We have heard time and time again how important it is for us to stay hydrated. From our parents when we were young to our doctors as we get older, water consumption is reiterated as one of the most important things you can do for your body every day. Many of our vital life processes rely on keeping a certain level of hydration and dipping too far below that level can lead to drastic consequences. Freedom Home Care understands that hydration is certainly very important in the elderly. Improper hydration can lead to blood pressure issues as well as kidney
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Posts by Freedom Home Care
Summer Skin Care Tips For Seniors
We’re all familiar with the phrase “soaking up the sun.” But how much do we know about the effects that taking in too much sun can have on our bodies? The UV rays from the sun tend to cause damage to the elastin in our skin, destroying the body’s collagen. Elastin helps our skin snap back into its normal position. The sun breaks down these fibers in the skin causing sagging, stretching, and bruising. Over time, skin loses its elasticity and wrinkles begin to form. Over exposure to the sun also causes dry skin, freckles, brown spots, and sun burn. The pursuit
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Running is Not Just for the Young
Although it is rare for someone to pick up competitive running in their sixties or later, Freedom Home Care has seen it happen as well as the benefits that come along with it. Even if you are a very athletic person, you may be joining the rest of us average people who start to see a change in our skills and activity level between ages 30 to 40. That is due to the unavoidable decline in muscular strength, endurance, and higher risk of injury. Not to mention, as we get older our injuries tend to keep us out of commission
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A New Way to Prevent Alzheimer’s
The latest research into Alzheimer’s suggests there may be a new way to prevent the debilitating disease. Scientists have not yet discovered the exact cause of Alzheimer’s, but it is believed it has something to do with abnormal amounts of faulty proteins – amyloid plaques and tau tangles – frequently found in sufferers’ brains. The production and accumulation of beta amyloid plaques in the brain cause irreversible memory as well as cognitive and motor impairments. It is the major neurotoxic agent in Alzheimer’s Disease. The use of certain compounds may block the formation of beta-amyloid, a faulty protein that clogs
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Core Estate Planning Documents that Everyone Should Have: Power of Attorney
Freedom Home Care recently spoke with Matthew R. Margolis from Margolis Weldon and he was kind enough to provide us with this piece concerning Power of Attorney: A common question that I hear from clients, friends, and family is, “why do I need a power of attorney?” The short answer is because once you turned 18, you became the only person who could make a health care decision on your behalf or sign your own name. It is important to differentiate between a Power of Attorney for Health Care (HCPOA) and a Power of Attorney for Property (PPOA). If a
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Could Being Underweight Increase Your Risk of Dementia?
Researchers have discovered a new possible link to dementia: being underweight. In the largest study ever to look at relationships between body weight and likelihood of developing dementia, nearly two million people in the U.K. were observed over a period of about nine years. Those who were underweight had the highest dementia risk in old age, with body mass index (BMI) being inversely proportional to the likelihood of developing dementia. Dementia is a term used to describe a number of conditions associated with a decline in memory and thinking skills. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting
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Glen Campbell’s Family on Coping With His Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
Since 2011, country music icon Glen Campbell has been living with Alzheimer’s disease. You may have already heard though, since Campbell and his family have been working hard to raise awareness for the disease for several years now. Upon receiving his diagnosis, the Grammy Award-winning singer embarked on a farewell tour with his family, including his wife Kim Campbell, and their three kids Cal, Shannon and Ashley. The tour became the centerpiece of a documentary called Glen Campbell… I’ll Be Me, which the family says will offer an uplifting and positive outlook on handling an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. The tour ended
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Soak Up Some Vitamin D this Summer
Summer is finally here in Chicago, and after months of hibernating indoors it’s the perfect time to get outside and breathe in some fresh air. Here at Freedom Home Care we know it can be difficult to get outside a lot during the winter months, and with many seniors being at a higher risk for vitamin D deficiency, we have a few recommendations to make sure you and your loved ones stay healthy. As the weather warms up, it is a good time to focus on getting outdoors and getting more vitamin D. Seniors over the age of 50 have an
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Industry Spotlight: Interview with Lynn Harris – Founder and CEO of ALZcarestore
Each year, thousands of families in America and around the world are affected by the scourge of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. This is why Lynn Harris, Founder and CEO of ALZcarestore started her business to help caregivers get the information and home healthcare supplies they need quickly, easily, and at a great value. On top of that, ALZcarestore donates proceeds to support Alzheimer’s research and care. We sat down with Lynn to talk about the story behind the founding of ALZcarestore, her personal experience with Alzheimer’s disease, and her vision for making a difference in the lives of those affected. 1. Can you
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Upcoming Seminar: Cultural Competency and Diversity in the Healthcare Setting
Cultural competency is critical to reducing health disparities and improving access to high quality healthcare. Freedom Home Care invites you to attend an upcoming seminar, titled Cultural Competency and Diversity in the Healthcare Setting on Tuesday, May 12th 2015 at Weinberg Community, 1551 Lake Cook Rd. Deerfield, IL from 5:00 – 6:30 pm. This seminar will show how cultural competency can be developed and implemented in the healthcare system. Dinner will be served at the seminar, and one CEU for Social Workers and Nurses will be offered. Registration will take place from 5:00 pm – 5:30 pm and the presentation will take
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