Archives for Uncategorized

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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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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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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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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How Can Resveratrol Help You?

Resveratrol, an antioxidant that seems to boast big benefits for people of all ages, is found in red wine grapes and other foods, such as seeds, peanuts and berries.  Resveratrol is also available in many alternate forms, including pills, drinks and powder.  But don’t increase your wine consumption or dash to the health food store just yet. Much research has been done on resveratrol, which lays claim to everything from anti-aging properties to the ability to kill cancer cells.  Let’s take a look at how resveratrol just might benefit you. Anti-aging and resveratrol The anti-aging properties of resveratrol have been
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Easing Your Joint-Related Pain

As our joints age, some amount of inflammation and pain may be inevitable.  Currently, 50 million U.S. adults have doctor-diagnosed arthritis according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), who also predicts that number to soar to 67 million by 2030.  They also anticipate that one-third of those adults will have limited mobility because of the diagnosis. You do have some control as to whether or not you’ll suffer from this common pain, by managing factors like weight, the amount of physical activity you get and enlisting the help of your doctor.  In addition, there are many nutraceuticals that can
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Introducing "Health Notes from Sharon"

Freedom Home Care is thrilled to announce our new blog, written by our president and CEO, Sharon Lederman Burack.  As a result of Sharon’s leadership, Freedom Home Care is one of the leading and most respected home care providers throughout Chicagoland and Northern Illinois. Through her many years in the healthcare industry as well as her own journey in the world of complimentary healthcare, Sharon has amassed a wealth of experience and information.  Her blog, Health Notes from Sharon, will touch on the most common issues experienced by our family of clients and also share her thoughts on cutting-edge, traditional
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