If you’ve watched a parent struggle with dementia, it is natural to wonder if the same path may be in your future. After all, one out of twenty who has a parent with Alzheimer’s eventually gets the condition. But you don’t have to accept that you’ll be one of the 5%. Instead, take these 5 small steps to reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s today. 1. Manage your health. Do you have high blood pressure? Diabetes? High cholesterol? Do everything you can to manage those conditions today to avoid problems in the future. Each one can damage the tiny blood vessels
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Posts by Freedom Home Care
Spreading the Word During Stroke Awareness Month
On average, a stroke kills an American every 4 seconds. And with nearly 800,000 people having strokes each year in the U.S., it’s no wonder that the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association want to bring awareness to this condition. Luckily, we can often avoid the worst effects if we catch it early. Awareness is the key. And, with May being Stroke Awareness Month, you can protect yourself and others from the dangers of a stroke by spreading the word. Ways You Can Raise Awareness: Take action. First, learn about your own stroke risk by taking this quiz.
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May is Better Hearing & Speech Month
May is Better Hearing & Speech Month! Did you know? Only 2 out of 10 people get a hearing test. At Hearing Health Center, we believe that getting an annual hearing check-up is as important as getting your blood pressure and cholesterol checked. Everyone 55 and older should have an annual hearing test as part of their overall wellness exam. You don’t hear with your ears, you hear with your brain! This is why Hearing Health Center takes a medical approach to hearing loss by retraining a specific area in the brain. If this area is deprived of sound, it can
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How to Keep Seasonal Allergies Under Control
It’s finally beginning to feel like springtime. The flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping, and the trees are budding. And, if you’re one of the 36 million Americans with seasonal allergies, your nose is running, your eyes are burning, and your sinuses are screaming. This year is shaping up to be one of the worst springs for allergy sufferers in years, particularly those allergic to mold and tree pollen in this area. The particularly harsh winter pushed spring back, only allowing a growing mold problem coupled with a sudden explosion of many types of pollen. And, unfortunately, the “Pollen
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What Every Senior Should Know About Chiropractic Care
Many years ago, hardly anyone knew what a chiropractor was. Now, it seems that everyone is making weekly trips to get adjusted. But this phenomenon is not just a new trend. Chiropractic care has many healthy benefits, especially for seniors. Here is what seniors should know about the importance of chiropractic care: What exactly is a chiropractor? A chiropractor is a doctor specialized in joint movement. The vertebrae of the spine, for example, can become misaligned due to muscle tension, posture, or a past fall or accident. When the vertebrae aren’t lined up correctly, that person can experience pain and
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Why Seniors Want Home Care
According to a recent study, 87% of seniors would prefer to age in place by remaining at home. But, why are the number of seniors in nursing homes and hospitals on the rise? Here are three reasons why seniors today aren’t getting what they want, and what to do about it. 1. Seniors aren’t planning in advance. An active, healthy man in his 60’s might not think that he needs to worry about the future. But what he isn’t considering is that it only takes one bad fall to require help for daily activities. If he begins to think about
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Combat Stress with Laughter
Seniors today have a great amount of stress in their lives. From uncertain financial futures to health issues, seniors can become consumed with worry. Unfortunately, this constant stress can be accompanied by high blood pressure, headaches, and depression. But there is an easy, free way to combat stress and all of its negative effects. Laughter. Each chortle, giggle, or guffaw can bring a myriad of health benefits. Not only does laughing decrease stress, it gives you a work out. Anyone who has laughed until it hurt knows that laughing exercises many muscles throughout your torso. It also gives your heart,
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Ninety-Seven Year Old Senior Goes Viral on Instagram
Social media is not only for the young. Recently, a 97-year-old woman has been making a splash on Instagram. Check out her work-out videos here! Instagram, for those who don’t know, is a social media network where people can share photos or short videos with their friends and the world. Usually people post photos of food, young people having fun, or companies showing off their brand’s wares. But these days, there’s a new face on the scene. Her name is Edna, and she’s a senior living in Arizona. And she’s inspiring everyone who watches the videos in which she stars.
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4 Common Alzheimer’s Myths Debunked
Alzheimer’s is one of the most misunderstood diseases out there, and yet it is also one of the most deadly. Affecting nearly one in eight senior Americans, Alzheimer’s can’t be ignored or dismissed. There is a ton of information circulating about this disease and it becomes difficult to know what to believe and what to ignore. Get yourself up to speed by learning the truth behind these four Alzheimer’s myths. Myth 1. “If I’m under 65, I don’t need to worry.” While it’s true that Alzheimer’s mainly affects those over 65, it doesn’t mean that you are totally immune when
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Interview with Bruce Lederman , J.D., Long Term Service and Support Industry Thought Leader
Bruce Lederman, J.D., has been leading the discussion surrounding the changing environment in Long Term Service and Support (LTSS) for over 25 years. His experience in the senior care field and passion for improving the ways in which older adults receive access to care drives his involvement in the North Shore and beyond. Bruce was CEO and president of his own firm that operated skilled nursing facilities in Illinois. He is a former nursing home administrator and has consulted to numerous elder care providers on planning for strategic growth as well as process improvement. Recently he served as board chair
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