No one really knows how the brain and body process music. It’s a phenomenon that has remained a mystery for many years. But what doctors have discovered is that music is processed on many levels and with almost every part of our brain. Music therapy is a ritual that was used thousands of year ago when its healing affects were thought to positively influence health and behavior. After the war, musicians would travel around the country to hospitals playing music for veterans who suffered from war trauma. Doctors recognized a noticeable physical and emotional response to the music from their
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Posts by Freedom Home Care
Can Your Heartburn Medication Lead to Dementia?
Proton pump inhibitors. Most people aren’t familiar with these drugs by their medical name. But they are very well known for relieving heartburn and indigestion, treating peptic ulcer disease, GERD, Barrett Syndrome, and a number of other conditions. In the past, experts have recommended that the lowest dosage be taken as needed because of the potential long-terms effects the drugs could have on the bones, gastrointestinal tract, and cardiovascular system. And according to a report published on Feb. 15 in the journal JAMA Neurology, studies conducted in Germany suggest that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) might actually increase the risk of dementia in
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Exercises Beneficial To Relieving Arthritis Symptoms
There are a number of ways that a tailored exercise program can help relieve the pain and fatigue of arthritis and preserve joint structure and function, in the process. Incidentally, the term arthritis describes more than 100 rheumatic diseases and related conditions that cause pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints and connective tissues. Freedom Home Care has found that over 50 million adults suffer from some form of the disease, with the most common type being osteoarthritis. Treatment usually involves medication to help alleviate pain and discomfort, which may be a simpler alternative when dealing with the symptoms of arthritis.
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Tips To Reduce Monthly Expenses During Retirement
Those of us here at Freedom Home Care know how hard you’ve worked to build up your nest egg for your children’s education, emergencies, and your retirement. So you’ve contributed to your 401K, participated in your company’s pension plan, and put money into an IRA in order to save up for the future. If you’re currently in retirement or at least thinking about it, there are a few things you may want to consider to ensure the continual grow of your personal wealth. Determine the Right Time to Collect Social Security For You Decide carefully how and when you
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St. Patrick's Day Activities for Seniors
Saint Patrick’s Day is one of the most celebrated holidays of the year. There are tons of fun ideas that could help spice up your annual Celtic-inspired activities and add a wee bit of fun to your holiday party. From dances to dinners to parades and more, Freedom Home Care has compiled a few fun-filled Irish-themed events that we think you’d enjoy. Digital Holiday-Themed Discussion Group The beauty of the Information Age, is that it allows us to connect with family and friends without ever having to leave the privacy of our own homes. That’s the idea behind the
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How to be Prepared for in Home Emergencies
When loved ones begin to age, the risks for in-home injuries begin to rise. However, preparing for the unexpected before it actually happens may help decrease that number and save the day. Home fall related injuries are at an all-time high, affecting about 2.5 million older folks per year. About 1 in every 3 people aged 65 and older will fall, and only about half of those individuals will actually tell a doctor about it. Here are a few tips to help you prepare for a health related emergency, as well as ways to make your home as safe as
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Top Misconceptions About Arthritis
There are many misconceptions about arthritis, what it is, and who is affected by it. It’s a little known fact that there are about 130 different types of arthritis and most of the time when people think the disease, osteoarthritis comes to mind. Because there is still so much to learn about certain types of arthritis, rumors and misconceptions often abound. Below, Freedom Home Care offers a few facts that we believe will help dispel some of the myths associated with the disease. Only Older People Get Arthritis One of the most common types of arthritis is oarthritis. While
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Ways to Stay Active in the Winter
It may seem like a challenge to find fun, indoor activities during the winter months. But doing a little research, Freedom Home Care found a number of ways seniors can stay busy and active inside when the temperatures begin to fall outside. Get Creative Some of the best creativity happens when the there’s nothing standing in the way between you and your craft. It doesn’t take a whole lot of time or money to indulge in the arts. Pick up a few artsy materials from the local craft store, invite a few friends over, and start a small arts
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Tips to Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the joints. The result is joint inflammation, pain, and swelling primarily in the hands and feet. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can also affect organs like the skin, eyes, lungs and blood vessels. Left untreated, RA can cause damage and loss of cartilage. Joints become lose and painful, resulting in deformity. Surprisingly, each person with the disease is affected differently. Oftentimes, Rheumatoid arthritis patients experience episodes of pain and inflammation, seemingly out of nowhere, leaving them wondering how to better manage RA flares. Because doctors have no way of preventing flare ups,
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AMITA Health Offers Free Mammogram Screening for Low Income Women
Amita Health Alexian Brothers Health Center is partnering with the Chicagoland Area Affiliate of Susan G. Komen to bring free mammogram screenings and breast health education to low-income women in the community. Amita Health Alexian Brothers Cancer Institute was recently awarded a $75,000 grant by Chicago’s Koman affiliate, and as part of its new breast cancer screening program, women who are uninsured and underinsured can receive screening, diagnostic mammograms, and ultrasounds at no cost. With the goal of ending breast cancer in the community, AMITA Health Alexian Brothers Cancer Institute hopes the program will not only help give women the
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