A senior living on his or her own can be worrisome to family members. Will he remember to turn off the stove burner? Will he think to call 911 if he is feeling short of breath? What will happen if he falls? Luckily, new technology is being created to alert family and emergency services when the senior needs help. Here are some new gadgets to help a senior live on his own for longer. Motion sensors. Motion sensors can be placed on the door, aimed at the sofa, or even on the refrigerator to detect if and how often the senior
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Posts by Freedom Home Care
Simple Senior Home Repairs
Many seniors want to remain at home and maintain their independence. However, if the senior’s home is in need of repair, it can become dangerous. Simple repairs and renovations can be made to better accommodate the senior. Here are some simple home repairs to watch out for: Banisters. Stairs can be very difficult to maneuver for many seniors. Check to see that the banisters are sturdy enough to hold the senior should he or she need to grab it if they lose balance. If the banister is loose, you may need to drill new holes to secure it to the
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Researchers Study How Music Affects Senior Health
Can seniors sing their way to good health? The University of California San Francisco has decided to find out. UCSF is conducting a study to see if singing in a community choir will improve the health outcomes of seniors. They are forming several choirs around the city and will throughout the study monitor senior health, memory and mood. To join these choirs is simple: one must be over 60 and willing to meet for 90-minutes every week. No previous singing experience required! Just a willingness to be a part of something fun. This project is going to span over four
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Tips for Senior Independence on a Budget
As more seniors retire and live on a lower income, a challenge emerges. The goal is to find a healthy balance between getting adequate care while staying within a budget. As nursing homes and assisted living facilities can be very expensive, many seniors opt instead to stay at home. A few small changes can help to maintain senior independence without breaking the bank. 1. In-home care. Many adult children are unable to help their parents because of their children or work obligations. Finding someone to care for the senior by running errands, cleaning, and being a companion can encourage independence
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Summer Health and Safety Tips for Seniors
Summer is an excellent time to go outside and enjoy the warmth. Yet it can also be an especially dangerous time for seniors. Sometimes it can be especially difficult for a senior to tell if she is getting dehydrated or overheated. Here are some summer health tips for planning time outside but still staying safe: 1. Consider the time. In most areas of the country, it is warmest between 10a.m. and 3p.m. It is also the time when the sun is at its brightest, making it easier to get sunburned. Try avoiding these times by going outside in the early morning
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Health Benefits of the Sun
We often think about avoiding the sun in the summer. We hide inside until it’s cool at dusk. Or if we have to go out, we hide under a hat and smears of sunscreen. But the sun can have some fantastic health benefits too, in small doses. According to care2.com, Here are a few benefits to catching rays in moderation: 1. Creates Vitamin D. Through a complex process, the sun helps our body produce Vitamin D. A pre-cursor vitamin is sent to our skin and when it is hit by sunlight it becomes Vitamin D. This vitamin helps keep many parts of our
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Medicare Blue Button Puts Medical Records in the Hands Of Seniors
Imagine that you go to the emergency room because of a fall. When the doctor comes and examines your knee, he notices the scar from a previous surgery. “What was the surgery for?” he asks. You know it had something to do with a ligament, but can’t remember the rest. When he asks about your medical history, you don’t remember the official diagnosis of your heart problem. You also don’t remember the name of the new prescription you are taking. It’s too late to call the other doctors’ offices, and the emergency room can’t do much without the information. Similar
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Functional Fitness for Seniors
According to seniorjournal.com, many gyms are jumping on a new trend: functional fitness for seniors. Functional fitness focuses on endurance, core strength, flexibility, and balance – all essential for seniors to keep up with their activities of daily living. The fitness centers usually offer these trainer-run programs in the late morning or early afternoon when most others will be working or busy with children. Many older adults enjoy these classes not only for the physical benefits, but also for the social ones. Functional fitness classes are becoming more popular all of the time with seniors wishing to keep independent and mobile. The
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Fight Inflammation with Fish Oil
These days, everyone seems to be taking fish oil for something. Doctors, chiropractors, and naturopaths are suggesting it for everything from diabetes to knee pain. But is it science or is it quackery? The latest studies point to science. Research examined exactly what happens when DHA from fish oil enters the body. The DHA was taken in by large white blood cells called macrophages. These macrophages go to the site of infection or injury and “eat” whatever bacteria, virus, or dead cells they find to neutralize the situation. When DHA entered macrophages, they changed from macrophages that create inflammation to
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Senior Fair Teaches Veterans About Benefits
Romeoville saw an influx of seniors last month when U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski hosted a Senior Fair. Lipinski organized this event to connect people with organizations and associations that help seniors. It was a success with many seniors in attendance. And what was learned from this event? That many seniors don’t know the options available to them. It was found that veterans were unaware of the benefits that they could be receiving for their health. With the dangerous chemicals used in Vietnam, where many served, former soldiers have been diagnosed with serious health conditions. Many senior veterans are unaware that
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