Trips and falls can lead to serious injuries, hip fractures, and head traumas in older adults – Freedom Home Care wants to help you take steps to prevent them. Each year, one in every three adults ages 65 and older slip and fall in the U.S. According to Physical Therapist Alice Bell, seniors who have fallen once are the most at risk of falling again. There are a number of factors that contribute to falls experienced by seniors, and any kind of fall can be especially dangerous for people with Osteoporosis. Known to many as the silent disease, Osteoporosis causes
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Archives for Care
Core Estate Planning Documents that Everyone Should Have: Power of Attorney
Freedom Home Care recently spoke with Matthew R. Margolis from Margolis Weldon and he was kind enough to provide us with this piece concerning Power of Attorney: A common question that I hear from clients, friends, and family is, “why do I need a power of attorney?” The short answer is because once you turned 18, you became the only person who could make a health care decision on your behalf or sign your own name. It is important to differentiate between a Power of Attorney for Health Care (HCPOA) and a Power of Attorney for Property (PPOA). If a
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You’ve Got Options – Get Outside!
Getting outside is one of the healthiest things we can do for our bodies and our minds. It improves long-distance vision and attention span, reduces stress, and increases immunity. Simply the Vitamin D provided by sunlight alone can improve cognitive function and prevent bone problems, heart disease, and diabetes. Getting outside also helps fight depression. Unfortunately, seniors are especially prone to getting stuck in the rut of remaining indoors. The idea of going outside seems like so much effort, and many people have physical disabilities or simple, everyday discomforts such as back pain that make movement difficult. But there are actually
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National Patient Safety Awareness Week
Freedom Home Care knows that our clients are the heart of our organization, and we want to make sure that they are getting the best of care in every aspect of their life. Many of our clients are under the care of multiple physicians and visit many medical facilities, and Patient Safety Awareness Week is an opportunity for all human care organizations to take time and reevaluate their patient-relationship practices and improve on their safety skills. The theme this year is “Unity in Safety” and emphasizes how everyone in health care is responsible for a patient’s safe care. This includes
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The Benefits of Home Modification
As we get older, the possibility of leaving our home becomes more of a reality, and the stress of that consideration can be overwhelming. No one wants to leave their comfortable environment, but if you or your loved one is unable to take care of themselves in their daily routine at home, there may be an alternative Freedom Home Care can offer to keep you in your home safely. Home modification is essentially a simple idea. The home you live in is evaluated and modified in order to make it a safer and easier place to live and maneuver through.
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Considering the Benefits of Home Care
As our loved ones age, the time comes when we may start to consider a higher level of care. This usually happens when the desire for independence is still very strong, but the practicality and safety of home assistance is starting to make more sense. That’s where we at Freedom Home Care can help. Daily activities can become more and more difficult as we age, and chores like shopping, dressing, driving, or bathing can become obstacles to enjoying everyday life. When this time comes, home care provides seniors with health care, non-medical care, and even companionship while still retaining independence
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How to Care for a Loved One with Alzheimer's during the Holidays
Image credit: digital-photo-secrets.com At Freedom Home Care, our staff is witnessing the start of holiday celebrations in homes all around the Highland area, and it warms our hearts to see families come together this time of year. We all also know that there is plenty of stress and anxiety associated with family gatherings, and that can be amplified when visiting a loved one with Alzheimer’s during the holidays. But with a little planning and preparation, you can ensure your holiday season to go as smoothly as possible. The first step is to evaluate the current situation and prepare others of what
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Raising Breast Cancer Awareness in October
Everyday more and more people all over the world are diagnosed with breast cancer. It would be hard to find someone that hasn’t personally been affected, or doesn’t know someone affected by breast cancer. Here at Freedom Home Care we know this type of cancer can be one of the most testing as it doesn’t target a specific age group, race, or religion. Its victims, while mostly female, can also be male. The American Cancer Society states that 232,340 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. According to statistics from Susan G. Komen one in eight women will develop
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8 Things to Consider when Selecting a Post-Hospital Rehabilitation Provider
Selecting a post-hospital rehabilitation provider is the single most important decision for a successful recovery. However, it can be an overwhelming process if you don’t know what to look for. Here are 8 of the most important factors you may want to consider and inquire about when rating the various programs or facilities you are considering. Physical Therapy • Home assessment and modification • Wound Care • Pain Relief Techniques • Updates to equipment Speech Therapy • Communication due to hearing loss • Alternative communication instructions • Communication skills and retraining Occupational Therapy • Nerve and Muscle re-education
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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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