Archives for Home Care

Tips for long-distance Alzheimer's caregiving

For many adult children whose aging parents are not living in the same city or even in the same state, the well being of their loved one can be a stressful topic. And this is especially true when a parent has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Knowing that a parent is so far away but not knowing about their current condition – mental or physical – can be more than troubling. In the Chicagoland area, however, there are multiple Freedom Home Care facilities with caregivers at quick disposal to a patient. With locations in Hinsdale, Highland Park, Buffalo Grove, Oak Brook
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Reminding patients that there's no place like home

When a person hears the terms home health care, in-home care or home health aide services, often times the first thing that comes to mind is caring for the elderly. This, however, is a bit of a misnomer, considering that home health care can run the gamut – from post-surgery care to speech therapy. “Home health care is a wide range of health care services that can be given in your home,” Medicare.gov explains. “Home health care is usually less expensive, more convenient, and just as effective as care you get in a hospital or skilled nursing facility.” Just as it
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Life Services Network provides community to FHC

Creating community is not just a goal at Freedom Home Care; it is a mantra. Membership in leading organizations, such as Illinois’ Life Services Network, helps to fortify that initiative. Life Services Network is a statewide association that has represented the leading providers of services for older adults for more than 75 years. Its community includes more than 500 elderly health care providers in the state – the largest association in lllinois. Those members are assisted living communities, continuing care retirement communities, home and community-based services, home healthcare services, hospice care, independent living senior housing, nursing facilities and supportive living communities. “As
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What Freedom Home Care's philosophy means to Chicago

Before hiring an in-home caregiver for your loved one, there are many things to consider. One of the first – and potentially the most important – is the philosophy behind the home care agency. It serves as a glimpse into the morals and values of those overseeing your aging family member. At Freedom Home Care, we take our philosophy to heart every day when working with our patients. We are committed to the support of life and human value. Our mission is to provide consistent, high-quality home care services, which enable our clients to maximize their freedom, independence, comfort and
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Getting to know the Collaborative Healthcare Urgency Group

In the late 1990s, the concept of the Collaborative Healthcare Urgency Group emerged. Connie Polke, the concept’s innovator was a licensed respiratory therapist who recognized the frailty of patients and residents within healthcare facilities. The longer she worked in the field, the more she became concerned about patients’ well-being and especially so in cases of emergency. “Several years earlier, Bill Pretzer, a Battalion Chief for the Park Ridge, Illinois Fire Department, was called out to a flooding event at a local nursing facility, and experienced first hand, the dangers of inadequate preparation as well as the complications of moving these fragile
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What the health care act means for seniors

For so many Americans who rely on Medicare and Medicaid, yesterday’s historic Supreme Court ruling was a major victory. According to the New York Times, many improvements that had initially passed in the bill early in 2010 and which could have evaporated had the law been overturned, have now been solidified into the act. Most important perhaps is the preservation of certain initiatives for advancing efforts to support elderly and disabled people in their homes, rather than in nursing homes, says the NYT. This includes the Community First Choice Option, “which assists states with the costs of in-home programs for
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Safety must-haves for your aging loved one

There is nothing more comforting than knowing that your aging loved one will be able to continue living at home as opposed to moving into a care facility. And although the value of dignity and independence are great, there are still some measures that must be put into place to ensure true peace of mind for all involved. By implementing certain products and equipment, family members can rest assured that their aging loved one is safe and sound at home and on their own. AgingCare.com compiled the following list of at-home care essentials, and we here at Freedom Home Care
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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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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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