Archives for Freedom Home Care

Getting to know the Collaborative Healthcare Urgency Group

Getting to know the Collaborative Healthcare Urgency Group

July 5, 2012 | Comments Off on Getting to know the Collaborative Healthcare Urgency Group

In the late 1990s, the concept of the Collaborative Healthcare Urgency Group emerged. Connie Polke, the concept’s innovator was a licensed respiratory therapist who recognized the frailty of patients and residents within healthcare facilities. The longer she worked in the field, the more she became concerned about patients’ well-being and especially so in cases of emergency. “Several years earlier, Bill Pretzer, a Battalion Chief for the Park Ridge, Illinois Fire Department, was called out to a flooding event at a local nursing facility, and experienced first hand, the dangers of inadequate preparation as well as the complications of moving these fragile
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Finding dignity through the clothing we wear

Finding dignity through the clothing we wear

July 2, 2012 | Comments Off on Finding dignity through the clothing we wear

Your Life Calling, hosted by award-winning journalist Jane Pauley, celebrates the lives of American seniors and introduces life-changing products and ideas to anyone looking to improve their day-to-day routines. In a segment that aired last week, Pauley had the opportunity to talk to Jan Erickson who released her stylish and versatile clothing line that keeps mobility-challenged individuals in mind. From fashionabl buy sildenafil online e leg warmers to shawls that can double as lap blankets, Erickson has a deep understanding of what seniors need. As a caregiver herself, Erickson brings to light that even though some elderly individuals might not
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What the health care act means for seniors

What the health care act means for seniors

June 29, 2012 | Comments Off on What the health care act means for seniors

For so many Americans who rely on Medicare and Medicaid, yesterday’s historic Supreme Court ruling was a major victory. According to the New York Times, many improvements that had initially passed in the bill early in 2010 and which could have evaporated had the law been overturned, have now been solidified into the act. Most important perhaps is the preservation of certain initiatives for advancing efforts to support elderly and disabled people in their homes, rather than in nursing homes, says the NYT. This includes the Community First Choice Option, “which assists states with the costs of in-home programs for
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Safety must-haves for your aging loved one

Safety must-haves for your aging loved one

June 27, 2012 | Comments Off on Safety must-haves for your aging loved one

There is nothing more comforting than knowing that your aging loved one will be able to continue living at home as opposed to moving into a care facility. And although the value of dignity and independence are great, there are still some measures that must be put into place to ensure true peace of mind for all involved. By implementing certain products and equipment, family members can rest assured that their aging loved one is safe and sound at home and on their own. AgingCare.com compiled the following list of at-home care essentials, and we here at Freedom Home Care
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4 of 4: The signs of aging, a four-part series

4 of 4: The signs of aging, a four-part series

June 26, 2012 | Comments Off on 4 of 4: The signs of aging, a four-part series

Over the past week, we here at Freedom Home Care have been looking at the National Institute of Health’s “Eight Areas of Age-Related Change.” And we’ve been quite captivated by the list because we believe that being aware of the physical changes that our bodies undergo later in life is the best way to combat old age today. So as we post these last two topics, we’d like to thank the NIH for arming us with the knowledge that will help us better enjoy our twilight years. 7. Skin “The simplest and cheapest way to keep your skin healthy and young
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3 of 4: The signs of aging, a four-part series

3 of 4: The signs of aging, a four-part series

June 25, 2012 | Comments Off on 3 of 4: The signs of aging, a four-part series

The National Institute of Health has a very distinct mission. The governmental agency’s goal is to seek out information and cultivate knowledge about the “nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce the burdens of illness and disability.” In doing so, the NIH developed its list of what can be expected later in life. And we here at Freedom Home Care have dedicated our efforts to disseminating the organization’s hard work, which can be found in four consecutive posts, starting with last week’s blog roll. But without further ado, here
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2 of 4: The signs of aging, a four-part series

2 of 4: The signs of aging, a four-part series

June 22, 2012 | Comments Off on 2 of 4: The signs of aging, a four-part series

Mary Ann Evans, better known by her pen name, George Eliot, said, “Old men's eyes are like old men's memories; they are strongest for things a long way off.” Evens, a leading Victorian journalist and author, delivered a touching sentiment about old age with her statement; it is one that speaks to the changes that take place in one’s twilight years. According to the National Institute of Health, there are eight areas of change associated with aging. And in an effort to disseminate the information surrounding these areas of change, we here at Freedom Home Care are delivering the message
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How do I talk to my loved one about bringing a caregiver into their home?

How do I talk to my loved one about bringing a caregiver into their home?

June 19, 2012 | Comments Off on How do I talk to my loved one about bringing a caregiver into their home?

No matter how difficult it may seem, there comes a time when you will have to talk to your aging parent or loved one about hiring an in-home caregiver. Many people in this situation do their best to avoid the conversation, fearing a loved one will respond with denial and refusal or perhaps worse, combative behaviors. Ignoring the situation because of potential hurt feelings is the worst approach possible, considering health and safety are already at risk for candidates of in-home care. The sooner they can get help taking care of themselves, the less possibility there will be for an
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Understanding the advantages of the National Private Duty Association

Understanding the advantages of the National Private Duty Association

June 15, 2012 | Comments Off on Understanding the advantages of the National Private Duty Association

Making the decision to move forward with home health care is no simple task. Although it is often a collective decision made by a handful of concerned family members, it is still one of the most difficult choices in life. But once the choice is made, the deliberations are far from over. The next step is choosing a caregiver or caregiver organization. Often times, family members feel unqualified to differentiate one home care provider from the next. This is where the National Private Duty Association steps in. Established to help families find trusted and reliable home care providers, the National
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Freedom Home Care Welcomes Geriatric Care Coordinator, Louise Kenny

Freedom Home Care Welcomes Geriatric Care Coordinator, Louise Kenny

May 11, 2012 | Comments Off on Freedom Home Care Welcomes Geriatric Care Coordinator, Louise Kenny

Freedom Home Care is proud to announce our newest geriatric care coordinator, Louise Kenny.  Louise is an Occupational Therapist, as well as a Certified Aging in Place Specialist, who brings more than 35 years of healthcare experience to her new role at Freedom. “My career has focused on supporting people with various challenges to attain and/or maintain their highest level of functioning, whether at home or in a facility,” says Kenny, who joined Freedom this May.  “I consider myself to be an advocate for client autonomy.” Louise will conduct in-depth assessments of clients to determine their strengths and deficits related
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