Archives for health

Fall Prep for Seniors

Believe it or not, the leaves are already changing color and soon they will be falling off the trees. The beginning of fall brings a new season with everything pumpkin spice and cinnamon. While there are a ton of good things to look forward to, fall comes with some important health tips to keep in mind. At Freedom Homecare Highland Park, we’ve got you covered. As the temperature begins to drop in the next few weeks, you are at an increased risk of contracting a cold or flu virus. Make sure you are washing your hands more frequently so you
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The 6 Benefits of Pumpkin

September 23rd marked the first day of Fall and we are so excited for what this season brings. One thing to look forward to is all the pumpkin flavored options there are! Whether it is in a pie or a latte, pumpkin seems to be everywhere. But did you know there are many physical health benefits to pumpkin? Believe it or not pumpkin can be very beneficial to your diet! Below we have put together a list of all the surprising health benefits pumpkins have. Check it out here from us at Freedom Healthcare.   Leading the way, pumpkin makes
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Personality Traits That Increase Life Longevity in Seniors

  You might be wondering- what does it take to live a very long and happy life? For as long as we can remember, history has shown that some have lived to an older age and they all share a few things in common. Luckily for you, we at Freedom Home Care have put together a list of personality traits that seniors have in common.   Number one: having a productive and active lifestyle. Not only does an active lifestyle have health benefits, but it is widespread amongst seniors. Staying active for as long as you can is the key
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How Swimming Can Benefit Your Mental and Physical Health

There’s nothing better than floating in the pool or on a lake on a hot summer day. While it’s great for beating the heat, there are many physical and mental health benefits to swimming. This exercise is fun for people of all ages and healthy too! Find out why at Freedom Home Care.   The first health benefit is that swimming is a whole-body workout. It engages and uses almost every single major muscle group throughout your entire body. It also increases your heart rate without putting stress on the body.   Up next, swimming builds cardiovascular strength. Just as
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The Nursing Crisis and Its Reality

There is a major crisis going on in the nursing world, and unfortunately, if you are not behind the scenes, you may not be aware of what is going on. A lot of hospitals today are highly understaffed and nurses are the ones being affected the most.   According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a study showed that every 1 out of 5 nurses will hand in their resignation just one year after getting their license. A huge factor going into this statistic is that there are not enough nurses in hospitals all across the United States.   Why
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6 Activities to Celebrate National Senior Health and Fitness Day

Do you know what is held every last Wednesday in May? It’s National Senior Health and Fitness Day! At Freedom Home Care, your home care agency, we are here to provide six activities that you or a loved one can do to celebrate.   With over 100,000 people participating in retirement communities, park district, and hospitals, here is how you can get active as well. Leading us off at number one is going to the park. With the weather finally warming up, take a stroll in the park filled with trail walking, a picnic, etc.   Next up on our
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Activities for Homebound Seniors

Just because your senior parent or relative is not able to get around as much as they used to, doesn’t mean they have to forgo doing some of things they love to do. As we age, physical and mental activity becomes paramount to a long, healthy life. Today, homebound seniors are not limited to playing bridge and doing crossword puzzles all day. There are numerous ideas and activities that your loved can take advantage of and Freedom Home Care has come up with some unique ideas to keep your senior in balance – mind, body and spirit. Health & Wellness
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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
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Handling the Stress of a New Baby

There’s nothing more magical than the birth of a new baby. First time parents often experience a myriad of emotions all while celebrating the arrival of their little bundle of joy. And with of all of the responsibilities that come with newborn care, it’s normal for parents feel the stress of the task at hand. FHC came up with a few ways to help moms and dads juggle everything from feedings and changings to relaxing and sleeping, while still experiencing the fulfillment that goes along with parenting. Decide How To Tackle Each Task – Who will get up at night
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Tips for Choosing the Right Walking Cane

Choosing the right cane requires a little more planning than most people can imagine. Before investing in a cane or walker, seniors should first identify the reason they need walking support, if they need it to support their full weight and the appropriate type, size, and fit of the device. Canes and walkers provide different levels of support for the person using them. They can be beneficial to seniors with pain, weakness and problems balancing on their own. They’re also helpful in avoiding falls and providing extra support when needed. And according to Lori Ramage, physical therapist and the Joint Club
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