What is the Flu? Influenza, also called the “flu,” is a highly contagious respiratory infection. Flu can cause fever, chills, headache, dry cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, and muscle aches. Unlike other common respiratory infections such as the common cold, influenza can cause extreme fatigue lasting several days to more than a week. Although nausea, vomiting and diarrhea can sometimes accompany influenza infection, especially in children, gastrointestinal symptoms are rarely prominent. The illness that people often call “stomach flu” is not influenza. Influenza is spread easily from person to person primarily when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
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Posts by Freedom Home Care
Scientists Find New Link Between Vitamin D and Dementia
In a previous blog post titled, “The ABC’s of Vitamin D” we mentioned the importance of including Vitamin D in a senior’s diet. We talked about how it is a necessary component in the process of keeping bones strong and healthy. Well, scientists have now found yet another reason to keep vitamin D levels high: it significantly lowers the risk of dementia. Researchers have been thoroughly studying dementia and its causes and progress for years. One study in particular looked for a connection between seniors who didn’t have sufficient levels of vitamin D in their bodies and their risk of
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Playing Games for a Sharper Brain
Does playing games cause bigger brains and sharper thinking, or are those who already have healthier brains more likely to play games? This chicken or egg question is something that scientists have been wondering for some time. The popular theory is that the mental activity of playing games exercises the brain in such a way that deters dementia. But, another theory says that those who already have sharper minds and have a mental reserve of sorts are inclined towards game playing and naturally less susceptible to suffering from dementia. However, in either case, doctors can agree on one thing –
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Freedom Home Care Announces First Annual Senior Health Fair at The Lodge of Northbrook and The Homestead of Morton Grove
Freedom Home Care is excited to announce their first annual Senior Health Fair to take place this fall at their two Wellness Center Locations. The first event will take place on Wednesday, October 8th, 2014 at The Lodge of Northbrook (2220 Founders Drive Northbrook, IL. 60062) from 11 am-2 pm. The second will be held on Wednesday November 5th, 2014 at Homestead of Morton Grove (6400 Lincoln Ave. Morton Grove, IL. 60053) from 11 am-1 pm. These educational events are meant to provide seniors and their families with access to all kinds of resources, information, and services to promote happy and healthy living.
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5 Unknown Facts About Strawberries
No fruit screams “summer” as much as the strawberry. Many have fond memories of picking strawberries from their mother’s garden, or perhaps biting into a perfectly ripe, juicy strawberry topped with sweetened cream in their youth. Often this berry pairs its delicious flavor with a heavy dose of nostalgia of summers past. But, whether you’re eating them for taste or out of nostalgia, there’s no doubt that they have much to offer. Freedom Home Care has discovered a few facts about strawberries that you probably didn’t know. 1. The strawberry isn’t a fruit or berry. We’ve all been mislabeling
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Interview with Susan Smolin: Certified Yoga Instructor on Breathing, Relaxation & Yoga for Seniors
Susan Wolf Smolin is a certified yoga instructor offering therapeutic and rehabilitative instruction to a variety of populations from pre-natal to seniors. Susan has been studying and teaching for over 20 years and she shares her passion for communicating the teachings of ancient tradition and the importance of its presence in modern times. For more informationon Yoga for Seniors contact Susan at peaceyoga@rocketmail.com. We sat down with Susan to learn more about her work, and how it can benefit seniors and help alleviate pain. Can you talk about your professional background, and what led you to become a yoga instructor? I have been active
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4 Steps to a Safer Senior Home
Whether you recently had a bad fall or just aren’t getting around like you used to, it’s becoming clear that the time has come for a change. If you are like 85% of seniors, you would prefer if that change didn’t mean having to move to a nursing home. Perhaps it’s for the sake of your emotional well-being or perhaps it’s for financial reasons, but you wish to continue your senior years in the comfort of your own house. However, your home just won’t work for your current situation anymore. So the next step is getting the house in shape
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The ABC’s of Vitamin D
Vitamins. We know that they are good for us and are a part of a healthy, balanced diet. Beyond that, when you think “vitamins” you may just think of a swirl of letters, pills, and probably some green, leafy vegetables. But it’s important to know every detail about the vitamins that are crucial to senior health – one of the most important being vitamin D. Why is vitamin D so important? Vitamin D has many uses for the cells in the body, but one of the most important for seniors is its part in repairing and strengthening bones. With
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Visit Freedom Home Care at the Highland Park Sidewalk Sale July 24th-26th
Freedom Home Care will be out on the town for the annual Highland Park Chamber of Commerce Sidewalk Sale taking place Thursday, Friday, and Saturday July 24th, 25th, and 26th from 9am – 5pm. From the useful to the unique, the shops of Highland Park offer bargains galore during its annual Sidewalk Sale Days. More than 80 merchants from throughout Highland Park move their merchandise to the Central Business District for this shopping extravaganza. Admission is FREE for this fun outdoor event. Ample parking is available in the public garages at Port Clinton and Renaissance Place, as well as on-street
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5 Things You Didn’t Know About Knee Replacements
Do you have knee pain? If so, you’re not alone. Nearly 20% of adults complained to their doctors of knee pain last year. And when that knee pain becomes consistent and severe enough, doctors often begin talking about knee replacement surgery. While relief from pain may sound fantastic, many seniors are reluctant to go through such a big procedure. So, here are five things you should know about knee replacements in order to make an informed decision. 1. They work. Of the 4.5 million Americans who have had knee surgery, 90% report a significant relief from pain afterwards. Knee replacement
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