Posts by Freedom Home Care

4 Questions to Ask Before Aging in Place

4 Questions to Ask Before Aging in Place

March 26, 2014 | No Comments

Aging in place has become a popular way for seniors to live today. But is this the right choice for you or your loved one? Here are four questions to ask before making the big decision to remain at home. 1. Am I healthy enough? Seniors who can successfully age in place must be in generally good health. And even then, some modifications might need to be made to the house. It may be as simple as removing rugs and adding grab bars, or as complicated as widening doors and adding wheel chair ramps. You should plan for the added
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New Methods Discovered to Correct Poor Vision

New Methods Discovered to Correct Poor Vision

March 20, 2014 | No Comments

Eyesight is one of our most fascinating and complex senses.  It allows us to see the colors of the sunset, watch our grandchild smile for the first time, and read books that transport us to other lands.  Unfortunately, many seniors begin to lose their eyesight much too soon.  It may be subtle at first – the television is a bit more blurry or cross-stitching is a little more difficult.  Many seniors rely on bifocals, trifocals, or even surgery to correct their sight. Luckily, technology is being developed every day to improve how we live and how we see.  The advances
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Encourage Senior Independence

Encourage Senior Independence

March 18, 2014 | No Comments

Independence.  It is the goal of many seniors.  However, as men and women age, an estimated 70% of them will not be able to live the same quality of life without some form of assistance.  But coming to terms with that can be difficult.  In fact, many seniors, as many as 5%, are in denial and would rather decrease activities rather than get the assistance they need.  They stay indoors or avoid answering the phone so that they won’t have to admit that they need some sort of help. If this sounds like a senior you know, you should contact
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Try This Great Healthy Snack Alternative

Try This Great Healthy Snack Alternative

March 14, 2014 | No Comments

Snacks can get us into trouble.  When we are searching for the perfect food to sustain us between meals, we often go for what we crave.  We want salty, sweet, or fatty foods that can put us over our caloric limit for the day.  One bad snack is all it takes to ruin a day’s healthy diet. Luckily, there is one salty, fatty snack that we can consume without all the guilt – nuts!  Whether you crave the sweetness of almonds, the creaminess of cashews, or the crunch of pistachios, there’s a healthy nut for everyone.  Here are a few
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Tips on Living with Type 2 Diabetes

Tips on Living with Type 2 Diabetes

March 11, 2014 | No Comments

Type 2 diabetes has the ability to cause damage to the body at any age. But seniors are at a much higher risk than any other age group. The incidence of Type 2 diabetes in seniors is higher for several reasons even when the senior person is not obese or really sedentary. It is really important for seniors to know the rules for diabetes in young people do not always apply to them. Firstly, who is classed as a senior? I think it is fair to say the starting point is at the age of 65. A recent study has
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What Makes Seniors Truly Happy?

What Makes Seniors Truly Happy?

March 7, 2014 | No Comments

We all want our friends and family members to be happy, but finding the right way to make a senior smile can be a challenge.  So many have asked the questions:  What makes seniors happy?  What do they really enjoy? And although different people like different things, studies show that there are some similarities across the board.  Here are three ways to help your elderly loved one find happiness: 1. Plan Social Time. Many studies indicate that seniors are happier when in the company of others.  But that doesn’t mean that every senior wants to be the life of the
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Healthy Eating Habits for Seniors

Healthy Eating Habits for Seniors

March 4, 2014 | No Comments

Healthy eating is important for everyone, but seniors need to take extra special care to eat well.  Eating right will not only keep your body strong, but also your mind and spirit. Although many seniors know what they should be eating, it doesn’t make it any easier to pass up those morning cinnamon rolls or evening sweet treats. Here are a few helpful tips to keep yourself healthy: Go beyond the four food groups.  We learned in school that we should have grains, dairy, meat, and fruits and vegetables at each meal.  Well, the idea of a healthy meal has gone
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Planning Your Way to a Heart-Healthy Diet

Planning Your Way to a Heart-Healthy Diet

February 28, 2014 | No Comments

This Heart Month, we are all a little more aware of ways we can help our heart stay healthy.  And one of the best ways, according to the American Heart Association, is by eating the right foods. Have you ever heard, “You are what you eat”?  Well, it may be truer than you know.  Just by eating the right foods, you can reduce the risk of heart conditions, and all of the medications and doctor visits that follow. But before you can make any big diet-change plans, you need to know what you are eating now.  The best way to
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Pesticides Linked to Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s

Pesticides Linked to Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s

February 24, 2014 | No Comments

Both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease affect the brain severely.  While they have strong genetic components, the question remains why these conditions are on the rise.  Certainly there must be some environmental factors involved. Well, researchers may have found at least part of the answer:  pesticides.  Pesticides have long been linked to dangerous health conditions, and now more research is pointing to how they are linked to both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. The Parkinson’s research has been ongoing for the last thirty years when a pair of young adults came to the ER with Parkinson’s-like features.  Their bodies seemed “frozen” and not
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How to Stay Safe in the Cold

How to Stay Safe in the Cold

February 20, 2014 | No Comments

Many assume that they will be able to tell when they are getting too cold.  But that may not be true for everyone.  Seniors are more susceptible to hypothermia than nearly every other age group. Due to decreased activity, seniors usually produce less body heat, which makes it more difficult for them to warm up once they feel cold.  And that’s if the senior notices that he is getting too cold to begin with.  Some medical conditions and medications can suppress the nervous system, resulting in decreased awareness that they are getting dangerously close to hypothermia. So, how should seniors
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