When the people closest to us in life begin to show signs of aging, it’s natural to question what that means for their current and future well-being. And when those questions arise, open lines of communication should quickly be established. In an earlier Freedom Home Care blog post, we looked at PBS’s Caring for your Parents web page, which said that “ideally these conversations should happen before there is a crisis.” If an elder's ability to do certain things begins to diminish, it’s important to talk openly and soon, keeping in mind that often, they will be relieved to talk
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Monthly Archives September 2012
How to be at ease with a new in-home caregiver
Family members will often take on the added responsibility of taking care of an aging loved so as to not bring a caregiver into the home. Often the burden can be too great, but because of apprehension surrounding potential in-home care candidates, family members feel that they do not have any other choice. essay writing By understanding the demographics of the caregiver community, however, and by knowing the high level of standards placed on Freedom Home Care during the hiring process, we hope to diminish some of those uncertainties. As we here at Freedom Home Care have explained in past
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Laughter does the body (and brain) good
Memory loss is a common side effect of aging. As our bodies (and brains) grow older, it becomes more and more difficult to remember where we put our car keys or when we were supposed to water the plants. In the following video, posted on the official AARP YouTube channel, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist and animator Walt Handelsman puts a lighthearted spin on the forgetfulness that most of us will experience later in life. In fact, the old saying “laughter is the best medicine,” actually holds true when it comes to improving our memories. “Unlike emotional responses, which are limited
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Choosing a senior-friendly cell phone
In the short timeframe of only three days, Apple sold more than 5 million units of its new iPhone 5. And there are certainly many more predicted to fly off the shelves in the upcoming days and weeks. So who are these 5 million consumers and better yet, who’s still standing in line to get one? Chances are, many of those individuals don’t fall in the 65 years old and older range. In fact, in an article published by CNN Money, only 2 percent of iPhone users are over 65. But the older population shouldn’t feel left out. There are
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Considering a pet for your aging loved one
In the article “Our Pets, Our Health,” published by the Pet Information Bureau in Washington, D.C., editors explained the mental health benefits that can come from having a cat or dog in the home. And although there is some work associated with keeping a pet, there can be even greater rewards for it. “Many of us occasionally feel alienated from others and some of us, such as the elderly…feel this loneliness even more acutely,” the article explains. “Pets can help bridge this isolation by serving as a social catalyst between young and old.” As more and more aging individuals choose to live
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Five compelling reasons for seniors to use social media
The number of older individuals taking advantage of social media is growing every day. According to Mashable.com, there are quite a few tech-savvy seniors bucking the trend that Facebook and Twitter are just for the younger generations. In fact, in an article published by Mashable.com, “about 34% of Internet users age 65 and older use sites such as Facebook and Twitter — and 18% of this group do so each day.” And actually, social media can offer a lot of benefits for seniors who find it harder to get out of the house. Thanks to the website Senior Care Corner,
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10 questions to ask your healthcare provider about prescription medication
In a recent Freedom Home Care blog, we posted a video from the UCSF’s Memory and Aging Center that covered the importance of understanding the side effects of prescription medication. No matter the drug – be it synthetic or natural – there is always a chance that it will produce an unwanted effect. The possibility for that increases when a patient is taking more than one prescription, considering that those drugs have the potential for interacting with one another. “This does not imply that the drugs are bad, but rather that they should be used carefully in order to reap
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Understanding the side effects of medication
Prescription medications are one of the most important items for aging individuals to properly manage. Not only do aging individuals have to ensure that they are taking the proper dose, but they also have to be sure they are staying on the prescription’s schedule and for the correct length of time advised. Additionally, seniors and their caregivers need to be aware of a medication’s side effects. And so is especially the case for individuals who have been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s. In the following video, Ron Finley, RPh of UCSF’s Memory and Aging Center reviews the side effects of
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Sharing stories of caregiving excellence
We here at Freedom Home Care frequent the AARP website on a regular basis. We’ve found that it’s a great resource for anyone over the age of 50. Whether it be for health-related concerns, retirement questions or even travel recommendations, the folks at AARP have us covered. Today, while we were perusing the site, we stumbled on a call-to-action that piqued our attention. AARP places a lot of importance on the caregivers in our aging loved ones’ lives and have asked that visitors to the site share their personal stories about those integral people. “If you have a story that you
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10 reasons why living alone is a blast and a half!
As we here at Freedom Home Care head into the weekend, we thought that we would leave you with a lighthearted item posted by our friends at AARP. The article, titled “More People Choose to Live Alone: 10 Great Reasons Why,” serves as a fun-loving reminder of just how good so-called spinsters and bachelors have it! Enjoy! 1. Raiding the refrigerator at 1 a.m., knowing that mango sorbet is there for you and you alone. 2. Decorating as you please — no more “his” favorite orange recliner or “her” Twilight books front and center on the shelf. 3. Going to bed when you
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