Archives for Senior Care

Technology Helps Seniors Live At Home

Technology Helps Seniors Live At Home

July 26, 2013 | No Comments

A senior living on his or her own can be worrisome to family members.  Will he remember to turn off the stove burner?  Will he think to call 911 if he is feeling short of breath?  What will happen if he falls? Luckily, new technology is being created to alert family and emergency services when the senior needs help.  Here are some new gadgets to help a senior live on his own for longer. Motion sensors.  Motion sensors can be placed on the door, aimed at the sofa, or even on the refrigerator to detect if and how often the senior
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Tips for Senior Independence on a Budget

Tips for Senior Independence on a Budget

July 23, 2013 | No Comments

As more seniors retire and live on a lower income, a challenge emerges.  The goal is to find a healthy balance between getting adequate care while staying within a budget.  As nursing homes and assisted living facilities can be very expensive, many seniors opt instead to stay at home.  A few small changes can help to maintain senior independence without breaking the bank. 1.  In-home care.  Many adult children are unable to help their parents because of their children or work obligations.  Finding someone to care for the senior by running errands, cleaning, and being a companion can encourage independence
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Summer Health and Safety Tips for Seniors

Summer Health and Safety Tips for Seniors

July 22, 2013 | No Comments

Summer is an excellent time to go outside and enjoy the warmth.  Yet it can also be an especially dangerous time for seniors.  Sometimes it can be especially difficult for a senior to tell if she is getting dehydrated or overheated.  Here are some summer health tips for planning time outside but still staying safe:  1. Consider the time.  In most areas of the country, it is warmest between 10a.m. and 3p.m.  It is also the time when the sun is at its brightest, making it easier to get sunburned.  Try avoiding these times by going outside in the early morning
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Functional Fitness for Seniors

Functional Fitness for Seniors

July 17, 2013 | No Comments

According to seniorjournal.com, many gyms are jumping on a new trend:  functional fitness for seniors.  Functional fitness focuses on endurance, core strength, flexibility, and balance – all essential for seniors to keep up with their activities of daily living.  The fitness centers usually offer these trainer-run programs in the late morning or early afternoon when most others will be working or busy with children.  Many older adults enjoy these classes not only for the physical benefits, but also for the social ones.  Functional fitness classes are becoming more popular all of the time with seniors wishing to keep independent and mobile. The
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Freedom Home Care Listed as One of Illinois' Best Providers of Home Health Care Services

Freedom Home Care Listed as One of Illinois' Best Providers of Home Health Care Services

July 9, 2013 | No Comments

Freedom Home Care is a Highland-Park based home care agency that provides patients with in-home care. Freedom Home Care focus has made them one of Illinois’ leading Home Care Services firms in 2013. Founded in 1997 by Sharon Burack, Freedom Home Care’s services aim to help those who are elderly, ill, disabled or are undergoing rehabilitation. These services include post-hospital and hospice care, housekeeping, bathing, dressing, meal preparation, transportation, companionship and other various needs ranging from live-in help to hourly care. Freedom Home Care helps a wide range of patients including allowing the elderly to age in the comfort of
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Doctors Improve Colonoscopy Prep

Doctors Improve Colonoscopy Prep

July 9, 2013 | No Comments

Colonoscopy. When most people hear the word, they think about drinking a terrible tasting liquid and then spending the rest of the evening in the restroom. The preparation for the procedure is most definitely the majority’s least favorite part. However, colonoscopies are a necessary test to ensure our health. It is recommended that everyone receive one around age 50 and then every decade after that. Nearly 50% of people avoid this potentially life-saving procedure. Doctors have realized that many avoid it because of the preparation and are trying to arrive at solutions to make it more tolerable. The best solution
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Avoiding a Healthcare Crisis

Avoiding a Healthcare Crisis

July 3, 2013 | No Comments

As more baby boomers pass 65, a healthcare crisis is beginning to appear.  With medical advancements, seniors today will be living longer than their parents or grandparents.  They will also be living sicker for longer. According to surveys, 8 out of 10 seniors have chronic conditions, with half having two or more.  According to the CDC, seniors will spend three to five times more money on healthcare than everyone under 65.  This will put a heavy burden on seniors and their families. What can seniors do to prepare? Make small changes to improve health.  Many of these chronic diseases, such
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Doctors Come Together with 'Accountable Care Organization'

Doctors Come Together with 'Accountable Care Organization'

June 27, 2013 | No Comments

If you or someone close to you has multiple health problems, you know how frustrating it can be when doctors won’t talk with one another.  Prescription mistakes happen, time is wasted going over the same information, and perhaps there is an extraneous emergency room trip due to miscommunication.  It is a massive problem, and one that is costing Medicare millions each year. To solve this, Obama put into motion the Accountable Care Organization model.  If all of the doctors work together to care for the patient and avoid emergencies, they are rewarded with keeping some of the money that was saved
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Study Finds High Blood Pressure Linked to Cognitive Decline

Study Finds High Blood Pressure Linked to Cognitive Decline

June 26, 2013 | No Comments

An estimated 67 million American adults have high blood pressure – that is a third of the adult population!  We know that hypertension can cause conditions such as strokes, aneurysms, and kidney damage.  But now we can add another condition to the list:  decreased cognitive abilities. A recent study found at Huffington Post was done in Australia to determine if there was a relationship between high blood pressure and cognitive abilities.  It was found that those with hypertension fared worse with visual processing, recognition, and processing speed. Why do they think this is happening?  Our arteries are the blood vessels
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Talk with Your Parent About Driving

Talk with Your Parent About Driving

June 25, 2013 | No Comments

Has your elderly parent had a few auto accidents lately?  Perhaps a new medical condition has you concerned that they are behind the wheel?  Whatever the reason, having the conversation about having a senior hand over his keys is difficult.  Here are some ways to make that discussion go a little easier. 1. Pay attention.  Ride as a passenger while your parent drives and pay attention to their driving.  Make notes of any driving errors that occur. And try not to cheat by prompting them to use their turn signal or reminding them of an upcoming stop sign.  Bring this list
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