As we’ve mentioned in past blog posts, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease vary in the sense that one is an effect of the other. Although Alzheimer’s is a disease that to date has no cure, there are many factors that lead to dementia that can be controlled. Some, of those factors, such as being genetically predisposed to Alzheimer’s, can’t be changed. However, there are ways to reduce the chances of experiencing dementia. The Mayo Clinic has multiple suggestions as to how to do so and offered up the following guidelines: Alcohol use. Consuming large amounts of alcohol appears to increase the risk of
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Identifying non-traditional risk factors for dementia
Non-traditional risk factors that combine to predict Alzheimer’s disease serve as a bulk of the findings revealed in a recent study that was produced by the Geriatric Medicine Research Unit at the Dalhousie University. In the following video, Dr. Kenneth Rockwood discusses those findings and talks about those most affected by dementia. With an ever-growing list of risk factors, such as high blood pressure and a genetic disposition, aging individuals have a lot to be aware of in regard to dementia and its side effects. We here at Freedom Home Care und generic tadalafil erstand the challenges faced by those
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21 classic movies to watch in 2013
As winter begins to settle in, there’s nothing better than curling up with an afghan and a movie on the living room couch. Because let’s face it, with a now-permanent blanket of snow on the ground and temperatures sticking below 32, no one wants to venture out into the cold. Therefore, to warm your heart and inspire a bit of nostalgia, the editors at AARP chose the following 21 movies that they consider must-sees: 1. Lawrence of Arabia, 1962 2. Casablanca, 1942 3. The Producers, 1968 4. The Longest Day, 1962 5. Grand Illusion, 1937 6. Spirited Away, 2001 7.
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Exploring oatmeal – a powerhouse food
Oatmeal has been a long-running go-to breakfast item for all walks of life. And it’s an especially great choice for seniors due to its ability to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. Oatmeal, however, doesn’t have to be bland and mushy to be healthy. In the following video, produced by the Dr. Marion Caregiver Training & Resources YouTube channel, oatmeal is given a new face. In it, caregivers and elderly individuals alike can garner a handful of good ideas to up the oatmeal ante. Overall, the suggestions are delivered from a health and medical stance, offering viewers
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Set expectations up front; get great results for the long run
When the time comes for an aging loved to hire an in-home caregiver, there are often times a handful of concerns to address. Many of those are in regard to whether a good relationship can be forged between the senior and the new caregiver. To set minds at ease, however, there are a few methods to implement to facilitate positive rapport. And it all begins with clarifying expectations. As long as both parties are clear about certain preferences, the possibility for misunderstandings or disputes down the road is greatly reduced. “Start by setting the right tone for the conversation,” explains
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6 ways Freedom Home Care helps you get back home
There’s nothing better than sleeping in your bed or being in the comfort of your own home. After a hospital stay, however, getting back home can be quite the big task. Therefore, getting re-acclimated and settled in can sometimes require help from others. And that’s where Freedom Home Care Home can help. The FHC Sweet Home Program was put in place to make the return home so much easier. It was designed to assist patients and their families transitioning from any environment back to their personal place of residence. Here are six ways that FHC’s in-home caregivers can help: 1.
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Understanding how dementia differs from Alzheimer’s
As people get older, it becomes increasingly difficult to remember things. For most elderly individuals, it is an unfortunate fact of aging. In recent years, the term senility, which once referred to difficulties with cognizance, has now been replaced with the term dementia. The problem, however, is that now dementia is too often confused with conditions such as Alzheimer’s. In reality, dementia is merely a symptom of Alzheimer’s and other diseases associated with the brain. “A good analogy to the term dementia is ‘fever,’” explained the editors at AlzheimersReadingRoom.com. “Fever refers to an elevated temperature, indicating that a person is
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Finding balance through tai chi
The Chinese have long been known for their unique way of living, which has produced some of the healthiest yet oldest individuals on the planet. It is a way of life that combines both body and mind. And at the heart of it lies tai chi, an ancient martial art that has been practiced for centuries for both its defense purposes as well as its health benefits. “Deeply rooted in Chinese meditation, medicine, and martial arts, tai chi (pronounced ”tie chee”) combines mental concentration with slow, controlled movements to focus the mind, challenge the body, and improve the flow of
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Early warning signs that your aging loved one needs help at home
As the people important to us most begin to grow older, we witness many changes in their appearance, behavior and health. Some of these changes are the natural signs of aging while others should be considered signals that help might be needed in the home. But if our loved ones don’t ask for help directly, how will we know if living alone is no longer an option for them? Encouraging open conversations should always be the first step. Talking with family members, friends and doctors will begin to open doors of understanding for all involved. However, to ensure the safety
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Freedom Home Care to sponsor First Class Care training program
Freedom Home Care is happy to announce that it will sponsor First Class Care’s in-house training program, the First Class Care Academy. First Class Care, a full-service domestic placement agency in Illinois, helps families throughout the state find top-notch nannies, newborn care specialists, babysitters, housekeepers, personal assistants, house managers and chefs. The First Class Care Academy covers a wide variety of professional development courses, enabling individuals to take their service careers to the next level. The year-long sponsorship perfectly aligns with Freedom Home Care’s core strengths, which lie in providing quality care to those in need. Freedom Home Care has
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