Archives for Senior Care

Ways to Show Your Senior Loved One You Care

Looking for ways to spend quality time with your older parent or relative? Or a gesture to show you’re thinking of them when you can’t be around? Here are a few fun and creative ways Freedom Home Care came up with to say “I love you” to that special senior in your life. Give Them A Card Whether it’s handmade or store-bought, a greeting card is a great way to express your sentiments for your loved one. Surprise them by sending it by mail or deliver it in person for an added touch. Send Flowers If your senior loves the
Read More

Could a Stair Lift Help You Stay in Your Home?

When mobility is an issue, something as simple as going up and down the stairs can be a challenge. Certain conditions make it even more difficult to move about your home like arthritis, specific types of muscular diseases and dementia. Mobility can also be affected after having major surgery when in-home care and post-surgery care is needed in order to assist in recovery. Many people have to consider alternative solutions to stairs whenever living in a two-story home prohibits safe movement from one floor to the next – which can be costly for a senior living on a fixed income.
Read More

When Friends Become Caregivers

As the population of aging adults increases in the U.S., the role of caregiver has become increasingly more important. Research shows that seniors are the fastest growing segment in the country – of those, the number of people 85 and older is outpacing any other age group. And soon, baby boomers will come of age causing a rapid increase in people aged 65-84. It’s inevitable that as Americans get older, the number or people with long-term health conditions rises and the number of people requiring personalized elder care goes up with it. Today, over 50 percent of Americans aged 65
Read More

Winter Safety Tips for Seniors

Slips, trips and falls become even more common for seniors during the winter months. But problems associated with balance and mobility aren’t the only dangers that older loved ones face when the temperature drops. With everything from emotional issues to physical risks – family members should take care to ensure the health and safety of their senior loved ones by taking some extra precautions this holiday season. Below are a several things FHC came up with that could help make the winter months a joyful and risk-free time for your family. Hypothermia is a dangerous condition that is the result
Read More

Top Gifts for Seniors

Still trying to decide what to get your senior loved one for Christmas this holiday season? Well, you’re not alone. Because we realize that it can sometimes seem like an impossible task to shop for a person who has everything, FHC came up with a few creative gift ideas that are sure to make the yuletide gay this holiday. For the senior who no longer has full use of their hands, wrist, and fingers due to arthritis, the Hickies No Tie Lacing System is the perfect gift. Your loved one never has to worry about the cumbersome and sometimes uncomfortable
Read More

A Caregiver Needs Help, Too

Being a caregiver can be physically, mentally and emotionally challenging. If you’re like most people, becoming a caregiver is a role that you may have had to take on without prior notice or warning – placing the health and well-being of a senior parent or other loved one almost solely in your hands. If your family member is not receiving in-home care services, this realization can not only be overwhelming, but daunting, as well. And yet, it’s normal to experience everything from anger and resentment to guilt and helplessness during any part of the caregiving journey. With all of the
Read More

Aging in Place Home Upgrades

With age, the health and safety of our seniors becomes a top priority – especially if they prefer to spend their retirement years in the comfort of their own homes. According to a report published by the AARP Public Policy Institute and the National Conference of State Legislatures, nearly 90 percent of people over 65 would choose to live out the rest of their lives – not in a facility – but at home. Of all of the benefits that come with aging in place – being in familiar surroundings, continued independence, reduced exposure to illnesses, and increased socialization with
Read More

Tips for a Smooth Hospital to Home Transition

Making the change from hospital to home for many seniors is often one of the most difficult aspects of the transition of care. In fact, one in five Medicare patients end up returning to the hospital within 30 days due to unforeseen challenges they face when returning home. Unfortunately, many loved ones aren’t aware that when their senior leaves the hospital, it’s not just continuing health and mobility issues that are at play – there is often the dilemma of getting dialed in to the proper resources. According to rightathome.com the overall structure within the healthcare system lacks the transitional
Read More

Is There A Link Between Diabetes and Dementia?

Living with a chronic illness can present its own set of challenges. But when conditions like diabetes are linked to dementia, the importance of finding the connection between the two becomes even greater. For every American aged 65 and older, regardless of whether they receive in-home care services, there are almost eight people who have Alzheimer’s disease. That number increases after age 85 to one in two people. And according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2014, more than 29 million Americans were diagnosed with diabetes, while 86 million adults were identified as pre-diabetic. In a study
Read More

Caring for a Childless Relative

As our older loved ones age, the need may arise for assistance from family members, as health concerns leave them unable to be as independent as they once were. Determining the best way to go about meeting the needs of your relative can be difficult without a long-term care plan in place. There are a few things that you can do to help your older one decide what the proper course of action will be for them as an individual – what they expect, what their needs are, if they will need personalized care services, etc. According to the Department
Read More