Chicago Non Medical Care helps seniors live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.

Declining health is a serious concern for many seniors. Often times, seniors do not heed warning signs. These signs could indicate a serious medical issue that needs treatment. By noticing the signs and seeking medical help, seniors may be able to prevent many illnesses. The following list contains some common warning signs experienced by seniors.

1. If seniors suddenly lose interest in something they previously enjoyed, there is cause for concern. This includes socializing with friends, involving themselves in hobbies or losing interest in physical activity.

2. When seniors become less active, there may be an underlying problem. It is important to talk to a doctor when seniors begin to be less physically active on a day to day basis.

3. Be aware of how seniors move. If they normally move at a normal pace and suddenly begin to slow down, there may be a medical reason. Seniors should try to remain as active as possible. If they suddenly walk differently, make sure to talk to a doctor.

4. Seniors who begin to lose weight rapidly and have changes in appetite or eating habits could have a medical problem. These changes are unhealthy and should always be taken seriously. Be sure to report any changes in weight or eating habits to a doctor.

5. Many seniors do not walk as well as younger adults. However, if seniors begin to wobble when they walk, this is a warning sign. Seniors who lose their balance could have a medical problem that needs treatment.

Source: getmommoving.com

When needing help with aging parents or older adults living in the Chicago area please contact one of our offices -  Home Care Chicago North Side (773) 784-4024, Home Care Chicago Gold Coast and Lincoln Park (773) 463-3500, or Home Care Chicago Downtown, Near West, South Side (312) 348-7238.

Skokie Care and Support for Alzheimer’s disease causes memory loss and problems with thinking and behavior. According to the National Alzheimer’s Association, the illness currently impacts as many as 5.3 million Americans and accounts for 50 to 70 percent of dementia cases. The disease progresses with time and now ranks as the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.

It’s difficult to understate the devastation that comes with Alzheimer’s disease and its impact not only on patients but on their loved ones, too.

Some of those loved ones are often placed in the challenging and emotionally stressful role of the caregiver, providing around-the-clock support to a husband or wife, a mother or father who is impacted by a fatal disease that destroys brain cells.

“We see the toll that being a caregiver in this situation can take,” said Michael Melinger, owner of Home Instead Senior Care, a provider of home care services for seniors. “The killer of it all is that with Alzheimer’s disease, it’s a degenerative disease and that can mean a long goodbye for the caregiver who sees a long and steady decline.”

Read the full story on Support Group for Alzheimer’s Disease

For more information regarding the support group, call (847) 673-1250 or email Stephanie Smart at ssmart@homeinstead.com. Information is also available at www.homeinstead.com/383.

Help for aging parents or older adults living in the Chicago is provided by -  Home Care Chicago North Side (773) 784-4024, Home Care Chicago Gold Coast and Lincoln Park (773) 463-3500, or Home Care Chicago Downtown, Near West, South Side (312) 348-7238.

When visiting a senior relative this month over the holidays, be on the lookout for warning signs that their lifestyle may have become too much for them. Senior care experts recommend that families make note of the following things:

1. Learn about what your senior wants for the future – the holidays aren’t a time to bring up stressful conversations, but you can casually ask them about their desires for their future. If you learn they’re hoping to move closer to their grandchildren or to a warmer climate, that can help you understand for planning

2. Take a look at how they’re doing physically and mentally – simply being in a senior’s presence over the holidays will help you to evaluate their physical and mental health that could dictate their future senior care needs

3. Include the whole family – particularly if the senior you are assessing is a parent and you have siblings, everyone needs to be included in the discussions, at least until a family caregiver is decided to provide family care. Open the dialogue with your family members about the future of your loved one’s care

Via: www.stagesofseniorcare.com

Image: sxc.hu

When needing help with aging parents or older adults living in the Chicago area please contact one of our offices -  Home Care Chicago North Side (773) 784-4024, Home Care Chicago Gold Coast and Lincoln Park (773) 463-3500, or Home Care Chicago Downtown, Near West, South Side (312) 348-7238.

Over 5 million seniors in the United States suffer with some form of Alzheimer’s or dementia, and this is a number that’s expected to double over the upcoming decades. Unfortunately, medical care for Alzheimer’s today is not at the level that it should be, and improvements are necessary to accommodate a growing population with quality care. In many cases today, seniors are hospitalized for other medical issues, and their Alzheimer’s goes undetected until they develop a complication as a result of their cognitive impairment. A new study indicates that more comprehensive care is needed for Alzheimer’s patients, and it uses a three-tier approach.

1. Screening upon admission to the hospital – rather than learning that a senior has Alzheimer’s or dementia retroactively following a medical issue, this approach ensures seniors are screened when admitted to the hospital

2. Education of the nurses and medical practitioners – there are three levels of care depending upon patient needs, but all of them ensure that all medical professionals responsible for the care of a senior are aware of their Alzheimer’s diagnosis

3. Planning for the future – right from the time of admission in this three-tier program, medical professionals talk with seniors and family members about preparing for the future, and arrangements that will need to be made for discharge. For those who require more comprehensive care, follow-ups are conducted to ensure that a senior’s health comes first

Via: Hospitals and Health Networks

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When needing help with aging parents or older adults living in the Chicago area please contact one of our offices -  Home Care Chicago North Side (773) 784-4024, Home Care Chicago Gold Coast and Lincoln Park (773) 463-3500, or Home Care Chicago Downtown, Near West, South Side (312) 348-7238.

might see it as paranoia, but a new study has demonstrated that older adults in the future might have increased instances of medical conditions that can affect their mobility, health and quality of life. Seniors that have increased disabilities will likely require greater care from senior care providers and from medical care providers, and in order to accommodate these needs, planning is necessary:

1. Caregivers can arm themselves with knowledge – with this study already circulating, professional caregivers and families with other generations alike can take this opportunity to become more knowledgeable. Professional caregivers can increase their knowledge about dealing with disabled seniors on a large scale, and families can take a long hard look at their prospective care options should this issue become a reality for their family

2. Organizations can improve personal mobility devices – new technology that can assist in the senior care industry is constantly becoming available on the market, but if  there is a greater need that’s upcoming, there’s room for further development and preparation

3. Studies can focus on preventative measures – increased numbers of disabled seniors, particularly if the boomer demographic is affected, could put a strain on the health care system. With this knowledge, health care professionals care work proactively to try and find preventative medicine or establish techniques that may reduce the likelihood that the number of disabled seniors will increase

Via: MedicalNewsToday

Image source: sxc.hu

When needing help with aging parents or older adults living in the Chicago area please contact one of our offices -  Home Care Chicago North Side (773) 784-4024, Home Care Chicago Gold Coast and Lincoln Park (773) 463-3500, or Home Care Chicago Downtown, Near West, South Side (312) 348-7238.

Finding help for an aging parent or loved one can be a challenge, especially when you are concerned about their well-being and find it hard to focus on the practical aspects of eldercare when your emotions are coming into play. However, in order to improve the well-being of your aging Chicago senior, you need to know what services are available and exactly how you can find them. Here are the ways that you can help you parents through the eldercare process:

1. Find out what local eldercare services are available in your area – contact the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116 so you know what’s available near your loved one’s Chicago home and how you can get in touch to arrange services.
2. Know which services your senior qualifies for – NCOA has developed an online questionnaire which allows caregivers and seniors to take a survey that helps them determine which services and benefits that they may qualify for. Visit benefitscheckup.org to learn about eligible benefit programs for prescriptions, utilities and health care.
3. Understand seniors rights and know how to get assistance – whether you are helping a parent or senior loved one prepare a will, dealing with a situation where a senior has been abused or neglected, or simply want a professional to help explain the legal rights of seniors, knowing where and how to get legal assistance is crucial. Many organizations provide pro bono legal representation for seniors. Contact the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging or use the Eldercare Locator to find other resources.

Via: The University of Vermont

Image: pro.corbis.com

When needing help with aging parents or older adults living in the Chicago area please contact one of our offices -  Home Care Chicago North Side (773) 784-4024, Home Care Chicago Gold Coast and Lincoln Park (773) 463-3500, or Home Care Chicago Downtown, Near West, South Side (312) 348-7238.

We’ve all thought about moving an elderly parent or relative into our homes at some point – although some of us our braver than others, and that’s for a good reason. Sure, it’s a nice gesture that could potentially bring benefits to the whole family; but for some, living with a senior parent can be the catalyst that tears the family apart and it happens for a good reason, based on these statistics.

• Adult caregivers may find that once an elderly parent or relative is living with them, they have little to no time for themselves, between caring for their own children, managing a career, and providing care for a senior who is there 24/7, it can be easy for a caregiver to become overwhelmed. When a caregiver lives with their care recipient, there’s no option to leave and go home to get some space
• 75% of seniors and caregivers who live with or too close to their loved ones rate their stress level at 5 on a scale of 1-5
• Seniors and the family they live with may be forced to give up some aspects of their lifestyle
• Living arrangements and family structure and roles can change

Via: Home Instead Senior Care

When needing help with aging parents or older adults living in the Chicago area please contact one of our offices -  Home Care Chicago North Side (773) 784-4024, Home Care Chicago Gold Coast and Lincoln Park (773) 463-3500, or Home Care Chicago Downtown, Near West, South Side (312) 348-7238.

A recent study led by Johns Hopkins and Utah State University researchers suggests that a particularly close relationship with caregivers may give people with Alzheimer’s disease a marked edge over those without one.  The benefits appear to result in retaining mind and brain function over time.

The research focused on how caregivers affect the well-being of people with Alzheimer’s disease.  Most other studies have looked at the well-being of caregivers.  Of the 167 pairs of Alzheimer’s patients and caregivers studied, patients with close spouses declined the slowest overall.

Knowing that you make such an important difference in the life of your loved ones living with Alzheimer’s disease is good for all family members to know.  However, caring for an elderly loved one can be stressful. Please make an effort to get a break once in a while.  Can you call a trusted family member or friend to sit with your husband?

Why not consider professional respite care.  Home Instead Senior Care employs CAREGivers who can serve as a helper to family caregivers who need even a few hours a week away from home.  Many CAREGivers are trained to work with seniors who have dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.  Why not call today?

Source: Hopkins Medicine

Image Source: Home Instead Senior Care

When needing help with aging parents or older adults living in the Chicago area please contact one of our offices -  Home Care Chicago North Side (773) 784-4024, Home Care Chicago Gold Coast and Lincoln Park (773) 463-3500, or Home Care Chicago Downtown, Near West, South Side (312) 348-7238.

A major component of Chicago home care involves ensuring that a senior remains safe in their own home, and since stairs present a major risk for in-home falls and accidents, this is one area that should be focused on for immediate senior safety. When looking at stair safety for the elderly, Chicago family members should focus on both the hardware and structure of the stairs, as well as the décor and lighting that surround the area. Complete the following checklist to ensure that your elderly loved one will be safe on their stairs. For more help with your senior’s safety contact Home Instead Senior Care in Chicago at (773) 784-4024.

Safe Stair Structure Checklist:

• Steps are at least 11 inches deep and each step is even

• Steps are not slanted or loose

• Stair surfaces have slip resistant treads

• Handrails are on one side of the stairs, if not both sides

• Handrails are strongly fastened and supportive

• Handrails and banisters are no thicker around than 6.25 inches so they can be easily grabbed

• Indicators installed on handrails let seniors know when each step is coming to an end

Safe Stair Surrounds Checklist:

• Stairways are well-lit

• No objects are present on stairs

• Tops and bottoms of stairways are free of rugs and mats that might slip

• Assistive devices have been considered to help with mobility on stairs where appropriate

Sources:

1. Ezine Articles (Daryl Lanhker)

2. Canada Safety Council

Image Source: www.ehow.com

When needing help with aging parents or older adults living in the Chicago area please contact one of our offices -  Home Care Chicago North Side (773) 784-4024, Home Care Chicago Gold Coast and Lincoln Park (773) 463-3500, or Home Care Chicago Downtown, Near West, South Side (312) 348-7238.

Chicago’s Happy Senior Care Client’s Reviews!

Recently we have had many clients calling us to thank us for sending them great caregivers and to let us know that we provide exceptional service. One recent call was from a son of a client who had severe dementia, diabetes and other health problems. They used us from July of 2007 until March of 2009. Over the years our wonderful caregivers provided around the clock care for his mom 7 days a week. He called to complement us on the 2 caregivers his mom had a chance to work with before she passed away.

Sandra, who worked 5 days a week with his mom, was a wonderful and dedicated caregiver. Whenever the fill in worker could not get the client to eat she would come on her days off to feed her. She would also bring food with her that she knew the client liked! She knew how to encourage the client to do just about anything- eat when she did not want to eat, bathe when she did not want to bathe and get up in the morning and get dressed. Yemi, the weekend live-in worker was also exceptional. When we performed an introduction on the first day of the assignment Sandra passed on all the knowledge she had about the assignment and was available to Yemi at all times. These workers truly worked as a team to care for this client.

When clients call, or write thank you notes, or letters, we see this is a true achievement. Clients often call to thank us for the great matches we make between a caregiver and their loved one. We do not just pick any caregiver to be with their loved one but we strive to make the best possible match to assure the highest quality of care!   We encourage our caregivers go an extra mile to make their clients happy.

Image Source: www.theclareatwatertower.com

When needing help with aging parents or older adults living in the Chicago area please contact one of our offices -  Home Care Chicago North Side (773) 784-4024, Home Care Chicago Gold Coast and Lincoln Park (773) 463-3500, or Home Care Chicago Downtown, Near West, South Side (312) 348-7238.