Senior Care as Parent Care in Evanston, IL: National Parents’ Day

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Tom Merlin and Joy Schaefer

As a senior care provider for your aging parents, it can sometimes be difficult to remember the original relationship between you and the senior. Even if you still respect and love your aging parents as your “parents”, you may find yourself not acknowledging them as you once did. This can leave them feeling disrespected, forgotten, and even lonely. The role of being a parent is very important, and seniors don’t want to be disregarded or forgotten for the role that they have played in the lives of their children. This summer, make an effort to show that you still love and appreciate your aging parents just as much as you did when you were a child by taking part in National Parents Day.

Senior Care in Evanston, ILCelebrated in July, National Parents Day is a time set aside to honor parents of contributions that they make to the community. This holiday is generally celebrated by younger children, featuring crafts and projects made in school and pageants and presentations to which the parents are invited. This does not mean, however, that you cannot take part in the event. There are several ways that you can show your love and appreciation for your aging parents on National Parents Day:

  • Plan a special outing together such as a trip to a local garden, a baseball game, or even just a nice meal together.
  • Gather the family to go through pictures of your parents throughout your childhood.
  • Write a letter to each of your parents expressing your love for them, how much appreciate all that they did for you throughout your life, and even the value that you find in providing their senior care now that you are an adult.
  • Get your siblings, their partners, and their children together for a family portrait. Present this portrait to your parents as a special gift that they can hang in their home, reminding them of their amazing family.

Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are both special events that encourage you to show your love and appreciation for your parents. There’s something very special, however, about acknowledging your parents as a unit. National Parents Day is about celebrating families, their unity, and the love that they share together. Regardless of how your family came together, its composition now, or how you are creating a family, take the time this summer to acknowledge the parental figures in your life, and remind yourself of the importance of your senior care efforts in the lives of these people.

If you or someone you know needs help with senior care in Evanston, IL contact the caregivers at Home Helpers. We provide quality and affordable home care for many disabled and elderly loved ones in our community. Call us at (847) 780-7507 for more information.

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The Educated Caregiver in Park Ridge, IL: the Power of Research and Preparing Loved Ones

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Tom Merlin and Joy Schaefer

When you make the commitment to be a caregiver for an aging loved one, you are not just making a commitment to make sure they are fed, clean, and in a safe environment. Being a family care provider for a senior adult is about providing a high quality of life and encouraging productivity, physical and emotional health, activity, and happiness. One way that this happens is by educating yourself and preparing your aging loved one for what they may encounter in the coming years.

Caregiver in Park Ridge, ILIt is a common misconception that both the young and the elderly are not capable of handling difficult, uncomfortable, confusing, or painful topics. Many think it is better to hide these things from their loved ones in order to “protect” them or keeping them from coping with unpleasant emotions. Unfortunately, these good intentions can have very serious consequences. If your aging loved one does not feel as though he understands what is going on he may become frightened, distrustful, and confused. It is better that you become as informed as you can and then share this information with you aging loved one in a way that he will understand so that he continues to feel in control of his own life.

If you are concerned about talking with your aging loved one about his medical concerns, contact the elder care services agency in your area to discuss bringing your loved one to a counselor. This counselor will help you to approach the senior adult in a way that is both confident and comforting. It can be easier for an aging adult to absorb information from an unbiased person. You may find that your loved one is resistant to listening to you about his health, and may even feel that you are overdramatizing or are being meddlesome about the issues. Having a counselor speak with him, however, will show that it is not you being obsessive or over emotional about the situation. He will likely be more willing to listen to the counselor, and the counselor will be able to phrase the information in such a way that your loved one is able to understand it and use it effectively.

It is important to note that keeping your aging loved one informed does not necessarily mean telling him absolutely everything that is going on. There may be times when you need to select the information that you will share if there is a concern that your loved one will respond very negatively, or if there is simply nothing that can be done and your loved one will not need to change his lifestyle in anyway. Speak with his physician and a geriatric psychologist for recommendations as to how your loved one should be approached.

If you or someone you know needs help with home care in Park Ridge, IL contact the caregivers at Home Helpers. We provide quality and affordable home care for many disabled and elderly loved ones in our community. Call us at (847) 780-7507 for more information.

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Summertime Fun: Elder Care at a BBQ in Niles, IL

Posted on June 5, 2013 by Tom Merlin and Joy Schaefer

Cookouts, barbecues and outdoor parties – they are all part of summer fun, enjoyed by people of all ages. If you have been dreading these outings because you are a caregiver, don’t fear. There are ways for you and your aging loved one to have a great time! You just need to plan ahead a little.

First of all, ensure that your mom’s health is good enough to go to a party keeping in mind that there could be heat and lots of sunshine, insects and party noise, smoke from the cookers and possibly lots of children running around and getting into everything.

Check with the host and make sure they know you are bringing your elderly mom, what her limitations are and can they accommodate her. If it doesn’t look like it’s going to work, perhaps another of your relatives can watch over your mom at home so that you can still go. It’s important for you to socialize and get out attending functions.

If you and your host both think it will work out well to bring your mom, go for it! It will do your mom a lot of good to get out and enjoy the fresh air, socialize with people and take part in the fun. She was once young too, mobile and eager to go to events. Just because her body has slowed down, doesn’t mean she has lost the desire to attend a summer BBQ.

Some tips to help everything go smoothly

  • Make sure that any necessary arrangements are made for dietary restrictions your mom may have so that she can enjoy the food at the activity.
  • What kind of seating will be available? Will there be chairs supplied or should you bring your own? If your mom is in a wheelchair, will there be an appropriate place to park it?
  • Shade and shelter. Especially on hot sunny days, the elderly can’t tolerate too much time in the sun. Some good shade would be appropriate, and some shelter in case of rain or inclement weather.
  • Sunscreen should be applied before your elderly loved one goes outside.
  • Make sure she dresses in layers of clothes, so that she can keep them on if she feels chilly or she can begin to peel off outside layers of she needs to cool off.
  • Make sure that your mom is in a spot where she can enjoy watching the children playing, but they won’t be bumping into her and possibly putting her off balance or knocking her down.
  • Your mom’s spot should also be away from the hot BBQ.

Have some fun! This is a good way for you and your senior to enjoy some summer fun and some socializing.

If you or someone you know needs help with elder care in Niles, IL contact the caregivers at Home Helpers. We provide quality and affordable home care for many disabled and elderly loved ones in our community. Call us at (847) 780-7507 for more information.

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Home Care Services in Evanston, IL- Being Open to Feedback from a Home Care Companion

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Tom Merlin and Joy Schaefer

If you have been providing senior care for an aging loved one and have recently made the decision to hire a home care services to supplement the care that you provide, it is normal to feel a touch defensive. After all, you have been dedicating your time, energy, and effort to making sure that your aging loved one is as safe, healthy, and happy as possible. You may be reluctant to allow another person, particularly a complete stranger, to come into the home and begin doing things her way. You may be tempted to give extensive and exhaustive instructions to the new home care services companion, insisting that she provide care and assistance to your aging loved one in the exact same way that you have. While this will achieve a level of control for you, it could be detrimental to your aging loved one. It is important to remember that home care companion have been providing home care for aging adults throughout their career, and with each new client they learn more about the responsibilities and their own techniques. This means that they bring perspective, experience, and unbiased opinions to the care relationship with your aging loved one. Being open to the feedback and opinions of a care companion can allow you to ensure your aging loved one receives the very best care and assistance possible.

Some of the ways that being open to feedback from a home care services can be helpful include:

  • The care companion may notice safety hazards throughout the home. Accepting this feedback will allow you to make useful modifications that will ensure both the safety of your aging loved one and of the care provider.
  • The care companion may notice dietary issues for your aging loved one. This may be that your loved one is not eating enough, is having difficulty eating, or is only eating particular types. This could be an indication of an emerging or worsening condition. Knowing this information will allow you to bring it to the attention of your loved one’s physician.
  • The care companion may notice behavioral changes in your loved one that could be early indications of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. The earlier the detection of these issues, the more likely that they will be able to be treated and managed effectively.
  • The care companion can keep track of medication and treatment compliance, and give you recommendations as to how you can improve this compliance for the benefit of your aging loved one.

If you or someone you know needs help with home care services in Evanston, IL contact the caregivers at Home Helpers. We provide quality and affordable home care for many disabled and elderly loved ones in our community. Call us at (847) 780-7507 for more information.

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Elder Care in Park Ridge, IL: Getting Help

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Tom Merlin and Joy Schaefer

The wisest thing a family caregiver can do is to know when to get help. This is especially true when the elderly loved one suffers from Alzheimer’s or dementia. These diseases affect the brain which controls communication, behavior, speech, thinking, reasoning, problem solving, memory and so forth.

What happens in a family when grandmother is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia? Every family member handles it differently. Mom kicks into caregiver mode, dad worries that mom has taken on too much responsibility, the teenagers remember their granny before she started forgetting things, and so they do notice a difference. Little kids still see granny as herself and don’t notice much difference, as long as she can still give her hugs to them.

The primary caregiver that is responsible for the most care may feel burdened and overwhelmed as the disease progresses and the abilities of the loved one diminish. Mom Elder Care in Park Ridge, ILstill has children at home to care for. Caregiving becomes a full-time job as time goes by and the elderly loved one can do less and less self-care.

Help must be available

Elderly home care is available on an hourly, daily, or live in basis. When the primary caregiver realizes she can no longer keep up to the demands of home and children and her aging mother, it’s time to call in the back-up. Home care for the elderly provided by a licensed agency is just what mom needs so that she can have peace of mind knowing that her aging mother is getting the best care possible.

The whole family enjoys peace of mind and can have more quality time visiting with granny when she is getting quality care from an elderly health care provider. It takes the burden off the mom of the family, who is already caregiver to her own children.

Sometimes this is a hard decision, to hire someone else to care for your aging parent, when they always cared for you and were there for you. Moms are natural nurturers and want to take care of family members. Sometimes mom forgets to take care of herself, as she becomes so immersed in caring for husband, children and now her own mother.

Help is available. There are trained, loving and nurturing caregivers at agencies that provide home care for the elderly. They can come in and take care of granny while mom gets a much-needed break. The family will experience less stress and granny will receive attention and help from a quality home care provider.

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Senior Care in Niles, IL: Migraine Awareness Month

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Tom Merlin and Joy Schaefer

Over 37 million people in the United States suffer from migraines. With migraine sufferers being such a large total of the population, it is no wonder that there are many who wish to understand it more fully. Yet, despite how many have migraines, there is still a wealth of misinformation and myths about migraines that persist in the greater population and thus having a migraine awareness month helps to bring the issues to the forefront of society. If you are providing care for a loved one, migraines can be especially debilitating. If you provide senior care for someone who cannot do for themselves, you must remain vigilant, aware and capable of acting, which migraines can stop you from being.

Senior Care in Niles, ILAs more and more people find the truth about migraines and the myth of them being just ‘severe headaches’ disappears, help has come to those who suffer. With a community of people who likewise go through these issues, the possibility of finding new treatments, becoming a block that researchers cannot ignore and comforting one another have started to become reality. Indeed already there has been a massive shift in public perception as people have realized that these debilitating migraines can happen to anyone of any walk of life, including children. As migraine sufferers learn the signs of an oncoming migraine and take steps to prevent or prepare for it, there is only left the stigma of other people in how they view your treatment of the migraine.

When it comes to those who provide senior care, it can be difficult to explain a migraine as a reason you cannot fulfill your duty. Many who do not get migraines have a hard time understanding the severity of the issue and thus need to be educated as to what a migraine actually is. For those people, Migraine Awareness Month is essential, and it is up to you to help spread the word and make everyone in your community understand that this ‘isn’t just a headache.’ Wear purple, post blogs and tweets and status updates about it, hand out flyers, participate in walks or any number of ways to promote the cause and get people asking questions about migraines. It is often that through migraine education, more people realize that they in fact get migraines as well, and are able to find help in explaining to employers, healthcare providers and schools their absenteeism. Find an event in your community today and spread the word about migraines.

If you or someone you know needs help with senior care in Niles, IL contact the caregivers at Home Helpers. We provide quality and affordable home care for many disabled and elderly loved ones in our community. Call us at (847) 780-7507 for more information.

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Awareness in Elderly Care in Skokie, IL: Stroke Awareness Month

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Tom Merlin and Joy Schaefer

On May 11, 1989 President George Bush signed a Presidential Proclamation 5975. This proclamation designated May as the official National Stroke Awareness Month. Since then, every year the Of Stroke Association has led the nation in observing a month-long time it to honor those that suffer from stroke, elderly care providers who have helped these seniors, and other health care workers who have helped sufferers of stroke. This month is dedicated to raising public awareness of this serious condition in an effort to find ways to treat and overcome the condition.

As with many other conditions in elderly care, there is a tremendous effort and push for the medical community to find more effective ways to treat and manage stroke. Though it can happen to people of virtually any age, stroke is especially common in the elderly, and many elder care providers have learned the difficulty of helping an aging loved one cope with the physical and psychological consequences of having a stroke.

The specific goals of raising awareness of stroke include:

  • Modifying the mindset of Americans so more people express genuine care about supporting education into stroke and stroke research
  • Raising awareness of the emotional, physical and financial implications associated with having stroke. These implications are not just on the person suffers the stroke, but also his caregivers and the nation as a whole
  • Encouraging our nation to improve and support our health to avoid stroke
  • Sure and personal stories to encourage understanding of the condition, the aftermath, and the realities of providing elderly care for a person who has suffered a stroke
  • Influencing legislators and intellectual leaders throughout our nation to make valuable decisions that can make a dramatic positive impact on stroke survivors and their loved ones
  • Providing a valuable platform for the millions of survivors and their families to gain support, speak out about their experiences and do their part in helping raise awareness, education and encourage further research into the condition.

There is no role to small and raising awareness about stroke. If you have an aging loved one who has suffered a stroke, have known someone who has suffered a stroke, or have yourself suffered a stroke, it is your responsibility within the elderly care community and the nation as a whole to be a part of the efforts to raise awareness and encourage education throughout our nation. Contact the elderly care referral services in your area to find out how you can become involved in a community event for Stroke Awareness.

If you or someone you know needs help with elderly care in Skokie, IL contact the caregivers at Home Helpers. We provide quality and affordable home care for many disabled and elderly loved ones in our community. Call us at (847) 780-7507 for more information.

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Caregivers in Skokie, IL Honor their Aging Loved Ones During Older Americans Month

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Tom Merlin and Joy Schaefer

All too often our culture focuses on the power and appeal of youth. Each year, however, the Administration on Aging encourages the nation to come together to celebrate the strength, vitality and beauty of older adults. This year’s Older Americans Month is your opportunity as a family caregiver to encourage your aging loved one to “Unleash the power of aging”. If you have been providing home care for an aging loved one, make May your time to honor your aging loved one for the years he has lived, the wisdom he has gained and the continued contribution he makes to society.

The Administration on Aging holds Older Americans Month each year makes an effort to bring honor, awareness, and enthusiasm to elder care. This month, unlike other observations, is not about the people who care for aging adults, but the seniors themselves. Rather than focusing on the care they receive and the efforts to help them through their challenges and limitations, Older Americans Month is about celebrating the power and value of seniors.

There are many ways you can help the aging adult for whom you provide home care participate in Older Americans Month. Some ideas include:

  • Find organizations in need of volunteers and encourage your aging loved one to get involved volunteering within the community.
  • Find speaking opportunities that allow your loved one to teach others with the wisdom and knowledge he has gained over the years.
  • Find a new hobby or activity for your aging loved one. Contact the elder care community center or agency in your area to find out more about the clubs, activities or groups available.
  • Find civic opportunities for your aging loved one. Start a community organization, or encourage your loved one to seek leadership roles within an existing organization.

Older Americans Month is the chance for you to ensure your aging loved one lives the happiest, healthiest and most productive lifestyle possible. Just because your loved one is getting older doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have plenty more to contribute to society and plenty more life to live. This month-long observation is about encouraging activity, excitement and high quality of life in your aging loved one so they can see the value they continue to offer to the community. Sometimes seniors feel looked over, but this May you can join up with the rest of the nation in telling your aging loved one that he is not forgotten, but rather loved, acknowledged and appreciated.

If you or someone you know needs help with home care in Skokie, IL contact the caregivers at Home Helpers. We provide quality and affordable home care for many disabled and elderly loved ones in our community. Call us at (847) 780-7507 for more information.

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The Importance of an Elder Care Calendar in Skokie, IL

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Tom Merlin and Joy Schaefer

If there’s one thing that most elderly care providers will agree upon is that it is critical to have not only an elder care plan, but an elder care calendar. When preparing to become an elder care provider for an aging loved one, you may not realize or appreciate how much planning and strategy will go into providing the best, most effective elder care as you possibly can. Once you enter into this relationship, however, you will quickly understand that in order to be the best care provider, you will need to be organized. Appropriately managing multiple medical conditions requires a close understanding of the frequency of medication doses and other treatments, how often you need to be bringing your aging loved one to medical appointments and the close monitoring and recording of new and worsening symptoms. All of this can be accomplished on an elder care calendar.

When picking out your elder care calendar, take into consideration how many things you think will be included on a daily basis. Some of the things that will need to be noted on this calendar include:

  • What medication needs to be taken, in what does and how often
  • Any medical appointments need to be scheduled or attended that day
  • Any new symptoms that appear
  • Any symptoms that seem to have worsened
  • Any questions that you may have for the doctor
  • Specific instructions for anyone else you may be providing elder care for your loved one on that particular day
  • Notes for groceries or other supplies that you may need
  • Events or obligation for your life outside of your elder care arrangement.

The specific items that you choose to include on your elder care calendar are completely up to you. What matters is that you remain organized and properly scheduled as to continue providing the best, most attentive care possible. Remember that many medications and treatments must be taken on a very specific schedule, and having this noted on a highly visible calendar will make it easy for you to remember, and to give reminders to your aging loved one. Noting a new behaviors or symptoms on a calendar can also help you to identify patterns that you may otherwise have ignored. These patterns can be indicative of a worsening war new condition that will need to be brought to the attention of your loved one’s doctor.

If you or someone you know needs help with elder care in Skokie, IL contact the caregivers at Home Helpers. We provide quality and affordable home care for many disabled and elderly loved ones in our community. Call us at (847) 780-7507 for more information.

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Home Care Services in Niles, IL Helping Seniors Cope with Parkinson’s Disease

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Tom Merlin and Joy Schaefer

Next to Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease is the most common neurodegenerative disorder. This disease results from the dopamine generating cells in the patient’s brain undergoing a massive cell death. While the cause of this cell death is not known, it is obvious that these particular cells are rapidly and dramatically reduced. Over the course of the disease, the patient will exhibit primarily physical symptoms, as opposed to the largely cognitive symptoms exhibited by seniors with Alzheimer’s disease. These symptoms include tremors, continuous shaking, difficulty walking, rigidity and slowness of movement. During the later stages of the disease, seemingly the opposite of Alzheimer’s disease, patients may experience a variety of cognitive or behavioral issues. Other difficult symptoms of the disease include sensory problems, difficulty sleeping and emotional changes. This disease, also as with Alzheimer’s disease, is most prevalent among seniors, with the vast majority of patients developing the disease after the age of 50.

Home Care Services in Niles, ILDiagnosis of the disease can be difficult because there is no laboratory test that can be used to identify the disease. Brain scans, however, are frequently used to eliminate the possibility of other diseases that may manifest in similar symptoms. If Parkinson’s is suspected, the patient may be given a drug known as levodopa. If this medication works to provide relief of the involuntary movements and motor impairment the diagnosis is considered confirmed. This drug works to replace the dopamine in the brain that has been lost due to the rampant cell death. Because even this diagnosis is not necessarily fool-proof, most experts recommend that patients having been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease be reviewed periodically to ensure that the disease is progressing in such a way that it can still be considered Parkinson’s. The only true proof of a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis is autopsy of the brain.

In the early stages of the disease, the senior will likely be able to care for himself normally, but as the disease progresses he will need more assistance taking care of his daily needs. When this time comes, home care services can be truly invaluable. An in home care provider offers ongoing care and assistance to seniors coping with Parkinson’s disease so they are able to maintain as much independence as possible and move through the progression of the disease with grace and dignity.

An in home care provider will be present in the home to help seniors cope with the symptoms of the disease, as well as the often-disorienting side effects of the dopamine-replacement drugs prescribed for these patients. Home care providers will help the senior cope with the physical challenges he is facing, as well as the onset of psychological and behavioral concerns as they arise for a more comfortable and productive quality of life.

If you or someone you know needs help with home care services in Niles, IL contact the caregivers at Home Helpers. We provide quality and affordable home care for many disabled and elderly loved ones in our community. Call us at (847) 780-7507 for more information.

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