With more and more Baby Boomers approaching their Golden Years, the number of seniors choosing to age-in-place is growing year after year. So, it becomes increasingly more important for elderly loved ones and their family members to raise the level of safety when it comes to living alone. Cost effectiveness and practicality are just a few things to keep in mind when considering what upgrades need to be made to senior-proof your home. Freedom Home Care offers some additional tips below on how to make your loved one’s home safer and more comfortable for the long haul. Identify Potential
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Archives for Healthy Living
Pioneering Exercise Program and Its Benefits
Scientists are constantly looking for ways to help enhance the lives of our nation’s elderly population. This is essential, as the number of seniors age 65 and older has reached more than 50 million as of 2016 and is on track to increase by as much as 30 million in the next three decades, according to seniorcare.com. And one of the ways researchers are doing this is by developing a ground-breaking program that fosters physical and cognitive growth in older loved ones, while catering to the capabilities of the person as an individual. UPV/EHU Ageing-On research group’s program focuses on
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Social Engagement and its Benefits for Seniors
The fear of becoming irrelevant as we get older is a very real one. But it’s often something we don’t think about until it actually happens. You might notice it with co-workers – the subtle hesitancy to ask for your input on the latest system changes, while soliciting input from someone else with “fresh ideas.” It may even hit closer to home with friends or family who once turned to you for advice, but no longer seem to take a real interest in what you have to say. We’ve also seen it here at Freedom Home Care. Loved ones
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5 Ways to Avoid Joint Pain While Gardening
With warm, sunny days ahead, there are so many great fun ways to enjoy the outside of the Chicagoland Area. Especially as seniors, the fresh air can break up a monotonous day inside and boost energy and happiness levels. Just being outside and breathing that fresh air can help brighten your day! So what’s one of our favorite outside activities? Gardening. Whether it’s growing vegetables or flowers, gardening can be a great way to keep active and remain healthy as a senior. However, those repetitive actions and staying hunched over for an afternoon can put a strain on your
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Women's Eye Health & Safety Month: Tips for Your Eye Health
It’s likely that many people will experience vision problems with age. By 70, the risk of low vision or serious eye conditions in women significantly increases. In fact, in the next two years, there will be more women living with glaucoma than men. According to modernmedicine.com the number of Americans diagnosed with the disease will jump from 60 to 80 million by 2020 – with women outnumbering and out-living men. Fortunately, many of the changes we experience in eyesight are the result of the normal aging process. But while a slight decline in vision in expected to happen over
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How Stress Affects Seniors and How We Can Help
Ready or not, stress always seems to have a sneaky way of finding us. And while most of the time it comes and goes and we’re able to bounce back fairly quickly, as we get older it’s harder and harder to get a hold on stress—and stress ends up taking a hold on us. Unfortunately, along with the stress comes a boatload of health concerns that are directly caused by it. But there’s good news: there are so many things you, and your home care agency, can do to help manage your stress and take back your life. How
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Improve Health and Mood with Aromatherapy
Often, when people think of their health and mood, the associations that come with these words relate to one’s diet, exercise regimen and stress level. To alter their state, people try all kinds of treatments and lifestyle changes to better themselves. One type of alternative therapy that is often overlooked is aromatherapy. What Is Aromatherapy? Defined by the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy as “the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit,” the use of essential oils’ is growing. Everyone from
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A Healthy Heart is a Happy Heart
The month of love isn’t just about caring for your Valentine, but for caring about yourself and your heart. While February 14 is often the highlight for retailers around town, in the realm of health, February is important because it is the federally designated American Heart Month. Around each hospital and home care agency alike, instruction and attention is focused on heart health throughout the month—ever since February 1964, when cardiovascular disease was the cause of more than half of the deaths in the U.S. Today it’s still responsible for about one in four deaths, but the good
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Senior Flu Prevention Tips
Influenza A and B are the usual suspects for the flu each year. And according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), between 54 to 70 percent of people age 65 and older who contract the virus are hospitalized annually. Statistics also show that seniors are more likely to suffer from flu complications than younger people. And with the record breaking cold temperatures we’ve been experiencing here in the U.S., now more than ever, it’s important to take the proper precautions to keep your senior safe and in optimal health. If you’re not sure exactly how to help your loved
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How To Make Thanksgiving Easier on Senior Relatives
As the season of gratitude nears and we plan festive gatherings, it’s of utmost importance to give special attention to the seniors in our families. Everything from meal preparation and house accommodation to family conversation plays a key part in how their holiday goes. Even a small thought or chat about these things with elderly family members can go a long way. It’s not something to stress about this season, just to pay attention to. Use and share these tips and make Thanksgiving easier for senior relatives, and yourself too! Make Plans That Make Sense Don’t get caught up in
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