff I know, the stuff the people want us to play,” he said. “You feel the energy from the audience. We will also use some of the songs from the latest album,. There will be some strange stuff. I never know. I feel out the audience and how the band feels and how I feel. We just want to have fun.”
Lyons is hoping for a good turnout at the 400-seat Ritz on Sunday, but laughs that he and the band once played for only two people in Dublin, Ireland, due to competition with a big soccer match, “and we had a great time.”
Dan Scanlan: (904) 359-4549
By Dawn MillerSPOTSWOOD, NJ - Freshman Daniela Lyons has been on fire for the red-hot Spotswood High School girls varsity soccer team. Lyons scored her second career hat trick in the Chargers 8-1 victory over Middlesex High School on Wednesday. Spotswood's victory was the team's eighth straight to start the 2023-24 season. Lyons has scored eight goals and notched nine assists in her last seven games.Lyons got the scoring rolling for the Chargers a minute and a half into the game, scoring on a feed from Theodor...
By Dawn Miller
SPOTSWOOD, NJ - Freshman Daniela Lyons has been on fire for the red-hot Spotswood High School girls varsity soccer team. Lyons scored her second career hat trick in the Chargers 8-1 victory over Middlesex High School on Wednesday. Spotswood's victory was the team's eighth straight to start the 2023-24 season. Lyons has scored eight goals and notched nine assists in her last seven games.
Lyons got the scoring rolling for the Chargers a minute and a half into the game, scoring on a feed from Theodora Xipolias. She then set up Violet Tharney for the second goal of the game. Tharney scored two for the streaking Chargers. Her second goal of the game was at the 21-minute mark of the first half on a pass from Xipolias. Xipolias had three assists in the game for Spotswood.
Sophomore Ava McLeod made the score 4-0 when she scored on a pass from Jenna Maisano. Lyons sent the Chargers into the halftime break with a 5-0 lead with her second goal of the game.
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Amber Demeter got the Blue Jays on the scoreboard when she scored on a pass from Brooke Zaleski. Demeter's goal broke the four-game streak where the Chargers defense kept their opponents scoreless.
Lyons completed the hat trick just over the 53-minute mark, scoring on a pass from Xipolias. Maisano netted a goal four minutes later on a feed from Lyons. Lyons finished the game with three goals and two assists. Lael Leaver finished up the scoring for the Chargers when she scored on a pass from sophomore Josephine Longo.
Morgan Zink made seven saves for the defending Greater Middlesex Conference Blue Division champs. Alexis Rand and Aubrey Ramos both spent time in goal for Middlesex. Rand made seven stops and Ramos had four saves.
Spotswood's victory improves the team's overall season record to 8-0 and completes the season sweep over Middlesex. The Chargers next head to Metuchen High School on Saturday to take part in the 2023 Soccer for a Cause Festival.
This festival features high school soccer teams from Middlesex County and raises money for the Marisa Tufaro Foundation and Go4theGoal. Spotswood's opponent on the field is East Brunswick High School. Game time is at 2 p.m. This is the third year the Chargers have participated in the Soccer for a Cause Festival.
The Department of Veterans Affairs nursing home in Lyons ranked near the bottom — tied for 105th out of 133 homes nationwide — in internal quality ratings obtained by USA TODAY and The Boston Globe.The data, which the government compiled for years but kept from veterans and their families, show that of a possible 1,100 points, the Lyons facility got 470 points in the 12 months ending Dec. 31.That score earned the Somerset County facility, the only one run by the VA in New Jersey, just one star out of ...
The Department of Veterans Affairs nursing home in Lyons ranked near the bottom — tied for 105th out of 133 homes nationwide — in internal quality ratings obtained by USA TODAY and The Boston Globe.
The data, which the government compiled for years but kept from veterans and their families, show that of a possible 1,100 points, the Lyons facility got 470 points in the 12 months ending Dec. 31.
That score earned the Somerset County facility, the only one run by the VA in New Jersey, just one star out of a possible five available, the same rating received by nearly half of all the VA's nursing homes.
The Lyons home, called a Community Living Center, is one of the largest in the VA, with 250 beds serving patients with serious mental illness, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorders, spinal cord injuries and hospice and palliative care needs, Dr. Vineesh Bhatnagar, chief of the Lyons geriatrics and extended care program, said in a statement.
The data show how the Lyons facility performed on 11 criteria that affect residents' health and quality of life, and how those figures compared with averages for all VA nursing homes and all private nursing homes nationwide.
New law:Trump signs VA law to provide veterans more private health care choices
Tips:Get the answers to these 10 questions before choosing a nursing home for your loved one
There were some bright spots. No one at Lyons was physically restrained on a daily basis in 2017, according to the data. That resulted in the facility's getting 100 of its 470 points.
Also, the rate of residents with urinary tract infections, a sign of dehydration or poor hygiene that could lead to more serious health problems, was lower at Lyons than both the VA average and the private nursing home average.
But in other areas, including how many residents were being treated with anti-psychotic drugs, the Lyons facility rated worse than both the VA and private averages.
Bhatnagar said the Lyons center had shown "exceptional" improvement over earlier inspections, and was implementing steps to address weaknesses highlighted in the data, including the use of anti-psychotics.
The Boston Globe and USA TODAY found families of patients at another facility who complained of a loved one being drugged unnecessarily.
"I guess it's easier for staff to deal with them," said Nick Bonanno, whose father, Rosario "Russ" Bonanno, became lethargic after moving from assisted living to the VA nursing home in Bedford, Mass.
Nationwide, the ratings paint a picture of government nursing homes that rate worse than their private-sector counterparts in nine of the 11 criteria.
Under federal regulations, private nursing homes must disclose voluminous data about the care they provide, which is available on a government website to families seeking a place for an elderly loved one.
But those regulations do not apply to the VA, which published some of its ratings — but not the more detailed scores on the 11 criteria — after receiving questions from the Globe and USA TODAY about the secrecy.
On five criteria, Lyons did better than the VA average, but worse than the national average. The facility received 50 points in the ratings, for example, for fewer short-term patients — those present for fewer than 90 days — with new or worsening pressure ulcers on their skin, which can be prevented by re-positioning or cushioning.
During the four quarters ending Dec. 31, some 0.96 percent of patients had that problem, compared with a VA average of 1.05 and national average of 0.88.
And an average rate of 11.06 long-term patients had a catheter inserted and left in their bladder, which can lead to urinary or blood infections, compared with a VA average of 11.96 and a private nursing home average of 1.83.
But on three criteria, Lyons performed worse than both the VA and the national averages.
There were more long-term and short-term patients than both averages receiving anti-psychotic drugs, which the Food and Drug Administration has said are associated with an increased risk of death in elderly patients with dementia. At Lyons, the rate of long-term residents on the drugs was 27.02, compared with an average of 20.89 at all VA homes and 15.48 at private nursing homes nationwide.
Bhatnagar said the VA "has reviewed all veterans on anti-psychotics for the clinical appropriateness, and a gradual dose reduction program was instituted for those who did not meet the clinical indications."
There also were more long-term residents at Lyons than the national averages who had a marked decrease in their ability to perform basic functions such as bathing and eating. The rate was 19.58 at Lyons, compared with 16.7 for the VA and 14.99 at private homes.
"We have instituted protocols to promptly address veteran functioning upon admission and throughout their stay," Bhatnagar said. "Our Restorative Nursing Team have implemented champions on each unit to continuously educate and coach staff on strategies to prevent functional decline."
MANAHAWKIN, NJ — Seven people filed to run for three-year terms on the Stafford Township Board of Education. Stafford voters must choose three for the positions. See candidates here.Patch submitted a question-and-answer form to the candidates. Deborah Lyons provided information on why she's running again and what she's promising. Contact Josh Bakan at [email protected] for information on getting f...
MANAHAWKIN, NJ — Seven people filed to run for three-year terms on the Stafford Township Board of Education. Stafford voters must choose three for the positions. See candidates here.
Patch submitted a question-and-answer form to the candidates. Deborah Lyons provided information on why she's running again and what she's promising. Contact Josh Bakan at [email protected] for information on getting featured in a candidate's profile.
Age (as of Election Day)
51
Position Sought
Board of Education
Party Affiliation
Republican
Family
Husband Kevin, Children, Maura 26, Richard 25, Maggie d. 1997, Kevin Jr 21 and Kiera 17.
Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
None work for Stafford, a niece and nephew are teachers in other districts, my son Kevin is a special law enforcement officer.
Education
Stafford Township and Southern Regional Graduate attended Ocean County College and Kean College where I played Field Hockey.
Occupation
Mother 26 years, High School Sports Official, 14 years.
Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office
Current incumbent. 7 years of service to the Stafford Board of Education
Campaign website
Fritz, Lyons, Simonelli and Sharkey for Stafford Township Board of Education
Why are you seeking elective office?
To restore civility and order to our board. The board can't be used as avenue to exact personal revenge, we must be role models to the students and the community.
The single most pressing issue facing our community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.
I feel the most pressing issue is the obvious one. The effect of the pandemic on our students and the families of our districts. My plan is to return the district to normalcy as fast as I can. My heart breaks for the special education population as well as our underprivileged population. For many of our students, the school day represents the only structure in their lives and I will support and safe plans to get them back to school. I was extremely vocal about the district going all virtual after the November break and was criticized by other Board members for doing so, but I firmly believe that we should be moving toward 5 day in person instruction, not away from it.
What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I care about my community, and having a good school system makes our community stronger and increases our property values.
Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.
We want to continue the coordination of educational philosophies with Southern Regional which was non existent with the prior administration. We want to make sure that we provide the best education our community can afford while protecting the taxpayers and supporting our staff.
What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
Last year I suffered a stroke and it was hugely important to me that I return to fulfill my obligation to the people of this town, the town I was raised in. Now that I am fully recovered, I want to make sure that the board acts with civility while we plot a path to normalcy, we are the only ticket that can provide that.
The best advice ever shared with me was:
Do nothing out of selfish ambitions or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3
What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I am a devout woman of faith and love my family, my community and my country.
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