Archives for memory loss

What to expect from a doctor’s appointment to assess cognition

What to expect from a doctor’s appointment to assess cognition

January 14, 2013 | Comments Off on 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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Understanding how dementia differs from Alzheimer’s

Understanding how dementia differs from Alzheimer’s

November 5, 2012 | No Comments

As people get older, it becomes increasingly difficult to remember things. For most elderly individuals, it is an unfortunate fact of aging. In recent years, the term senility, which once referred to difficulties with cognizance, has now been replaced with the term dementia. The problem, however, is that now dementia is too often confused with conditions such as Alzheimer’s. In reality, dementia is merely a symptom of Alzheimer’s and other diseases associated with the brain. “A good analogy to the term dementia is ‘fever,’” explained the editors at AlzheimersReadingRoom.com. “Fever refers to an elevated temperature, indicating that a person is
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Laughter does the body (and brain) good

Laughter does the body (and brain) good

September 26, 2012 | Comments Off on Laughter does the body (and brain) good

Memory loss is a common side effect of aging. As our bodies (and brains) grow older, it becomes more and more difficult to remember where we put our car keys or when we were supposed to water the plants. In the following video, posted on the official AARP YouTube channel, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist and animator Walt Handelsman puts a lighthearted spin on the forgetfulness that most of us will experience later in life. In fact, the old saying “laughter is the best medicine,” actually holds true when it comes to improving our memories. “Unlike emotional responses, which are limited
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Superagers – defying age in a single bound

Superagers – defying age in a single bound

September 13, 2012 | No Comments

Last night, if you were watching the 9 o’clock nightly news, you might have noticed a spry, good-looking older gal cruising the shops of downtown Chicago. And then, if you continued watching, you would have learned that that older woman was, in fact, 85 years old. According to a study taking place at Northwestern University, 85-year-old Barb Shaeffer falls under the category of superager – men and women in their 80s or older who exhibit remarkable memory and energy for their age. Since discovering this category of age-defiance, Northwestern researchers examined 12 individuals from the Chicago area who fit the
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Alzheimer’s – 10 ways to detect it on its onset

Alzheimer’s – 10 ways to detect it on its onset

September 11, 2012 | Comments Off on Alzheimer’s – 10 ways to detect it on its onset

In a recent blog post here at Freedom Home Care we reported that more than 5 million Americans age 65 and older are thought to have Alzheimer’s disease and that one person in the United States is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease approximately every 69 seconds. The numbers are staggering, but the forms of treatment are growing and improving every day. An early diagnosis will allow patients to have a say when it comes to decisions about care, transportation, living options, and financial and legal matters. Therefore, it’s important to look for early warning signs. Although Alzheimer’s usually begins after the age
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Four tips for creating a safe kitchen environment

Four tips for creating a safe kitchen environment

August 27, 2012 | Comments Off on Four tips for creating a safe kitchen environment

Providing a safe home environment for a loved one suffering with Alzheimer's is a top priority. And the caregivers at Freedom Home Care understand how important it is for a patient with Alzheimer’s or dementia to be safe and comfortable in their own homes. Therefore, over the course of the next few days, we here at FHC will dedicate our blog posts to providing helpful tips and methods to ensure the utmost level of in-home safety. According to the editors at AgingCare.com, “in the long run, adapting the home environment is much easier than trying to adapt behaviors that may
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Tips for long-distance Alzheimer's caregiving

Tips for long-distance Alzheimer's caregiving

July 18, 2012 | Comments Off on Tips for long-distance Alzheimer's caregiving

For many adult children whose aging parents are not living in the same city or even in the same state, the well being of their loved one can be a stressful topic. And this is especially true when a parent has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Knowing that a parent is so far away but not knowing about their current condition – mental or physical – can be more than troubling. In the Chicagoland area, however, there are multiple Freedom Home Care facilities with caregivers at quick disposal to a patient. With locations in Hinsdale, Highland Park, Buffalo Grove, Oak Brook
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Reminding patients that there's no place like home

Reminding patients that there's no place like home

July 16, 2012 | Comments Off on Reminding patients that there's no place like home

When a person hears the terms home health care, in-home care or home health aide services, often times the first thing that comes to mind is caring for the elderly. This, however, is a bit of a misnomer, considering that home health care can run the gamut – from post-surgery care to speech therapy. “Home health care is a wide range of health care services that can be given in your home,” Medicare.gov explains. “Home health care is usually less expensive, more convenient, and just as effective as care you get in a hospital or skilled nursing facility.” Just as it
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How do I know when my loved one needs help at home? 20 signs to look for

How do I know when my loved one needs help at home? 20 signs to look for

June 14, 2012 | Comments Off on How do I know when my loved one needs help at home? 20 signs to look for

There is nothing more important in this world than our loved ones. But it is inevitable that they – and we – will all grow old. Therefore, making certain that our aging family members are healthy and happy is not just a goal; it is a necessity. At some point in time, friends and family members may begin to show signs that they could benefit from home health care. The difficult part is knowing how to differentiate between the typical signs of aging and when it’s truly time to worry. AgingCare.com, an online community providing advice, information and support when
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Don't Let Your Memory Fail You

Don't Let Your Memory Fail You

April 24, 2012 | Comments Off on Don't Let Your Memory Fail You

Is your memory letting you down?  As we age, it’s natural to forget little things here and there, but it can be very frustrating when your memory fails you, especially at inopportune moments.  Rest assured, new research shows that there are steps you can take to ward off normal memory loss and prevent against it in the future.  In conjunction with traditional medicine and a healthy lifestyle, I feel that nutraceutical supplements can do a lot for our overall health, especially when it comes to cognitive decline.  Read on for my tips on getting the most out of your mind.
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