Most of the time when we think of a caregiver, we imagine a woman in her late 50s or 60s taking care of a parent or spouse who has mobility issues, a medical condition or serious illness. But today, there are a surprising number of men who have taken on the role as caregiver. It’s becoming more common to see a 47-year-old male caring for his 68-year-old female relative with a long-term physical condition, according to the AARP.com. In fact, 40 percent of Americans caring for another friend or family member are male. With so many men taking on a “traditional female role” why is this phenomenon still
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Archives for Chicago In-Home Care
How To Care For a Loved One After Surgery
Depending on the procedure, having surgery can be a pretty stressful experience. As caretakers, we’re often concerned about the things that need to be done in preparation of the surgery, how well the procedure goes and what to expect afterward. The healing process itself can be daunting and one that requires a lot of time and assistance from loved ones to aid in a successful recovery. If you’re a caretaker and your senior has just undergone surgery, here are a few things Freedom Home Care found that you can do to relieve the anxiety of caring for someone during their recovery. Ask the Doctor about the Procedure Every surgery requires
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How To Help Alzheimer's Patients Enjoy Life
Most people with Alzheimer’s would agree that one of the unfortunate effects of the disease is its ability to rob them of their quality of life. And what one person considers “quality of life” may not be same as the next person. Some may lose the ability to remember or make sound choices and decisions, while others might experience a decline in their physical or emotional health. There are older loved ones who may not have the desire to participate in activities or do the things that they used to do like attending religious services, going to sporting events or dating and
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Things To Do If Arthritis Meds Don't Work
As more and more Americans transition into their golden years, the number of people suffering from chronic arthritis increases along with them. But it doesn’t end there. Many of those who experience the painful effects of osteoarthritis know that often times medication prescribed by doctors doesn’t completely relieve them of pain. For some older loved ones, medication just isn’t enough. Many times, prescription drugs come with side effects that are concerning to those who take them. And because of that, a growing number of seniors are turning to other practices for relief. By combining alternative methods and natural remedies with
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Financial Tips for Caregivers
As more and more loved ones begin to reach their Golden Years, the number of caregivers needed to provide support for them continues to decline, according to aarp.com. And today, many Baby boomers are finding their roles changing faster than ever before. Statistics show that more than 25 percent of boomers in the U.S. are making the transition from child to caregiver and may not be fully prepared for the change. Maybe an older loved ones has been diagnosed with a long-term condition like Parkinson’s or dementia. Maybe they’ve had surgery or are facing a major life change and have to rely on the
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How Seniors Can Live Longer
We as Americans live almost twice as long today, as we did 100 years ago. And the longer our lifespan, the more likely it is that our older loved ones will develop chronic illnesses and health disorders. In fact, 13 percent of the population in the U.S. is comprised of people aged 65 years and older – and as the number of Baby Boomers entering their Golden years continues to increase, the problems associated with long-term health increase as well. The good news is that in many cases, seniors don’t have to suffer from age-related conditions such as arthritis, hip
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How To Fight Isolation
Senior isolation is increasingly becoming one of the greatest social challenges faced by older Americans. And in 2014, 34 percent of people (or 11 million) aged 65 and older were living alone, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That number continues to increase, as more and more Americans reach their golden years. This is also the time that more seniors are coping on their own – and those statistics are rising as a growing number of older adults don’t have children to care for them. Here are a few important facts that Freedom Home Care discovered about senior isolation and
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Could Telemedicine Benefit You or Your Loved One?
Telemedicine is quickly becoming the new wave of the future. And for seniors, it’s providing better access to quality healthcare in a more affordable way. If you’re like those of us here at Freedom Home Care, then you probably agree that the health and well-being of our seniors is one of our greatest priorities. Finding solutions that meet the needs of older loved ones is crucial, especially when we can’t be there to care for them. And telemedicine does just that. What is Telemedicine? It’s the practice of using electronic communications to monitor and improve the health of patients. Through the use
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Consider Meal Delivery to Make Food Prep Easier
Getting around can be difficult for seniors especially when mobility is an issue. And when going from point A to B is a challenge that makes it tough for older loved ones to maintain a healthy diet because they have no way to access they food that they need. Many people are not aware that hunger and under-nutrition are slowly becoming an epidemic in the U.S. It was reported by the National Foundation to End Senior Hunger that in 2014, 15.8 percent of the population or 10.2 million older Americans were threatened by hunger, while And 3.7 million seniors are
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Freedom Home Care Celebrates Senior Independence Month
FEBRUARY IS NATIONAL SENIOR INDEPENDENCE MONTH Freedom Home Care celebrates 20 years of helping seniors HIGHLAND PARK, IL (FEBRUARY 2017) – Freedom Home Care is celebrating National Senior Independence Month this month and 20 years of helping seniors live happy and healthy lives in the comfort of their own homes. According to the American Health Association, this month was established to help seniors remain in control of their daily lives and to encourage seniors to take the opportunity to evaluate their current living situation, and determine whether or not adjustments could be made to create a better lifestyle. This is the opportunity to
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