In a previous blog post, we stressed the importance of overcoming the impulse to do everything for an older loved one, and as much as possible, promoting independence in seniors. While this is certainly easier said than done, there are some steps you can take towards reaching this goal. The experts at professional home care services, Home & Hearth Caregivers,…
In the days when our parents were young, phones were still attached to walls, mail was delivered by postmen, and if adult children lived far away from their parents, checking in on them was comprised of asking someone nearby to stop in for a visit. If someone was housebound because of illness or infirmity, isolation could quickly set in. Social…
As you go through the different periods of your life, your stages of independence can take on different meanings. They can be significant stages, such as leaving your parents’ home or getting married, or smaller stages, such as completing tasks you didn’t think you could manage. Then as you age, independence takes on still another form – being able to…
It’s true: there’s no place like home, and an overwhelming majority of adults age 65 and over, 90 percent per AARP, prefer to age in place in their own homes as they age. But what does that mean when it comes to senior independence? While the desire to remain living at home as opposed to moving to an assisted living…
Leave it to the healthcare industry to come up with yet another few acronyms to add to their extensive list – ADLs and IADLs. These are common terms in the healthcare field used to outline the everyday self-care tasks that a person engages in on a regular basis to stay independent and well. It is also common for these acronyms…
It can be human nature to deny that we are in need of help, although we really do. This can be typical especially of seniors, who may not want to confess they need help doing the daily activities that used to be a snap but now are becoming more difficult. For loved ones, this can make noticing that an older…
The most wonderful thing about human beings is that each one of them is altogether one-of-a-kind, and that doesn’t change just because of age. As we grow older, we remain the unique and intricate individuals that we have been our entire lives. Assuming that all older adults will act the same and need the same things is a cookie cutter…
“I never want to end up in a nursing home.” If you’re the child of an elderly parent, more than likely you’ve heard your loved one say these words or a similar statement signifying his or her wish to continue to age in place at home as opposed to moving into a nursing home or assisted living facility. The fact…
The holiday season is all about enjoying time with family—from the youngest baby to the oldest great-grandfather, and everyone in between! And this season, whether you’re getting together for dinner, a party, or any other group outing, it’s important to be prepared. Consider these holiday ideas for seniors from Chicago’s top-rated in home care provider, Home & Hearth Caregivers, to…
Changing seasons can sometimes bring on changes in how we feel. And while for many of us, the holiday season is a joyful time—the colder temperatures and shorter days can bring on darker feelings as well. The low light that occurs in fall and winter can lead to a type of clinical seasonal depression called seasonal affective disorder (SAD). During…
