Posts by Freedom Home Care

How do I talk to my loved one about bringing a caregiver into their home?

No matter how difficult it may seem, there comes a time when you will have to talk to your aging parent or loved one about hiring an in-home caregiver. Many people in this situation do their best to avoid the conversation, fearing a loved one will respond with denial and refusal or perhaps worse, combative behaviors. Ignoring the situation because of potential hurt feelings is the worst approach possible, considering health and safety are already at risk for candidates of in-home care. The sooner they can get help taking care of themselves, the less possibility there will be for an
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10 facts and statistics about Alzheimer's

Coping with a loved one who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is not an easy task, and the caregivers at Freedom Health Care are sensitive to that hardship. Therefore, organizations like the American Health Assistance Foundation, which are dedicated to educating the public, serve as a great resource to Freedom Home Care’s staff. As everyone is able to learn more about the disease, it becomes easier to understand how to care for those who are affected by it. According to the AHAF website, the organization “seeks to eradicate age-related degenerative diseases by: advancing research seeking causes, prevention, treatment, and cures;
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Understanding the advantages of the National Private Duty Association

Making the decision to move forward with home health care is no simple task. Although it is often a collective decision made by a handful of concerned family members, it is still one of the most difficult choices in life. But once the choice is made, the deliberations are far from over. The next step is choosing a caregiver or caregiver organization. Often times, family members feel unqualified to differentiate one home care provider from the next. This is where the National Private Duty Association steps in. Established to help families find trusted and reliable home care providers, the National
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How do I know when my loved one needs help at home? 20 signs to look for

There is nothing more important in this world than our loved ones. But it is inevitable that they – and we – will all grow old. Therefore, making certain that our aging family members are healthy and happy is not just a goal; it is a necessity. At some point in time, friends and family members may begin to show signs that they could benefit from home health care. The difficult part is knowing how to differentiate between the typical signs of aging and when it’s truly time to worry. AgingCare.com, an online community providing advice, information and support when
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Your Mental Health: The Silva Method of Meditation

Twenty years ago, a friend exposed me to the Silva Method, a meditation system that trains those that practice it to take better control of their mental processes.  This way of meditation allows you to calm yourself and remove the interference that comes with day-to-day life.  Following this practice for nearly twenty years has allowed me to feel better mentally and physically, better preparing me to meet life’s challenges in a more positive way. I recommend meditation as a valuable practice for others so that they can experience this same level of mental health.  The actual benefits of meditation are
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More Than Tired: A look at Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

We all experience exhaustion at times in our lives, and usually, a few good nights’ sleep and some self-care can get us back on track.  Occasionally, fatigue becomes chronic and other intervention is in order.  Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a relatively new condition, having only been recognized by the Centers for Disease Control since 1988. According to the US Department of Health and Services Office on Women’s Health, experts say that one million people currently suffer from the condition, although fewer than 20 percent of these cases have been diagnosed.  Women are four times more likely to have disease,
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Freedom Home Care Welcomes Geriatric Care Coordinator, Louise Kenny

Freedom Home Care is proud to announce our newest geriatric care coordinator, Louise Kenny.  Louise is an Occupational Therapist, as well as a Certified Aging in Place Specialist, who brings more than 35 years of healthcare experience to her new role at Freedom. “My career has focused on supporting people with various challenges to attain and/or maintain their highest level of functioning, whether at home or in a facility,” says Kenny, who joined Freedom this May.  “I consider myself to be an advocate for client autonomy.” Louise will conduct in-depth assessments of clients to determine their strengths and deficits related
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Freedom Home Care Opens New Location in Hinsdale IL

Highland Park, IL, May 11, 2012 – Freedom Home Care is expanding and announced today the opening of another location in Hinsdale, IL. Located at 907 N. Elm Street, this location will serve all communities in and around the western suburbs of Chicago. Freedom Home Care is a leading home care organization serving the North Shore and northern Illinois and now expanded the company to provide services throughout the Chicagoland area. “We have lots of clients throughout the entire Chicago area but a large percentage is concentrated in the western suburbs,” said Jacqueline Lotzof, Director of Business Development at Freedom
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May is National Stroke Awareness Month

Since May is National Stroke Awareness month, I want to take this opportunity to talk about what you can do, right now, to decrease your personal risk of stroke.  According to the Centers for Disease Control, stroke is currently the leading cause of death in the United States.  Over 800,000 people die each year from cardiovascular disease and stroke combined.  The time is now to make a few possibly surprising dietary changes that can have a huge impact on your risk reduction. Meat Look into this article by Dr. Joseph Mercola, to learn why not all red meat is created
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Don't Let Your Memory Fail You

Is your memory letting you down?  As we age, it’s natural to forget little things here and there, but it can be very frustrating when your memory fails you, especially at inopportune moments.  Rest assured, new research shows that there are steps you can take to ward off normal memory loss and prevent against it in the future.  In conjunction with traditional medicine and a healthy lifestyle, I feel that nutraceutical supplements can do a lot for our overall health, especially when it comes to cognitive decline.  Read on for my tips on getting the most out of your mind.
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