Humans have a connection to the outdoors, and it is no different for the elderly. Outdoor spaces can be extremely beneficial for elderly people, especially those who struggle with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Learn more about this below. How Outdoor Spaces Help the Elderly The outdoors is said to help many people feel more relaxed and happier. When walking in nature, people feel less stressed, which can boost their mood. Is the same thing true for the elderly? According to the Chicago Botanic Garden, “The keys (and often the greatest challenges) to successful aging are to remain physically active and socially
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Archives for Seniors
Tips to Keep Your Heart Healthy
This month is American Heart Month! What better way to take care of your heart than by following the tips below! 1. Exercise – Being active is a major contributor to keeping your ticker ticking. Getting enough exercise can significantly improve your cardiovascular health. At least 30 minutes of exercise a day is recommended. 2. No Smoking – There are numerous reasons to quit smoking, including improved heart health. So, if you are trying to keep your heart healthy, it is time to quit. 3. Healthy Diet – Diet plays a huge role in our health, including the health of
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It’s Alzheimer’s Awareness Month!
November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, a time set aside to honor the millions of men and women who live with Alzheimer’s. As five million Americans live with the brain disorder, it’s imperative that time is spent finding a cure for Alzheimer’s, while working toward its treatment and prevention. Alzheimer’s Awareness Month helps to bring awareness to this disorder while offering ongoing support to those who are affected by the disease. What is Alzheimer’s? Alzheimer’s is a progressive, and unfortunately irreversible, brain disorder that slowly erodes a person’s memory, thinking, and mental processing abilities. Even the most seemingly mundane and simplest
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National Senior Citizens Day- How to Celebrate on August 21st
On August 21st, there is a national holiday dedicated to celebrating your favorite seniors in your life- Senior Citizens Day! As a homecare agency, we know just how special seniors are and cannot wait to celebrate. Below are some ways you can join in on celebrating too- check them out here! Get your loved ones engaged this holiday and throw them a backyard barbecue, dinner, or make the whole day a party in honor of them being awesome. For some, it might be difficult to express just how much you care for them, but throwing them a party ensures
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Forget Me Not: Tips AND Tricks to Living with Forgetfulness
Do you know a friend or loved one suffering from dementia and/or remembering things? We all forget things from time to time, but with a memory loss disease or age, it may become part of an everyday routine. At Freedom Home Care, we have put together some tips to help with forgetfulness and better maintain independence. Leading us off at number one is managing medication. Forgetting to take medication, or not remembering if you took it so you double up is the leading cause of why some patients end up going to the hospital. Some ways to prevent
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St. Patrick’s Day Traditions Sure to Bring You Luck
Has your luck run short? No worries, you don’t have to be Irish to get luck on St. Patrick’s Day! Follow these 6 classic traditions and get good fortune on the 17th from your friends here at Freedom Home Care. Some of these might come to you as a surprise, so read all below: One: “Drowning the Shamrock” Legend has it if you drown a shamrock it is considered a token of good fortune to come. Dating back centuries in Ireland, they used to dunk a shamrock in a glass of whiskey. They would drink the whiskey and throw
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How to Reduce Joint Pain in the Colder Months
With the temperatures starting to lower, it’s not uncommon to hear complaints about increased joint pain. It is believed that there’s a common factor between the changing temperatures and precipitation levels, and the pain they experience within their bodies. According to a study, 2/3 of people interviewed about chronic pain said that they experienced most of their pain in the colder seasons. Most people said that they could tell when the weather was about to change because they felt pain in the days prior. Below, are some ways to prevent some of the chronic pain you may experience. Dress in
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What is Validation Therapy and How Does it Work?
For those who have family members living with Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia know that it may be difficult to communicate with them at time. We at Freedom Home Care know just how tough it can be- so we would like to show you a therapy that may be effective in providing your loved ones with some relief. Validation therapy is something that is used in a Home Care Agency’s work. It is the idea that there is an underlying reason for disoriented people’s behavior. Those who study this theory believe that in order to help those living with Dementia, find
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Ways Animals Benefit The Elderly
Pets seem to add an extra something special to our lives. Sometimes it’s difficult to describe all the ways they actually benefit us. So, in case you or your senior were considering a pet, Freedom Home Care offers some pretty good reasons why pet ownership might be right for you. According to research, pets help increase social interaction, lower blood pressure and reduce stress. They have also been enlisted as therapy animals for people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. They Help Ward Off Loneliness Even if they’re receiving caregiver services from a home care agency you trust, many older loved ones often
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How To Make Sure Your Senior Doesn’t Feel Lonely This Holiday Season
For many people, this time of the year means family get-togethers, holiday shopping sprees, gift-giving and holiday merriment. But for many seniors, the same season that elicits feelings of peace and joy in some can bring about a sense of loneliness and isolation in others. According to the AARP’s 2010 Survey on Loneliness, more than half of seniors who had been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders said they felt lonely. In fact, 43 percent of older loved ones reported feeling lonely on a regular basis. Loneliness is a subjective feeling of disconnection on a social and emotional
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