Posts by Freedom Home Care

Dr. Stuart P. Richer, OD, PhD, Gives Advice on Maintaining Adult Eye Health

Dr. Stuart P. Richer, OD, PhD, Gives Advice on Maintaining Adult Eye Health

January 1, 2014 | No Comments

Glaucoma is a disease that can affect people of all ages, but one that seniors are at a particularly higher risk for.  It is considered the most preventable cause of vision loss, but if left untreated, can cause damage to the eye’s optic nerve and result in irreversible vision loss, and even total blindness. The disease tends to run in families and most often occurs in people over the age of 60. January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, and to help spread the word, we had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with Dr. Stuart P. Richer, OD, PhD, Director, Ocular Preventive Medicine,
Read More

Three Driving Secrets for Seniors

Three Driving Secrets for Seniors

December 27, 2013 | No Comments

As we get deeper into winter, driving conditions can worsen daily with snow, sleet, and ice.  That makes this a great time to get a refresher on good driving techniques.  Here are a few driving secrets that you may not have known but should use. 1. Use your brakes.  When it appears that a collision is going to happen, think “Stomp, Stay, Steer.”  First, stomp on your brake pedal with all of your might.  Then stay stepping on the pedal.  Ignore the noises or the pulsating of the pedal;  you aren’t hurting the car.  Third, steer around the obstacle.  With anti-lock
Read More

Keep Your Health in Check for the New Year

Keep Your Health in Check for the New Year

December 26, 2013 | No Comments

Many of us think about bettering our health in the New Year. We should also be aware of those closest to us and encourage them to get healthy as well. Now is the perfect time each year to sit down with the senior and go through any changes in medical history, medications, symptoms, and concerns.  It will ensure that everyone is on the same page and that the senior is getting the best care. Plan ahead when you’re going to speak with him or her.  Ask him to get all of the medical documentation together so that both he and
Read More

Unexpected Holiday Shopping Secrets

Unexpected Holiday Shopping Secrets

December 23, 2013 | No Comments

Here’s some refreshingly unexpected holiday news! Research says when it comes to Christmas gifts, being lazy is best.  You heard that right. That doesn’t mean you can put off shopping altogether, but it does mean that you can spend less time finding the perfect personalized gift for each person on your shopping list. In a recent study, a shopper was given either one person to buy for or two with similar interests.  When buying for one, the shopper would find something that the gift recipient would really like.  When buying for two, the shopper would focus more on finding gifts
Read More

Why Seniors Today May Be Sharper than Previous Generations

Why Seniors Today May Be Sharper than Previous Generations

December 20, 2013 | No Comments

Are seniors mentally sharper than ever before?  A new study seems to think so. Researchers gave tests to seniors in the 1990’s and then a different group of seniors in the 2000’s.  While the youngest of the seniors generally did better than the oldest, a more interesting discovery was made.  The seniors in the later study did significantly better on the tests than their predecessors. What does this mean?  Researchers aren’t quite sure, but there are some interesting ideas as to why. 1. With longer life expectancy comes more “good” years.  As medical research continues to extend lives, it also extends how long
Read More

Seniors Need More Sleep

Seniors Need More Sleep

December 18, 2013 | No Comments

If you think that seniors need less sleep than those who are younger, think again.  If you needed nine hours of sleep to feel rested in your thirties, chances are that you need around the same for optimal brain function in your senior years too. But changing sleep patterns can cause seniors to believe they don’t need as much sleep.  As people age, they may not get the same sleepy feelings that they once did around bedtime.  Or perhaps they wake up every few hours.  Though these things normally happen with aging, many mistakenly think it means they need less
Read More

How to Give Back This Holiday Season

How to Give Back This Holiday Season

December 17, 2013 | No Comments

The holiday season is not only about magic, fun, and family; it is also a time of giving. Here are a few ways for anyone, including seniors, to get in the giving spirit. 1. Give time. Volunteering can be a wonderful way to get in the spirit of giving.  Around this time of year, there are many places in need of people to help, from food pantries to ringing bells for the Salvation Army.  Or if you’d rather stay home, organizations often need help with phone-intensive activities, such as coordinating food distribution or mentoring. 2. Give gifts.  Consider buying some items for
Read More

3 Helpful Gift Ideas for Seniors

3 Helpful Gift Ideas for Seniors

December 16, 2013 | No Comments

Holiday shopping in general can be tough, but finding the right gift for a senior can be even more challenging.  Whether it’s space constraints in their home or having everything they need, an elderly relative can be the ultimate “hard to buy for” person on your list. With the help of Redding.com, we here at Freedom Home Care have put together some helpful ideas to help you find the perfect gift: 1. Food.  Who doesn’t love some delicious baked goods around the holidays?  Think about making a “Snowy Day” basket, complete with hot chocolate mix, marshmallows, a few different kinds of cookies, and a
Read More

Tips to Help Seniors Stay Warm This Winter

Tips to Help Seniors Stay Warm This Winter

December 13, 2013 | No Comments

Winter and all of its activities are nearly upon us.  Often, though, these activities are outdoors in the cold and snow, making it difficult for seniors who are sensitive to cold.   Here are some tips to staying warm while participating in the fun of the season: 1. Layer up.  Layer clothes so that you can add or remove articles easily when going in and out.  Consider adding a fleece or sweater under your coat that can be removed if you enter a warm building.  And make sure that your winter coat is in good condition to protect you from the chill
Read More

4 Ways to Help Elderly Loved Ones Get Involved for the Holidays

4 Ways to Help Elderly Loved Ones Get Involved for the Holidays

December 12, 2013 | No Comments

The holidays are a time of togetherness with family and friends.  But sometimes physical limitations can exclude seniors from participating in the season’s fun.  Here are some activities that will bring the family together in a way that everyone can have a good time. 1. Watch a holiday movie.  From the classic to the modern, there are plenty of movies created for the season.  Sharing “It’s A Wonderful Life” with a grandchild can be very special.  Or try something newer such as “Love Actually” to add some fun to the day. 2. Find some family movies.  Even better than watching a holiday
Read More