Archives for in home care chicago

Reducing time spent in hospitals or rehabilitation facilities

Reducing time spent in hospitals or rehabilitation facilities

February 5, 2013 | Comments Off on Reducing time spent in hospitals or rehabilitation facilities

As apparent in its name, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement is focused on improving worldwide health and health care. With much to tackle, the group is concerned about the frequency of readmissions for recently discharged hospital patients. The effort to improve this rate is among the group’s core initiatives. “Hospitalizations account for nearly one-third of the total $2 trillion spent on health care in the United States,” the IHI explains. “In the majority of cases, hospitalization is necessary and appropriate. However, a substantial fraction of all hospitalizations are patients returning to the hospital soon after their previous stay. These rehospitalizations
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Learning about the potential for post-operative cognitive decline

Learning about the potential for post-operative cognitive decline

February 1, 2013 | Comments Off on Learning about the potential for post-operative cognitive decline

According to Sunnybrook Hospital’s Dr. Beverley Orser, one in three patients will experience post-surgery memory loss. And unfortunate for some, cognitive difficulties can last as long as three months after a procedure has been performed. In the following video, Dr. Orser explains that memory loss is caused by inflammation in the brain and that it may be treatable and reversible, as shown in a recent study. Freedom Home Care, however, understands that later in life, these types of cognitive decline may make the transition back to home even more difficult. And order generic viagra online that’s why we implemented our
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Being aware to take care – identifying the risk factors behind dementia

Being aware to take care – identifying the risk factors behind dementia

January 31, 2013 | No Comments

  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

Identifying non-traditional risk factors for dementia

January 23, 2013 | Comments Off on 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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Set expectations up front; get great results for the long run

Set expectations up front; get great results for the long run

November 16, 2012 | No Comments

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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Finding balance through tai chi

Finding balance through tai chi

November 1, 2012 | No Comments

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

Early warning signs that your aging loved one needs help at home

October 31, 2012 | No Comments

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 to sponsor First Class Care training program

October 29, 2012 | No Comments

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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Tapping into the senior tech trend

Tapping into the senior tech trend

October 11, 2012 | Comments Off on Tapping into the senior tech trend

In the past, tech-savvy wasn’t necessarily a descriptor attached to those in the 65-plus age group. That term was reserved for the younger generations who were delving into the latest and greatest online tools. That is, until now. As we here at Freedom Home Care have mentioned in previous blogs, older Americans are taking the Internet for a test drive, and what they’re finding is that it’s an incredibly valuable way to stay in touch with family members and friends – and the entire world around them. For seniors who haven’t already hopped on the World Wide Web express, there
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Determining the level of care your aging loved one needs

Determining the level of care your aging loved one needs

September 28, 2012 | Comments Off on Determining the level of care your aging loved one needs

When the people closest to us in life begin to show signs of aging, it’s natural to question what that means for their current and future well-being. And when those questions arise, open lines of communication should quickly be established. In an earlier Freedom Home Care blog post, we looked at PBS’s Caring for your Parents web page, which said that “ideally these conversations should happen before there is a crisis.” If an elder's ability to do certain things begins to diminish, it’s important to talk openly and soon, keeping in mind that often, they will be relieved to talk
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