We at Freedom Home Care, your home care agency, believe that music can work in many ways. One way found in a recent study shows that music is good for the health. The relationship between music and senior citizens can be beneficial for health and the quality of life. With the holidays and holiday music approaching right around the corner, we thought what better way to show you just how effective music can be. A study by the American music Therapy Association showed that music and activities done with music provides comfort and relief to people living with Alzheimer’s
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Archives for Chicago In-Home Care
Beating the Holiday Blues for Seniors
Depression during the holidays has become an unfortunate epidemic, even among seniors. According to Mental Health America statistics, more than 34 million seniors age 65 and older are dealing with depression in one form or another. And growing older doesn’t mean depression has to be a part of the everyday experience. Many people suffer from depression due to chronic illnesses like cancer, arthritis, heart disease, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Older loved ones are also more likely to be alone around the holidays. Family has moved out of state. A significant others have passed on. Friends might not keep in touch like
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Can Engaging in Creative Activities Help You Avoid Alzheimer's Disease?
One in 44 million people in the U.S. today have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, while one in 10 adults over the age of 65 suffers from the disease. While there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, there are ways we can help fight off some of its effects. According to experts, engaging in the arts and other creative activities, can help seniors positively develop self-esteem, sharpen skills, maintain dexterity and stimulate the mind. It’s also been proven that hobbies like playing games or listening to music can assist Alzheimer’s patients find meaning in their lives and draw from interests they’ve
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Fun Fall Activities for Seniors
Autumn. There’s no other season like it. Fall leaves are changing color. Comfort foods are an indelible part of the menu. Cozy knit sweaters are in style again and the crisp scent of autumn fills the air. Now is the perfect time for family and friends to get holiday-ready with activities that bring everyone together and create long-lasting memories at the same time. To help you celebrate the season, Freedom Home Care agency came up with a few easy autumn ideas that seniors can enjoy doing with the help of loved ones. Create a Fall Wreath Ring in the season
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A Laugh a Day Keeps Caregiving Stress Away!
It’s been said that laughter is the best medicine. But how often do we actually enjoy a proper belly-aching laugh with our caregivers? For many people, when caring for aging loved ones, we sometimes forgo setting time aside to go out with friends, have a good laugh and simply enjoy ourselves. But according to doctors, a chuckle a day, can actually keep stress at bay. It may seem like a small gesture, but if done on a routine basis, laughter has been shown to have positive results on one’s overall health and well-being. Below, Freedom Home Care lists a few
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Technology for Dementia
As a home care agency or those of you who are familiar with Dementia, you know it is not easy to watch your loved ones suffer from this disease. You often wonder if it is safe for them to live alone, or how much longer can they live alone. You know that with Alzheimer’s disease or Dementia that as the progression advances so do the risks. At Freedom Home Care, we believe that for people suffering with these diseases, doing daily routines and activities can help go a long way with your loved ones feeling comfortable. With
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5 Tips for Seniors to Stay Healthy During Flu Season
Fall is here and aside from all the things we love like the cool breeze, leaves changing colors, and candles, it comes with one thing we all dread: Flu season. Don’t let the flu ruin your fall season, use these 5 tips to prevent you and your loved ones from getting sick. Get vaccinated with the Flu shot. The flu vaccine is one effective way to prevent yourself from getting sick. The Center for Disease Control recommends getting vaccinated early in the season, because it can take up to about two weeks for your body to fully become
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Senior Immunizations
Because an estimated 45,000 seniors die each year because of complications from preventable diseases, experts say more needs to be done to educate older loved ones about the benefits of being immunized. As part of an on-going effort to fend off unnecessary infections and diseases, many health care professionals are offering free information to seniors through pamphlets, emails and text messages. Pharmacies and doctor’s offices are some of the most common places to find information about flu shots. And, in most cases, these services are free to the public. Personal education is another way healthcare professionals are teaching older
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Upcoming Health Fair Happening Soon!
If you haven’t heard yet, here’s the news- We are hosting an upcoming health fair brought to you by us at Freedom Home Care! You are probably asking, so what is it all about? Find out here! We invite you all to come out and join us at a health fair hosted by your home care agency provider, Freedom Home Care. At this year’s event we will have healthcare providers from all across the Chicagoland area helping share information about the choices you can make for your loved ones health. We know it may not be an easy process,
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How to Assess Your Loved One's Care Needs
There comes a time in all of our lives where we need to depend on others for help. This might be easier for some people than it is for others – and understandable so. This is also true for our senior loved ones. But there’s a difference in leaning on someone temporarily in a time of need and relying on someone because of a loss of independence. The thought of no longer having control over your own independence can leave you feeling scared, angry, frustrated and alone. It can also adversely impact one’s health and overall well-being. That’s why it’s
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