Posts by Freedom Home Care

Research Finds Seniors Living at Home to be Happiest

Research Finds Seniors Living at Home to be Happiest

October 21, 2013 | No Comments

What do seniors value most in long-term care?  The quality of a caregiver, comfort of their own home, or something entirely different? That’s what some researchers wanted to know.  So they interviewed many seniors to ask their opinions about the topic. The Scan Foundation recently put together the data to figure out who is happiest and why. This is what they found out. What Seniors Care Most About In Long-Term Care: A Great Caregiver.  One of the most important elements of senior satisfaction was having a good caregiver.  The best caregivers were considered good at what they do, reliable, and trustworthy. 
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How to Protect Seniors from Identity Theft

How to Protect Seniors from Identity Theft

October 18, 2013 | No Comments

Seniors are becoming the target of more identity theft every year.  In 2012, seniors made over 52,000 complaints to the Federal Trade Commission about their identities being stolen.  The thieves prey on those who have good credit, little debt, and leave themselves unprotected.  Unfortunately, many seniors fit that bill. One of the most common scams is calling seniors to see who will give up their personal information.  If they get it, the thieves will open credit cards in that senior’s name or access bank accounts. Here’s what to watch out for: If… you get a phone call.  A woman says
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Is a Caregiver the Best Option for Your Loved One?

Is a Caregiver the Best Option for Your Loved One?

October 17, 2013 | No Comments

Families may be unsure if hiring a caregiver to assist their elderly loved one with dementia is the best option.  Will this caregiver be able to connect with the senior?  Will she or he give them the same level of nurturing care that a family member would?  How will the elderly loved one react? These are just some of the many questions families face when struggling to find the best care for their loved one dealing with dementia. It can be a very emotional and difficult time. Freedom Home Care understands every single one of these questions and feelings. We
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Simple Renovations for a Senior’s Home

Simple Renovations for a Senior’s Home

October 16, 2013 | No Comments

When a senior lives in their home and wants to maintain independence, sometimes critical renovations go untouched. The home can become dangerous and put them at risk of falling. If you have a parent or loved one unable to make home renovations, make sure these essential updates have been considered. One of the most dangerous places for a senior is the bathroom because it is a confined space with oftentimes wet surfaces or floors. Here are some updates you can do to make the bathroom a safer place for them: 1.  Brighten it up.  Replace any broken light bulbs.  Consider
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Modern Senior Weddings Get Lavish and Expensive

Modern Senior Weddings Get Lavish and Expensive

October 14, 2013 | No Comments

When we think of fairy tale weddings, we may think of the young, blushing bride and the handsome groom standing while saying their loving vows. But now, seniors are having even bigger and more lavish weddings than their younger counterparts. Finding love at any age is worth celebrating, and seniors nowadays are going all out.  It may have seemed strange ten or twelve years ago, but now the over-65 couples are spending big bucks to make sure their big day is one to remember. Seniors made up 8 percent of last year’s 53 billion dollar wedding business.  And it’s no wonder.  When older adults marry, they
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Shop Smart for Life Insurance

Shop Smart for Life Insurance

October 11, 2013 | No Comments

Life insurance can be complicated and expensive, leaving many seniors, or their family members, wondering if they’ve made the right choices.  But we know that life insurance can save families from spending their money when a family member passes away.  So how do seniors find inexpensive life insurance that will still cover all of the expenses?  Here are some tips: 1. Don’t buy too much.  Often our life insurance needs change over time.  As you no longer have a house to pay off or children to get through college, you need less insurance.  Before you go shopping, know exactly how much
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A Highly-Addictive Drug is Hiding in Your Pantry

A Highly-Addictive Drug is Hiding in Your Pantry

October 10, 2013 | No Comments

The holidays are upon us which means only one thing: Sweets will soon be everywhere.  First is Halloween with candy, then Thanksgiving with its delicious pumpkin pie, and then all of the sweets that surround the winter holidays – no wonder everyone struggles to avoid gaining weight during these holidays. And we know that too much sugar isn’t good for us.  But we don’t consider it especially bad when eaten in moderation. Many people may overlook the actual harm that sugar can cause to your body when eaten in large amounts too frequently. According to MedicalDaily.com, a scientist in Amsterdam is
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Yoga: A Senior’s Ticket to Maintaining Good Health

Yoga: A Senior’s Ticket to Maintaining Good Health

October 9, 2013 | No Comments

Seniors today are more health conscious than ever. They know that staying active and flexible can keep them moving much longer. But sometimes they don’t know how to begin a safe exercise regimen. Of course, personal training or fitness classes are always an option to get started, but some seniors prefer exercising on their own schedule. If this is you, consider taking up yoga.  Yoga doesn’t have to be contorting yourself into crazy one-legged positions.  There are simple poses that seniors can use to reap all of the health benefits. And the benefits are numerous.  In fact, not only does
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Tips to Help Seniors Quit Smoking

Tips to Help Seniors Quit Smoking

October 8, 2013 | No Comments

A recent 2013 Senior Report found that 7.6% of Illinois seniors, age 65 and above, smoke on a regular basis. We all know that smoking is bad for our health.  We also know that it is incredibly difficult to quit, especially when you have been doing it for several years.  Did you know that it takes someone on average nine times of trying to quit before they finally do?  No wonder it’s so easy to get discouraged. But, don’t give up.  Here are some tips to help you finally kick the habit. 1. Plan ahead.  Those who quit without a plan are much more likely
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What Caregivers Should Know About Medical Devices

What Caregivers Should Know About Medical Devices

October 7, 2013 | No Comments

Caregivers help people with all kinds of health challenges. Many of them end up caring for seniors who develop mobility issues as they age and may require joint replacement. Obesity and arthritis are common ailments that lead to these mobility issues, which limit seniors’ ability to complete everyday tasks. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States, and mobility issues are very common in people over the age of 65. Caregivers who see people struggle with these conditions may also see the mental toll they take. When these ailments begin to seriously compromise a person’s quality of
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