Although jaundice is a common condition found in babies born before 38 weeks of gestation and in babies who are breast-fed, new parents must be aware that severe cases can come with long-term complications, such as brain damage, if not tended to properly. Infant jaundice, which is a yellow discoloration in a newborn baby's skin and eyes, happens when a baby's blood contains an excess amount of bilirubin, a yellow-colored pigment of red blood cells. According to the staff at the Mayo Clinic, it occurs because a baby's liver isn't mature enough to get rid of bilirubin in the bloodstream.
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Archives for Freedom Home Care
Understanding the three stages of Alzheimer’s
According to the Alzheimer’s Health Assistance Foundation, “more than 15 million Americans provide unpaid care for someone with Alzheimer's disease or dementia.” And during the course of care, those caregivers, usually family members or friends, will be taxed mentally and physically and in a myriad of highs and lows. But as the disease progresses, the assistance needed can change and increase and sometimes become too much for one individual to handle. To help the general public better understand the stages of Alzheimer’s, including the degree of care needed for each, the AHAF published the following information: Stage 1 (Mild): This stage
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5 tips to downsize, de-clutter and de-complicate life
Yesterday, the folks here at Freedom Home Care put the aging loved ones in our lives in a downsizing frame of mind. We highlighted a Wall Street Journal editor who is gung ho for de-cluttering and de-complicating her life. By freeing oneself of an oversized residence, elderly individuals can take back their free time and enjoy retirement all that much more. And while we admitted in our post that moving into a smaller space is easier said that done, we also promised that we would provide a few tips to make the transition a smooth one. To carry out that
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Extreme downsizing – making less become more
Chores like cleaning out the gutters and pruning the hedges are tasks that most homeowners dread. And those are just the seasonal obligations. Anyone who owns a house or lives in a large apartment knows just how much work is required to maintain a clean and organized home. Therefore, one of the benefits of growing old is having the opportunity to do more with less. In a recent article published by the Wall Street Journal, editor Ellen M. Kozak praised the bare-bones lifestyle of Mother Hubbard. She referred to it as extreme downsizing. “This is not mere decluttering,” she explained.
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Valuable advice on how to avoid the flu
According to a video news report posted on the ABC News website, 47 U.S. states have reported widespread flu outbreaks. And although the worst may be behind us, it will continue to be important for Americans – regardless of age – to take measures to prevent a flu attack. To decrease the chances of getting hit with the flu this season, the Huffington Post published an article with a handful of tips and suggestions. They are as follows: 1. Wash your hands One of the most effective and easiest methods of flu prevention is something we should all do several
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What to expect from a doctor’s appointment to assess cognition
At a certain point in everyone’s life, memory can begin to fail. It is just one part of the aging process. For some, however, decreases in memory are more than just a sign of growing old. They can, in fact, be precursors to Alzheimer’s disease and therefore should be assessed by a physician. In the following video, produced by the Alzheimer’s Association, Dr. Joshua Chodosh walks a patient through a typical appointment where he assesses cognition and then recommends Anything Goes Diet- Weight Loss Without The Rules follow-up treatment. In some cases, elderly individuals are hesitant to undergo a cognition
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Learning about Freedom Home Care’s New Baby Program
The joys of parenthood: They are the indescribable feelings a mother gets when she first cradles her baby in her arms. They are the feelings that swell up in a father’s chest when he first eyes those little hands and those little toes. They are the moments that will last a lifetime in the proud parents’ minds. Having a baby comes with many unexpected gifts, but as so many know, having a baby comes with many hurdles, as well: Sleepless nights. A lack of confidence when trying to quiet a crying baby. Nervous concern at the slightest sneeze or the
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Thursday Trivia – Maintaining a healthy heart
According to HealthFinder.gov, a government Web site full of information and tools to help Americans stay healthy, individuals should have their blood pressure checked on a regular basis. Question: So how often should I have my blood pressure checked? Answer: Especially for those over the age of 40, individuals should check their blood pressure at least once every two years. “By taking steps to lower your blood pressure, you can reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure,” explained the editors at HealthFinder.gov. “Lowering your blood pressure can also help you live a longer, healthier life.” To get advice on what
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Chicago’s MOPD asks, “Can you hear us now?”
With the goal of keeping Illinois residents connected, the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities has made free amplified phone, teletypewriters (TTYs) and CapTel devices available to qualified individuals through the Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation. With no age or income restrictions, we here at Freedom Home Care believe that it is a service that many of our clients could benefit from. The only criteria required to qualify for the program are as follows: Being a legal resident of Illinois Filling out the program application (available at MOPD’s two locations) Having standard phone service in residence (land-line) Having a difficult time
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Spreading awareness about glaucoma
According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, approximately 2.7 million Americans have glaucoma and more are being diagnosed every day. By 2030, the number may rise to as high as 4.2 million. And the condition is by no means exclusive to those in the United States. Worldwide, there are currently 60 million individuals afflicted with the condition. “Experts estimate that half of them don’t know they have it,” reports the GRF. “Combined with our aging population, we can see an epidemic of blindness looming if we don’t raise awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations to preserve vision. The World
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