On May 31st more than 100,000 seniors will become part of one of the nation’s largest annual health promotion events for the elderly – National Senior Health & Fitness Day. With a goal of encouraging seniors to stay health and in shape, older loved ones all over the country will be descending upon more than 1,000 locations in celebration of the 24th annual senior fitness event. A public-private partnership coordinated by the Mature Market Resource Center, National Senior Health & Fitness Day, is hosted by local organizations advocating the health and fitness of older adults. By purchasing a registration packet, any group
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Posts by Freedom Home Care
Ways to Care for Parent or Spouse with Technology
Statistics show that more than 75 percent of the wealth in the United States is controlled by people over 50. The irony in that fact is that according to the Pew Research Center, 92 percent of young people aged 18-29 own a smart phone, while 74 percent of people aged 50-64 own one as well as 42 percent of those aged 65 and older. But to be fair, 97 percent of Americans in the 50-65 or older age group and 80 percent of seniors aged 65 and older own a cell phone of some type. This means that although most
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Financial Tips for Caregivers
As more and more loved ones begin to reach their Golden Years, the number of caregivers needed to provide support for them continues to decline, according to aarp.com. And today, many Baby boomers are finding their roles changing faster than ever before. Statistics show that more than 25 percent of boomers in the U.S. are making the transition from child to caregiver and may not be fully prepared for the change. Maybe an older loved ones has been diagnosed with a long-term condition like Parkinson’s or dementia. Maybe they’ve had surgery or are facing a major life change and have to rely on the
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How The GYROTONIC® Method Helps Seniors
What is it called when you combine a treadmill, stair climber, rowing machine, Yoga and Pilates in one system of exercises: the GYROTONIC® Method. Developed in the early 80’s, the Gyrotonic method was created from the love of movement. Swimmer, dancer and gymnast, Juliu Horvath developed the Gyrotonic method by building on the principles of Yoga. He created a system of exercises that help practitioners move beyond the limitations in their bodies in order to increase movement, build strength and enhance agility. Initially designed as a way to help rehabilitate students suffering from injuries, Horvath’s new movement system was called “Yoga for Dancers.” As
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Slow The Progression of Parkinson's
Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder that worsens over time. It causes the eventual malfunction and death of neurons in the brain. Here’s what happens. The substantia nigra is the part of the brain that houses the affected neurons. These neurons create less and less dopamine over time. Dopamine sends signals to the portion of the brain that controls movement and coordination – over time, patients with Parkinson’s can no longer manage their body’s movement. While doctors are still unsure of what causes Parkinson’s Disease, they do know that older loved ones are at greater risk for developing the condition.
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How Seniors Can Live Longer
We as Americans live almost twice as long today, as we did 100 years ago. And the longer our lifespan, the more likely it is that our older loved ones will develop chronic illnesses and health disorders. In fact, 13 percent of the population in the U.S. is comprised of people aged 65 years and older – and as the number of Baby Boomers entering their Golden years continues to increase, the problems associated with long-term health increase as well. The good news is that in many cases, seniors don’t have to suffer from age-related conditions such as arthritis, hip
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Don't Skip The Dentist: Get Cheaper Care
Let’s be honest, the usual trip to the dentist is no walk in the park. But regular dental visits are a necessary part of good oral health. Surprisingly, it’s not the unpleasant sounds of the dental drill or the memories of the last porcelain filling that’s keeping our seniors of out of the dentist’s chair. According to researchers, a survey revealed that of the 56 million Americans aged 65 and older who received Medicare in 2016, less than half visited the dentist the previous year. The reason many seniors don’t get dental care is because of cost. Unfortunately, coverage for
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How To Fight Isolation
Senior isolation is increasingly becoming one of the greatest social challenges faced by older Americans. And in 2014, 34 percent of people (or 11 million) aged 65 and older were living alone, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That number continues to increase, as more and more Americans reach their golden years. This is also the time that more seniors are coping on their own – and those statistics are rising as a growing number of older adults don’t have children to care for them. Here are a few important facts that Freedom Home Care discovered about senior isolation and
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Could Telemedicine Benefit You or Your Loved One?
Telemedicine is quickly becoming the new wave of the future. And for seniors, it’s providing better access to quality healthcare in a more affordable way. If you’re like those of us here at Freedom Home Care, then you probably agree that the health and well-being of our seniors is one of our greatest priorities. Finding solutions that meet the needs of older loved ones is crucial, especially when we can’t be there to care for them. And telemedicine does just that. What is Telemedicine? It’s the practice of using electronic communications to monitor and improve the health of patients. Through the use
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How A Personal Emergency Response System Can Help Maintain Independence
For older loved ones, finding a balance between achieving the independence they want and the getting assistance they need, is a quandary at best. We worry when parents or grandparents are living so far away on their own. What happens if they fall? If they’re suffering from a serious health condition, how quickly will first responders arrive in the event of an emergency? According to statistics, over 33 percent of accidents and falls involve people 65 years of age and older. While you don’t want to overstep your boundaries, it’s only natural to be concerned about the safety of your loved one. No matter if
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