Arthritis affects nearly half of all seniors, and the numbers are on the rise.  But what exactly is arthritis?  It’s not a general term for joint pain as many people think.  In fact, there are a few different kinds of arthritis, each with its own symptoms and treatments.  Here are a few things that all seniors should know about arthritis. Types of Arthritis: Osteoarthritis. This arthritis has to do with wear and tear.  In our joints, there is cartilage at the end of each bone.  The cartilage, which is as smooth as ice, covers the rough ends of the bone. 
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  The moment you put on your shoes, you know it’s going to be a bad day.  You try to ignore it.  Walk it off, you think.  But it only gets worse.  You then spend most of the day sitting, avoiding even getting up to get a glass of water.  Sure, you’re thirsty, but it beats the alternative.  And that is commonly what happens with severe foot pain. Foot pain in seniors is very common.  That’s because feet change as we age.  They begin to flatten and widen.  The fat that has been protecting the bones on the bottom of
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During Thyroid Awareness Month, we should focus on the 1% of Americans who suffer from hyperthyroidism, which is one type of thyroid disease.  Hyperthyroidism is especially prevalent in seniors, so know the symptoms to alert your doctor at the first sign. What is hyperthyroidism? The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped endocrine organ located on the front of the neck.  It produces hormones that regulate metabolism, which is how quickly each cell in the body does its job.  Hyperthyroidism is when too much of the hormone is released and the cells work too much and too quickly. Why is it important that
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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
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Interview with Brian Gordon, President, CLTC, MAGA, Ltd. What sets Freedom Home Care apart from other care giving services in the North Shore? First and foremost, they have great reputation in the area. On top of that, they can help clients facilitate the paperwork that goes along with long term care insurance, whereas a lot of agencies out there are not up to speed with that process. An agency like Freedom Home Care knows how to submit the claim forms and appropriate documentation, which really helps eliminate those headaches for the children of those receiving care services. That stands out
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The word osteoporosis directly translates to ‘porous bones.’ Osteoporosis happens when a person’s bones lose protein and calcium. Over time, the bones start to deteriorate and become weak. They can break easily, which means any amount of physical activity can be dangerous and extremely painful. Osteoporosis is a fairly common problem in the senior community.  Not only does it take a personal toll in the form of injuries, but it also takes a financial toll with medical bills and lost work time. Scientists continue to research this condition that resulted in over 9 million fractures worldwide last year.  And now
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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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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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It’s no secret that deciding on quality care for an elderly loved one can be an overwhelming prospect for any family or individual. Whether its rehabilitative care, long term, or short term care, you have many components to consider like social stimulation, medical care, legal support, and financial matters. On top of it all, there are a plethora of agencies on the north shore competing for your business. So how do you know if they will deliver on their promises? How do you know your elderly loved ones will receive the very best? If you feel overwhelmed trying to handle
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The results are in!  The United Health Foundation has evaluated each state for how it fares with senior health.  So how does Illinois measure up with the rest of the nation? The good news is that our state ranks well for non-smoking, as more than 92% of those over 65 are non-smokers.  Also, we have the lowest prevalence of under-weight seniors at only 1.1%.  We also do very well with senior pain management and hospice care. However, there are some things that our state needs to work on.  Illinois has a high rate of obesity and a high-percentage of low-care
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