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
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Monthly Archives October 2016
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
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Enduring Allergy Season as a Senior
Fall allergies have costly, negative effects on millions of Americans each year. In fact, statistics show that over 35 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies, resulting in about $7 billion dollars in lost productivity each year. Many seniors are particularly susceptible to allergies, because with age, the mucus membranes in the nose dry out, causing chronic nasal congestion. Fall allergen put others with chronic diseases are at risk, as well. And with unseasonably warm winters in some regions, longer, hotter summers and extended periods of drought, allergy season could last longer than usual this year. Those of us at Freedom
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Prescription Medications Can Effect Your Ability to Drive
At some point in their lives, nearly every American will have taken some form of prescription medication. The statistics increase with age, as seniors between 65-79 are given more than 27 prescriptions each year. And according to The IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics, many take five or more different types of medications a day. For millions of Americans, taking prescriptions in order to treat temporary or chronic health conditions, is a fact of life. But when consuming these medications before driving, the results can be potentially dangerous. And depending on the type and dose, once in your system, they
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Ways to Help Prevent Alzheimer's
The effects of Alzheimer’s can be devastating – in both the lives of those suffering from the disease, and the people around them. Out of more than 100 different forms of dementia, Alzheimer’s is one of the most common. It accounts anywhere between 60 and 80 percent of Americans with dementia. Alzheimer’s affects memory, cognition and mental ability and is largely determined by age, family history and genetics. Certain medical conditions like high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes, have also been shown to increase the risk of cognitive impairment. More and more, medical research is showing signs of
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Planning Ahead for Your Senior's Transitional Care
Sometimes it may not be possible to plan for follow-up care when your senior leaves the hospital. Accidents and sudden trips to the ER often leave patients and their families confused and overwhelmed – and the last thing you want worry about is not having the right services in place once your loved one has been sent home. Whether you’ve decided which in-home care services your senior will need in advance or have just recently begun to explore your options, transitional care is an important part of a successful recovery. Your senior may have had to deal with a traumatic
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