Jennifer Serafin

Caring.com Expert

About

Jennifer Serafin is a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner at the Jewish Home in San Francisco, where she provides primary care and management of acute illnesses. Jennifer also leads staff teaching sessions and is a member of many of the facility's committees: Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Infection Control, Policy and Procedure, and Formulary. Her nursing specialties include cardiology, urology, and gynecology. She is president of the local chapter of the National Conference of Gerontologic Nurse Practitioners, a member of the California Association of Nurse Practitioners, and associate clinical professor for the Physiological Nursing Department at University of California, San Francisco.

Jennifer received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Maryland, and a Master of Science Degree as a Gerontological Nurse Practitioner, with a minor in teaching, from the University of California San Francisco.

Recently Published on Caring.com

1. Friday November 28, 2008

   1. What could be the cause of my difficulty in getting my flow of urine to start?

      Answer - From your question, I cannot tell if you are a male or female, so I will address both sexes in my answer.

   2. Which foods can enrich white blood cells?

      Answer - There are many opinions about which foods are best for boosting white blood cells (immunity).? However, there are few studies that prove these claims.? My best advice?would be to eat a balanced diet with lean meats, plenty of fruits and vegetables, nuts, legumes (beans), and low fat diary.?...

2. Wednesday October 29, 2008

   3. How long does a doctor or other health professional usually wait to give morphine if the patient is not eating or drinking?

      Answer - When someone is not eating or drinking, this is usually a sign that their body is shutting down.? If the potential is there that someone is nearing death, I will make sure that they have pain medications ordered so that they will be comfortable.? If a person is able to swallow safely, oral medications like Vicodin can be given...

3. Tuesday October 28, 2008

   4. What can I do if my parent refuses to take any medications?

      Answer - If your mother lives in a nursing home, the staff is correct in saying that they cannot force her to take medication?if she refuses it.? However, if she needs this medication, and due to her paranoia and distrust she?refuses it, perhaps the nurses can get an order from the doctor to crush the medication or to hide it in food...

   5. How do I talk to my parent about entering hospice care?

      Answer - This is a very hard conversation to have with anyone, but it will be especially hard for someone on a ventilator.??If your parent can communicate with you, I would try to talk to them to see if they feel they have?a good quality of life.? Ask yes-no questions like, "Are you happy?"? or "Do you ever wish that you were not on the ventilator...

   6. How do I decide what is the best environment for my mother?

      Answer - This sounds like a tough situation.? I know that you are at your wit's end, as you are trying to keep your mother in her home, but this?is clearly not working out for either of you.? The reality is that your mother?doesn't sound like?she really even knows that she is in her own home at this point....

   7. Is it common for patients with Parkinson's disease to develop psychological problems?

      Answer - In my experience, it is often common for people with Parkinson's Disease to develop psychiatric symptoms, especially as the disease progresses.? The most common problem tends to be depression, as both the disease itself and the loss of function can lead to this.? Fortunately, antidepressants often help with this and are easily tolerated...

   8. How long can someone survive while using a feeding tube?

      Answer - To be honest, this really depends on the person and why the tube is being placed.? If someone has a stroke and cannot swallow, they can often survive for many years with a feeding tube.???

4. Wednesday October 08, 2008

   9. My Mom has lost the ability to swallow. has a UTI and only...

      Answer - This is a tough situation.? It sounds like your mother has gotten pretty sick, and her appetite is poor.? Sometimes, when people get an infection (like a UTI), they can get weak and confused.? Her poor swallowing and lack of appetite may be related to the infection, and this problem can sometimes improve once the infection is treated...

5. Tuesday October 07, 2008

   10. Are there ways to make a non-healing fracture heal?

       Answer - The best way to help a non-healing fracture to heal is to make sure that you are doing everything possilbe to keep yourself healthy.? Eat well, rest, exercise (under physical therapy guidance), and take care of yourself.? Sometimes, certain diseases, like osteoporosis, make it difficult for bones?to heal well...

   11. Will a bone marrow transplant hinder a broken hip recovery?

       Answer - Bone marrow transplants are usually performed in the pelvic bone or the sternum, so this procedure would not make the hip weaker or slower in healing from surgery.? The issue here would be related more to your father's?health in general.? I?...

6. Sunday September 14, 2008

   12. How can I get my patient to take her meds?

       Question - I am the DMPOA/Elder Care manager for a lovely woman who, for years has been a pill hider/disposer. Recently, we've been crushing meds and placing them mixed in with apple sauce which, for a time, she accepted since there was NO trace of her taking meds. That has stopped. We switched to crushing meds...
       1 Expert Answer

7. Sunday August 17, 2008

   13. Answer to getting my able-bodied mom to bathe?

       Question - How do I get my able-bodied mom to bathe?
       1 Expert Answer

8. Wednesday August 06, 2008

   14. How do I get mom to bed at a reasonable time?

       Answer - Hello?Cindy!??My first thought is does your mother?complain about?this problem?? I can tell you it will be very hard to change this behavior if she doesn't think it is a problem.? Many older people like to watch TV, especially late at night.? The shows and movies on at these time tend to cater to this population...

   15. How do you explain to someone that they are going into respite care for 1 week and then permanently into a nursing home?

       Answer - This is a very tough issue.? It is difficult to explain to someone, especially if they were living independently, that they are going to move into a nursing home.? The best advice I can give is to be direct and try to answer any questions as honestly as possible.? If your loved one wants to know the reasons, tell them as simply...

9. Saturday July 26, 2008

   16. How do I get my dad out of the bathtub?

       Question - A shower chair can make it easier to bathe.
       1 Expert Answer

10. Friday July 25, 2008

    17. How can we convince my uncle to enter a nursing home?

        Answer - Advice when a resistant uncle needs nursing or round the clock care.

11. Tuesday July 15, 2008

    18. What can I do with my diet to increase my red blood count?

        Answer - Advice on steps to take when diagnosed with anemia or a low red blood count.

12. Wednesday July 09, 2008

    19. Is it all right to bathe in warm water when there is a blood clot in a toe?

        Answer - Consult with a doctor about taking a bath if you have a blood clot.

13. Wednesday July 02, 2008

    20. Answer to getting my able-bodied mom to bathe?

        Answer - When your able-bodied parent resists bathing, consider these things.

14. Tuesday June 17, 2008

    21. Would a nursing home be better than hospice care?

        Answer - Thoughts on helping someone decide if their mom should be in hospice or a care home.

15. Saturday June 14, 2008

    22. How can I get my mom to agree to wear adult diapers?

        Answer - Help dealing with the difficult problem of bowel incontinence.

16. Wednesday June 04, 2008

    23. What can my mom's doctor give her for extreme muscle pain?

        Answer - What to do when your parent has serious pain and meds aren't working.

17. Monday June 02, 2008

    24. Should my mother be on IV's while in hospice care?

        Answer - IV therapy use in hospice care; some general advice.

18. Sunday May 18, 2008

    25. What can I get for my husband to drink , when nothing stays down?

        Answer - Suggestions on next steps to take when nothing is staying down.

19. Sunday May 11, 2008

    26. How do I get my sedentary mom, who spends all her time sitting or laying down, to be more active?

        Answer - Ideas for helping your sedentary parent be active.

20. Sunday May 04, 2008

    27. What are ROM exercises, and will they help my bedridden mom?

        Answer - We usually do ROM movements on bedridden patients -- these exercises help keep joints flexible. ROM stands for "range of motion."

21. Friday May 02, 2008

    28. What is the best way to help my mom with constipation?

        Answer - How to treat constipation.

    29. Is there anything I can take to relieve constipation due to pain medications?

        Answer - Ideas for treating constipation.

22. Tuesday April 29, 2008

    30. Why do elderly women contract numerous urinary tract infections?

        Answer - Reasons why older women are more prone to urinary tract infections, with helpful hints.

23. Saturday April 26, 2008

    31. Are swollen, red ankles a cause for concern?

        Answer - If your parent's feet are red and swollen, consult with his doctor. 1 Comment

24. Sunday April 20, 2008

    32. What's the best way to dress my mother's bunions?

        Answer - Tips for treating painful feet bunions.

25. Thursday April 10, 2008

    33. How do I get the stains and smell associated with urine out of a recliner?

        Answer - Tips for preventing and dealing with urine stains on furniture and incontinence.

26. Monday March 31, 2008

    34. How do I get my dad out of the bathtub?

        Answer - Suggestions for getting your parent out of a bathtub.

27. Monday March 24, 2008

    35. How can I get my patient to take her meds?

        Answer - Tips for mixing medications with food.

    36. What are the medical reasons an elderly person needs to bathe once or twice a week?

        Answer - Why it's mportant to bathe elderly people regularly.

28. Monday January 07, 2008

    37. How can I help my dad, who is losing his vision from macular degeneration?

        Answer - Guidance on helping your aging parent cope with macular degeneration. 1 Comment

29. Friday December 07, 2007

    38. Do you need a prescription for a walker?

        Answer - Expert guidance on walkers

30. Monday November 12, 2007

    39. How often do I need to shampoo my dad's hair?

        Answer - It's a confusing issue, because many of us shampoo our own hair daily and consider this the norm. In reality, there's no need to shampoo every day. What's more, daily shampooing can dry out the hair and scalp. Unless there's a medical reason to shampoo more often, weekly or even less is fine.

31. Wednesday October 17, 2007

    40. How can I keep my mother's hair clean when she resists shampooing?

        Answer - It's not uncommon for an older person to be sensitive about having her hair handled or getting her face wet, especially if she's got dementia or Alzheimer's. She may find it irritating and even frightening.

32. Monday September 10, 2007

    41. Is there an alternative to washing my mom's private areas?

        Answer - Yes, this really must be done daily. The genital area is one of those parts of the body that need to stay clean, especially the backside. Anywhere that's fleshy and moist is prime territory for bacteria growth, which can cause odors and skin irritation.

33. Wednesday September 05, 2007

    42. What should I do if my parent resists bathing?

        Answer - If your mother is resisting a bath to the point of fighting -- and this happens, especially with people who have Alzheimer's or dementia -- stop and try again tomorrow or the next day. We all have bad days, including our parents, and letting it go until a better time is OK...

34. Friday August 31, 2007

    43. Can you offer any advice on bathing a modest parent?

        Answer - You can try covering her with a towel, but frankly it's almost possible to keep your mom covered with a towel for the whole bath. Try this approach: wrap a towel around her waist if she's standing, or place it over her lap if she's sitting...

    44. Can you offer any tips for bathing an overweight parent?

        Answer - Sometimes bathing is a two-person job, so first try to enlist other family members or friends to help. You want to be careful not to hurt yourself, and muscle pulls, back strains, and bad falls do happen this way. If you overdo it, there's risk for both you and your father...

    45. Is there an alternative to washing my father's private areas?

        Answer - You really do have to do this daily. This part of the body needs to stay clean, especially the backside. Anywhere that's fleshy and sweaty is prone to bacteria that can cause odors and skin irritations. Try not to get hung up on it. It's best to think about it in the same way as if you were washing a baby or a child...