Archives for in home care chicago

How a Daily Walk Can Boost Your Health

Exercising is important for everyone, at any age. As we age, it becomes even more essential to keep the body moving. Even if your days of running marathons, playing sports, or lifting heavy weights at the gym are behind you, you can still get the exercise your body needs to stay healthy and feel good. Taking a daily walk is easy, it costs nothing, and, for seniors, it is one of the most effective ways to keep moving. If you choose to walk outside or with a loved one or a good friend, it becomes even more beneficial. Benefits of
Read More

Nutrition for Seniors

Let’s face it, many of us struggle to eat healthy. Most of us want to feel fit and look good, but we struggle to make the right healthy eating choices, or we may not even know what those choices are. Particularly if you are an older adult, you will have heard all different things about how to eat healthy, and it can be confusing. We want to help make things easier and more understandable with a few healthy eating tips for seniors below. Healthy Eating Tips Eat a Variety of Foods – When people talk about eating healthy, one thing
Read More

How to Freshen Up for Spring

  You finally just packed up that last box of holiday décor and I know what you’re thinking next- Spring! With the weather finally starting to warm up and the sound of birds chirping next to your window, it feels like the perfect time to freshen up your home or a loved one’s home. We at Freedom Home Care, your home care agency, have some tips for you!   Flowers- What better way to bring some new fresh scents into a home than some fresh flowers. The flowers will add a pop of color to any room and leave a
Read More

Elderly Parent Refuses Help: What to Do

Our parents, especially in their later years, can often be reluctant to admit that their time is catching up. They sometimes say misleading phrases like, “I don’t need help” or “I can take care of myself.” Even though these statements may be true at times, our parents and grandparents aren’t indestructible. They’re not superheroes and that’s perfectly fine, but they must understand this crucial fact. Dealing with parents can often cause headaches and leave family members stressed; these next tips will help show you how to deal with an elderly parent. Ask Questions Before any arguing can begin, try asking
Read More

Care Tips for Keeping Track of Medications

The number of older Americans taking prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medication is expected to rise significantly within the next few years. The food and Drug Administration reports that seniors purchase more than 30 percent of all prescription medication in the U.S; and the same age group also purchases over 40 percent of over-the-counter medications. Statistics show that about 90 percent of seniors take some form of medication – many of whom consume four to five different types each day. With the increase in consumption of medication, it’s now more important than ever for seniors to keep track of what they
Read More

GPS Devices to Help with Dementia and Aging

Wandering is becoming an increasing problem in the U.S. Statistics say that between 60 and 70 percent of loved ones with Alzheimer’s will wander off at some point in their illness. In dementia patients, changes in the brain occur that cause the urge to wander. As, they begin to roam about, Alzheimer’s sufferers look for people, places or things that might be familiar to them – behavior that has a tendency to increase the longer they suffer from cognitive decline. Sadly, many older adults with the disease who wander off become disoriented, can’t remember their name or address and never
Read More

Exercises That Help Improve Arthritis in Seniors

It’s a little known fact that exercise can actually help improve the lives of people who suffer from arthritis. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention aerobic activity can help lessen the effects of joint pain and stiffness, while improving flexibility, mobility, mood, general health and well-being. As more and more Americans over the age of 65 are diagnosed with the condition, FHC, a Chicago Home Care Service,  created a list below to help raise the awareness about the benefits of exercise in arthritic patients. For many with the condition it’s difficult to even imagine swimming and biking with joint pain
Read More

Caring for a Childless Relative

As our older loved ones age, the need may arise for assistance from family members, as health concerns leave them unable to be as independent as they once were. Determining the best way to go about meeting the needs of your relative can be difficult without a long-term care plan in place. There are a few things that you can do to help your older one decide what the proper course of action will be for them as an individual – what they expect, what their needs are, if they will need personalized care services, etc. According to the Department
Read More

Ways to Help Protect Your Senior Against Fraud

With age, comes good times, great memories and lots of wisdom and fulfillment. As more and more Baby Boomers begin to reach the age of retirement, the likelihood of scammers and con artists attempting to use financial schemes to target seniors receiving personalized elder care, grows. Freedom Home Care did some digging and found out that according to the National Council on Aging, while the number of older Americans falling victim to fraud is rising at alarming rates, 90 percent of elder abuse associated with finances happens involving another family member. Because they are more to likely to have savings
Read More

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Home Care Agency

  Enlisting the help of others to help care for your senior can be a daunting process. And if you opt for more personalized care that meets your loved one’s daily needs, helps them retain a sense of independence, and allows them to remain in a familiar environment, in-home care may be the choice for you. There a number of things to consider when searching for a home health care provider – like if the agency is licensed and reputable, if the caregivers are trained and qualified, and what has their track record for care been in the past. After
Read More